bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal changes in the boreal forest in Siberia over the period 1985–2015 against the background of climate change
Authors: Fu Wenxue , Tian Lei , Tao Yu , Li Mingyang , Guo Huadong
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Climate change has been proven to be an indisputable fact
and to be occurring at a faster rate (compared to the other regions at the
same latitude of the world) in boreal forest areas. Climate change has been
observed to have a strong influence on forests; however, until now, the
amount of quantitative information on the climate drivers that are producing
changes in boreal forest has been limited. The objectives of this work were to
quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of boreal forest and forest
types and to find the significant climate drivers that are producing changes
in boreal forest. The boreal forest in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Siberia, Russia,
which lies within the latitude range 51–69∘ N, was
selected as the study area. The distribution of the boreal forest and forest
types in the years 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 were derived from a series of
Landsat data. The spatiotemporal changes in the boreal forest and forest
types that occurred over each 10-year period within each 2∘
latitudinal zone between 51 and 69∘ N from 1985 to
2015 were then comprehensively analyzed. The results show that the total
area of forest increased over the study period and that the increase was
fastest in the high-latitude zone between 63 and 69∘ N. The increases in the areas of broad-leaved and coniferous forests were
found to have different characteristics. In the medium-latitude zone between
57 and 63∘ N in particular, the area of broad-leaved
forest grew faster than that of coniferous forest. Finally, the
influence of the climate factors of temperature and precipitation on changes
in the forests was analyzed. The results indicate that temperature rather
than precipitation is the main climate factor that is driving change.
QUANTUM INSPIRED GENETIC ALGORITHM FOR BI-LEVEL THRESHOLDING OF GRAY-SCALE IMAGES
Authors: Pai A. G. , Buddhiraju K. M. , Durbha S. S.
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Thresholding is the primitive step in the process of image segmentation. Finding the optimal threshold for satellite images with reduced computation time and resources is still a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix based Quantum Inspired Genetic Algorithm (QGA-GLCM) for bi-level thresholding of gray-scale images (natural and satellite). In this paper, QGA was used to find the optimal threshold. The results are compared with four different variants of Differential Evolution (DE) meta-heuristic algorithms, namely- DE-Otsu, DE-Kapur, DE-Tsali’s, DE-GLCM, and three different variants of QGA, namely- QGA-Otsu, QGA-Kapur, QGA-Tsali’s. Intensity value from image pixel is the only information used by Otsu, Tsali’s and Kapur for thresholding and are highly affected by noise. The main objective of this paper was a) To have a binary threshold for images corrupted with noise by bringing in spatial context b) To reduce the computational complexity and time for generating a threshold. Performance evaluators viz., CPU time, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) were used for quantitative assessment of partitioned images. From this study we observed that our proposed technique, QGA-GLCM is a) very good at producing a diverse population b) ten times faster than its classical counterparts c) generates better threshold for images corrupted by noise. In general, the threshold values generated by QGA and its variants are better than its classical counterparts. The results clearly show that exploration and exploitation capability of QGA is superior to DE for all variants. QGA-GLCM can be an effective technique to generate thresholds both in terms of computational speed and time.
Using large ensembles to quantify the impact of sudden stratospheric warmings and their precursors on the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Bett Philip E. , Scaife Adam A. , Hardiman Steven C. , Thornton Hazel E. , Shen Xiaocen , Wang Lin , Pang Bo
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Sudden-stratospheric-warming (SSW) events are often followed by significant weather and climate impacts at the surface. By affecting the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), SSWs can lead to periods of extreme cold in parts of Europe and North America. Previous studies have used observations and free-running climate models to try to identify features of the atmosphere prior to an SSW that can determine the subsequent impact at the surface. However, the limited observational record makes it difficult to accurately quantify these relationships. Here, we instead use a large
ensemble of seasonal hindcasts. We first test whether the hindcasts reproduce the observed characteristics of SSWs and their surface signature. We find that the simulations are statistically indistinguishable from the observations, in terms of the overall risk of an SSW per winter (56 %), the frequency of SSWs with negative NAO responses (65 %), the magnitude of the NAO responses, and the frequency of wavenumber-2-dominated SSWs
(26 %). We also assess the relationships between prior conditions and the NAO response in the 30 d following an SSW. We find that there
is little information in the precursor state to guide differences in the subsequent NAO behaviour between one SSW and another, reflecting the
substantial natural variability between SSW events. The strongest relationships with the NAO response are from pre-SSW sea level pressure anomalies over the polar cap and from zonal-wind anomalies in the lower stratosphere, both exhibiting correlations of around 0.3. The pre-SSW NAO has little bearing on its post-SSW state. The strength of the pre-SSW zonal-wind anomalies at 10 hPa is also not significantly correlated with the NAO response. Finally, we find that the mean NAO response in the first 10 d following wave-2-dominated SSWs is much more strongly negative than in wave-1 cases. However, the subsequent response in days 11–30 is very similar regardless of the dominant wavenumber. In all cases, the composite mean responses are the result of very broad distributions from individual SSW events, necessitating a probabilistic analysis using large ensembles.
Assessment of musculoskeletal modelling procedures in healthy shoulders towards use for clinical applications
Authors:   , Lavaill Maxence
Published: February 2023

Shoulder musculoskeletal modelling is a computational technique that can revolutionise orthopaedics, by allowing precise estimation of the muscle and joint forces implied while moving. Nonetheless, musculoskeletal predictions are highly sensitive to modelling inputs and parameters, as well as their inherent errors. Consequently, confidence must first be obtained before affirming clinical relevance. This thesis aimed to study how the computations are influenced by errors in the modelled shoulder anatomy and in the experimental motion data. Based on the acquired confidence, the final aim of the thesis was to investigate how joint stability is regained after a clinical Latarjet surgery.
Drought survival strategies of Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors:   , Asadyar Leila
Published: February 2023

