bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Genetically Distinct Plasmodium knowlesi Duffy Binding Protein Alpha Region II (PkDBPαII) Haplotypes Demonstrate Higher Binding Level to Fy(a+b+) Erythrocytes than Fy(a+b--) Erythrocytes
Authors: Liew Chin Chin , Lau Yee Ling , Fong Mun Yik , Cheong Fei Wen
Published: March 2020

Invasion of human erythrocytes by merozoites of Plasmodium knowlesi involves interaction between the P. knowlesi Duffy binding protein alpha region II (PkDBPαII) and Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARCs) on the erythrocytes. Information is scarce on the binding level of PkDBPαII to different Duffy antigens, Fya and Fyb. This study aims to measure the binding level of two genetically distinct PkDBPαII haplotypes to Fy(a+b−) and Fy(a+b+) human erythrocytes using erythrocyte-binding assay. The binding level of PkDBPαII of Peninsular Malaysian and Malaysian Borneon haplotypes to erythrocytes was determined by counting the number of rosettes formed in the assay. Overall, the Peninsular Malaysian haplotype displayed higher binding activity than the Malaysian Borneon haplotype. Both haplotypes exhibit the same preference to Fy(a+b+) compared with Fy(a+b−), hence justifying the vital role of Fyb in the binding to PkDBPαII. Further studies are needed to investigate the P. knowlesi susceptibility on individuals with different Duffy blood groups.
E-ASSESS: Creating an EPA Assessment Tool for Structured Simulated Emergency Scenarios
Authors: Andler Caroline , Daya Sneha , Kowalek Katie , Boscardin Christy , van Schaik Sandrijn M.
Published: March 2020

Background

The entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessment framework allows supervisors to assign entrustment levels to physician trainees for specific activities. Limited opportunity for direct observation of trainees hampers entrustment decisions, in particular for infrequently performed activities. Simulation allows for direct observation, so tools to assess performance of EPAs in simulation could potentially provide additional data to complement clinical assessments.

Objective

We developed and collected validity evidence for a simulation-based tool grounded in the EPA framework.

Methods

We developed E-ASSESS (EPA Assessment for Structured Simulated Emergency ScenarioS) to assess performance in 2 EPAs among pediatric residents participating in simulation-based team training in 2017–2018. We collected validity data, applying Messick's unitary view. Three raters used E-ASSESS to assign entrustment levels based on performance in simulation. We compared those ratings to entrustment levels assigned by clinical supervisors (different from the study raters) for the same residents on a separate tool designed for clinical practice. We calculated intraclass correlation (ICC) for each tool and Pearson correlation coefficients to compare ratings between tools.

Results

Twenty-eight residents participated in the study. The ICC between the 3 raters for entrustment ratings on E-ASSESS ranged from 0.65 to 0.77, while ICC among raters of the clinical tool were 0.59 and 0.57. We found no significant correlations between E-ASSESS ratings and clinical practice ratings for either EPA (r = -0.35 and 0.38, P > .05).

Conclusions

Assessment following an EPA framework in the simulation context may be useful to provide data points to inform entrustment decisions as part of resident assessment.
Effects of Loading Spectra on High pH Crack Growth Behavior of X65 Pipeline Steel
Authors: Niazi Hamid , Chevil Karina , Gamboa Erwin , Lamborn Lyndon , Chen Weixing , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2020

The effects of mechanical factors on crack growth behavior during the second stage of high pH stress corrosion cracking in pipeline steel were investigated by applying several loading scenarios on compact tension (CT) specimens. The main mechanism for stage 2 of intergranular crack propagation is anodic dissolution ahead of the crack tip which is highly dependent on crack-tip strain rate. The maximum and minimum crack growth rates were 3 × 10−7 mm/s and 1 × 10−7 mm/s, respectively. It was observed that several factors such as mean stress intensity factor, amplitude, and frequency of loading cycles determine the crack-tip strain rate. Low R-ratio cycles, particularly high-frequency ones, enhance secondary crack initiation, and crack coalescence on the free surface. This mechanism accelerates crack advance on the free surface which is accompanied with an increase in mechanical driving force for crack propagation in the thickness direction. These findings have implications for pipeline operators and could be used to increase the lifespan of the cracked pipelines at stage 2. For those pipelines, any loading condition that increases the strain rate ahead of the crack tip enhances anodic dissolution and is detrimental. Additionally, secondary crack initiation and coalescence could be minimized by avoiding internal pressure fluctuation, particularly rapid large pressure fluctuations.
Indústria farmacêutica e psiquiatria no quadro da Sociologia Econômica: uma agenda de pesquisa
Authors: Mazon Marcia Da Silva
Published: March 2020

