bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring compliance of CITES lion bone exports from South Africa
Authors: Williams Vivienne L. , Coals Peter G. , de Bruyn Marli , Naude Vincent N. , Dalton Desiré L. , Kotzé Antoinette
Published: April 2021

From 2008 to 2018, South Africa permitted the export of captive-bred African lion (Panthera leo) skeletons to Southeast Asia under CITES Appendix II. Legal exports rose from approximately 50 individuals in 2008 to a maximum of 1,771 skeletons in 2016, and has led to ongoing concerns over possible laundering of non-lion, multiple-source and wild-sourced bones. South Africa is required under its obligations to CITES to employ mechanisms for monitoring and reporting trade, and to limit the potential for illegal trade and laundering of lion and other large felid bones. Monitoring tools for legal trade are critical to compliance with CITES. Here we evaluate the CITES-compliance procedure implemented by South Africa for export of lion bones and identify six essential general points for consideration in the implementation of animal export quota compliance protocols. We provide specific insight into the South African lion bone export monitoring system through: i) outlining the protocols followed; ii) assessing the utility of cranial morphology to identify species; iii) evaluating skeleton consignment weight as a monitoring tool; and iv) presenting molecular (DNA) species assignment and pairwise-comparative sample matching of individuals. We describe irregularities and illicit behaviour detected in the 2017 and 2018 lion bone quotas. Notably, we report that the compliance procedure successfully identified and prevented the attempted laundering of a tiger (P.tigris) skeleton in 2018. We emphasise the utility of mixed-method protocols for the monitoring of compliance in CITES Appendix II export quota systems.
Identifying the natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the spatial disparity of population hollowing in traditional villages within a prefecture-level city
Authors: Liu Sheng , Bai Ming , Yao Min , Huang Ke
Published: April 2021

In developing countries, the phenomena of rural depopulation have been an intense continuing, which have become a major bottleneck for the sustainable revitalization of traditional villages. However, the factors influencing the spatial disparity of population hollowing (SDPH) in traditional villages within a prefecture-level city have not been fully quantitatively researched. Based on the factors that influence general villages, this study incorporated historical and cultural factors related to traditional village characteristics to construct a targeted influencing factor index system and then identified the key factors by applying the geo-detector method. With the percentage of resident population (PRP) used as a metric, this study examined Lishui, one of China’s traditional village agglomeration regions, as an example to explore SDPH in traditional villages. The results of this study were revealed in the following. (1) The average PRP value in traditional villages in Lishui was 0.68, with clear spatial disparities between the northern region (0.73) and the southern region (0.57). (2) The factors driving the SDPH included both natural and anthropogenic factors; of these, altitude, the number of public facilities, and the number of communication base stations were the most significant influencing factors. In contrast, historical and cultural factors have relatively low impacts. (3) The interaction relationships of pair factors were often enhanced on a bivariate basis, with the highest enhanced impact occurring from the interaction of two variables: the degree of intangible cultural inheritance and altitude. (4) The intervals of the variables leading to the hollowing of the population above a moderate level can be detected. This method can effectively analyze the factors influencing SDPH in traditional villages; can help reveal the interaction impact of pair factors; and can help identify the factors’ risk intervals.
Factors influencing early postnatal care utilisation among women: Evidence from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Appiah Francis , Salihu Tarif , Fenteng Justice Ofosu Darko , Darteh Andrews Ohene , Djan Esther Twewa , Takyi Matthew , Ayerakwah Patience Ansomah , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Early postnatal care (EPNC) utilisation is crucial for averting maternal deaths as recommended by the World Health Organisation. About 30% of women do not obtain EPNC in Ghana and no national level study have investigated the determinants of EPNC. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing factors associated with EPNC uptake among women aged 15–49 in Ghana.

Materials and methods

The study utilised data from the women’s file of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) and sampled 1,678 women aged 15–49 who had complete data on EPNC. Descriptive computation of EPNC was done. Since EPNC (which is the main outcome variable for the study) was dichotomous, the binary logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing utilisation of EPNC at 95% two-tailed confidence interval. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR). Stata version 14.0 was used for all the analyses.

Results

Descriptively, the results indicated that 31% of women aged 15–49 sought EPNC. At the inferential level, women aged 40–44 were more likely to seek EPNC compared to those aged 15–19 [AOR = 3.66, CI = 1.25–10.67]. Islam women had higher odds of EPNC as compared with Christians [AOR = 1.70, CI = 1.23–2.35]. Comparatively, women of Mande ethnic group had higher propensity to seek EPNC than the Akan [AOR = 3.22, CI = 1.20–8.69]. Residents of the Greater Accra region were over 11 times probable to utilise EPNC compared with the residents of Western region.