This study uncovered dramatically different survival strategies to water deprivation within the same species of an Australian native plant, Nicotiana benthamiana. One strain, from central Australia, has evolved the drought escape strategy of early vigour and short life cycle, with little responsiveness to water scarcity. In contrast, an accession from Queensland, responds to water scarcity by slowing its growth rate, inhibiting flowering, and altering its cuticular wax composition under the control of the previously unrecognised transcription factor (NbMYB6) to minimise water loss. This prolongs the plant’s capacity to survive without water until follow-up rainfall supports further growth and rapid flowering.
Behaviour of light gauge steel framed wall systems made of built-up stud sections under ambient and fire conditions
Authors:   , Vy Son Tung
Published: February 2023

Cold-formed steel (CFS) built-up back-to-back channel (BC) and nested channel (NC) studs are increasingly used in LSF wall systems due to their enhanced load-bearing capacity and easy fabrication. This research project has investigated the behaviour and design of LSF wall systems made of BC and NC studs under ambient and fire conditions using full-scale experimental and numerical studies. It has developed simple and reliable design methods for both unsheathed and sheathed BC and NC studs and provided fire resistance levels of LSF walls made of BC and NC studs for use in the design of low- and mid-rise CFS buildings.
Control design methods for L-infinity string stable nonlinear interconnected systems subject to disturbances
Authors:   , Froes Silva Guilherme
Published: February 2023

This thesis studies vehicle platooning and local electric networks (microgrids), examples of interconnected systems working together towards a shared goal. The objective of the thesis is to address "string instability", which is when disturbances get bigger as they move from one system to the next. The thesis looks at ways to design controllers that prevent string instability while providing insight into the design process and proposes methods that leverage the relationship between the energy of a system and that of its neighbours to ensure "string stability" of an interconnected system.
Van der Waals epitaxy of transition metal dichalcogenides on graphene
Authors:   , Zebardastan Negar
Published: February 2023

This research is a fundamental study of the direct epitaxial growth of MoS2 on diverse types of graphene substrates, including self-standing and graphene/SiC, using chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The size, quality, and growth rate of epitaxial graphene on SiC, subsequently used as a substrate for the formation of MoS2, is controlled with high precision using a novel face-to-face technique in ultra-high vacuum. The effect of growth parameters and substrate characteristics on the CVD growth of MoS2 are investigated to design an optimised viable approach for the growth of high-quality MoS2/Graphene heterostructures.
تقويم مقرر العلوم للصف الثاني المتوسط في ضوء متطلبات الاتجاهات العالمية في دراسات الرياضيات والعلوم (TIMSS)
Authors:   ماجستير مناهج وطرق تدريس، كلية التربية، جامعة شقراء/ تعليم القويعية، المملكة العربية السعودية, القحطاني عبد الله
Published: February 2023

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على مدى تضمين متطلبات الاتجاهات العالمية في دراسات الرياضيات والعلوم (TIMSS) في محتوى مقرر العلوم للصف الثاني المتوسط، وقد استخدم الباحث المنهجَ الوصفيَّ من خلال أسلوب تحليل المحتوى من أجل تحقيق أهداف الدراسة، وتكون مجتمع الدراسة وعينتها من الموضوعات الدراسية جميعها الواردة في كتابي العلوم للصف الثاني بالمرحلة المتوسطة (فصل أول وفصل ثانٍ) المعتمدة في مدارس المرحلة المتوسطة بالمملكة العربية السعودية في طبعته الحديثة 1443هـ/2021م، وتمثلت أداة الدراسة في قائمة متطلبات مشروع (TIMSS)، وحُوِّلت إلى بطاقة تحليل محتوى، وبعد التأكد من صدق أداة الدراسة وثباتها، وإجراء عملية التحليل؛ توصلت الدراسة إلى أن تضمين بُعد المحتوى (الأحياء، الكيمياء، الفيزياء، علم الأرض) في مقرر العلوم جاء بنسب متفاوتة؛ حيث جاء مجال الأحياء في المرتبة الأولى بنسبة (43.53%)، وجاء في المرتبة الثانية مجال الفيزياء بنسبة (31.03%)، وفي المرتبة الثالثة جاء مجال الكيمياء بنسبة (15.94%)، بينما جاء مجال علوم الأرض في المرتبة الأخيرة بنسبة (9.50%)، وجاء بُعد العمليات المعرفية (المعرفة، التطبيق، الاستدلال) بنسب متوسطة؛ حيث جاء في المرتبة الأولى مجال المعرفة وبلغت نسبته (39,16%)، وجاء مجال الاستدلال في المرتبة الثانية بنسبة (33,92%)، في حين حل في المرتبة الثالثة مجال التطبيق وكانت نسبته (26,92%)، وفي ضوء تلك النتائج توصل الباحث إلى مجموعة من التوصيات من أهمها إجراء مراجعة لمحتوى مقررات العلوم في المملكة العربية السعودية، بحيث تتضمن متطلبات الاتجاهات العالمية في دراسات الرياضيات والعلوم (TIMSS).
العلم والعلماء في مدينة أبيورد من الفتح الإسلامي حتى سقوط الخلافة العباسية (31 – 656هـ/651 – 1258م)
Authors:   طالب دراسات عليا، قسم التاريخ، كلية الآداب، جامعة الملك سعود، الرياض، المملكة العربية السعودية, السعيد خالد
Published: February 2023

