bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sample Size and Test Length for Item Parameter Estimate and Exam Parameter Estimate
Authors: Riswan Riswan 
Published: December 2021

The Item Response Theory (IRT) model contains one or more parameters in the model. These parameters are unknown, so it is necessary to predict them. This paper aims (1) to determine the sample size (N) on the stability of the item parameter (2) to determine the length (n) test on the stability of the estimate parameter examinee (3) to determine the effect of the model on the stability of the item and the parameter to examine (4) to find out Effect of sample size and test length on item stability and examinee parameter estimates (5) Effect of sample size, test length, and model on item stability and examinee parameter estimates. This paper is a simulation study in which the latent trait (q) sample simulation is derived from a standard normal population of ~ N (0.1), with a specific Sample Size (N) and test length (n) with the 1PL, 2PL and 3PL models using Wingen. Item analysis was carried out using the classical theory test approach and modern test theory. Item Response Theory and data were analyzed through software R with the ltm package. The results showed that the larger the sample size (N), the more stable the estimated parameter. For the length test, which is the greater the test length (n), the more stable the estimated parameter (q).
Adventitious Rooting of Lavandula x intermedia Cuttings
Authors: Reed Derek , Montague Thayne , Simpson Catherine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Due to challenges associated with lavender propagation, Texas hybrid lavender (lavandin) growers require revised propagation information. Therefore, experiments investigated effects of media and plant growth regulators (PGR) on rooting of three different lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) cultivars. PGRs applied to cuttings were naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at three concentrations. In addition, four rooting media were examined. Cuttings exposed to a peat moss/sand medium had the greatest mean overall rooting percentage, number of roots, and regardless of cultivar, cuttings exposed to the peat moss/sand medium had the longest roots. In general, mean rooting data were also greatest for cuttings dipped in NAA at 0.5 and 1.0 g·L−1 (500 and 1000 ppm, respectively). Overall, across all media and PGR treatments ‘Grosso' cuttings tended to have the greatest rooting percentage and longest roots. In addition, compared to the no PGR treatment, ‘Provence' and ‘Hidcote Giant' cuttings exposed to the peat moss/sand medium and greater PGR concentrations produced cuttings with an increased mean rooting percentage and longer roots. When rooting lavandin cultivars, results indicate correct media selection, PGR formulation, and PGR concentration determine propagation success.
Index words: lavandin, Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel, peat moss, perlite, rooting percentage, root quality, sand.
Chemicals used in this study: indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g.L−1); naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g.L−1).
Species used in this study: ‘Grosso', ‘Provence', and ‘Hidcote Giant' lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel.).
Practicum y práctica profesional en tiempos COVID, ¿qué hemos aprendido?
Authors: Canet-Velez Olga , Roca-Llobet Judith , Sanromá-Ortiz Montserrat 
Published: December 2021

La Pandemia Covid-19 en España ha supuesto una situación excepcional en los centros de salud que se tensaron como nunca. Los equipos asistenciales, incluidos los estudiantes atendieron a pacientes ingresados, han vivido en primera línea esta experiencia que sin duda les ha marcado de manera personal y profesional. A poco más de un año las enfermeras docentes y los estudiantes han compartido espacios de análisis, debate y reflexión sobre la experiencia vivida. En este artículo se comparten las reflexiones realizadas contextualizadas con el escenario vivido, y se recogen datos de algunos estudios realizados en Cataluña. A día de hoy nos seguimos preguntando: ¿qué hemos aprendido de esta experiencia?
Human gait modelling and tracking based on motion functionalisation
Authors: Sun Ruxun , Sharaf Sanaa , Ali Basel Jamal 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes a mathematical function movement model based on the gait movement of the human body and, in particular, on the trajectory of the limbs during human movement. The article systematically measures and experimentally deals with the trajectory of the limbs of 40 students in the walking movement. The linear high-order polynomial fitting method eliminates the motion error. Simultaneously, the linear relationship least square method is used to obtain the expression of the limb motion function. Finally, the mathematical model of the limb motion trajectory is obtained. It is verified through experiments that the model proposed in the thesis can calculate the law of limb movement and movement parameters of any person under normal walking movement. This research has high research value for human movement rehabilitation and the design of wearable equipment.
Growth performance of goats fed diets containing varying levels of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Authors: Yusuf Azeez Olanrewaju , Owolabi Ayobami John , Adebayo Kafayat Omowunmi , Aina Ayobami Bukola Joseph , Sowande Olusiji Sunday , Ajayi Taiwo Olufemi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Owing to the scarcity of feed during the dry season in most tropical regions of Africa, attention has been shifted to the use of aquatic plants which were regarded as waste and take a lot of effort to eradicate. This study therefore aimed to explore the potential of water hyacinth as alternative feed source for ruminants. Twenty-four (24) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with average body mass of 6.5 ± 0.22 kg were used in a 84-day feeding trial to determine the influence of whole Water Hyacinth (WH; Eichhornia crassipes) plant as alternative livestock feed resource. The goats were divided into four (4) groups of six (6) animals per group. Each group was randomly allotted to the four experimental diets containing 0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % of WH, respectively, in a Completely Randomised Design. Results showed that supplemented E. crassipes plant influenced (p < 0.05) the growth performance characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Five (5 %) percent inclusion of WH gave the highest (p < 0.05) weight gain, metabolic weight and dry matter intake whereas 10 % inclusion of WH gave similar (p > 0.05) weight gain as the control. In addition, 5 % percent inclusion of WH reduced (p < 0.05) the cost of production with high returns. On the other hand, with 10 % inclusion we observed the highest (p < 0.05) packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration. The 15 % WH inclusion resulted in an elevated (p < 0.05) serum albumin and cost per kilogram weight gain. It can be concluded that feeding WAD goats with WH up to 10 % in their diets had favourable effects on growth performance, health and possibly immune response as well as profitability.
Helminth fauna of Scomberomorus sierra (Actinopterygii: Scombridae) in southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Bárcenas de los Santos N. Y. , Morales-Serna F. N. , Medina-Guerrero R. M. , Hernández-Covarrubias V. , Oceguera-Figueroa A. , García-Prieto L. 
Published: December 2021

