bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education on Sustainable Development Goals: Geographical Perspectives for Gender Equality in Sustainable Cities and Communities
Authors: de Miguel González Rafael , Sebastián-López María
Published: March 2022

Because of its interdisciplinary approach as a social science directly related to the natural sciences, geography is the academic discipline and school subject that equips students well with knowledge, skills, and values related to education on sustainable development goals. This study is part of the results of MyGEO, a project funded by the European Commission, and it is based on a collaborative mapping of streets named after women in a medium-sized city (Zaragoza, Spain), in connection with the international initiative GeoChicas (GeoGirls) on OpenStreetMap. Its main objective is to obtain evidence to emphasize, through public and digital space, gender equality and the empowerment of women in teacher education by means of their achievements. The learning methodology consists of (i) standardization and correction of alphanumeric information referring to street names contained in the OpenStreetMap spatial database that identify gender and (ii) linking and creating thematic information through Wikipedia editing. The results show that Zaragoza is at the top of the ranking of Spanish and Latin American cities mapped to date in the “Women’s Streets” viewer, with 18% of the streets named after women, compared to the average 15% in the rest of the 30 cities involved in GeoChicas. The direct participation of trainee primary and secondary schoolteachers in this project makes it possible to consolidate a narrative as well as a specific instructional design on education for sustainable development, particularly on SDG number 5 (gender balance) and SDG number 11 (sustainable cities and communities).
An Improved Approach of Integrated Carrying Capacity Prediction Based on TOPSIS-SPA
Authors: Wei Chao , Dai Xiaoyan , Guo Yiyou , Tong Xiaohua , Wu Jianping
Published: March 2022

Regional coordinated development is an important policy to promote socio-economic development, especially in the Yangtze River Delta, Greater Bay Area and others, which is one of the guidelines of the 14th Five-Year Plan for economic development. The relative stability of the carrying capacity (CC) is the precondition for long-term rapid development, whereas the comprehensive capacity of natural resources, ecological environment, social economy, population and others, defined as integrated carrying capacity (ICC). Due to the complexity of the CC quantitative assessment, constructing an accurate ICC predication model is the core challenge of dynamic adjustments of socio-economic development planning. In this study, four critical issues, which focused on indicator value estimation, optimal ICC value screening, ICC tendency prediction and study area application in order to formulate a novel prediction framework, are investigated as follows: (1) The proposal formulated an estimation model of indicator value in the future based on the grey model. The grade ratio and the relative residuals of all third-class indicators are less than 0.1, which is highly accurate for indicator value estimation. (2) The optimal ICC value screening model was proposed based on the multi-objective decision-making theory. The optimal ICC values of Suzhou, Ningbo and Zhoushan were 0.7002, 0.6797 and 0.5982, which were also the maximum values from 1996 to 2019. However, the values of Nantong, Jiaxing and Shaoxing were recorded in 2018, 2001 and 1999, which were not the maximum ICC values, and the difference ratio was more than 10%. The optimal ICC value of these three cities were improved. (3) The ICC prediction model was constructed based on the theory of set pair analysis and Euclidean distance. The ICC prediction result of eight cities maintained a relative fluctuation during 2020–2030. Compared with the polynomial fitting curve predication, there were some differences in Nantong, Shaoxing and Zhoushan over the next 5 years. This study provided an improved approach of ICC prediction model, focusing on indicator weight, indicator data estimation and optimal ICC value screening. The model and conclusion aim to validate the rationality of economic planning target for government policymakers and stakeholders.
Particularities of Fungicides and Factors Affecting Their Fate and Removal Efficacy: A Review
Authors: Gikas Georgios D. , Parlakidis Paraskevas , Mavropoulos Theodoros , Vryzas Zisis
Published: March 2022

Systemic fungicide use has increased over the last decades, despite the susceptibility of resistance development and the side effects to human health and the environment. Although herbicides and insecticides are detected more frequently in environmental samples, there are many fungicides that have the ability to enter water bodies due to their physicochemical properties and their increasing use. Key factors affecting fungicide fate in the environment have been discussed, including the non-target effects of fungicides. For instance, fungicides are associated with the steep decline in bumblebee populations. Secondary actions of certain fungicides on plants have also been reported recently. In addition, the use of alternative eco-friendly disease management approaches has been described. Constructed Wetlands (CWs) comprise an environmentally friendly, low cost, and efficient fungicide remediation technique. Fungicide removal within CWs is dependent on plant uptake and metabolism, absorption in porous media and soil, hydrolysis, photodegradation, and biodegradation. Factors related to the efficacy of CWs on the removal of fungicides, such as the type of CW, plant species, and the physicochemical parameters of fungicides, are also discussed in this paper. There are low-environmental-risk fungicides, phytohormones and other compounds, which could improve the removal performance of CW vegetation. In addition, specific parameters such as the multiple modes of action of fungicides, side effects on substrate microbial communities and endophytes, and plant physiological response were also studied. Prospects and challenges for future research are suggested under the prism of reducing the risk related to fungicides and enhancing CW performance.
Stability of Additive Functional Equation Originating from Characteristic Polynomial of Degree Three
Authors: Govindan Vediyappan , Alb Lupaş Alina , Noeiaghdam Samad
Published: March 2022