رصد كثير من الباحثين، في بحوثهم المنشورة ورسائلهم الأكاديمية، الأحوال العلمية في مختلف الأمصار، وعلى مر العصور، إلا أننا لم نجد دراسة سابقة سلّطت أضواءها على الحياة العلمية في مدينة أبيورد، أو ما يُقال لها حيناً: باورد، أو حيناً أخرى: أباورد، تلك المدينة الواقعة في الجزء الشمالي الشرقي من إقليم خراسان في الجناح الشرقي من العالم الإسلامي. وعلى الرغم من ندرة كافة المعلومات السياسية والاقتصادية والجغرافية والعلمية الخاصة بهذه المدينة وتبعثرها في المصادر الأولية، فإن الدراسة هدفت إلى جمع - ما استطاعت إلى ذلك سبيلاً – بعض أشتات هذه المعلومات، وتصنيفها، وتقييمها؛ للوقوف ما أمكن على الحياة العلمية في تلك المدينة التاريخية والتي لم يعد لها وجود في وقتنا الحاضر، مثلها كمثل إقليم خراسان نفسه الذي تمزّق في الوقت الحاضر بين ثلاثة دول، وهي: تركمانستان، وأفغانستان، وإيران. وتكمن أهمية هذه الدراسة الوصفية في الحاجة إلى إضاءة جهود علماء هذه المدينة، وإبراز أدوارهم في الارتقاء بالحضارة الإسلامية، فضلاً عن الحاجة إلى تزويد رفوف المكتبة العربية بما ينقصها في هذا الجانب. ولقد انتهت الدراسة إلى جملة من الاستنتاجات، لعل من أهمها: أن أكثر أبناء أبيورد لم يقنعوا بالبقاء في مدينتهم، ولم يكتفوا بما تعلموه بها، فضعنوا إلى مكة، وبغداد، ودمشق، ونيسابور، ومرو، وغيرها من كبريات مدن الإسلام؛ ليطلبوا العلم من مشاهير العلماء والمشايخ. وعلاوة على ذلك، فقد وُجد أن هذه المدينة - بحسب ما توصل إليه الباحث – لم تُخرّج أحداً مهر وبهر في العلوم العقلية، ولكنها قدمت جمعاً من العلماء برعوا في علم الحديث والفقه. وإلى جانب ما تقدم، فقد أنجبت أبيورد لفيفاً من أدباءً يُشار إليهم بالبنان، ويأتي في مقدمتهم الشاعر واللغوي الكبير أبو المظفر محمد الأبيوردي، والذي لا نبالغ في القول لو قلنا أن شهرته فاقت شهرة مدينته التي خرج من رحمها. وتوصي الدراسة أصحاب الهمم من الباحثين بتقصي الحياة العلمية في مدن الإسلام التي لم يسبق لأحد أن تعرّض لها بالبحث، إضافة إلى ترجمة مثل هذه الأعمال وتوفيرها لأبناء خراسان وغيرها من بلدان الإسلام لتوعيتهم بعز أسلافهم القديم ومجدهم التليد.
واقع تطبيق الحوكمة الإدارية في الـمديريات العامة للتربية والتعليم بسلطنة عُمان من وجهة نظر العاملين بها
Authors:   ماجستير التربية في الإدارة التعليمية، قسم التربية والدراسات الإنسانية، كلية العلوم والآداب، جامعة نزوى، سلطنة عُمان, البلـوشيـة هـدى
Published: February 2023

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى التعرف على واقع تطبيق الحوكمة الإدارية في الـمديريات العامة للتربية والتعليم بسلطنة عُمان من وجهة نظر العاملين بها، والكشف عن وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى (α ≤ 0.05) في استجابات أفراد عينة الدراسة تعزى إلى متغيرات النوع الاجتماعي، والمؤهل العلمي، وسنوات الخبرة، والمحافظة التعليمية، والمسمى الوظيفي، واتبعت الدراسة المنهج الوصفي، كما تم استخدام الاستبانة في جميع البيانات والمعلومات، وطبقت على عينة عشوائية مكونة من (342) فردا، من العاملين بالمديريات العامة للتربية والتعليم. وتوصلت الدراسة إلى العديد من النتائج من أهمها أن واقع تطبيق الحوكمة الإدارية في الـمديريات العامة للتربية والتعليم بسلطنة عُمان من وجهة نظر العاملين بها، جاءت متوسطة بشكل عام، وبدرجة تراوحت بين الكبيرة والمتوسطة في محاور الدراسة؛ فقد جاء في المرتبة الأولى مبدأ الشفافية وبدرجة تقدير كبيرة، ثم جاء مبدأ المساءلة والرقابة في المرتبة الثانية وبدرجة تقدير كبيرة، أما مبدأ المشاركة الفعالة فقد جاء في المرتبة الثالثة والأخيرة وبدرجة تقدير متوسطة، كما كشفت النتائج عن عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى (α ≤ 0.05) في استجابات أفراد عينة الدراسة تعزى إلى متغير النوع الاجتماعي، والمؤهل العلمي، وسنوات الخبرة، والمحافظة، ووجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى (α ≤ 0.05) في استجابات أفراد عينة الدراسة تعزى إلى متغير المسمى الوظيفي لصالح وظيفة مدير عام مساعد في جميع محاور الدراسة. وأوصت الدراسة بالعديد من التوصيات من أهمها تدعيم وتنمية ثقافة الشفافية، وقيم الرقابة الذاتية لدى العاملين الـمديريات العامة للتربية والتعليم بسلطنة عُمان من وجهة نظر العاملين بها، وإتاحة لهم الفرص للتعبير عن آرائهم وأفكارهم.
التحليل العاملي التوكيدي للعلاقة بين الرضا عن الحياة وتحسين الأداء الأكاديمي لدى الطلبة الجامعيين
Authors:   دكتوراه في علم النفس، كلية الآداب والعلوم الإنسانية، سايس، جامعة سيدي محمد بن عبد الله، فاس، المملكة المغربية, عبد الحليم الشرقي
Published: February 2023

