bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Industrial Hazards and Assessment of Safety Measures in the Chemical Industry, Nigeria Using Proportional Importance Index
Authors: Afube G. C. , L. Nwaogazie Ify
Published: October 2019

Proper identification of hazards and creation of a safe working environment is a major challenge faced by management of many industries today. Hazard assessment is thus carried out in workplaces to identify dangerous events and conditions that may lead to accidents in the industries. This study, which was carried out in both a petrochemical and an oil refining companies of Nigeria, identified industrial hazards and assessed safety measures in the Chemical Industry (CHI) of Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire instrument was used for data collection. The study was carried out amongst technical staff and management staff of the chemical industry whose day-to-day duty is such that they are exposed to one form of hazard or the other in the industry. The questionnaire was administered to 96 technical staff and management staff in the CHI out of which 84 (88%) were completed and returned. The study focused on types of hazards, hazards and risk awareness, implementation of control measures and effectiveness of safety hazards and risk management programmes in the chemical industry of Nigeria. Modified Proportional Importance Index (PII) and a four-point Likert scale were adopted in data analysis. Results revealed that loud noise (PII = 3.2; respondents = 92%), working at heights (with PII = 3.1; respondents = 89%) machines and equipment vibration (PII = 3.0; respondents = 87%), high voltage areas (PII = 2.9; respondents = 84%) and chemical spills (PII = 2.5; respondents = 55%) are the most high ranking hazards in the chemical industry. A high level of safety hazard awareness was found among workers in the industry (p < 0.05, 95%Cl.; PII = 3.1 - 3.5). The outcome of the intervention showed that Chemical Industry Number 1 (CHI-1) improved from 87.90% to 98.09%, Chemical Industry Number 2 (CHI-2) improved from 81.53% to 95.54% on worker’s knowledge on the identification and assessment of hazards and risk in the chemical industries. These hazards pose threats to the safety of workers and should be effectively controlled to reduce associated risks to as Low as Reasonably and Practically Achievable (ALARPA).
Dimensionless Geomorphometry and Discharge in the Ikpa River Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Sunday Umo Ikpong , C. Ike M. , G. Ukwe Ifeanyi
Published: October 2019

This study evaluates the relationships between dimensionless basin geomorphometry and discharge in the Ikpa River. The basin was stratified into seven sub-units using [1] scheme. Geospatial tools were used in generating data for the digital elevation model, while dimensionless geomorphometric parameters were generated from topographic maps (sheet 322 NE; sheet 322 SE; sheet 323 SW; and sheet 331 NW) of the basin area drawn on a scale of 1.50,000. The sampled sub-basins were gauged and discharge measured by a surface float. Graphical analysis of discharge revealed wide variations between months and in seasons across sub-basins with the rainy season attracting highest volume of discharge and the corresponding fluvial processes. The regression analysis yields a coefficient of multiple determination (R) of 0.937, signifying a very high effect expressed by 87.8 of the proportion of variance in dimensionless geomorphometric parameters on discharge in Ikpa River Basin. Also, the computed F value yields 1.439, while the Table value tested at (0.05)5/2 confident level offers 19.30. The result led to the conclusion that variations in relief ratio, average bifurcation ratio, circularity ratio, elongation ratio and form factor have a significant effect on discharge in Ikpa River Basin. This paper recommends for prompt installations of state of the art river gauging and monitoring facilities to provide the needed information to the government, researchers, and individuals for the sustainable land and watershed development options (dam and irrigation) in the coastal plain of Ikpa River basin.
Managing Filling Stations Spatial Database Using an Innovative GIS Tool – Case Study Afipko City in Nigeria
Authors: Emakoji M. A. , Otah K. N.
Published: October 2019

With the Nigeria economy and her citizens over reliance on crude oil and its refined products, the use of petrol, diesel and kerosene in fuelling of generators and automobiles or for domestic cooking becomes very essential. Hence, constant visit to filling stations is necessary at one time or the other. This has in turn enthused the siting of so many filling stations and one is forced to wonder if they all complied with the standards required for their establishment. The question of where to buy fuel and which filling station is sited short of the regulatory standards can be appropriately answered using Geographic Information System (GIS). This study focuses on analysing the location of filling stations within Afikpo, in Ebonyi State Nigeria against the laws/regulations guiding their establishment. The coordinates of the filling stations were acquired with a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and plotted on a georeferenced map in ArcMap environment of ArcGIS 10.2 software. All the analyses were performed in the ArcMap environment using spatial analyst, spatial statistics and proximity tools available in the software. The findings revealed that the filling stations are spatially distributed in a dispersed pattern. The results of the analysis reveals that 44.4% of the filling stations did not meet the criteria of 15 meters minimum distance from the pump to the edge of the road. 22.2% of the filling stations were sited too close (lesser than 100 meters) to a health care centre. 66.7 % % did not meet the criteria of 400 meter minimum distance to other stations when located on the same road side (with no road separation). This database created on filling stations provides a platform to help policy makers (regulatory agencies) in planning, management and effective monitoring/supervision. It is there recommended that the regulatory bodies should be proactive in the discharge of their duties.
The Botany of Mungo Park’s Travels in Africa, 1795-1806
Authors: Wilson R. Trevor
Published: October 2019

