bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wx gene polymorphism in winter triticale collection samples
Authors: Levchenko O.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of the study was to identify the collection of winter triticale in the allelic state of the waxi-genes and to identify sources with the presence of waxi-alleles for these genes. The surveys were conducted over 2017–2019 at the NSc Institute of Agriculture. The subject of the research are 43 collection samples of winter triticale, 29 of which are numbers of own breeding, 14 – breeding varieties of the National Institute of Agriculture of NAAS (9) and scientifi c institutions of Poland (1) and the Russian Federation (4). For control, we used soft winter waxy-wheat Sofi yka and wheat with wild of starch Oksana. Field, laboratory (infrared spectrometry, light
microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) methods, weights and mathematical and statistical methods of research were used to evaluate the collection material.
According to the results of molecular genetic analysis of the Wx gene polymorphism in the winter triticale collection samples, it was found that all the tested samples had wild type alleles according to the Wx-B1 gene and were characterized by the absence of the Wx-D1 gene. The Wx-A1 gene revealed samples with both wild-type alleles and presence in the genome of the wax-allele. 8 collections with Wx-A1 gene alleles were selected: selection numbers 141, 153, 201, 223, 229 and varieties Lubomir, Petrol and Poliskii 7.
The selected samples varied signifi cantly in terms of such characteristics as grain productivity, weight of 1000 grains, starch content. The tendency to decrease the size of the granules and increase the evenness of the granulometric structure of the starch in the samples with the presence of the wax-allele of the Wx-A1 gene was established. Wx-A1 gene allele samples are valuable starting material for the creation of new winter triticale varieties with increased amylopectin starch suitable for bioethanol processing.
Key words: winter triticale, bioethanol, starch, polymerase chain reaction, amylopectin, amylose, allelic state of wax genes, waxi-allele, wild type.
KENTSEL DIŞ MEKÂNLARDAN PARKLARA ERGONOMİK STANDARTLAR ÇERÇEVESİNDEN BİR BAKIŞ; KONYA ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: ARAT Yavuz , BULANIK Merve
Published: July 2020

Kentsel dış mekânlar arasında yer
alan parklar; insanların toplanma, dinlenme, eğlenme gibi birçok aktiviteyi
yapıp sosyalleşmesine olanak sağlayan açık ve/veya yarı açık alanlardır. Kentlerin,
tarih boyunca değişim gösteren sosyo-kültürel yapı ve kullanıcı ihtiyaçlarına
paralel olarak birçok kez değişime uğramış veya uğrayacak olması doğal olarak
kentlerle beraber bu alanların değişimini de kaçınılmaz kılmıştır. İnsanlar
kadar kent kimliği üzerinde de etkisi olan bu açık ya da yarı açık alanlar ile
alanlarda kullanılan donatıların hem kullanıcılara uygun olacak şekilde
tasarlanıp uygulanması hem de kentin estetik değerine katkı sağlayacak yenilik
ve nitelikte olması gerekmektedir. Kullanıcı istek ve gereksinmeleri ön planda
tutularak oluşan bu alanların yer seçiminden, uygulanmasına birçok değişkene
maruz kalarak gelişimini sürdürdüğü düşünülmektedir. Tüm bu yaklaşımlar
ışığında yeni nesil uygulanan kentsel dış mekân olan parkların kullanıcı
üzerinden değerlendirmesi düşünülmüş, bu kapsamda Konya kentinde uygulanmış üç
adet kentsel park seçilmiştir. Konya kent merkezinde yakın dönemde faaliyete
giren ve belli konseptler çerçevesinde oluşturulan üç adet kentsel ölçekte
faaliyet gösteren parklardan; “Selçuklu Kanyon Park, Meram Millet Bahçesi ve 80
Binde Devr-i Âlem Parkı” çalışma kapsamında ayrıntılı olarak incelenmiştir.
Seçilen bu parklar kentsel dış mekân niteliğinde, çevresel etki değeri olan,
büyük ölçekli nitelikli açık, yarı açık ve kapalı hacimlere sahip olan
alanlardır. Bu alanlar üzerinden parkların tasarım kriterleri, yenilikçi
yaklaşımları ve parklarda yer alan donatıların ergonomik ve antropometrik
standartlara göre uygunluğu; proje, görsel-yazılı bilgi ve alanda yapılan gözlem,
fotoğraflama, ölçümler ışığında değerlendirilmiştir.
Carvacrol essential oil stimulates growth performance, immune response, and tolerance of Nile tilapia to Cryptococcus uniguttulatus infection
Authors: Mahboub HH , Tartor YH
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the antifungal activity of 5 essential oils (EOs) towards yeasts recovered from diseased fishes; and focused on the efficacy of one EO (carvacrol) on growth performance, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus against Cryptococcus uniguttulatus challenge. Thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and cinnamon were first tested in vitro against 20 clinical yeast strains in comparison with antifungal drugs (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, and clotrimazole) using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. For the in vivo challenge, fish (n = 150) were divided into 5 groups (carvacrol prophylaxis, carvacrol treatment, itraconazole treatment, unchallenged control, and positive control; 30 fish group-1) with 3 replicates. Phagocytic activity, reactive oxygen species production, reactive nitrogen species production, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme activity, and total immunoglobulins were tested before and after challenge. Relative percent survival (RPS) and mortality percent were determined as indicators for functional immunity. EOs displayed divergent degrees of antifungal activity, and carvacrol was the most effective against the tested yeasts. The dietary additive of carvacrol significantly enhanced growth performance, all immunological parameters, and the RPS values (90%) compared to other treatments. This unique experimental model indicates that carvacrol seems promising not only for enhancing immunity and promoting fish growth, but also for controlling emerging fungal infections. Future studies should investigate different concentrations of carvacrol as well as its antifungal activity in different fish species.
High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana: potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants
Authors: Matsche MA , Blazer VS , Pulster EL , Mazik PM
Published: July 2020