Neste artigo interessou-nos analisar a relação entre indústria farmacêutica e psiquiatria e novos contornos desta relação a partir da década de 1990 no Brasil. Argumentamos, a partir do enfoque da Sociologia Econômica a qual entende os mercados como construções sociais, que este processo ganha um desenho particular no país. O intuito do artigo é abrir uma agenda de pesquisa na área da saúde e indústria farmacêutica a partir deste referencial. A metodologia mobilizada foi revisão bibliográfica e análise documental. Quando falamos da psiquiatria brasileira, na década de 1940 este setor lutava pelo reconhecimento profissional com o discurso da prevenção da doença e o hospital psiquiátrico buscava seu espaço. No cerne das transformações recentes da reforma da psquiatria e dos processos de medicalização - em particular a partir da publicação do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais DSM na sua quinta versão - argumentamos que a psiquiatria se reinventa como especialidade e mobiliza o discurso da prevenção, porém, agora é a prevenção medicalizada da infância; o hospital perde espaço para a indústria farmacêutica.
Economy as matching
Authors: Steiner Philippe
Published: March 2020

Recentemente, uma nova definição da economia apareceu onde o conceito de match ocupa um lugar central. Matching significa que existem algumas questões específicas relacionadas à associação efetiva de um determinado recurso a uma determinada pessoa. O match pode, portanto, parecer uma extensão da questão tradicional relacionada à distribuição da riqueza; contra essa aparência, o presente artigo enfatiza que algo mais está em jogo quando se trata de entender como o match é realmente implementado. A primeira parte do artigo é dedicada a explicar o que se entende por match no estado atual da economia, com ênfase especial nas obras de Alvin Roth. A segunda parte é sobre os fundamentos sociológicos da abordagem através do match em relação às questões econômicas, mostrando como ela é diferente do mercado. Finalmente, a terceira parte conecta a economia como match à compreensão de pastorado de Michel Foucault, focalizando as mudanças trazidas pela enorme quantidade de dados e a tecnologia necessária para implementar uma nova forma de governamentalidade, aquela em que, na esteira do antigo preceito religioso, requer que o líder governe a população como um todo e cada indivíduo em particular (“omnes et singulatim” nos termos de Foucault).
Dois mundos em disputa: a regulamentação sanitária oficial e as interações entre a convenção doméstica e a convenção industrial na cadeia produtiva do leite no Maranhão
Authors: Carneiro Marcelo Sampaio , Neto Evaristo José Lima
Published: March 2020

Esse artigo discute o processo de estabelecimento de um padrão de qualidade sanitária na cadeia produtiva de leite bovino na região de Imperatriz, analisando a disputa entre duas formas de produção diferentes, representadas pela indústria de laticínios e por produtores informais de queijo (as chamadas queijeiras). A análise realizada utiliza como referencial a perspectiva da economia das convenções, abordagem teórica que considera a qualidade dos produtos como uma construção social e um elemento central para a coordenação dos atores envolvidos no processo de produção e circulação de bens e serviços. A partir dessa perspectiva, mostramos a constituição de duas convenções de qualidade nessa cadeia produtiva, identificadas como uma convenção de tipo industrial e uma convenção de natureza convenção doméstica, destacando a disputa pelos produtores de leite, mas, indicando também a possibilidade do estabelecimento de alguns tipos de compromissos entre essas diferentes convenções.
Profissionalismo e confiança: o curioso caso do país que acredita mais nos jornalistas do que na mídia
Authors: Mick Jacques
Published: March 2020

O artigo analisa a disparidade entre os índices declinantes de confiança nas mídias jornalísticas e as taxas estáveis (em patamar elevado) da credibilidade nos jornalistas no Brasil. O estudo recupera levantamentos sobre confiança na mídia jornalística no Brasil entre 1998 e 2018, indicando deterioração da credibilidade, e pesquisas recentes demonstrando que a confiança dos jornalistas como profissionais permanece acima da média. Para compreender as razões desse descolamento, são utilizados resultados de survey (N=543) e entrevistas em profundidade (N=44) com a avaliação da população a respeito da mídia jornalística local realizados na cidade de Joinville (SC), entre 2017 e 2018. A hipótese sustentada pelo artigo é de que a sociedade brasileira desenvolveu justificada suspeita em relação a interesses e ações dos proprietários das mídias jornalísticas, que subsiste em paralelo ao reconhecimento dos jornalistas como peritos que se esforçam para desenvolver suas funções e atender ao interesse público.
Para além da fórmula do amor: amor romântico como elemento central na construção do mercado do afeto via aplicativos
Authors: Jardim Maria Chaves
Published: March 2020

Os aplicativos se tornaram ferramentas centrais nas interações contemporâneas, fabricando diversos tipos de consumo, inclusive o consumo de afetos.  Apesar do inegável crescimento do mercado do amor, sustendo pelos algoritmos, argumento que estes não fazem mágica por si só. Com base em pesquisa empírica com mulheres solteiras ou divorciadas entre 35-47 anos, procuro demonstrar que a cultura do amor romântico sustenta o mercado de aplicativos.  A pesquisa contou com uma etnografia no aplicativo Tinder, com a realização de um curso online que busca pela profissionalização da paquera e observação participante em uma página fechada do Facebook. Os resultados apontam que a “fórmula do amor”, criada pelos matemáticos e inserida nos smartphones, não existe em um vácuo social; a crença no amor romântico e a illusio no casamento como ideário de felicidade, ajudam, em diálogo com o mercado de autoajuda, a sustentar o mercado de afeto virtual. Tem como inspiração teórica insights da sociologia econômica e conceitos de Pierre Bourdieu
Markets on the edge: Beach kiosk TripAdvisor consumer online reviews as dataset to compare Australian and Brazilian beachfront collective representations
Authors: Sartore Marina De Souza , Coffey Brian
Published: March 2020

