bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness and willingness to participate in clinical trials in Togo
Authors: Amadou A. , Dziri S. , Foma W. , Gbadamassi A.
Published: February 2021

Context:

Clinical Trials (CTs) are the key when it comes to informing clinical decision-making processes. There is a very low number of CTs conducted in Togo, and there is no study that assessed the willingness of Togolese to participate in CTs.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to assess public awareness and willingness to participate in CTs in Togo.

Subjects and Methods:

We designed a cross-sectional study, using an online survey with Google Form in the general population, carried out from December 2019 to March 2020.

Statistical Analysis Used:

An Excel sheet was generated from the Google Form, and we performed a descriptive analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 21. All variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results:

This study involved 210 participants. The findings of this study are showing that Togolese are reasonably aware about CTs, and they have a positive intention to participate, but they are ignorant of national CTs regulations. Although unawareness and unwillingness may be universally common, one challenge in Togo is the lack of communication.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study are encouraging. The National Bioethics Committee for Health needs to be better communicative, and providing training in clinical research is essential.
The efficacy of the application of the curative criteria of the 5th edition Japanese gastric cancer treatment guidelines for early adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Liu Yong , Dou Lizhou , Zhang Yueming , He Shun , Wang Guiqi
Published: February 2021

Background:

The curative criteria after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric carcinoma were updated by the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association. No study has shown promising results with endoscopic submucosal dissection for early adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction based on the new curative criteria. The purpose of this study was to validate clinical efficacy of the application of the curative criteria of the 5th edition Japanese gastric cancer treatment guidelines for early adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Methods:

Patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma between January 2013 and June 2018 were eligible for this study. Clinical and pathological features and treatment outcomes were retrospectively reviewed using medical records.

Results:

The success rate for en-bloc resection was 97.2% (172/177) and the curative resection rate was 71.2% (126/177). Additional endoscopic submucosal dissection or radical surgery was conducted in 10 patients (5.6%) who did not fulfil the curative resection criteria, while one patient with curative resection remedied with endoscopic submucosal dissection because of recurrence. According to eCura scoring system, 94 patients (53.1%) were categorized into eCura A, 34 patients (19.2%) into eCura B, 11 patients (6.2%) into eCura C-1, and 38 patients (21.5%) into eCura C-2. Five patients categorized as eCura C-2 underwent radical surgery, two of whom have lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction that met the expanded criteria of the 5th edition Japanese gastric cancer treatment guidelines were acceptable and should be the standard treatment instead of surgical resection.
Bilateral renal involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Benameur Yassir , Hammani Adnane , Doghmi Kamal , Doudouh Abderrahim
Published: February 2021

Secondary renal involvement in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is rare and associated with poor prognosis. We, hereby, described a case of a patient diagnosed with DLBCL, in whom bilateral renal involvement was detected on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). The patient received 4 courses of chemotherapy, and follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed the complete resolution of the diffuse increased renal 18F-FDG uptake. Renal lymphoma is uncommon and 18F-FDG PET/CT is particularly useful for detecting extranodal involvement in DLBLC.
The Performance of European Union Countries in Decoupling Socio-Economic Progress from Environmental Impacts
Authors: Vintar Mally Katja
Published: February 2021

Over the last few decades, the European Union has intensified its commitments to decouple socio-economic progress from resource use and environmental impacts. This article examines the performance of countries in implementing selected aspects of these commitments in the period 1990–2016. To this end, it focuses on the relationships between progress in human development, in particular in raising people’s incomes, and pressures on natural resources and ecosystem services, as incorporated in the concept of ecological footprint. The results show a certain measure of success in decoupling the two among the countries of the European Union, but the same cannot be said of the world’s countries more generally.
Meritve koncentracij črnega ogljika in dušikovega dioksida na Lavrici in v Kranju
Authors: Strle Danijela , Svetlin Domen , Glojek Kristina , Kobal Matjaž , Pogačnik Katarina , Ogrin Matej
Published: February 2021

Onesnaženost zraka v urbanih območjih je pomemben dejavnik kakovosti življenja, nesporen pa je tudi vpliv kakovosti zraka na zdravje ljudi. Med pomembna onesnaževala urbanega ozračja že desetletja uvrščamo dušikov dioksid (NO2), po letu 2000 pa se vse več raziskav posveča tudi črnemu ogljiku (BC). V prispevku predstavljamo stacionarne in mobilne meritve črnega ogljika ter stacionarne meritve dušikovega dioksida v urbanem območju na dveh primerih. V prvem primeru gre za ugotavljanje vpliva ceste na kakovost zraka v neposredni okolici vrtca in nekdanje osnovne šole na Lavrici, v drugem primeru pa so prikazani rezultati meritev črnega ogljika na cestnem omrežju Kranja v gosti prostorski mreži.
Adaptive capacity of small pelagic fishing communities in coastal Tanga (Tanzania) to changes in climate-related phenomena
Authors: Mwaipopo Rosemarie , Mahongo Shigalla B.
Published: February 2021

