bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and prospects of endosperm balance number in potato (Solanum tuberosum) improvement
Authors: GOPAL JAI
Published: August 2023

Endosperm Balance Number (EBN) is a genome-specific ploidy, which is not necessarily equivalent to the chromosome ploidy. The EBN is the ‘effective ploidy’ that determines crossability in Solanum species. It varies from 1 to 4 and the two Solanum species are crossable if they have the same EBN so that maternal to paternal ratio of EBN in the endosperm is 2:1. However, a number of significant exceptions to this rule have been observed in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). EBNs have been experimentally assigned to a number of Solanum species after crosses with standard species whose EBN was arbitrarily established. Neither specific genes nor the molecular basis of EBN have been established in potato, but 2-3 unlinked loci with equal additive effects are known to determine the EBN in Solanum species. EBN acts as a powerful isolating mechanism in the sexual reproduction of Solanum species. EBN incompatibility played an important role in the speciation of polyploids from diploids, complementing the role of 2n gametes in the polyploidy evolution of potato species. EBN has great predictive value for planning interpsecific crosses in potato. EBN of a species can be modified through sexual or somatic polyploidization. This has facilitated the transfer of useful disease and pest resistance genes from 1 EBN and 2EBN wild species to 4EBN cultivated potatoes. Besides direct, indirect gene transfer through bridge species from otherwise incompatible Solanum species has been accomplished for improving cultivated potatoes. The concept, inheritance and role of EBN in speciation, and its prospects in potato varietal improvement are reviewed in this paper. The problems associated in transfer of useful traits from wild species to cultivated potatoes due to EBN barriers are also highlighted.
Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of rainfed pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and blackgram (Vigna mungo) intercropping system
Authors: KUMAWAT NARENDRA , SINGH RAJENDRA PRASAD , KUMAR RAKESH , YADAV TEJ PRAKESH , OM HARI
Published: August 2023

Field experiments were carried out during kharif season of 2008-09 and 2009-10 to study the effect of integrated nutrition on productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of rainfed pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] intercropping system. Pooled data shows that intercropping systems did not influence significantly on the grain, stover, biological yield and harvest index of pigeonpea and blackgram. Total uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by pigeonpea were highest recorded with the sole pigeonpea (S1) which was comparable to normal intercropping system (S2) and significantly superior over paired intercropping system (S3). Further, pooled data revealed that normal intercropping system (S2) gave maximum values of gross return (Rupees 120 050), net return (Rupees 99 396), B:C ratio (4.8), pigeonpea equivalent yield (21.75 q/ha), land equivalent ratio (1.70), production efficiency (7.98 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (364.83 Rupees/ha/day) which was at par with paired intercropping system (S3) and significantly superior to sole planting of pigeonpea (S1). Application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizers + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (through vermicompost) + 5 kg Zn/ha gave significantly higher grain yield (21.05 and 5.23 q/ha), stover yield (82.19 and 14.47 q/ha), biological yield (103.24 and 18.85 q/ha) and harvest index (20.23 and 26.40%) of pigeonpea and blackgram, respectively. This treatment (F7) also gave the higher total uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by pigeonpea and blackgram. Similarly, application of 100% RDF + 50% RDN + 5 kg Zn/ha (F7) recorded highest gross return (Rupees 130 735), net return (Rupees 109 277), B:C ratio (5.11), PEY (24.24 q/ha), LER (1.57), production efficiency (8.9 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (401.07 Rupees /ha/day) which was at par with 50% RDF + 100% RDN + 5 kg Zn/ha (F8) and significantly superior to rest of the treatments.
Influence of sequential tillage and residue management practices on soil and root parameters in soybean (Glycine max) - wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system
Authors: KARUNAKARAN V , BEHERA U K
Published: August 2023

A field study was conducted in 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to assess the effect of sequential tillage and crop establishment and residue management practices on soil health and root parameters in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The results pertaining to the experiments at the end of the two year study revealed that most of the soil properties except infiltration rate and microbial biomass carbon (MBC); and root parameters of both crops except root length density (RLD) and average root diameter of wheat were non-significant by the sequential tillage and crop establishment treatments. Unlike sequential tillage and crop establishment techniques, all soil properties except bulk density, pH, EC and root parameters of both soybean and wheat responded significantly to the residue management practices. The infiltration rate was significantly higher with skipping the sequence of CT-Flat by ZT-Flat. Skipping the sequence of CT-Flat and bed with ZT-Flat and bed recorded higher soil mean weight diameter (MWD) and grand mean diameter (GMD) at 0- 10 cm soil depth than the counterpart by skipping of ZT-Flat and bed with CT-Flat and bed. The percentage of soil macro-aggregate was high by skipping ZT-Flat and bed with CT-flat and bed at all depths while the reverse was exhibited in case of percentage soil micro-aggregates by skipping CT-Flat and bed with ZT-Flat and bed. By skipping CT-flat and bed with ZT-flat and bed significantly higher soil MBC was recorded than the counterpart skipping tillage treatments. The same significant trend was also exhibited for soil MBC with residue management treatments, where the wheat + soybean residue application recorded 20.90 % higher than the control. Root parameters like RLD, root surface area (RSA), root volume density (RVD), average root diameter (ARD) in soybean while these were partly non-significant (RSD and RVD) in wheat with the sequential tillage and crop establishment treatments, whereas the residue management practices significantly influenced the root parameters of both the crops. Among the residue management practices, wheat + soybean residue obtained higher RLD (2.57 and 1.03 cm/cm3); RSA (0.79 and 0.32 cm2/cm3); RVD (18.11 and 7.46 Ã— 10-3 cm3/cm3) and average root diameter (1.04 and 0.85 mm) both in soybean and wheat crops than rest of the treatments. Thus, impact of short-term zero tillage is short lived for favourable soil health and root parameters when skipping with conventional tillage.
Prosopis juliflora L: DISTRIBUTION, IMPACTS AND AVAILABLE CONTROL METHODS IN ETHIOPIA
Authors: Abdulahi Mohammed Mussa , Abdulkerim Ute Jemal , Regasa Tefara
Published: August 2023

