Groundwater Quality Assessment for Irrigation: Case Study in the Blinaja River Basin, Kosovo

Groundwater is an important source for a drink and irrigation in the Blinaja river basin. Understanding knowledge of irrigation water quality is critical to the management of water for long-term productivity. Historically for this study area there is no data and information regarding the quality and use of water for irrigation needs. Therefore, there was a need to assess water quality based on data analysed from eight sampling points. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate, relying on analytical results, the quality of groundwater in the Blinaja river basin for the purpose of its use for irrigation of agricultural crops. For this purpose, in the Blinaja River Basin in different months during 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, 28 water samples were taken to assess the quality of groundwater for irrigation. Water samples were analysed in a laboratory for some of the key quality indicators; pH, EC, hardness (TH), Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3, SO4, Cl, etc. and then irrigation water quality indices were calculated such as: percentage of Na (% Na), SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio), PI (Permeability index), KR (Kelly's ratio), etc. The overall objective of this study was to assess the quality of water to be used by the inhabitants of the area for irrigation of agricultural crops. Analytical procedures for the laboratory determinations of water quality have been given in several publications (USDA Handbook 60 by Richards, 1954; FAO Soils Bulletin 10 by Dewis and Freitas1970; APHA 2005). Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091740 Full Text: PD

Analyzing of Morphometric Parameters and Designing of Thematic Maps Using Raster Geoprocessing Tool

GIS techniques, digital elevation models (DEM), raster geoprocessing tools, and software such as ArcMap are a quick and simultaneous solution for the assessment, measurement, and analysis of morphometric parameters of river basins. This paper aims to show the use of the Digital Elevation Model and the ArcGIS program for the analysis of morphometric parameters and the construction of a set of thematic maps needed for spatial planning, water resources management, and similar purposes. Through these techniques, 18 morphometric parameters were determined and analyzed in the study area, which is located in the central part of the Republic of Kosovo and covers an area of 38 km2, and 15 thematic maps were constructed. The altitude of the area varies from 544 m to 1019 m, the slope from 24%, with a total number of stream segments of 601 and a drainage density of 5.02 km/km2. The analysis of morphometric parameters presents an important indicator regarding the space and other elements of the river basin. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-09-06 Full Text: PD

ANALYSIS OF THE "GURI I PLAKËS" AREA AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION, TOURISM AND ECONOMY, REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

Space has an essential character for human life and activity. The reduction of touristic, recreational, sports spaces, etc., are affecting the quality of life and the health of the community in many urban areas of our country. Natural, hereditary values, etc., are of great importance for present and future generations, as a living environment for tourism and, physical and mental recreation. Tourism as an economic activity aims at the economic utilization and maximization of the natural and artificial values that a certain area, region or country has. This paper aims, based on the research results, to bring to every reader authentic data and information that show what it offers and what are the possibilities to form a tourist, recreational and sports center in the "Guri i Plakës" area, after considering the economic benefits that can be generated from this area. The work materials were: notebooks for keeping notes from the field work, handheld GPS for measuring coordinates where necessary, meter tape also for measurements, cameras, topographical maps at scale 1:50 000, geological and hydrogeological map (1:200 000), etc. The "Guri i Plakës" - in (eng: Old Woman's Stone) study area has an area of 125.08 hectares. 104.98 ha or 83.93% belong to the Municipality of Drenas (Gllogoc), while 20.10 ha or 16.07% belong to the Municipality of Obiliq. The research work identified two groups of values which make this area interesting for the development of tourism and recreation and are: natural and artificial values. The natural values include: the Drenica river the Dobroshec water source, the "Guri i Plakës", the Dora Stone (Guri Dora), the Folds in the Paleozoic formations, the karst relief in the limestone rocks. The Drenica River represents the main watershed in the "Guri i Plakës" research area. Relatively rich in aquatic flora and fauna. The study area is located in the central part of Kosovo, between coordinates 42° 40ꞌ 20ꞌꞌ N, 20° 56ꞌ 40ꞌꞌ E and belongs to the territory of Municipality of Drenas (Gllogoc) and Kastriot (Obiliq). It has an area of 125.08 hectares, with hilly mountainous relief with an altitude of up to 712 m. Important natural and artificial values have been distinguished in the study area. The proposed area "Guri i Plakës" has a physical and geographical position quite favorable for the development of a center (mini-center) for the development of tourism and recreation. Tourist activities (transit type or type of tourism) can be developed there, including activities such as: walking, camping, fishing, partly cycling, photography, recording video clips, part of the activities related to traditional nutrition (traditional food). The "Guri i Plakës" area can be used as a miniature laboratory because it contains many educational, research, scientific research components, etc. Lastly, the development of this area brings social, economic, etc. benefits for the entire community in its vicinity and other local and international visitors

