bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Investment Decisions: A Study of Individual Investors on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange
Authors: Hunguru Peter , Sibanda Vusumuzi , Tadu Ruramayi
Published: September 2020

This study investigated factors that inform individual investors in their decision-making on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. The main objective was to identify and assess the effect of the behavioural factors on investment decisions of individual investors. A quantitative survey of 291 randomly selected individual Zimbabwe Stock Exchange investors was conducted. Multiple regression analysis was used to calculate the correlation coefficient of behavioural factors and investment decision while correlation analysis was used to measure the strength of the relationship between the independent variables. The findings of the study established that the predictor variables had a strong positive association between them and individual investor decision at a significant level of 0.01 and 0.005. The findings of the study revealed that individual investor decisions are influenced by the behavioural factors which are; anchoring, availability, gambler’s fallacy, overconfidence, herding, loss aversion, mental accounting, regret aversion and representativeness. The study recommends the need for improved information on the stock markets dynamics as well as training on investor awareness programmes to support the decision-making abilities of the individual investors on the ZSE to fully play its rightful role in the development of the economy.
The Role and Challenge of Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) on Coffee Supplies and Marketing in Ethiopia
Authors: Fikre Seyfe
Published: September 2020

The objective of the study was to examine the role and challenge of ECX in coffee supply by measuring the core function ECX. The study used primary data collected from 120 respondents and analyzed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The study used six core function of ECX i.e. market information, enabling competition, market development, price discovery, and storage and grading and facilitation of physical commodity to measure the role and challenge of ECX. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that among ECX‘s core function, facilitation of physical commodity trade service was given the highest score while the storage and grading service was given the least score by the respondents. The multiple linear regression result indicate that three independent variable (Market information, market development and facilitation of physical commodity trade) were found to be significantly and positively influence the coffee supply and performance. Facilitation of physical commodity trade was significant at 1% while market information and market development were significant at 10%. Even though ECX have contributed to coffee supply and marketing performance, it is not free from a problem. The challenge are associated with service delivery system like grading system to test the quality of coffee was not uniform and biasedness one client from the other and wastage of time to test and low quality grading widely observed. ECX experts also indicate that absence of skilled man power, low government attention and capital shortage also another challenge in coffee marketing and supply. ECX should improve the service of storage and grading by introducing new technology and by maintaining transparent service. ECX should also build better warehouse management system in order to avoid wastage and quality deterioration.
Finite Element Analysis of a Moving Packed-Bed Particle-to-sCO2 Heat Exchanger Testing and Performance
Authors: DeLovato Nicolas A. , Albrecht Kevin J. , Ho Clifford K.
Published: September 2020

A focus in the development of the next generation of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants is the integration of high temperature particle receivers with improved efficiency supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles. The feasibility of this type of system depends on the design of a particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger. This work presents a finite element analysis (FEA) model to analyze the thermal performance of a particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger for potential use in a CSP plant. The heat exchanger design utilizes a moving packed bed of particles in crossflow with sCO2 which flows in a serpentine pattern through banks of microchannel plates. The model contains a thermal analysis to determine the heat exchanger’s performance in transferring thermal energy from the particle bed to the sCO2. Test data from a prototype heat exchanger was used to verify the performance predictions of the model. The verification of the model required a multitude of sensitivity tests to identify where fidelity needed to be added to reach agreement between the experimental and simulated results. For each sensitivity test in the model, the effect on the performance is discussed. The model was shown to be in good agreement on the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger with the experimental results for a low temperature set of conditions with a combination of added sensitives. A set of key factors with a major impact on the performance of the heat exchanger are discussed.
Retrofitting for Improving Energy Efficiency: The Embodied Energy Relevance for Buildings’ Thermal Insulation
Authors: Abd Alla Sara , Bianco Vincenzo , Scarpa Federico , Tagliafico Luca A.
Published: September 2020

Thermal insulation is a well-known strategy to increase energy efficiency of buildings. This paper considers two archetypes of an apartment block typology largely diffused in the Italian building stock and evaluates the energy savings resulting from the application of three insulation materials: polyurethane foam, rock wool and resin bonded fibre-board. The energy requirements for winter heating and summer cooling are assessed with EnergyPlus and then compared to the embodied energy of the insulation materials. Hence, the energy and carbon paybacks are calculated, and a cost analysis is proposed to provide an insight on the market impact for the retrofit materials’ choice.

The apartment block model is analyzed in three main cities (Rome, Milan, Palermo) allowing to assess the climatic conditions impact in terms of minimization of primary energy consumption and environmental emissions.

Simulations showed that the thermal insulation has a higher impact on winter heating and slightly affects the summer cooling requirement. In Milan, the refurbishment gains relevance as the energy and carbon payback periods are shorter than those of the city of Palermo characterized by a warmer weather.