Conclusion

The key determinants of EPNC were age, religion, ethnicity, marital status and region. Therefore, the Health Promotion and Education Unit and Reproductive and Child Health Department of the Ghana Health Service need to scale up EPNC sensitisation programmes and should target women aged 15–19, Christians and other category of women with less likelihood of EPNC in order to offset the disparities.
Paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT): An e-survey of the experiences of parents and clinicians
Authors: Carter Bernie , Fisher-Smith Debra , Porter David , Lane Steven , Peak Matthew , Taylor-Robinson David , Bracken Louise , Carrol Enitan D.
Published: April 2021

Background

Little evidence exists about parental satisfaction and their influence on referral to paediatric Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT).

Aim

This study aimed to examine the experiences of parents, children and clinicians of OPAT at a large tertiary children’s hospital.

Method

A prospective e-survey, using closed and open questions, of parents (n = 33) of 33 children who had received OPAT (3 children completed a survey), and clinicians (n = 31) involved in OPAT at a tertiary hospital. Data were collected September 2016 to July 2018.

Results

Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The results show that OPAT offered benefits (less stress, re-establishment of family life) compared to hospital-based treatment for parents and children, although some were anxious. Clinicians’ referral judgements were based on child, home, and clinical factors. Some clinicians found the process of referral complex.

Conclusion

Most parents and children were satisfied with the OPAT service and preferred the option of home-based treatment as it promoted the child’s comfort and recovery and supported family routines.
Emotional bookkeeping and differentiated affiliative relationships: Exploring the role of dynamics and speed in updating relationship quality in the EMO-model
Authors: Zijlstra Tonko W. , de Vries Han , Sterck Elisabeth H. M.
Published: April 2021

Emotional bookkeeping is the process by which primates integrate the emotional effects of social interactions to form internal representations of their affiliative relationships. The dynamics and speed of this process, which comprises the formation, maintenance and fading out of affiliative relationships, are not clear. Empirical data suggest that affiliative relationships are slowly formed and do not easily fade out. The EMO-model, an agent-based model designed to simulate the social life of primates capable of emotional bookkeeping, was used to explore the effects of different types of internal relationship dynamics and speeds of increase and decrease of relationship strength. In the original EMO-model the internal dynamics involves a fast built-up of a relationship independent of its current quality, alongside a relatively fast fading out of relationship quality. Here we explore the effect of this original dynamics and an alternative dynamics more in line with empirical data, in combination with different speeds of internal relationship quality increase and decrease, on the differentiation and stability of affiliative relationships. The alternative dynamics leads to more differentiated and stable affiliative relationships than the original dynamics, especially when the speed with which internal relationship quality increases is low and the speed with which it decreases is intermediate. Consequently, individuals can groom different group members with varying frequency and support a rich social life with stable preferred partners and attention to several others. In conclusion, differentiated and stable affiliative relationships are especially formed when friends are not made too quickly and not forgotten too easily.
A challenge for healthcare system resilience after an earthquake: The crowdedness of a first-aid hospital by non-urgent patients
Authors: Lin You-Xuan , Lin Chi-Hao , Lin Chih-Hao
Published: April 2021

After a violent earthquake, the supply of medical services may fall short of the rising demand, leading to overcrowding in hospitals, and, consequently, a collapse in the healthcare system. This paper takes the emergency care system in Taiwan as the research context, where first-aid hospitals are ranked to three levels, advanced, intermediate, and general, and, currently, emphasizes on a general emergency responsibility hospital. Having limited capacity and capability, a general emergency responsibility hospital treats minor and moderate injuries, from which the majority of earthquake-induced casualties suffer. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of this group of earthquake-induced non-urgent patients on the performance of a hospital. A patient flow model was built to represent patients’ paths throughout emergency care. Based on the model, discrete event simulation was applied to simulate patients’ trajectories and states of a hospital under four seismic scenarios, where patient visits are 1.4, 1.6, 1.9, and 2.3 times the normal number. A healthcare performance index, Crowdedness Index (CI), is proposed to measure crowdedness on a daily basis, which is defined as the ratio of the average waiting time for treatment to the recommended maximal waiting time. Results of simulations rendered the establishment of empirical equations, describing the relation between the maximum CIs and the patient growth ratios. In the most severe case in this study, the maximum CI exceeds 92 and it takes 10 days to recover from the quality drop. This highlights the problem a general emergency responsibility hospital may encounter if no emergency response measure is implemented. Findings are provided pertaining to the predication of a recovery curve and the alarming level of patient increase, which are supportive information for preparedness planning as well as response measure formulation to improve resilience.
Modelling extracellular matrix and cellular contributions to whole muscle mechanics
Authors: Konno Ryan N. , Nigam Nilima , Wakeling James M.
Published: April 2021