تهدف الدراسة إلى فحص فرضية مفادها أن وجود المتعلم أو الطالب في ظروف نفسية مضطربة سيواجه صعوبات في التحصيل الأكاديمي.أما إذا كان في أحسن أحواله فسيكون أداؤه الأكاديمي جيدا في أنشطة التربية والتكوين. وبلغت عينة البحث 386 طالبًا (نسبة الإناث 48.2٪ والذكور 51.8٪؛ متوسط أعمارهم 21.54، بانحراف معياري يساوي 3.93). ولفحص العلاقة بين عامل الرضا عن الحياة (LS) ببعديه المشاعر الإيجابية والسلبية (PF/ NF) وعامل الأداء الأكاديمي (AP)، تم الاعتماد على مجموعة من الأساليب الإحصائية الحديثة منها التحليل العاملي التوكيدي لأن الباحث يدرك أبعاد هذه الدراسة والمتغيرات التابعة لها. وبالفعل فقد كشف التحليل وجود ثلاثة عوامل أساسية اعتمدت في تحليل المسار. وكشف التحليل أن عامل الرضا عن الحياة، المتمثل في عاملي المشاعر الإيجابية والسلبية (PF،NF)، له تأثير في عامل الأداء الأكاديمي (AP)، حيث يؤثر العاملان في عامل الأداء الأكاديمي (AP). كما كشف التحليل أيضًا أن التأثير الأقوى في عامل الأداء الأكاديمي (AP) كان لصالح عامل المشاعر الإيجابية (PF) على حساب عامل المشاعر السلبية (NF). والملاحظ أن عامل الرضا (LS) من خلال عاملي (PF،NF)، له تأثير في (AP). كما كشفت النتائج أن عامل (PF) له تأثير ذو معنوية إحصائية عالية مقارنة مع تأثير عامل (NF). وبناءً على هذه النتائج نقدم توصية للقائمين على المجال التربوي للمساهمة في ورش الرضا عن الحياة، من خلال توفير بيئة تعليمية أكاديمية تتوفر فيها شروط تنمية الشعور الإيجابي في حياة المتعلمين عامة والطلاب خاصة. في حين ينبغي التصدي لجميع المظاهر المزعجة لراحة الناشئة داخل المؤسسات التعليمية وخارجها خاصة في الفضاء الأسري. كما ينبغي جعل الرضا عن الحياة (LS) لدى الطلاب أولوية تستأثر باهتمام منظومة التربية والتكوين، من أجل تحقيق أداء أكاديمي جيد.
Corporate Resiliency and Relevancy in the Private Ordering Era
Authors: Shaner Megan Wischmeier
Published: February 2023

Firm-specific private ordering has flourished in the twenty-first century. Public companies are seeing more and more governance contracting in traditional venues such as the bylaws and charter, as well as in less conventional places like shareholder agreements and dual-class-like contracts. Decisions legitimizing private ordering in the corporate setting contain strong contractarian language and rely heavily on contract—and not corporate—principles to justify their holdings. In addition, recent statutory amendments have chipped away at traditionally mandatory features of the corporation, thereby reinforcing the contractual view of the corporate form and fueling the private ordering movement. All told, the current trajectory of corporate law appears to privilege freedom of contract and the contractarian theory above other principles and theories of the firm.

Noticeably absent from recent corporate jurisprudence, however, is any meaningful discussion of the rationale for, and consequences of, intertwining contract and corporate law in such an intimate way. Engaging in this discussion is critical, as the expansion of corporate contractual freedom and the corresponding judicial embrace of contractarian principals have important implications for corporate law and the role of the corporation in the business entity ecosystem. This Article discusses some of the impacts to the corporate form, corporate theory, and the corporation’s role in society resulting from the prioritization of contractual freedom.
The Impact of Motor Vehicle Simulator Training on Law Enforcement Officer Driving Behavior: Empirical Evidence from Accident Frequency and Severity
Authors: Hoyt Robert E.
Published: February 2023

Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS) indicates that its No. 1 loss within law enforcement continues to be related to motor vehicle incidents. In order to reduce the risk of these incidents from occurring in the future, LGRMS provides simulator training for its members. As documented by our review of the literature, a question that has remained largely unanswered by prior studies is the efficacy of this sort of training in mitigating risk management costs. In this study, we use accident loss cost data over the period 2000-2015 to determine whether motor vehicle simulator training is reducing loss frequency and severity, and whether such training is cost effective. Our analysis suggests that the training not only reduces accident frequency, and to some extent loss severity, but its return on investment (ROI) is 12:1. Given the recent concern over increasing motor vehicle loss frequency and severity in most states, our research has important implications for state legislative and regulatory authorities as they seek ways to mitigate growing motor vehicle loss costs. In addition to the benefits that we document for the use of motor vehicle simulator training of law enforcement officers (LEOs), our results suggest that efforts by state insurance regulators and legislators to facilitate and encourage motor vehicle simulator use as part of their state's licensing and insurance requirements would provide important benefits to the public in their state.
Prescription Drug Insurance Plans: Potential Cost Reductions and the Pass-Through of Manufacturer Pharmaceutical Rebates to Premiums.
Authors: Yang Charles C.
Published: February 2023