Prosopis juliflora, an evergreen shrub, is one of the most invasive alien species causing economic and environmental harm in arid and semi-arid areas. It is spreading rapidly in the rangelands, croplands and forests and in particular is threatening pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. Prosopis has invaded parts of wildlife reserves and National Parks threatening biodiversity. There are several factors favoring its rapid distribution in the environment. Its ability to adapt wide range of climatic condition, effective dispersal mechanism, its allelopathic effect, prolific nature, having large seed bank in the soil environment, fast growing and vigorous coppicing ability are among the principal factors. Prosopis has the capacity to decrease the composition and diversity of plant species and it has adverse effects on crop yield, as well as animal and human health. Despite its negative effects, the tree has potential uses such as fuel, charcoal, fodder, food, bio-char, bio- control, windbreaks, shade, construction and furniture materials, and soil stabilization. It can be also be used against different disease and ameliorated environmental conditions through carbon sequestration. On the other hand, manual, mechanical, chemical and biological control methods as well as control by utilization have been pointed out as an effective control ways and management of this weed. There is urgent need to develop management strategies that are environmentally friendly and economically viable to bring them under control. Therefore, objective of this review was to explore the distribution, impacts, benefits and as well as the possible management approaches against Prosopis.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ADOPTION OF INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY AND WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN THE SEMI-ARID AREAS OF EASTERN KENYA
Authors: Mutuku Miriam Mutua , Nguluu Simon , Akuja Prof. Thomas , Lutta Muhammad , Pelletier Bernard
Published: August 2023

In arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), low adoption of integrated soil fertility and water management (ISFWM) technologies has contributed to food and nutrition insecurity. A study was conducted to assess factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption decision of ISFWM technologies in Mwala and Yatta Sub-Counties. A questionnaire was administered to 248 respondents in the study region. Selection of household heads was done in ‘Farmer-led adoption approach’ sites otherwise known as Primary and Secondary Participatory Technology Evaluations (PPATEs and SPPATEs) and Non-PPATEs/SPATEs sites in both Sub-Counties. Relationships between different variables were determined by the Tobit model. The results revealed that group membership (P<0.016), inaccessible credit services (P<0.017), gender (P<0.025), age and access to agricultural extension services (P<0.027) influenced adoption of ISFWM technology significantly. Cost of inputs and access to radio information (P<0.01), access to appropriate farm machines (p<0.001), cost of labor and farmers’ perception on seasons’ reliability (P<0.004) and out-put markets (P<0.006) were reported to affect adoption of ISFWM practices highly significantly. Descriptive statistic results indicated that majority of the respondents (93.9%) in the project areas were adopting a combination of tied ridges, organic fertilizer and improved seed compared to only 6.1% in the non-project area. There was also significantly (P<0.01) higher adoption (76.5%) of a combination of tied ridges, both fertilizer and improved seed in the project area in contrast to merely 23.5% in non-project area, as well as those adopting (80%) a combination of zai pit, both fertilizer and improved seed compared to only 20% in non-project area. Policy makers should focus on availability of affordable credit facilities and farm machines, ease access to information, labor and input-output markets for enhanced farm productivity and livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in ASALs.
SHORT-TERM DYNAMIC OF SOIL FERTILITY FROM INTEGRATED CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS IN TROPICAL SAVANNA
Authors: Ludkiewicz Mariana Gaioto Ziolkowski , Araujo Leandro Coelho de , Galindo Fernando Shintate , Zagato Luana Quirino Souza Dayoub , Olivera André Roberto Franco , Maruno Túlio César , Santos-Araujo Sabrina Novaes dos
Published: August 2023