Recent surveys of white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, USA, revealed a high prevalence of hepatic and biliary lesions, including neoplasia, and bile duct parasites. Here, we describe lesions in the liver and gallbladder and evaluate for statistical associations among lesions, parasites, and biomarkers of chemical exposure in fish from 2 tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. Fish were collected from an estuarine site in the Choptank River (n = 122, ages 3-11), a tributary with extensive agriculture within the watershed, and the Severn River (n = 131, ages 2-16), a tributary with extensive urban development. Passive integrative samplers were deployed at the fish collection site and an upstream, non-tidal site in each river for 30 d. Intrahepatic biliary lesions observed in fish from both rivers included neoplasia (23.3%), dysplasia (16.2%), hyperplasia (46.6%), cholangitis (24.9%), and dilated ducts containing plasmodia of Myxidium sp. (24.9%). Hepatocellular lesions included foci of hepatocellular alteration (FHA, 15.8%) and neoplasia in 4 Severn River fish (2.3%). Age of fish and Myxidium sp. infections were significant risk factors for proliferative and neoplastic biliary lesions, age alone was a risk factor for FHA, and Goussia bayae infections were associated with cholangitis and cholecystitis. Lesion prevalence was higher in fish from the Severn River, which contained higher concentrations of PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, and brominated diphenyl ethers. Metabolite biomarkers indicated higher PAH exposures in Severn River fish. This study suggests Myxidium sp. as a promoter of bile duct tumors, but more data are needed to evaluate the biological effects of environmental contaminants in this species.
Ensemble Random Forests as a tool for modeling rare occurrences
Authors: Siders ZA , Ducharme-Barth ND , Carvalho F , Kobayashi D , Martin S , Raynor J , Jones TT , Ahrens RNM
Published: July 2020

Relative to target species, priority conservation species occur rarely in fishery interactions, resulting in imbalanced, overdispersed data. We present Ensemble Random Forests (ERFs) as an intuitive extension of the Random Forest algorithm to handle rare event bias. Each Random Forest receives individual stratified randomly sampled training/test sets, then down-samples the majority class for each decision tree. Results are averaged across Random Forests to generate an ensemble prediction. Through simulation, we show that ERFs outperform Random Forest with and without down-sampling, as well as with the synthetic minority over-sampling technique, for highly class imbalanced to balanced datasets. Spatial covariance greatly impacts ERFs’ perceived performance, as shown through simulation and case studies. In case studies from the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery, giant manta rayMobula birostrissyn.Manta birostrisand scalloped hammerheadSphyrna lewinipresence had high spatial covariance and high model test performance, while false killer whalePseudorca crassidenshad low spatial covariance and low model test performance. Overall, we find ERFs have 4 advantages: (1) reduced successive partitioning effects; (2) prediction uncertainty propagation; (3) better accounting for interacting covariates through balancing; and (4) minimization of false positives, as the majority of Random Forests within the ensemble vote correctly. As ERFs can readily mitigate rare event bias without requiring large presence sample sizes or imparting considerable balancing bias, they are likely to be a valuable tool in bycatch and species distribution modeling, as well as spatial conservation planning, especially for protected species where presence can be rare.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVERSOWN TUSSOCK COUNTRY
Authors: Snow R.M.
Published: July 2020

MORVEN HILLS is situated 42 miles north-east of Cromwell on the Cromwell-Timaru state highway. The aspect of the country is one-third south-west, and the remainder northeast to north-west. Altitude ranges from 1,500 to 5,500 ft a.s.1. Annual rainfall is approximately 22 in. but appears to be increasing. The area of Morven Hills is 35,000 acres of which 3,500 have been oversown, nearly all with seed as well as super-phosphate.
ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF FARMING DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Plunkett H.J.
Published: July 2020

"THE COUNTRY needs overseas funds." This is a plea that is often heard and is akin to the statements that all drgland needs irrigation, and all farmers Rolls Royces. A logical approach to the subject of overseas funds is to determine what could be done if overseas funds were available and what has got to be sacrificed to obtain them.
THE SOILS OF CENTRAL OTAGO
Authors: Leamy M.L.
Published: July 2020