Avaliações de consumidores online suscitam desafios analíticos para as ciências sociais pois são escritas por amadores, são publicadas rapidamente e estão disponíveis para todos que tenham acesso à internet. Neste artigo exploratório, comparamos as Avaliações Escritas do TripAdvisor (AET) de quiosques de praia no Brasil e na Austrália e argumentamos que as AET são uma fonte útil para percebermos as diferenças nas representações coletivas da beira da praia. Argumentamos também que a análise de conteúdo das AET pode ser limitada; portanto, utilizamos outros métodos qualitativos como a análise documental e a observação de campo. Concluímos que as representações coletivas da beira da praia diferem pelas categorias de tempo e espaço. A compreensão das diferentes representações coletivas da beira da praia produz conhecimento para auxiliar políticas públicas a enfrentarem desafios contemporâneos no litoral, como a busca pelo equilíbrio entre o desenvolvimento comercial e a conservação da natureza.
On the integrated assessment of the technogenic risk of accidents on the territory of a city
Authors: Rybakov, PhD Anatoliy Valerevich , Lebedeva, PhD Marina Valentinovna , Shmyrev, PhD Viktor Ivanovich , Ivanov, MS Evgeny Vyacheslavovich
Published: March 2020

A new approach is proposed for assessing the integrated indicator of the technogenic risk of accidents on the city territory. The indicator is determined by the values of the individual indicators: potential danger, security, and vulnerability of the territory. This approach allows us to assess the technogenic risk qualitatively and quantitatively and to take into account the complex of important factors affecting the safety of the city territory.
Macroprudential Policies and House Prices in Europe
Authors: Arena Marco , Chen Tingyun , Choi Seung , Geng Nan , Gueye Cheikh , Lybek Tonny , Papageorgiou Evan , Zhang Yuanyan Sophia
Published: March 2020

Macroprudential policy in Europe aligns with the objective of limiting systemic risk, namely the risk of widespread disruption to the provision of financial services that is caused by an impairment of all or parts of the financial system and that can cause serious negative consequences for the real economy.
Lessons from Two Public Sector Reforms in Italy
Authors: Belhocine Nazim , Jirasavetakul La-Bhus Fah
Published: March 2020

The reform of the Italian public administration has been a priority for at least two decades, with several major initiatives undertaken toward modernization and simplification. Notwithstanding laudable intentions, however, progress remains limited. This analysis is a case study of two reforms since 2016—on the rationalization of state-owned enterprises and of public procurement. It finds that original reform provisions were weakened or overturned, regulatory complexity and uncertainties in the application of the reforms blunted their impact, and enforcement mechanisms were inadequate. Addressing these gaps will be essential for successfully modernizing Italy’s public administration.
Barbados’ 2018–19 Sovereign Debt Restructuring–A Sea Change?
Authors: Anthony Myrvin , Impavido Gregorio , van Selm Bert
Published: March 2020

This paper examines the causes, processes, and outcomes of Barbados’ 2018–19 sovereign debt restructuring—its first ever. The restructuring was comprehensive, featuring several rarely used approaches, including the restructuring of treasury bills, and the use of a retrofitted collective action mechanism. The debt restructuring has helped to set Barbados’ public debt on a clear downward trajectory. A sustained reform effort, maintaining high primary surpluses and ambitious structural reforms, will be needed to gradually reduce public debt from about 160 percent of GDP before the restructuring to the country’s 60 percent debt-to-GDP target.
The effects of soy oil, poultry fat and tallow with fixed energy : protein ratio on broiler performance
Authors: Okur Nezih
Published: March 2020