Summary
From January to May 2015, a sample of 50 individuals of the Pacific sierra Scomberomorus sierra Jordan and Starks, 1895 captured off Mazatlán (southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico) were reviewed for helminths. A total of 6, 255 parasitic worms belonging to 11 species (9 in adult stage and 2 larvae) were obtained. Trematoda was the best represented group with 6 species of Didymozoidae Monticelli, 1888 and 1 of Bucephalidae Poche, 1907. In addition, 2 monogenean species and 2 of Nematoda were collected. In this study, the first molecular sequences for didymozoid species in Mexico were generated, and for Glomeritrema sp. at worldwide level. The most prevalent species were Didymocylindrus sp. (92 %) and Didymocystis scomberomori (MacCallum & MacCallum, 1916) (88 %), whereas the monogenean Thoracocotyle crocea MacCallum, 1913 reached the highest value of mean intensity (75.2). The coincidence between the helminthological composition established in our study and that reported for the same scombrid in 4 localities from the Mexican South Pacific (sharing 10 species) suggests that this group of species persistently parasitize S. sierra throughout its distribution along the Mexican Pacific coast; furthermore, due to the richness of didymozoids and the affinity of Thoracocotylidae species for S. sierra, both groups can be considered typical parasites of this fi sh.
Severe pulmonary fascioloidosis in a wild Mouflon (Ovis musimon) - a case report
Authors: Stiles C. , Bujanić M. , Martinković F. , Šoštarić Zuckermann I.-C. , Konjević D. 
Published: December 2021

Summary
A wild male mouflon (Ovis musimon) was shot due to the observed weakness. Necropsy revealed consolidated lungs and traces of black pigment and fibrin on the liver. On the cut surface, a juvenile fl uke was found in the lungs, while traces of destroyed fl ukes’ migratory channels were found in the liver. F. magna infection in both, wild and domestic ruminants, causes three types of species-specific host-parasite interactions; definitive, dead-end and aberrant. mouflon are classifi ed as aberrant hosts and here we report unsuccessful migration of a juvenile fl uke that led to a severe pneumonia.
Parasitic infection patterns in Coleodactylus meridionalis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Atlantic Forest fragments, northeast of the Neotropical Region
Authors: Teixeira A. A. M. , Sampaio N. K. S. , Araujo-Filho J. A. , Teles D. A. , Almeida W. O. , Mesquita D. O. , Brito S. V. 
Published: December 2021