THE rocks and soils of Central Otago have fascinated men for more than 100 years, partly because they are such obvious features of an unusual landscape, but also because both have proved to be a source of wealth. The spectacular but short-lived harvest of gold served to open up the region to men who readily appreciated that the soils could be persuaded to yield much more than just this one, fickle, metallic crop. That their judgement was sound is indicated by the diverse and abundant agriculture flourishing in Central Otago today.
PENGEMBANGAN SUMBER DAYA APARATUR INSPEKTORAT DAERAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN FUNGSI PENGAWASAN INTERNAL PEMERINTAHAN DAERAH DI KABUPATEN MANGGARAI PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR
Authors: Tefa Gradiana , Hasibuan Alpius Natanael Jhonhannes
Published: July 2020

The implementation of the regional government is the implementation of all the main tasks and functions of the regional government. In carrying out the main tasks and functions of the regional government, supervision is needed. Supervision is carried out so that the administration of government functions is in accordance with what has been planned and runs according to the established path. This supervision needs to be done by competent people in their field in accordance with the ones being supervised so that the administration of regional government runs as expected. The theory or concept used in this study is a theory according to Robbins regarding the development of apparatus resources which are limited by education and training and also according to Makmur about internal supervision. Internal supervision is seen from repressive supervision and preventive supervision The research results of the authors in the field are that the state civil apparatus in the Manggarai Regency Inspectorate is still very poor in terms of the quantity and quality of the apparatus. The resources of the apparatus at the Inspectorate are still very much needed to be developed so that the implementation of the function of overseeing the implementation of regional government in the Manggarai Regency can be carried out properly and in accordance with what is expected. Even so, the implementation of supervision has been carried out maximally and has good results. This good supervision can be seen from the predicate obtained by Manggarai Regency, namely reasonable exceptions (WDP). This predicate is very good because if you look at the comparison between the apparatus resources the Inspectorate and the objects examined are very striking inequality. Keywords: development, apparatus resource, internal oversight function.
PERANAN BADAN KEPEGAWAIAN DAN PENGEMBANGAN SUMBER DAYA MANUSIA DALAM PENEMPATAN PEJABAT STRUKTURAL DI KABUPATEN ALOR PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR
Authors: Fatimah Yeti
Published: July 2020

Employee placement in Indonesia has not yet fully applied the principle of “The Right Man On The Right Place”. This causes the performance of government employees and organizations are not optimal. On this basis, the author wants to know the role of the Human Resources and Human Resources Development Agency in the placement of Structural Officials, the obstacles encountered and efforts to overcome these problems based on the Law of the Republic of Indonesia number 5 of 2014 and the opinion of Soekanto 2009 (212-213) relating to the role of the Personnel Agency and the Development of Apparatus Resources in the placement of structural officials. This research uses a qualitative method with an inductive approach. Data collection uses observation, interview and documentation techniques. While in analyzing data, the authors use data eduction techniques, data display and verification. Results of the Discussion, the Human Resources and Human Resources Development Agency of Alor Regency of NTT has performed its role well, namely to propose the placement of employees according to their competence and educational background. However, there are still obstacles faced by the intervention of the authority of the Regional Head in the placement of employees. The Human Resources and Human Resources Development Agency has made efforts to overcome these obstacles both formally and informally.
LITERASI MAHASISWA PROGRAM STUDI TADRIS KIMIA TERHADAP UNDANG-UNDANG NO. 33 TAHUN 2014 TENTANG JAMINAN PRODUK HALAL
Authors: Ardian Trio Wicaksono  , Trining Puji Astutik
Published: July 2020

Undang Undang No 33 tahun 2014 tentang Jaminan Produk Halal  (JPH) yang disahkan tanggal 17 Oktober 2014 merupakan instrumen penting untuk menjamin kepastian hukum penyelenggaraan jaminan produk halal di Indonesia. Salah satunya adalah MUI memiliki kewenangan melakukan sertifikasi auditor halal, penetapan fatwa kehalalan produk serta akreditasi lembaga pemeriksa halal. Persyaratan menjadi auditor halal pasal 14 ayat 2c adalah berpendidikan paling rendah sarjana strata 1 di bidang pangan, kimia, biokimia, teknik industri, biologi, atau farmasi. Berdasarkan persyaratan tersebut maka Program Studi Tadris Kimia FTK UIN Antasari yang mencetak dan menghasilkan lulusan sarjana strata 1 di bidang pendidikan kimia yang didalamnya juga mengajarkan kimia dan biokimia memiliki kesempatan menjadi auditor halal. Hal ini menjadi tantangan tersendiri bagi mahasiswa Prodi Tadris Kimia untuk membaca UU tersebut dan mengikuti perkembangan jaman. Tujuan dari penelitian ini mengetahui literasi mahasiswa Prodi Tadris Kimia dalam membaca UU JPH dan faktor faktor yang mempengaruhinya. Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan adalah penelitian lapangan mengunakan pendekatan kualititatif. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui angket dan dokumenter. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Literasi Mahasiswa Prodi Tadris Kimia  terhadap UU JPH masih rendah. Faktor yang mempengaruhi Literasi Mahasiswa Prodi Tadris Kimia terhadap UU JPH adalah faktor intrinsik dan faktor ekstrinsik.