Mungo Park journeyed through West Africa during 1795-1797 and 1805-1806.  The first journey was ostensibly purely geographical whereas the second journey was geographical plus the examination of British trade possibilities with the interior.  His main brief was to discover the source and outlet of the River Niger.  On both journeys he departed from the current Gambia, through Senegal and Mali the first time, and on to Niger and Nigeria the second.  He was the first European to see the Niger, at Segou (Mali), and noted its eastward flow (prior speculation considered it flowed westwards).  Botany was not in his brief but on both journeys he noted the vegetation and its use.  He brought new facts to Britain’s intellectual establishment including describing the preparation of indigo dye and its use in spinning and weaving.  His ‘discovery’ of the shea butter tree – given the specific epithet Butyrospermum parkii – is his outstanding contribution to botany.  He also contributed to science the locust bean Parkia biglobosa and another indigenous multipurpose tree Pterocarpus erinaceus.  Many of Park’s plants are important in regional agroforestry systems and continue to provide food and non wood forest products to the benefit of people and livestock.
Forest Core Demarcation Using Geo-Spatial Techniques: A Habitat Management Approach in Panchet Forest Division, Bankura, West Bengal, India
Authors: Mandal Mrinmay , Chatterjee Nilanjana Das
Published: October 2019

Habitat interior function effect from an area of specific edge depth in a forest patch. Every habitat has obviously an interior area, small or large size. Structurally it depends on the shape and edge depth ratio of the specific patch. The amount of habitat interior strengthens movement, connectivity, protection and availability of species, especially for large size animal. Habitat interior plays a vital role in sustaining their biological behaviour and activities. Forest habitat is developed by plantation after 1980 through different social forestry programs in Panchet Forest division. For this reason, forest cover is increased and it is spatially fragmented in nature. Fragmented habitat has a negative impact on forest interior. So demarcation of habitat interior or core is very urgent for biodiversity conservation and managing habitat structure. Thus the present study tries to investigate and identify the amount of habitat core using geospatial techniques and field verification. Major objectives are to suggest practical methods to increases the amount of interior as well as to minimize the gap between isolated patches to enhance the functional capability of habitat core in Panchet Forest Division under Bankura District.
Effect of Climate Change in the Stream Flow, Crop Yields and NP Levels at White Oak Bayou Watershed Using SWAT simulation: A Case Study
Authors: Magbalot-Fernandez Alminda , He Qianwen , Molkenthin Frank
Published: October 2019

Projected changes in temperature due to global climate change may have serious impacts on hydrologic processes, water resources availability, irrigation water demand, and thereby affecting the agricultural production and productivity. Therefore, understanding the impacts of climate change on crop production and water resources is of utmost importance for developing possible adaptation strategies. The White Oak Bayou, one of the several waterways that give Houston, Texas, United States its popular nickname "The Bayou City" was selected in this case study.

SWAT model is process based and can simulate the hydrological cycle, crop yield, soil erosion and nutrient transport. It is operated with an interface in ArcView GIS using raster or vector datasets including the digital elevation model (DEM), soil properties, vegetation, LULC, and meteorological observations observed which were derived from the Consortium for Geospatial Information, National Cooperative Soil Survey, National Land Cover Database 2006, NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis and USGS website in 2005-2008. The climate change scenario was based on the projected increase in temperature by the IPCC by 2100.

This case study showed a decrease in streamflow from observed actual scenario (2005-2008) to projected increase of 4°C temperature in future climate change scenario by 2100. The evapotranspiration increased but there was a decrease in surface runoff and percolation.

Moreover, there were greater average plant biomass and more average plant yields. Hence, the nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and removed in yield increased. Thus, the total nitrogen decreased while the total phosphorus is zero indicating loss of the Phosphorus content in the soil. Yet, this case study needs to be validated and calibrated with actual data to support the projected outcome.
Biostratigraphic and Paleoenvironmental Characterization of Cretaceous Carbonate Deposits in the Ivorian Offshore Sedimentary Basin, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Cyrille Yao Kouadio , Kouadio Gbangbot Jean-Michel , Eric Diangone , Sylvain Monde , Bruno Digbehi Zéli , Victor N’da Loukou
Published: October 2019

The biostratigraphic characterization of the Cretaceous carbonate levels of the offshore sedimentary basin of Côte d'Ivoire was made possible by a palynological and micropaleontological study of two drilling cutting (SN-X and DH-X). These sediments provided a rich microfauna consisting of species such as Ticinella madecassiana, Ticinella primula, Ticinella raynaudi and Ticinella roberti associated with a rich microflora composed of spores and pollen grains such as Appendicisporites potomacensis, Cicatricosisporites venustus, Appendicisporites baconicus, Ephedripites sp., Schizea certa and Elaterosporites klaszi characterizing the upper Albian.

