bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Work in Connectivism
Authors: Downes Stephen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Since the introduction of connectivism as a learning theory in 2004 a body of literature has developed both offering criticisms and expanding on applications and empirical validation. This article surveys recent literature on the topic, grouping it into themes, and developing an understanding of current perspectives in connectivism. It surveys current perspectives and criticisms of connectivism, views of connectivism as a pedagogy and as a theory of learning, recent evidence supporting connectivism, and a wider understanding of connectivism as it is developing today.
Development of a Scale for Measuring the Learner Autonomy of Distance Education Students
Authors: Bei Evanthia , Mavroidis Ilias , Giossos Yiannis 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable psychometric scale to measure the perceived autonomy of postgraduate students in the Hellenic Open University and similar distance education environments. Two dimensions of autonomy, namely personal and educational, were revealed from the literature review and the preliminary study. For the evaluation of each dimension, two subscales were developed. Following two pilot studies, the initial item pool led to the development of a 25-items questionnaire, which was then administered to a sample of 239 postgraduate students. The exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors for the personal autonomy subscale, with 7 items in total, and two factors for the educational autonomy subscale, with 9 items in total. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged between. 623 and .717. A statistically significant gender difference was found only for the personal autonomy subscale and, more specifically, for the factor ‘managing difficulties’, where female respondents received a lower score than males.
The Grounds for Higher Education Teachers to Engage in MOOC Development Projects
Authors: Olsson Ulf 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The conditions for higher education teachers operating in a technology-enhanced education setting and an open educational context – such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) – are different when compared to traditional teaching methods (e.g. in a lecture hall). This study investigates the grounds for 20 teachers at Swedish Higher education institutions to be involved in MOOC development projects. Six categories are found and described; including curiosity, merits, teaching development, flexibility, as well as the possibility to disseminate their research and expand their professional networks. Interviewees believed that the work was a viable way to strengthen their research portfolio, while also making a limited effort for teaching, enhancing the dissemination possibilities and strengthening their research networks.
Urinary schistosomosis in patients of rural medical health centers in Kwale county, Kenya
Authors: Kaiglová A. , Changoma M. J. S. , Špajdelová J. , Jakubcová D. , Bírová K. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
Urinary schistosomosis is a serious public health problem prevalent in low-income rural regions of sub-Saharan Africa, including coastal part of Kenya. Praziquantel administration to school-aged children is the prevailing tool of schistosomosis control in these regions. The aim of our study was to find out if this control strategy can lead to interruption of parasite trasmission and disease elimination. During February and March 2018, the occurrence of urinary schistosomosis in volunteers of primary health care facilities in Kwale County, Kenya was examined and the occurrence of infected intermediate hosts Bulinus globosus in local water resources was monitored. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning source of water for household purposes, type of housing and health status and were asked to provide urine samples. Diagnosis of urinary schistosomosis was established by detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine specimens microscopically, using filtration method. Infected B. globosus snails were detected using cercaria shedding tests. From the hemolymph of snails, prepatent period of infection was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of urinary schistosomosis was detected in 15.07 % (69 out of 451) of study participants. Cercaria shedding test was positive in 2 particular sites of river Pengo and Tsanganyiko. Genetic material (haemolymph) of 68 B. globosus snails tested by DraI PCR revealed 7 Schistosoma spp. positive samples. Six of seven DraI positive snails were infected by S. haematobium, as it was detected by Sh110/SmS1 PCR. The study revealed, that the disease was still present in the region studied and the transmission was not interrupted. The rate of infection was significantly influenced by the water supplies used for household purposes and the type of housing.
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the Bulgarian population over a three year period (2015 – 2017)
Authors: Harizanov R. , Rainova I. , Tsvetkova N. , Kaftandjiev I. , Borisova R. , Ivanova A. , Videnova M. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
The aim of the present study is to perform a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the Bulgarian population over the period 2015 – 2017. The study involved all Bulgarians and foreign nationals residing in the country who had been tested for intestinal protozoa and helminths. A total of 23,785 infections have been revealed, of which 17,712 (74.47 %) were helminth and 6,073 (25.53 %) protozoan invasions. Enterobiasis was found to be the most prevalent among patients infected with intestinal helminths (81.75 %), while giardiasis (62.05 %) was the most common among those diagnosed with protozoan infections. In spite of improved living conditions and increasing public health awareness, parasitic diseases in general, and intestinal parasitic infections in particular, still represent a significant part of the overall morbidity in Bulgaria, thus posing a major issue for the public health care system.
Evaluation of a marketed polyherbal dewormer against intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys
Authors: Papini R. A. , Orsetti C. , Sgorbini M. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available polyherbal dewormer to control intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys. The animals were allotted to two groups: treated with the herbal dewormer (n=8) according to manufacturer recommendations and untreated control group (n=6). Fecal samples were taken from each animal on days 0 (day of treatment), 14, 21 (day of second additional treatment), 35, and 42. Faecal egg count reduction tests showed very negligible or no reduction in number of strongyle eggs for donkeys in the phytotherapeutic treatment group compared to those in the control group. Thus, the herbal dewormer was mostly ineffective in reducing fecal egg counts in donkeys infected with intestinal strongyles. These findings can make equine practitioners aware of possible disadvantages of herbal dewormers.
Drug efficacy of ivermectin against primary nematodes parasitizing captive Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) after ten years of annually treatment
Authors: Tang L. , Xiu Y. , Yan L. , Cui Y. , Ma X. , Ente M. , Zhang Y. , Li K. , Zhang D. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
Reintroduction of endangered species to natural habitat is considered as an important tool for conservation. The effect of drug management on captive population of reintroduced species is largely neglected. Decreased drug efficacy could pose a substantial threat to health of animals. More importantly, captive population without proper drug administration could act as transmission medium of resistance nematodes to wild population, making it important to delay the occurrence of drug resistance in captive population. Ivermectin have been used in captive Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) to eradicate intestinal parasitic nematodes annually, while no available studies describing the drug efficacy in the recent ten years. Here, fecal egg counts pre- and post-treatment were performed with ivermectin through individual trace. Both large and small strongyles were identifi ed by larval culture. The fecal egg count reduction was almost 100% based on egg counting data of 448 samples from 13 Przewalski’s horses. Feces of two Przewalski’s horses were sampled for successive 20 days. Eggs per gram feces usually increased dramatically at the period of 1 – 2 post-treatment days and declined persistently to 0.0 within 15 days. A sustained high ivermectin efficacy against neither Parascaris equorum nor strongyles was indicated, which can be partly explained by the low deworm frequency.
On the first occurrence of Xiphinema santos in Brazil
Authors: Oliveira C. M. G. , Harakava R. , Rosa J. M. O. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
Based on morphology, measurements of juveniles and female specimens and sequences of the D2/ D3 expansion 28S rDNA gene and ITS1 analysis by DNA barcode technique, a Xiphinema americanum group species associated with olive trees from state of Sao Paulo, Brazil was identifi ed as X. santos. This is the first report of X. santos in Southern Hemisphere and outside the European and African continents, thus extending its geographic range.
The molecular profile of Paratrajectura longcementglandatus Amin, Heckmann et Ali, 2018 (Acanthocephala: Transvenidae) from percid fishes in the marine waters of Iran and Iraq
Authors: Sharifdini M. , Amin O. M. , Heckmann R. A. 
Published: January 2020