In response to the recent moves to reduce prescription drug expenses and eliminate manufacturer pharmaceutical rebates for Medicare and Medicaid, this research investigates the pass-through of manufacturer pharmaceutical rebates to premiums and examines the potential prescription drug cost reductions through efficiency improvement. The results indicate that eliminating all pharmaceutical rebates but using 50% of the eliminated rebates to lower prescription drug list prices, the premium per member month would increase by $8.6 for the whole comprehensive line, and $19.1 for Medicare Advantage. Using the median efficiency as the efficiency goal, the total cost reductions on hospital/medical expenses, prescription drug expenses, and other expenses are always more than enough to offset any potential premium increases due to the elimination of pharmaceutical rebates, no matter how much of the eliminated rebates are used to lower prescription drug list prices.
The Effect of Promotion and E-WOM on Tourists’ Intention to Visit Denpasar: Destination Image as a Mediating Variable
Authors: Rahjasa Putu Surya Laksana , Utama I Putu , Wiarti Luh Yusni
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of promotion and E-WOM on tourists’ intention to visit Denpasar and how the destination image as a mediating variable to increase the intention. Data were collected using a questionnaire to 104 respondents of foreign tourists who were in the province of Bali except for tourists who were in the city of Denpasar. The data were analysed using the Structure Equation Model (SEM) AMOS version 23. The results showed that, destination image had a significant effect on tourists' intention to visit. Promotion had no significant effect on intention to visit. E-WOM has no significant effect on intention to visit because. However, Promotion has a significant effect on visit intention through destination image with a Sobel test value of 3.214 as well as E-WOM has a significant effect on intention to visit through destination image with a Sobel test value of 2.840. It can be concluded that promotion and E-WOM are able to create a destination image, it will increase the Visiting Intention of tourists to Denpasar City.
Capítulo 1. Mediatización social. Consideraciones conceptuales
Authors: Arredondo Ramírez Pablo
Published: February 2023

La presencia de las tecnologías de comunicación e información en diversos contextos sociales, aunque estudiada históricamente, ha sido abordada de manera diferente en tiempos recientes, sobre todo a la luz de la saturación mediática que experimentan las sociedades contemporáneas. En razón de ello, se han elaborado conjeturas teóricas respecto a su verdadero significado. Este capítulo expone de manera concisa los planteamientos de autores que desde ópticas diversas debaten y analizan la relevancia de un fenómeno sociológico de creciente relevancia, el de la mediatización de la sociedad, su centralidad y su permeabilidad.

Palabras clave: mediatización, historia, centralidad mediática, permeabilidad mediática.
Epílogo. Audiencias, avalancha y atmósfera
Authors: Arredondo Ramírez Pablo
Published: February 2023

Se presenta una última reflexión sobre las mutaciones que en años recientes se observan en el  mundo de las audiencias, sobre todo a partir del explosivo desenvolvimiento de las llamadas redes sociales y de otras plataformas interactivas. Se apunta, sintéticamente, a un escenario de profundas transformaciones comunicativas y de dilemas que se yerguen para la cultura, la economía y la política en las sociedades altamente mediatizadas.

Palabras clave:  Redes sociales, mediatización creciente y desigual.
Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Secondary School Adolescents in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State
Authors: A.N. Igboka , C.N. Elkhanah , N.E. Agbapuonwu
Published: February 2023

Substance abuse can be described as any chemical abuse, implying the use of one or more substances in a manner that its user excessively and progressively consumes the substance in large quantities or in a manner detrimental to themselves or to those around them. The study examined the prevalence of substance abuse among secondary school adolescents in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. Two research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised all 4,435 Senior Secondary School II students in the ten public secondary schools in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State. A sample of 420 students was drawn for the study using the simple random sampling technique (balloting) and proportionate sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire titled “prevalence of substance abuse among adolescents in secondary schools” (POSAASS) and interview question on students’ substance abuse for teachers, principals and counsellors were used to obtain data. The questionnaire was designed on a four-point Likert scale. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was ensured. The test-retest method and Cronbach alpha method was used to establish the internal consistency and a reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. Responses to the research questions were answered with mean and standard deviation, while the hypothesis was tested with independent t-test statistics. The findings of the study revealed that there is a high prevalence of substance abuse among the adolescents in secondary schools in Owerri Municipal council of Imo state, with alcohol rating as the most used and abused substance (100%) and stimulants the least used and abused substances (20.71%). Other substances that are used and abused among adolescents’ in secondary schools in Owerri Municipal council of Imo state include cigarettes (89.76%), and menthol sweet melted in carbonated drinks (98.1). Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that there should be constant regulation and monitoring by parents of the kind of company their children keep, counselling and health education of the adolescents in schools by the school health nurse and counsellors.
Assessment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Among the Staff of University of Benin
Authors: Praise Kehinde Adeosun
Published: February 2023

This study is an assessment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder among the staff of the University of Benin using a descriptive survey research design. It was aimed at gathering relevant information on the occurrence of OCD among the academic and non-academic staff of the University of Benin. The population of the study included all the academic (188) and non-academic (84) staff in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Nigeria. The sample size for this study was 136 staff in the Faculty of Education. This was done by stratifying the staff into Academic and Non-Academic staff, thereafter simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 50% of the total number of academic and non-academic staff. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire (Questionnaire on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, QOCD) administered to the sample. Research question 1 was answered using descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation and hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested using a t-test of the Independent sample. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level alpha of significance. The findings of the study showed that there is no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of OCD between male and female staff of the University of Benin and also that there is no significant difference in the proportion of academic and non-academic staff with medium to high levels of OCD in the University of Benin, Nigeria.
Pelatihan Kewirausahaan “Budidaya Perlebahan” Bagi Anggota Pramuka Penegak Dan Pandega Di Kwartir Ranting Cipayung”
Authors: Asim Asim , Nurminingsih Nurminingsih , Ahmadun Ahmadun , Rushadiyati Rushadiyati
Published: February 2023