This study highlights several stages including the Cenomanian foraminifera Globigerinelloides bentonensis, Globigerinelloides caseyi, and pollen grains Steevesipollenites cupuliformis, and Ephedripites barghornii and Turonian by the planktonic foraminifera Heterohelix moremani, Hedbergella planispira, Whiteinella archaeocretacea, Whiteinella baltica.

The lower Senonian is marked by the planktonic foraminifera Hedbergella delrioensis, Heterohelix globulosa, Heterohelix reussi, and the dynocyst Oligosphaeridium complex and Dinogymnium westralium. The Campanian is evidenced by the presence of the dinocysts Circulodinium distinctum and Hystrichodinium pulchrum.

Thanks to the lithological and biostratigraphic analysis of these carbonate sediments, the palaeo-provinces have been determined and are located in the internal, medium or external neritic domains. Massive limestones were established between the upper Albian and the lower Senonian. The matrix is generally present in the lower and medium Albian.  The full carbonate sedimentation occurs between the medium Albian and the lower Senonian, with a maximum in the upper Albian.
Identifying Climatic Variables with Rice Yield Relationship and Land Cover Change Detection at Sylhet Region
Authors: Uddin Gazi Tamiz , Hossain Md. Altaf , Ishaque Fahmida
Published: October 2019

The study is conducted to determine the correlation between climatic parameters and rice yield. The present study is also undertaken to analyze the land cover change in Sylhet district between 2013 and 2018 using LANDSAT-8 images. Local climate and rice yield data are collected from BMD (Bangladesh Meteorological Department) and BRRI (Bangladesh Rice Research Institute) and BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics). ArcGIS 10.5 and SPSS software are used to show the vegetation condition and correlation coefficient between rice yield and climatic variables respectively. It is revealed from the result that rainfall is negatively correlated with Aman and Boro (local and HYV) rice whereas temperature and relative humidity showed a positive correlation with local Aman and Boro rice. On the other hand, relative humidity showed a strong linear relationship with HYV Boro rice. Finally, both temperature and relative humidity have substantial effects on yields in the Boro rice. Furthermore, vegetation condition is observed through NDVI and found the moderate-high vegetation in 2013. After that NDVI value is fluctuating which evidently signifies the rapid vegetation cover change due to a flash flood, flood and other climate changing aspects. Additionally, Forested and high land vegetation’s are endangered rapidly. Some adaptation strategies should be followed to minimize the effects of natural calamities for improving better vegetation condition.
Assessment of Challenges Associated with Waste Disposal in Zuru Town, Kebbi State
Authors: Lami A. , Fada A. G. , Sanda H. Y.
Published: October 2019

The topic of environmental protection has attained highest importance in this era globally but the practices of basic concepts of waste disposal are often neglected. People around the globe are aware of the impact of improper waste disposal practices, but the negative attitude of implementation gives rise to chaotic situations. This study was conducted to assess the challenges associated with waste disposal in Zuru town, Kebbi state. This cross sectional study was conducted using a well-designed and validated questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was adopted to select three residential categories. After which Yamane’s formula was adopted to arrive at the sampling size of 312. The data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, Chi-square and ANOVA. The result shows that 58.3% of the respondents are female, 32.1% fall between the ages 30 and 39 years, while only 3.8% are above 60 years. Majority, (70.2%) possessed primary education; many (36.2%) are business personnel and only 9.6 of the respondents earn above ?100,000 per month. Result further shows that majority (80%) of the waste are non-biodegradable. Result also revealed that many (42.3%) of the households burns their waste. The result shows that 52.6% of households are ignorant of the problems associated with indiscriminate disposal of waste in the area while 47.4% claimed they are aware. A portion (61.2%) of the households identified environmental pollution as the major problem of indiscriminate waste disposal, 22.4% of the household claimed outbreak of diseases as the problem of indiscriminate waste disposal, 8.3% and 8.0% of them identified other problems and breeding of disease pathogens as the major problems of indiscriminate disposal of waste respectively. The level of ignorant of Zuru households about the problems associated with indiscriminate disposal of waste could be ascribed to inadequate sensitization about the menace of the improper disposal of waste in the area or low level of education. The study concludes that the waste generation from the different residential categories in Zuru town is both the biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The study recommends adequate sensitization on the menace of burning waste.
The Diagnostic Value of the Glucose Curve in Individuals with and without Diabetes
Authors: El-Gareb Mohamed S. , El-Naggar Mohamed N.
Published: October 2019

Aim: Of this study is to demonstrate the importance of glucose curve test in monitoring pre and post-meal variation in diabetic and normal individuals.

Methodology: The individuals subjected to this study mainly grouped in two categories the (DM2 group) and the (Control group), they instructed to came fasting at which blood sample will be collected in EDTA and blank tube then after 30 min. the first post-prandial blood sample collected and then after every 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 hours blood sample collected subsequently, then serum separated from each sample (except the EDTA tube) analysed biochemically for glucose and glycated haemoglobin HbA1c (from EDTA tube).