Considering the embodied energy impact, this method allows to estimate the maximum potential for energy savings in existing buildings and provides an estimation of achievable results in short-medium period.
Concentrating Solar Thermal Process Heat for Manganese Ferroalloy Production: Plant Modelling and Thermal Energy Storage Dispatch Optimization
Authors: Mckechnie Tristan , McGregor Craig , Venter Gerhard
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the economic benefit of incorporating solar-based preheating of Manganese ore before smelting in electric submerged arc furnaces. Manganese ore is smelted to produce Manganese ferroalloy, a key component in steel production. The smelting process is highly energy intensive, with temperatures up to 1600 °C. The paper discusses the developed methodology for determining the configuration of a concentrating solar thermal (CST) plant to produce high temperature process heat. The CST plant is sized to preheat the ore to 600 °C before it enters the smelter — currently ore enters at ambient temperature. The preheating leads to economic and environmental benefits by offering lower cost heat and reducing carbon emissions for the process.
Adsorption Isotherm and Kinetics of Water Vapor Adsorption Using Novel Super-Porous Hydrogel Composites
Authors: Mittal Hemant , Al-Alili Ali , Alhassan Saeed M.
Published: September 2020

Deliquescent salts have high water vapor adsorption capacity, but they dissolve in water by forming crystalline hydrates. That restricts their use in different water vapor adsorption applications. However, this limitation can be overcome by incorporating deliquescent salts within a polymer matrix which will keep the salt solution in place. Furthermore, if the polymer matrix used is also capable of adsorbing water vapor, it will further improve the overall performance of desiccant system. Therefore, in this work, we are proposing the synthesis and use of a highly effective new solid polymer desiccant material, i.e. superporous hydrogel (SPHs) of poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylic acid (P(SA-co-AA)), and subsequently its composite with deliquescent salt, i.e. calcium chloride (CaCl2), to adsorb water vapors from humid air without the dissolution of the salt in the adsorbed water. Parental PAA-SPHs matrix alone exhibited an adsorption capacity of 1.02 gw/gads which increased to 3.35 gw/gads after incorporating CaCl2 salt in the polymer matrix. Both materials exhibited type-III adsorption isotherm and the experimental isotherm data fitted to the Guggenheim, Anderson and Boer (GAB) isotherm model. However, the adsorption kinetics followed linear driving force model which suggested that this extremely high adsorption capacity was due to the diffusion of water molecules into the interconnected pores of SPHs via capillary channels followed by the attachment of adsorbed water molecules to the CaCl2 salt present in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the adsorbents were used successively for six cycles of adsorption with a very little loss in adsorption capacity. Therefore, the proposed polymer desiccant material overcomes the problem of dissolution of deliquescent salts and opens the doors for a new class of highly effective solid desiccant material.
Energy Analysis of a New Combined Cooling and Power System for Low-Temperature Heat Utilization
Authors: Riaz Fahid , Farooq Muhammad , Imran Muhammad , Lee Poh Seng , Chou Siaw Kiang
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a new combined cooling and power (CCP) system has been proposed which enables harnessing of very low-grade heat (< 100 °C) in an effective way. The novel system configuration uses two vapour generators to extract more heat from heating stream and employs ejector in a unique way to serve two purposes; (i) to reduce pressure at the expander outlet for more power output (ii) vapour compression for refrigeration. The system is modelled in EBSILON which is a commercial thermal design and optimization tool. For ejector performance prediction, a new on-design optimal performance analytical model is used which is developed in EES (Engineering Equation Solver). The parametric study shows that when the evaporator pressure is changed from 0.8 bar (9.4 °C) to 1.2 bar (19.5 °C) the output of the system is increased by 58 % and when the condenser pressure is changed from 1.8 bar (30.5 °C) to 2.2 bar (36.2 °C) the system output is dropped by 56.4 %.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Path Generation for Image Collection to Assist Heliostat Field Optical Characterization
Authors: Guye Kidus , Mitchell Rebecca , Zhu Guangdong
Published: September 2020

This paper focuses on applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for measuring optical error of heliostats in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. In CSP, there is a need to measure solar-field optical errors, which is critical for future production improvement as well as for operations and maintenance of a heliostat field. This latter need is particularly challenging because of the large number of heliostats (over 10,000 for a utility-scale power plant) that individually track the sun in the field. To address this issue, a camera-equipped UAV, with an optimized drone flight path developed and uploaded to it, collects images of a precise reflection of the tower on each heliostat to evaluate optical error sources without interrupting plant operation. Generation of the drone path for capturing the reflected images is affected by a number technical and realistic constraints, which include the camera angle used to capture the image, the blocking of the camera view due to surrounding heliostats, the location of the camera in reference to the target heliostat, and the target heliostat position with reference to the tower. The effect of these constraints on calculating the camera position will be discussed in detail in this article. An effective drone-path algorithm is generated to fulfil the need of image collection under various constraints.
A parametric evaluation of shear wave speeds estimated with time-of-flight calculations in viscoelastic media
Authors: Wiseman Luke M. , Urban Matthew W. , McGough Robert J.
Published: September 2020

Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) uses an acoustic radiation force to generate shear waves, and then soft tissue mechanical properties are obtained by analyzing the shear wave data. In SWEI, the shear wave speed is often estimated with time-of-flight (TOF) calculations. To characterize the errors produced by TOF calculations, three-dimensional (3D) simulated shear waves are described by time-domain Green's functions for a Kelvin-Voigt model evaluated for multiple combinations of the shear elasticity and the shear viscosity. Estimated shear wave speeds are obtained from cross correlations and time-to-peak (TTP) calculations applied to shear wave particle velocities and shear wave particle displacements. The results obtained from these 3D shear wave simulations indicate that TTP calculations applied to shear wave particle displacements yield effective estimates of the shear wave speed if noise is absent, but cross correlations applied to shear wave particle displacements are more robust when the effects of noise and shear viscosity are included. The results also show that shear wave speeds estimated with TTP methods and cross correlations using shear wave particle velocities are more sensitive to increases in shear viscosity and noise, which suggests that superior estimates of the shear wave speed are obtained from noiseless or noisy shear wave particle displacements.
Effects of geometric properties of a static pressure tube on its frequency response
Authors: Zhao Sipei , Niu Feng , Qiu Xiaojun
Published: September 2020

Static pressure tubes are widely used to measure the static pressure in turbulent flows. Existing work focuses on the alteration of the static pressure tubes to the flow field. This paper investigates the effects of the geometric properties of a static pressure tube on the frequency response. A theoretical formulation is developed to describe the relationship between the sound pressure inside and outside the tube. The numerical simulation results show that the peaks in the frequency response move to lower frequencies when the tube diameter, tube length, and orifice depth increase and when the orifice diameter decreases. Experiments with a 3D-printed static pressure tube were conducted to verify the analytical results. The proposed model can be used to optimize the static pressure tube in the design stage or to correct the measurement results afterwards instead of cumbersome experimental calibration.
Nonlinear wave propagation through multiple scattering media and virtual time reversal focusing
Authors: Garay Gonzalo , Benech Nicolás , Abraham Yamil , Negreira Carlos
Published: September 2020

In this work, the propagation of an ultrasonic nonlinear wave through a multiple scattering medium is experimentally studied. The interaction between multiple scattering and nonlinear phenomena is analyzed by the cross correlation of the scattered field. This approach corresponds to a virtual time reversal. The cross correlated field is focused in both time and space. In linear regime, it is known that the focal width decreases as the thickness of the multiple scattering medium is increased. In this work, it is shown that this behavior is followed by a nonlinear wave and its harmonics. Moreover, due to the spectral richness of the nonlinear wave, the focal width is reduced in the nonlinear regime. This fact allows for the conclusion that the harmonics propagate following a linear scattering equation, although a nonlinear regime is required to generate them. Beside the experimental work, an estimation on the order of magnitude of the parameters that quantify nonlinearity and scattering phenomena is performed. The estimation shows that the Lighthill-Westervelt equation is as an accurate theoretical model for describing the multiple scattering of a nonlinear wave in the experiments.
Aberration-corrected STEM imaging of 2D materials: Artifacts and practical applications of threefold astigmatism
Authors: Lopatin Sergei , Aljarb Areej , Roddatis Vladimir , Meyer Tobias , Wan Yi , Fu Jui-Han , Hedhili Mohamed , Han Yimo , Li Lain-Jong , Tung Vincent
Published: September 2020

Phase off: false phase emerges in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging of 2D Materials.
Paleozoic ammonoid ecomorphometrics test ecospace availability as a driver of morphological diversification
Authors: Whalen Christopher D. , Hull Pincelli M. , Briggs Derek E. G.
Published: September 2020

Paleozoic ammonoid ecomorphometrics show no support for early bursts at origination or during mass extinction recoveries.
Ultrasensitive molecular imaging of intestinal mucosal inflammation using leukocyte-mimicking particles targeted to MAdCAM-1 in mice
Authors: Fournier Antoine P. , Martinez de Lizarrondo Sara , Rateau Adrien , Gerard-Brisou Axel , Waldner Maximilian J. , Neurath Markus F. , Vivien Denis , Docagne Fabian , Gauberti Maxime
Published: September 2020

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging allows noninvasive evaluation of intestinal mucosal inflammation in clinically relevant mouse models.
Restoring the natural tropism of AAV2 vectors for human liver
Authors: Cabanes-Creus Marti , Hallwirth Claus V. , Westhaus Adrian , Ng Boaz H. , Liao Sophia H.Y. , Zhu Erhua , Navarro Renina Gale , Baltazar Grober , Drouyer Matthieu , Scott Suzanne , Logan Grant J. , Santilli Giorgia , Bennett Antonette , Ginn Samantha L. , McCaughan Geoff , Thrasher Adrian J. , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis , Alexander Ian E. , Lisowski Leszek
Published: September 2020

