bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supramolecular Organogels Based on N-Benzyl, N’-Acylbispidinols
Authors: Medved'ko Alexey , Dalinger Alexander , Nuriev Vyacheslav , Semashko Vera , Filatov Andrei , Ezhov Alexander , Churakov Andrei , Howard Judith A. K. , Shiryaev Andrey , Baranchikov Alexander , Ivanov Vladimir , Vatsadze Sergey
Published: December 2018

The acylation of unsymmetrical N-benzylbispidinols in aromatic solvents without external base led to formation of supramolecular gels, which possess different thickness and stability depending on the substituents in para-positions of benzylic group and nature of acylating agent as well as on the nature of the solvent used. Structural features of the native gels as well as of their dried forms were studied by complementary techniques including FT IR- and ATR-spectroscopy, AFM, TEM, SEM, SAXS. Structures of the key crystalline compounds were established by X-ray diffraction. Analysis of obtained data allowed speculating on the crucial structural and condition factors that governed the gel formation. The most important factors were: (i) absence of base, either external or internal; (ii) presence of HCl; (iii) presence of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups to allow hydrogen bonding; (iv) presence of two (hetero)aromatic rings at both sides of the molecule. The hydrogen bonding involving amide carbonyl, hydroxyl at 9th position and, very probably, ammonium N-H+ and Cl- anion appear to be responsible for the formation of infinite molecular chains required for the first step of gel formation. Subsequent lateral cooperation of molecular chains into fibers occured, presumably, due to the aromatic pi-pi-stacking interactions. sc-CO2 drying of the gels gave rise to aerogels morphology different from that of air dried samples.
Functional Characterization and Diversity of Ammonia-Oxidizing Microorganisms in Streams South of the Dabie Mountains, China
Authors: Ginawi Amjed , Lixiao Wang , Wang Huading , Yu Bingbing , Yunjun Yan
Published: December 2018

Ammonia-oxidizing microorganism communities are abundant and functionally efficacious in nitrification. However, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) groups complicate this process in subtropical streams. This study investigates the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing communities south of the Dabie Mountains, China, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Clone libraries were utilized to analyze the abundance and microbial structures of AOA and AOB in sediments. Such analysis may provide strong evidence reflecting the links within the environment. The results show that AOB had a lower abundance of copies of the ammonia-oxidizing gene (amoA) than AOA. Interestingly, the AOA and AOB community compositions were correlated with ecological characteristics. The dissolved oxygen (DO) and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) had significant positive correlations, whereas the phosphorus within the structure had a negative correlation with the abundance of both groups. Our study shows that it might adopt some species related to Nitrosotalea clusters that can resist comparably higher pH (toward pH 6.5). Together, these results imply that the physiological adaptation of microbial guilds to environmental pressures in ammonia-oxidizing archaea might allow them to have a more substantial function of ammonia-oxidizing communities in natural habitats.
Regulation of FOXP3 Expression in Blood Cells in Response to All-Trans-Retinoic Acid, Interleukin 2 and Transforming Growth Factor β
Authors: Ilnicka Aleksandra , Gocek Elżbieta , Łopatecka Justyna , Marcinkowska Ewa
Published: December 2018

FoxP3 is a transcription factor essential for the differentiation and function of T regulatory cells (Tregs). There are two major subsets of Tregs: natural Tregs (nTregs) generated in thymus and inducible Tregs (iTregs) produced in peripheral immune system. It has been documented that iTreg development is dependent on soluble mediators including interleukin 2 (IL2), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). In our experiments we performed a gene expression array, followed by Real-time PCR experiments, to study the expression of genes regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) or ATRA in cells of myeloid origin. Our experiments revealed that ATRA alone, but also a cocktail of mediators consisting of IL2, TGFβ and ATRA, upregulate the expression of FOXP3 gene in lymphoid cells, but also in normal and leukemic myeloid cells. The FoxP3 expression is followed by a phenotypic changes in cells of myeloid origin. Our results indicate that signaling pathways which are used in the late stages of T cell differentiation, are also active in the cells of myeloid lineage
EBSD Microstructure Mapping of Zr47.5Cu45.5Al5Co2 Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composite to Ascertain the Effect of Inoculation in Promoting Crystallinity
Authors: Rafique Muhammad Musaddique Ali , Brandt Milan , Easton Mark
Published: December 2018

Bulk metallic glass matrix composites have emerged as competent structural material of future bearing potential structural applications. However, the optimum percentage of crystallinity required to produce enough toughness that it can serve as structural component is still a matter of debate. In this study, an effort is made to address this problem by inoculation. A controlled amount of carefully selected inoculant is introduced in Zr47.5Cu45.5Al5Co2 bulk metallic glass matrix composite during melting and solidification. Its effect in promoting crystallinity is checked by detailed electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping. Proper pattern capture, background correction, binning, Hough space transformation, step size selection, indexing and matching with well-defined crystal structure files have shown to reflect upon map quality. This shows and bears direct relation with effect of inoculation. Results from two independent laboratories are reported. Inoculation treatment is shown to be advantageous.
Fatty Acids-Based Quality Index to Differentiate Worldwide Commercial Pistachio Cultivars
Authors: Esteki Mahnaz , Ahmadi Parvin , Vander Heyden Yvan , Simal-Gandara Jesus
Published: December 2018