Pendidikan karakter kewirausahaan merupakan pendidikan yang bertujuan menanamkan kebiasaan di bidang wirausaha. Implementasi dalam pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah pembinaan anggota dalam kegiatan kepramukaan dimana anggota Pramuka mendapatkan standar pembinaan perihal kecakapan umum dan khusus. Pembinaan tersebut mampu melahirkan kreativitas dan inovasi sebagai energi utama kewirausahaan. Kegiatan Kepramukaan mampu memanfaatkan potensi organisasi dan anggota-anggotanya untuk berkembang, bekerjasama dengan dunia usaha, pemerintah daerah, atau komponen masyarakat lain untuk mendapat dukungan dari kegiatan organisasi. Pelaksanaan kegiatan ini dilakukan atas kerjasama Universitas, mitra (PT. Madu Pramuka) dan Kwartir Pramuka Ranting Cipayung. Sasaran kegiatan adalah anggota   Pramuka Penegak dan Pandega di  Kwartir Ranting Cipayung. Tujuan pengabidan adalah mencetak  tenaga  terampil  di  bidang perlebahan  dengan  memberi  kesempatan  kepada  masyarakat  luas  untuk  mengenal dan mengukti pelatihan budidaya perlebahan. Metode Tahapan kegiatan pelatihan adalah Tahap I dan akan berlanjut pada Tahap 2. Pelaksanaan kegiatan diikuti oleh 50 orang Anggota Pramuka dan berlangsung selama 1 hari pada Jumat, 27 September 2019 di lokasi mitra yakni PT. Madu Pramuka Cibubur Jakarta.  Hasil kepuasan peserta program pengabdian diketahui bahwa rata-rata pelaksanaan kegiatan pelatihan adalah 84%  sangat baik dan 16% baik. Diharapkan kegiatan pelatihan kewirausahaan memberi dampak positif dan menimbulkan motivasi wirausaha dan melahirkan startup baru dari anggota Pramuka. Kata Kunci : Kewirausahaan, Budidaya Perlebahan, Pramuka
Teaching English Online in the Times of Covid-19 at a Saudi University: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Alsulami Abrar , Alsolami Turki
Published: February 2023

During the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the late 2020, online learning has become a coercive solution and a last resort, not just a luxurious option of learning style. The forced sudden transition from face-to-face educational system to online education is an unprecedented phenomenon that represented a challenge in itself, therefore, needed to be explored and studied thoroughly. This study, based on a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, aims to explore the opportunities and challenges of teaching English online in the times of Covid-19 through surveying English language instructors in the context of a Saudi government university in the city of Jeddah in the Western Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study utilised a survey approach using an adopted questionnaire to 41 instructors (23 males and 18 females). Analyses of the data indicated that the majority of the teachers were knowledgeable and experienced enough with the online platforms, however, they were overwhelmed with the unexpected and sudden transformation to the full mode online learning. Furthermore, a large number of the participants expressed their initial frustration trying to adjust to the full mode online system, however, they found ample opportunities for more teaching and learning flexibility with an autonomous learning provision for the students.
Co-design of interventions to improve acute care in hospital: A rapid review of the literature and application of the BASE methodology, a novel system for the design of patient centered service prototypes
Authors:   DM, FRCP Ysbyty Gwynedd,  Bangor and Senior Clinical Lecturer, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2DG, UK, P Subbe Christian , Goodman Andrew ,   Senior Lecturer in Design, Bangor University,  Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, Barach Paul ,   Clinical Professor,  Children’s Hospital of Michigan,  Wayne State University School of Medicine,  3901 Beaubien Blvd, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Published: February 2023

Co-design in acute care is challenged by the inability of unwell patients to participate in the process and the often transient nature of acute care. We undertook a rapid review of the literature on co-design, co-production and co-creation of solutions for acute care that were developed with patients. We found limited little evidence for co-design methods in acute care. We adapted a novel design driven method (BASE methodology) that creates stakeholder groups through epistemological criteria for the rapid development of interventions for acute care. We demonstrated feasibility of the methodology in two case studies: A mHealth application with checklists for patients undergoing treatment for cancer and a patient held record for self-clerking on admission to hospital.
Technology-enabled multidisciplinary team in-reach for oral corticosteroid stewardship and optimizing care of suspected airways disease exacerbations
Authors:   MD MRCP, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK, AlHelou Alain , Watson Alastair ,   PhD, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK,   University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, Russell Kirsty ,   Dip HE, Cert HE, RGN, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK, Jones Kayleigh ,   Dip HE, RGN, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK, Johnson Hayley ,   Dip HE, RGN, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK, Chellappah Gajan ,   MD MRCP, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK, Mukherjee Rahul ,   MRCP, DTM&H FCCP FRCP, University Hospitals Birmingham – Birmingham, UK,   University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Published: February 2023