AAVs isolated from human liver are tropic for human hepatocytes in vivo, but this phenotype becomes attenuated after passage in culture.
Draft Genome Sequences of Six Strains of Lactococcus lactis (Phylum
Firmicutes
), Spanning the Seeds of
Cucumis sativus
L. (Cucumber),
Cucumis melo
L. (Cantaloupe), and
Cucurbita pepo
var.
turbinate
(Acorn Squash)
Authors: Khalaf Eman M. , Raizada Manish N.
Published: September 2020

We announce the draft genome sequences of six strains of
Lactococcus lactis
(EKM101L, EKM102L, EKM201L, EKM203L, EKM501L, and EKM502L). These candidate plant probiotics were isolated from surface-sterilized seeds of
Cucumis sativus
L. (cucumber),
Cucumis melo
L. (cantaloupe), and
Cucurbita pepo
var
. turbinate
(acorn squash). They display beneficial activities, including biocontrol.
Highly Contiguous Nanopore Genome Assembly of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-1690
Authors: O’Donnell Samuel , Chaux Frederic , Fischer Gilles
Published: September 2020

The current
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
reference genome remains fragmented due to gaps stemming from large repetitive regions. To overcome the vast majority of these gaps, publicly available Oxford Nanopore Technology data were used to create a new reference-quality
de novo
genome assembly containing only 21 contigs, 30/34 telomeric ends, and a genome size of 111 Mb.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus OSU-PECh-69, a Cheese Isolate with Antibacterial Activity
Authors: García-Cano Israel , Hussein Walaa E. , Rocha-Mendoza Diana , Yousef Ahmed E. , Jiménez-Flores Rafael
Published: September 2020

The novel strain
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
OSU-PECh-69 was isolated from provolone cheese. It produces antimicrobial agents having a molecular mass of 5 to 10 kDa that are active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The strain has a genome sequence of 3,057,669 bp, a GC content of 46.6%, and up to two gene clusters encoding bacteriocins.
The Major Chromosome Condensation Factors Smc, HBsu, and Gyrase in Bacillus subtilis Operate via Strikingly Different Patterns of Motion
Authors: Schibany Sonja , Hinrichs Rebecca , Hernández-Tamayo Rogelio , Graumann Peter L.
Published: September 2020

All types of cells need to compact their chromosomes containing their genomic information several-thousand-fold in order to fit into the cell. In eukaryotes, histones achieve a major degree of compaction and bind very tightly to DNA such that they need to be actively removed to allow access of polymerases to the DNA. Bacteria have evolved a basic, highly dynamic system of DNA compaction, accommodating rapid adaptability to changes in environmental conditions. We show that the
Bacillus subtilis
histone-like protein HBsu exchanges on DNA on a millisecond scale and moves through the entire nucleoid containing the genome as a slow-mobility fraction and a dynamic fraction, both having short dwell times. Thus, HBsu achieves compaction via short and transient DNA binding, thereby allowing rapid access of DNA replication or transcription factors to DNA. Topoisomerase gyrase and
B. subtilis
Smc show different interactions with DNA
in vivo
, displaying continuous loading or unloading from DNA, or using two fractions, one moving through the genome and one statically bound on a time scale of minutes, respectively, revealing three different modes of DNA compaction
in vivo
.
Supplemental Material: A bigger splat: The catastrophic geology of a 1.2-b.y.-old terrestrial megaclast, northwest Scotland
Authors: Killingback Zachary , Holdsworth Robert , al. et
Published: September 2020

Appendices: additional maps and sections (I); field photographs (II); solid-collision equations (III); calculation results (IV); and Brazilian Test data (V).
Supplemental Material: Rapid emplacement of massive Duluth Complex intrusions within the North American Midcontinent Rift
Authors: Swanson-Hysell Nicholas L , al. et
Published: September 2020

Individual zircon dates, paleomagnetic site mean directions, and additional method details.
Oxaliplatin-associated sarcoid-like reaction masquerading as recurrent colon cancer
Authors: Aedma Surya Kiran , Chidharla Anusha , Kelting Sarah , Kasi Anup
Published: September 2020

A 54-year-old man with stage IV B metastatic colorectal cancer with liver and peritoneal metastasis was treated with cytoreductive surgery (extended left colectomy, right partial hepatectomy, resection of right diaphragm nodule) and perioperative oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The patient was cancer-free for 6 months, at which point a surveillance positron emission tomography-CT scan showed metabolically active hepatosplenic lesions and mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymph nodes. An endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy-guided fine needle aspiration of the mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes revealed non-necrotising granulomas. The workup was negative for bacterial, fungal or mycobacterial infection, cancer or autoimmune disease. Carcinoembryonic antigen and COLVERA (a circulating tumour DNA liquid biopsy test for the detection of recurrent colon cancer) tests were negative. Subsequently the rare diagnosis of a sarcoidosis-like reaction from oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was made. Repeat imaging after 3 months showed resolution of the hepatosplenic lesions and lymphadenopathy, alike.
Multimodal imaging in retinal pigment epithelium rip with exudative bullous retinal detachment
Authors: Rani Padmaja Kumari , Soni Aniruddh
Published: September 2020