The fatty-acid profiles of five main commercial pistachio cultivars, including Ahmad-Aghaei, Akbari, Chrok, Kalle-Ghouchi and Ohadi, were determined by gas chromatography: palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3) arachidic (C20:0) and gondoic (C20:1) acid. Based on the oleic to linoleic acid (O/L) ratio, a quality index was determined for these five cultivars: Ohadi (2.40) < Ahmad-Aghaei (2.60) < Kale-Ghouchi (2.94) < Chrok (3.05) < Akbari (3.66). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the fatty-acid data yielded three significant PCs, which together account for 80.0% of the total variance in the data set. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model evaluated with cross validation correctly classified almost all samples: the average percent accuracy for the prediction set was 98.0%. The high predictive power for the prediction set shows the ability to indicate the cultivar of an unknown sample based on its fatty-acid chromatographic fingerprint.
Operational Risk of Insecurity using Control Self Risk Assessment and Linear Programming
Authors: Adenomon Monday Osagie , Bulus Ezekiel Awhigbo
Published: December 2018

This research work focused on the risks we are faced with on our day to day activities, either directly or indirectly, which can gradually accumulates and results to communal crisis, religious crisis, socio-economic agitations and tribal crises. Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was used as case study and a well structure close–ended questionnaire was used for data collection as it relates to Controlled Self Risk Assessment (CSRA) and linear programming technique was used to analyze. The results proved that many of this processes were neglected in these communities, making them to be prone to incessant communal crisis. The study recommend that Government should strongly, as a matter of urgency address the unemployment rate, distribution of political position, schools, primary health care and equip security personnel with the modern technology facilities, which happen to record the highest risk level.
Spherical and Non-Spherical Combined Two Degree-of-Freedom Rotational Parallel Mechanism for a Microsurgical Robotic System
Authors: Arata Jumpei , Kobayashi Yoshiteru , Nakadate Ryu , Onogi Shinya , Kiguchi Kazuo , Hashizume Makoto ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan,   Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan,   Fukuoka Institute of Technology 3-30-1 Wajiro-higashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 811-0295, Japan
Published: December 2018

Microsurgery, often performed for anastomosis of small vessels and nerves, requires micro-manipulations of small tissues and thus requires highly specialized surgical skills. Robotic technology has great potential to assist with microsurgical treatments because of the high accuracy provided by robots; however, implementation remains challenging because the technical requirements of robotic surgery are far different from those in industry. One of the greatest challenges is that two surgical tools (e.g., tweezers) must be precisely and deftly moved around the surgical area in seven degrees of freedom (DOF) using one DOF to grasp each tool, and these tools are used in close proximity to each other. Additionally, high accuracy and rigidity at the tool tip are imperative for successful performance of the microsurgical procedure. In this study, we propose a new rotational two-DOF parallel mechanism that has the inherent advantages of a parallel mechanism, namely accuracy and rigidity, within a newly proposed spherical and non-spherical combined parallel structure to prevent collision of the two mechanisms in a dual-arm setup for microsurgery. The prototype was evaluated by performing a series of mechanical tests, and microsurgical suturing was performed by a microsurgical robotic system. The series of evaluations demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed mechanism.
Analysis of Displayable Force Region at Passive-Type Force Display with Redundant Brakes – Development of Rehabilitation System for Upper Limbs mboxPLEMO-Y (Redundant) –
Authors: Takesue Naoyuki , Furusho Junji , Mochizuki Shota , Watanabe Takeaki ,   Tokyo Metropolitan University 6-6 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo 191-0065, Japan,   Fuzzy Logic Systems Institute 680-41 Kawatsu, Iizuka-shi, Fukuoka 820-0067, Japan
Published: December 2018

Robotic rehabilitation systems for upper limbs have been developed as two system types: active or passive. Active-type systems use actuators to provide users with varying degrees of force; in contrast, the force available from passive-type systems is limited, although these systems are safer to use. In this paper, a passive-type force display with redundant brakes is proposed to extend the displayable force region of the system. The kinematics and statics are derived, and the reaction force generated by brake torques is clarified. The displayable force region is analyzed in the simulation, and then the experiments are examined to verify the proposed analytical model.
Operator-Based Control System Analysis and Design for Nonlinear System with Input and Output Constraints
Authors: Bi Shuhui , Wang Lei , Wen Shengjun , Ma Liyao ,   School of Electrical Engineering, University of Jinan No.336 West Road of Nanxinzhuang, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China,   HRG (Shandong) Intelligent Equipment Research Institute No.1268 Gongye 4 Road, Jinan, Shandong 250000, China,   Zhongyuan University of Technology No.41 Zhongyuan Load, Zhengzhou 450007, China
Published: December 2018