The authors use direct and fixed point methods to prove generalised Ulam–Hyers stability and a solution of the following new form of symmetric additive functional equation arising from characteristic polynomial of degree three in Banach spaces.
Using Real Time Measurements to Derive the Indoor and Outdoor Contributions of Submicron Particulate Species and Trace Gases
Authors: Stratigou Evdokia , Dusanter Sébastien , Brito Joel , Tison Emmanuel , Riffault Véronique
Published: March 2022

The indoor environment is usually more polluted than outdoors due to emissions of gas and particle-phase pollutants from multiple sources, leading to their accumulation on top of the infiltration of outdoor pollution. While it is widely recognized that negative health effects arise from the exposure to outdoor air pollution, exposure to indoor pollutants also needs to be well assessed since we spend most of our time (~90%) breathing indoors. Indoor concentrations of pollutants are driven by physicochemical processes and chemical transformations taking place indoors, acting as sources and/or sinks. While these basic concepts are understood, assessing the contribution of each process is still challenging. In this study, we deployed online instrumentation in an unoccupied room to test a methodology for the apportionment of indoor and outdoor pollutant sources. This method was successfully applied to the apportionment of PM1 and VOCs, however, there are limitations for reactive gases such as O3. The results showed that this unoccupied indoor environment acts as a source of VOCs and contributes 87% on OVOCs and 6% on CxHy, while it acts as a sink for particles, likely due to losses through volatilization up to 60%.
Synthetic Progestins in Waste and Surface Waters: Concentrations, Impacts and Ecological Risk
Authors: Rocha Maria , Rocha Eduardo
Published: March 2022

Synthetic progestins (PGs) are a large family of hormones used in continuously growing amounts in human and animal contraception and medicinal therapies. Because wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are unable to eradicate PGs after excretion, they are discharged into aquatic systems, where they can also be regenerated from conjugated PG metabolites. This review summarises the concentrations of 12 PGs in waters from 2015 to 2021. The selected PGs were considered of particular interest due to their wide use, activity, and hormonal derivation (from testosterone, progesterone, and spirolactone). We concluded that PGs had been analysed in WWTPs influents and effluents and, to a lesser extent, in other matrices, including surface waters, where their concentrations range from ng/L to a few µg/L. Because of their high affinity for cell hormone receptors, PGs are endocrine disruptor compounds that may alter the reproductive fitness and development of biota. This review focused on their biological effects in fish, which are the most used aquatic model organisms to qualify the impacts of PGs, highlighting the risks that environmental concentrations pose to their health, fecundity, and fertility. It is concluded that PGs research should be expanded because of the still limited data on their environmental concentrations and effects.
Global Evolutionary History and Dynamics of Dengue Viruses Inferred from Whole Genome Sequences
Authors: Stica Caleb J. , Barrero Roberto A. , Murray Rachael Z. , Devine Gregor J. , Phillips Matthew J. , Frentiu Francesca D.
Published: March 2022

Dengue is an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV), leading to approximately 25,000 deaths/year and with over 40% of the world’s population at risk. Increased international travel and trade, poorly regulated urban expansion, and warming global temperatures have expanded the geographic range and incidence of the virus in recent decades. This study used phylogenetic and selection pressure analyses to investigate trends in DENV evolution, using whole genome coding sequences from publicly available databases alongside newly sequenced isolates collected between 1963–1997 from Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Results revealed very similar phylogenetic relationships when using the envelope gene and the whole genome coding sequences. Although DENV evolution is predominantly driven by negative selection, a number of amino acid sites undergoing positive selection were found across the genome, with the majority located in the envelope and NS5 genes. Some genotypes appear to be diversifying faster than others within each serotype. The results from this research improve our understanding of DENV evolution, with implications for disease control efforts such as Wolbachia-based biocontrol and vaccine design.
Comparative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern, Including Omicron, Highlights Their Common and Distinctive Amino Acid Substitution Patterns, Especially at the Spike ORF
Authors: Nikolaidis Marios , Papakyriakou Athanasios , Chlichlia Katerina , Markoulatos Panayotis , Oliver Stephen G. , Amoutzias Grigorios D.
Published: March 2022

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the recently emerged and highly divergent Omicron variant of concern (VoC), a study of amino acid substitution (AAS) patterns was performed and compared with those of the other four successful variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta) and one closely related variant of interest (VoI—Lambda). The Spike ORF consistently emerges as an AAS hotspot in all six lineages, but in Omicron this enrichment is significantly higher. The progenitors of each of these VoC/VoI lineages underwent positive selection in the Spike ORF. However, once they were established, their Spike ORFs have been undergoing purifying selection, despite the application of global vaccination schemes from 2021 onwards. Our analyses reject the hypothesis that the heavily mutated receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Omicron Spike was introduced via recombination from another closely related Sarbecovirus. Thus, successive point mutations appear as the most parsimonious scenario. Intriguingly, in each of the six lineages, we observed a significant number of AAS wherein the new residue is not present at any homologous site among the other known Sarbecoviruses. Such AAS should be further investigated as potential adaptations to the human host. By studying the phylogenetic distribution of AAS shared between the six lineages, we observed that the Omicron (BA.1) lineage had the highest number (8/10) of recurrent mutations.
Characterisation of Bacteriophage vB_SmaM_Ps15 Infective to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Clinical Ocular Isolates
Authors: Damnjanović Dragica , Vázquez-Campos Xabier , Elliott Lisa , Willcox Mark , Bridge Wallace J.
Published: March 2022