Abstract. In this study, the effects of using soy oil (SO), poultry
fat (PF) and tallow (T) in broiler feed at fixed energy : protein ratio on
field and slaughter parameters were evaluated. The average live weight
(ALW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), production efficiency factor (PEF) and
mortality were investigated as field performance parameters; carcass
weight (CW), carcass yield (CY), heart–liver weight (HLW), heart–liver yield
(HLY), abdominal fat weight (AFW) and abdominal fat yield (AFY) were
investigated as slaughter performance parameters. The experiment was
performed in accordance with animal welfare legislation of Turkey and
continued for 41 d. It was conducted with a total of 12 600 Ross 308 broiler
chicks from Ross 308 strain middle-aged (36 weeks) broiler breeders. Ten
different diets in which SO in starter; SO, PF and T in grower and single; or
equal mixing of them (SO + PF, SO + T, PF + T) in finisher were used.
When animal fat (PF and T) was used instead of SO, especially in grower
feed, the field performance parameters improved except for mortality (P<0.05). This situation was not seen in slaughter performance
parameters except for CW, HLW and HLY (P>0.05). However, it was
found that sex affected slaughter performance parameters except for CY and
AFW; higher CW and HLW and lower AFY and HLY were observed due to higher
CW in male broilers (P<0.05). In addition, the interactions
between the type of the fat and sex were not found to be significant except
for CW and CY (P>0.05). At the end of the study, it was seen
that if certain ratios are not exceeded, the use of animal fat instead of SO
may be a good and economic alternative. Such an arrangement, which can
be made depending on oil and fat prices, can reduce the feed cost, which is
a more important result in terms of large integrations.
Technical note: Fundamental aspects of ice nucleation via pore condensation and freezing including Laplace pressure and growth into macroscopic ice
Authors: Marcolli Claudia
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Pore condensation and freezing (PCF) is an ice nucleation
mechanism that explains ice formation at low ice supersaturation. It assumes
that liquid water condenses in pores of solid aerosol particles below water
saturation, as described by the Kelvin equation, followed by homogeneous ice
nucleation when temperatures are below about 235 K or immersion freezing at
higher temperatures, in case the pores contain active sites that induce ice
nucleation. Porewater is under tension (negative pressure) below water
saturation as described by the Young–Laplace equation. This negative
pressure affects the ice nucleation rates and the stability of the pore ice.
Here, pressure-dependent parameterizations of classical nucleation theory
are developed to quantify the increase in homogeneous ice nucleation rates
as a function of tension and to assess the critical diameter of pores that
is required to accommodate ice at negative pressures. Growth of ice out of
the pore into a macroscopic ice crystal requires ice supersaturation. This
supersaturation as a function of the pore opening width is derived, assuming
that the ice phase first grows as a spherical cap on top of the pore opening
before it starts to expand laterally on the particle surface into a
macroscopic ice crystal.
Drivers of cloud droplet number variability in the summertime Southeast United States
Authors: Bougiatioti Aikaterini , Nenes Athanasios , Lin Jack J. , Brock Charles A. , de Gouw Joost , Liao Jin , Middlebrook Ann M. , Welti Andre
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The Southeast United States has experienced a different climate warming trend compared to other places worldwide. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this trend, one being the interaction of anthropogenic and biogenic aerosol precursors that synergistically promote aerosol formation, elevate cloud droplet concentration and induce regional cooling. We examine these aerosol-cloud droplet links by analyzing regional scale data collected onboard the NOAA WP-3D aircraft during the 2013 Southeast Nexus (SENEX) campaign to quantify the sensitivity of droplet number to aerosol number, chemical composition and vertical velocity on a regional scale. The observed aerosol size distributions, chemical composition and vertical velocity distribution (Gaussian with standard deviation σw) are introduced into a state-of-the-art cloud droplet parameterization to show that cloud maximum supersaturations in the region are low, ranging from 0.02 to 0.52 % with an average of 0.14 ± 0.05 %. Based on these low values of supersaturation, the majority of activated droplets correspond to particles of diameter 90 nm and above. Droplet number shows little sensitivity to total aerosol owing to their strong competition for water vapor. Given, however, that σw exhibits considerable diurnal variability (ranging from 0.16 m/s during nighttime to over 1.2 m/s during day), its covariance with total aerosol number (Na) during the same period amplifies predicted response in cloud droplet number (Nd) by 3 to 5 times. Therefore, correct consideration of vertical velocity and its covariance with time and aerosol amount is important for fully understanding aerosol-cloud interactions and the magnitude of the aerosol indirect effect. Datasets and analysis such as the one presented here can provide the required constraints for addressing this important problem.
Interactions between biogeochemical and management factors explain soil organic carbon in Pyrenean grasslands
Authors: Rodríguez Antonio , Canals Rosa Maria , Plaixats Josefina , Albanell Elena , Debouk Haifa , Garcia-Pausas Jordi , San Emeterio Leticia , Jimenez Juan José , Sebastià M.-Teresa
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Grasslands are one of the major sinks of terrestrial soil organic carbon (SOC). Understanding how environmental and management factors drive SOC is challenging because they are scale-dependent, with large scale drivers affecting SOC both directly and through drivers working at detailed spatial scales. Here we addressed how regional, landscape and grazing management, soil properties and nutrients and herbage quality factors affect SOC in mountain grasslands in the Pyrenees. Taking advantage of the high variety of environmental heterogeneity in the Pyrenees, we fit a set of models with explicative purposes using data that comprise a wide range of environmental and management conditions. We found that temperature seasonality (MMT) was the most important geophysical driver of SOC in our study. MMT was positively related to SOC but only under certain local conditions: exposed hillsides, steep slopes and relatively highly grazed areas. High MMT conditions probably are more favourable for plant biomass production, but landscape and grazing management factors buffer the accumulation of this biomass into SOC. Concerning biochemical SOC predictors, we obtained some surprising, interactive effects between grazer type, soil nutrients and herbage quality. Soil N was a crucial factor modulating effects of livestock species and neutral detergent fibre content of plant biomass and herbage recalcitrance effects varied depending on grazer species. These results highlight the gaps in the knowledge about SOC drivers in grassland under different environmental and management conditions, and they may serve to generate testable hypothesis in latter studies directed to climate change mitigation policies.
A novel framework of deriving joint impoundment rules for large-scale reservoir system based on a classification-aggregation-decomposition approach
Authors: He Shaokun , Guo Shenglian , Xu Chong-Yu , Chen Kebing , Liao Zhen , Deng Lele , Ba Huanhuan , Solomatine Dimitri
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Joint and optimal impoundment operation of the large-scale reservoir system has become more crucial for modern water management. Since the existing techniques fail to optimize the large-scale multi-objective impoundment operation due to the complex inflow stochasticity and high dimensionality, we develop a novel combination of parameter simulation optimization and classification-aggregation-decomposition approach here to overcome these obstacles. There are four main steps involved in our proposed framework: (1) reservoirs classification based on geographical location and flood prevention targets; (2) assumption of a hypothetical single reservoir in the same pool; (3) the derivation of the initial impoundment policies by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II); (4) further improvement of the impoundment policies via Parallel Progressive Optimization Algorithm (PPOA). The framework potential is performed on China's mixed 30-reservoir system in the upper Yangtze River. Results indicate that our method can provide a series of schemes to refer to different flood event scenarios. The best scheme outperforms the conventional operating rule, as it increases impoundment efficiency from 89.50 % to 94.16 % and hydropower generation by 7.70 billion kWh (or increase 3.79 %) while flood control risk is less than 0.06.
Irrigation return flow causing a nitrate hot spot and denitrification imprints in groundwater at Tinwald, New Zealand
Authors: Stewart Michael Kilgour , Aitchison-Earl Philippa Lauren
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Tinwald groundwater exhibits two features stemming from irrigation with local groundwater (i.e. irrigation return flow). The first is increased concentrations of nitrate (and other chemicals and stable isotopes) in a hot spot around Tinwald. The chemical concentrations of the groundwater are increased by recirculation of water already relatively high in chemicals. The irrigation return flow coefficient C (irrigation return flow/irrigation flow) is found to be consistent with the chemical enrichments. The stable isotopes of the groundwater show a similar pattern of enrichment by irrigation return flow of up to 40 % and are also enriched by evaporation (causing loss of about 20 % of the original water mass). Management implications are that irrigation return flow needs to be taken into account in modelling of nitrate transport through soil/groundwater systems and in avoiding overuse of nitrate fertilizer leading to greater leaching of nitrate to the groundwater and unnecessary economic cost. The second feature is the presence of denitrification imprints (shown by enrichment of the δ15N and δ18ONO3 values of nitrate) in even relatively oxic groundwaters. The denitrification imprints can be clearly seen because (apart from denitrification) the nitrate has a blended isotopic composition due to irrigation return flow and N being retained in the soil-plant system as organic-N. The nitrate concentration and isotopic compositions of nitrate are found to be correlated with dissolved oxygen concentration. This denitrification imprint is attributed to localised denitrification in fine pores or small-scale physical heterogeneity where conditions are reducing. The implication is that denitrification could be occurring where it is not expected because groundwater DO concentrations are not low.
Impact of tidal dynamics on diel vertical migration of zooplankton in Hudson Bay
Authors: Petrusevich Vladislav Y. , Dmitrenko Igor A. , Niemi Andrea , Kirillov Sergey A. , Kamula Christina Michelle , Kuzyk Zou Zou A. , Barber David G. , Ehn Jens K.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Hudson Bay is a large seasonally ice-covered Canadian inland sea
connected to the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic through Foxe Basin and
Hudson Strait. This study investigates zooplankton distribution, dynamics,
and factors controlling them during open-water and ice cover periods (from
September 2016 to October 2017) in Hudson Bay. A mooring equipped with two
acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) and a sediment trap was deployed
in September 2016 in Hudson Bay ∼190 km northeast from the
port of Churchill. The backscatter intensity and vertical velocity time
series showed a pattern typical for zooplankton diel vertical migration
(DVM). The sediment trap collected five zooplankton taxa including two
calanoid copepods (Calanus glacialis and Pseudocalanus spp.), a pelagic sea snail (Limacina helicina), a gelatinous arrow
worm (Parasagitta elegans), and an amphipod (Themisto libellula). From the acquired acoustic data we observed the
interaction of DVM with multiple factors including lunar light, tides, and water and sea ice dynamics. Solar illuminance was the major factor
determining migration pattern, but unlike at some other polar and subpolar
regions, moonlight had little effect on DVM, while tidal dynamics are
important. The presented data constitute the first-ever observed
DVM in Hudson Bay during winter and its interaction with the tidal
dynamics.
New regional stratigraphic insights from a 3D geological model of the Nasia sub-basin, Ghana, developed for hydrogeological purposes and based on reprocessed B-field data originally collected for mineral exploration
Authors: Dzikunoo Elikplim Abla , Vignoli Giulio , Jørgensen Flemming , Yidana Sandow Mark , Banoeng-Yakubo Bruce
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Reprocessing of regional-scale airborne electromagnetic
data is used to build a 3D geological model of the Nasia sub-basin,
northern Ghana. The resulting 3D geological model consistently integrates
all the prior pieces of information brought by electromagnetic data,
lithologic logs, ground-based geophysical surveys, and geological
knowledge of the terrain. The geo-modeling process is aimed at defining the
lithostratigraphy of the area, chiefly to improve the stratigraphic
definition of the area, and for hydrogeological purposes. The airborne
electromagnetic measurements, consisting of GEOTEM B-field data, were
originally collected for mineral exploration purposes. Thus, those B-field
data had to be (re)processed and properly inverted as the original survey
and data handling were designed for the detection of potential mineral
targets and not for detailed geological mapping. These new geophysical
inversion results, compared with the original conductivity–depth images,
provided a significantly different picture of the subsurface. The new
geophysical model led to new interpretations of the geological settings and
to the construction of a comprehensive 3D geo-model of the basin. In this
respect, the evidence of a hitherto unexposed system of paleovalleys could
be inferred from the airborne data. The stratigraphic position of these
paleovalleys suggests a distinctly different glaciation history from the
known Marinoan events, commonly associated with the Kodjari formation of the
Voltaian sedimentary basin. Indeed, the presence of the paleovalleys within
the Panabako may be correlated with mountain glaciation within the Sturtian
age, though no unequivocal glaciogenic strata have yet been identified.
Pre-Marinoan glaciation is recorded in rocks of the Wassangara group of the
Taoudéni Basin. The combination of the Marinoan and, possibly, Sturtian
glaciation episodes, both of the Cryogenian period, can be an indication of
a Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth. Hence, the occurrence of those geological
features not only has important socioeconomic consequences – as the
paleovalleys can act as reservoirs for groundwater – but also from a
scientific point of view, they could be extremely relevant as their presence
would require a revision of the present stratigraphy of the area.
First spectral measurements of light attenuation in Greenland Ice Sheet bare ice suggest shallower subsurface radiative heating and ICESat-2 penetration depth in the ablation zone
Authors: Cooper Matthew G. , Smith Laurence C. , Rennermalm Asa K. , Tedesco Marco , Muthyala Rohi , Leidman Sasha Z. , Moustafa Samiah E. , Fayne Jessica V.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Light transmission into bare glacial ice affects surface energy balance, bio-photochemical cycling, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) laser elevation measurements but has not previously been reported for the Greenland Ice Sheet. We present in-ice solar irradiance measured over the spectral range 350–900 nm and 12–77 cm depth collected at a site in the western Greenland ablation zone. The acquired spectral irradiance measurements are used to calculate flux attenuation coefficients using an exponential decay Bouguer law model and are compared to values calculated from two-stream radiative transfer theory. Relative to asymptotic two-stream theory, our empirical attenuation coefficients are up to one order of magnitude larger in the range 350–530 nm, suggesting light absorbing particles embedded in ice enhance visible light absorption at our field site. The empirical coefficients accurately describe light attenuation in the ice interior but underestimate light attenuation near the ice surface. Consequently, Bouguer’s law overestimates transmitted flux by up to 50 % depending on wavelength. Refraction is unlikely to explain the discrepancy. Instead, vertical variation in the ice microstructure and the concentration of light absorbing particles appears to enhance near-surface attenuation at our field site. The magnitude of this near-surface attenuation implies that optical penetration depth is lower by up to 19 cm (28 %) at wavelengths relevant to visible-wavelength lidar altimetry of ice surface elevation (e.g. 532 nm for the Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2) than is suggested by e-folding depths inferred from two stream theory for optically pure glacier ice. This enhanced near-surface attenuation implies shallower light transmission and therefore lower subsurface light availability for subsurface radiative heating and bio-photochemical cycling. We recommend radiative transfer models applied to bare ice in the Greenland Ice Sheet ablation zone account for vertical variation in light attenuation due to the vertical distribution of light absorbing particles and ice microstructure, and we provide new values of flux attenuation, absorption, and scattering coefficients to support model validation and parameterization.
Simplified support structure design for multi rotor wind turbine systems
Authors: Störtenbecker Sven , Dalhoff Peter , Tamang Mukunda , Anselm Rudolf
Published: March 2020