Result: We found that, the calculated glucose based on mean glycated haemoglobin HbA1c% results underestimate the real concentrations all over the glucose curve in control group but in DM2 group it underestimate the mean and some actually measured concentration in some points of the curve which adds more burden on the diabetic patient and the responsibility of adjusting the dose and time of administration.

Conclusion: from our prospect we recommend the use of blood glucose curve as a monitoring and diagnostic tool generally for glucose metabolism in normal, pre-diabetic, diabetic and uncontrolled diabetic patients before and during therapeutic conditions.
A Substrate Made from Açaí Berry Waste Used in the Production of Aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) Seedlings
Authors: Andrade Lima Roldão Carlos , Freitas Adriana de Sousa , Linhares Andressa Layane Ferreira , Costa Neiva Bianca Pinheiro da , Silva Brito Sousa Brunna Tavares da , Lucena Vidal Kaio , Angelo Dalton Henrique , Da Silva Wilson Araujo
Published: October 2019

The açaí berry processing activity generates a large amount of waste that is a problem in several cities, mainly in the Amazon region of Brazil, due to the large production of açaí juice. This study aimed to reuse the waste from açaí berry’s processing as a substrate in the production of aroeira native seedlings, studying the effects of its application and evaluating the morphological parameters results. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse in the city of Imperatriz - MA, with waste collection carried out in 2015. After collection, part of the waste was charred and transformed into the substrate through grinding and sieving. Subsequently, the substrates were mixed with the local soil in different proportions. Thus, the 9 treatments were obtained. To test the substrate the native aroeira species was used. The effects of different treatments were evaluated 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after germination, by plant height (H), neck diameter (ND) and leaf number (NL). The results showed that the use of this residue is not promising as a substrate because they do not have good performances for the parameters evaluated in the seedlings.
Effectiveness Test of Orchid Mycorrhizal Isolate (Ceratorhiza and Trichoderma) Indonesia and Its Role as a Biofertilizer
Authors: . Mahfut , Daryono Budi Setiadi , Indrianto Ari , Somowiyarjo Susamto
Published: October 2019

Aim: The existence of Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi (OMF) has a role to stimulate growth and support the supply of orchid nutrition as a biofertilizer agent. This study aimed to determine the association of mycorrhizal with Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume which was carried out through the effectiveness test of two Indonesian orchid mycorrhizal isolates i.e. Ceratorhiza and Trichoderma.

Study Design: This study consisted of 4 treatments. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, each repetition of 5 plantlets, so that the total plantlet used was 60.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, between June 2017 and April 2018.

Methodology: The method of inoculating orchid mycorrhizal by placing a plantlet in a petri dish containing orchid mycorrhizal for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days. Then plantlets are grown on sterile moss growing media and acclimatized in a greenhouse. Observation of each treatment is carried out every day for the next month. Observation variables include the number of initial and final roots, the number of live and dead roots, and the number of living and dead plants.

Results: The results of the orchid mycorrhizal induction test showed that the Ceratorhiza inoculation treatment showed a fluctuation in the mean increase in the number of final roots, live roots, dead roots, and dead plantlets that were higher than the Trichoderma inoculation treatment. The results also showed that the best inoculation time on Ceratorhiza and Trichoderma was day 3 and 4. The adaptation process had the effect of increasing the number of dead roots in weeks 1 and 2. The adaptation process stopped at the beginning of week 4 with the number of new roots appearing a lot.

Conclusion: Orchid mycorrhizal Ceratorhiza shows the value of effectiveness test compared with Trichoderma. The results of this study are expected to be basic information in efforts to cultivate natural orchids in Indonesia.
Correlation between Morphological Architecture of Rice Seed and Transmission of Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Akter Arju , Rasal-Monir Md. , Dola Nabila Sultana , Jahan Usha Meer Rifath , Bazlur Rashid A. Q. M.
Published: October 2019