Overuse of corticosteroids is an important problem not only in asthma but also the management of other airways diseases including bronchiectasis and COPD and results in associated risks of serious side effects and irreversible harm. We report a pilot using an in-reach solution to review patients, optimise their care and facilitate early discharge. We discharged >20% of our patients immediately, which is potentially a significant reduction in hospital bed use and, most importantly, through this approach we were able to establish early diagnosis and reduce inappropriate oral corticosteroid use.
Fertilidad mejorada en ganado lechero con baja condición corporal al usar gonadotrofina coriónica equina en inseminación artificial a tiempo fijo
Authors: Yunga-Ayavaca Edwin Salomón , Quinche-Morocho Ruth Ximena , Angulo-Cubillán Francisco Javier
Published: February 2023

Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la utilización de la gonadotrofina coriónica equina (eCG) en un protocolo de inseminación artificial a tiempo fijo (IATF) a base de progesterona (P4) y la condición corporal (CC), sobre la fertilidad de vacas mantenidas bajo un sistema de producción tradicional (SPT); se desarrolló una investigación, empleando un diseño completo al azar, con arreglo factorial 2×2, siendo los factores la CC (3,00 ≤ CC ≤ 2,75) y la administración de 400 Unidades Internacionales (UI) de eCG, formando cuatro tratamientos (T) con 50 animales cada uno. T1 vacas sincronizadas con CC ≤ 2,75 y sin aplicación de eCG; T2 vacas sincronizadas con CC ≤ 2,75 y con aplicación de eCG; T3 vacas sincronizadas con CC ≥ 3,00 y sin aplicación de eCG; T4 vacas sincronizadas con CC ≥ 3,00 y con aplicación de eCG. El protocolo base fue: Día cero, aplicación del dispositivo intravaginal (DIV) de progesterona, más 2 miligramos (mg) de benzoato de estradiol (BE), el día 7, retiro del DIV más 500 microgramos (µcg) de cloprostenol sódico, día 8, 1 mg de BE, Día 9 la IATF, 56 horas de haber retirado el DIV. La eCG se administró al momento de retirar el DIV. Los valores de fertilidad fueron para el T1: 22,0 %; T2: 44,0 %; T3: 46,0 % y T4: 48,0 %, con diferencias significativas (P<0,05) entre el T1 y los otros T. Los resultados indican que la administración de eCG, mejora la fertilidad de vacas con baja CC, en SPT de leche.
Quando una mela al giorno… non toglie il medico di torno!
Authors: Calderara Maria Letizia , Di Cesare Merlone Alessandra , Prada Elisabetta , Atzeri Francesca
Published: February 2023

The case of a 2.6-year-old boy with lypotimia after the ingestion of a herbal product is described. The diagnosis of fructose intolerance based on genetic test was eventually made.
Determinants of Dietary Pattern & Non Communicable Diseases among Adult Population of Districts Kohat & Nowshera KP
Authors: Khan Muhammad Jibran , Hussain Syed Jawad , Qazi Nadia , Wazir Anwar Khan , Wazir Abdul Haq , Shah Inayat , Ishtiaq Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Aim: To estimate the burden of non-communicable diseases and to assess the dietary pattern along with important relevant determinants among adult population of district Kohat & Nowshera Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study Place & Duration: This study was conducted in Kohat & Nowshera Districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan; from June to December 2022. Methodology: A total of n=385 male adults was selected and a structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information regarding demographic, dietary, behavioral determinants. Finally data was analyzed and presented in form of text and tables. Results: Results showed that 55.71% had age above 37 years; 28.31% were illiterate; 25.71% had monthly income more than 45000/ PKR; 60.78% were married; and 82.08% were employed. Moreover, 30.39% were current tobacco smoking; and 24.68% had positive history of past tobacco smoking. Furthermore, 44.94% prefer high caloric; 40.78% vegetables; 45.19% meat; 63,38% fresh fruits; and 18.70% & 21.30% prefer too much sugar and salt in food respectively. Furthermore; hypertension, malnutrition, eye problems and cancer were found among 22.60%, 59.74%, 7.01% & 2.08% respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that common non-communicable diseases were present in the studied male adults and showed strong relationship with dietary pattern along with demographic, epidemiological and socio-economical determinants. Moreover, effective and efficient policies and strategies were needed to reduce the double burden of non-communicable disease and its associated complications. Keywords: Prevalence, Determinants, Diet, Vegetables, Overweight, Obesity, Tobacco, Adults
Effects of Hot Packs on pain in patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) in Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Swat: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Rahim Abdur , Khan Shaier , Kausar Samina
Published: February 2023