Recent acknowledgment that multidrug resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains can cause severe infections has led to increasing global interest in addressing its pathogenicity. While being primarily associated with hospital-acquired respiratory tract infections, this bacterial species is also relevant to ophthalmology, particularly to contact lens-related diseases. In the current study, the capacity of Stenotrophomonas phage vB_SmaM_Ps15 to infect ocular S. maltophilia strains was investigated to explore its future potential as a phage therapeutic. The phage proved to be lytic to a range of clinical isolates collected in Australia from eye swabs, contact lenses and contact lens cases that had previously shown to be resistant to several antibiotics and multipurpose contact lenses disinfectant solutions. Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscopy placed the phage into the Myoviridae family. Its genome size was 161,350 bp with a G + C content of 54.2%, containing 276 putative protein-encoding genes and 24 tRNAs. A detailed comparative genomic analysis positioned vB_SmaM_Ps15 as a new species of the Menderavirus genus, which currently contains six very similar globally distributed members. It was confirmed as a virulent phage, free of known lysogenic and pathogenicity determinants, which supports its potential use for the treatment of S. maltophilia eye infections.
Filter Papers to Collect Blood Samples from Dogs: An Easier Way to Monitor the Mass Vaccination Campaigns against Rabies?
Authors: Wasniewski Marine , Barrat Jacques , Maiez Samia Ben , Kharmachi Habib , Handous Mariem , Cliquet Florence
Published: March 2022

Rabies is a deadly viral disease present mainly in low-income countries of Africa and Asia. Dogs are the main reservoir and the source of human deaths. Mass vaccination campaigns of dogs are pivotal to achieve rabies elimination. The monitoring of the immune response of the dog population is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these campaigns, taking into account field conditions. This study explores the feasibility and the performance of a new tool using filter papers (FPs) to collect blood samples associated with an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) titration of rabies antibodies in dogs. A total of 216 eluates from FP samples were collected from 111 dogs kept in experimental facilities in France and 29 dogs from the field in Tunisia. Sera were also analyzed using both the Fluorescence Antibody Virus Neutralization test (FAVNt) and ELISA. A high specificity (98.0%) was obtained by testing FP blood eluates from 51 unvaccinated dogs, with the results compared with those of FAVNt and ELISA on serum samples. The coefficients of concordance between FP eluates and tested sera were 88.9% for FAVNt and 88.0% for ELISA. Blood filter papers coupled with the titration of rabies antibodies by ELISA provide a reliable, simple, and effective solution to overcome the issues of the logistics and transport of samples, especially in low-income countries.
The Efficacy of Common Household Cleaning Agents for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Control
Authors: Almeida Catarina F. , Purcell Damian F. J. , Godfrey Dale I. , McAuley Julie L.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is having devastating effects on a global scale. Since common household disinfectants are often used to minimise the risk of infection in the home and work environment, we investigated the ability of some of these products to inactivate the virus. We tested generic brands of vinegar, bleach, and dishwashing detergent, as well as laboratory-grade acetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, and ethanol. Assays were conducted at room temperature (18–20 °C, 40% relative humidity), and two time points were used to reflect a quick wipe (30 s) and a brief soak (5 min). Vinegar, and its active ingredient, acetic acid, were completely ineffective at virus inactivation even when exposed to the virus at 90% v/v (a final concentration equivalent to 3.6% v/v acetic acid). In contrast, ethanol was capable of inactivating the virus at dilutions as low as 40% v/v. Dishwashing detergent effectively rendered SARS-CoV-2 inactive when diluted 100-fold (1% v/v). Bleach was found to be fully effective against SARS-CoV-2 at 0.21 g/L sodium hypochlorite after a 30 s exposure (1/200 dilution of commercial product). Given reports of infectious virus recovered from the surface of frozen packaging, we tested the persistence of infectiousness after multiple freeze-thaw cycles and found no change in infectious SARS-CoV-2 titre after seven freeze-thaw cycles. These results should help inform readers of how to effectively disinfect surfaces and objects that have potentially been contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 using common household chemicals.
Genetic Analysis of the Complete S1 Gene in Japanese Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strains
Authors: Mase Masaji , Hiramatsu Kanae , Watanabe Satoko , Iseki Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