Skeletal muscle tissue has a highly complex and heterogeneous structure comprising several physical length scales. In the simplest model of muscle tissue, it can be represented as a one dimensional nonlinear spring in the direction of muscle fibres. However, at the finest level, muscle tissue includes a complex network of collagen fibres, actin and myosin proteins, and other cellular materials. This study shall derive an intermediate physical model which encapsulates the major contributions of the muscle components to the elastic response apart from activation-related along-fibre responses. The micro-mechanical factors in skeletal muscle tissue (eg. connective tissue, fluid, and fibres) can be homogenized into one material aggregate that will capture the behaviour of the combination of material components. In order to do this, the corresponding volume fractions for each type of material need to be determined by comparing the stress-strain relationship for a volume containing each material. This results in a model that accounts for the micro-mechanical features found in muscle and can therefore be used to analyze effects of neuro-muscular diseases such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophies. The purpose of this study is to construct a model of muscle tissue that, through choosing the correct material parameters based on experimental data, will accurately capture the mechanical behaviour of whole muscle. This model is then used to look at the impacts of the bulk modulus and material parameters on muscle deformation and strain energy-density distributions.
The force-velocity profile as determinant of spike and serve ball speed in top-level male volleyball players
Authors: Baena-Raya Andrés , Soriano-Maldonado Alberto , Rodríguez-Pérez Manuel A. , García-de-Alcaraz Antonio , Ortega-Becerra Manuel , Jiménez-Reyes Pedro , García-Ramos Amador
Published: April 2021

Understanding the relationship between mechanical variables derived from actions such as jumping, sprinting, or ballistic bench press throwing and sport-specific performance moves is of scientific and practical interest for strength and conditioning coaches for improving training programs. We examined the association between mechanical variables derived from the force-velocity (FV) profiles of the aforementioned actions and spike and serve ball speeds in elite volleyball players. Twenty-two male elite volleyball players (age: 24.3 ± 4.5 years; height: 1.89 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 86.3 ± 8.6 kg) were tested in two sessions. Squatting, sprinting, and bench press throwing FV profiles were determined in the first session, while spike and serve ball speeds were assessed in the second session. The theoretical maximal force (F0) of vertical jumping, the theoretical maximal velocity of sprinting, and the F0 of bench press throwing in ascending order, were strongly associated (rs range 0.53–0.84; p<0.05) with spike and serve ball speeds. These mechanical variables explained 20%-36% of the variability in spike and serve ball speeds, with a greater influence on the serve speed. These results suggest that assessing jumping, sprinting, and bench press throwing force-velocity profiles might help provide player-specific training programs and optimize performance in these technical-tactical actions in male elite volleyball players.
FOXO regulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides and promotes phagocytosis of hemocytes in shrimp antibacterial immunity
Authors: Li Cang , Hong Pan-Pan , Yang Ming-Chong , Zhao Xiao-Fan , Wang Jin-Xing
Published: April 2021

Invertebrates rely on innate immunity, including humoral and cellular immunity, to resist pathogenic infection. Previous studies showed that forkhead box transcription factor O (FOXO) participates in mucosal immune responses of mammals and the gut humoral immune regulation of invertebrates. However, whether FOXO is involved in systemic and cellular immunity regulation in invertebrates remains unknown. In the present study, we identified a FOXO from shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) and found that it was expressed at relatively basal levels in normal shrimp, but was upregulated significantly in shrimp challenged by Vibrio anguillarum. FOXO played a critical role in maintaining hemolymph and intestinal microbiota homeostasis by promoting the expression of Relish, the transcription factor of the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway for expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in shrimp. We also found that pathogen infection activated FOXO and induced its nuclear translocation by reducing serine/threonine kinase AKT activity. In the nucleus, activated FOXO directly regulated the expression of its target Amp and Relish genes against bacterial infection. Furthermore, FOXO was identified as being involved in cellular immunity by promoting the phagocytosis of hemocytes through upregulating the expression of the phagocytotic receptor scavenger receptor C (Src), and two small GTPases, Rab5 and Rab7, which are related to phagosome trafficking to the lysosome in the cytoplasm. Taken together, our results indicated that FOXO exerts its effects on homeostasis of hemolymph and the enteric microbiota by activating the IMD pathway in normal shrimp, and directly or indirectly promoting AMP expression and enhancing phagocytosis of hemocytes against pathogens in bacteria-infected shrimp. This study revealed the different functions of FOXO in the mucosal (local) and systemic antibacterial immunity of invertebrates.
Serological and molecular survey of Leptospira spp. infections in wild boars and red foxes from Southeastern France
Authors: Roquelo Cédric , Kodjo Angeli , Marié Jean-Lou , Davoust Bernard
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. Information on the recent prevalence of Leptospira in hunted wild animals is limited, particularly in southeastern France. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. among wild boars (Sus scrofa) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two military camps in Southeastern France.

Materials and Methods: Serological analyses were performed using microscopic agglutination tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to demonstrate Leptospira spp. infection from boar kidney DNA extracts.