A middle-aged man presented with exudative retinal detachment in the left eye. He was previously diagnosed as a case of large pigment epithelial detachment in the same eye, for which he was asked to follow-up closely, citing the risk of an retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) rip. Multimodal imaging confirmed the presence of a large RPE rip with exudative retinal detachment. He is a known retrovirus patient on anti-retroviral therapy with stable CD4 counts. He was diagnosed as a possible case of bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy and underwent external subretinal fluid drainage. We highlight the multimodal imaging findings of RPE rip with exudative retinal detachment and its impact on the patients visual acuity.
Rare case ofUreaplasma parvumseptic arthritis in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Asif Abuzar Ali , Roy Moni , Ahmad Sharjeel
Published: September 2020

Mycoplasmataceafamily comprises two genera:MycoplasmaandUreaplasma.Ureaplasma parvum(previously known asU. urealyticum biovar 1) commonly colonises the urogenital tract in humans. AlthoughUreaplasmaspecies have well-established pathogenicity in urogenital infections, its involvement in septic arthritis has been limited to prosthetic joint infections and immunocompromised individuals. We present a rare case of native right knee infection due toU. parvumidentified using next-generation sequencing of microbial cell-free DNA testing and confirmed with PCR assays. This rare case ofUreaplasmaseptic arthritis was diagnosed using newer next-generation DNA sequencing diagnostic modalities and a literature review of prior cases, antibiotic coverage and antimicrobial resistance is incorporated as part of the discussion.
Combatting COVID-19: is ultrasound an important piece in the diagnostic puzzle?
Authors: McDermott Cian , Daly Joseph , Carley Simon
Published: September 2020

The current COVID-19 pandemic is causing diagnostic and risk stratification difficulties in Emergency Departments (ED) worldwide. Molecular tests are not sufficiently sensitive, and results are usually not available in time for decision making in the ED. Chest x-ray (CXR) is a poor diagnostic test for COVID-19, and computed tomography (CT), while sensitive, is impractical as a diagnostic test for all patients. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has an established role in the evaluation of acute respiratory failure and has been used during the COVID-19 outbreak as a decision support tool. LUS shows characteristic changes in viral pneumonitis, and while these changes are not specific for COVID-19, it may be a useful adjunct during the diagnostic process. It is quick to perform and repeat and may be done at the bedside. The authors believe that LUS can help to mitigate uncertainty in undifferentiated patients with respiratory symptoms. This review aims to provide guidance regarding indications for LUS, describe the typical sonographic abnormalities seen in patients with COVID-19 and provide recommendations around the logistics of performing LUS on patients with COVID-19 and managing the infection control risk of the procedure. The risk of anchoring bias during a pandemic and the need to consider alternative pathologies are emphasised throughout this review. LUS may be a useful point-of-care test for emergency care providers during the current COVID-19 pandemic if used within a strict framework that governs education, quality assurance and proctored scanning protocols.
Local testing and calibration of species-specific competition indices in Sierran mixed-conifer forests: application transfer to evolving objectives
Authors: Premer Michael I. , Chhin Sophan , Zhang Jianwei
Published: September 2020

Forest growth processes are driven by site productivity and species functional traits, which are ultimately constrained by cumulative resource demand, resulting in competitive dynamics across successional forest communities. Historical efforts to quantify competition used density metrics or neighborhood crowding indices for yield modeling and reforestation surveys. These methods have expanded to include dendroclimatology and restoration applications that commonly assume similar competitive response across species of various functional types. We assessed the competitive indices of two focal species, Pinus lambertiana (Dougl.) and Pinus ponderosa (Dougl. ex P. Laws. & C. Laws.) in mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada to estimate stem radial growth under current stand structure. We ranked correlations of basal area increment of the last 10 years (BAI10) separately across 20 competition indices (CIs). The best-ranked CIs were used to test the relative influence of competition, tree size, and site variables on BAI10 with linear mixed models. While crown overlap was a common variable in CIs among both species, BAI10 of P. lambertiana was less impacted by intraspecific competition, and P. ponderosa appeared sensitive to all competing stems. The results suggest that local calibration of CIs with crown parameters may aid in interpreting Pinus species growth patterns and that the relative impact of competition on growth is species specific.
Pre-harvest conditions associated with Staccato sweet cherry fruit quality: mineral status in leaves and fruitlets and orchard growing factors
Authors: Ross K.A. , Toivonen P.M.A. , Godfrey D.V. , Fukumoto L.
Published: September 2020