Summary

Paratrajectura longcementglandatus Amin, Heckmann et Ali, 2018 (Transvenidae) was recently described from two species of percid fishes collected from the marine territorial waters of Iraq and Iran in the Persian Gulf. The genus Paratrajectura Amin, Heckmann et Ali, 2018 is a close relative to transvenid genera TrajecturaPichelin et Crib, 2001 and TransvenaPichelin et Crib, 2001. Morphologically, Paratrajectura is characterised by having apical proboscis cone, long, tubular cement glands, short lemnisci, prominent roots on all proboscis hooks, subterminal female gonopore, and males with long pre-equatorial testes. Molecular studies of P. longcementglandatus using 18S rDNA and cox1 genes compared with available data of members of other families of Echinorhynchida showed that P. longcementglandatus is grouped with species of the genus Transvena forming a clade within the family Transvenidae.
Giant kidney worm: novel report of Dioctophyma renale in the kidney of a dog in Greece
Authors: Angelou A. , Tsakou K. , Mpranditsas K. , Sioutas G. , Moores D. Anderson , Papadopoulos E. 
Published: January 2020

Summary

Dioctophyma renale is the largest nematode that infects domestic mammals and is the aetiologic agent of a serious renal disease, dioctophymatosis. It has an indirect life cycle with carnivores serving as final hosts and earthworms as intermediate hosts. The parasite can infect humans with signifi cant zoonotic potential. The pathogenesis of dioctophymatosis is mainly associated with the extent of renal atrophy caused by the parasites, the risk of bilateral renal infestation and the location of the parasite (extrarenal cases). Clinical diagnosis is challenging, and the only treatment option is nephrectomy or nephrotomy to remove the adult nematode. A 6-year-old female crossbreed dog presented with tachypnea, tachycardia and severe hematuria, but died shortly after presentation. Postmortem examination found the right kidney was enlarged and two adult nematodes were found in the renal pelvis. The left kidney was normal. The nematodes were collected and submitted for identifi cation. The two specimens were identifi ed as D. renale using specific identifi cation keys. Herein we present the first case of renal parasitosis by the nematode D. renale in a dog from Greece. This case highlights the need for investigation of the actual prevalence of the parasite and the use of measures for the control of its expansion aiming the protection of dogs and public health.
Comparative study among lactophenol blue, lactophenol solution and proteinase-K lytic solution for rostellar hooks morphometry of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices
Authors: Hammad S. J. , Cavallero S. , Al-Nasiri F. S. , Amelio S. D᾿ 
Published: January 2020