Studies examining the vulnerability, resilience and adaptation options of fisheries-dependent coastal communities have noted a decrease in viable options to respond effectively to the impacts of climate change. The extent of vulnerability is experienced in terms of varying capacity to respond to ecological changes through resource use practices. We analyzed the experiences of three coastal communities dependent on small pelagic fisheries in Tanga region, Tanzania, and their responses to the changing availability of fisheries resources. The study illustrates how conditions associated with upwelling, while not readily obvious to fishers, match some of their fishing strategies, with implications for fisheries-dependent livelihoods. Yet, the fishers’ perceptions are key determinants of the response options they adopt. Limited access to scientific knowledge also constrains the effectiveness of their response options. Our findings have important implications for the manner in which local and scientific knowledge systems can be integrated, particularly with regards to enhancing the adaptive capacities of coastal fishing communities through knowledge sharing.
Coastal upwelling and seasonal variation in phytoplankton biomass in the Pemba Channel
Authors: Kyewalyanga Margareth S. , Peter Nyamisi , Semba Masumbuko , Mahongo Shigalla B.
Published: February 2021

This study was conducted in the Pemba Channel off Tanga Region in northern Tanzania to investigate physical and chemical factors that drive changes in phytoplankton biomass. Three transects off Mwaboza, Vyeru and Sahare were selected. For each transect, ten stations were sampled. Phytoplankton biomass was determined as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration. Similarly, physico-chemical variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and nutrients) were determined. It was observed that the Chl-a concentration was significantly higher during the northeast monsoon (median 1.44 mg m-3) as compared to the southeast monsoon (median 1.19 mg m-3; W = 2216, p = 0.029). The higher productivity during the northeast monsoon is attributed to the presence of high-nutrient water caused by coastal upwelling. It is concluded that indication of upwelling, observed through relatively low temperatures during the northeast monsoon season, could be responsible for bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface, which in turn stimulated the increase in Chl-a concentration.
Lymphovascular invasion is an independent prognostic factor for survival in pathologically proven N2 non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Guglielmetti Laura C. , Schneiter Didier , Hillinger Sven , Opitz Isabelle , Caviezel Claudio , Weder Walter , Inci Ilhan
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND
We aimed to analyse the nodal spread of our non-small cell lung cancer pN2 cohort according to tumour location, the possible implications of an unusual spreading pattern, and other factors influencing postoperative survival after anatomical lung resection.

METHODS
In this retrospective observational study, clinical data was collected for 124 consecutive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a pathological N2 (stage IIIA or B) undergoing anatomical lung resection at our institution between 2001 and 2010. Cox regression was used to analyse independent predictors of 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS
A total of 105 patients were included in the final analysis. Tumour location in the right upper lobe and middle lobe was significantly more often associated with involvement of lymph node stations 2 and 4 than NSCLC in the right lower lobe (station 2: right upper vs right lower lobe, p = 0.001 and middle vs right lower lobe, p = 0.038; station 4: right upper vs right lower lobe, p<0.001 and middle vs right lower lobe, p = 0.056), while tumours in the right upper lobe showed significantly less involvement of stations 7 and 8 compared with right lower lobe tumours (station 7 p <0.001, station 8 p = 0.004). Left sided tumours in the upper lobe had significantly more involvement of station 5 compared to lower lobe tumours (p = 0.009). However, atypical lymphatic nodal zone involvement did not emerge as a significant predictor of survival. Lymphovascular invasion was the only independent prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.10, p = 0.015) and recurrence-free survival (HR 1.68, p = 0.049) when controlled for adjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION
Lymphovascular invasion was identified as the only independent prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival in our pathologically proven N2 NSCLC cohort when controlled for adjuvant therapy. This study extends the current evidence of an adverse prognostic effect of lymphovascular invasion on a stage III population, confirms the adverse prognostic effect of lymphovascular invasion detected by immunohistochemistry, and thereby reveals another subgroup within the pN2 population with worse prognosis regarding 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival.
Tinjauan Runway Occupancy Time Landing terhadap Konfigurasi Taxiway diBandar Udara Haluleo Kendari
Authors: Idyaningsih Nining
Published: February 2021