The chemical attributes and the total organic carbon stock of the soil, from crop-livestock integration systems for renovation of degraded pasture, with fodder sorghum, were evaluated in torpical Savanna. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with five replications, in plots of 200 m2, in Brazilian Savanna. Treatments were (i) degraded pasture of Brachiaria  decumbens cv. Basilisk; (ii) conventional renovation method for B. brizantha cv. Marandu (Control); (iii) Marandu sown in succession to sorghum monocrop for ensilage collected 0.45 m above the soil surface; and Marandu seeded simultaneously with the sorghum and harvested (iv) 0.15 and (v) 0.45 m above the soil surface. Carbon stock increases 19.9% in a short time (120 days) in the soil layer of 0.10-0.20 m for integrated crop-livestock systems treatments. All forms of renovation of pasture contributed to increases in macronutrients and reduction of Al in the soil. After 442 days, the higher soil fertility was observed for the Control tratamento indicating that this is a good method of renovation of pasture and it can be used where the crop-livestock can not.
SISTEMA DE DOS COMPONENTES: UN DIÁLOGO MOLECULAR ENTRE LAS BACTERIAS RUMINALES Y PARTÍCULAS DE ALIMENTO (PLANTAS FORRAJERAS)
Authors: Galicia Jimenez Monica Marcela , López Garrido Serafín Jacobo , Ávila Serrano Narciso Ysac , Murialdo Silvia E.
Published: August 2023

The ability to adapt rapidly to changes in the environment is one of the main characteristics of the bacterial cell. The rumen is a highly dynamic environment, and none of the changes are permanent due to the various microbial species found in the rumen. Signal transduction networks are information processing pathways that recognize various physical and chemical stimuli, amplification, signal processing, and trigger responses of the bacterial cell. The aim of the present review is to show the importance of these two component systems in rumen bacteria, because it is based on the knowledge of the principles governing the bacterial population communication, its main interactions and products of metabolism, we can approach the manipulation of Ruminal fermentation to improve animal health, productivity and food safety.
GROWTH AND YIELD OF CASTOR BEAN (Ricinus communis L.) CV. ‘BRS ENERGIA’ UNDER DIFFERENT SPACINGS
Authors: Oliveira Alexandre Bosco de , Brito Neto José Félix de , Cardoso Gleibson Dionizio , Vale Leandro Silva do
Published: August 2023

The use of appropriate spacing when planting large crops is a technology that can be very easily applied, and that can result in a significant increase in yield. The aim of this work was to estimate the best spacing between rows in the Castor Bean cv. ‘BRS Energia’ (Ricinus communis L.), with a view to optimising maximum yield. The experiment was carried out on the Juá farm, in Itatuba, in the State of Paraíba, Brazil, in the 2015 agricultural year. The experimental design was of randomised blocks, with four replications and six treatments of different spacing between rows (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 m). Values for plant height, stem diameter, number of racemes and yield were determined at the end of the crop cycle. Reducing the spacing promoted an increase in plant height. At the smallest spacing, plants reached heights of more than 2.0 m. At the larger spacings, the plants achieved greater stem diameter and number of racemes. The highest yield was obtained at the two smallest spacings, where yields of more than 2000 kg ha-1were achieved.
BREED AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON BIRTH WEIGHT, WEANING WEIGHT AND CALVING INTERVAL OF ZEBU CATTLE IN SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO
Authors: Segura Jose C. , Monforte-Magaña Juan Gabriel , Aké-López Jesús R. , Segura-Correa Victor M. , Hinojosa-Cuellar José A. , Osorio-Arce Mario M.
Published: August 2023

Records of beef cows from a ranch in southern Mexico gave 1967 birth weights (BW), 1587 weaning weights adjusted to 210 days of age (AWW) and 2001 calving intervals (CI) for the comparison of the breed groups: Brahman (BR), Guzerat (GU), Nellore (NE) and crosses born to zebu dams by Brown Swiss sires. Animals were fed mainly pasture. Data were analysed using general linear procedures. The statistical model that described the data for BW and AWW included the fixed effects of breed group (BR, GU, NE, BS x BR, BS x GU and BS x NE); year of birth or calving (2005 to 2014), season of parity of the cow (dry, rainy, windy), sex of the calf (female or male), parity (1 to =>8) and the simple interaction of year x season of birth or calving. The model for CI was similar to the previous one, except that only the Zebu purebreds were included. The overall means and standard deviations for BW, AWW and CI were 33.5+0.75 kg, 178.9+19.7 kg and 456.4+79.2 days. All effects included in the model had significant effect on BW and AWW, but season and sex on CI. The smallest least squares means for BW corresponded to the cross of BR x NE and the largest to the cross of BS x BR (33.3 and 33.7 kg, respectively); whereas the lowest and largest least squares means for AWW corresponded to the NE (173.8 kg) and BS x BR (191.8 kg). NE cows had shorter CI than BR and GU cows (413.9, 446.2 and 481.3, respectively). Male calves weighed more at birth and weaning than females. Year x season interaction indicate that season effects on performance of calves or cows were not similar throughout the years studied. 
FITOSOCIOLOGÍA DE MALEZAS DESPUÉS DE UN CULTIVO DE PAPA (Solanum tuberosum L.) EN LOS ANDES VENEZOLANOS: UN ENFOQUE AGROECOLOGICO
Authors: Villa Pedro Manuel , Rodrigues Alice Cristina , Márquez Nelson , Rodrigues Alisson Lopes , Martins Sebastião Venâncio
Published: August 2023