Results: According to the species, the positive sera were obtained from 18% of 358 boars and 6 % of 64 foxes tested. The prevalence rate is significantly higher (p=0.02) in boars than in foxes. In wild boar, Australis represents the most recorded serogroup (15.9%), followed by Sejroe (2.8%) and icterohaemorhagiae (2.8%). In red fox, icterohaemorhagiae represents the most recorded serogroup (6.25%), followed by Sejroe (1.57%) and Hebdomadis (1.57%). PCR-based detection of Leptospira DNA was positive in 6/62 (9.6%) of the wild boars tested.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the importance of wild boar in the epidemiology of leptospirosis among wildlife in Southeastern France. Due to their predatory behavior and their varied diet, mainly composed of small mammals, red foxes could be considered sentinel animals of environmental contamination with leptospires.
Support vector regression algorithm modeling to predict the parturition date of small - to medium-sized dogs using maternal weight and fetal biparietal diameter
Authors: Sananmuang Thanida , Mankong Kanchanarat , Ponglowhapan Suppawiwat , Chokeshaiusaha Kaj
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) is a feasible parameter to predict canine parturition date due to its inverted correlation with days before parturition (DBP). Although such a relationship is generally described using a simple linear regression (SLR) model, the imprecision of this model in predicting the parturition date in small- to medium-sized dogs is a common problem among veterinarian practitioners. Support vector regression (SVR) is a useful machine learning model for prediction. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of SVR with that of SLR in predicting DBP.

Materials and Methods: After measuring 101 BPDs in 35 small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches, we fitted the data to the routine SLR model and the SVR model using three different kernel functions, radial basis function SVR, linear SVR, and polynomial SVR. The predicted DBP acquired from each model was further utilized for calculating the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error, and mean squared error scores for determining the prediction accuracy.

Results: All SVR models were more accurate than the SLR model at predicting DBP. The linear and polynomial SVRs were identified as the two most accurate models (p<0.01).

Conclusion: With available machine learning software, linear and polynomial SVRs can be applied to predicting DBP in small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches.
Evaluation of Porosity and Water Sorption in Conventionally Cured Modified Polymethyl Methacrylate Resin - An In Vitro Study
Authors: Mathew Merin , Shenoy Kamalakanth , K. S. Ravishankar
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND Dimensional change and porosity in the polymethylmethacrylate based prosthesis affects its clinical performance. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the porosity and water sorption present in the modified polymethyl methacrylate polymer composite. METHODS Control group without fibre reinforcement and test groups with fibre reinforcement were prepared for the study. Three different fibres such as boron free-E glass fibre, untreated and plasma-treated polypropylene fibres in varying weight percentage and aspect ratio were considered for reinforcement. The porosity of the fractured surface was observed through a scanning electron microscope (scanning electron microscope) and sorption measured based on international standards organization (ISO) 1567:1999. RESULTS Control group exhibited porous structures, whereas all fibre-reinforced groups did not exhibit porous structure at the fracture surface. There was a significant difference in the sorption rate between control and test group (p < 0.001). Among fibrereinforced test groups, boron free E glass fibre reinforced polymethylmethacrylate exhibited maximum sorption followed by polypropylene fibre reinforced polymer test groups (p < 0.001). However, all samples showed sorption rate within the ISO specification. CONCLUSIONS Fiber reinforcement is an effective method to reduce porosity and water sorption in polymethylmethacrylate based polymer composite regardless of the fibre type. KEY WORDS Polymer Composite, Porosity, Water Sorption, Fiber Reinforcement, Polymethylmethacrylate
The Effect of Internal Control Components on Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 Risks in Healthcare Organizations in Ethiopia
Authors: Zelie Enyew Mulu
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the worldâ€™s economy and created significant risks from which many sectors, including the healthcare sector, are adversely affected. This study is aimed to evaluate the reliability of internal control systems in healthcare organizations and the effect of internal control components on mitigating the impacts of risks created by the pandemic. The study used a cross-sectional primary data collected from 241 healthcare organizations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and ordered logistic regression analysis methods was applied. Internal control system in the Ethiopian healthcare organizations is found to be moderately reliable. In addition, the ordered logistic regression results show that control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring activities have a statistically significant and negative effect on impact of COVID-19 risks. This implies as the reliability of internal control components increases, the impact of COVID-19 risks on the overall performance of healthcare organizations decreases.
Engels's Ecologically Indispensable if Incomplete Dialectics of Nature
Authors: Blackledge Paul
Published: April 2021

Engels was neither a reductionist nor a positivist, and, far from being a political fatalist, he embraced a form of interventionist politics that was underpinned by a historically emergent ethics. It was this standpoint that he aimed to philosophically ground in Dialectics of Nature.
Socialist Practice and Transition
Authors: Ellner Steve
Published: April 2021

In Socialist Practice, a collection of essays on leftist theory and experiences, Victor Wallis adheres to the view that the achievement of socialism is a drawn out, nonlinear process consisting of episodes that in many cases have a mixed impact on the revolutionary cause. He analyzes several, ranging from the seven decades of Soviet rule to the New Left of the 1960s. His main thesis is that over the last century pure socialism has never existed and that on all fronts socialist movements and governments have contained elements of the old—namely, capitalism.
A Scalable Approach for Data Mining – AHUIM
Authors: Dahiya Vandna , Dalal Sandeep
Published: April 2021