Keteraturan Lalu lintas Udara di Bandar Udara Haluoleo Kendari belum sepenuhnya terpenuhi karena terbukti masih sering terjadi pesawat yang menggunakan opposite runway harus delay. konflik antara depature and arrival aircraft pada kondisi dimana pesawat akan take-off dari runway 08 dan landing runway 26. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh Runway Occupancy Time landing setiap Pesawat yang beroprasi di  Bandar Udara Haluoleo Kendari. Metode yang digunakan yaitu membandingkan antara konfigurasi taxiway dan Runway Occupancy Time landing dengan ICAo Doc 9157 - Aerodome design manual part 2 taxiway, keseimbangan antara kapasitas maksimum dan efisiensi dari sebuah aerodrome itu terletak pada balance between runway and apron is taxiway sebagai penghubung. Hasilnya ROTL pesawat yang beroperasi terlalu besar dan untuk efisiensi penerbangan harus dikurangi karena sering menghambat pesawat yang akan lepas landas.
System Design of Smart Office-Based Internet of Things Aviation Polytechnic of Makassar
Authors: Raharjo Muhammad Agung , Sabur Fatmawati
Published: February 2021

This research's research problem is how to solve problems using office electronic equipment to make it more efficient by using internet technology as a medium for controlling air conditioning, computers, and lights. Sometimes we still find a room with electronic equipment such as air conditioning, computers, and lights that are always on even though they are not used, so it seems wasteful and inefficient. Therefore we need an Internet of Things-based smart office system that can regulate and control conditions. office electronic equipment from anywhere via the internet network can help identify and monitor whether it is on or off. The control system is expected to help place and watch remote electronic device turns on and off via a user interface. This research aims to design a smart office system based on the internet of things so that it can be used to identify and control office electronic equipment flexibly. This study resulted in a prototype of a smart office system based on the internet of things that can help identify and maintain electronic equipment in the office.
THE ROLE OF MOTIVATION, STRATEGY USE AND SECOND LANGUAGE APTITUDE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LISTENING SKILLS BY ADULT CHINESE LEARNERS
Authors: Zhang Peng
Published: February 2021

This research has investigated the associations among strategy use, language learning aptitude and motivation and their impact on predicting the development of listening skills of Spanish-Catalan bilingual beginner learners studying Chinese. The participants were 13 Spanish-Catalan bilingual students majoring in International Business and Tourism in a school in Barcelona, taking Chinese as an optional language course for their first year of study. All of them were raised in Catalonia speaking Catalan and Spanish, except for one student originally from Morocco. In addition, all of them had an intermediate level of English (CEFR: B1-B2). The experiment consisted of a motivation questionnaire, Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), LLAMA_D, a pre-test and three post-tests (i.e. listening tests) in each month during the 3 month research period. The collected data was analysed through the Spearman correlation coefficient and the results of the effects on Chinese listening gains display that motivation was found to be a strong predictor of the development of Chinese listening gains. Strategy use has a significant positive effect, but the very strong correlation was only found in the first stages, the effect decreased later on. Instead, language learning aptitude had a non-significant effect as measured by LLAMA_D.

 Article visualizations:
effects of Orally Administered Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on the Metabolic Syndrome of Adult Albino Rats
Authors: UTUME LN , Ansha PM , Gav TA
Published: February 2021