A total of ten rice (Oryza sativa L) seed samples of variety BR 28 were collected from the farmers of (Salakandi, Boira) Mymensingh,Bangladesh. Prevalence of fungi was recorded as Bipolaris oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium moniliforme,through blotter test. Statistically B. oryzae wasrecorded as the highest prevalent fungus in all the seed samples of various architectural categories of seeds such as large (14.5%), medium (9.5%), small (11.5%) followed by (14.5%) and (4.5%), respectively in shriveled and chaffy seeds. While in large, medium and small seeds F. moniliforme was recorded significantly as the least prevalent pathogen. The effect of colour on the transmission of B. oryzae was recorded as the highest in number in case of bright seeds (8.5%) and spotted seeds (dark brown) (17.5%). The effect of smooth and rough surface on the prevalence of fungal pathogen B. oryzae was recorded as the highest in number in case of awnned seed (21.5%), smooth surface (12.25%) and rough surface seeds (18.5%). The regression equations of the fungal pathogens indicate that the morphological architecture of the seeds shape & size, colour and smooth and roughness significantly correlated with the transmission of pathogens Statistically, the highest germination of seeds was recorded in the medium sized (83.5%). The highest germination of seed was recorded in the spotted seed (69.5%). The minimum germination of seed was recorded in the bright colour seed. The highest germination of seed was recorded in the awnned seed (59.5%) followed by smooth surface (37.5%) and rough surface (53.5%). These results obviously indicate the tangible effect of the seed architecture at the transmission of the fungal pathogens affecting the planting value as well as germination of the rice seeds.
Extinction and Stationary Distribution of a Stochastic SIRS Epidemic Model Incorporating Media Coverage
Authors: N'zi Eric , N'zi Modeste
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we include stochastic perturbation into SIRS epidemic model incorporating media coverage and study their dynamics. Our model is obtained by taking into account both for demographic stochasticity and environmental fluctuations on contact rate before alert media β1. First, we show that the model is biologically well-posed by proving the global existence, positivity and boundedness of solution . Then, sufficient conditions for the extinction of infectious diseaseis proved. We also established sufficient conditions for the existence of an ergodic stationary distribution to the model. Finally, the theoretical results are illustrated by numerical simulations; in addition we show that the media coverage can reduce the peak of infective individuals via numerical simulations.
Path Coefficient Analysis of Some Prominent Agronomic Traits in Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Germplasm
Authors: Mullualem Atinafu Destaw , Alayachew Shiferaw Alemu , Jida Zerihun
Published: October 2019

Background and Objective: Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a diploid plant with chromosome number of 2n=20 which belongs to family of Euphorbiaceous and genus Ricinus.  Correlation alone is not efficient for variability studies. So, it should be in conjugation with Path co- efficient analysis to know the direct and indirect effects. This study was conducted to assess the role of evaluating path coefficient analysis in castor.

Materials and Methods: A Field experiment was carried out to determine direct and indirect effects of yield and its components in castor accessions at Melkassa, central rift valley of Ethiopia under irrigation in 2014. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with 3 replications and a total of 48 castor accessions were evaluated.

Results: Number of capsules per plant, number of primary branches per plant, length of inter node and hundred seed weight had exerted positive direct effect for both at phenotypic and genotypic path analysis.Phenotypic and genotypic path analysis showed that the number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, length of inter node, days to 50% second flowering and seed yield exhibited positive direct effect on oil content. 

Conclusion: Thus, traits like number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, length of inter nod and days to 50% second flowering should be given emphasis in improving seed yield.
Check-in Services and Passengers’ Impression of Airports in South-south Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Felix John Eze, , Juliet John Inyang,
Published: October 2019

The study examined check-in service quality attributes and passengers' impression of airports in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The research was motivated by the desire to know how well passengers' impression of Nigerian airport service quality have been shaped by four check-in service attributes (competence of staff, politeness of staff, waiting time at check-in counters and interactions with passengers). The study used stratified random sampling to survey four hundred passengers at Port Harcourt International Airport and Margaret Ekpo International Airport. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The instrument was content-validated, while the Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the constructs gave reliability of 96.9 per cent. The data generated were analysed using mean rating and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that politeness of staff, waiting time at check-in counters and interactions with passengers significantly influenced passengers' impression of airports in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study recommended that Airport management should regularly train frontline staff on customer service communication skills; provide feedback mechanisms such as voice recorders and CCTV cameras to check front-line interactions with passengers, and automate the check-in process as is obtainable in developed countries to reduce the waiting time at check-in counters. These will ensure and improve passengers’ perception and patronage of aviation services in the zone, locally and internationally.
‘Exquisite Atmography’: theories of the world and experiences of the weather in a diary of 1703
Authors: GOLINSKI JAN
Published: July 2002

This paper describes and analyses a hitherto unknown document of considerable historical significance: a narrative diary of the weather for every day of the year 1703. Available evidence enables us to assign the authorship of the document, with a high degree of probability, to an Oxford graduate residing in rural Worcestershire. The text presents plentiful natural philosophical speculations about the causes of meteorological phenomena, drawing both upon the ideas of leading scientific thinkers and upon vernacular lore concerning the weather. Furthermore, the diarist composed a remarkably personal document, in a richly descriptive style, cataloguing his physiological and emotional reactions to prevailing weather conditions. The document thus represents an empathic and discursive style of meteorology, an alternative to the contemporary efforts to establish objective weather records that have previously been recognized by historians.

Oft, as he travers'd the coerulean field,

And mark'd the Clouds that drove before the wind;

Ten thousand glorious systems would he build,

Ten thousand great ideas fill'd his mind;

But with the clouds they fled, and left no trace behind!