Smart material-based actuators and sensors have been widely used in practice owing to their various advantages. However, in the working process of these actuators and sensors, their output responses always deduce non-smooth nonlinear constraints. The constraint resulting from the actuator is called the input constraint and the constraint caused by the sensor is called the output constraint. These input and output constraints may induce inaccuracies and oscillations, severely degrading system performance. Therefore, the input and output constraints brought about by actuators and sensors should be considered in control system design. In this paper, system analysis for a nonlinear system with input and output constraints will be considered. The effect from the input constraint to the internal signal in the control system will be discussed. Moreover, the influence of the output constraint on the whole system will be studied. Further, the sufficient conditions for maintaining the stability of the system are obtained. Then, by using the robust right coprime factorization approach, an operator-based internal model like control structure is proposed for mitigating the input and output constraints. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme will be confirmed through numerical simulation.
Improved Synthetic Weighted Algorithm of Ontology-Based Semantic Similarity Computation
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wang Haiquan , Zhang Xiguang ,   School of Mechatronics Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics No.15 Wenyuan Road, Zhengzhou 450015, China,   Zhongyuan Petersburg Aviation College, Zhongyuan University of Technology No.41 Zhongyuan Road, Zhengzhou 450007, China
Published: December 2018

To solve the problems of incomplete consideration and low precision in existing domain ontology semantic similarity computation, an improved synthetic weighted algorithm of ontology-based semantic similarity computation is proposed, mixing path coincidence degree, the shortest distance, and concept property methods. First, the depths of lowest common ancestor (LCA) and an ontology tree are added to the formula of path coincidence degree for distinguishing the influence of LCA depth on similarity when multiple inheritances occur. Second, the analysis of similarity algorithm based on the shortest distance cannot distinguish two situations with the same path distance. One is when the density of LCA is different. The other is a depth difference in the concept pair. So, the number of direct subnodes of the LCA and the depth difference are added to the formula of the shortest distance. Meanwhile, the switch of density factor is set to ensure similarity calculation results between [0,1]. Then, a synthetic weighted algorithm of semantic similarity computation is constructed using the weighting path coincidence degree, the shortest distance, and the concept property. Finally, this algorithm and the other three algorithms in the literature are used to calculate semantic similarity in tea ontology. The results show that this algorithm is closest to expert experience.
A Comparative Study on Haar Wavelet and Hosaya Polynomial for the numerical solution of Fredholm integral equations
Authors: Shiralashetti S.C. , Ramane H. S. , Mundewadi R.A. , Jummannaver R.B.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a comparative study on Haar wavelet method (HWM) and Hosoya Polynomial method(HPM) for the numerical solution of Fredholm integral equations. Illustrative examples are tested through the error analysis for efficiency. Numerical results are shown in the tables and figures.
Providing HIV Comprehensive Care to Latino/as Who Inject Drugs: Philadelphia, 2013–2018
Authors: Bamford Laura , Benitez Jose , Muñoz-Laboy Miguel
Published: December 2018

Latino/as who inject drugs have the lowest level of retention in HIV care and the lowest HIV viral suppression rates in the United States. We set up an intervention to provide comprehensive, integrated HIV primary care services to Spanish-speaking and bilingual HIV-positive people who inject drugs of Puerto Rican ancestry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2016, the rate of HIV viral suppression in our intervention (83%) far exceeded the rate for all individuals diagnosed with HIV in Philadelphia (51%).
Tobacco Use and Cessation Behaviors in Young Adults: 2016 National Health Interview Survey
Authors: West Julia C. , Villanti Andrea C. , Graham Amanda L. , Mays Darren , Mermelstein Robin J. , Higgins Stephen T.
Published: December 2018

Objectives. To examine differences in tobacco use and cessation between young adults (aged 18–24 years) and adults aged 25 years or older.

Methods. We used data from the 2016 US National Health Interview Survey (n = 33 028) to identify 13 494 current and former cigarette smokers (562 aged 18–24 years; 12 932 aged 25 years or older). We analyzed correlations between age group, cigarette smoking, cessation behaviors, and other tobacco and nicotine use.

Results. Among current and former smokers, those aged 18 to 24 years had lower odds of having quit for 1 year or longer and higher odds of having tried e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco compared with adults aged 25 years or older, as well as higher odds of daily e-cigarette and smokeless tobacco use. Young adult smokers used fewer cigarettes per day than did those aged 25 years or older (mean = 8.8 vs 12.3), had higher odds of making a past-year quit attempt (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.42), and had lower odds of having a health professional talk to them about smoking (AOR = 0.44).

Conclusions. Greater experimentation with noncigarette products, lower cigarette consumption, and greater interest in quitting smoking invite novel intervention approaches to tobacco reduction, cessation, and relapse prevention in young adults.
Slowdown in the Decline of Tuberculosis Rates in California, 2000–2016
Authors: Medel-Herrero Alvaro , Martínez-López Beatriz
Published: December 2018

Objectives. To determine the impact of the 2007–2009 economic crisis on tuberculosis (TB) trends among California residents.