The complete nucleotide sequence of the S1 glycoprotein gene of the Japanese infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains was determined and genetically analyzed. A total of 61 Japanese IBV strains were classified into seven genotypes, namely GI-1, 3, 7, 13, 18, 19, and GVI-1 using the classification scheme that was proposed by Valastro et al, with three exceptions. These genotypes practically corresponded to those defined in Japan, namely Mass, Gray, JP-II, 4/91, JP-I, JP-III, and JP-IV, which have been identified through their partial nucleotide sequences containing hypervariable regions 1 and 2. In addition, three exceptive strains were considered to be derived from recombination within the S1 gene of IBV strains G1-13 and GI-19. By analyzing the amino acid polymorphism of the S1 glycoprotein among Japanese genotypes, a diversity was observed based on the genotype-specific amino acid residue, the proteolytic cleavage motif at the S1/S2 cleavage site, and the position of the potential N-glycosylation sites.
Applications of Surface Plasmon Resonance and Biolayer Interferometry for Virus–Ligand Binding
Authors: Murali Shruthi , Rustandi Richard , Zheng Xiwei , Payne Anne , Shang Liang
Published: March 2022

Surface plasmon resonance and biolayer interferometry are two common real-time and label-free assays that quantify binding events by providing kinetic parameters. There is increased interest in using these techniques to characterize whole virus-ligand interactions, as the methods allow for more accurate characterization than that of a viral subunit-ligand interaction. This review aims to summarize and evaluate the uses of these technologies specifically in virus–ligand and virus-like particle–ligand binding cases to guide the field towards studies that apply these robust methods for whole virus-based studies.
Prediction of Water Quality Classification of the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia, Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Malek Nur Hanisah Abdul , Wan Yaacob Wan Fairos , Md Nasir Syerina Azlin , Shaadan Norshahida
Published: March 2022

Machine Learning (ML) has been used for a long time and has gained wide attention over the last several years. It can handle a large amount of data and allow non-linear structures by using complex mathematical computations. However, traditional ML models do suffer some problems, such as high bias and overfitting. Therefore, this has resulted in the advancement and improvement of ML techniques, such as the bagging and boosting approach, to address these problems. This study explores a series of ML models to predict the water quality classification (WQC) in the Kelantan River using data from 2005 to 2020. The proposed methodology employed 13 physical and chemical parameters of water quality and 7 ML models that are Decision Tree, Artificial Neural Networks, K-Nearest Neighbors, Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest and Gradient Boosting. Based on the analysis, the ensemble model of Gradient Boosting with a learning rate of 0.1 exhibited the best prediction performance compared to the other algorithms. It had the highest accuracy (94.90%), sensitivity (80.00%) and f-measure (86.49%), with the lowest classification error. Total Suspended Solid (TSS) was the most significant variable for the Gradient Boosting (GB) model to predict WQC, followed by Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3N), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Based on the accurate water quality prediction, the results could help to improve the National Environmental Policy regarding water resources by continuously improving water quality.
Testing Transplantation Techniques for the Red Coral Corallium rubrum
Authors: Villechanoux Juliette , Bierwirth Jan , Mantas Torcuato Pulido , Cerrano Carlo
Published: March 2022

Corallium rubrum has been exploited by humankind for centuries. The long-term exploitation dynamics of this species make it even more important today to increase protection and restoration efforts as it provides a significant range of ecosystem services. This becomes even more important in areas where natural recovery is hindered or unlikely. So far, only very few experiments have been carried out in the past, investigating suitable techniques for the successful transplantation of this species. For this reason, a review was conducted in order to synthesize previous results and identify the most promising methodologies. Additionally, six different transplantation techniques were tested and discussed in the context of the review. Five techniques used fragments for transplantation, while one used newly settled larvae on PVC-tiles. Shallow C. rubrum colonies often grow upside down under crevices and rims as well as in caves, making the transplantation of fragments comparatively challenging. Here, C. rubrum was transplanted upside down under crevices using a PVC-grid in combination with epoxy putty to hold fragments in place, and the results indicated the potential benefits of this technique. In a novel approach, shallow colonies, and larvae on settling plates were also transferred to deeper areas, suggesting that mesophotic populations can be restored to reconstruct pre-exploitation conditions. Attaching the colonies to the roof of crevices provided a level of survivorship consistent with conventional erect transplantations of colonies on rock bottom but had the advantage of being more removed from sedimentation and anthropogenic disturbance. Future work must develop permanent grid-mounting methods for use in the crevices before this approach can be further explored for large-scale restoration efforts.
Analysis of the Potential Impact of Climate Change on Climatic Droughts, Snow Dynamics, and the Correlation between Them
Authors: Hidalgo-Hidalgo José-David , Collados-Lara Antonio-Juan , Pulido-Velazquez David , Rueda Francisco J. , Pardo-Igúzquiza Eulogio
Published: March 2022