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or glutamate is a commonly used flavour enhancer, naturally found in protein-rich foods; although produced commercially through the fermentation of molasses. MSG is essential in the metabolism of living bodies. The increase in MSG consumption has become a growing concern due to the lack of adequate data on its effects. This study investigates the effects of MSG on weight and blood glucose levels of adult albino rats for an experimental period of eight (8) weeks. Twenty-four (24) albino rats weighing between 48.7 g to 94.6 g were randomly divided into four (4) groups of six (6) rats each: 1 control group and 3 test groups. Test groups were fed and daily doses of MSG dissolved in water (8 g/L, 10 g/L and 15 g/L respectively) were administered orally. The control group were fed on plain water and rat chow (grower’s mash) only. Weekly weights, fasting blood glucose levels of rats were measured, and change in behaviour and exploratory tendencies observed, all through the experimental period. Glycosylated haemoglobin was tested at the end of the experimental period to confirm the weekly blood glucose levels. There was no significant difference in the average weights (P ˃ 0.05). Blood glucose levels maintained a normal range of 4.5 – 5.1 % (good glycemic control) over the experimental period. The study illustrates that Monosodium Glutamate has no adverse effects on weight and blood glucose levels when consumed daily, but not exceeding a 15 g dose. Further research to validate casual inference may be necessary. The consumption of MSG should be in moderation and individuals prone to hypoallergenic reactions should ensure to check product labels for MSG before the consumption of foods. Further research can be carried out using higher doses as well as other metabolic markers in the body to further consolidate empirical data.
Adherence to Cold-Chain Management Guidelines and Influence on Stability of Live Attenuated Vaccines: Results from an Observational Study in Kisumu County, Kenya.
Authors: John Moses Olunga Okomo , Aduda Dickens S. Omondi , Guyah Bernard
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Guidelines provide ethical frameworks to streamline processes for best outcomes. Live-attenuated vaccines in routine immunization programs in Kenya have challenges of instability despite the availability of guidelines. Diseases preventable by these vaccines are reported in Kisumu County more than others in the region. This observation is suspected to be associated with lapses in adherence to cold-chain management procedures. This study, hence purposed to assess whether there was any association between instability of vaccines and staff adherence level to the guidelines.Method: Using analytical cross-sectional design with repeated observations, data was collected from 120 out of 170 public and non-governmental health facilities in the Kisumu County at three intervals, between October 2018 and March 2019. In each health facility, immunization manager on duty was interviewed and observations made on compliance with cold-chain protocols using a checklist. Data was summarized descriptively and regression used to identify key points of adherence levels. Qualitative information was analyzed thematically to identify evolving themes.Result: In 40% of the facilities, staff did not transfer vaccines when the need arose; 8.3% did not defrost fridges; while 45.8% did not dispense vaccines at VVM stage 2. Transferred vaccines accounted for improved stability of both OPV (95%C.I; 3.1 – 16.8, OR 7.2, p value< 0.001) and measles-rubella vaccines (95% C.I, 2.1 – 10.4, OR, 4.7, p=value <0.001). Dispensing vaccines at VVM stage 2 ahead of FEFO had better stability of OPV (95%C.I, 6.0 - 49, OR17.2, p=value <0.001) and measles-rubella vaccines (95%C.I 3.3-17.4; OR7.6, p=value <0.001) respectively. Defrosted fridge enhanced stability of OPV (95% C.I, 1.1 – 15.5; OR 4.17, p=value 0.033), measles-rubella (95% C.I, 1.3 – 12.3, OR 4, p-value 0.0017) and ROTA vaccine (95% C.I 1.9 – 21.5; OR 6.3, p= value 0.003).Unique contribution to practice and policy: Lapses in transferring vaccines, defrosting of fridges and use of VVM to dispense vaccines significantly destabilized live attenuated vaccines worth linking to the outbreaks of Rota diarrhea and measles outbreaks in Kisumu. Due to inadequate staff adherence level to guidelines, new innovations meant to help improve stability of vaccines, inadequately improved the situation, so calls for strengthened capacity building to staff.
Response Behavior, Emotional and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adults to Covid-19 Pandemic Health Protocols in Western Region of Kenya
Authors: Ogutu Joel Peter , Mabele Nanyama Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Covid-19 has caused more than 700 deaths with more than 40 thousand infections in Kenya, by end mid October 2020. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic contributes to unprecedented spread response behavior and emotional distress among people. The introduction of new health protocols has been a key factor in shaping new norm and psychological behavior, emotional response and adjustment.  However, new behavior norms meant to curb spread of COVID-19 has not been without uncertainty. Therefore, the study seeks to establish Adults’ response behavior, emotional and psychological adjustment to COVID19 pandemic global health protocols as emphasized by health subsector in Kenya.Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 251 adults living in Western region of Kenya completed a survey questionnaire to evaluate the response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial   adjustment of adults to covid-19 pandemic health protocols in Western region of Kenya. The survey Questionnaires were districted to target adult participants using WhatsApp and e-mail address during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA were employed to analyze data.Findings: Three tests were conducted and overall, the findings revealed insignificant difference between categorical variables (gender, level of education and occupation category and dependent variables (response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment of adults to COVID-19 health protocols. The results revealed statistically insignificant differences between; gender and response behavior (t (249) =.583, p ˃0.05), occupation categories and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 pandemic (F (3,247) = .516, p ˃0.05), and level of education and emotional responses to COVID-19 health protocols (F (3, 247) = 1.974, p ˃0.05).Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: These findings suggest that response behavior response, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 health protocols do not differ with categorical variables of the adults. The focus therefore should be to work on response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment indiscriminately in order to help people adapt to the new behavior and norm to curb spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Tumor Odontogénico Adenomatoide: Reporte de dos casos de localización mandibular
Authors: Valenzuela- Rivera Oriana , Vila-Valenzuela María Angélica
Published: February 2021

El Tumor Odontogénico Adenomatoide (TOA) es una neoplasia benigna que constituye entre el 3 al 7% de todos los tumores odontogénicos. Se asocian generalmente a dientes incluídos, afectando mayoritariamente al maxilar superior en el sector anterior, caracterizándose por su crecimiento lento, indoloro y asintomático. Se presentan dos casos de pacientes jóvenes de 13 y 11 años de sexo masculino y femenino respectivamente con Tumor Odontogénico Adenomatoide, ambos ubicados en el sector posterior de la mandíbula y asociados a dientes incluídos. El estudio inmunohistoquímico de uno de los dos casos presentados demostró positividad para Ki-67 de un 12-20% patrón nuclear.
Machine Learning Model for IRIS Flower Classification using Tensor Flow and PyTorch
Authors: Vijayaragavan Dr. Kalaivazhi , Prakathi S. , Rajalakshmi S. , Sandhiya M
Published: February 2021