Summary

Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm whose life cycle includes dogs and other canines as final hosts, while domestic and wild ungulates act as intermediate hosts for the tissue-invading larval stage (metacestode). E. granulosus has a worldwide geographical distribution. Protoscolices and rostellar hooks of E. granulosus are useful for diagnosis and rostellar hook morphometric features may be useful to discriminate E. granulosus and related species. The present study was aimed to determine a more suitable lytic solution and to obtain a clearest vision for performing morphometric studies on the rostellar hooks of E. granulosus protoscolices. Five fertile hydatid cyst samples were collected from sheep in Kirkuk slaughterhouse, Iraq, during June of 2015. According to the results of the present study, proteinase-K lytic solution is the best approach in morphometric analysis to get a clear vision of rostellar hooks and a safer usage in comparison with solutions containing lactophenol (lactophenol, lactophenol blue).
Copro-prevalence and risk factor assessment of gastrointestinal parasitism in Indian domestic pigs
Authors: Sharma D. , Singh N. K. , Singh H. , Rath S. S. 
Published: January 2020

Summary
The aim of the present study was to determine copro-prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and their associated potential risk factors in pigs of Punjab (India). A total of 839 faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age group and sex from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab covering all seasons and subjected to qualitative and quantitative examination. Among the samples examined, 28.4 % were positive for gastrointestinal parasites and their respective prevalences were Ascaris suum (11.1 %), coccidia (9.41 %), Trichuris suis (6.43 %), Balantidium coli (4.5 %), amphistome (3.33 %), strongyle (2.14 %) and Ascarops strongylina (1.78 %). Upon sporulation of coccidian positive samples, 8 species of Eimeria were recorded (Eimeria polita, E. spinosa, E. scabra, E. perminuta, E. suis, E. debliecki, E. neodebliecki and E. porci). Among the various risk factors analysed, season, agro-climatic zones and managemental practices had a signifi cant (p<0.05) effect on gastrointestinal parasitism of pigs. Quantification of the infection levels in various seasons and age groups revealed the highest mean egg per gram in rainy season (1966. 6± 1146.5) and grower pigs (1457.1 ± 500.4). Coproculture analysis revealed the presence of larvae of Hyostrongylus rubidus and Oesophagostomum species. The results of the current study would be of immense help in formulation and implementation of control strategies for effective control of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs.
Legal Compliance Systems – a Necessary Mechanism in Organizational Risk Management
Authors: Stradomska Gabriela , Tołwińska Alicja , Kegö Walter 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective: Compliance is currently seen as an integral structure of managing financial organizations and it is widely gaining popularity in other types of companies. However, despite model solutions being widespread across the world, there are still many problems due to the lack of effective business compliance management systems meeting the expectations of managers or executives. This is caused by not only incessant legislative changes, but also the multilateral character and function of compliance norms in legal practice and theory. The research purpose of this theoretical dissertation is to demonstrate that legal compliance management systems are a necessary tool for organizational risk management, both formally and practically.

Methodology: This research intends to study the impact of compliance on effectiveness of administrative bodies and private sector participants as part of the methodology in the form of a theoretical article

Findings: The initial hypothesis states that normative compliance first introduced in financial institutions is becoming an organizational standard in risk management, directly affecting the quality and systemic management processes.

Value Added: This article discusses the theoretical meaning and functions of compliance, in terms of both EU law and one of its member states, namely Poland. The choice of Poland as the subject of the study in comparison with the EU is motivated by the fact that this year Poland enforced a rather strict system of legal norms, comprising a broad code of compliance as part of the draft act on the responsibility of collective entities.