Weeds represent one problem for potato cultivation in the Venezuelan Andes; however ecological studies to improve their management are limited. This study has aimed to carry out a phytosociological survey of weed community after potato cultivation in Mérida, Mérida state, Venezuela. The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized design with 20 plots (2x2 m). The weeds surveys were conducted at two month intervals, randomly selecting five plots per session during June 2006 and February 2007, to 60 days after cultivation (DDC), 120, 180, and 240 DDC. The phytosociological survey was performed involving identification and quantification of numbers of individuals the weeds in each plot. After were estimated of phytosociological parameters such as density, frequency, abundance to calculate the importance value index. A multivariate non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was performed using species abundances; also was used the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) with presence absence data. Seventeen families, 32 genera and 35 species of weeds were identified, with the Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae families showed higher importance within the community. The most important species in the all stages were Pennisetum clandestinum, Paspalum decumbens, Desmodium adscendens, Aldama dentata, Borreria laevis, and Jaegeria hirta. Significant differences in phytosociological parameters were observed among weed species at each stage and among the different stages after potato cultivation.
CINÉTICA DE CRECIMIENTO DE PLANTAS CONVENCIONALES Y VITROPLANTAS DE CAÑA DE AZÚCAR
Authors: Miranda-Marini Rogelio , Cruz-Huerta Nicacio , González-Hernández Víctor Arturo , Palma-Tenango Mariana
Published: August 2023

In México, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is traditionally propagated in vegetative form by cuttings obtained from another plantation; frequently, not genetic or phytosanitary quality control is carried out, thus resulting in lower agroindustrial yield and greater phytosanitary problems. An alternative is the establishment of certified seedlings based on the use of homogenous, pathogen-free vitroplants with increased vigor. The objective was to evaluate sugarcane plantations reproduced conventionally vs. vitroplants, in regard to their kinetics of biomass growth and its distribution, and their relationship with some physiological efficiency indexes, in two of the most widely planted sugarcane varieties in the country, CP 72-2086 and MEX 69-290. The two varieties were propagated as hydrothermotreated cuttings at 50 ° C for 2 h, and as in vitro plants, and were planted at 10,416 plants ha-1. Treatments were compared in a 2 (varieties) x 2 (sources of propagules) factorial experiment arranged as split plots design with four replicates. Response variables were measured in six destructive samples, performed every 20 days, following 45 days after transplant (dat). Biomass was determined as dry weight of complete plants, and was segmented on the stem, root and leaf tissue. Results showed a slow initial growth of in vitro plants, compared to plants derived from conventional propagation. However, starting from 105 dat the in vitro plants showed greater biomass accumulation. In vitro plants formed 25 % more stems per strain (15) than conventional plants (12). According to the kinetics of biomass distribution, in the four treatments the stem was the organ that grew the most after the slow phase, and exceeded root and leaves growth; these differences were more evident for in vitro plants.
USE OF FOLIAGE FROM RAMON (Brosimum alicastrum Swartz) IN ANIMAL FEEDING
Authors: Rojas-Schroeder Juan Ángel , Sarmiento-Franco Luis Armando , Sandoval-Castro Carlos A. , Santos-Ricalde Ronald H.
Published: August 2023

Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum Swarth) is a tree which is commonly used in animal feed in the mexican tropics. It has been used in a traditional way in the feeding of productive domestic species. However, the systematic evaluation of its nutritional value has not been as broad as might be expected. In the present review the reported nutritional value for bovines, ovines, pigs and rabbits is presented. Ramón foliage has a nutritional value suitable for use in the diet of most domestic productive species. However, its use is greater in ruminant species. Specific studies are required to determine with greater precision its energy and protein value in each species of interest.
Eğitimde Medya ve Medya Manipülasyonu Üzerine Bir İnceleme: Etkileri, Sonuçları ve Koruyucu Önlemler
Authors: BOLAT Yavuz , KAZANCI Mine
Published: August 2023

