bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field Margin Vegetation in Tropical African Bean Systems Harbours Diverse Natural Enemies for Biological Pest Control in Adjacent Crops
Authors: Mkenda Prisila A. , Ndakidemi Patrick A. , Stevenson Philip C. , Arnold Sarah E. J. , Belmain Steven R. , Chidege Maneno , Gurr Geoff M.
Published: November 2019

Non-crop vegetation around farmland can be valuable habitats for enhancing ecosystem services but little is known of the importance of field margins in supporting natural enemies of insect pests in tropical agriculture. This study was conducted in smallholder bean fields in three elevation zones to assess the importance of field margin vegetation to natural enemy populations and movement to the bean crop for biological pest control. The pests and natural enemies were assessed using different coloured water pan traps (to ensure the capture of insects with different colour preferences) and the interactions of the two arthropod groups with the margin vegetation and their movement to the bean crop were monitored using fluorescent dye. Sentinel plants were used to assess predation and parasitism levels. A total of 5003 natural enemies were captured, more in the field margin than within the bean field for low and mid elevation zones, while in the high elevation zone, they were more abundant within the bean field. Pests were more abundant in the crop than margins for all the elevation zones. The use of a dye applied to margin vegetation demonstrated that common natural enemy taxa moved to the crop during the days after dye application. The proportion of dye-marked natural enemies (showing their origin to be margin vegetation) sampled from the crop suggest high levels of spatial flux in the arthropod assemblage. Aphid mortality rates (measured by prey removal and parasitism levels on sentinel plants) did not differ between the field edges and field centre in any of the three elevation zones, suggesting that for this pest taxon, the centre of the fields still receive comparable pest control service as in the field edges. This study found that field margins around smallholder bean fields are useful habitats to large numbers of natural enemy taxa that move to adjacent crops providing biological pest control service.
National Land Use Policy against the Misuse of the Agricultural Land—Causes and Effects. Evidence from Poland
Authors: Źróbek-Różańska Alina , Zielińska-Szczepkowska Joanna
Published: November 2019

Land suitable for agricultural production is limited and should be used in a sustainable manner and protected. Countries of the former communist bloc, where the majority of the agricultural land was dynamically privatized, are in a special situation. Land has been used there also to serve the needs of growing cities, for investment speculation and as entitlement to subsidies. Therefore, legal regulations protecting agricultural land were introduced. In the case of Poland, particular attention should be paid to the radical act of 2016, which completely stopped the sale of Treasury resources and strongly limited sales on the private market. However, the new act caused a number of side effects and various pathologies. This article examines the real effects of policy aimed at combating the misuse of agricultural land. It was assumed that most of the side effects will be observed around big cities, defined as Functional Urban Areas. The following methods were used: a survey in Polish FUAs, analysis of transactions on the real estate market in 2015–2018 and in-depth interviews with representatives of local governments and relevant institutions. The study revealed a number of pathologies, such as ways of circumventing new restrictions or searching for legal loopholes.
Flat-Rate versus Progressive Taxation? An Impact Evaluation Study for the Case of Romania
Authors: Popescu Madalina Ecaterina , Militaru Eva , Stanila Larisa , Vasilescu Maria Denisa , Cristescu Amalia
Published: November 2019

Taking into consideration the recent debates on adopting a progressive tax system over the flat-rate taxation, our paper aims to investigate the impact of a change in the current Romanian personal income tax policy system from the 10% flat-rate tax system to some alternative progressive taxation scenarios. The methodological approach consisted in using the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) database to micro-simulate the impact upon poverty and income inequality. Through our ex-ante tax policy analysis we bring empirical evidence of a modest, but positive effect upon poverty rate and income inequalities in favor of a progressive taxation system. However, when looking at the government financial implications through the personal income tax budget revenues, we discuss upon the possible trade-off between the benefits on poverty and income inequalities and the possible budgetary drawbacks. Despite the data limitations, this study has the benefit of being among the first attempts to evaluate the impact of a personal income tax policy reform for the case of Romania.
A Framework to Evaluate Land Take Control Policy Efficiency in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Authors: Salata Stefano , Peccol Elisabetta , Borsato Oscar
Published: November 2019

The development of effective policies against land take should be based on a deep knowledge of the specific land use dynamics and their determinants in a regional context. To this end, the traditional quantitative land use change analyses need to be integrated with a more accurate spatial and qualitative evaluation of the effects of the land use zoning of municipal land development plans and of the connected supplementary regulations (e.g., local building regulations). Land take limitation policies in Italy are largely based on the definition of quantitative thresholds for new development zones, while ignoring all those undeveloped zones that have been assigned building rights codes by plans of which the knowledge could largely impact policies. This paper attempted to define a conceptual framework of analysis which integrates a land use change assessment with an analysis in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment of the spatial distribution of normative zones. The method was tested on the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (north-east Italy)—a territory that has experienced rapid growth in recent decades—by analyzing the spatial impact of the recently promulgated regional laws on land take control, the explicit and specific purpose of which was to limit commercial and industrial land use in the whole region. The soil sealing data were analyzed by performing a cross-comparison with the building rights permissions data, thus achieving a comprehensive evaluation of the past and predicted land take for commercial and industrial uses. Results demonstrated that the expected land take will exceed the past urbanization rate, highlighting a substantial inefficacy of the promulgated regional laws in promoting local land take control. The main innovations of this study relate to the definition of a newer qualitative methodology for framing an efficient decision-making supporting system, while helping to achieve the long-term sustainability of policies.
Truck Arrivals Scheduling with Vessel Dependent Time Windows to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Authors: Ma Mengzhi , Fan Houming , Jiang Xiaodan , Guo Zhenfeng
Published: November 2019