Kültürel Açılım, Hepçillik ve Seçkin Sanatın Düşüşü: Türkiye-Avrupa Karşılaştırması = Cultural opening, omnivore and the decline of the highbrow: A comparison of Turkey and Europe

There is a growing literature suggesting that the classifications in arts and culture are transforming. ‘Cultural opening’ thesis suggests that the boundaries of established arts are becoming more permeable; allowing the emerging art/culture forms to take their place in the higher ranks. In line with this thesis, a number of researchers point out the rise of culturally ‘omnivore’ evaluative repertories. Drawing on the analysis of a data set (N=13,161) comprised of the cultural coverage of major newspapers from six European countries from 1960 to 2010, this research questions: How are art and culture news distributed in terms of their field? Is there a gradual change with respect to the journalistic attention paid to established vs. emergent fields? Can we identify a change within the genre hierarchy operating in a given cultural form (i.e. classical music vs. pop music)? The findings suggest that in the European context, cultural omnivore thesis has more explanatory power than the cultural opening thesis. Compared to Europe, cultural journalism in Turkey seems to pay more attention to the emerging fields and popular forms. Conclusion section discusses whether this attention could be considered as a sign of an opening or omnivorousness

Effects of Passive and active Rest on Physiological Responses and Time Motion Characteristics in Different Small Sided Soccer Games

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resting regimes on physiological responses and time motion characteristics between bouts during small sided games (SSGs) in young soccer players. Sixteen players (average age 16.87 ± 0.34 years; body height 176.69 ± 3.21 cm; body mass 62.40 ± 2.59 kg; training experience 3.75 ± 0.44 years) performed four bouts 2-a-side, 3-a-side and 4-a-side games with three minutes active (SSGar: Running at 70% of HRmax) and passive (SSGpr) rest between bouts at two-day intervals. The heart rate (HR) along with total distance covered in different speed zones - walking (W, 0-6.9 km·h-1), low-intensity running (LIR, 7.0-12.9 km·h-1), moderate-intensity running (MIR, 13.0-17.9 km·h-1) and high-intensity running (HIR, >18km·h-1), were monitored during all SSGs, whereas the rating of perceived exertion (RPE, CR-20) and venous blood lactate (La-) were determined at the end of the last bout of each SSG. The results demonstrated that all SSGpr elicited significantly higher physiological responses compared to SSGar in terms of the RPE and La- (p < 0.05). In addition, 2-a-side SSGpr induced significantly lower %HRmax responses and total distance covered than 2-a-side SSGar (p < 0.05). Moreover, the distance covered at HIR was significantly higher in 4-a-side SSGar than 4-side SSGpr. The results of this study indicate that both SSGs with passive and active rest can be used for soccer specific aerobic endurance training. Furthermore, all SSGs with active recovery should be performed in order to increase players and teams' performance capacity for subsequent bouts. © 2017 Editorial Committee of Journal of Human Kinetics 2017

Measuring Coverage in MNCH:A Prospective Validation Study in Pakistan and Bangladesh on Measuring Correct Treatment of Childhood Pneumonia

Antibiotic treatment for pneumonia as measured by Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) is a key indicator for tracking progress in achieving Millennium Development Goal 4. Concerns about the validity of this indicator led us to perform an evaluation in urban and rural settings in Pakistan and Bangladesh.Caregivers of 950 children under 5 y with pneumonia and 980 with "no pneumonia" were identified in urban and rural settings and allocated for DHS/MICS questions 2 or 4 wk later. Study physicians assigned a diagnosis of pneumonia as reference standard; the predictive ability of DHS/MICS questions and additional measurement tools to identify pneumonia versus non-pneumonia cases was evaluated. Results at both sites showed suboptimal discriminative power, with no difference between 2- or 4-wk recall. Individual patterns of sensitivity and specificity varied substantially across study sites (sensitivity 66.9% and 45.5%, and specificity 68.8% and 69.5%, for DHS in Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively). Prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia were correctly recalled by about two-thirds of caregivers using DHS questions, increasing to 72% and 82% in Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively, using a drug chart and detailed enquiry.Monitoring antibiotic treatment of pneumonia is essential for national and global programs. Current (DHS/MICS questions) and proposed new (video and pneumonia score) methods of identifying pneumonia based on maternal recall discriminate poorly between pneumonia and children with cough. Furthermore, these methods have a low yield to identify children who have true pneumonia. Reported antibiotic treatment rates among these children are therefore not a valid proxy indicator of pneumonia treatment rates. These results have important implications for program monitoring and suggest that data in its current format from DHS/MICS surveys should not be used for the purpose of monitoring antibiotic treatment rates in children with pneumonia at the present time

Experience developing national evidence-based clinical guidelines for childhood pneumonia in a low-income setting - making the GRADE?