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence, which is learning algorithms to make decision-based on data and try to behave like a human being. Classification is one of the most fundamental concepts in machine learning. It is a process of recognizing, understanding, and grouping ideas and objects into pre-set categories or sub-populations. Using precategorized training datasets, machine learning concept use variety of algorithms to classify the future datasets into categories. Classification algorithms use input training data in machine learning to predict the subsequent data that fall into one of the predetermined categories. To improve the classification accuracy design of neural network is regarded as effective model to obtain better accuracy. However, design of neural network is usually consider scaling layer, perceptron layers and probabilistic layer. In this paper, an enhanced model selection can be evaluated with training and testing strategy. Further, the classification accuracy can be predicted. Finally by using two popular machine learning frameworks: PyTorch and Tensor Flow the prediction of classification accuracy is compared. Results demonstrate that the proposed method can predict with more accuracy. After the deployment of our machine learning model the performance of the model has been evaluated with the help of iris data set.
Hispanophobia and Hispanophilia in the Netherlands : Continuities and Ruptures in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Jensen Lotte
Published: February 2021

The celebration of the revolt against the Spaniards during the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) was central to the rise of Dutch nationalism. Authors depicted triumphant scenes, exaggerating the wicked nature of the Spanish, while reinforcing a positive self-image. This chapter shows that at least two ruptures can be witnessed in the Dutch perception of the Spanish. The first took place during the Napoleonic era, in particular after the successful uprising of the Spanish against Napoleon in 1808. This led to an ambiguous representation of the Spanish in Dutch resistance literature. A second shift occurred when Catholics started to emancipate themselves from 1840 onwards. In their literary and historiographical writings, Catholic authors presented an alternative view of the revolt and the Reformation.
From Azoteas to Dungeons : Spain as Archaeology of the Despotism in Alexander Dallas’s Novel Vargas (1822)
Authors: Durán López Fernando
Published: February 2021

Alexander Dallas, ex-combatant in the Peninsular War, wrote books on Spanish-related themes with great affection for Spanish life and culture. However, there was one limit to this admiration: the rivalry between the Protestants and Catholics. Dallas’s move into the Anglican clergy goes some way to explaining why in his last novel, Vargas, a Tale of Spain, published anonymously in 1822, his Hispanophilia gave way to immersion in the attitudes, opinions and central themes related to the so-called Black Legend. The evocation of customs and landscapes is thus wrapped in an argument from the sixteenth century, the Inquisition and religious superstitions assuming a protagonist role and flipping the way he approaches Spanish reality. This complex dialogue between Hispanophilia and Hispanophobia reveals their strong common foundation: condescension.
La musicoterapia y su procesamiento. ¿Existe una relación con el lenguaje oral?
Authors: López Grupeli Belén , Bartolomé Pascual María Visitación
Published: February 2021

La musicoterapia es una técnica o práctica terapéutica, utilizada actualmente en diferentes campos de ciencias de la salud y la medicina rehabilitadora. La logopedia utiliza la musicoterapia como herramienta para rehabilitar procesos cognitivos complejos, como es el lenguaje. Esta técnica presenta diferentes posibilidades para su utilización, como por ejemplo Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), Musical Speech Stimulation (MUSTIM) o Auditory Perception Training (APT).
La revisión bibliográfica realizada en este trabajo, refleja los resultados prometedores publicados por diferentes autores tras utilizar la musicoterapia como práctica terapéutica, permitiendo dar una posible respuesta al título del trabajo, ¿por qué se producen resultados tan beneficiosos en pacientes con alteraciones del lenguaje cuando se tratan con musicoterapia?. En este estudio y con el fin de contestar a esta pregunta se ha investigado en la posible relación anatomofisiológica entre las áreas corticales de la percepción y procesamiento del lenguaje y el de la música.
Civil Rights, Law and Order, and Urban Development in the Post–Home Rule Era
Authors: Pearlman Lauren
Published: February 2021

The conclusion discusses key trends in the shift to black political power after the 1974 election of Walter Washington, assesses the 1978 mayoral election of Marion Barry, and explains the outcomes of the programs implemented and projects undertaken during the Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon presidencies. Self-government in the nation’s capital was not a simple or arcane issue about representation but one that was central to conflicts between local and national powers. The implementation of the 1973 home rule legislation granted rights to self-government, but it did not change the U.S. Constitution. The conclusion shows how legislative home rule allowed Congress to grant autonomy to the local government while reserving the ability to intervene and overrule the District at any time. Through intense fights and increased activism, Washingtonians fought for greater political control. But the racialization of crime policies and crime discourse, the use of new surveillance methods, and the implementation of punitive federal crime legislation curbed their efforts to achieve true self- determination. This ensured that the majority-black city with a strong civil rights tradition and hints of radical promise never fulfilled its democratic potential.
Uptake of Courses and Finance Availability as Predictors of the Success of Expansion Strategies in Public Training Institutions: A Case Study of Kenya Medical Training College
Authors: Musango Paul Chandoo , Kimwetich Daniel K.
Published: February 2021