Methods. We analyzed available data from 4 different population-representative data sets. We used time charts, trend lines, and change-point detection tests during 2000 to 2016 to describe TB trends in California.

Results. We found statistically significant changes in California TB trends with the time of the onset of the economic downturn based on age-adjusted TB case rates and TB mortality rates, crude rate of TB hospitalizations, and self-reported TB. Change on TB incidence was especially apparent among racial/ethnic minority groups.

Conclusions. To our knowledge, changes in TB trends in the United States matching in time with the 2007–2009 economic crisis have not been previously reported. This study identified a slowdown in the decline of TB rates by 2007 to 2009 and provides new knowledge on TB trends that can be used to achieve California’s goal of eliminating TB by 2040 and in the prevention and control of TB in the United States.
Exploring the Environmental Justice Implications of Hurricane Harvey Flooding in Greater Houston, Texas
Authors: Chakraborty Jayajit , Collins Timothy W. , Grineski Sara E.
Published: December 2018

Objectives. To assess the environmental justice implications of flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Greater Houston, Texas, we analyzed whether the areal extent of flooding was distributed inequitably with respect to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, after controlling for relevant explanatory factors.

Methods. Our study integrated cartographic information from Harvey’s Inundation Footprint, developed by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, with sociodemographic data from the 2012–2016 American Community Survey. Statistical analyses were based on bivariate correlations and multivariate generalized estimating equations.

Results. The areal extent of Harvey-induced flooding was significantly greater in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black and socioeconomically deprived residents after we controlled for contextual factors and clustering.

Conclusions. Results provide evidence of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic injustices in the distribution of flooding and represent an important starting point for more detailed investigation of disproportionate impacts associated with Hurricane Harvey.

Public Health Implications. Our findings highlight the need to prepare for and address the unequal social consequences of climate change-related disasters, which are expected to increase in frequency and severity.
Infusing Computer Science in Engineering and Technology Education: An
Integrated STEM Perspective

Authors: Asunda Paul A.
Published: December 2018

This study examined how four engineering and technology education teachers infused
Computer Science Principles (CSP) and Computational Thinking (CT) practices into their
classrooms from an integrated STEM perspective. Two questions guiding this inquiry were:
(1) How do engineering and technology education teachers infuse CSP and CT into
engineering and technology education? (2) How do engineering and technology education
teachers assess students CSP and CT projects that are integrated with engineering and
technology education? Data were collected through class observations and semi-structured
interviews. Using an instrumental case study approach this study identified key themes;
pedagogy, programming, assessment, and problem solving as strategies K-12 teachers
should consider when designing instruction that seeks to infuse computer science
principles, and computational thinking in engineering and technology education and
integrated STEM coursework.
Praxis and language: Teaching newly arrived migrant children to “live well in a world worth living in”
Authors: Kaukko Mervi , Wilkinson Jane
Published: December 2018

This article continues the well-established discussion of the ethics of TESOL by adopting a praxis perspective that views TESOL as holistic, ethical and moral task, rather than a technical task of delivering learning outcomes in a new language. This article is informed by the authors’ empirical research in Finnish preparatory classes, and in intensive English language schools in Australia, including interviews with teachers, students and educational leaders. Drawing on literature and this research we consider how English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) and Finnish as a Second Language (F2) teaching can promote “a good life” for the individual learner and human kind.
Energy, Environment, and Social Development: Recognizing Sustainability Excellence in Oil and Gas
Authors: Alnuaim Sami
Published: December 2018

President's column

The term sustainability is widely used. Unfortunately, when applied to hydrocarbon energy sources, it is often mentioned in a negative way. Too often, the focus is on reducing the use of hydrocarbon fuels, or measuring the emissions resulting from burning of hydrocarbon products. This unbalanced approach ignores key aspects of sustainability—aspects where the oil and gas industry makes significant positive contributions. A sustainable world is one in which everyone has enough to eat, access to energy, educational and social opportunities, health and safety, and so much more.

If a key goal of sustainability is improving people’s lives, then the three key ways to support that goal are a strong economy, a healthy environment, and social development. Our industry has a very positive story to tell in each of those pillars. Instead of participating in the discussion around who or what is to blame for the world’s ills, we can show leadership in talking about what we have done, are doing, and will continue to do to improve people’s lives through our operations.

The world economy will continue to run on oil and natural gas for decades to come. The companies in our industry make enormous investments to ensure that we can meet growing world energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Investment 2018, the oil and gas industry invested more than $2 trillion in the past 4 years to achieve a reliable supply of energy, despite the downturn and reduction of oil prices during the same period. Technology has allowed us to unlock shale resources around the world, develop smaller deposits economically, and find resources in new areas. Continued innovation will help us get more oil and gas from known reservoirs. Far from being a dying industry, our technical success will continue to feed the growing global economy.