BACKGROUND: The development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines has gained wide acceptance in high-income countries and reputable international organizations. Whereas this approach may be a desirable standard, challenges remain in low-income settings with limited capacity and resources for evidence synthesis and guideline development. We present our experience using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach for the recent revision of the Kenyan pediatric clinical guidelines focusing on antibiotic treatment of pneumonia. METHODS: A team of health professionals, many with minimal prior experience conducting systematic reviews, carried out evidence synthesis for structured clinical questions. Summaries were compiled and distributed to a panel of clinicians, academicians and policy-makers to generate recommendations based on best available research evidence and locally-relevant contextual factors. RESULTS: We reviewed six eligible articles on non-severe and 13 on severe/very severe pneumonia. Moderate quality evidence suggesting similar clinical outcomes comparing amoxicillin and cotrimoxazole for non-severe pneumonia received a strong recommendation against adopting amoxicillin. The panel voted strongly against amoxicillin for severe pneumonia over benzyl penicillin despite moderate quality evidence suggesting clinical equivalence between the two and additional factors favoring amoxicillin. Very low quality evidence suggesting ceftriaxone was as effective as the standard benzyl penicillin plus gentamicin for very severe pneumonia received a strong recommendation supporting the standard treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although this exercise may have fallen short of the rigorous requirements recommended by the developers of GRADE, it was arguably an improvement on previous attempts at guideline development in low-income countries and offers valuable lessons for future similar exercises where resources and locally-generated evidence are scarce

How is Perceived Community Cohesion and Membership in Community Groups Associated with Children’s Dietary Adequacy in Disadvantaged Communities? A Case of the Indian Sundarbans

Background: Membership in community groups and a sense of community cohesion may facilitate collective action in mobilizing resources towards better health outcomes. This paper explores the relationship of these factors, along with individual level socio-economic variables, to dietary adequacy among children below 6 years of age, a proximate determinant of child malnutrition. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Patharpratima block of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, India, using a two-stage, 30 cluster random sampling design. In 1200 sampled households, we used a structured questionnaire to interview mothers of children below 6 years of age on their child’s nutritional intake. We also interviewed household heads to assess perceived community cohesion using a nine item scale, membership in any community self-help organization, and other socio-economic determinants. We used a logistic regression model to assess their association with a minimum acceptable diet among children between 6 months to 6 years. Results: Only 9.33 % children between 6 and 71 months of age received a minimum acceptable diet. With each increase in the perceived community cohesion score (scale 0-9), a child is 1.31 times more likely to have minimum acceptable diet (95 % CI 1.14, 1.50). The odds of minimum acceptable diet were also higher among children whose mothers had primary education (2.09, 95 % CI 1.03, 2.94) as compared to illiterate mothers and in households with surplus food resources (2.72, 95 % CI 1.32, 5.58) as compared to those without surplus or deficit. In contrast, registering at an Anganwadi (government early child development) centre (odds ratio 1.34 95 % CI 0.69, 2.60) and community membership (odds ratio 0.93, 95 % CI 0.59, 1.46) were not associated with minimum acceptable diet. Conclusion: The results are consistent with what is known about the importance of maternal education and access to food resources in ensuring that children have a minimum acceptable diet. Perceived community cohesion seems to play a positive role in children’s diets. Further research needs to clarify which community characteristics and services are the most relevant, how they can better support children’s diets, and how interventions can strengthen these community characteristics and services

Using Affiliation Networks to Study the Determinants of Multilateral Research Cooperation Some empirical evidence from EU Framework Programs in biotechnology

This paper studies multilateral cooperation networks among organizations and work on a two-mode representation to study the decision to participate in a consortium. Our objective is to explain the underlying processes that give rise to multilateral collaboration networks. Particularly, we are interested in how heterogeneity in organizations' attributes plays a part and in the geographical dimension of this formation process. We use the data on project proposals submitted to the 7th Framework Program (FP) in the area of Life sciences, Biotechnology and Biochemistry for Sustainable Non-Food. We employ exponential random graph models (p* models) (Frank and Strauss, 1986 ; Wasserman and Pattison, 1996) with node attributes (Agneessens et al., 2004), and we make use of extensions for affiliation networks (Wang et al., 2009). These models do not only enable handling variability in consortium sizes but also relax the assumption on tie/triad independence. We obtained some preliminary results indicating institutional types as a source of heterogeneity affecting participation decisions. Also, these initial results point out that organizations take their potential partners' participations in other projects into account in giving their decision ; organizations located in the core European countries tend to participate in the same project ; the tendency to preserve the composition of a consortium across projects and the tendency of organizations with the same institutional type to co-participate are not significant