Climate change is expected to increase the occurrence of droughts, with the hydrology in alpine systems being largely determined by snow dynamics. In this paper, we propose a methodology to assess the impact of climate change on both meteorological and hydrological droughts, taking into account the dynamics of the snow cover area (SCA). We also analyze the correlation between these types of droughts. We generated ensembles of local climate scenarios based on regional climate models (RCMs) representative of potential future conditions. We considered several sources of uncertainty: different historical climate databases, simulations obtained with several RCMs, and some statistical downscaling techniques. We then used a stochastic weather generator (SWG) to generate multiple climatic series preserving the characteristics of the ensemble scenario. These were simulated within a cellular automata (CA) model to generate multiple SCA future series. They were used to calculate multiple series of meteorological drought indices, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and a novel hydrological drought index (Standardized Snow Cover Index (SSCI)). Linear correlation analysis was applied to both types of drought to analyze how they propagate and the time delay between them. We applied the proposed methodology to the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain), where we estimated a general increase in meteorological and hydrological drought magnitude and duration for the horizon 2071–2100 under the RCP 8.5 emission scenario. The SCA droughts also revealed a significant increase in drought intensity. The meteorological drought propagation to SCA droughts was reflected in an immediate or short time (1 month), obtaining significant correlations in lower accumulation periods of drought indices (3 and 6 months). This allowed us to obtain information about meteorological drought from SCA deficits and vice versa.
Coupling Coordination and Influencing Factors of Land Development Intensity and Urban Resilience of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Luo Xiang , Cheng Chao , Pan Yue , Yang Tiantian
Published: March 2022

The rapid urbanization of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has led to the convergence of population, land and capital. The coordination between land development intensity and urban resilience has become a key issue in the post-urbanization period. From the perspective of regional overall and coordinated development, we constructed an evaluation index system of land development intensity and urban resilience. Then, the comprehensive evaluation model, coupling coordination degree model and panel Tobit regression model were adopted to systematically study the temporal and spatial differentiation of and influencing factors on the coupling coordination degree between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration from 2009 to 2019. The results show that from 2009 to 2019, the land development intensity exhibited a slow and fluctuating increase, while the urban resilience displayed continuous growth, and the level of land development intensity generally lagged behind that of urban resilience. From 2009 to 2019, the average coupling coordination degree between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration increased from 0.5177 to 0.6626, which generally changed from bare coordination to moderate coordination. In terms of spatial distribution, the coastal cities and cities along the Yangtze River were characterized by high coupling coordination degrees, which formed a “T” shape distribution pattern. In addition, the coupling coordination types showed certain spatio-temporal heterogeneity among cities. Finally, land economic benefit, green industrial development, scientific and technological innovation, social management and infrastructure all had significant impacts on the coupling and coordination between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration.
Geo-Environmental Approaches for the Analysis and Assessment of Groundwater Resources at the Catchment Scale
Authors: Tziritis Evangelos , Panagopoulos Andreas
Published: March 2022

Groundwater resources constitute nearly one-third of the globe’s freshwater resources [...]
Integrated Modeling of Agronomic and Water Resources Management Scenarios in a Degraded Coastal Watershed (Almyros Basin, Magnesia, Greece)
Authors: Lyra Aikaterini , Loukas Athanasios , Sidiropoulos Pantelis , Voudouris Konstantinos , Mylopoulos Nikitas
Published: March 2022

The scope of this study is to assess the effects of agronomic and water resources management scenarios on groundwater balance, seawater intrusion, and nitrate pollution and the comparison of the developed scenarios relative to the current crop production and water management regime in the coastal agricultural Almyros basin in the Thessaly region, Greece. Agronomic and water resources scenarios have been simulated and analyzed for a period of 28 years, from 1991 to 2018. The analysis has been conducted with the use of an Integrated Modeling System for agricultural coastal watersheds, which consists of coupled and interlinked simulation models of surface water hydrology (UTHBAL), reservoir operation (UTHRL), agronomic/nitrate leaching model (REPIC), and groundwater models for the simulation of groundwater flow (MODFLOW) and contaminant transport of nitrates (MT3DMS) and chlorides (SEAWAT). The pressure on water resources has been estimated with the Water Exploitation Index (WEI+) and the reservoirs’ operation with the Reliability index to cover the water demands. The indices of Crop Water Productivity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economic Water Productivity have been used to quantify the benefits and the feasibility of the alternative scenarios. The best results for the sustainability of water resources are achieved under the deficit irrigation and rain-fed scenario, while the best results for water resources and the local economy are achieved under deficit irrigation and reduced fertilization scenario.
The albumin to globulin ratio is associated with clinical outcome in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yagi Sen , Furukawa Shinya , Shiraishi Kana , Miyake Teruki , Tange Kazuhiro , Hashimoto Yu , Kitahata Shogo , Kawamura Tomoe , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Mori Kenichirou , Suzuki Seiyuu , Shibata Naozumi , Murakami Hidehiro , Ohashi Katsuhisa , Hasebe Aki , Tomida Hideomi , Yamamoto Yasunori , Takeshita Eiji , Ikeda Yoshio , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) is a recognized chronic inflammation marker. No evidence regarding the relationship between AGR level and ulcerative colitis (UC) exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between AGR and clinical outcomes among Japanese subjects with UC.Methods: The study subjects consisted of 273 Japanese individuals with UC. AGR was divided into 4 categories (low, moderate, high, and very high). The definition of complete mucosal healing (MH) was based on the Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as no rectal bleeding and no abnormally high stool frequency (<3 times per day).Results: The percentage of MH was 26.4%. High AGR and very high AGR were significantly positively correlated with CR (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52–14.18 and adjusted OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.14–12.04) and complete MH (adjusted OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.56–11.51 and adjusted OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 1.97–14.89), respectively after adjustment for confounding factors (P for trend=0.001). Only in the low C-reactive protein (CRP) group (≤0.1 mg/dL), very high AGR was significantly positively correlated with complete MH but not CR (adjusted OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.06–21.77; P for trend=0.017). In the high CRP group, no correlation between AGR and complete MH was found.Conclusion: Among Japanese patients with UC, AGR may be independently positively correlated with complete MH. In particular, among UC patients with low CRP, AGR might be a useful complementary marker for complete MH.
IMPROVING OF SUBJECT-METHODOLOGICAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE PHYSICAL CULTURE TEACHERS IN CONDITIONS OF BLENDED LEARNING
Authors: DANYSKO O.
Published: March 2022