Data obtained over three growing years were examined with principal component analysis to study how cherry quality was affected by pre-harvest mineral status in leaves and fruitlets and by orchard growing factors. Higher foliar levels of calcium were correlated with lower levels of pitting and pebbling in stored cherries, however there was no relationship with these disorders and fruitlet calcium content. Temperature and leaf size were associated with pebbling and pitting levels in stored cherries. Leaf and fruitlet mineral content are not the only factors to be considered in understanding fruit quality; environmental effects and management techniques should also be considered.
Discrimination between freshwater and marine fish using fatty acids: ecological implications and future perspectives
Authors: Parzanini Camilla , Colombo Stefanie M. , Kainz Martin J. , Wacker Alexander , Parrish Christopher C. , Arts Michael T.
Published: September 2020

Fatty acids (FA) are a major source of nutrients and energy in aquatic food webs, as well as serving as the main components of all cell membranes. Increasing anthropogenic impacts (e.g., climate change) are predicted to selectively alter the production of these critical compounds, with potential cascading effects reaching higher trophic level organisms, including humans. To provide a more comprehensive assessment of these potential effects, we synthesized and systematically explored differences in the abundance and distribution of FA in fish, due to their pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems and value to humans. An extensive data set consisting of 1382 fish FA profiles was analyzed to identify the main differences in FA composition of freshwater vs. marine fish, taking into account the effects of taxonomic, geographic (i.e., latitude zone), and functional (i.e., feeding mode) factors. Freshwater fish had relatively high contents of 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid, LNA) and 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, ARA) indicative of freshwater algae and terrestrial dietary sources. In contrast, 20:1n-9 and 22:1n-11, well known as marine zooplankton biomarkers, typified the FA composition of marine fish. Using this result, we constructed a new metric (i.e., a specific C18–C22 unsaturated FA ratio) that we propose can assist in characterizing the feeding habitat (freshwater vs. marine) and, to some extent, the diet of fish. Our analysis also revealed that carnivores from high latitudes had higher contents of 20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), thus making them an excellent source of essential FA for human consumption. In parallel, unsaturated FA contents were higher overall at temperate and polar latitudes than in the tropics. The latter two trends may be driven by water temperature variation across latitudes, which is known to affect FA composition of cell membranes in ectotherms. Last, a strong retention of DHA was observed in both freshwater and marine fish. We conclude that our discrimination between freshwater and marine fish provides a quantitative tool that is applicable to a broad range of research and conservation initiatives.
Spatially resolved characterization of optical and recombination losses for different industrial silicon solar cell architectures
Authors: Schneller E. J. , Hossain M. J. , Frota R. , Iqbal N. , Colvin D. , Curran A. J. , Wang M. , Braid J. L. , Bruckman L. S. , French R. H. , Huey B. D. , Jaubert J.-N. , Davis K. O.
Published: September 2020

In this work, spatially resolved characterization methods are used to identify loss mechanisms for common [Formula: see text]-type silicon solar cell architectures, including multicrystalline aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF), monocrystalline Al-BSF, monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC), and bifacial monocrystalline PERC. The characterization methods used in this work include suns-[Formula: see text], photoluminescence imaging, and spatially resolved external quantum efficiency and reflectance measurements. The optical and recombination losses are driven by the material properties, cell processing conditions, and device architecture. These losses are quantified and categorized in terms of underlying mechanisms (e.g., front reflectance, escape reflectance, front recombination, and parasitic optical absorption and recombination in the bulk and rear). The ability to create images of these loss parameters can be used to gain more insight into the materials and manufacturing processes used to produce solar cells, and examples are given in this work to illustrate how these images can help reveal the origin of defects.
Diatomic molecules energy spectra for the generalized Mobius square potential model
Authors: Okorie U. S. , Ikot A. N. , Ibezim-Ezeani M. U. , Abdullah Hewa Y.
Published: September 2020

The modified version of the generalized Mobius square (GMS) potential has been obtained by employing the dissociation energy and equilibrium bond length as explicit parameters. The potential parameters have been defined in terms of the molecular parameters. The modified GMS potential has also been used to model internuclear interaction potential curves for different states of diatomic molecules. Also, we have obtained the rotational–vibrational energy spectra of the new GMS potential model, both analytically and numerically for the different diatomic molecules. This was done by employing a Pekeris-type approximation scheme and an appropriate coordinate transformation to solve the Schrodinger equation. Our results have been compared with the experimental Rydberg–Klein–Rees (RKR) data and its corresponding average absolute deviations in terms of the dissociation energy computed. The effects of the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers on the rotational–vibrational energies for the different states of the various diatomic molecules have also been discussed. This paper has shown to be highly relevant to the studies of thermodynamic and thermochemical functions of diatomic molecules.
Lévy Laplacians and instantons on manifolds
Authors: Volkov Boris O.
Published: September 2020