Abstract. In this study different multi rotor wind turbine systems (MRSs) will be designed in such a way that the space frame, forming the connection between rotor nacelle assemblies (RNAs) and tower, will be modeled as an ideal truss work. To dimension the tube diameters and wall thicknesses, a simplified load case will be used with an adjusted safety factor for loads. This simplified approach allows fast computations of a large variety of different support structure designs. By variation of rotor number, space frame topology, space frame depth and the positioning of yaw bearings, it is possible to gain an understanding of the optimal MRS design. As such, the simplified approach is a preliminary step helping to choose a good design parameter combination for a more detailed and comprehensive analysis.
Parameterization of Wind Evolution using Lidar
Authors: Chen Yiyin , Schlipf David , Cheng Po Wen
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Wind evolution refers to the change of the turbulence structure of the eddies over time while the eddies are advected by the main flow over space. With the development of the lidar-assisted wind turbine control, modelling of the wind evolution becomes an interesting topic, because the control system should only react to the changes in the wind field which can be predicted accurately over the distance to avoid harmful and unnecessary control action. This paper aims to achieve a parameterization model for the wind evolution model to predict the wind evolution model parameters according to the wind field conditions. For this purpose, a two-parameter wind evolution model suggested in literature was applied to model the wind evolution and the wind evolution was estimated using lidar data. A statistical analysis was done to reveal the characteristics of wind evolution model parameters. Gaussian process regression was applied to achieve the parameterization model. The results have proven the applicability of Gaussian process regression model to predict the wind evolution model parameters with sufficient accuracy.
Pragmatic Functions of English and Arabic Connectives in Selected Novels
Authors: G. Nasir Kamal , A. Afrawi Shouq
Published: March 2020