Recommendations: The system of legal compliance is a necessary mechanism of risk management in organizations, in both formal and practical sense, immediately strengthening the very traditional functions of management.
Anticorrosion coatings based on novel acrylate binders containing MeO nanoparticles
Authors: Steinerová D. , Kalendová A. , Machotová J. , Kohl M. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Water based paints are increasingly attracting interest mainly with a view to reducing air pollution with volatile organic compounds (VOC). However, the protective properties of water-based paints are inferior to those of solvent-based paints and so new ways to increase the resistance of water-based systems are sought. The present contribution describes the preparation and testing of environmentally friendly anti-corrosion paints based on novel water-based self-crosslinking acrylate latexes containing appropriate pigments and ZnO or MgO nanoparticles at a concentration of 1.5 % (with respect to the monomers) compared to the same systems free from the nanoparticles. Both the effect of the MeO nanoparticles and the effects of the pigment species and particle shapes on the paint film properties were examined. The MeO nanoparticles were found to improve all the properties tested. The latexes with MgO exhibited the highest resistance to flash corrosion while the latexes with ZnO exhibited the highest anticorrosion resistance. Furthermore, the systems with the calcium-aluminium polyphosphosilicate based pigment were superior to all the remaining systems in this respect. It is concluded that binders with nanoparticles can be used as a basis for anticorrosion coatings provided that a suitable pigment is selected.
Characterization of selected properties of WC–WB–Co and WC–FeCrAl coatings applied by HVOF technology
Authors: Brezinová J. , Guzanová A. , Draganovská D. , Brezina J. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The paper presents results of the research focused on the characterization of two types of coatings – WC–FeCrAl and WC–WB–Co. The properties of the WC–FeCrAl coating (Co and Ni free) were compared against the WC–WB–Co coating to see if it could be used as an environmentally more suitable substitute for conventional Co and Ni containing powders. The coatings were applied by HVOF technology. The influence of thermal cyclic stress on the hardness, adhesion of coatings and their corrosion resistance was determined. A change in the phase composition of coatings after thermal cyclic loading was also determined.
Initial Analysis of Presidential Candidate Speeches
Authors: Syrovátková Eliška , Krbec Jaroslav 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In January 2018, the President of the Czech Republic was elected. Before that, each of the candidates communicated their intention to run for the office in a different kind of speech. By using selected characteristics, we evaluate and compare these candidate speeches. Subsequently, we reflect on the possibilities of correlating the results of the election with data collected during the analysis.
Practical dimension of urban and regional resilience concepts: a proposal of resilience strategy model
Authors: Masik Grzegorz , Grabkowska Maja 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
It is not only growth and development that is of value to local, regional and central governments, but also the ability to absorb negative phenomena and the ability to continuously transform socio-economic systems. Resilience strategies thus serve as a response to the more and more frequent and intense natural, social and economic challenges. In some approaches to urban resilience, special attention is paid to activities undertaken by cities to become inclusive, integrated, robust, resourceful, reflective, redundant and flexible. In regional strategies the emphasis is on diversity, dispersion, mutuality and modularity. The aim of the paper is to synthesise selected qualities of resilient cities and regions into a new model of resilience strategy. It assumes that goals at each level of strategy are formulated according to adaptive interpretation of the resilience concept. Development of such model would enable the use of the concept by practitioners responsible for creating development strategies.
Some Identities and inequalities related to the Riemann zeta function
Authors: Abe-I-Kpeng Gregory , Iddrisu Mohammed Muniru , Nantomah Kwara 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A new proof of Euler’s formular for calculating ζ(2k) is given. Some new inequalities and identities for ζ(2k + 1) have also been given. The Riemann’s functional equation together with trigonometric identities were used to establish the results.
Modeling Tuberculosis Among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Faniran T.S. , Falade A.O. , Alakija T.O. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A mathematical model for transmission dynamics of tuberculosis among healthcare workers is formulated. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that affect the lungs of a host. Previous research had concentrated on mathematical modeling of transmission dynamics of tuberculosis without considering the impact of compliance rate to particulate respirator by healthcare workers on the transmission. Therefore, how compliance rate to particulate respirator reduces the transmission of tuberculosis is an active question, and we develop a new system of ordinary differential equations that explicitly explores the impact of compliance rate to particulate respirator by healthcare workers upon transmission. Rigorous analysis of the model shows that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number, Ro
< 1. This is established through the analysis of characteristic equation. Basic reproduction, Ro
is the number of new cases that an existing case generates on average over the infectious period in a susceptible population. We also show that the endemic equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable for Ro
> 1, by using Routh-Hurwitz criteria for stability. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the relative importance of the model parameters to the disease transmission. The result of the sensitivity analysis shows that the most sensitive parameter is β (Human-to-human transmission rate), followed by Λ (Human recruitment rate). Also, the result shows that increase in ψ (compliance rate to particulate respirator by healthcare workers) leads to decrease in Ro
which reduces tuberculosis spread among healthcare workers.
Controllability of some bilinear and semilinear parabolic problems
Authors: Khayar M. Jidou 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We present in this paper a survey of recent results on the controllability of the parabolic system governed by bilinear control. We first discuss the problem of global controllability which corresponds to the question of whether the solution of the system can be driven to a given state at a some finite time by means of a control. We give some results on the global controllability of bilinear and semilinear reaction-diffusion equations. After this we introduce the case of partial controllability with the control acting on a subregion of the domain. Illustrative examples are also provided.