bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Quietist Posit: A Methodologically Agnostic Resolution to the Problem of Qualia
Authors:   , Quartermaine-Bragg Nicolas 
Published: December 2021

<p>This thesis paper addresses the aim and methodology of an argument by Daniel Dennett (1988; 1992), who proposes an eliminativism with regards to the referent of the term “qualia”. Dennett’s argument centres on the purported failure for any property to meet the criteria for this term widely found in traditional philosophical literature. Dennett argues that this failure may be demonstrated as a result of the term failing to refer to any property which contains naturalistic methodological verification conditions. I provide, in this paper, an outline of two key historical arguments by W.V. Quine and Ludwig Wittgenstein, respectively, whose influence on Dennett’s position will help clarify a certain vulnerability in the latter’s argument. I then provide a series of arguments to serve as important counterexamples to the methodology employed by Dennett which, I argue, reveal a dialectical stalemate between two sets of competing methodologies –methodological naturalism and phenomenology. I argue that this stalemate is indicative of a methodological underdetermination with regards to the question of whether qualia exist. I refer to this as the “methodological problem of qualia”. I then propose that a resolution may be found for this problem by adopting a methodological agnosticism. I argue that upon this agnosticism, it is possible to positively assert methodological verification conditions according to which it may be determined whether the term “qualia” refers to a property which contains naturalistic methodological verification conditions. I argue that these are the conditions which hold upon the explicitly conditional, or “methodological”, assumption of a naturalistic methodological verificationism, as opposed to a phenomenological methodology, or vice versa. I conclude that, under these conditions, the term “qualia” therefore may succeed in referring to a property which contains naturalistic methodological verification conditions. As such, I propose that Dennett is incorrect: neither the term nor its referent merit elimination, but rather the latter a quietist resolution, and the former its own meaningful place in language.</p>
Ngā Ohaoha a Te Matatini Measuring the Kapa Haka Economy
Authors:   , Takoko Mere 
Published: December 2021

<p>While this thesis largely examines the economic contribution of Kapa Haka, it also sets out a framework to inform future research to ensure that the inequalities of today will not be visited upon the mokopuna of tomorrow. Māori aspirations for a better future are inextricably linked to wellbeing and identity. This research builds on previous reports commissioned by Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa (Te Matatini) that provide qualitative research on the subject matter. It largely draws on new quantitative data and focusses on Te Matatini as a case study by investigating the nature and extent of funding disparities in its current funding compared with other national performing arts organisations. The research addresses two main research questions: whether funding currently allocated to Te Matatini under the Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage appropriation is equitable considering its biennial economic contribution and service performance record. Secondly, how can tikanga Māori inform a framework able to measure the broader wellbeing impacts of Kapa Haka and the social return on investment achieved by Te Matatini’s programme of regional and national Kapa Haka events. To assess whether government is realising the best value for money from its investment into the arts, culture and heritage sector, the thesis calls for greater transparency and consistency in the level of funding currently received by Māori agencies and initiatives across the sector. It concludes with a recommendation that the Executive Government should seek to undertake a review of the sector ecosystem to develop fit-for-purpose and targeted policy settings that ‘insure’ Māori arts are better valued and supported. The research argues that a central element of any future national arts strategy should provide for greater equity for Māori across the sector along with pathways to grow Māori arts, culture and heritage as a central pillar of Māori development and national wellbeing. Its key recommendation is that the Government should seek to increase its investment into Māori arts agencies and practitioners by establishing a new appropriation focused on growing the Māori cultural and creative sector.</p>
Value Investment Strategies and Asset Pricing: A Case of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)
Authors: Bai Anjali , Chhapra Imran Umer 
Published: December 2021

The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) measures only a linear relationship between the Risk and the Return. However, market dynamics and anomalies calls for understanding the relationship in between risk and return from non-linear perspective. Thus, current study explores an opportunity to study asset value anomalies by Constructing Decile Portfolio for the period starting from 2001 to 2018 with 900 firms listed. GMM (Generalized method of moment and Wald test are applied to see the robustness of results. For further analysis, Risk Adjusted CAPM, Fama French 3 Factor (FF3) and 5 Factor (FF5) are applied. Empirical results indicate that value effect and debt to equity ratio are essential factors and genuinely explain what CAPM fails to explain. The findings from the study recommend that investing in High value and high leverage firm will generate abnormal returns to investors. Taking long position in high value firm and short position in low value firms and same with debt to equity anomaly. The results will help financial analyst develop investment strategies for well diversified and efficient portfolios. These results can also be helpful to financial firm and security analyst in the financial market where they can take appropriate capital budget decisions while investing.
Abraham Accords: A Journey From Arab-Israeli to Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Authors: Baqai Huma , Mehreen Sabiha 
Published: December 2021