At the same time, our industry has helped to relieve energy poverty. The IEA reports that an additional 120 million people around the world gained access to electricity in 2017. As a result, the total number of people without electricity access fell below 1 billion for the first time ever. The availability of natural gas for power generation has been an important factor in this achievement.

No industry is without impact. Our industry has been innovating ways to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance safety for years, and we continue to invest in technologies to do even better. Through industry organizations such as the International Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) we are able to share best practices and report our successes. IOGP recently reported an exponential decline in fatal accidents in the oil and gas industry, even as activity rose significantly around the globe.
Quality Management for Research Weather Data: USDA‐ARS, Bushland, TX
Authors: Evett Steven R. , Marek Gary W. , Copeland Karen S. , Colaizzi Paul D.
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

Several redundant sensors for the same variable are required for quality control.

Weighing lysimeters record rainfall more accurately than do tipping bucket gauges.

Southern High Plains rainfall is variable, even within a 1‐km radius.

Scatterplots and time‐series graphical and statistical analyses aid quality control.

Weather mediates the complex interactions of soil, water, plants, atmosphere, and agricultural and environmental interventions. Accurate and representative weather data are thus important to agricultural and environmental research, but particularly to simulation model development and testing. USDA‐ARS research using large weighing lysimeters at Bushland, TX, has produced 30 yr of evapotranspiration and ancillary data related to different methods of irrigation application and management, dryland cropping, crop choice, and agronomic management and weather. To support crop simulation modeling, weather data were gathered on a 15‐min basis at a research weather station adjacent to the weighing lysimeters since the inception of the project in 1987, as well as at nearby stations. The goal of this article is to review and demonstrate Conservation and Production Research Laboratory (CPRL) weather data quality management procedures. Data quality management has involved both quality assurance planning and operations as well as quality control methods. Data analysis revealed the importance of having multiple sensors replicating the same weather measurement because sensor failure or degradation often created gaps in data that required another data source to fill, but also because replicate sensors aided in detecting sensor error. Data from multiple stations also revealed issues of datalogger time keeping and spatial variation of weather. And, comparisons of data on the same weather measurement from various sensors that used different operating principles revealed systematic errors in some sensors. Methods of quality assurance and control involved long‐term planning for sensor calibration, maintenance and replacement, and daily and longer‐term quality control efforts based on data stream analysis.
Alternatives to Timothy Grown in Mixture with Alfalfa in Eastern Canada
Authors: Pomerleau‐Lacasse Florence , Seguin Philippe , Tremblay Gaëtan F. , Bélanger Gilles , Lajeunesse Julie , Charbonneau Édith
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

Mixtures of alfalfa with meadow fescue, tall fescue, or meadow bromegrass have comparable yields and persistence to alfalfa‐timothy.

Mixtures with festulolium or perennial ryegrass had lower total seasonal DM yields than the alfalfa‐timothy mixture.

Harvesting mixtures at the alfalfa early flower stage maximizes the estimated milk production per ha.

Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) is the main forage grass species cultivated with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in eastern Canada, yet its regrowth under dry and warm conditions is poor. Air temperature and water stress are predicted to increase in the near future, which could further reduce timothy’s regrowth. We evaluated six alfalfa–grass binary mixtures at three contrasted sites in eastern Canada to find potential alternatives to the alfalfa–timothy mixture under current climatic conditions. Timothy, tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort.), meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis [Huds.] P. Beauv.), festulolium (× Festulolium Asch. & Graebn), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) were evaluated with harvests either at the early bud or early flower stage of alfalfa. Dry matter yield, nutritive attributes, and the yield contribution of each species were determined. Alfalfa mixtures with festulolium (cv. Spring Green) and perennial ryegrass (cv. Remington) had inferior grass yield contributions due to winter damages, as well as inferior forage yield and estimated milk production per hectare; these cultivars are not currently viable alternatives to timothy in eastern Canada. In contrast, alfalfa–meadow fescue and alfalfa–meadow bromegrass mixtures produced comparable yields, nutritive value, and estimated milk production per hectare and they are, therefore, possible alternatives to the alfalfa‐timothy mixture. The alfalfa–tall fescue mixture also represents a possible alternative; its lower nutritive value was compensated by its slightly greater yield. Timothy, tall fescue, meadow fescue, and meadow bromegrass remained productive over the first three production years when cultivated in mixture with alfalfa.
Heat‐Tolerant QTLs Associated with Grain Yield and Its Components in Spring Bread Wheat under Heat‐Stressed Environments of Sudan and Egypt
Authors: Tadesse W. , Suleiman S. , Tahir I. , Sanchez-Garcia M. , Jighly A. , Hagras A. , Thabet Sh. , Baum M.
Published: December 2018