Irregular external truck arrivals at a marine container terminal often leads to long queues at gates and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. To relieve gate congestion and reduce carbon emissions, a new truck arrival pattern called “vessel dependent time windows (VDTWs)” is proposed. A two-phase queuing model is established to describe the queuing process of trucks at gate and yard. An optimization model is established to assign time window and appointment quota for each vessel in a marine container terminal running a terminal appointment system (TAS) with VDTWs. The objective is to minimize the total carbon dioxide emissions of trucks and rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGCs) during idling. The storage capacity constraints of each block and maximum queue length are also taken into consideration. A hybrid genetic algorithm based on simulated annealing is developed to solve the problem. Results based on numerical experiments demonstrate that this model can substantially reduce the waiting time of trucks at gate and yard and carbon dioxide emissions of trucks and RTGCs during idling.
Critical Success Factors for Corporate Social Responsibility Adoption in the Construction Industry in Malaysia
Authors: Zahidy Anat Anaqie , Sorooshian Shahryar , Abd Hamid Zahidy
Published: November 2019

In the construction industry, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly valued as a strategic tool for business sustainable development and for addressing ethical issues. However, understanding the concept of CSR in the construction industry, and how to practice it, is limited. This study aims to explore and assess the factors critical to the successful adoption of CSR in the construction industry through the lens of critical success factors (CSFs) theory. Through a literature review, a list of potential factors that may theoretically have a major impact on CSR adoption in the construction industry was compiled as a proxy. Then, the potential factors were refined and validated by employing a Delphi technique. An expert panel of sixteen qualified Malaysian industry practitioners and academia was assembled. Results from three iteration rounds of the Delphi process depicted that successful adoption of CSR in practices depends upon eight CSFs including financial resources, top management support, managerial or internal skills on CSR, national economic growth, employees’ education and training on CSR, participation of key stakeholders in the CSR process, effective CSR communication, and organizational structure. This study contributes to the field by addressing a theme that has been covered less in literature. Knowing the CSFs for CSR adoption in advance could help the construction firms to successfully integrate CSR into business strategies and minimize the risk of failure. Policy-makers could also consider the findings when promoting the CSR agenda or development programs that adhere to the construction industry’s way forward. Although this study is particularly suited for the Malaysian context, nevertheless, the outcomes could shed some light upon the CSR initiative in other countries, since CSR adoption status in the construction industry overall does not significantly differ between countries.
Decision-Making and Performance Analysis of Closed-Loop Supply Chain under Different Recycling Modes and Channel Power Structures
Authors: Gong Yande , Chen Mengze , Zhuang Yuliang
Published: November 2019

The recycling and remanufacturing of e-waste is linked to a worldwide emphasis on the establishment and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility system (ERP), which has become an important problem in the process of cycling economy. Meanwhile, with the development and expansion of large-scale retail enterprises, the power structure of supply chain channels is showing a tendency towards diversity as well. However, few studies on closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) have considered both recycling modes and channel power structures. We aim to explore the influence of different recycling modes and channel power structures on the optimal decisions and performance of a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC), considering three recycling channels including manufacturer recycling, retailer recycling and hybrid recycling of retailer and manufacturer and two dominant modes including manufacturer-led and retailer-led. We construct six closed-loop supply chain models under different combinations of three recycling channels and two dominant modes. We analyze the effect of different recycling channels on company decision-making under the same dominant mode, whether participating in recycling has an impact on company decision-making under different dominant modes, and the effect on supply chain members and supply chain system under different dominant modes and recycling channels. The results show that the hybrid recycling strategy is always optimal for both supply chain members; the sub-optimal recycling strategies are both recycled by the subordinate enterprise, and the worst recycling strategies are both recycled by the leading enterprise. Moreover, it is always the worst strategy for manufacturer to participate in a closed-loop supply chain dominated by retailer and recycled by retailer; participating in a closed-loop supply chain dominated by manufacturer and recycled by manufacturer is always the worst strategy for retailer. From a system point of view, system efficiency is the highest under hybrid recycling, and system efficiency is the lowest if leading company recycles separately.
Quasi-Periodic Oscillating Flows in a Channel with a Suddenly Expanded Section
Authors: Masuda Takuya , Tagawa Toshio
Published: November 2019