The equivalence of the anti-selfduality Yang–Mills equations on the four-dimensional orientable Riemannian manifold and the Laplace equations for some infinite-dimensional Laplacians is proved. A class of modified Lévy Laplacians parameterized by the choice of a curve in the group [Formula: see text] is introduced. It is shown that a connection is an instanton (a solution of the anti-selfduality Yang–Mills equations) if and only if the parallel transport generalized by this connection is a solution of the Laplace equations for some three modified Lévy Laplacians from this class.
Large deviations for a stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation in Hölder norm
Authors: Boulanba Lahcen , Mellouk Mohamed
Published: September 2020

We consider a stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation driven by a space–time white noise. We prove that the law of the solution satisfies a large deviations principle in the Hölder norm. Our proof is based on the weak convergence approach for large deviations.
Identification the main molecular mechanism of AT1R Non-desensitization
Authors: Wang Xiaoyun , Liu Xiangrong , Wang Xiaoqiang , Wu Liqing , Zhang Suli , Liu Huirong
Published: September 2020

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibodies (AT1-AA) as a functional receptor activator can persistently activate Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor (AT1R) by causing AT1R non-desensitization which is one of the important pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). However, the molecular mechanisms of AT1-AA results AT1R non-desensitization remain unknown. In order to explore the background molecular mechanisms of AT1R non-desensitization induced by AT1-AA, we construct dynamical models which are composed of control model (based on the body of healthy pregnant women) and experimental group models (based on the body of pregnant women with PE) in this paper. We also consider the effect of membrane fluidity on the reaction when building the dynamical models. In the experiment group models, we establish two models that caused AT1R non-desensitization: endocytosis disorder model and conformational change model. We write C++ and MATLAB programs to do the data fitting. By comparing the data fitting results and analyzing the images of models and corresponding Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values, we conclude that conformational changes may be the key molecular mechanism of AT1R non-desensitization.
A Benchmark Study on Eigenfrequencies of Fluid-Loaded Structures
Authors: Kronowetter Felix , Baydoun Suhaib Koji , Eser Martin , Moheit Lennart , Marburg Steffen
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a coupled finite/infinite element method is applied for computing eigenfrequencies of structures in exterior acoustic domains. The underlying quadratic eigenvalue problem is addressed by a contour integral method based on resolvent moments. The numerical framework is applied to an academic example of a hollow sphere submerged in water. Comparisons of the computed eigenfrequencies to those obtained by boundary element discretizations as well as finite element discretizations in conjunction with perfectly matched layers verify the proposed numerical framework. Furthermore, extensive parameter studies are carried out illustrating the performance of the method with regard to both projection and discretization parameters. Finally, we point out that the proposed method achieves significantly smaller residuals of the computed eigenpairs than the Rayleigh Ritz procedure with second-order Krylov subspaces.
The Need for Better Terminology
Authors: Neal Lisa
Published: September 2020

There are many terms that are synonymous with e-learning or that differ in poorly distinguished ways, such as Web-based training, distributed learning, and distance education.
Training 2013 Conference & Expo: A Review
Authors: Thorn Kevin
Published: September 2020

Kevin Thorn shares a detailed recap of Training 2013 Conference & Expo, which attracts training, learning and performance professionals from both the public and private sectors. In this overview, Thorn offers a detailed description of the three-day event. If you have a hard time figuring out which learning conference to attend, this recap will help.
The Rock Stars of eLearning: An interview with Jane Bozarth
Authors: Raymer Rick
Published: September 2020

ELearning's Rock Stars are individuals whose passion and enthusiasm has made a positive impact on the industry. When Jane Bozarth talks, not only do people listen, but they are compelled to be a part of the conversation, which makes what Jane has to say, even more powerful.
Giving Students Real-World Experience via Virtual-Reality Learning
Authors: Leck Kathy
Published: September 2020

The iMBA program at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (LFGSM) allows students to participate in a virtual internship program within a simulated manufacturing company. iMBA lets students work in a virtual corporation with real products, customers, competitors, opportunities, and challenges. This immersion-based, virtual reality learning is considered stickier than passive sit back and observe style lectures as students are more emotionally engaged. Because academic learning and virtual internship occur simultaneously students are able to immediately apply the scholastic concepts, enabling them to more rapidly develop and practice critical business skills.
Using Game Mechanics to Enhance Leadership Education
Authors: Bodnar Zack
Published: September 2020

Gamification has significant advantages for incentivizing learning and professional training as a complement to traditional learning management systems. This article highlights how the Deloitte Leadership Academy introduced game mechanics into its executive training program using Badgeville's Behavior Platform to leverage the same intrinsic motivators--namely peer recognition and a bit of friendly competition--to spur participation and convince busy executives to invest their valuable time to fully engage with the program. With the addition of gamification to their online learning system, Deloitte saw a 46 percent increase in student retention and significant improvements in course completion time.
Attitude Plus Aptitude Will Determine Altitude
Authors: Bennett Brooke
Published: September 2020