Kata Kunci: literasi, mahasiswa tadris kimia, jaminan produk halal.
Exact Method for Generating Strategy-Solvable Sudoku Clues
Authors: Nishikawa Kohei , Toda Takahisa
Published: July 2020

A Sudoku puzzle often has a regular pattern in the arrangement of initial digits and it is typically made solvable with known solving techniques called strategies. In this paper, we consider the problem of generating such Sudoku instances. We introduce a rigorous framework to discuss solvability for Sudoku instances with respect to strategies. This allows us to handle not only known strategies but also general strategies under a few reasonable assumptions. We propose an exact method for determining Sudoku clues for a given set of clue positions that is solvable with a given set of strategies. This is the first exact method except for a trivial brute-force search. Besides the clue generation, we present an application of our method to the problem of determining the minimum number of strategy-solvable Sudoku clues. We conduct experiments to evaluate our method, varying the position and the number of clues at random. Our method terminates within 1 min for many grids. However, as the number of clues gets closer to 20, the running time rapidly increases and exceeds the time limit set to 600 s. We also evaluate our method for several instances with 17 clue positions taken from known minimum Sudokus to see the efficiency for deciding unsolvability.
Poor Air Quality and Its Association with Mortality in Ho Chi Minh City: Case Study
Authors: Vu Hoang Ngoc Khue , Ha Quang Phuc , Nguyen Duc Hiep , Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy , Nguyen Thoai Tam , Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang , Tran Ngoc Dang , Ho Bang Quoc
Published: July 2020

Along with its rapid urban development, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in recent years has suffered a high concentration of air pollutants, especially fine particulate matters or PM2.5. A comprehensive study is required to evaluate the air quality conditions and their health impact in this city. Given the lack of adequate air quality monitoring data over a large area of the size of HCMC, an air quality modeling methodology is adopted to address the requirement. Here, by utilizing a corresponding emission inventory in combination with The Air Pollution Model-Chemical Transport Model (TAPM-CTM), the predicted concentration of air pollutants is first obtained for PM2.5, NOx, and SO2. Then by associating the pollutants exposed with the mortality rate from three causes, namely Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), cardiopulmonary, and lung cancer, the impact of air pollution on human health is obtained for this purpose. Spatial distribution has shown a high amount of pollutants concentrated in the central city with a high density of combustion vehicles (motorcycles and automobiles). In addition, a significant amount of emissions can be observed from stevedoring and harbor activities, including ferries and cargo handling equipment located along the river. Other sources such as household activities also contribute to an even distribution of emission across the city. The results of air quality modeling showed that the annual average concentrations of NO2 were higher than the standard of Vietnam National Technical Regulation on Ambient Air Quality (QCVN 05: 2013 40 µg/m3) and World Health Organization (WHO) (40 µg/m3). The annual average concentrations of PM2.5 were 23 µg/m3 and were also much higher than the WHO (10 µg/m3) standard by about 2.3 times. In terms of public health impacts, PM2.5 was found to be responsible for about 1136 deaths, while the number of mortalities from exposure to NO2 and SO2 was 172 and 89 deaths, respectively. These figures demand some stringent measures from the authorities to potentially remedy the alarming situation of air pollution in HCM City.
Solid Polymer Electrolytes Derived from Crosslinked Polystyrene Nanoparticles Covalently Functionalized with a Low Lattice Energy Lithium Salt Moiety
Authors: Mei Xinyi , Zhao Wendy , Ma Qiang , Yue Zheng , Dunya Hamza , He Qianran , Chakrabarti Amartya , McGarry Christopher , Mandal Braja K.
Published: July 2020

Three new crosslinked polystyrene nanoparticles covalently attached with low lattice energy lithium salt moieties were synthesized: poly(styrene lithium trifluoromethane sulphonyl imide) (PSTFSILi), poly(styrene lithium benzene sulphonyl imide) (PSPhSILi), and poly(styrene lithium sulfonyl-1,3-dithiane-1,1,3,3-tetraoxide) (PSDTTOLi). A series of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) were formulated by mixing these lithium salts with high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol dimethyl ether), and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. The crosslinked nano-sized polymer salts improved film strength and decreased the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer electrolyte membranes. An enhancement in both ionic conductivity and thermal stability was observed. For example, the SPE film containing PSTFSILi displayed ionic conductivity of 7.52 × 10−5 S cm−1 at room temperature and 3.0 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 70 °C, while the SPE film containing PSDTTOLi showed an even better performance of 1.54 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and 3.23 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 70 °C.
A Comprehensive Review of Applications of Drone Technology in the Mining Industry
Authors: Shahmoradi Javad , Talebi Elaheh , Roghanchi Pedram , Hassanalian Mostafa
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of drone technology and its applications in the mining industry. The mining industry has shown increased interest in the use of drones for routine operations. These applications include 3D mapping of the mine environment, ore control, rock discontinuities mapping, postblast rock fragmentation measurements, and tailing stability monitoring, to name a few. The article offers a review of drone types, specifications, and applications of commercially available drones for mining applications. Finally, the research needs for the design and implementation of drones for underground mining applications are discussed.
Image-Based Methods to Investigate Synchronization between Time Series Relevant for Plasma Fusion Diagnostics
Authors: Craciunescu Teddy , Murari Andrea , Lerche Ernesto , Gelfusa Michela ,   JET Contributors
Published: July 2020