James Thomson, The Castle of Indolence (1748).
OPTIMIZING TIME DISTRIBUTION OF WATER SUPPLY AND FERTILIZER NITROGEN RATES IN RELATION TO TARGETED WHEAT YIELDS
Authors: SANDHU K. S. , ARORA V. K. , CHAND RAMESH , SANDHU B. S. , KHERA K. L.
Published: July 2002

Long-term field experiments were conducted at six different sites (representing dryland and irrigated environments) with wheat (Triticum aestivum) on sandy loam soils to generate a database relating available water supply and fertilizer nitrogen (N) rate to grain yield. Step-wise multiple regression analysis showed that water supply and fertilizer N at more than 53 cm a−1 and 103 kg ha−1 a−1 were unproductive. A method, based on the principle of equi-marginal productivity of water in different periods of crop growth, has been used to estimate the optimum allocation of the variable amounts of water supply over the growing season. The optimized quantities of water in different periods of crop growth were then employed to compute fertilizer N requirement to achieve a given yield target. For medium grain yield targets (4–5 t ha−1), the range of substitution between fertilizer N and water for efficient resource use was quite wide.
MULTI-SITE TIME-TREND ANALYSIS OF SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON CROP PRODUCTION IN SUB-SAHARAN WEST AFRICA
Authors: Buerkert A. , Piepho H.-P. , Bationo A.
Published: July 2002

Soil fertility constraints to crop production have been recognized widely as a major obstacle to food security and agro-ecosystem sustainability in sub-Saharan West Africa. As such, they have led to a multitude of research projects and policy debates on how best they should be overcome. Conclusions, based on long-term multi-site experiments, are lacking with respect to a regional assessment of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer effects, surface mulched crop residues, and legume rotations on total dry matter of cereals in this region. A mixed model time-trend analysis was used to investigate the effects of four nitrogen and phosphorus rates, annually applied crop residue dry matter at 500 and 2000 kg ha−1, and cereal-legume rotation versus continuous cereal cropping on the total dry matter of cereals and legumes. The multi-factorial experiment was conducted over four years at eight locations, with annual rainfall ranging from 510 to 1300 mm, in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Togo. With the exception of phosphorus, treatment effects on legume growth were marginal. At most locations, except for typical Sudanian sites with very low base saturation and high rainfall, phosphorus effects on cereal total dry matter were much lower with rock phosphate than with soluble phosphorus, unless the rock phosphate was combined with an annual seed-placement of 4 kg ha−1 phosphorus. Across all other treatments, nitrogen effects were negligible at 500 mm annual rainfall but at 900 mm, the highest nitrogen rate led to total dry matter increases of up to 77% and, at 1300 mm, to 183%. Mulch-induced increases in cereal total dry matter were larger with lower base saturation, reaching 45% on typical acid sandy Sahelian soils. Legume rotation effects tended to increase over time but were strongly species-dependent.
Dynamics of the hobo transposable element in transgenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: LADEVEZE V. , AULARD S. , CHAMINADE N. , BIEMONT C. , PERIQUET G. , LEMEUNIER F.
Published: July 2002

The impact of the hobo transposable element in global reorganization of the Drosophila melanogaster genome has been investigated in transgenic lines generated by injection of hobo elements into the Hikone strain, which lacked them. In the present extensive survey, the chromosomal distribution of hobo insertion sites in the line 28 was found to be homogeneous and similar for all chromosomal arms, except 3L, when compared with other transgenic lines. However, some original features were observed in this line at the genetic and chromosomal levels. Several hotspots of insertion sites were observed on the X, second and third chromosomes. Five sites with a high frequency of hobo insertions were present on the 3L arm in most individuals tested, suggesting the action of selection for hobo element in some sites. The presence of doublets or triplet was also observed, implying that hobo inserts can show local jumps or insertions in preferred regions. This local transposition occurred independently in 11 specific genomic regions in many individuals and generations. The dynamics of this phenomenon were analysed across generations. These results support the use of the hobo system as an important tool in fundamental and applied Drosophila genetics.
Comparison of methods for regression interval mapping in

QTL analysis with non-normal traits
Authors: REBAÏ AHMED
Published: July 2002

We compare the powers of three methods for the QTL analysis of

non-normally distributed traits.

We describe the nonparametric and the logistic regression approaches recently

proposed in the

literature and study the properties of the standard regression interval
mapping

method when the

trait is not normally distributed. It is shown that the standard approach
is

robust against non-normality and behaves quite well for both continuous
and

discrete characters. The loss of power

compared with the nonparametric or the logistic approach is generally minor.

Moreover, the least

squares estimation procedure of the regression interval mapping is not
affected

by departure from

normality. The use of other approaches could be restricted to extreme cases

where the trait distribution is very skewed.
Homogeneity in the structure of the medaka fish
transposable element Tol2
Authors: KOGA AKIHIKO , HORI HIROSHI
Published: July 2002

The hAT family is a group of transposable elements of
the terminal inverted repeat class, which
includes Ac of maize, hobo of Drosophila and
Tam3
of Antirrhinum (snapdragon). All the members
of this family so far examined are known to comprise complete and defective
copies, with a good
correspondence to autonomous and non-autonomous elements, respectively.
Internal deletion is the
most common cause of defective copies. Tol2, a transposable element

of the medaka fish Oryzias
latipes, is a member of the hAT family. We examined, mainly
by the genomic Southern blot
analysis, variation in the structure of copies of this element, and revealed
that there are few or no
internally deleted copies. This situation is unusual in a member of the
hAT family. Possible causes
of this anomaly are discussed.
DIPLOMATIC HISTORY AS A FIELD FOR CULTURAL ANALYSIS: MUSLIM–CHRISTIAN RELATIONS IN TUNIS, 1700–1840
Authors: WINDLER CHRISTIAN
Published: July 2002