Utility itemset mining, which finds the item sets based on utility factors, has established itself as an essential form of data mining. The utility is defined in terms of quantity and some interest factor. Various methods have been developed so far by the researchers to mine these itemsets but most of them are not scalable. In the present times, a scalable approach is required that can fulfill the budding needs of data mining. A Spark based novel technique has been recommended in this research paper for mining the data in a distributed way, called as Absolute High Utility Itemset Mining (AHUIM). The technique is suitable for small as well as large datasets. The performance of the technique is being measured for various parameters such as speed, scalability, and accuracy etc.
The Influence of Competence with the Elements of Knowledge, Understanding, Ability/Skills, Values, Attitudes and Interest on Employee Performance at the Tanjung Perak Port Authority Office in Surabaya
Authors: Beni Agus Setiono  , Tri Andjarwati  , Kunto Eko Susilo  , Endah Budiarti  , Pramita Studiviany Soemadijo
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to test and analyze the influence of competence with elements of knowledge, understanding, abilities/skills, values, attitudes and interests on employee performance at the Tanjung Perak Port Authority Office, Surabaya. This type of research is an associative study that explains the relationship and influence between competency variables on employee performance. The population in this study amounted to 90 people. The sampling technique used the saturated sampling method. Methods of data collection by interview, literature study, observation and questionnaires. The data were analyzed by using the Simple Linear Regression method. This study concluded that competence with indicators of knowledge, understanding, abilities/skills, values, attitudes and interests has a significant effect on improving employee performance at the Tanjung Perak Main Port Authority Office.
De-stereotyping informal sector gendered division of work: a case of Magaba Home Industry, Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Tanyanyiwa Shadreck , Mutukwa Maxwell Tawanda
Published: April 2021

The informal sector is gradually becoming the sole source of income for millions of people around the world. Yet, there exists grossly asymmetric relationships between men and women in accessing functional prerequisites to operate and survive in the industry. Cultural and socially constructed consciousness within the industry, has created gendered division of work. Therefore, this study explored how to de-stereotype gendered division of work in the informal sector, focusing on Magaba Home Industries in Harare, Zimbabwe.

This qualitative study concludes that human capital development accompanied with social and financial capital is significant in improving capacities of both women and men in productive informal work. The study recommends an ideological shift from perceived oriented line of work based on gender to mainstreaming equality of achievement based on mobile societies that foster upward social mobility thus bridging the gendered skills gap.
E-Learning Critical Success Factors from the Experience of Distance Learners of a Business Faculty in a Malaysian Public University
Authors: Omar Muhamad Khalil , Ahmad Mohamad Fahimi , Mamat Rusalbiah Che , Ngadi Nizar Kusyrina
Published: April 2021

The motivation behind this investigation is to distinguish the Critical Success Factors of e-learning from the student perception in e-PJJ Program (distance learning programme) in Faculty of Business Management Universiti Teknologi MARA. The study depended on the quantitative research technique. The questionnaire was disseminated among e-PJJ student conveniently in Faculty Business Management. There are six courses involved, 1) BBA (Hons) Operation Management, 2) BBA (Hons) Marketing, BBA (Hons) Finance, 3) BBA (Hons) Human Resources Management, 4) BBA (Hons) International Business and 5) Bachelor in Office Management (Hons). The measure of investigation are factors that impact the achievement components of e-learning program in Faculty of Business Management.
Foreign Language Writing Anxiety: The Perceptions and Experiences of Freshmen Lebanese University Students
Authors: LABABIDI ROLA
Published: April 2021

Writing is an essential skill for language production. However, many English as Foreign language learners (EFL) face many difficulties in writing. This study aims to shed light on the psychological aspect of writing; more specifically writing anxiety. Consequently, the main purpose of this exploratory mixed-method study is to explore and investigate the sources and manifestations of foreign language writing anxiety among Lebanese university students. The participants were Lebanese EFL university students (N=87). Data for this study was gathered from the use of the Second Language Writing anxiety scale(SLWAI), Sources of Writing Anxiety Inventory(SWAI), and semi-structured Focus group interviews (FG). Focus interviews with students were used to triangulate the derived data from the inventories. This study provides numerical data regarding the level of writing anxiety among students. The data from the FG interviews were transcribed and uploaded for thematic coding and further analysis. The results from this study shed light on the sources and manifestation of the writing anxiety among students. It also helps to disseminate several practical recommendations for the alleviation of writing anxiety among students. It is assumed that the findings will address the perceived psychological needs of Lebanese EFL learners and provide grounds for further research.
The Pedagogy of English Language Teaching using CBSE Methodologies for schools.
Authors: Hyder Huma
Published: April 2021