Advanced time series analysis and causality detection techniques have been successfully applied to the assessment of synchronization experiments in tokamaks, such as Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) and sawtooth pacing. Lag synchronization is a typical strategy for fusion plasma instability control by pace-making techniques. The major difficulty, in evaluating the efficiency of the pacing methods, is the coexistence of the causal effects with the periodic or quasi-periodic nature of the plasma instabilities. In the present work, a set of methods based on the image representation of time series, are investigated as tools for evaluating the efficiency of the pace-making techniques. The main options rely on the Gramian Angular Field (GAF), the Markov Transition Field (MTF), previously used for time series classification, and the Chaos Game Representation (CGR), employed for the visualization of large collections of long time series. The paper proposes an original variation of the Markov Transition Matrix, defined for a couple of time series. Additionally, a recently proposed method, based on the mapping of time series as cross-visibility networks and their representation as images, is included in this study. The performances of the method are evaluated on synthetic data and applied to JET measurements.
Blind Witnesses Quench Quantum Interference without Transfer of Which-Path Information
Authors: Lent Craig
Published: July 2020

Quantum computation is often limited by environmentally-induced decoherence. We examine the loss of coherence for a two-branch quantum interference device in the presence of multiple witnesses, representing an idealized environment. Interference oscillations are visible in the output as the magnetic flux through the branches is varied. Quantum double-dot witnesses are field-coupled and symmetrically attached to each branch. The global system—device and witnesses—undergoes unitary time evolution with no increase in entropy. Witness states entangle with the device state, but for these blind witnesses, which-path information is not able to be transferred to the quantum state of witnesses—they cannot “see” or make a record of which branch is traversed. The system which-path information leaves no imprint on the environment. Yet, the presence of a multiplicity of witnesses rapidly quenches quantum interference.
A Battery Health Monitoring Method Using Machine Learning: A Data-Driven Approach
Authors: Sheikh Shehzar Shahzad , Anjum Mahnoor , Khan Muhammad Abdullah , Hassan Syed Ali , Khalid Hassan Abdullah , Gastli Adel , Ben-Brahim Lazhar
Published: July 2020

Batteries are combinations of electrochemical cells that generate electricity to power electrical devices. Batteries are continuously converting chemical energy to electrical energy, and require appropriate maintenance to provide maximum efficiency. Management systems having specialized monitoring features; such as charge controlling mechanisms and temperature regulation are used to prevent health, safety, and property hazards that complement the use of batteries. These systems utilize measures of merit to regulate battery performances. Figures such as the state-of-health (SOH) and state-of-charge (SOC) are used to estimate the performance and state of the battery. In this paper, we propose an intelligent method to investigate the aforementioned parameters using a data-driven approach. We use a machine learning algorithm that extracts significant features from the discharge curves to estimate these parameters. Extensive simulations have been carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method under different currents and temperatures.
Understanding the Multi-Faceted Drivers of Increasing Coal Consumption in Indonesia
Authors: Kurniawan Robi , Trencher Gregory P. , Edianto Achmed S. , Setiawan Imam E. , Matsubae Kazuyo
Published: July 2020

To meet the Paris Agreement’s climate mitigation objectives, there is an urgent global need to reduce coal combustion. Yet coal usage, particularly in the power sector, is rising in many developing countries. Indonesia is a notable example. While government policy is widely considered as the principle driver of Indonesia’s increasing coal consumption, studies have largely overlooked the influence of socioeconomic forces. To understand these effects, we utilize a decomposition analysis to capture the individual effect of five drivers of coal consumption in Indonesia over 1965 to 2017: (1) the energy mix, (2) energy intensity of GDP, (3) population, (4) urbanization, and (5) urban incomes. Results show the energy mix has exerted the largest effect on coal consumption. In addition, by accounting for other socio-economic influences, we found that other less appreciated factors have contributed to rising coal consumption. In order of contribution these were the urban economic effect, the growing relative share of urban population, and the population increase itself in absolute terms. We thus demonstrate that the drivers of growing coal consumption are multi-faced, complex and intertwined. Our findings show that developing nations such as Indonesia share a need to decouple urban population growth and increasing per capita wealth from fossil fuel (and coal) emissions.
Monte-Carlo Analysis of the Influence of the Electrical Component Tolerances on the Behavior of Series-Series- and LCC-Compensated IPT Systems
Authors: López-Alcolea Francisco Javier , Vázquez Javier , Molina-Martínez Emilio J. , Roncero-Sánchez Pedro , Parreño Torres Alfonso
Published: July 2020