Medya ve medya sektörünün önemi giderek artmaktadır. Bu önem medyanın etki gücünü sınırsızca arttırmasıyla toplumların günlük yaşamının temel belirleyicisi olmasına neden olmaktadır. Medyanın toplum üzerindeki etkisi artık oldukça iyi bilinen bir gerçeklik halini almıştır. Bu gerçeklik bilinmesine rağmen toplumun tüm katmanları çoğu zaman bu duruma kayıtsız kalabilmektedir. Bu durum medyanın istediği alanda farklı nedenlerden dolayı toplumları yönlendirici içerikler üretmesine ve bunu etkili biçimde kullanmasına imkân tanımıştır. Böylece hemen hemen tüm toplumsal kurum ve alanlar medyanın etki gücüne maruz kalmaktadır. Bu nedenle bu araştırmada eğitimde medya, medya kullanımı ve bu süreç içerinde ortaya çıkan medya manipülasyonuna ilişkin bir inceleme yapılarak paydaşlar üzerindeki etkileri ve sonuçları tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlar dikkate alındığında öğrenciler, öğretmenler ve veliler de bir şekilde medyanın etkisi altında kalmaktadırlar. Söz konusu etki sadece bireylerle kalmayıp bireyin tercihlerini de etkilemekte ve bireyin karar mekanizmalarını ele geçirilebilmektedir. Okul seçimleri, iyi okul algısı medya tarafından şekillendirilebildiği gibi medya bireylerin eğitime dair birçok tercihini etkileyebilmektedir. Medyanın işlevsel kullanımı için toplumların medya okuryazarlığı ve bilinçli içerik seçimi gibi yeterliklerinin önemi giderek artmaya başlamıştır. Bu önem bağlamında bireylere medya okuryazarlığı eğitimi verilmesi, medya kullanımının olumsuz sonuçlarına yönelik gerekli tedbirler alınmalıdır. Bununla birlikte medyanın manipülatif süreçlerinin farkına vararak tedbirler alabilecek uzman kadrolarla donatılmış kurumların tahsis edilmesi üst düzeyde toplumsal bir ihtiyaç haline gelmiştir. Gelecekte toplumsal sorunların oluşmaması için yeni nesillere ve toplumlara objektif bilgi değerlendirme ve etik değerlere uygun davranma gibi bazı becerilerin eğitim-öğretim faaliyetleriyle kazandırılması gerekmektedir. Araştırmadan elde edilen tüm bu veriler ışığında konu alanına dönük bir dizi koruyucu önlemlere ilişkin öneriler sunulmuştur.
Air Quality - Recognition and Perception of Problems by Individuals
Authors: STANIMIR Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

The article presents the results of a study on subjective opinions of Europeans in two generations Y and BB. Due to the lack of data, the assessments made by residents of only 23 EU member countries were analyzed. These assessments concerned air quality, actions taken by decision-makers to improve air quality, and knowledge and awareness of the threats related to air pollution. The data came from the Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2012 and 2019. A correspondence analysis of concatenated tables with supplementary points and aggregate measures of development were used to find relationships between generations from different countries and to indicate changes in the perception of air pollution. The aim of the study has been achieved. The areas where differences and similarities between generations occur, and where opinions expressed by a generation change over time have been identified. The Problems that require solving have been indicated so that individual actions leading to the improvement of air quality could be assessed.
Asymmetric Analysis of Tourism and Economic Growth in South Asian Countries: Lessons for Policymakers towards Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Covid-19
Authors: JAYARAMAN TK , MAKUN Keshmeer
Published: August 2023

Since the first quarter of 2020, due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is continuing unabated with the periodical emergence of new variants, international tourism has become one of the most affected sources of external earnings for developing countries. For the South Asian countries, the crisis was predicted to result in a 42% to 60% drop in tourist arrivals in 2020 and 2021. Tourism has been providing a great impetus to the growth of the informal sector supported by information and communication technology and the participation of women, both full-time and part-time in several small and mini-enterprises. This panel study employing a nonlinear econometric methodology confirms the existence of an asymmetric association between tourism and economic growth for six South Asian countries for the period 1995 to 2018 for which data series are complete and officially available. While the positive partial-sum decomposition of tourism increased economic growth, the negative-sum decomposition of tourism had a much greater adverse effect on economic growth. There are some relevant conclusions with policy implications in the context of continuing uncertainties.Copyright© 2022 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Some Financial Aspects of the Corporate Groups that Operate in Food Distribution and Specialized Retail in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Outline of the Determined Financial Indicators of Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A.
Authors: MROZEK Michal
Published: August 2023

The paper regards the selected financial indicators of the Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A.: LFL Growth, Employment, Net Sales and Services, EBITDA Mg, Long Term Borrowings, Short Term Borrowings, and Total Borrowings. The fundamental aim of the paper is the assessment of the selected financial indicators of the Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A. in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following research problems were put forward: What is the diversification of the financial indicators of the Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A. as a Portuguese corporate group that operates in food distribution and specialized retail? Which of the researched financial aspects of the Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A has the highest, the middle, and the lowest level in 2017-2021? In the theoretical part of the paper was depicted the portfolio of Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A. The studies were carried out: documentation, statistical, comparative, and dynamics analysis. The results showed that the Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, S.A. in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic as a Portuguese corporate group that operates in food distribution and specialized retail had different tendencies. The inference process took place in a deductive way.
Changes in the Financial Liquidity of Business Entities of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Sector in Poland
Authors: SŁOWIK Dorota
Published: August 2023

Small and medium-sized enterprises are a special type of enterprise. They are characterized by unity of ownership and management, personal responsibility for business activities. Business entities today operate in an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. Small and medium-sized companies are particularly affected by rapid economic, political, social and technological changes. The development of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector depends on external factors that individuals cannot influence, as well as internal factors - determining the opportunities available to the entity and directly influenced by it (e.g., in terms of its resources, level of innovation, efficiency and effectiveness of management). Companies in the SME sector face many barriers in their operations that prevent them from growing. One such barrier may be difficult access to external funding. Raising capital to start and run a business is a very important problem for today's small and medium-sized businesses. The raising of capital, and consequently the handling of that capital, are closely related to development opportunities. Small and medium-sized businesses are an important determinant of the economy in Poland, but also in EU countries and around the world.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in the Southern African Development Community
Authors: GIBOGWE Vincent , KUFUOR Karen , NIGO Ayine
Published: August 2023