Progressive Globalization established the necessity of workforce to possess excellent communication skills in multiple languages. Areas such as tourism, trade, media, technology, science, and others use common languages. However, countries like China, South Korea, and so forth discussed the need to teach one foreign language at primary as well as secondary school level and hence developed education policies that focused on teaching English as a foreign language or second language. Some countries like Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and India already have English language as a second official language. Hence, English Language Education was considered as second foreign language which was accepted and now it is considered as a symbol of aspiring quality education in a national as well as international perspective. In 21st century, English is considered as an international link language which is been widely accepted by people across the world. Although, English language has a historical heritage of British Empire, it is best used to develop an individual’s cultural, technological, scientific and material needs that competes with the society. It is believed that language learning is not just acquiring the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language learning is also about the language competence and the ways communicative competence has been applied in an integrated manner. English language learning is not just an educational issue, it also addresses the issues of the society, national development, and personal advancement. In the present scenario, English Language acquired an inclusive place in most of the societies, especially in India. As a result, English Medium Schools have gained immense popularity which responds to aspiration of the people. This paper tries to present the significance of English as a Second language. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the significant pedagogies or methodologies used in schools to teach English as English language plays a crucial role in the education sector.
The Repair Shop as a Sign of the Cultural Resurgence of Craft and Manual Work
Authors: Hyland Terry
Published: April 2021

Given the low standing of vocational studies in English education and other systems around the world at the present time, it is refreshing to note the resurgence of interest in craft and manual work.  The currently popular BBC programme, The Repair Shop, is a celebration of this renewed interest and offers an especially graphic representation of the virtues and values of craft and handwork.  It is suggested that such example of cultural practice can help towards the enhancement of vocational education and training in schools and colleges, and assist in bridging of the divisions between academic and vocational studies at all levels of education systems.
Influence of the Bar Position on Joint-Level Biomechanics During Isometric Pulling Exercises
Authors: Ahn Nayun , Kim Hoon , Krzyszkowski John , Roche Stuart , Kipp Kristof
Published: April 2021

Ahn, N, Kim, H, Krzyszkowski, J, Roche, S, and Kipp, K. Influence of the bar position on joint-level biomechanics during isometric pulling exercises. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1484–1490, 2021—The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the bar position on ankle, knee, and hip net joint moments (NJMs), relative muscular effort (RME), and vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) during isometric pulling exercises, such as the isometric midthigh pull. Eight female lacrosse athletes performed maximal effort isometric pulls at 3 different bar positions (low: above patella, mid: midthigh, and high: crease of hip) while motion capture and GRF data were recorded. Net joint moments were calculated with inverse dynamics. Relative muscle effort was defined as the ratio between the inverse dynamics NJMs and the maximum theoretical NJMs, which were estimated with regression-based maximum moment-angle models. Peak NJM and RME were compared with 2-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), whereas GRFS were compared with a 1-way ANOVA. Peak vertical GRF were significantly greater in the mid bar position than the high bar position but did not differ between the low and mid bar position. Bar position significantly influenced peak hip and knee NJM and RME. Hip NJM and RME were greatest in the low bar position, whereas knee NJM and RME were greater in the mid bar position. Because hip and knee extensor NJM and RME differed between the low and mid bar positions, but the GRFS did not, the joint-specific contributions to peak isometric pulling forces likely reflected a trade-off between hip dominance and knee dominance in the low and mid bar position, respectively. This information should be considered in the interpretation isometric pulling data and their use in assessing and monitoring maximal force-producing capacity of the lower body.
“Mini Dial-A-Nurses” and “Good Brands“: What Are the Desirable Features of Online HIV/STI Risk Calculators?
Authors: Gómez-Ramírez Oralia , Thomson Kim , Salway Travis , Haag Devon , Falasinnu Titilola , Grennan Troy , Grace Daniel , Gilbert Mark
Published: April 2021

A wide variety of risk calculators estimate individuals’ risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STI) online. These tools can help target HIV/STI screening and optimize clinical decision-making. Yet, little evidence exists on suitable features for these tools to be acceptable to end-users. We investigated the desirable characteristics of risk calculators among STI clinic clients and testing service providers. Participants interacted with online HIV/STI risk calculators featuring varied target audiences, completion lengths, and message outputs. Thematic analysis of focus groups identified six qualities that would make risk calculators more appealing for online client use: providing personalized risk assessments based on users’ specific sexual behaviors and HIV/STI-related concerns; incorporating nuanced risk assessment and tailored educational information; supplying quantifiable risk estimates; using non-stigmatizing and inclusive framing; including explanations and next steps; and developing effective and appropriate branding. Incorporating these features in the design of online HIV/STI risk calculators may improve their acceptability among end-users.
Positive and Negative Affective Processes Associated With Firearm Acquisition and Ownership
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Bryan Annabelle O. , Anestis Michael A.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: To examine positive and negative affective processes associated with firearm acquisition and firearm ownership.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey assessing firearm ownership, reasons for firearm ownership, intentions to acquire a firearm in the next 12 months, and positive and negative affective states was administered to 6,200 U.S. adults (49.0% male, 51.0% female).