Heat stress decreases photosynthesis, pollen viability, and grain number and weight and hence lowers yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) by variable amounts among different cultivars and genotypes. The present study was performed to determine genetic variability of spring bread wheat genotypes for yield and other agronomic traits under heat‐stressed (Wad Medani, Sudan) and high‐yielding (Sids, Egypt) environments and to identify linked single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers through association mapping. A heat association panel of 197 spring wheat genotypes from ICARDA was evaluated for yield and agronomic traits at Wad Medani and Sids stations for 2 yr (2014–2015). A total of 111 significant marker‐trait associations were detected. The wsnp_Ex_c12812_20324622 marker on chromosome 4A was significantly correlated with yield at both locations. At Wad Medani, wsnp_Ex_c2526_4715978 on chromosome 5A was significantly correlated with grain yield. Wheat genotypes carrying the cytosine base at the wsnp_Ex_c12812_20324622 and wsnp_Ex_c2526_4715978 markers outyielded the ones carrying the alternative bases by 15%, whereas genotypes carrying the cytosine base at only one of the two markers increased their yield by 7.9 to 10%, suggesting the importance of using these markers for marker‐assisted selection in breeding programs to increase yield under heat stress. The top 20 high‐yielding and heat‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study have been distributed to the national research systems of Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) and sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) for potential direct release and/or use as parents after local adaptation trials.
Soil Water Dynamics of Shallow Water Table Soils Cultivated With Potato Crop
Authors: Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva Andre Luiz , Hashiguti Heraldo T. , Zotarelli Lincoln , Migliaccio Kati W. , Dukes Michael D.
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

Estimation of water table level supplies upward water flux for daily ETc needs.

Episodic master recession method informs water table control during rain events.

Water table recession varies by soil and irrigation, with fastest rates under subirrigation.

Irrigation depth may be reduced in sprinkler areas with water table management.

Agricultural areas with shallow water tables usually rely on upward soil water flux to supply crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The study objective was to determine optimum water table levels for coarse‐textured soils cultivated with potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by estimating the upward soil water flux under different irrigation methods. Potato was grown under seepage, subirrigation with tile drainage, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), and sprinkler irrigation. Irrigation zones were classified as sandy soil with low soil organic matter (SOM) and high bulk density (Bd), or loamy sand soil with high SOM and low Bd. Upward soil water flux supplied enough water to the root zone to meet ETc when the water table was at the 69‐cm depth for loamy sand soils under seepage, and 42 and 45 cm for sandy soils under subirrigation and SDI, respectively. The sprinkler‐irrigated area had no control over the water table, whereby the cumulative contribution of upward water flux still averaged 6.3 cm, suggesting that irrigation rates could be reduced if the water table is controlled and upward flux accounted for in the crop water balance. Rainfall introduces flooding risks and crop losses, but these risks are minimized with management. The water table elevation/precipitation ratio was 34.4 and 25.6 cm cm−1 of rain for loamy sand and sandy soils. After precipitation, the water table returned to the original levels twice as fast under subirrigation than with other methods given improved drainage capacity. Soil characteristics, irrigation method, upward water flux, and proper water table management are important factors for maintaining ideal soil moisture conditions in the crop root zone, minimizing flooding risk.
The Strengbach Catchment: A Multidisciplinary Environmental Sentry for 30 Years
Authors: Pierret Marie-Claire , Cotel Solenn , Ackerer Philippe , Beaulieu Emilie , Benarioumlil Sylvain , Boucher Marie , Boutin René , Chabaux François , Delay Frederick , Fourtet Colin , Friedmann Pascal , Fritz Bertrand , Gangloff Sophie , Girard Jean-François , Legtchenko Anatoly , Viville Daniel , Weill Sylvain , Probst Anne
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

We present a general overview of research performed at the Strengbach catchment.

Multidisciplinary studies are performed to understand export of water and associated fluxes.

Long‐term data study disturbances such as acid rain, forest management, and climate change.

Research activity associated with various observations at the Strengbach catchment in the Vosges Massif (880–1150 m) addresses many questions in the domains of hydrology and geochemistry. The catchment is the observation and experimental site of the Observatoire Hydro‐Géochimique de l'Environnement appointed by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. It also belongs to the research facilities that form the French Network of Critical Zone Observatories (OZCAR), which supports a network of critical zone observatories. The catchment is small (0.8 km2) with steep slopes (20–30%) on granitic bedrock that mainly allow for forestry (spruce and beech stands) as the main land cover. Meteorological, hydrological, and geochemical data have been monitored since 1986. The first studies conducted were dedicated to the elucidation of acid rain effects on forest ecosystems and particularly on forest decline. Multidisciplinary research studies conducted on the Strengbach catchment enable exploration of the following issues: (i) hydrological functioning at the scale of a small catchment and questions regarding the evolution and preservation of the water resources in mountainous environments (stock, recharge, infiltration, and water pathways), (ii) exchange processes observed at the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum and in particular weathering processes and the evolution of soil mineral fertility (Ca, Mg, K, P), (iii) processes responsible for the export of water and for associated fluxes (dissolved chemicals, suspended materials, bed loads) and their dynamic at the outlet, and (iv) responses of the ecosystems to environmental disturbances (acid rain, forest management, and climate change) and their current and future modeling.
Canopy Chamber Measurements of Carbon Dioxide Fluxes in Corn and Soybean Fields
Authors: Wang Zhuangji , Luo Chenyi , Sauer Thomas J. , Helmers Matthew J. , Xu Liukang , Horton Robert
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

Canopy chambers were used to measure CO2 exchange rates (CER) in corn and soybean plots.