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has continued to experience an unprecedented increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for the past three decades. Evidence of their quantitative impact on the economy is still quite mixed. We use panel data methods on data from the (SADC) for the 1980–2020 period, where our results show that FDI has a positive and statistically significant effect on economic growth; thus, agreeing with some work that has been done on the community and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study calls for the development of human capital, the promotion of market liberalization, the improvement of the financial sector and the need for policy measures that prioritize productive investment that is supportive of the local private and foreign sectors; the latter provides positive spillovers to other sectors.
Local Government Units in the European Union Financial Perspective
Authors: PIETROWSKI Wojciech
Published: August 2023

The article aims to determine the local government units’ participation in the implementation of European Union (EU) funds from the 2014-2020 financial perspective in Poland and its assessment. The paper uses data covering eligible expenses of projects carried out. The analysis of secondary data on the European Funds Portal, literature analysis and program documents were used. The analysis confirms the continuing high participation of local government units in the implementation of the next EU financial perspective. However, the variation in local government units (LGU) participation by program type is evident. The units dominate as beneficiaries of regional programs, with little participation in central programs. The key importance of territorial self-government units for the implementation of regional programs was confirmed, as well as the high share of the public sector in the projects implemented. This was also a trend in earlier programming periods.
From Hyper-Globalization to Global Value Chains Decoupling: Withering Global Trade Governance?
Authors: ESCAITH Hubert
Published: August 2023

While the 1990s and early 2000s were seen as a golden age for Global Value Chains, the 2010s have witnessed a series of crisis that shacked the political and institutional foundations of global trade.  After years of neo-liberal trade policies, trend is now towards neo-realist mercantilism and trade politics. The COVID-19 pandemics and the rise of geopolitical tensions are redefining and perhaps reversing what have been the drivers of world trade since the end of the Cold War in 1989. Geopolitical and institutional uncertainties increase the chance of unpredictable or unforeseen event disrupting entire international segments of the value chain, with potentially extreme consequences. When fat-tailed black-swans run around like headless chickens, disruptions are unpredictable. Yet, understanding the main changes affecting the geo-politics of trade and the possibilities of safeguarding a functional global trade governance is expected to reduce the risks and help future managers preparing for new business paradigms. 
Financial Literacy, Financial Behaviors, and Financial Crises: The Case of Lebanon
Authors: DERMESROBIAN Robert Mesrob
Published: August 2023

The years-long academic discussion on financial literacy confirms that it promotes sound financial behaviours and increases financial inclusion. In this research work, I check if the latter still holds true during times of financial crises. I take the case of Lebanon, a country going through multiscale crises. By running two sets of surveys and using previous research data to answer my three research questions by using different statistical techniques, I find that regardless of people’s claims, only males acquire financial knowledge from the crises. I also find that people’s behaviours change throughout the financial crises in which previously advocated behaviours become redundant. I conclude my research by providing scholars and researchers with some opportunities for future research as on-topic discussion is scarce and vital to be done during such times. Copyright© 2023 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Analyzing the Impact of Foreign Capital Inflows on the Current Account Balance in Developing Economies: A Panel Data Approach
Authors: ALI Amjad , AUDI Marc
Published: August 2023

This research has explored the effects of foreign capital inflows on the current account deficit in developing countries from 1995 to 2020. The study considers various factors such as import demand, export demand, foreign direct investment, foreign debt, economic growth, foreign remittances, and foreign reserves as independent variables. The analysis utilises the panel autoregressive distributed lag approach to examine both the long-run and short-run relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Moreover, the study employs the Panel Granger causality test to evaluate the causal connections among the selected variables. The results indicate that import demand, foreign debt, and remittance inflows positively affect the current account deficit in developing countries. Conversely, export demand, foreign direct investment, economic growth, and foreign reserves have a negative impact on the current account deficit. Consequently, it is recommended that developing countries prioritise the augmentation of stable and substantial foreign reserves as a strategy to alleviate the level of the current account deficit.
An Artificial Intelligence Cycle Model Against the Shortage of Skilled Professionals - An AI-based Holistic Solution Approach for Human Resources
Authors: TCHARNETSKY Marina , VOGT Florian
Published: August 2023