Results: Mean negative and positive affect were significantly elevated among protective firearm owners (i.e., those who kept firearms for the primary purpose of self-protection) and participants intending to acquire a firearm. Protective firearm owners intending to acquire another firearm reported significantly higher negative affect than all other subgroups. Within this subgroup, negative affect and positive affect were positively correlated. Among all other subgroups, negative and positive affect were either negatively correlated or uncorrelated.

Discussion: The intention to acquire firearms and protective firearm ownership are associated with both positive and negative affectivity. Typical cognitive-affective processes may be disrupted among protective firearm owners intending to acquire another firearm.
The Role Of Closed-Circuit Training in Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy Teaching
Authors: Almadani Ahmad , Said Tewfik
Published: April 2021

Closed-circuit training is a unique setting developed by Habib Davanloo, the founder of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy. The purpose of this setting is to achieve therapeutic benefits for the patient while providing valuable educational opportunities to the trainee. In this article, the authors present an intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy session that was conducted in a closed-circuit setting at McGill University Health Center. The primary goal of the article is to highlight several aspects of Davanloo's metapsychological principles and the application of their corresponding technical interventions. Another goal is to convey the trainee's reflection on his experience and perception of the closed-circuit training. The authors propose that closed-circuit training could be considered a potential alternative, or at least a complementary method, to the traditional settings of psychotherapy training and supervision.
Utilizing Psychodynamic Principles to Teach Professionalism to Medical Students Through an Innovative Curriculum
Authors: Rothe Eugenio M. , Bonnin Rodolfo
Published: April 2021

Professionalism is a fundamental expectation of practicing medicine and a core competency in medical education, yet the methods of how to teach and evaluate it are still experimental. Professionalism involves self-reflection, a psychodynamic understanding of the patient's and the doctor's predicament, and conflict resolution, so psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to teach it. This article describes an innovative course that utilizes psychodynamic principles to teach professionalism to medical students.

The authors present a novel 2-year curriculum for teaching professionalism to first- and second-year medical students utilizing psychodynamic principles to help develop awareness of others’ feelings and motivations, self-reflection, compassion, empathy, and skills in ethical conflict resolution by means of written and oral narrative exercises. Outcomes are evaluated by the student ratings about the course and the faculty, and by using the test for emotional intelligence (EI), administered as a baseline and then at the end of each year.

Each subsequent year the students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in EI scores, student evaluations of the course ranked among the highest in the medical school, clerkship supervisors and residency training directors noted the high degree of professionalism of the students, and the number of student applicants to psychiatry residency were consistently higher than the national average. In addition, this course was awarded the 2018 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society's Edward B. Harris Medical Professionalism Award for the best professionalism course of U.S. medical schools.

Psychodynamic principles are fundamental for teaching medical professionalism at a medical-student level. Professionalism also serves as a way to introduce students to psychiatry early in the curriculum, and psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are uniquely qualified to teach medical professionalism.
When Practice Fails to Reduce Racial Bias in the Decision to Shoot: The Case of Cognitive Load
Authors: Singh Balbir , Axt Jordan , Hudson Sean M. , Mellinger Christopher Lee , Wittenbrink Bernd , Correll Joshua
Published: April 2021

Practice improves performance on a first-person shooter task (FPST), increasing accuracy and decreasing racial bias. But rather than simply promoting cognitively efficient processing, we argue that the benefits of practice on a difficult, cognitively demanding task like the FPST rely, at least in part, on resource-intensive, cognitively effortful processing. If practice-based improvements require cognitive resources, then cognitive load should compromise the value of practice by depriving trained participants of the cognitive resources on which they depend. This experiment shows that inducing cognitive load eliminates the benefits of training, leading to an increase in racial bias, as predicted.
Migraine and orexin
Authors: Ostroukhova Irina , Rudko Olga , Tretiakov Artemii
Published: April 2021

Migraine is diagnosed in approximately 15% of the population in the developed countries. This disease affects not only patient’s well-being, but also economy and social sphere. Despite this significant impact, little is known on the genetic causes of migraine. Several migraine symptoms, including tiredness, yawning, drowsiness, and the desire to eat certain foods, give an idea of migraine connection to orexin system. This system includes orexines – peptides, predominantly synthesized in the lateral hypothalamic area and involved in wake and sleep cycle and many other neurological functions; and their two receptors HCRTR1 and HCRTR2. Here we summarize known data on orexin system polymorphisms and changes in peptide concentration in patients with migraine.
ТЕОРЕТИЧНИЙ ВИМІР ІНФОРМАЦІЙНО-ЦИФРОВОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ: ІНФОРМАЦІЙНА ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ І СИСТЕМА ПОХІДНИХ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИХ ФЕНОМЕНІВ (ПРОДУКТІВ)
Authors: ТАРАСЕВИЧ Віктор
Published: April 2021