In this study, two-dimensional numerical simulation was carried out for an oscillatory flow between parallel flat plates having a suddenly expanded section. Governing equations were discretized with the second-order accuracy by a finite volume method on an unequal interval mesh system resolving finer near walls and corners to obtain the characteristics of the oscillatory flow accurately. Amplitude spectrums of a velocity component were obtained to investigate the periodic characteristics of the oscillatory flow. At low Reynolds numbers, the flow is periodic because the spectrum mostly consists of harmonic components, and then at high Reynolds numbers, it transits to a quasi-periodic flow mixed with non-harmonic components. In conjunction with the periodic oscillation of a main flow, separation vortices that are not uniform in size are generated from the corner of a sudden contraction part and pass through a downstream region coming into contact with the wall. The number of the vortices decreases rapidly after they are generated, but the vortices are generated again in the downstream region. In order to specify where aperiodicity is generated, the turbulent kinetic energy is introduced, and it is decomposed into the harmonic and non-harmonic components. The peaks of the non-harmonic component are generated in the region of the expanded section.
Lattice-Boltzmann and Eulerian Hybrid for Solid Burning Simulation
Authors: Jo Eunchan , Kim Byungmoon , Song Oh-Young
Published: November 2019

We propose a new hybrid simulation method to model burning solid interactions. Unlike gas fuel, fire and smoke interactions that have been relatively well studied in the past, simulations of solid fuel combustion processes remain largely unaddressed. These include pyrolysis/smoldering, interactions with oxygen and flow inside porous solid. To advance this simulation problem, we designed a new hybrid of the Lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) and a Eulerian grid based Navier-Stokes equation (NSE). It uses the LBM, which has symmetrical directions of particle velocities in a cell, for inside the solid fuel and the NSE, which has a representative velocity in a cell, for outside the solid. At the interface where the two methods join, we develop a novel method to exchange physical quantities and show a natural transition between the two methods. Since LBM allows us to directly manage the quantity of exchanges from the microscopic perspective, that is, between lattice points, we can easily simulate the burning speed and the shape change of burning an inhomogeneous solid. Also, we derive an LBM version of the previously proposed porous Navier-Stokes equation to simulate gas flow inside the porous solid. In addition, we use the NS solver outside the solid where macroscopic behavior is much more dominant and, hence, LBM is less efficient than NS solver. Our results show us the physical stability and accuracy and visual realism.
ACP-TX-I and ACP-TX-II, Two Novel Phospholipases A2 Isolated from Trans-Pecos Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster Venom: Biochemical and Functional Characterization
Authors: Huancahuire-Vega Salomón , Hollanda Luciana M. , Gomes-Heleno Mauricio , Newball-Noriega Edda E. , Marangoni Sergio
Published: November 2019

This work reports the purification and biochemical and functional characterization of ACP-TX-I and ACP-TX-II, two phospholipases A2 (PLA2) from Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster venom. Both PLA2s were highly purified by a single chromatographic step on a C18 reverse phase HPLC column. Various peptide sequences from these two toxins showed similarity to those of other PLA2 toxins from viperid snake venoms. ACP-TX-I belongs to the catalytically inactive K49 PLA2 class, while ACP-TX-II is a D49 PLA2, and is enzymatically active. ACP-TX-I PLA2 is monomeric, which results in markedly diminished myotoxic and inflammatory activities when compared with dimeric K49 PLA2s, confirming the hypothesis that dimeric structure contributes heavily to the profound myotoxicity of the most active viperid K49 PLA2s. ACP-TX-II exhibits the main pharmacological actions reported for this protein family, including in vivo local myotoxicity, edema-forming activity, and in vitro cytotoxicity. ACP-TX-I PLA2 is cytotoxic to A549 lung carcinoma cells, indicating that cytotoxicity to these tumor cells does not require enzymatic activity.
Use of Monocyte-Derived Macrophage Culture Increases Zika Virus Isolation Rate from Human Plasma
Authors: Sippert Emilia , Rocha Bruno C. , Assis Felipe L. , Ok Suzan , Rios Maria
Published: November 2019

Viral isolation is desirable for many reasons, including development of diagnostic assays and reference materials, and for virology basic research. Zika virus (ZIKV) isolation from clinical samples is challenging, but isolates are known to infect various cell lines. Here, we evaluated suitability of Vero, C6/36 and JEG-3 as host cells, for direct isolation of ZIKV from human plasma. We also assessed the use of primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) culture to enhance ZIKV isolation from human plasma samples followed by virus expansion in Vero, C6/36 and JEG-3 cultures. Direct inoculation of cell lines with 42 ZIKV-RNA positive samples resulted in isolation rates of 9.52% (4/42) in Vero and C6/36, and of 7.14% (3/42) in JEG-3 cells. Inoculation of plasma in MDMs followed by supernatant testing by TaqMan RT-PCR, resulted in 33/42 (78.57%) ZIKV-RNA-positive supernatants, which expansion in cell lines increased isolation rates to 24.24% (8/33) in Vero and to 27.27% (9/33) in C6/36 and JEG-3 regardless of the presence of ZIKV-antibody. Isolates generated in JEG-3 cells were also produced in Vero and C6/36 with similar viral titers. These results suggest that efficiency of ZIKV isolation from human plasma can be enhanced when MDM culture is used before viral expansion in cell lines.
MVA-Vectored Pentameric Complex (PC) and gB Vaccines Improve Pregnancy Outcome after Guinea Pig CMV Challenge, but Only gB Vaccine Reduces Vertical Transmission
Authors: Contreras Heidi , Wussow Felix , Fernández-Alarcón Claudia , Bierle Craig , Nguyen Jenny , Diamond Don J. , Schleiss Mark R.
Published: November 2019