In order to counter the impending shortage of skilled professionals in the aging societies of our time in many western countries such as Germany, solutions for business and society are urgently needed. Here, artificial intelligence (AI) can play an important role in mitigating the problem with the help of diverse applications. At the same time, it is important to consider both the needs of the respective employee and the company to ensure that the use of AI has a positive impact on the organization and finds social acceptance. In this article, we describe the newly developed OSQE model (Optimize, Secure, Qualify, Expand) shown in Figure 1 from Annex, which for the first time outlines an AI cycle against the shortage of skilled professionals in a holistic approach that focuses equally on people and companies. This can serve organizations as a guide for strategy development, decision-making for and implementation of AI-supported measures in an entire cycle of an employee's affiliation with a company. The model takes three driving forces into account: companies, professionals, and AI applications. In the model, the measures to be implemented are prioritized with ascending numbering based on what would be most urgent for a company to implement. All measures relate to areas of action that place people at the center and can be assigned to the classic cycle of belonging of an employee in the company. In this regard, the opportunities that AI offers to professionals and companies are highlighted.
How Strategic Organizational Competency Contributes to the Development of Organizational Intelligence?
Authors: CHATTERJEE Sidharta
Published: August 2023

The knowledge that organizations possess, produce, and acquire adds to their strategic competency and intelligence. Organizations develop intelligence from practice and learning by doing. There is a definite relationship that exists between organizational learning and productivity that contributes to the development of organizational intelligence. Organizational intelligence is of difference kinds, but almost all of them develop from organizational actions and learning that includes but are not restricted to gaining market information, consumer interactions, business communications, creating new products and services, managing actions, solving emerging problems, etc. Intelligence is the ability to comprehend things or immediate situations and act rationally and according to what the situation demands. In this paper, we examine on what respect organizational intelligence positively relates to organizational competency, and how intelligence help develop strategic competency which adds to their advantage and makes them more robust. We find using a theoretical model that the development of organizational intelligence confers competitive strength to an organization, and contributes to the overall development of higher productivity and organizational competence. 
Design of Information Feedback Firefly Algorithm with a Nested Deep Learning Model for Intelligent Gesture Recognition of Visually Disabled People
Authors: Aldehim Ghadah , Marzouk Radwa , Al-Hagery Mohammed Abdullah , Hilal Anwer Mustafa , Alneil Amani A
Published: August 2023

Gesture recognition is a developing topic in current technologies. The focus is to detect human gestures by utilizing mathematical methods for human–computer interaction. Some modes of human–computer interaction are touch screens, keyboard, mouse, etc. All these gadgets have their merits and demerits while implementing versatile hardware in computers. Gesture detection is one of the vital methods to construct user-friendly interfaces. Generally, gestures are created from any bodily state or motion but typically originate from the hand or face. Therefore, this manuscript designs an Information Feedback Firefly Algorithm with Nested Deep Learning (IFBFFA-NDL) model for intelligent gesture recognition of visually disabled people. The presented IFBFFA-NDL technique exploits the concepts of DL with a metaheuristic hyperparameter tuning strategy for the recognition process. To generate a collection of feature vectors, the IFBFFA-NDL technique uses the NASNet model. For optimal hyperparameter selection of the NASNet model, the IFBFFA algorithm is used. To recognize different types of gestures, a nested long short-term memory classification model was used. For exhibiting the improvised gesture detection efficiency of the IFBFFA-NDL technique, a detailed comparative result analysis was conducted and the outcomes highlighted the improved recognition rate of the IFBFFA-NDL technique as 99.73% compared to recent approaches.
Effect of Mothers’ Work-Family Gains on Children’s Communication: Dual Mediating Role of Mothers’ Permissive Parenting Practices and Children’s Media Dependency
Authors: Lee Heeweon , Kang Min Ju
Published: August 2023

Objectives: Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in mothers who juggle their jobs and raising children. This study examined the effect of mothers’ work-family gains on school-aged children’s communication skills. Specifically, we investigated how this influence is dual-mediated by mothers’ permissive parenting practices and children’s media dependency.Methods: This study utilized data from 10th version of the Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC). Data were collected from 707 children (364 boys, 343 girls) and their working mothers. The average age of children was 9.4 (SD = 1.40). The study conducted descriptive, correlation, regression analyses, including bootstrapping, employing SPSS 27.0, and the PROCESS macro version 4.2 to examine the hypothesized dual mediation model.Results: First, mothers’ work-family gains negatively affected children’s communication skills. Second, mother’s work-family gains had decreased mother’s permissive parenting practices and children’s media dependency, but increased children’s communication skills. Therefore, variables showed partial mediation effect on their relationship. Third, the dual mediation effect of mothers’ permissive parenting practices and children’s media dependency had verified significant indirect effects with a 95% confidence interval.Conclusion: These findings indicate the critical role of the effects of mothers’ work-family gains on children’s communication skills, dual mediated by mother’s permissive parenting practices and children’s media dependency. These findings highlight the importance of focusing on mothers’ work-family gains rather than work-family conflicts. Moreover, this study provides an academic basis for examining the importance of mothers’ work-family gains on school-aged children, including working mothers of infants or young children.
Contested to the core?
Authors: Mezari Lara
Published: August 2023