The western hype over Abraham Accords is evident from their exploitation of the overused phrase “historical moment” in international relations. A shift in Arab-Israeli relations has been stamped with the signing of Abraham Accords, whereby the Arab veto over the recognition of the Palestinian state, in return for Israeli recognition, is practically over. The unexpected shift of alliances in Middle East have defined new battle lines. Israel has joined forces with UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia – against perhaps Iran and Turkey. Despite the commitment to halt further settlements, Palestine is the ultimate victim. The two-state solution, in spirit, is all but buried. Comprehensive peace processes are multi-level and multi-layered and involve pragmatic efforts to build the widest consensus possible around a shared future. However, Abraham Accords lacks just that; it is both elitist and imposed. The paper is an attempt to explore the changing ground realities by exploring both history and the contemporary scenario. It examines both long-term and short-term impact of the accords on the stakeholders and the regional players
Farmers’ Problem Confrontation in Organic Farming at Magura Sadar Upazila of Bangladesh
Authors: Biswas Soumitro , Islam Md Matiul 
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the study was to determine the problems confronted by the farmers in organic farming and to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their problem confrontation in organic farming. A number of 24 problems in organic farming were selected. The 12 characteristics of the respondents were selected. Data were collected from randomly selected 61 farmers using a pre-tested interview schedule during January 5 to March 20, 2018. Majority (70.5%) of the respondents belonged to medium problem confrontation category, while 29.5% of the respondents fall in high problem confrontation category related to organic farming. A Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) was used to make comparison among the 24 selected problems. On the basis of PCI lack of knowledge on organic farming ranked first which is followed by lack of own poultry and livestock, very less production per unit area, while low accessibility of land due to share cropping ranked as the last confronted problem. Spearman's Rank Order Correlation was used to ascertain the relationship between the focus variable and personal characteristics of the respondents. Among the twelve selected characteristics of the farmers, educational qualifications and extension contact showed negative significant relationship with their problem confrontation in organic farming. The remaining characteristics showed no significant relationship with their problem confrontation. This meant that the farmers having more education and extension media contact were likely to have lesser problem confrontation in organic farming.
South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 19-24
Effect of Different Media and pH on Mycelial Growth of Sclerotium oryzae Causing Sheath Rot of Rice
Authors: Ahmad Md Iqbal , Biswas Avijit Kumar , Sultana Mst Sabiha , Sarker Bidhan Chandro , Mondal Chhoa 
Published: December 2021

Sclerotium oryzae causing sheath rot of rice, is one of the most important pathogen causing heavy crop losses in all the major rice growing areas of the world, including Bangladesh. The growth and reproduction of this soil borne pathogen depends on growing media and abiotic factors. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of different culture media and pH on mycelial radial growth of S. oryzae, the experiment was conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. Performance of different media, carbon source and nitrogen source on radial mycelial growth was differed significantly. The maximum mycelial radial growth was observed on rice stem agar medium (70.40 mm) and minimum mycelial radial growth was recorded on cornmeal agar medium (50.60 mm). Considering carbon source, the maximum radial mycelial growth was found in glucose (66.40 mm) amended medium and no statistical differences were observed among sucrose, starch and Czapek dox agar containing medium. Based on nitrogen source, maximum radial mycelial growth was found in peptone medium (69.40 mm) but no statistical differences were exposed between Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and Sodium nitrate (NaNO3). pH- 6 played a vital role in radial mycelial growth (73.75 mm) of S. oryzae.
South Asian J. Agric., 7(1&2): 67-72
Integral Analyses of Competing Endogenous RNA Mechanisms and DNA Methylation Reveal Regulatory Mechanisms in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Wu Tingrui , Wei Bo , Lin Hao , Zhou Boan , Lin Tao , Liu Qianzheng , Sang Hongxun , Liu Huan , Huang Wenhua 
Published: December 2021

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents, with rapid growth, frequent metastasis, and a poor prognosis, but its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Exploring the pathogenesis of OS is of great significance for improving diagnoses and finding new therapeutic targets.Methods: Differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs), miRNAs (DEMs), methylated DNA sites (DMSs), and mRNAs (DEGs) were identified between OS and control cell lines. GSEA of DEGs and functional enrichment analysis of methylated DEGs were carried out to further identify potential biological processes. Online tools were used to predict the miRNA binding sites of DECs and the mRNA binding sites of DEMs, and then construct a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Next, an analysis of the interaction between methylated DEGs was performed with a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and hub gene identification and survival analysis were carried out. The expression pattern of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA was validated by real-time PCR.Results: GSEA and functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs and methylated DEGs are involved in important biological processes in cancer. Hsa_circ_0001753/has_miR_760/CD74 network was constructed and validated in cell lines. Low expression levels of CD74 are associated with poor overall survival times and show good diagnostic ability.Conclusion: Methylated DEGs may be involved in the development of OS, and the hsa_circ_0001753/has_miR_760/CD74 network may serve as a target for the early diagnosis of and targeted therapy for OS.
Triterpenoids From Kadsura coccinea With Their Anti-inflammatory and Inhibited Proliferation of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Fibroblastoid Synovial Cells Activities
Authors: Yang Yu-pei , Jian Yu-qing , Liu Yong-bei , Ismail Muhammad , Xie Qing-ling , Yu Huang-he , Wang Bin , Li Bin , Peng Cai-yun , Liu Bin , Man Rong-yong , Wang Wei 
Published: December 2021