(1) Background: A congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) vaccine is a major research priority, but the essential glycoprotein target(s) remain unclear. We compared CMV gB (gpgB), gH/gL (gp75/gL), and pentameric complex (gpPC, composed of gH/gL/GP129/GP131/GP133) vaccines in a guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) congenital infection model. (2) Methods: Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vaccines expressing GPCMV glycoproteins were used to immunize GPCMV-seronegative, female Hartley guinea pigs (three-dose series, 3 × 107 pfu/dose). After pregnancy was established, the dams underwent an early third-trimester challenge with salivary gland (SG)-adapted GPCMV. (3) Results: All vaccines elicited GPCMV-specific binding and neutralizing antibodies. Preconception immunization resulted in 19.5-, 4.9-, and 698-fold reductions in maternal DNAemia in MVA-gp75/gL, MVA-gpPC and MVA-gpgB groups, respectively, at day 14, post-SG challenge. Vaccination improved pups’ birth weight and reduced mortality and congenital CMV transmission. In controls, cCMV infection was observed in 100% of pups (mean viral load in all visceral organs, 2.4 × 104 genomes/mg), versus 50% in the gB group (visceral viral load, 9.4 × 102 genomes/mg; p < 0.05). No significant reductions in congenital transmission were noted in the MVA-gp75/gL and MVA-gpPC groups. (4) Conclusions: MVA-vectored gB, gH/gL, and PC vaccines were immunogenic, and protected against maternal DNAemia and pup mortality. These results support the inclusion of multiple glycoprotein complexes in a cCMV vaccine.
Effects of a Large Irrigation Reservoir on Aquatic and Riparian Plants: A History of Survival and Loss
Authors: Aguiar Francisca C. , Fernandes Maria Rosário , Martins Maria João , Ferreira Maria Teresa
Published: November 2019

Dammed rivers have unnatural stream flows, disrupted sediment dynamics, and rearranged geomorphologic settings. Consequently, fluvial biota experiences disturbed functioning in the novel ecosystems. The case study is the large irrigation reservoir Alqueva in Guadiana River, Southern Iberia. The study area was divided into three zones: upstream and downstream of the dam and reservoir. For each zone, species composition and land use and land cover (LULC) were compared before and after the Alqueva Dam implementation. Data consist of aquatic and riparian flora composition obtained from 46 surveys and the area (%) of 12 classes of LULC obtained in 90 riverine sampling units through the analysis of historical and contemporary imagery. There was an overall decrease of several endemic species and on the riparian shrublands and aquatic stands, although differences in the proportion of functional groups were not significant. Nevertheless, compositional diversity shows a significant decline in the upstream zone while landscape diversity shows an accentuated reduction in the reservoir area and downstream of the dam, which is likely related to the loss of the rocky habitats of the ‘old’ Guadiana River and the homogenization of the riverscape due to the irrigation intensification. The mitigation of these critical changes should be site-specific and should rely on the knowledge of the interactions between surrounding lands, ecological, biogeomorphologic, and hydrological components of the fluvial ecosystems.
Assessment of Lake Water Quality and Eutrophication Risk in an Agricultural Irrigation Area: A Case Study of the Chagan Lake in Northeast China
Authors: Liu Xuemei , Zhang Guangxin , Sun Guangzhi , Wu Yao , Chen Yueqing
Published: November 2019

Water quality safety is the key factor to maintain the ecosystem service functions of lakes. Field investigations and statistical analyses were carried out to study the water quality of a large, agriculture-stressed lakes (e.g., Chagan Lake) in Northeast China. The hydro-chemical properties of the Chagan Lake are HCO3·CO3-Na. Nutrient (N and P) and non-nutrient (pH and F−) were found to be the major factors that threaten water quality safety of the lake. The concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) was found to vary seasonally and at different locations. The overall lake water had mean TN and TP values of 2.19 mg/L and 0.49 mg/L, respectively, in summer. TN was the major factor for water quality deterioration in the western region of the lake, while TP was the principal factor in the other regions, as determined by a principal component analysis (PCA). Fluoride (F−) concentration in the lake water were related to the values of total dissolved solid (TDS), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). In addition, eutrophication is a fundamental index that has been affecting the ecological evaluation of water quality. The results showed that trophic level index (TLI), trophic state index (TSI), and eutrophication index (EI) were evaluated to quantify the risk of eutrophication. However, TLI and TSI can better describe the purification effect of the wetland. These indices showed that the lake water was hyper-eutrophic in summer, with TLI, TSI, and EI values of 60.1, 63.0, and 66.6, respectively. Disparities in water quality were observed among whole areas of the lake. Overall, this study revealed that controlling agriculture drainage is crucial for lake water quality management. The study generated critical data for making water quality management plans to control the risk.
Numerical Simulations of Hydraulic Characteristics of A Flow Discharge Measurement Process with A Plate Flowmeter in A U-Channel
Authors: Li Yongye , Gao Yuan , Jia Xiaomeng , Sun Xihuan , Zhang Xuelan
Published: November 2019