This paper contains a contrastive study that reveals connectives from syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and discourse analytic perspectives to cover the whole levels and to provide a good deal of information about them. The study then confines to the analysis of the pragmatic functions of these connectives in two novels; an English one by John Steinbeck (East of Eden) and an Arabic one by Naguib Mahfouz (Palace of Desire) [qaṣr ãl shawq].The study focuses on connectives, their classifications and functions and sheds light on the notion of connectives from four different levels; syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and discourse analytic in English and Arabic. Data is analyzed according to Dijk’s (1979) 'pragmatic connectives' as a model.The study proves the following: (1) English and Arabic connectives differ from one level to another except for the syntactic and discourse analytic levels. (2) Connectives in English and Arabic have pragmatic functions, not just semantic lexical meanings. (3) The English and Arabic novels show similarities in the use of ‘and’ where its pragmatic functions are found excessively in both novels. (4) There are certain dissimilarities in the use of connectives in English and Arabic novels, as far as their pragmatic functions are concerned.
Phytochemical Profile and Evaluation of the Allelopathic Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Da Silva Ana Claudia Martins , Bezerra José Jailson Lima , Prata Ana Paula Do Nascimento , De Souza Renan Cantalice , Paulino Cynthiane Lins de Albuquerque , Do Nascimento Ticiano Gomes , Da Silva Sâmia Andrícia Souza , Costa Vicente Carlos de Oliveira , Duarte Marcelo Cavalcante
Published: March 2020