Summary
Studies that seek to understand which factors influence the patterns of infection in the lizard Coleodactylus meridionalis are non-existent. In this way, we recorded the infection rates for these lizards from three different sized fragments of the Atlantic rainforest and investigated if there is influence of the size, mass and sex of the host regarding the endoparasite abundance. In addition, we investigated if there were possible associations between the host’s diet and parasitism, by calculating the diet niche breadth (based on the prey number of pooled stomachs) for each host population and comparing the diet between fragments and sexes (from the three sampled fragments). We collected 38 lizards across the three sampled forest fragments. We only found parasites in the lizards sampled from the smallest of the three forest fragments which included: Physaloptera lutzi, Haplometroides odhneri and Oligacanthorhynchus sp. For this population, lizards with greater length and body mass have a greater endoparasite abundance. In addition, based on the results obtained in our study, the diet of the lizards varies in food composition between sampled populations. Finally, knowing that among the infected lizards there is no sexual dimorphism in relation to size and body mass and that the stomach sampling for this population is insufficient to calculate the indexes related to the food niche; we used the number of prey lizards from all populations, thus we were able to associate the fact that female lizards have a greater endoparasite abundance due to variations in food composition between sexes.
The Politics of Identity and Regional Integration – Updating Global Perspectives
Authors: Montoya Manuel , Lanucara Lucio 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Regional integration (RI) is an essential part of the discourse on the global economy, viewed often as a “stumbling block” or “building block.” However, little research exists that connects RI in the context of a politics of identity (PoI), which can be used to describe the evolving tensions between national sentiment and regional economic cooperation. This paper performs a Web of Science and Google Scholar review of 136 articles to determine how RI is discussed in the context of PoI. Our review demonstrated that the conceptual frameworks normally used to think about PoI are underexpressed in the context of RI. We discuss why this is the case and identify themes to illustrate the connection. We then suggest conceptual frameworks to enhance the discussion of PoI as it relates to RI, particularly as it relates to the teaching of RI across learning groups.
Freedom of Information and Personal Confidentiality in Spatial COVID-19 Data
Authors: Beenstock Michael , Felsenstein Daniel 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We draw attention to how, in the name of protecting the confidentiality of personal data, national statistical agencies have limited public access to spatial data on COVID-19. We also draw attention to large disparities in the way that access has been limited. In doing so, we distinguish between absolute confidentiality in which the probability of detection is 1, relative confidentiality where this probability is less than 1, and collective confidentiality, which refers to the probability of detection of at least one person. In spatial data, the probability of personal detection is less than 1, and the probability of collective detection varies directly with this probability and COVID-19 morbidity. Statistical agencies have been concerned with relative and collective confidentiality, which they implement using the techniques of truncation, where spatial data are not made public for zones with small populations, and censoring, where exact data are not made public for zones where morbidity is small.
Granular spatial data are essential for epidemiological research into COVID-19. We argue that in their reluctance to make these data available to the public, data security officers (DSO) have unreasonably prioritized data protection over freedom of information. We also argue that by attaching importance to relative and collective confidentiality, they have over-indulged in data truncation and censoring. We highlight the need for legislation concerning relative and collective confidentiality, and regulation of DSO practices regarding data truncation and censoring.
Robust Estimation of the Theil Index and the Gini Coeffient for Small Areas
Authors: Marchetti Stefano , Tzavidis Nikos 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Small area estimation is receiving considerable attention due to the high demand for small area statistics. Small area estimators of means and totals have been widely studied in the literature. Moreover, in the last years also small area estimators of quantiles and poverty indicators have been studied. In contrast, small area estimators of inequality indicators, which are often used in socio-economic studies, have received less attention. In this article, we propose a robust method based on the M-quantile regression model for small area estimation of the Theil index and the Gini coefficient, two popular inequality measures. To estimate the mean squared error a non-parametric bootstrap is adopted. A robust approach is used because often inequality is measured using income or consumption data, which are often non-normal and affected by outliers. The proposed methodology is applied to income data to estimate the Theil index and the Gini coefficient for small domains in Tuscany (provinces by age groups), using survey and Census micro-data as auxiliary variables. In addition, a design-based simulation is carried out to study the behaviour of the proposed robust estimators. The performance of the bootstrap mean squared error estimator is also investigated in the simulation study.
Occupation Coding During the Interview in a Web-First Sequential Mixed-Mode Survey
Authors: Peycheva Darina N. , Sakshaug Joseph W. , Calderwood Lisa 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Coding respondent occupation is one of the most challenging aspects of survey data collection. Traditionally performed manually by office coders post-interview, previous research has acknowledged the advantages of coding occupation during the interview, including reducing costs, processing time and coding uncertainties that are more difficult to address post-interview. However, a number of concerns have been raised as well, including the potential for interviewer effects, the challenge of implementing the coding system in a web survey, in which respondents perform the coding procedure themselves, or the feasibility of implementing the same standardized coding system in a mixed-mode self- and interviewer-administered survey. This study sheds light on these issues by presenting an evaluation of a new occupation coding method administered during the interview in a large-scale sequential mixed-mode (web, telephone, face-to-face) cohort study of young adults in the UK. Specifically, we assess the take-up rates of this new coding method across the different modes and report on several other performance measures thought to impact the quality of the collected occupation data. Furthermore, we identify factors that affect the coding of occupation during the interview, including interviewer effects. The results carry several implications for survey practice and directions for future research.
Nowcasting Register Labour Force Participation Rates in Municipal Districts Using Survey Data
Authors: van den Brakel Jan , Michiels John 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn the Netherlands, very precise and detailed statistical information on labour force participation is derived from registers. A drawback of this data source is that it is not timely since definitive versions typically become available with a delay of two years. More timely information on labour force participation can be derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Quarterly figures, for example, become available six weeks after the calendar quarter. A well-known drawback of this data source is the uncertainty due to sampling error. In this article, a nowcast method is proposed to produce preliminary but timely nowcasts for the register labour force participation on a quarterly frequency at the level of municipalities and neighbourhoods, using the data from the LFS. As a first step, small area estimates for quarterly municipal figures on labour force participation are obtained using the LFS data and the unit-level modelling approach of Battese, Harter and Fuller (1988). Subsequently, time series of these small area estimates at the municipal level are combined with time series on register labour force participation in a bivariate structural time series model in order to nowcast the register labour force participation at the level of municipalities and neighbourhoods.
A pilot study on the effect of a novel feed additive containing exogenous enzymes, acidifiers, sodium butyrate and silicon dioxide nanoparticles on selected cellular immune indices and body weight gains of calves
Authors: Szacawa Ewelina , Dudek Katarzyna , Bednarek Dariusz , Pieszka Marek , Bederska-Łojewska Dorota 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Introduction
The rearing of calves is a difficult period for farmers due to health problems to which the animals are prone this time. Since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters has been forbidden, various innovative feed additives have been tested in many countries around the world.