The use of a flow discharge measuring device in irrigated areas is the key to utilizing water in a planned and scientific manner and to developing water-saving irrigation techniques. In this study, a new type of flow discharge measuring device for a U-channel—a plate flowmeter—was designed, and then the hydraulic characteristics of the flow discharge measurement process using the plate flowmeter were simulated and experimentally verified by adopting an RNG (Renormalization Group) k-ε turbulence model based on Flow-3D software. The results showed that in the process of measuring flow discharge with the plate flowmeter, the transverse flow velocity, the vertical flow velocity, and the relationship between the measured flow discharge and the deflection angle of the angle-measuring plate were basically consistent with the experimental results. The maximum relative errors were 5.3%, 6.2%, and 6.8% respectively, proving that it was feasible to use Flow-3D software to simulate the hydraulic characteristics of the flow discharge measurement process using the plate flowmeter. The vertical flow velocities at the center of the upstream section of the channel increased gradually from the bottom of the channel to the free water surface. The vertical flow velocities at the center of the downstream section of the channel first increased and then decreased from the bottom of the channel to the free water surface, and the maximum vertical flow velocity was located at a position below the free water surface. The maximum range of influence of the plate flowmeter on the flow disturbance in the channel was from 0.75 m upstream to 1.24 m downstream of the plate flowmeter. These results can provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the structural parameters of a plate flowmeter.
Species Richness and Taxonomic Distinctness of Zooplankton in Ponds and Small Lakes from Albania and North Macedonia: The Role of Bioclimatic Factors
Authors: Mancinelli Giorgio , Mali Sotir , Belmonte Genuario
Published: November 2019

Resolving the contribution to biodiversity patterns of regional-scale environmental drivers is, to date, essential in the implementation of effective conservation strategies. Here, we assessed the species richness S and taxonomic distinctness Δ+ (used a proxy of phylogenetic diversity) of crustacean zooplankton assemblages from 40 ponds and small lakes located in Albania and North Macedonia and tested whether they could be predicted by waterbodies’ landscape characteristics (area, perimeter, and altitude), together with local bioclimatic conditions that were derived from Wordclim and MODIS databases. The results showed that a minimum adequate model, including the positive effects of non-arboreal vegetation cover and temperature seasonality, together with the negative influence of the mean temperature of the wettest quarter, effectively predicted assemblages’ variation in species richness. In contrast, taxonomic distinctness did not predictably respond to landscape or bioclimatic factors. Noticeably, waterbodies’ area showed a generally low prediction power for both S and Δ+. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of assemblages’ species composition indicated the occurrence of two distinct groups of waterbodies characterized by different species and different precipitation and temperature regimes. Our findings indicated that the classical species-area relationship hypothesis is inadequate in explaining the diversity of crustacean zooplankton assemblages characterizing the waterbodies under analysis. In contrast, local bioclimatic factors might affect the species richness and composition, but not their phylogenetic diversity, the latter likely to be influenced by long-term adaptation mechanisms.
Design of a Pressurized Rainfall Simulator for Evaluating Performance of Erosion Control Practices
Authors: Ricks Matthew D. , Horne Matthew A. , Faulkner Brian , Zech Wesley C. , Fang Xing , Donald Wesley N. , Perez Michael A.
Published: November 2019

Construction site erosion and resulting sedimentation constitutes one of the greatest non-point source pollution threats to our nation’s waterways. Erosion control practices are important aspects of any construction project due to their ability to limit the process of erosion. Testing erosion control practices under simulated rainfall representative of conditions experienced on construction sites is important to better understand their erosion reduction capabilities. Full-scale testing using simulated rainfall has been shown to provide controllable and repeatable results, in comparison to field-testing under natural conditions. Therefore, the focus of this study was to design, construct, and calibrate a pressurized rainfall simulator testing apparatus capable of accurately and repeatedly simulating rainfall intensities of 50.8, 101.6, and 152.4 mm/hr (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 in/hr) for 20-min intervals. The developed testing apparatus consisted of a 12 m (40 ft) long by 2.4 m (8.0 ft) earthen slope at a 3H:1V slope. Ten sprinkler risers at a height of 4.27 m (14 ft) were installed around the perimeter of the slope to create a uniform distribution of rainfall. Data collection procedures consisted of collecting and analyzing rainfall depth, drop size distributions, and sediment concentrations. The optimum location for each sprinkler riser, as well as the most accurate nozzle configuration, were determined through test procedures developed for this study. Through calibration testing, the simulator was found to produce accurate rainfall intensities with relative errors of 1.17–4.00% of the target intensities. Uniformity of rainfall distribution ranged from 85.7 to 87.5%. Average drop sizes were determined to be between 2.35 and 2.58 mm (0.093 to 0.102 in.).
Long-Term Deceleration of Glaciers in the Eastern Nyainqentanglha Mountains, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, Revealed from Landsat Images
Authors: Fu Xiyou , Zhou Jianmin
Published: November 2019