The article substantiates the theoretical and methodological principles of improving the subject-methodological competence of future physical culture teachers in conditions of blended learning. The issues of modernization of the domestic system of higher pedagogical education are considered, the problem of developing the trajectory of professional development of a teacher of a new Ukrainian school on the basis of the competence approach is actualized.

The essence and structure of the concept «subject-methodological competence of future physical culture teacher» are defined as the generalized purpose and result of his/her professional skills which are characterized by integration of theoretical knowledge on a specialty and orientation in modern concepts of physical culture and health-improving work organization; as well as the ability to select methods of rehabilitation and develop technologies to increase the level of physical activity of student youth; the skills of organizing partnerships with parents and colleagues in order to improve the quality of educational process on the subject of «Physical Culture».

The main directions of improving the subject-methodological competence of future physical culture teachers in conditions of blended learning are determined on the example of studying the discipline "Modern sports and health-improving technologies": at the organizational level – determining learning outcomes, selecting assessment strategies, designing courses, distinguishing the optimal part of face-to-face and online components; at the content level – structuring of materials (topics, tasks, program questions) that are professional in content and educational in form and provide contextual modelling of future physical culture and health-improving activities; at the procedural and technological level – the use of a set of tools and practices that contribute to the professional adaptation of the student to future activities and are provided with active methods (problem-based learning, discussion, analysis of educational situations, solving educational problems, gamification, creative individual work, modelling professional and methodological activities, etc.) and educational means (multimedia textbooks, interactive tasks); at the reflexive level – the use for educational and diagnostic purposes of various forms of answers: oral; written (graphic); using information and communication technologies.
Stock Assessment and Overexploitation Risk of Small Pelagic Fish in Fisheries Management Area 715 of Indonesia
Authors:   National Commission for Fishery Resources Assessment, Gedung BRSDM KP 1 Jl. Pasir Putih II, Ancol Timur, Jakarta Utara 14430, Indonesia, PURWANTO PURWANTO , FRANKLIN ERIK C. , MARDIANI SES RINI , WHITE ALAN
Published: March 2022

This study presents updated stock assessments and risk analyses of overexploitation for the aggregate small pelagic fish complex and the dominant genus of the complex, Decapterus, for improving the management of the small pelagic fishery in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715. The analyses herein used non-equilibrium biomass dynamics models with available data on annual catch and catch per unit effort for 2005 to 2016. Fishing effort was standardised into the number of 20-meter length overall purse-seine vessels. The analyses show that the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of the aggregate fish was about 121,600 tonnes, caught by 876 purse-seiners, while the MSY of the mackerel scad, Decapterus macarellus (Cuvier, 1833), was about 67,900 tonnes, caught by 805 purse-seiners. Since the mackerel scad and the aggregate fish stocks have been overexploited, a rebuilding strategy would be necessary to restore the stocks to a level capable of producing MSY (BMSY). After achieving the BMSY, it is recommended that a target reference point be implemented for the catch level with the maximum overexploitation risk level of 50 % in 10 years. The catch level meeting this requirement for mackerel scad would equal 80 % of its MSY, which could be achieved by controlling fishing effort at 427 purse-seiners. At this effort level, the fishery would produce 95,800 tonnes of aggregate fish catch with 54,300 tonnes of mackerel scad. These reductions in fishing efforts will be needed to maintain the future sustainability of the fish stocks in FMA 715.
Impact of Short-Term Salinity and Turbidity Changes on Hatching and Survival Rates of Japanese Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), Eggs
Authors:   College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Viet Nam, TU PHAN THI CAM , MANUEL ALBERT VALDISH , HUYNH GIANG TRUONG , TSUTSUI NAOAKI , YOSHIMATSU TAKAO
Published: March 2022