Diplomatic documents which record the relationship between France and the court of the bey of Tunis from the late seventeenth century to the mid-nineteenth century offer a unique source to understand the way in which cultures with very different assumptions meet and adapt to each other. The ceremonies of submission and reverence had to be adapted to meet European understandings of the state and nation while taking account of Muslim attitudes to infidels. The French Revolution introduced new criteria and new tensions which continued to vex relations into the nineteenth century. This double mirror of ‘Otherness’ raises interesting questions about the nature of culture and how cultures prove to be very flexible in practice. In spite of the dichotomization of the Others as strangers, there was agreement on common norms governing social situations where actors effectively interacted.
NINETEENTH-CENTURY GERMAN CITIZENSHIPS: A RECONSIDERATION
Authors: FAHRMEIR ANDREAS K.
Published: July 2002

According to the prevalent view, German citizenship was acquired

only by descent from

German citizens from the early nineteenth century onwards. This article

argues, however, that a

complete reading of the available sources suggests that citizenship was

linked to the place of permanent

residence in post-1815 legislation, and that the regulation of citizenship

was a state responsibility, not

one of the powers of the Germanic Confederation. The central points

of citizenship law remained

unchanged by the 1848 revolution and the unification of German states in

1866 and 1871, so that the

increasing emphasis on descent in the 1913 Citizenship Act reflected a
new

departure rather than a traditional German concept of nationality.
THE RISE OF EDWARD COLMAN
Authors: BARCLAY ANDREW
Published: July 2002

This article establishes for the first time the identity of Edward
Colman, the Catholic
courtier executed for treason in 1678. Discoveries about his background
are used to show how he made
his way into court circles in the 1660s, at an earlier date than has usually
been assumed. It is suggested
that his cousin, Richard Colman, may have been the person who introduced
him to the duke of York.
Another relative, William Battie, also had connections at court, but he
and Colman later quarrelled
over the issue of religious toleration. Thereafter, Bishop Compton acted
as Battie's patron to further
the campaign by himself and the earl of Danby against Colman and the other
court Catholics.
Social Mobility and Class Formation: The Worklife Social Mobility of Men in a New Zealand Suburb, 1902–1928
Authors: Olssen Erik , James Hamish
Published: July 2002

This paper explores the relationship between social mobility and class formation in a working-class industrial suburb. By establishing the degree of class closure in three periods we can identify the relationship between the country's political history, dominated by the rise of a left-wing Labour Party, and the changing levels of closure. Labour established itself during a period of low mobility then stalled when mobility increased sharply in the 1920s. Comparison with the mobility rates for cities in other countries allows further analysis of the relationship between social structure and political behaviour. Our evidence indicates that voters were not unconscious of the shifting patterns of class rigidity.
BLANTYRE TRANSFORMED: CLASS, CONFLICT AND NATIONALISM IN URBAN MALAWI
Authors: McCRACKEN JOHN
Published: July 2002

There are good reasons why the remarkable outpouring of work on

Southern African urban history that has taken place over the last twenty

years has largely bypassed Malawi. To the overwhelmingly rural character

of the Malawi economy must be added the weak impact of settler colonialism

in the interwar period and hence the failure of Blantyre, one of the oldest

colonial settlements in Central Africa, with a history going back to the

foundation of the Blantyre mission in 1876, to develop as a substantial

commercial centre. This feature was reinforced in turn by Sir Harry
Johnston's decision, taken in 1891, to site the colonial capital at
Zomba and
by the construction in 1907 at Limbe, five miles from Blantyre, of the
railway
terminus for the protectorate.

Urban development in Malawi was therefore not concentrated on a single

dominant commercial and administrative centre, as was the case in neighbouring

Tanganyika. Rather it was split between three equally impoverished
settlements, containing small populations ranging in size in 1945 from

approximately 4,600 in Blantyre and Zomba to 7,100 in Limbe. Far more
Malawians, in consequence, experienced urban culture as labour migrants
in
Johannesburg or Salisbury, where an estimated 10,000 Malawians were
living in 1938, than they did working at home.
Effects of salinity on growth, shoot water relations and
root hydraulic conductivity in tomato plants
Authors: RODRIGUEZ P. , DELL'AMICO J. , MORALES D. , SÁNCHEZ BLANCO M. J. , ALARCÓN J. J.
Published: July 2002