Temperate glaciers are very sensitive to variations in temperature and precipitation, and thus represent a good indicator of climate change. By exploiting complete Landsat archives during periods of 1988–1990, 2000–2002 and 2014–2016, we derived three velocity maps of the temperate glaciers on the eastern Nyainqêntanglha Mountains in southeastern Tibetan to reveal the long-term changes of glacier surface velocity. Our results show that all the investigated glaciers experienced deceleration, with rates of deceleration varying from 4.15% to 29.8% per decade during the period from 1988–1990 to 2014–2016, showing heterogeneous deceleration patterns. A significant rise in temperature and an insignificant decrease in precipitation was found from the meteorological data of the nearby meteorological station. The region-wide deceleration of glaciers was, thus, attributed to the negative mass balance induced mainly by the rise in temperature. The averaged rates of deceleration for periods from 1988–1990 to 2000–2002 and from 2000–2002 to 2014–2016 are 20.97% and 22.02% per decade, respectively, indicating a nearly even speed of deceleration in velocities during study periods. The nearly even speed of deceleration in velocities and the accelerating mass loss trend from periods before the 2000s to after the 2000s highlighted the complexity of the relationship between mass balance and glacier velocity.
Evolution Pattern of Tailings Flow from Dam Failure and the Buffering Effect of Debris Blocking Dams
Authors: Wang Guangjin , Tian Sen , Hu Bin , Xu Zhifa , Chen Jie , Kong Xiangyun
Published: November 2019

Tailings ponds are the indispensable facilities in the mine production and operation. Once the dam is destabilized and damaged, it will pose a serious threat on the life and property of the downstream population and could also potentially cause an environmental disaster. With an engineering background, this paper dynamically and numerically simulates the evolution process of tailings flow from dam failure and the influence scope of any resulting disaster in context. The evolution characteristics of leaked tailings flow are analyzed at various downstream riverbed slopes and debris blocking dam settings. In addition, parameters such as flow rate, impact force and deposition range of leaked tailings flow at downstream arrival are studied, as well as their correlations. The results indicate that the flat terrains upstream and downstream of passage zone show a relatively larger area of inundation by tailings flow. Both the maximum and final downstream inundated ranges increase with the elevating slope of downstream riverbed, and the leaked tailings are deposited mainly in the nearby villages in front of the dam and the flat terrains of the downstream passage zone. Additionally, rational establishment of debris blocking dams on the downstream side is effective in diminishing the damage of tailings flow to the downstream section. This study can also provide an important basis for the quantitative evaluation of post-disaster influence scope for tailings pond as well as for the design of dam body.
The Thresholds of Sediment-Generating Rainfall from Hillslope to Watershed Scales in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Liang Yue , Jiao Juying , Dang Weiqin , Cao Wei
Published: November 2019

Obtaining practical thresholds for erosive rainfall plays a crucial role in calculating rainfall erosivity and predicting water erosion. Nevertheless, the study of thresholds on subwatershed and watershed scales remains scarce. Given this, we presented the critical rainfall that generated the outflows of subwatersheds and watersheds as the threshold of sediment-generating rainfall. On the basis of the observation of twelve nested topographical units at the Peijiamaogou watershed in the Loess Plateau of China, we fitted regression relationships between rainfall indexes (rainfall amount, maximum 30-min intensity, maximum 60-min intensity, rainfall amount multiply maximum 30-min intensity, and rainfall amount multiply maximum 60-min intensity) and the proportion of cumulative sediment yield to the total sediment yield. We determined the thresholds of sediment-generating rainfall and explored the variabilities of thresholds across different spatial scales. Moreover, the covering area proportion (CAP) with rainfall indexes higher than the thresholds was also employed as thresholds at the subwatershed and watershed scales. The thresholds of CAP for P and I30 were 50.5% and 47.6% at the subwatershed scale, while 31.0% and 30.3% at the watershed scale. The thresholds of P and I30 at the subwatershed scale were higher than those of hillslope scale, while the threshold of I30 at the watershed scale was smaller compared to the other scales. In general, I30 was viewed as the best threshold among single rainfall indexes across different spatial scales, while P was not recommended as a practical threshold. This study can improve the prediction accuracy of water erosion across different spatial scales and develop the spatial scale effect of sediment yield in the loess hilly areas.
GAMBARAN KADAR HbA1C PADA PASIEN DIABETES MELITUS TIPE 2 DI RSUD WANGAYA
Authors: Sarihati I Gusti Agung Dewi , Karimah Hurin Nuril , Habibah Nur
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a degenerative chronic disease and characterized by the increasing of normal blood sugar level which causes high level of glucosuria. The measurement of HbA1c is an accurate way to determine high blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the level of HbA1c in Diabetes mellitus Type 2 patients at the RSUD Wangaya Denpasar City. Methods : This research is a descriptive study and the obtained data will be described using tables and narations. Primary data were obtained by conducting interviews and laboratory examination. The respondents were 30 patients of Diabetes mellitus type 2 who performed HbA1c examination at Wangaya Hospital. Results: The results of this study showed 40% of respondents with HbA1c controlled and 60% uncontrolled. HbA1c controlled with normal BMI 40%, food intake according to recommended 40%, exercising regularly 23.3% regularly consuming antidiabetic drugs 40%. HbA1c is not controlled by a normal BMI 33.3% exercise regularly 3.3% food intake according to the recommended 30%, regular antidiabetic consumption is 40%. Conclusion : From these data it can be concluded that the respondents with controlled HbA1c all had normal BMI, recommended food intake, regularly consumed antidiabetic and most exercise routines.Keywords : HbA1c, Diabetes mellitus Type 2.
A General Method for the Synthesis of Hybrid Nanostructures Using MoSe
2
Nanosheet-Assembled Nanospheres as Templates
Authors: Han Shikui , Zhou Kai , Yu Yifu , Tan Chaoliang , Chen Junze , Huang Ying , Ma Qinglang , Chen Ye , Cheng Hongfei , Zhou Weijia , Zhang Hua
Published: November 2019

The layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and transition metal phosphides are low-cost, earth-abundant, and robust electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Integrating them into hybrid nanostructures is potentially promising to further boost the catalytic activity toward HER based on their synergistic effects. Herein, we report a general method for the synthesis of a series of MoSe
2
-based hybrid nanostructures, including MoSe
2
-Ni
2
P, MoSe
2
-Co
2
P, MoSe
2
-Ni, MoSe
2
-Co, and MoSe
2
-NiS, by postgrowth of Ni
2
P, Co
2
P, Ni, Co, and NiS nanostructures on the presynthesized MoSe
2
nanosheet-assembled nanospheres, respectively, via a colloidal synthesis method. As a proof-of-concept application, the as-synthesized hybrid nanostructures are used as electrocatalysts for HER, exhibiting high activity and stability in acidic media. Among them, the MoSe
2
-Co
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Schema-Based Instruction Implemented Under Routine Conditions
Authors: Peltier Corey , Lingo Mindy E , Autry-Schreffler Faye , Deardorff Malarie , Mathews Leslie , Palacios Meagann
Published: November 2019

Students identified with a specific learning disability (SLD) experience difficulty with mathematical problem solving. One specific intervention identified as a promising practice for students with a SLD is schema-based instruction (SBI). The current projects aimed to tests the efficacy of SBI under routine conditions. This extends prior literature by (a) using a teacher as the implementer, (b) allowing flexibility in the intervention protocol, (c) condensing the duration of intervention sessions, and (d) providing instruction in small group settings. In addition, we examined student problem solving performance on word problems requiring two-steps and combined schema structures. We used a multiple-probe design across three groups of fifth-grade participants (n = 7) receiving supplemental instruction in a resource room setting. Results indicated a functional relation between SBI and problem-solving performance for all students on simple structure word problems, with the magnitude of effects varying across cases. The NAP, Tau, and BC-SMD effect sizes were used to quantify effects. Implications were discussed in regard to systematic replication and conditions that may impact fidelity.
Durability Assessment of Concrete by using Electrical Resistivity & Rapid Chloride Permeability Technique
Authors:   PhD-Scholar, Construction Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, WB, India., Laskar* Abdullah Ahmed , Ghosh Dr Partha ,   Associate Professor, Construction Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, WB, India.
Published: November 2019

The durability of concrete is generally evaluated by many NDT technique, among the different NDT technique RCPT is one of the popular NDT method used by many researchers & practicing Engineers for evaluation of concrete durability. However the RCPT technique has some limitation on field test of concrete, considering the limitation of the RCPT technique a new technique has been intr oduced called Electrical resistivity technique is used for evaluation of concrete durability in both field & lab test. Durability of concrete is mainly depends on the properties of concrete microstructure i.e. pore size distribution, shape & connectivity of the microstructural pores in concrete. In general smaller pore size, with lesser connectivity results lower permeability & shows more durability, while concrete with porous microstructure having larger pore size distribution along with larger degree of interconnections results in higher permeability and shows poor durability. In this paper an experimental studies were conducted for evaluation of concrete durability on different types of concrete samples by using electrical resistivity & RCPT technique. From the experimental results it has been observed that concrete with lower level of Chloride permeability shows higher Electrical resistivity. Thus Electrical resistivity of concrete is directly influencing the durability of concrete.
Demystification of Bilingual Optical Character Recognition System for Devanagari and English Scripts
Authors:   Research Scholar, IKG Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, India, Verma* Rohit , Ali Dr. Jahid ,   Director, Shri Sai Iqbal College of Management & IT, Pathankot, India
Published: November 2019