The increased frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events attributed to global climate change could lead to changes in salinity and turbidity levels in coastal waters which may negatively impact the survival of organisms, particularly during the early developmental stages. In this study, the influences of salinity and turbidity on the early life stage of Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), were studied in a series of small-scale laboratory experiments. During the first half of the experiments, A. japonicus fertilised eggs were exposed to various levels of salinity stresses (34: control, 30, 26, 22, 18, 14 PSU) for a single period of 3 h. In the second half of the experiments, following the same duration as the first experiment, fertilised eggs were exposed to different levels of turbidity, 0 (control), 100, 300, 500, and 700 NTU. The results showed that the hatching and survival rates significantly decreased as salinity dropped. As for turbidity, there were significant adverse effects on hatching and survival rates of A. japonicus. This study shows that short-term low salinity and high turbidity influenced events could potentially reduce larvae survival of A. japonicas. These factors could affect the robustness of future adult populations.
Playcentre leadership: A learning story
Authors:   , Mitchell Carleen
Published: March 2022

Research into leadership in early childhood education in Aotearoa New Zealand is in its infancy. At this early stage, distributed leadership has been identified as the most common style of leadership used in teacher-led early childhood education and care services. However, as a parent-led early childhood service in Aotearoa New Zealand, Playcentre uses emergent leadership. While some Playcentres have session facilitators, these positional leaders do not distribute leadership roles; the leadership is shared rather than distributed. This sharing of leadership removes power from roles therefore, those that come through Playcentre often don’t see themselves in leadership roles and downplay the knowledge, skills, and experience they are gaining. This enquiry sets out to develop a leadership framework for reflecting on leadership skills gained through Playcentre, and to gain an understanding of which are transferable to a range of other leadership roles, for example leadership in tertiary education. Action research is used to develop the Playcentre Leadership Framework. To examine the viability of this framework along with my leadership skills, an autoethnographic case study method was employed. The enquiry found the leadership framework evolved into a matrix for examining leadership practice along with giving insight into personal leadership practices. The leadership matrix provides scope for Playcentre Leaders and other early childhood education leaders to gain insight into their leadership, and develop a leadership framework of practice.
Exploring their Dark Side or death before DNF: Ultra-athletes' motivation to compete in and complete ultra-distance races
Authors:   , Spenceley Kate
Published: March 2022

Athletes undertaking ultra-distance races, especially in ultra-running, are a growing phenomenon. These events are frequently held over demanding terrain, such as mountains or deserts, and can involve many metres of vertical ascent as well as hundreds of kilometres. There is an expanding body of research into the physiological impact of such undertakings on the human body. Long-distance racing impacts adversely on the body of the athlete. Research has included the nutritional needs and calorie deficit in ultra-racing; difficulties in maintaining euhydration and avoiding hyponatraemia; sleep deprivation and its impact on mood and psychological drivers. However, there is a limited amount of literature exploring these psychological drivers that motivate athletes during ultra-distance events. The literature retrieved focussed upon specific races and athletes in specific contexts. This study set out to discover the psychological drive of athletes undertaking ultra-distance races, and how they maintained this impetus during the event itself. An ethnographic approach was used for data collection and analysis. Athletes were interviewed to elicit what drove them to pursue ultra-distance sports, and the tools they used during training and the event itself sustain their motivation. Findings from the analysed data were arranged into six broad themes: training; commitment; self-belief; mental toughness; support; addiction. During analysis, a further theme was discerned suggesting that challenging life events or changes could cause athletes to seek out ultra-distance events. Whilst links to past trauma were tenuous, as this was not identified at the outset of the study, it was identified as a theme requiring further investigation.
CLASSIFICATION OF BURNED PEATLAND USING PROBABILISTIC NEURAL NETWORK ALGORITHM BASED ON HIGH TEMPORAL DATA
Authors: Feta Neneng Rachmalia
Published: March 2022

Forest or land fires in Indonesia do not only occur in drylands but also in peatlands. Peatland fires are more dangerous and more difficult to overcome compared to non-peatland fires and the impacts of peatland fires are very harmful to society. One of the solutions in assessing forest and peatland fires is remote sensing technology. Satellite images obtained from remote sensing technology are usually classified for further analysis. The main objective of this study is to develop a classification model using Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) to classify areas in peatland before, during, and after being burned on the satellite image Landsat 7 ETM +. Furthermore, the model is used to get the trajectory pattern of the burned area using the DBScan algorithm. The study area is Ogan Komering Ilir District, South Sumatera Province, image Landsat 7 ETM + taken from January 2015 – December 2015.
Pengaruh Aplikasi Air Kelapa Tua dengan Cara dan Interval yang Berbeda terhadap Bobot Kering Bibit Kakao
Authors: Rosniawaty Santi , Ariyanti Mira , Suherman Cucu , Sudirja Rija , Fitria Syfani
Published: March 2022