This study investigates the influence of uptake of courses and finance availability on the expansion strategies in public training institutions with reference to the Kenya Medical Training College. The specific objectives of the study are to:  reveal the influence of uptake of courses on the success of expansion strategies in the public training institutions and; assess the influence of finances on the success of expansion strategies in the public training institutions. This study is based on the Ansoff Growth Matrix (AGM) and the theory of customer responsiveness. It adopts the descriptive survey design. The study focuses on 2393 KMTC officers from the 73 KMTC campuses in Kenya, 42 ministries of health officials in the 42 counties that have KMTC campuses, and 42 local leaders from those counties that have KMTC campuses. The total targeted study participants were thus 2477. From these, 10% (248 persons) were sampled. The study used purposive and stratified random sampling techniques to obtain the study sample. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. Data from questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) were used to describe the central tendencies of the data. In addition, inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis) were also used. Data from key informants were analysed using content analysis techniques. The findings show that the two study variables influenced the success of expansion strategies at KMTC campuses. In this regard, Pearson correlation shows that there was statistical significant relationship between uptake of courses (r=.308, p<0.001)and; finance availability (r=0.673, p<0.001) and success of expansion strategies. These findings show that finance availability was the strongest factor that influenced the success of expansion strategies. As such, the success of expansion strategies can only be successful if the college put in place strategies aimed at ensuring that there was sufficient finances. This could go on to enhance the development of facilities and equipping them. An effort aimed at ensuring that new campuses had a high intake of students could also contribute to the level of success of expansion strategies at KMTC. High intakes could enhance the revenue generation, further enhancing the funding and success of new KMTC campuses.
Military Diplomacy Strategies Applied by AMISOM in Restoration of Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa
Authors: Musoma Albert Lusiola
Published: February 2021

Somalia has a long history of internally inspired terror mainly arising from the threat of terrorism that has threatened both domestic and international interests and has drawn increased military efforts from both African continent partners and China and the United States. The aim was to investigate the strategies applied by AMISOM in military diplomacy in the Horn of Africa. The study adopted an exploratory and mixed methods research design. Mixed methods approach allows for investigation of a broader and complex research problem enabling the researcher to utilize more than one approach, both quantitative and qualitative approach of data collection. The study target population entailed AMISOM staff whose relevant responses provided sufficient information to answer the research questions. Currently, AMISOM has 22,000 military troops, 234 police officers and 81 civilians. Moreover, the study equally targeted the Somali civilian population since they were important stakeholders in providing information on the effectiveness of military diplomacy in the country. Thus, the target population comprised 22,315 AMISOM staff and civilian contingent. Out of these, the study sampled 100. Primary data was collected from study respondents by means of a research questionnaire and an interview schedule. The data analysis process involved both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Content analysis was mainly used to analyse the qualitative data and which would be reported normatively. Quantitative research findings were analysed and reported using descriptive statistics, tables, graphs, charts and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v23). Moreover, the data analysis was structured objectively to address each of the study research questions. This study suffices to demonstrate that AMISOM involvement in Somalia as an act of military diplomacy occasioned by the need to foster peace and regional stability on the horn of Africa region. The study demonstrated AMISOM employs different military diplomacy strategies although at different capacities. From the foregoing, the study points to the need for restructuring of AMISOM’s peace and security architecture to bring out focus and responsiveness to the dynamic nature of the conflict and the enemy. The study recommends the need for further exploration into military diplomacy in Africa, especially given the dearth in empirical literature that is mainly from the West. Following this exploration of the role of military diplomacy in restoring peace and security in the horn of Africa, this study points to research gaps on the influence of civilian component in military diplomacy efforts on peace and security. Further there is need to understand the psychological effects in AMISOM troops participating in military diplomacy efforts in Somalia.
Equity Impacts of Transportation Improvements On Core and Peripheral Cities
Authors: Leck Eran , Bekhor Shlomo , Gat Daniel
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to assess the short-term impact of transportation improvements on the reduction of socio-economic disparities between core and peripheral cities. Data used in the analysis was extracted from the 1995 Israel Census. The methodology applied in the study was to estimate discrete choice models in an attempt to identify key variables affecting commuting decisions. Policy simulations are employed to illustrate the effect of diminishing spatial friction on wage convergence between poor southern towns and affluent core cities. The empirical evidence suggests that transportation improvements, especially in the form of introducing new rail links in underserved cities, could significantly contribute to the alleviation of spatial wage disparities between core and peripheral cities.
The Role of Employment Subcenters in Residential Location Decisions
Authors: Cho Eun Joo , Rodriguez Daniel , Song Yan
Published: February 2021