Online learning offers many advantages. However the expanding use of technology does not come without challenges. As educators, we are forever trying to find ways to motivate students in our online classrooms. Are there specific tactics and activities that could help enhance student motivation? It is shown that through our behaviors, such as consistent feedback and prompt responses, we can create an environment that encourages and motivates students while enhancing student engagement and participation.
English Language Acquisition and the Internet: Access and choice in the digital age
Authors: Jude Alex
Published: September 2020

Today there are more than 1 billion people learning English as a second language worldwide. With demand for ESL tuition increasing year-on-year, there is a chronic global shortage of native English teachers on the ground. This is pushing up class sizes and lesson prices while leaving learners with less choice. The emergence of Skype schools, social language networks, and new online resources represents a big change within the ESL industry and a challenge to its traditional structure. This article takes a closer look at the reasons behind this recent shift towards eLearning and considers who studies online, how and what motivates them to do so.
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Authors: Kear Karen , Chetwynd Frances , Jefferis Helen
Published: September 2020

Some learners find online environments impersonal, but are personal profiles the solution?
Why Instructor Satisfaction Cannot be Ignored
Authors: Dietrich David
Published: September 2020

eLearning is a teaching method that is popular in higher education, with institutions and students looking to take advantage of this increasingly more available educational option. An important factor of effective online education that is often overlooked in the research of eLearning involves the satisfaction of online instructors. This article looks at instructor satisfaction in terms of its importance (impact on instructors, students, and institutions), the variables that impact it, and methods to increase it.
What Do College Faculty And Businesses Think About Online Education?
Authors: Andrews Melissa
Published: September 2020

Since 1994, student enrollments in online education programs have dramatically increased. As colleges and businesses expand their use of e-learning, it has become more and more important to find cost-effective ways to deliver instruction and training that will meet student and business needs. Perceptions of what constitutes quality programs by faculty members, the community, administrators and businesses all vary making planning for the future even more difficult. Little research in the field also compounds the complexity of knowing which strategy will provide colleges and businesses the quality standards that it requires. This indecision and lack of information is often what leads to poor training practices for online instructors, limited knowledge of program components by hiring managers and biases about student capabilities when comparing an online to traditional programs. Questions about how to strategically plan online programs, determining the quality of online programs and responding to growth are issues that colleges will have to address in the future to sustain growth. This article highlights various studies and statistics to explain why perceptions about online learning are contributing to the lack of planning and indecision in online education focus. As more and more students obtain online degrees and enter the job market, it is interesting to explore how businesses and college faculty really feel about the switch from traditional to online degree programs.
Creating Effective Collaborative Learning Groups in an Online Health Promotion Course
Authors: Huang Yan
Published: September 2020

In this paper, an undergraduate-level online health promotion course is used to illustrate how to incorporate group learning experiences into courses that create productive, engaging, and skill-building environments for learners.
Excited by E-Moderation? A Canadian Educator Shares Her Best Hacks
Authors: Zupan Marla A.
Published: September 2020

Many of today's educators who seek new experiences are considering positions as electronic moderators (e-moderators). However, the transition from overseeing a physical classroom to managing a virtual learning environment can quickly become overwhelming and confusing. With limited supports and training opportunities available, e-moderators can struggle to find a balance between course content delivery and consistent candidate communication. This article has a twofold purpose. It first seeks to define and clarify the e-moderator role, particularly as it relates to online teacher professional development in Ontario. Next, the author outlines six strategies for success, targeting specific areas including setup, planning, time management, online presence and feedback. Through the sharing of these scaffolds and tips, the author?s goal is to present e-moderation as an exciting opportunity for both networking and learning.
Intellectual technology for the new generation
Authors: Ubiquity staff
Published: September 2020

NetDay creator John Gage on the technological tools and foundational metaphors that will shape our future.
Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria
Authors: Wicht Kathryn J. , Mok Sachel , Fidock David A.
Published: September 2020

Understanding and controlling the spread of antimalarial resistance, particularly to artemisinin and its partner drugs, is a top priority. Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to chloroquine, amodiaquine, or piperaquine harbor mutations in the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT), a transporter resident on the digestive vacuole membrane that in its variant forms can transport these weak-base 4-aminoquinoline drugs out of this acidic organelle, thus preventing these drugs from binding heme and inhibiting its detoxification. The structure of PfCRT, solved by cryogenic electron microscopy, shows mutations surrounding an electronegative central drug-binding cavity where they presumably interact with drugs and natural substrates to control transport. P. falciparum susceptibility to heme-binding antimalarials is also modulated by overexpression or mutations in the digestive vacuole membrane–bound ABC transporter PfMDR1 ( P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 transporter). Artemisinin resistance is primarily mediated by mutations in P. falciparum Kelch13 protein (K13), a protein involved in multiple intracellular processes including endocytosis of hemoglobin, which is required for parasite growth and artemisinin activation. Combating drug-resistant malaria urgently requires the development of new antimalarial drugs with novel modes of action.