Research is deliberately going on in the field of pattern recognition. New ideas are developed and implemented in this field throughout the globe. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is one of the inseparable applications of Pattern Recognition. Though extensive research is already reported in this field, but multilingual Optical Character Recognition is the most challenging aspect which is still, the need of the hour. Myriads of researchers are digging the information to gather the best solutions for the recognition purpose. In this research paper, we are purposing the steps for the recognition of Devanagari and English scripts simultaneously occurring in the documents. A new approach of segmentation and splitting the characters of both the scripts is also introduced for the benefits of researchers. Most commonly in the documents containing English and Devanagari scripts, English characters are already separated, the challenge is to separate the Devanagari characters. Algorithm to implement the challenging aspect to segment the Devanagari and Roman scripts simultaneously is also implemented in the present paper.
Implementation on Single Phase Electric Vehicle Battery Chargers
Authors:   Research Scholar ,Suresh GyanVihar University, Jaipur(Rajashtan) India, Somnath Kadlag Sunildatta , Gupta Mukesh Kumar ,   Suresh GyanVihar University, Jaipur(Rajashtan),India.
Published: November 2019

This paper gives a broad information on single-stage on-board coordinated battery chargers for electrical vehicles (EVs). This paper discus about a completely unique single-stage dynamic rectifier for uses of aboard energy unit battery chargers. The planned dynamic rectifier, with a reduced variety of semiconductors, is comprised of 4 MOSFETs what is a lot of, four diodes, and may produce 5 explicit voltage levels, allowing decreasing the uninvolved channels want to interface with the wattage network. A much curved matrix current with a unitary power issue is accomplished within the lattice facet for all the operating force run, adding to guard the management quality. The rule of activity, the present management methodology, and also the adjustment system square measure exhibited well. copy leads to numerous states of activity square measure showed feature the credibility and favorable circumstances of the planned dynamic rectifier
Optimization of Capital Structure for Increased Profitability
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Dr. B R Ambedkar Institute of Management and Technology, Hyderabad-500044, Telangana., Shailaja* P.
Published: November 2019

Every company needs money or capital not only for its establishment but also for day to day operations. In order to acquire the money or capital a company will have its own variety sources that can be elucidated by capital structure. There are two ways or sources for financing a firm i.e. debt finance and equity finance also known as debt and equity capital. Debt Capital comes from bonds, debentures, long term notes payable etc. whereas equity capital comes from stock/shares may be equity or preference, retained earnings etc. Working capital is also a part of capital structure. Each category has its own pros and cons. Decisions related to finance is the integral element of any company. In this connection, the finance manager plays a vital role in arriving at a decision. He is always in dilemma that which proportion of capital leads to optimum utilization of funds. The widely accepted solution is a combination of equity capital and debt capital. Generally capital structure is formulated as per the interest of equity share holders. Hence rather than collecting funds totally from share holders, it is better to have a long term loan also, even though it is an expense to the company, this method is followed by many companies. This research paper primarily focuses on effectiveness of capital structure on profitability of Information Technology (IT) firms in India.
Nitrogen Flows a nd Sustainability o f Agrosystem
Authors:   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agrochemistry named after D. N. Pryanishnikov, Moscow, Russia, Zavalin A.A. , Alferov A.A. ,   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agrochemistry named after D. N. Pryanishnikov, Moscow, Russia, Plyushchikov V.G. ,   RUDN University, Moscow, Russia, Tchernova L.S. ,   All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agrochemistry named after D. N. Pryanishnikov, Moscow, Russia, Slobodyanyuk K.V. ,   RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
Published: November 2019

In the experiment through sod-podzolic soil, nitrogen flows were estimated in agrocoenosis when applied under spring wheat using 15N ammonium nitrate labeled with isotope and white mustard biomass as a siderate. It was established that the increase of grain yield from the use of N45 is 42%, the siderate – 58%, their joint introduction – 99%, from seed inoculation with the Rizoagrin biopreparation – 16%. 60 - 80% of spring wheat harvest is formed due to soil nitrogen, the share of "extra" nitrogen reaches 14%. Plants use 41% of ammonia nitrate nitrogen for crop formation, and 23% of the siderate. Seed inoculation with a biological product increases plant nitrogen intake of mineral fertilizer by 5 - 9%. 26% of ammonium nitrate nitrogen and 33% of siderate nitrogen are fixed in the soil, the biological product does not affect this process. Unaccounted losses of 15N mineral fertilizer make up 32% of the applied amount and reduced by 8% when adding ammonium nitrate and inoculating seeds. The loss of labeled siderate nitrogen is 25% of the amount deposited, the use of the biological product increases the nitrogen consumption of N-fertilizers and provides a positive tendency for green manure nitrogen to fix in the soil and reduces its loss by 4%. On sod-podzolic light loamy soil, agroecosystem functions in the homeostasis mode (norm) when using green manure, in the stress mode (permissible) – when sharing green manure and mineral nitrogen fertilizer. When using only ammonium nitrate, agroecosystem operates in resistance mode. Differences in the performance of agroecosystems among variants with the inoculation of spring wheat with Rizoagrin and without it have not been established.