The allelopathic potential of some plant species has been scientifically proven over the years. The use of such natural compounds with phytotoxic activity is an alternative to synthetic herbicides. Thus, this research aims to analyze the phytochemical profile and the allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl. The allelopathic potential was evaluated by germination bioassays using seeds from two receptor species (Lactuca sativa L. and Emilia fosbergii Nicolson) and seven concentrations of aqueous extracts of F. miliacea aerial and underground parts in triplicate. The variables evaluated were germination (G) and germination speed index (GSI). The data obtained were submitted to F test and the averages to regression analysis. In addition, phytochemical analyses were performed to analyze possible allelochemicals present in aqueous extracts of F. miliacea through phytochemical screening and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The aqueous extracts of aerial and underground parts of F. miliacea inhibit the germination of E. fosbergii seeds at all concentrations analyzed (0.94, 1.87, 3.75, 7.5, 15 and 30%). However, the same extracts do not show any effects when evaluated in L. sativa seeds. The aqueous extract of F. miliacea shows important chemical constituents (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, luteolin, apigenin, acacetin, and alkaloids) that can be directly related to the allelopathic effects observed in E. fosbergii seeds.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome in a Border Collie
Authors: Hegler Ashley K. , Grooters Amy M. , Dehghanpir Shannon D. , Gallaher Rebekah A. , Gaschen Lorrie E.
Published: March 2020

A 10 wk old female border collie was presented for hemorrhagic diarrhea and pelvic limb lameness. Examination revealed pain and effusion in multiple appendicular joints and pyrexia. Clinicopathologic testing revealed moderate neutropenia as well as nondegenerate neutrophilic inflammation in multiple joints. Radiographs showed capsular joint swelling and heterogeneous metaphyseal lucencies in the distal radius, ulna, femur, and tibia. Genetic testing confirmed a mutation in the vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13B gene and a diagnosis of trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS). Within 24 hr of initiating prednisone therapy (1 mg/kg, per os, q 12 hr), the dog was afebrile and nonpainful with normal ambulation. Lameness recurred twice over the next 5 mo. At 9 mo of age, diagnostics showed severe erosive polyarthritis of both stifles with an inflammatory leukogram and arthrocentesis findings consistent with septic arthritis, and the dog died despite antibiotic therapy. This is the first case of TNS described in the North American literature, and it is unique in that we had the opportunity to document progression of radiographic abnormalities over more than 6 mo. TNS should be considered in young border collies with signs suggestive of immune-mediated polyarthritis, septic arthritis, or hypertrophic osteodystrophy, combined with neutropenia or gastrointestinal signs.
The Effect of Knowledge, Promotion, and Religiosity on Intention to Use Islamic Banking Services
Authors: . Kardoyo , Nurkhin Ahmad , . Muhsin , Mukhibad Hasan , Aprilia Fatmala Dewi
Published: March 2020