Охарактеризовано основні види (підвиди) інформаційної діяльності та їх результати – похідні інформаційні продукти як феномени. Інформаційну діяльність подано як суперечливу єдність власне інформаційної та супутньої інформаційної складових. Охарактеризовано виробничу, розподільчу, обмінну і споживчу супутню інформаційну діяльність, їх окремі атрибути, а також основні види похідних інформаційних продуктів як їх результатів. У виробничій супутній інформаційній діяльності виокремлено представницький, матеріалізуючий і обробний підвиди. В останньому виділено впорядкування, функціонально-видову зміну і створення похідних інформаційних продуктів. Розмежовано ідеальні та матеріалізовані похідні інформаційні продукти як особливі форми представлення первинних інформаційних продуктів. Розглянуто основні види (підвиди) ідеальних і матеріалізованих похідних інформаційних продуктів, зокрема: синтаксичний (текстовий, числовий, графічний, аудіальний); семантичний (сигнал, звістка, дані? відомості, повідомлення); неперервно-дискретний (неперервний, дискретний, неперервно-дискретний), а також їх взаємозв\\\'язки. Виділено особливості розподільчої, обмінної та споживчої супутньої інформаційної діяльності, їх взаємодію з виробничою діяльністю та між собою. З огляду на це, а також з урахуванням місця інформаційної діяльності та її видів у суспільному виробництві, виокремлено чотири роди інформаційної економіки (ІЕ). ІЕ I роду є сферою винятково інформаційної діяльності; ІЕ II роду включає ІЕ I роду і виробництво атрибутів інформаційної діяльності в інших галузях економіки; ІЕ II роду разом з економічною діяльністю, атрибутами якої є інформаційні продукти, утворює ІЕ III роду; в ІЕ IV роду, поряд з ІЕ III роду, представлено всі види економічної діяльності, в яких використовується хоча б один з атрибутів інформаційної діяльності.
Some pecularities of feeding of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula (Walbaum, 1792)) in the process of its growing to the marketable weight in ponds of Ukranian Polissia
Authors:   Institute of Fisheries of the NAAS, Kyiv, Hankevych B. , Tretiak O. ,   Institute of Fisheries of the NAAS, Kyiv, Hryhorenko T. ,   Institute of Fisheries of the NAAS, Kyiv, Kolos O. ,   Institute of Fisheries of the NAAS, Kyiv
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To investigate peculiarities of feeding of paddlefish during the second year of life in polyculture with carp fish in ponds of Ukrainian Polissia. Methodology. A North American zooplanktophage belonging to sturgeons, the paddlefish was reared in polyculture with carp, hybrids of silver and bighead carps, as well as grass carp in pond with areas of 1 hectare on natural food supply. Development of the natural food supply was stimulated by applying cattle manure into ponds at an amount of 1 ton/ha. The stocking density of age‒1 paddlefish with an average weight of 143 g was 150 ind./ha, The total stocking density of all polyculture objects was 520 ind./ha. The determination of the nutritional and growth characteristics of fish, the qualitative composition of forage aquatic organisms and their biomass was carried out using well‒known methods. The main physicochemical parameters of water quality were investigated during fish rearing using generally accepted recommendations in fish farming and hydrochemistry. Findings. The environmental conditions of the pond mainly met the biological requirements for the studied aquaculture objects. A periodic decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration to 1.5‒2.0 mgO2/dm3 was observed, which could slow down fish growth. During sampling to determine the feeding habits of paddlefish, the zooplankton biomass in the pond varied within 1.11‒6.44 g/m3, with the predominance of Cladocera and Copepoda. At the end of the study period, age‒1+ paddlefish reached an average weight of 979.0 g with a fish production of 120.4 kg/ha and a survival rate of 82.0%. The total fish production for all polyculture objects was 502.3 kg/ha. The average digestive tract fullness index of paddlefish varied within 199.72‒459.0030/000. The diet of paddlefish was dominated by lower crustaceans with a predominance of Cladocera (65.28‒86.23%). The role of Copepoda in paddlefish nutrition increased at the end of the culture season (up to 32.76%). Rotifera and other forage aquatic organisms did not have a significant value in the paddlefish diet (up to 3.85%). A significant amount of detritus swallowed by fish was observed (13.43‒31.31% of the digestive tract content). A selectivity in the consumption of paddlefish of various groups of zooplankton organisms was noted with the selectivity index for Cladocera at the level of 1.23‒1.48. Originality. New data were obtained on the feeding habits of paddlefish in Ukrainian Polissia. Practical value. The study results are an integral part of the database for the development of improved technologies for pond fish farming in Ukraine. Key words: paddlefish, pond aquaculture, fish polyculture, natural food supply, fish feeding.