Daytime and cumulative CER fluxes were calculated from measured instantaneous CER fluxes.

Chamber CER fluxes were consistent with eddy covariance flux tower CER fluxes.

Crop canopy CO2 exchange rate (CER) includes crop photosynthesis and soil/plant respiration. A portable canopy chamber is effective in determining crop CER values at a relatively small spatial (m2) scale. The objectives of this study were to use a canopy chamber to measure CO2 fluxes in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Chamber measurements were performed for 18 and 15 d in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The canopy chamber measures instantaneous CER fluxes, and daily and daytime cumulative CO2 values were calculated from the instantaneous CER. The chamber CER results were compared with nearby eddy covariance (EC) flux tower measurements at a variety of time scales, i.e., instantaneous, daily, and daytime cumulative (multiple months). The daily and daytime cumulative chamber CER values were within 5% of the EC results, providing evidence for the effectiveness of the portable canopy chamber method. In conclusion, the portable canopy chamber provides reliable CO2 flux measurements despite the small size of field plots.
Assessing SMAP Soil Moisture Scaling and Retrieval in the Carman (Canada) Study Site
Authors: Bhuiyan Hassan A.K.M. , McNairn Heather , Powers Jarrett , Friesen Matthew , Pacheco Anna , Jackson Thomas J. , Cosh Michael H. , Colliander Andreas , Berg Aaron , Rowlandson Tracy , Bullock Paul , Magagi Ramata
Published: December 2018

Core Ideas

Upscaling methods compared in situ measures with soil moisture from the SMAP satellite.

The accuracy of SMAP soil moisture products in annual cropland was assessed.

The spatial representativeness of sparse in situ networks was determined.

In 2015, NASA launched the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite. Data from this satellite are being exploited to improve forecasting of extreme weather events and delivery of disaster response. International core validation sites (CVSs) have been contributing in situ soil moisture data to validate and calibrate SMAP soil moisture products. Overall the soil moisture retrieval errors have exceeded SMAP's mission requirement (errors below 0.04 m3 m−3), with the exception of some sites of annual cropland as present at the Carman (Canada) CVS. In 2016, a SMAP validation experiment was conducted at the Canadian site in Manitoba (SMAPVEX16‐MB) in an attempt to understand the differences between the SMAP soil moisture retrievals and the permanent in situ network observations. The research presented here analyzed the performance of this network in representing soil moisture within a SMAP pixel and tested five upscaling approaches. Comparisons between the permanent network and SMAPVEX16‐MB measurements (from temporary stations and field measures) confirmed agreement among these three sources of soil moisture measures. The SMAP soil moisture values were compared with in situ soil moisture upscaled from the four tested approaches as well as soil moisture estimated by the NOAH Land Surface Model (LSM). There were similar discrepancies when analyzing all methods (RMSE 0.072–0.074 m3 m−3 for the four upscaling methods; 0.076 m3 m−3 for the LSM approach), yielding no reduction in the soil moisture RMSE for this site. The SMAP team will continue to investigate other factors that may be contributing to errors above 0.04 m3 m−3 at these annually cropped CVSs.
Women’s professional activity as an element of human capital management in the aspect of non-formal employment
Authors: Pasternak-Malicka Monika , Migała-Warchoł Aldona
Published: December 2018

The aim of the article is an attempt to assess the impact of women’s occupational activity on the tendency to take up informal employment as an element of human capital management. The paper attempts to assess the relationship between the unemployment rate and the employment rate and the share of informal work in GDP. Methodology: The implementation of the objective required the use of statistical methods, in particular, linear regression methods. Results: The publication describes the nature of informal employment, the level of professional activity of women in the selected European Union countries in 2017. Based on statistical data, an attempt was made to assess the impact of professional activity among women on non-formal work based on the linear regression method.
A VISÃO DO IDOSO SOBRE O SEU PROCESSO DE ENVELHECIMENTO
Authors: Menezes José Nilson Rodrigues , Monte Costa Monique de Paula , Silva Iwata Ana Celina do Nascimento , Mota de Araujo Priscila , Oliveira Liliana Gama , De Souza Cleidiane Gonzaga Damasceno , Duarte Fernandes Paulo Henrique Palácio
Published: December 2018