This study aims to examine the effect of knowledge, promotion, and religiosity on the interest in using Islamic banking services. The purpose of the next research is to examine the effect of knowledge on religiosity. In addition, this study also examines the effect of educational background and age on saving interest in Islamic banks. The population in this study are customers of Bank Syariah Mandiri, Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia. Ninety-nine research samples were obtained. The data collection method used was questionnaires. The data analysis method used was SEM-PLS. The results showed that only promotion proved to have a positive and significant effect on interest in using the services of Islamic banks. Knowledge and religiosity have not been proven to have a significant effect on interest in using services of Islamic banks. Likewise, background and gender do not have a significant effect. The next research result is that there is a positive and significant influence of knowledge on religiosity; there is also a positive and significant influence on the promotion of knowledge. This study recommends the importance of continuing socialization and education from Islamic banking stakeholders in Indonesia to continue introducing Islamic banks to the public.
The Effect of Using Securitization on the Stability and the Risk of Banks: Evidence From Emerging Countries
Authors: Keffala Mohamed Rochdi , Farjaoui Amal
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether securitization affect financial stability and risk of banks issued from emerging countries during the period 2007 to 2017.To reach this end we conduct dynamic panel data econometrics with Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) system on 20 banks issued from emerging countries. The dependent variables are defined by “Bank Stability Index” (BSI) and “logarithm of z-score” and ratios of total risk and credit risk. The independent variables are split into variable of interest (securitization ratio), bank-specific variables (capital adequacy, profitability, on-balance sheet interest rate risk, financial margin, income diversification, liquidity and bank size) and country-specific variables (GDP and inflation).As major conclusion, we find that using securitization - by banks from emerging countries – enhances their financial stability and minimizes their total risk and credit risk.As a practical contribution to this work, we suggest that banks' decision-makers in emerging countries increase their use of securitization in order to benefit from its beneficial effect on their financial stability and risks.
Does Information Overload of Annual Reports Matter?
Authors: Ong Tze San , Teh Boon Heng , Seng Kai Cing , Ng Sin Huei
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, information overload is an increasing concern and has become an alarming issue. Bursa Malaysia requires all PLCs to have corporate disclosures in their annual reports in order to cultivate good corporate governance. However, annual report readability issues are evident and poor annual report readability is a common occurrence in Malaysia. Thus, this paper seeks to empirically investigate the association between information overload issues, annual readability and financial performance of Malaysian PLCs. Secondary data consisting of 85 PLCs from the years 2015 to 2017 were used. The results have revealed that the information overload issues, i.e. too many disclosures for each company, negatively affect the companies’ financial performance. Firms with annual reports that are easier to read with ideal readability have better financial performance. Not only that, fewer information overload issues tend to be encountered when the annual reports have good readability levels. Future studies are suggested to include primary data as well as non-listed companies for comprehensive coverage and generalization. Policy makers are encouraged to create minimum disclosure requirements which address the information gap between informed and uniformed investors. In addition, with developments in technology, advanced smartphone applications can be developed for investors to conveniently access the financial information of companies.
The Manufacture and Service Companies Differ Leverage Impact to Financial Performance
Authors: Shaferi Intan , Wahyudi Sugeng , Mawardi Wisnu , Hidayat Riskin , Puspitasari Intan
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this research is to examine the leverage from firm. The firms use leverage to expand their source of fund by using external fund such as debt. By usingdebt, financial performance of the firm will develop. Beside the leverage, the use of size and inflation are also considered to be the factors that influence the financial performance while the firms are using leverage. As an independent variable, size is reflected by the assets and the leverage or debt by using the debt ratio to the total of assets. Then,the financial performance is reflected by using the return on the measured assets. Inflation as a control variable is included in this research to know the effect towards the financial performance. In this research, firms are divided into two sectors, there are manufacture and service sector. By using the manufacture and service sectors in order to know each effect of leverage toward the financial performance, this research focuses to the unique characteristic of these two sectors. Knowing which sector is influenced more by the leverage than the others, will guide the urgency of this research. This research used the pooled data regression method, 468 data entries of 156 listed firms in Indonesian Stock Exchange. This research was conducted from 2015 until 2017. The result shows that leverage significantly has a negative effect towardthe financial performance and the size positively influences financial performance. Manufacture sector is influenced more in leverage towardsthe financial performance, and the service sector is influenced more on size towardsthe financial performance.
Ownership Structure and Firm Performance
Authors: Zandi Gholamreza , Singh Jaspal , Mohamad Shafi , Ehsanullah Syed
Published: March 2020

This study implies that diffuse ownership structure negatively affects firm performance. Our study based on empirical evidence found that the ownership structure (the outsider and the insider i.e. managerial ownership) favorably increase the firm performance. Our sample data was based on 200 Malaysian companies listed on the Malaysian stock exchange Bursa Malaysia. We used Tobin’s Q and accounting rate of return for firm performance measurement and compared it with important ownership structure and managerial ownership structure. Our results indicate that both ownership structures have a positive relationship with firm performance.
Is External Debt Hampering Growth in the ECOWAS Region?
Authors: Fofana N’Zue Felix
Published: March 2020

The paper aims to determine the impact of external debt on economic growth in the ECOWAS region. Panel data spanning from 1990 to 2016 is used and analyzed using panel CS-ARDL estimation approach. The results indicate cointegration among the variables. The paper found that external debt has a positive impact on economic performance up to a threshold. In the short run, the threshold stood at 45% and in the long run, it stood at 42.52%. Beyond these points, additional external debt accumulation negatively affects the regional economic performance. Knowing that the level of the region’s external debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 33.11% in 2018 (below the threshold), it appears that external debt has not yet hampered economic performance in the ECOWAS region. However, there is a need for caution given the fast rate of increase (25% in six years) of external debt accumulation in the region.