The use of compensation networks increases the power transfer capability of inductive power transfer (IPT) systems in the battery charging process of electric vehicles (EVs). Among the proposed topologies, the Series-Series (SS) and the LCC networks are currently in widespread use in wireless battery chargers based on IPT systems. This paper focuses on the study of the behavior of both compensation topologies when they are detuned due to the tolerances of their components. To compare their performances, a Monte-Carlo analysis was carried out using Simulink and MATLAB. The tolerance values, assigned independently to each component, fall within a [ − 20 , 20] % range according to a normal distribution. Histograms and scatter plots were used for comparison purposes. The analysis reveals that the LCC network allows a tighter control over the currents that flow through the magnetic coupler coils. Moreover, it was found that the increments in those currents can be limited to some extent by selecting capacitors featuring low tolerance values in the LCC compensation. Nevertheless, the SS network remains an appropriate choice if size and cost are essential constraints in a given design.
Design and Implementation of Position Sensorless Field-Excited Flux-Switching Motor Drive Systems
Authors: Liu Tian-Hua , Mubarok Muhammad Syahril , Xu Yu-Hao
Published: July 2020

Field-excited flux-switching motor drive systems have become more and more popular due to their robustness and lack of need for a permanent magnet. Three different types of predictive controllers, including a single-step predictive speed controller, a multi-step predictive speed controller, and a predictive current controller are proposed for sensorless flux-switching motor drive systems in this paper. By using a 1 kHz high-frequency sinusoidal voltage injected into the field winding and by measuring the a-b-c armature currents in the stator, an estimated rotor position that is near ± 2 electrical degrees is developed. To improve the dynamic responses of the field-excited flux-switching motor drive system, predictive controllers are employed. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed predictive controllers have better performance than PI controllers, including transient, load disturbance, and tracking responses. In addition, the adjustable speed range of the proposed drive system is from 4 r/min to 1500 r/min. A digital signal processor, TMS-320F-2808, is used as a control center to carry out the rotor position estimation and the predictive control algorithms. Measured results can validate the theoretical analysis to illustrate the practicability and correctness of the proposed method.
Application of Haralick’s Texture Features for Rapid Detection of Windthrow Hotspots in Orthophotos
Authors: Klemmt Hans-Joachim , Seitz Rudolf , Straub Christoph
Published: July 2020

Windthrow and storm damage are crucial issues in practical forestry. We propose a method for rapid detection of windthrow hotspots in airborne digital orthophotos. Therefore, we apply Haralick’s texture features on 50 × 50 m cells of the orthophotos and classify the cells with a random forest algorithm. We apply the classification results from a training data set on a validation set. The overall classification accuracy of the proposed method varies between 76% for fine distinction of the cells and 96% for a distinction level that tried to detect only severe damaged cells. The proposed method enables the rapid detection of windthrow hotspots in forests immediately after their occurrence in single-date data. It is not adequate for the determination of areas with only single fallen trees. Future research will investigate the possibilities and limitations when applying the method on other data sources (e.g., optical satellite data).
On the Effect of the Respiratory Droplet Generation Condition on COVID-19 Transmission
Authors: Shafaghi Ali Hosseinpour , Rokhsar Talabazar Farzad , Koşar Ali , Ghorbani Morteza
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly infectious viral disease and first appeared in Wuhan, China. Within a short time, it has become a global health issue. The sudden emergence of COVID-19 has been accompanied by numerous uncertainties about its impact in many perspectives. One of major challenges is understanding the underlying mechanisms in the spread of this outbreak. COVID-19 is spread similar to the majority of infectious diseases through transmission via relatively large respiratory droplets. The awareness of the dispersal of these droplets is crucial in not only improving methods for controlling the dispersion of COVID-19 droplets, but also in discovering fundamental mechanisms of its transmission. In this study, a numerical model is developed to study the motion of droplets expelled through the respiratory system. Based on the source of these droplets, different sizes of droplets such as large ones and aerosols, which behave differently in the environment, can be generated. In this regard, diverse sources of droplets, namely breathing, coughing, and sneezing, are considered in this analysis. Besides, the time for a single droplet to fall from a height of 1.8 m is also obtained. The results reveal that the traditional distances suggested by different sources for keeping the social distance are not enough, which is linked to different nature of the droplet generation.
Seabed Mapping: A Brief History from Meaningful Words
Authors: Smith Menandro Pedro , Cardoso Bastos Alex
Published: July 2020

Over the last few centuries, mapping the ocean seabed has been a major challenge for marine geoscientists. Knowledge of seabed bathymetry and morphology has significantly impacted our understanding of our planet dynamics. The history and scientific trends of seabed mapping can be assessed by data mining prior studies. Here, we have mined the scientific literature using the keyword “seabed mapping” to investigate and provide the evolution of mapping methods and emphasize the main trends and challenges over the last 90 years. An increase in related scientific production was observed in the beginning of the 1970s, together with an increased interest in new mapping technologies. The last two decades have revealed major shift in ocean mapping. Besides the range of applications for seabed mapping, terms like habitat mapping and concepts of seabed classification and backscatter began to appear. This follows the trend of investments in research, science, and technology but is mainly related to national and international demands regarding defining that country’s exclusive economic zone, the interest in marine mineral and renewable energy resources, the need for spatial planning, and the scientific challenge of understanding climate variability. The future of seabed mapping brings high expectations, considering that this is one of the main research and development themes for the United Nations Decade of the Oceans. We may expect a new higher resolution ocean seafloor map that might be as influential as The Floor of the Oceans map.
Statistical Forecast of Pollution Episodes in Macao during National Holiday and COVID-19
Authors: Lei Man Tat , Monjardino Joana , Mendes Luisa , Gonçalves David , Ferreira Francisco
Published: July 2020