Objetivo: Analisar a visão do idoso sobre o seu próprio processo de envelhecimento. Matérias e Métodos: Tratou-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado no Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada (NAMI), da Universidade de Fortaleza. Participaram da pesquisa 20 idosos de ambos os sexos, com idade a partir de 60 anos que receberam assistência fisioterápica no Núcleo de Atenção Médica Integrada no período de fevereiro a março de 2016. As informações foram colhidas por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada, gravada e transcrita na íntegra, em uma sala reservada. Resultados: Após transcrição, leitura e releitura das entrevistas, surgiram as seguintes categorias de análise: o estar idoso na sociedade, convivendo com as alterações físicas inevitáveis e a aceitação da velhice, percebendo por meio das falas que o idoso hoje está mais participativo, informado e consciente quanto ao seu processo de envelhecimento. Contudo, percebe-se também, um certo conformismo sobre o estar idoso, porém, nada que venha interferir amplamente em seu envelhecer. Considerações finais: Identifica-se atualmente uma resposta positiva em relação ao envelhecimento. A aceitação da idade por meio da conscientização sobre o processo de envelhecer, principalmente em relação às alterações físicas, faz com que os idosos não se abstenham de suas atividades diárias, nem tão pouco do convívio social, tornando-os assim, mais felizes nessa fase da vida.
Performance and kinetics of algal-bacterial photobioreactor (AB-PBR) treating septic tank effluent
Authors: Chaiwong Chawalit , Koottatep Thammarat , Surinkul Nawatch , Polprasert Chongrak
Published: December 2018

Septic tank effluent contains high organic and nutrient contents. This study aimed to evaluate treatment performance of an algal-bacterial photobioreactor (AB-PBR) treating the septic tank effluent. The experimental unit employed a transparent plastic medium made from recycled drinking water bottles for attached-growth biofilm. Red LED lamp (light intensity ∼100 μmol/m2/s) was applied as an energy source for the growth of algal-bacterial biofilm in the AB-PBR. The experimental results showed that AB-PBR operated at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3 days gave the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies of 64, 45 and 35%, respectively, by which the effluent COD concentrations could meet the effluent standards of Thailand, but the effluent TN and TP concentrations needed to be further removed. The Stover–Kincannon model was applied to determine the kinetic values of COD and TN removals with R2 values greater than 0.8. Microbiological examinations indicated Chlorella sp. is the predominant algal species growing in the AB-PBR, while the amplicon sequencing information analytical results revealed the bacterial phylum of Proteobacteria to be the predominant bacterial group.
EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION AS A GLOBAL INTEGRATION PROJECT: NOT ONLY ABOUT THE ECONOMY
Authors: Valovaya M. D.
Published: December 2018

In the current framework of interconnectivity and interdependence national countries can't develop effectively without international cooperation. Countries establish different types of regional unions taking into account their economic, political, geopolitical or geoeconomic interests. Globalization finds its expression in the strengthening and acceleration of the processes of integration. These processes are at the center of attention in all regions of the world. Formation of economic unions is an important part of this global process, which is covering all regions of the world. The history of recent decades clearly demonstrates that at the present stage of the development of the world system, no country can alone enter the world community as an equal partner. The Eurasian economic union came into force in 2015, it has to overcome a lot of difficulties, so it is extremely important to draw the lessons from accumulated experience. The article is devoted to the problems of functioning of the Eurasian Economic Union and to the analysis of its experience. There is a need for deepening integration.
FORMING OF THE MIGRATION SYSTEM IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA
Authors: Preobrazhenskaya A. A. , Knyazev P. Y.
Published: December 2018

Economic, demographic, political, social and others factor, which contribute to the increase of migration interaction between the countries of the region are presented in the article. The authors come to the conclusion, that economic and demographic differences betweenSouth-East Asiacountries are not only unlikely to be overcome in the coming decades, but can even grow. This means a possibility of a more clear distinguishing the countries of the region along the line «donor-recipient» to take place in the future, and thus a more distinct distribution of roles within the framework of the migration system. The sending group includesCambodia,Philippines,Laos,Myanmar,IndonesiaandViet Nam. The main recipient countries, which account for more than 80 per cent of all intraregional migration, areSingapore,ThailandandMalaysia. However, the links betweenSouth-East Asiacountries have not yet become sustainable, the regionalization of migration varies from country to country in the ASEAN and population flows from a number of countries are directed outside the region. It is emphasized that the intensification of population movements in the region promotes a better allocation of labor resources inSouth-East Asiacountries, adapting their economies to asymmetric shocks, as well as the expansion of foreign economic relations between the countries of residence and origin of migrants. The article attempts to identify the key factors and features of the migration cluster creation in this area, uniting countries with different levels of economic development, social sphere, level of democracy and political stability. The main attention is paid to the characteristics of the main features inherent in the regionalization of human movements inSouth-East Asia, the definition of challenges for the development of this group of countries. The authors also try to identify the most important trends in migration management both at the multilateral level and within countries, considering the regional migration system as a way of interaction between migrants and institutions responsible for regulating population movements. The article also describes the formation of the regional system of migration processes governance. The main feature of this system consists in a combination of elements of multilateral and bilateral regulation, taking into account the national specifics of countries in the region.