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat packs on pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Study design: A Randomized Control Trial Place and duration: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Swat for the period of six months. Methodology: Methods: This research employed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design. A total of 60 patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned (30 in each) to either the experimental or control group. The severity of the pain was measured using a Visual Analog Scale. The patients in the control group received 20 minutes of heat therapy consisting of hot packs heated to 40 degrees Celsius administered to the affected joint. All patients were checked at day 0, day 3, day 8, and day 15 after treatment. Results: On days 8 and 15, patients in the experimental group reported significantly less pain than those in the control group (p = 0.002 and p 0.001, respectively). Patients younger than 50 years old in the study group experienced less pain on day 8th and 15th than those in the control group. Conclusion: As this study's findings indicate, using a hot pack can significantly reduce pain experienced by those suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). Further, it showed that the effectiveness of a hot pack on pain differed between patients based on factors including age and gender Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Hot pack, Randomized Control Trial, significant, convenient, cost effective.
Validation of Modified Mallampati Test with Addition of Thyromental Distance and Sternomental Distance to Predict Difficult Endotracheal Intubation in Adults Presenting in Surgical Emergency
Authors: Mohsin Muhammad Usman , Adnan Muhammad , Fayyaz Muhammad Aatir , Raza Hassan , Habib Muhammad Zaman , Kaleem Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Objective: To validate modified mallampati test with addition of thyromental distance and sternomental distance in prediction of difficult endotracheal intubation in adults presenting in surgical emergency. Study Deign: Prospective, single-blinded observational study Place and duration: Department of Anesthesia and intensive care Nishtar Hospital, Multan from August 2021 to January 2022 in one year duration. Methodology: A total of 120 patients were included in the study. Difficult intubation was predicted by measuring modified mallampati test following thyromental distance and sternomental distance. Validation of mallampati test and combining predictors was assessed by measuring sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive value. Contingency table 2x2was designed. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of this procedure was 62.5% and 80.0%, respectively. Validity of combining all parameters to predict the difficult in endotracheal intubation was shown in table IV. The sensitivity and specificity of this procedure was 25.0% and 27.0%, respectively. Practical Implication: Endotracheal intubation is a common pre-operative complication having potential to lead poor post operative results. This study will help the anesthesiologists to overcome the problem of intubation and reduce the incidence of post operative complications in routine practice. Conclusion: Specificity of modified mallampati is too high, validity of combine parameters modified mallampati, sternomental distance and thyromental distance is very high when compared with mallampati test alone. All three parameters MMT, SMD and TMD can be used collectively for assessment of difficult airway in adult patients planned for surgery under general anesthesia. Keywords: Validity, anaesthesia, modified Mallampati test, endotracheal intubation, thyromental distance, sternomental distance
Idiopathic calcinosis cutis with unusual histomorphology and negative von Kossa stain: A diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Irwin Trent , Hamza Mugahed , George Evan , S Moshiri Ata
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Calcinosis cutis is characterized by basophilic crystalline or amorphous calcium within the dermis/subcutis. Calcinosis cutis has many different clinical subtypes and associated etiologies that may lead clinicians to consider this diagnosis. Von Kossa and/or Alizarin red special stains may be used by pathologists to highlight deposition of insoluble calcium salts, especially in histologically ambiguous or subtle cases.

Case Report: We report the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with an inferior right buttock mass clinically diagnosed as epidermal inclusion cyst(s). Gross pathology revealed a gray-white pasty substance within a cyst-like structure. Histopathologic examination demonstrated pools of amorphous blue-gray material with rare deposits of admixed coarse calcifications surrounded by foreign-body giant cells. No cyst wall was seen in the specimen. Special stains, including von Kossa, were initially negative. Following additional review, it was discovered that surface decalcifying solution had been applied to the paraffin block in the histology lab prior to microtome sectioning. Hypothesizing that this could be the cause of the unusual morphology, the paraffin block was reprocessed and subsequent H and E stained sections displayed characteristic basophilic calcium deposits, which were correspondingly positive by von Kossa stain.

Conclusion: The histopathologic diagnosis of calcinosis cutis is apparent by HandE in most cases, though von Kossa and/or Alizarin red special stains can be used to aid the pathologist. Given the unusual histomorphology following surface decalcification and initial lack of von Kossa stain prior to reprocessing, this report serves to make pathologists aware of this potential diagnostic pitfall.
STUDY ON SOME BACTERIAL PATHOGENS INFECTED FRESH WATER FISH OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS FROM JEBEL AULIA RESERVOIR SOUTH OF KHARTOUM, SUDAN
Authors: Adam Zahra ABDALLAH , Mahmoud EshragaDafaalla
Published: February 2023

This study conducted to investigate some bacteria pathogens infected fish in Jubal Aulia Reservoir south of Khartoum in the Sudan the target fish were selective for examined Oreochromis niloticus family (Tilapia), One hundred in number fresh samples of Oreochromis niloticus collected from the Reservoir in (White Nile) Ranged in length 1140cm and in weight 50- 1during the period 2017- 2019, using standard microbiological methods for investigation and identification microbial bacteria. Aeromonas hydrophila, mycobacterium forutium, Staphylococcus and streptococcus feacium were isolated from eyes, mouth, fines, gills and skin. Results observed total sampls  of fish infected were  (86), Staphylococcus sp record high risk infection rate 42%, Aeromonas hydrophila 24.5 %, streptococcus faecium  23 %,  and ,mycobacterium forutium 10.5 the percentage of bacterial pathogens  100 % and  distribution at all seasons, with different significant change (P≥0.05,0.02,0.04) the study included and focused on culture descriptions and classification general characteristics about  four types  pathogen bacteria isolated. In present finding   observed stress and lesions but no necrosis and mortality rate were recorded due the infection, as for pathogens made fish meat very depreciate hence one of the study recommended that follow up – studies to evaluate the microorganism changes in white Nile to protect economic resources and fish health.
FARMERS PERCEPTIONS ON SOIL EROSION IN SEBEYA CATCHMENT, RWANDA
Authors: Majoro Félicien , Wali Umaru Garba , Munyaneza Omar , Naramabuye François-Xavier , Bugenimana Eric Derrick , Mukamwambali Concilie
Published: February 2023

Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation which result in low agriculture productivity. Especially, western part of Rwanda including Sebeya catchment has high susceptibility to erosion leading to huge amounts of soil loss. This study held to explore the actual status of soil erosion in Sebeya catchment. Global Information System data were used for catchment delineation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed. Specifically, 75 farmers living and having farm lands in the catchment were interviewed in terms of knowledge on soil erosion, causes and control measures. The results showed that streambank erosion is due to the erosive power of runoff from uplands areas with (18.7%). The main natural causes of soil erosion in Sebeya catchment are heavy rainfall (69.33%) and the slope steepness (28%). Public and private land conservation agencies should be more involved in soil management centred on farmer’s awareness and capacity building.