Seit der Gründung der Vereinten Nationen wurden Frauenrechte auf der internationalen Ebene ausgebaut und in einer liberal-progressiven Richtung weiterentwickelt. Zwar ist auch die Kontestation von Normen nicht ungewöhnlich, doch ein erstarkter Gegenwind hinsichtlich des Rechts auf reproduktive Freiheit, ein etabliertes Menschenrecht, überrascht. Jedoch wissen wir wenig darüber, wie sich diese Kontestation gestaltet und welche Auswirkungen auf die Norm zu erwarten sind. Daher analysiert der Beitrag erstmalig die Kontestation von Reproduktionsrechten im internationalen Diskurs systematisch. Er unterscheidet zwischen einer Gültigkeitskontestation und einer Anwendungskontestation und erhebt die Art der Kontestation mittels einer Political Claims Analysis von Sitzungsprotokollen der Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen im Zeitraum 2016-2020. Als zentrales Ergebnis kann die Erhebung eine ausgedehnte Kontestation der Gültigkeit einer internationalen Norm nachweisen und Aussagen über die Akteure und deren angeführte Begründungen treffen.
„Defending the West“
Authors: Silva Isabel Serpa da
Published: August 2023

Welche Bedeutung kommt dem Militärischen in der deutschen Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zu? Dieser Artikel setzt die Entwicklung der Überzeugungen der Bundesregierung in der Konfrontation mit multiplen Krisen zwischen 2014 und 2020 in den Fokus. Er zeigt auf, dass die Bundesregierung ihr Selbstverständnis als Verteidigungsinstanz des Westens sukzessive entlang der Herausbildung eines neuen Systemgegensatzes veränderte. Wenngleich die Handlungsregeln des Multilateralismus und Antimilitarismus in diesem Prozess nicht durch grundlegend neue Handlungsregeln ersetzt wurden, erfuhren sie seit 2014 einen graduellen Wandel. So verstärkte sich das reflexive Moment des deutschen Multilateralismus, während der Leitsatz der ‚ultima ratio‘ in der Handhabung militärischer Mittel aufgeweicht wurde. Insgesamt legt der Artikel eine deutlich gewachsene Leistungs- und Verantwortungsbereitschaft der Bundesregierung zur Stabilisierung, Verteidigung und Gestaltung der liberalen Ordnung im untersuchten Zeitraum dar.
Mortality and Outcomes of Patients Infected with Extensively Drug-Resistant Bacteria Admitted to Intensive Care Units
Authors: Salimizand Himen , Lotfi Gohar , Afrasiabian Shahla , Hajibagheri Katayoun , Babahajian Asrin , Mohammadi Sheida
Published: August 2023

Background: The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in intensive care units (ICU) makes treatment of these infections very difficult. Objectives: This study aimed to survey the resistance phenotype, risk factors, and possible treatment options for hospital-acquired infections (HAI) at ICUs in a referral university hospital. Methods: Samples were prepared from ICU patients with HAIs. Pathogens were isolated, and the resistance phenotype, prescribed antibiotics, mortality rate, associated risk factors, and clonal relationship of the isolates were assessed. Results: From 100 patients admitted to ICUs, 76 (76%) showed clinical symptoms of HAIs. The most common sources of infection were lung secretions (51.8%). The isolated bacteria were Gram-negative (77, 90.6%) and Gram-positive (9.4%). The most common isolated microorganism was the Acinetobacter baumannii complex (63.5%). The most effective antimicrobials were colistin (96.1%) and linezolid (100%) for Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates, respectively. An extensively drug-resistant (XDR) phenotype was documented in all isolates of A. baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. The XDR phenotype was a significant risk factor only for mortality. A. baumannii had the highest mortality rate (66.6%) among all the isolates. While A. baumannii strains had limited diversity, the other species were highly divergent. Conclusions: The results revealed a high mortality rate for Gram-negative isolates, especially in adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC). The high genetic similarities of ABC strains might be an indication of neglecting infection control prevention. The use of cotrimoxazole and colistin instead of carbapenems can be promising for mortality reduction in the studied ICUs.
Comparison of the Severity of Lung Damage on Chest X-ray Between New Drug-Resistant and Drug-Sensitive Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Soedarsono Soedarsono , Fauzi Alvian , Widyoningroem Anita , Mertaniasih Ni Made
Published: August 2023

Background: Drug-resistant (DR) pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is often associated with morbidity and mortality compared to drug-susceptible (DS) pulmonary TB. The infectiveness and pathological destruction of DR TB and DS TB strains are still controversial. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the severity of lung damage between new cases of DR and DS pulmonary TB. Methods: This was an analytical observational study with a retrospective cross-sectional design. The sample was selected from the medical records of eligible TB patients treated at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya (Indonesia) from January 2018 to November 2022. The severity of lung damage was assessed based on the chest X-ray. Results: A total of 319 patients, consisting of 132 new cases of DR pulmonary TB and 187 new cases of DS pulmonary TB, were recruited. The patients had a mean age of 43.64 years old, and 59.5% of them were male. The most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus. The severity of DR pulmonary tuberculosis is higher in the mild-moderate category (51.5%), while the severity of DS pulmonary tuberculosis is higher in the severe category (77%). Conclusions: There was a difference in lung damage on chest X-ray between new cases of DR and DS pulmonary TB. The severity of DR pulmonary TB was higher in mild-moderate category, while the severity of DS pulmonary TB was higher in severe category.