Statistical methods such as multiple linear regression (MLR) and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were used to build prediction models for the levels of pollutant concentrations in Macao using meteorological and air quality historical data to three periods: (i) from 2013 to 2016, (ii) from 2015 to 2018, and (iii) from 2013 to 2018. The variables retained by the models were identical for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10), PM2.5, but not for ozone (O3) Air pollution data from 2019 was used for validation purposes. The model for the 2013 to 2018 period was the one that performed best in prediction of the next-day concentrations levels in 2019, with high coefficient of determination (R2), between predicted and observed daily average concentrations (between 0.78 and 0.89 for all pollutants), and low root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and biases (BIAS). To understand if the prediction model was robust to extreme variations in pollutants concentration, a test was performed under the circumstances of a high pollution episode for PM2.5 and O3 during 2019, and the low pollution episode during the period of implementation of the preventive measures for COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding the high pollution episode, the period of the Chinese National Holiday of 2019 was selected, in which high concentration levels were identified for PM2.5 and O3, with peaks of daily concentration exceeding 55 μg/m3 and 400 μg/m3, respectively. The 2013 to 2018 model successfully predicted this high pollution episode with high coefficients of determination (of 0.92 for PM2.5 and 0.82 for O3). The low pollution episode for PM2.5 and O3 was identified during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic period, with a low record of daily concentration for PM2.5 levels at 2 μg/m3 and O3 levels at 50 μg/m3, respectively. The 2013 to 2018 model successfully predicted the low pollution episode for PM2.5 and O3 with a high coefficient of determination (0.86 and 0.84, respectively). Overall, the results demonstrate that the statistical forecast model is robust and able to correctly reproduce extreme air pollution events of both high and low concentration levels.
Injury Profiles in Korean Youth Soccer
Authors: Lee Inje , Jeong Hee Seong , Lee Sae Yong
Published: July 2020

We aimed to analyze injury profiles and injury severity in Korean youth soccer players. Data on all injuries that occurred in U-15 youth soccer players during the 2019 season were collected from 681 players of 22 teams through a medical questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on injury surveillance procedures of the Federation International de Football Association Medical and Research Centre and International Olympic Committee, and it comprised questions on demographic characteristics, training conditions, and injury information. Among all players, defenders accounted for 33.0%, followed by attackers (30.7%), midfielders (26.8%), and goalkeepers (7.9%). Most players played soccer on artificial grounds (97.4%). Injuries occurred more frequently during training (56.3%) than during matches (43.7%). Recurrent injury rate was 4.4% and average days to return to full activities were 22.58. The ankle (26.6%) and knee joints (14.1%) were the most common injury locations, and ligament sprains (21.0%), contusions (15.6%), and fractures (13.9%) were the most frequent injury types. In conclusion, Korean youth soccer players have a high injury risk. Therefore, researchers and coaching staff need to consider these results as a key to prevent injuries in youth soccer players and injury prevention programs may help decrease injury rate by providing injury management.
Food-Borne Disease Prevention and Risk Assessment
Authors: Todd Ewen
Published: July 2020

“Food-borne Disease Prevention and Risk Assessment” is a Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on understanding how food-borne disease is still a global threat to health today and to be able to target strategies to reduce its prevalence [...]
The Self-Management Experiences of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Descriptive Phenomenology Study
Authors: Hung Li-Chen , Huang Chu-Yu , Lo Fu-Sung , Cheng Su-Fen
Published: July 2020

Many adolescents with type 1 diabetes experience challenges in achieving good glycemic control and have insufficient understanding in executing interventions for glycemic control. This study aimed to understand self-management experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan. In this descriptive phenomenological study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 18 adolescents with type 1 diabetes from the pediatric outpatient clinic of a medical center. Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s method. Four themes were identified: (1) misconception regarding self-management of blood glucose; (2) conflict between depending on and breaking away from parental assistance for glycemic control; (3) encounter with disruptions in glycemic control regimen due to the presence of schedule changes; and (4) lack of motivation to achieve good glycemic control. The findings indicated that the misconceptions of adolescents with type 1 diabetes about managing glycemic levels resulted from an insufficient understanding of self-management of diabetes. In Taiwan, the heavy emphasis of academic achievement and changes of schedules during breaks tended to disrupt the regimen for glycemic control. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to provide individualized education focusing on the adolescents’ misconceptions regarding self-management of diabetes.
Epidemiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infections in Southern Italy after Implementation of Symptom-Based Surveillance of Bloody Diarrhea in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Loconsole Daniela , Giordano Mario , Centrone Francesca , Accogli Marisa , Casulli Daniele , De Robertis Anna , Morea Anna , Quarto Michele , Parisi Antonio , Scavia Gaia , Chironna Maria ,   on behalf of the Bloody Diarrhea Apulia Working Group
Published: July 2020