One new 3,4-seco-17,13-friedo-lanostane triterpenoid heilaohuacid A (1), one new 3,4-seco-17,14-friedo-lanostane triterpenoid heilaohuacid B (2), five new 3,4-seco-lanostane triterpenoids heilaohuacids C-D (3–4) and heilaohumethylesters A-C (7–9), one new 3,4-seco-cycloartane triterpenoid heilaohuacid E (5), and one new intact-lanostane triterpenoid heilaohuacid F (6), together with twenty-two known analogues (10–31), were isolated from heilaohu. Their structures were determined using HR-ESI-MS data, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, 13C NMR calculations, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Heilaohuacids A and B (1 and 2) contain a 3,4-seco ring A and unprecedented migration of Me-18 from C-13 to C-17 or C-14 to C-18. This type of lanostane triterpenoid derivatives was rarely reported so far. More importantly, all compounds against inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α levels on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were evaluated, and compounds 4 and 31 significantly inhibited the release level of IL-6 with IC50 values of 8.15 and 9.86 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, compounds 17, 18, and 31 significantly inhibited proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis-fibroblastoid synovial (RA-FLS) cells in vitro with IC50 values of 7.52, 8.85, and 7.97 μM, respectively.
Gastrointestinal Microbiota Changes in Patients With Gastric Precancerous Lesions
Authors: Liu Dehua , Chen Si , Gou Yawen , Yu Wenyong , Zhou Hangcheng , Zhang Rutong , Wang Jinghao , Ye Fei , Liu Yingling , Sun Baolin , Zhang Kaiguang 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundGastric microbiota may be involved in gastric cancer. The relationship between gastrointestinal microbes and the risk of gastric cancer is unclear. This study aimed to explore the gastric and intestinal bacteria associated with gastritis and gastric precancerous lesions. We conducted a case-control study by performing 16S rRNA gene analysis of gastric biopsies, juices, and stool samples from 148 cases with gastritis or gastric precancerous lesions from Anhui and neighboring provinces, China. And we validated our findings in public datasets.ResultsAnalysis of microbial sequences revealed decreased bacterial alpha diversity in gastric bacteria during the progression of gastritis. Helicobacter pylori was the main contributor to the decreased microbial composition and diversity in the gastric mucosa and had little influence on the microbiota of gastric juice and feces. The gastric mucosal genera Gemella, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Actinobacillus, and Hemophilus had the higher degree of centrality across the progression of gastric precancerous lesions. And Acinetobacter may contribute to the occurrence of intraepithelial neoplasia. In addition, the microbial model of H. pylori-positive gastric biopsies and feces showed value in the prediction of gastric precancerous lesions.ConclusionsThis study identified associations between gastric precancerous lesions and gastric microbiota, as well as the changes in intestinal microbiota, and explored their values in the prediction of gastric precancerous lesions.
Prognostic Value of Multiple Circulating Biomarkers for 2-Year Death in Acute Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Gao Yan , Bai Xueke , Lu Jiapeng , Zhang Lihua , Yan Xiaofang , Huang Xinghe , Dai Hao , Wang Yanping , Hou Libo , Wang Siming , Tian Aoxi , Li Jing 
Published: December 2021

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasingly recognized as a major global public health burden and lacks effective risk stratification. We aimed to assess a multi-biomarker model in improving risk prediction in HFpEF.Methods: We analyzed 18 biomarkers from the main pathophysiological domains of HF in 380 patients hospitalized for HFpEF from a prospective cohort. The association between these biomarkers and 2-year risk of all-cause death was assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. Support vector machine (SVM), a supervised machine learning method, was used to develop a prediction model of 2-year all-cause and cardiovascular death using a combination of 18 biomarkers and clinical indicators. The improvement of this model was evaluated by c-statistics, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).Results: The median age of patients was 71-years, and 50.5% were female. Multiple biomarkers independently predicted the 2-year risk of death in Cox regression model, including N-terminal pro B-type brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), endoglin, and 3 biomarkers of extracellular matrix turnover [tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9) (FDR &lt; 0.05). The SVM model effectively predicted the 2-year risk of all-cause death in patients with acute HFpEF in training set (AUC 0.834, 95% CI: 0.771–0.895) and validation set (AUC 0.798, 95% CI: 0.719–0.877). The NRI and IDI indicated that the SVM model significantly improved patient classification compared to the reference model in both sets (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Multiple circulating biomarkers coupled with an appropriate machine-learning method could effectively predict the risk of long-term mortality in patients with acute HFpEF. It is a promising strategy for improving risk stratification in HFpEF.
Evaluating the Role of Breathing Guidance on Game-Based Interventions for Relaxation Training
Authors: Gummidela Venkata Nitin Chakravarthy , Silva Dennis R. da Cunha , Gutierrez-Osuna Ricardo 
Published: December 2021