Material and Methods
In this study, experimental (E) calves were supplemented with a novel feed additive consisting of the pancreatic-like enzymes protease and lipase, a fat-coated mixture of organic fumaric, malic, citric and sorbic acids, sodium butyrate and silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Control (C) calves received feed without additive. During the supplementation, white blood cell (WBC) counts with leukocyte differentiation, percentages of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes and their subpopulations, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst of circulating monocytes and granulocytes were examined. Body weight (b.w.) gains of the calves were also monitored.

Results
The WBC counts in the E and C calves were within the reference ranges throughout the study. In the analysis of the percentages of the lymphocyte subpopulations, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst, no statistically significant differences were reported between the E and C groups. However, higher average daily body weight gains were obtained for the E calves.

Conclusion
The study revealed that the examined feed additive did not modulate the immune response of the calves significantly. The tendency to higher daily average b.w. gains in the E calves than in the C calves suggests a beneficial effect of this feed additive.
Models to assess the risk of introduction of selected animal viral diseases through the importation of live animals as a key part of risk analysis
Authors: Gierak Anna , Śmietanka Krzysztof 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction of an animal viral disease, especially a notifiable disease, into an importing country or region free from the disease may lead to serious epidemiological consequences and economic losses. Trade in live animals is historically considered one of the most important risk pathways. To estimate the magnitude of such risk, the likelihood of a virus’ entry into a country and the consequences of this event should be jointly evaluated. Depending on data availability, the urgency of the problem and the detail level of the objectives, a risk assessment may be conducted in a qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative way. The purpose of this review was firstly to provide a brief description of each step of the risk analysis process, with particular emphasis on the risk assessment component, and subsequently to supply examples of different approaches to the assessment of the risk of the introduction of selected animal viral diseases. Based on the reviewed models, the overall likelihood of introduction of particular diseases was generally estimated as low. The output risk value was strongly dependent on the duration of the silent phase of the epidemic in the country of origin. Other parameters with some bearing upon the risk derived from the epidemiological situation in the country of origin and the biosecurity or mitigation measures implemented in the country of destination. The investigated models are universal tools for conducting assessment of the risk of introduction of various animal diseases to any country. Their application may lead to timely implementation of appropriate measures for the prevention of the spread of a disease to another country or region.
Class and Masculinity in Contemporary Management Consulting Firms: Some Practical Recommendations
Authors: Giazitzoglu Andreas , Muzlo Daniel 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
It is relatively unusual for white, working-class men to find employment in prestigious management consultancy firms. When they do find employment in these firms, their working-class masculinity is seen as problematic, and not in line with clients’ and co- workers’ expectations. In turn, they must modify their identity, by learning and enacting what the literature refers to as “corporate masculinity”. But how does this learning process occur? And how can consultancy firms better integrate working class men, to maximise the value of their contributions? Based on empirical research we conducted (Giazitzoglu and Muzio, forthcoming), this short piece explores the experiences of a pool of white working-class men who found employment as IT specialists in a prestigious management consultancy firm. After discussing our research and what it reveals about the way professionals from working class backgrounds learn corporate masculinity, we consider some practical recommendations.
Management Consulting: The Road Ahead
Authors: Haslam Simon 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This is a view of the $150bn global management consultancy industry, abridged from a masterclass presentation given to the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers in Ireland in November 2020. The paper looks forward and explores the implications of current sector dynamics. It is structured into two sections: the global management consulting market, and the implications for consulting business models.