In this paper we employ Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, a polycentric city with 10 employment subcenters, as a case study to explore the role of employment subcenters in determining residential location decisions. We estimate discrete choice models of residential location decisions: conditional logit models and heteroscedastic logit models with both the full choice set and sampled choices. We find that access to certain employment subcenters, measured in terms of generalized cost, is an important determinant of households’ residential location decisions. The proximity to specific employment subcenters varies across households with different income levels. These patterns can be explained by existing land use and transportation patterns, as well as by subcenters’ economic specialization.
Multimodal- Stylistic Representation of Comparison in Airtel Nigeria 4G Visual Commercials
Authors: Agwa Fomukong Seino Evangeline
Published: February 2021

In semiotics, a code of communication which is a set of conventions used for meaning making can be spoken language, written language or an image. Modes of communication are used to accomplish a desired effect in daily social interaction. This social interaction can be found in the communication between the advertiser and the consumer, and the writer and the reader. This study analyses some of these modes used in the Airtel Nigeria 4G visual commercials and examines how the advertisers make use of the concept of the composition of elements in a multimodal text which bases on the idea that the advertisers and the viewers are abreast with what information is mutually known and understood. This view is explicitly shown in the composition of elements, words and images, combine aesthetics and persuasion through meaningful elements that form a coherent text of code-specific structures that produce meaning. The study follows the survey research design and the data is analysed following four steps of assigning incidents to frames, elaborating frames, relating themes to frames and interpreting the data as a coherent structure. The study concludes that the advertisers of Airtel Nigeria 4G visual commercials make ample use of metaphors associating 3G with negative frames and 4G with positive frames, drawing inspiration from gargets used daily by their audience. They vividly and successfully create a demarcation between 3G and 4G, persuading consumers to go for the Airtel Nigeria 4G products.
Factors affecting rearing practices and health of calves on family farms
Authors: Relic Renata , Lakic Nada , Jankovic Ljiljana , Davidovic Vesna , Staric Joze , Jezek Jozica
Published: February 2021

Aim of the study: Calf rearing practices vary in different countries and may be affected by many factors. Poor management is related to diseases outbreak and death in calves. This study aimed to analyze practices in calf rearing and the occurrence of common calf diseases on family farms in two European countries and to examine the characteristics of a farmer and his farm as factors that may affect the way of performing practices related to calves’ health.Area of study: Slovenia and Serbia.Material and methods: For collecting data, the same questionnaire-based survey was distributed among cattle farm owners in Slovenia and Serbia.Main results: The following factors showed a significant influence (p<0.05) on certain rearing practices: farm size (on time for checking calves, milk reheating, and providing rehydration fluids to the calf with diarrhea in Slovenia), specialization of the production (on preventive antiparasitic treatments and restriction of drinking water for calves with diarrhea in Slovenia, and the time for checking calves in Serbia), breeder’s age (on colostrum quality checking in Slovenia), and breeder’s education (on time for checking calves and checking colostrum quality in Serbia). The results pointed out the rearing practices to be improved in both countries, Slovenia and Serbia, such as colostrum management and prevention strategies of calf diseases.Research highlights: Characteristics of the farmer and his farm may affect many aspects of calves’ rearing. Continuous education of farmers and appropriate production planning can contribute to better farm productivity and better health and welfare of calves.
Analysis of the Transcriptome of Potentilla sericea Under Cadmium Stress Conditions
Authors: Wu Jianhui , Fan Weifang , Gao Pengfei , Yang Qingjie , Zhang Jing , Wang Ling
Published: February 2021

Cadmium (Cd) stress significantly affects plant growth and development. Potentilla sericea is typically grown in gardens or as ground cover. In this study, the Cd response of P. sericea was analyzed based on physiological examinations and transcriptome analyses that uncovered the gene expression changes in P. sericea roots induced by a 7-day treatment with 90 µmol/L Cd2+. A total of 53,225 unigenes were identified, including 11,684 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 8,083 upregulated and 3,601 downregulated). Additionally, 44 gene ontology terms and 127 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were significantly enriched among these DEGs. Genes related to glutathione metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, peroxisome processes, sulfur metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were confirmed as relevant to the Cd response of P. sericea. The molecular biology-related data described here may be useful for the future breeding of transgenic P. sericea plants with increased resistance to heavy metal stresses.
High price of the truth in statistics
Authors: Wyżnikiewicz Bohdan
Published: February 2021