Working in a fast-paced environment can lead to shallow breathing, which can exacerbate stress and anxiety. To address this issue, this study aimed to develop micro-interventions that can promote deep breathing in the presence of stressors. First, we examined two types of breathing guides to help individuals learn deep breathing: providing their breathing rate as a biofeedback signal, and providing a pacing signal to which they can synchronize their breathing. Second, we examined the extent to which these two breathing guides can be integrated into a casual game, to increase enjoyment and skill transfer. We used a 2 × 2 factorial design, with breathing guide (biofeedback vs. pacing) and gaming (game vs. no game) as independent factors. This led to four experimental groups: biofeedback alone, biofeedback integrated into a game, pacing alone, and pacing integrated into a game. In a first experiment, we evaluated the four experimental treatments in a laboratory setting, where 30 healthy participants completed a stressful task before and after performing one of the four treatments (or a control condition) while wearing a chest strap that measured their breathing rate. Two-way ANOVA of breathing rates, with treatment (5 groups) and time (pre-test, post-test) as independent factors shows a significant effect for time [F(4, 50) = 18.49, p &lt; 0.001, ηtime2=0.27] and treatment [F(4, 50) = 2.54, p = 0.05, η2 = 0.17], but no interaction effects. Post-hoc t-tests between pre and post-test breathing rates shows statistical significance for the game with biofeedback group [t(5) = 5.94, p = 0.001, d = 2.68], but not for the other four groups, indicating that only game with biofeedback led to skill transfer at post-test. Further, two-way ANOVA of self-reported enjoyment scores on the four experimental treatments, with breathing guide and game as independent factors, found a main effect for game [F(1,20)=24.49,p<0.001, ηgame2=0.55], indicating that the game-based interventions were more enjoyable than the non-game interventions. In a second experiment, conducted in an ambulatory setting, 36 healthy participants practiced one of the four experimental treatments as they saw fit over the course of a day. We found that the game-based interventions were practiced more often than the non-game interventions [t (34) = 1.99, p = 0.027, d = 0.67]. However, we also found that participants in the game-based interventions could only achieve deep breathing 50% of the times, whereas participants in the non-game groups succeeded 85% of the times, which indicated that the former need adequate training time to be effective. Finally, participant feedback indicated that the non-game interventions were better at promoting in-the-moment relaxation, whereas the game-based interventions were more successful at promoting deep breathing during stressful tasks.
Understanding Wealth Inequalities in Education Access in Urbanizing Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mutisya Maurice , Muchira John Munyui , Abuya Benta A. 
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Urbanization is a double-edged sword, while it is transforming the world, it is also creating spaces that pose threats to its benefits. In sub-Saharan Africa, urbanization is occurring amidst slowed economic growth and into spaces that are already strained. This is resulting in the growth of urban poverty and possibly increasing inequalities. It is thus imperative to understand the effects of urbanization in realizing inclusive and equitable education for all.Objective: We examine inequalities in enrolment of schooling going children aged 6–17 years living in urban areas using the latest Demographic and Health Surveys data from 24 SSA countries.Methods: We utilize three measures of inequality: Rate difference, rate ratio, and relative concentration index to examine inequalities in education access. Using wealth status as the key inequality indicator, we compute and compare school enrollment of children living in urban poor households with that of those living in urban rich households for each measure of inequality. Where appropriate, we stratify the results by country, age, and gender.Results: The results show high levels of inequalities in education access in urban settings. Across all the measures of inequality, in most countries, children from urban poor households were significantly less likely to be in school compared to those from the richest ranked households. The degree of inequality varied considerably between countries and the age groups. Among children aged 6–11 years, Tanzania, Burundi, Nigeria, and Uganda had the highest degree of inequality favouring the urban rich. We also find intriguing results in few countries such as Ethiopia, Benin, Senegal and Mali, which the urban poor had, better school enrolments than the urban rich. We do not find a clear pattern to suggest girls from poor households are overly disadvantaged than boys from similar households.Conclusion: Our study shows a high level of inequalities in education access in an urban setting, with children age in urban poor settings hugely disadvantaged. There is a need for strategic efforts in terms of deliberate interventions and policy frameworks to combat the apparent inequalities that disadvantage children from poor families from accessing education.