In order to properly grow, cocoa seedling requires adequate nutrients. In a usual practice nutrient in the form of 2g of urea is given once every two weeks. The source of nutrition for cocoa seeds can come from organic materials such as coconut water. Coconut water contains nutrients and growth hormones. The purpose of this study was to determine whether coconut water could be used to fulfill the nutrition of cocoa seedling through different application methods and intervals expressed by plant dry weight. The experiment was conducted from October 2019 until February 2020 in Ciparanje experimental field, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor with the altitude of 760 meter above the sea level. Experimental design used was randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments and each treatment was repeated three times. The treatments consisted of control (urea 2 g every 12 days), coconut water application towards plant every 3, 7, 14, 21 days, and to the soil every 3, 7, 14, 21 days. The results of the experiment showed that there was no effect of coconut water application in different methods and intervals on shoot dry weight, root dry weight, shoot root ratio and leaf area of cocoa seedling, therefore coconut water can be used as an alternative source of nutrition for cocoa seedlings.
Analisis Pendapatan, Produktivitas Dan Curahan Tenaga Kerja Usahatani Padi Sawah Pada Petani Pengguna Dan Bukan Pengguna Brigade Alsintan (Alat Dan Mesin Pertanian) Di Kecamatan Pabuaran, Kabupaten Subang
Authors: Arifin Andi , Dasipah Euis , Permana Nendah Siti
Published: March 2022

This study aims to analyze the effect of using Alsintan (Agricultural Machine Tools) on income, productivity and outpouring of labor  for lowland rice farming. This research uses survey method. The technique for determining respondents used the Taro Yamane formula (1967) and obtained a sample size of 41 respondents who were allocated proportionally, namely 23 farmer respondents who used agricultural machinery and 18 farmer respondents who did not use agricultural machinery. The results showed that the income of lowland rice farmers using agricultural machinery was different from the income of rice farmers who were not using agricultural machinery. The income of lowland rice farmers using agricultural machinery is Rp. 15,117,478, which is Rp. 7,855,255, - compared to the income of rice farmers who do not use machinery, which is only Rp. 7,262,223. The productivity of lowland rice farmers using agricultural machinery is different from that of farmers who are not using agricultural machinery, namely the productivity of lowland rice farmers using agricultural machinery is 6,825 kg/hectare/season, 771.0 kg higher than the productivity of paddy rice for farmers who do not use machinery, which is only 6,066 kg/hectare/season. The outpouring of labor for rice farmers using machine tools is different from the labor for rice farmers not using machine tools, where the labor for rice farmers using machine tools is 69 working days/hectare/season, 42 working days less than rice farmers not using machine tools which is 111 Working Days/hectare/season.
PEMANFAATAN TEKNOLOGI BERBASIS WEB MOBILE PADA APLIKASI SURVEI PILKADA ASAHAN ONLINE SEKTOR MEDIA SOSIAL
Authors:   Universitas Asahan, Sirait Azrai
Published: March 2022

Aplikasi survei pilkada online merupakan alpikasi alternatif bagi lebaga survei untuk melaksanakan kegiatan survei dengan baik. Secara umum kegiatan survey dilaksanakan dengan melakukan observasi kelapangan langsung oleh tim survei. Hal ini tentu sudah biasa dilakukan kebanyakan lembaga survei saat ini dan tentunya ada dana dan tenaga yang terkuras banyak. Dalam hal terobosan baru Aplikasi survei online dengan memanfaatkan teknologi web mobile ini selain mempermudah lembaga juga mempermudah para responden dalam partisipasi pelaksanaan survei. Dengan menggunakan aplikasi survei online dari segi waktu dan dana lebih murah dan cepat bahkan hasilnya secara realtime dapat diakses oleh publik.
PERANCANGAN APLIKASI PENCATATAN LAPORAN KEUANGAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE AGILE DEVELOPMENT SCRUM
Authors:   Universitas Telkom, Sabila Hasya , Praptono Budi ,   Universitas Telkom, Yuli Arini Isnaeni ,   Universitas Telkom
Published: March 2022

Kedai Intikopi merupakan salah satu UMKM yang baru bergerak pada bidang kopi, namun dalam hal pengelolaan keuangan masih memiliki kekurangan yaitu cara yang digunakan masih manual sehingga laporan yang dihasilkan selalu tidak sama dengan hasil yang didapatkan karena jumlah pemasukan dan pengeluaran yang tidak terstruktur. Dengan pesatnya perkembangan teknologi, aplikasi pencatatan keuangan akan sangat berguna bagi Kedai Intikopi untuk meminimalisir kesalahan dalam pencatatan keuangan serta untuk mengetahui bagaimana kondisi keuangan perusahaan. Metode yang dirasa tepat untuk digunakan dalam merancang aplikasi ini adalah Agile Development Scrum dimana metode ini mengutamakan kecepatan penyampaian serta memungkinkan untuk mengalami perubahan setiap saat karena pada setiap tahapannya selalu membutuhkan persetujuan dari user. Tahapan yang dilakukan dimulai dari mengetahui kebutuhan user, merancang desain sistem, melakukan pemrograman aplikasi, serta hasil akhirnya yaitu aplikasi yang sudah melewati proses pengujian dengan menggunakan ISO 9126 dan Black Box. Hasil akhir menunjukkan bahwa setelah melalui proses pengujian, aplikasi yang dirancang sudah sesuai dengan kebutuhan user untuk mengelola keuangan pada perusahaan. Selain itu, terdapat fitur untuk menambahkan pemasukan dan pengeluaran yang saling terintegrasi sehingga laporan keuangan akan tercetak secara otomatis.