One can expect that totalitarian and authoritarian regimes will infringe the independence of national statistical institutions. The outcome of the 1937 census in Soviet Russia disappointed Stalin, which led to the statisticians having been faced with repression. Similar cases, although very rare, can also be observed in democratic countries in the 21st century. Argentinian president's ineffective pressure to lower the inflation rate resulted in criminal charges against the person responsible for estimating the inflation rate in the Argentinian National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC). In 2018, the head of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) was prosecuted for sending true macroeconomic data that revealed the causes of the crisis in Greece to the Eurostat. The article shows what price statisticians have to pay sometimes for their diligent work which accurately reflects the economic and social reality. It has to be remembered that the work of statisticians is a civil service, where ethical attitude plays an important role. The aim of the article is thus to present instances of repression of staticians by certain countries’ state authorities for showing the real picture of the social or economic situation of a given country.
Installation and Maintenance of Raised Pavement Markers at State Transportation Agencies: Synthesis of Current Practices
Authors: Zamenian Hamed , Abraham Dulcy M.
Published: February 2021

Although raised pavement markers (RPMs) have been widely applied by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), there have been multiple cases where snowplowing activities have damaged pavements as well as the raised pavement markers on INDOT’s roadway assets. Dislodged raised pavement markers could reduce the design life of pavements because they leave openings for water and debris to infiltrate through pavement section. Interviews with INDOT personnel indicated that the proper installation of the markers and careful attention to the tooling of the center line of the concrete pavements could alleviate this problem. To explore issues related to the proper installation of RPMs, this study (INDOT/JTRP SPR 4318) was launched by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)/Joint Transportation Program (JTRP) to develop a synthesis of current practices on installation and maintenance of raised pavement markers at State Transportation Agencies (STAs) in the U.S. The study was conducted using a qualitative exploratory approach focusing on the review of current practices in installation and maintenance of raised pavement markers among STAs. Survey analysis and focused interviews with personnel from STAs, along with reviews of documents provided by STAs were the avenues used for data collection in this project.
Herausforderungen in der juristischen Lehre in Zeiten von Corona: Kreative Krisenbewältigung im Corona-Lockdown mit der VWZ-Lehrmethode (Videos, WhatsApp & Zoom)
Authors: Künnecke Arndt
Published: February 2021

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Herausforderungen der Fernlehre in Zeiten von Corona. Da kaum ein/e Universitätsdozent/in auf die plötzliche Umstellung von traditioneller Präsenzveranstaltung auf Fernlehre vorbereitet war und die meisten Universitäten weder personell noch technisch dafür ausgestattet waren, mussten nahezu alle Lehrenden in der Fernlehre bei null anfangen. Als an verschiedenen Universitäten tätiger Dozent habe ich nach mehreren Fehlversuchen meine eigene Methode entwickelt, die verschiedene Arten und Instrumente der Fernlehre kombiniert: Videos, WhatsApp and Zoom - VWZ. Dieser VWZ-Ansatz stellt die Studierenden in den Mittelpunkt und bietet ihnen eine bessere Kontrolle ihres individuellen Lernprozesses. Sie werden in die Lage versetzt, den Lernstoff entsprechend ihrem eigenen Lerntempo an einem von ihnen bevorzugten Ort und zu einer von ihnen bevorzugten Zeit durchzuarbeiten, während ihr/e Dozent/in für sie jederzeit erreichbar ist, um ihnen Orientierung zu bieten, Fragen zu beantworten und Feedback zu geben.
Ternary Solid Dispersion Strategy for Solubility Enhancement of Poorly Soluble Drugs by Co-Milling Technique
Authors: Bejaoui Marouene , Oueslati Hanen , Galai Haykel
Published: February 2021

Amorphous ternary solid dispersion has become one of the strategies commonly used for improving the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. Such multicomponent solid dispersion can be obtained by different techniques, this chapter provides an overview of ternary solid dispersion by co-milling method from the perspectives of physico-chemical characteristics in vitro and in vivo performance. A considerable improvement of solubility was obtained for many active pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g., Ibuprofen, Probucol, Gliclazid, Fenofibrate, Ibrutinib and Naproxen) and this was correlated to the synergy of multiple factors (hydrophilicity enhancement, particle size reduction, drug-carrier interactions, anti-plasticizing effect and complexation efficiency). This enhanced pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability of these drug molecules (1.49 to 15-folds increase in plasma drug concentration). A particular focus was accorded to compare the ternary and binary system including Ibuprofen and highlighting the contribution of thermal and spectral characterization techniques. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30), a low molecular weight molecule, into the binary solid dispersion (Ibuprofen/β-cyclodextrin), leads to a 1.5–2 folds increase in the drug intrinsic dissolution rate only after 10 min. This resulted from physical stabilization of amorphous Ibuprofen by reducing its molecular mobility and inhibiting its recristallization even under stress conditions (75% RH and T = 40°C for six months).