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections result in a significant public health impact because of the severity of the disease that, in young children especially, can lead to hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS). A rise in the number of HUS cases was observed in the Apulia region of Italy from 2013 to 2017, and so, in 2018, a symptom-based surveillance system for children with bloody diarrhea (BD) was initiated in order to detect and manage STEC infections. The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiology of STEC infections in children from June 2018 to August 2019. Children <15 years old with BD were hospitalized and tested for STEC. Real-time PCR for virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae) and serogroup identification tests were performed on stool samples/rectal swabs of cases. STEC infection was detected in 87 (10.6%) BD cases. The median age of STEC cases was 2.7 years, and 60 (68.9%) were <4. Of these 87 cases, 12 (13.8%) came from households with diarrhea. The reporting rate was 14.2/100,000, with the highest incidence in cases from the province of Bari (24.2/100,000). Serogroups O26 and O111 were both detected in 22/87 (25.3%) cases. Co-infections occurred in 12.6% of cases (11/87). Twenty-nine STEC were positive for stx1, stx2, and eae. Five cases (5.7%) caused by O26 (n = 2), O111 (n = 2), and O45 (n = 1) developed into HUS. A risk-oriented approach based on the testing of children with BD during the summer may represent a potentially beneficial option to improve the sensitivity of STEC surveillance, not only in Italy but also in the context of Europe as a whole.
Assessment of Knowledge, Practice and Guidelines towards the Novel COVID-19 among Eye Care Practitioners in Nigeria–A Survey-Based Study
Authors: Ekpenyong Bernadine , Obinwanne Chukwuemeka J. , Ovenseri-Ogbomo Godwin , Ahaiwe Kelechukwu , Lewis Okonokhua O. , Echendu Damian C. , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L.
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, practice of risk and guidelines of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) infection among the eye care practitioners and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional self-administered online survey was distributed via emails and social media networks between 2nd and 18th May 2020 corresponding to the week of the lockdown in Nigeria to eye care practitioners (ECPs). Data for 823 respondents were analyzed. Knowledge and risk practice were categorized as binary outcome and univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to examine the associated factors. The mean score for COVID-19-related knowledge of public health guidelines was high and varied across the ECPs. Ophthalmic Nurses, Ophthalmologists and Optometrists showed higher COVID-19-related knowledge than other ECPs (p < 0.001), particularly those working in the private sector. More than 50% of ECPs stated they provided essential services during the COVID-19 lockdown via physical consultation, particularly the Ophthalmologists. Most respondents reported that the guidelines provided by their Association were useful but expressed their lack of confidence in attending to patients during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Compared to other ECPs in Nigeria, more Ophthalmic Nurses received training in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This survey is the first to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. ECPs in Nigeria displayed good knowledge about COVID-19 and provided eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, despite the majority not receiving any training on the use of PPEs with concerns over attending to patients. There is need for the government to strengthen health systems by improving and extending training on standard infection prevention and control measures to ECPs for effective control of the pandemic and in the future as essential health workers.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Harbinger of the Vicious Cycle of Diabetes
Authors: Alejandro Emilyn U. , Mamerto Therriz P. , Chung Grace , Villavieja Adrian , Gaus Nawirah Lumna , Morgan Elizabeth , Pineda-Cortel Maria Ruth B.
Published: July 2020

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), characterized by a transitory form of diabetes induced by insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction during pregnancy, has been identified as one of the major obstacles in achieving improved maternal and child health. Approximately 9–25% of pregnancies worldwide are impacted by the acute, long-term, and transgenerational health complications of this disease. Here, we discuss how GDM affects longstanding maternal and neonatal outcomes, as well as health risks that likely persist into future generations. In addition to the current challenges in the management and diagnosis of and the complications associated with GDM, we discuss current preclinical models of GDM to better understand the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and the timely need to increase our scientific toolbox to identify strategies to prevent and treat GDM, thereby advancing clinical care.
Resolving the Ionotropic P2X4 Receptor Mystery Points towards a New Therapeutic Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Bragança Bruno , Correia-de-Sá Paulo
Published: July 2020

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a primordial versatile autacoid that changes its role from an intracellular energy saver to a signaling molecule once released to the extracellular milieu. Extracellular ATP and its adenosine metabolite are the main activators of the P2 and P1 purinoceptor families, respectively. Mounting evidence suggests that the ionotropic P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) plays pivotal roles in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, yet further therapeutic advances have been hampered by the lack of selective P2X4R agonists. In this review, we provide the state of the art of the P2X4R activity in the cardiovascular system. We also discuss the role of P2X4R activation in kidney and lungs vis a vis their interplay to control cardiovascular functions and dysfunctions, including putative adverse effects emerging from P2X4R activation. Gathering this information may prompt further development of selective P2X4R agonists and its translation to the clinical practice.