Growth, shoot water relations and root hydraulic conductivity were
studied in tomato plants
(Lycopersicon esculentum cv. INCA9) subjected to different salt
concentrations in the root medium.
Two experiments were carried out at Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas
(INCA), Cuba, during
May and June 1995. In the first experiment, plants were grown for 13 days in a
nutrient solution with
0 or 100 mM NaCl. In the second experiment, the hydraulic conductivity
was measured on roots
submerged in nine different concentrations of NaCl up to 200 mM. The
effect of temperature
treatments between 0 and 50 °C on root hydraulic conductivity was also examined.
Shoot growth, leaf
water potential, leaf stomatal conductance, leaf relative water content and
root hydraulic conductivity
values decreased more rapidly in the treated plants than in control plants. A
strong correlation was
found between the root hydraulic conductivity and leaf water parameters, indicating
that water flow
through the roots was the main factor controlling shoot water relations.
Discrepancies between observed and predicted growth

stages in wheat
Authors: KIRBY E. J. M. , WEIGHTMAN R. M.
Published: July 2002

A model to predict wheat growth stage is briefly described. It
is

based on prediction of the number

of emerged leaves and the final number of leaves on the main shoot, and

the co-ordination between

leaf emergence and apex development, including stem elongation. The input

variables are daily

maximum and minimum temperatures, date of sowing and site latitude, from

which thermal time, vernalization and daylength are calculated.

Selected growth stages were predicted for six sites in each of three

growing seasons. The differences

between observations made by independent observers and predictions were

mostly 7 days or less but

in three site–season combinations the average difference was >10
days.

Observer errors were

implicated and examined, but it is concluded that the prediction scheme
must

also have been partly responsible for the discrepancies.
Effectiveness, competitiveness and persistence of

inoculant Rhizobium for perennial African clovers in a

highland Vertisol
Authors: LUPWAYI N. Z. , HAQUE I. , HOLL F. B.
Published: July 2002

The effectiveness of 20 strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum
bv.

trifolii was evaluated with Trifolium

semipilosum and T. burchellianum grown in a Vertisol soil

in the glasshouse at the International

Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa. Several effective

strains were identified for both

species. In T. semipilosum, inoculation significantly increased

nodule DM and root N yield over the

uninoculated control; Ethiopian Rhizobium isolates outperformed

isolates from other sources for

shoot DM and N yield. In T. burchellianum, contrast analysis revealed

that there was no significant

response to inoculation, although one effective strain was identified.

Inoculant strains failed to

overcome the competitive dominance of indigenous strains as reflected in

mean nodule occupancies

by inoculant strains of 15 and 7% in T. semipilosum and T.

burchellianum, respectively. The 20 strains

showed variable persistence following a 5-week drought period; only two
of eight

(T. semipilosum)

and six of eight (T. burchellianum) strains were recovered

from nodules on seedlings planted in the

soil following the drought period. Overcoming the constraints of low nodule

occupancy and variable

persistence will require further understanding of the competitive interaction

and the factors affecting

access to nodule infection sites if superior Rhizobium–clover

combinations are to be identified and developed.
A 6-year comparison of nitrate leaching from
grass/clover and N-fertilized grass pastures grazed by sheep
Authors: CUTTLE S. P. , SCURLOCK R. V. , DAVIES B. M. S.
Published: July 2002

Nitrate leaching was measured over a 3-year period from rotationally

grazed perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne L.) pasture receiving 200 kg fertilizer-N/ha

and from similarly grazed ryegrass/white
clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture that received no N fertilizer.

The results are discussed together
with those from the same plots in the preceding 3 years when they
were stocked continuously. Under
both managements, the numbers of grazing sheep were adjusted on the basis
of the quantity of
herbage available on the plots. During the whole 6 years, mean
nitrate concentrations in soil water
collected by porous cup samplers remained below the European Union
limit of 11·3 mg N/l except
for the fertilized grass plots in year 5 of the study. Quantities of
nitrate leached ranged from 6 to
34 kg/ha per year from the grass/clover plots and 2·46 kg/ha

from the fertilized plots. Leaching
losses from both types of pasture were positively correlated with
the numbers of lamb grazing days
in the later part of the grazing season. This relationship and the
high spatial variability associated
with the measurements indicated that N derived from excreta was the main

source of leached nitrate.
It was concluded that, where pastures of equal productivity are compared,

similar quantities of N are
likely to be leached from grass/clover swards as from grass swards
receiving N fertilizer.
The New Roman Empire: European Envisionings and American Premillennialists
Authors: HERMAN DIDI
Published: July 2002

A unified Europe – the economic and political powerhouse of the world – looms
just over the horizon. All that is lacking is a strong personality to galvanise and
unify the various factions on the continent. And that person is coming!

Charles Dyer, World News and Bible Prophecy (1993, 206)

The subject of Europe, its history, politics, and integration, is an
important area of study across a range of academic disciplines and
professional spheres. Theorists and policy-makers alike have made
European developments, particularly the elements of union, a key area of
inquiry. This article seeks to explore a somewhat neglected field of
analysis – the influence of religion in shaping understandings of Europe.
In contrast to much work on Europe, my focus here is on the European
perspective of a particular group of outsiders: conservative, premillennial
Protestants in the United States.