bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Integrated Counseling on Pregnant Mothers to Improve Knowledge on Pregnant Mothers in Pematangsiantar City
Authors: Br Nainggolan Santi Nurida , Rochadi R. Kintoko , Lubis Zulhaida
Published: August 2020

Integrated counseling through lectures and booklets is an effort to increase knowledge on pregnant women in Pematangsiantar City. Second trimester pregnant women are the target to prevent children from starting in the womb as early as possible. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of integrated lectures on pregnant women in increasing maternal knowledge. The type of research used in this study was quasi-experiment (quasy eperiment) with a pretest-posttest design. The number of samples is 20 people per group. Data analysis used the Independent-Sample T-Test. The results showed that there was the effectiveness of integrated counseling in the form of lectures and booklets on knowledge before and after giving lectures and booklets with an average value of knowledge 10.35 to 16.55 which increased with the value of p = 0.0001 and increase the average attitude value of 31.70 becomes 42.15 with a value of p = 0,0001. Need to add booklet media in the activities of pregnant women in pregnant women.
The Effect of Plyometric Training towards Long Jump of Squat Style Ability on Second Grade Male Students in SMP Negeri 2 Manganitu
Authors: Makadada Fredrik Alfrets , Lolowang Djajaty Mariana
Published: August 2020

The aims of the study to find out the extent of the effect of plyometric training on the ability to squat-style long jump on 2th grade male students of SMP Negeri 2 Manganitu. There is an influence of plyometric training on the ability to squat-style long jump in 2th grade male students of SMP Negeri 2 Manganitu. The research method used was an experimental method with treatment in the form of an exercise program given for eight weeks. The population was all male students of 2th grade of SMP Negeri 2 Manganitu amounting to 20 people and a sample of 20 people, then divided into two groups each with 10 experimental groups and 10 control groups. Data collection instruments: Squat-style long jump test. The study design uses: randomized control groups pre-test and post-test design. Hypothesis testing using statistical techniques with t test. The results of hypothesis analysis, obtained t observation of 21.63, while t table obtained from the degree of freedom n-1 + n2 - 2 that is 10 + 10 - 2 = 18 and the level of confidence = 0.05 is 2.10. In accordance with the test criteria accept Ho if t observation is smaller than t table and reject Ho if t observation is greater than t table. Because t observation is greater than t table, the results of the analysis show reject Ho and accept Ha. Conclusion: Pliometric exercises given for eight weeks with a frequency of three times a week can improve the squat-style long jump ability in male students of 2th grade SMP Negeri 2 Manganitu.
Measures Resolving Potential Risks to Successful Implementation of REDD+ in Bangladesh
Authors: Miah Md Danesh , Paul Suman Chandra
Published: August 2020

REDD+ implementation and its governance is needed in Bangladesh for resource management, conservation and enrichment of natural forests. REDD+ can generate both carbon and non-carbon benefits to the forest dependent people. On the contrary, good forest governance leads the transparency and accountability in the forest sector. The study was conducted with a view to find out the necessary measures for effective REDD+ implementation in Bangladesh. To realize the objectives, online survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informants‟ Interview (KII) were used. The study was conducted in Rangamati, Modhupur, and Sreemongal for FGD and KII interviews. For online survey, professional version of „Survey Monkey‟ online software were used. The study found that capacity building for implementation of laws and regulations, strong policy, political influence on right tract, strengthen and empower civil society‟s capacity etc. are the possible resolving measures on REDD+ implementation. Promoting public awareness on laws and regulations, strengthening law enforcement in the forest sector, and successful implementation of policies had been revealed to increase the effectiveness and integrity for the implementation of REDD+ in Bangladesh.

The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 1-20, 2018
Comparative Studies of Dose Measurements in Cornea and Mantle Shielding Block for High Energy Gamma Radiation (60Co) in Radiotherapy Treatment
Authors: Shamsuzzaman M , Rahman MS , Paul Debasish , Alam M Jahangir , Chakraborty Shyamal Ranjan
Published: August 2020

Cornea and Mantle shielding blocks were used to evaluate the dosimetry features of blocked beam radiotherapy. These blocks were used to produce the blocked beams for 5×5 cm2 and 30×30 cm2 field sizes. Doses were measured and calculated by the Clarkson's method and compared mutually. The variations of 0.05%, 0.92% and 0.99% were observed at three dose investigation points of 5×5 cm2 field size for cornea block. For mantle block the variation between measured and calculated values were found to be 1.97%, 2.46%, 2.39%, 2.13%, 2.00% and 1.93% at six dose investigation points of 30×30 cm2 field size. In this study dose calculated by the empirical relation using correction factors CijxK and CFi were found approximately equal to the experimental value. In the cases of both cornea and mantle shielding the calculated mean value of uncertainty in dose measurement between calculated dose values of Clarkson’s method and empirical relation was found satisfactorily to be within ±5.0%, fulfilling to the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) [1].

The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 47-58, 2018
Molar Interactions of Some Aromatic Hydrocarbons in n-Heptane by Viscometric Measurements at 298.15K
Authors: Hossain Md Kamrul , Rahaman M Abdur , Akhtar Shamim
Published: August 2020

The viscosities, η , of pure n-heptane, toluene, o-xylene, mesitylene, and some of their binary mixtures covering the whole composition range have been measured at 298.15K. Deviations in viscosity, ∆η , was calculated using experimental results. The concentration dependencies of η were correlated to polynomial expressions, whereas, ∆η were fitted to the Redlich–Kister equation. Moreover, the values of the excess Gibbs free energy of activation, ∆G#E, of these mixtures were determined. Viscosity measurements of the binary systems were correlated with Grunberg and Nissan the three-body and four-body McAllister expressions. In all systems, ∆η were found to be negative in the whole range of composition with a single lobe having minimum at 0.6 mple fraction of aromatic hydrocarbon. While dispersive forces are suggested to dominate in n-heptane + toluene, for the other two systems  ‘favourable geometric fitting’ overpowers them due to the increasing number of  – CH3 groups in the relevant aromatic hydrocarbons.

The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40 : 97-110, 2018
Models, Plan and Control of Digitalizing Processes in the National Economy
Authors: Drogobyckij Ivan N.
Published: August 2020

Solid state expenses directed to national projects and state target programs demand adequate instruments of planning, accounting and controlling budget resources. Their aim is to increase guarantees of reaching the expected results. Unfortunately, national statistical authorities had refused from total statistical accounting of economic activities, and because of that, they aren’t able to find the correct decisions of the formulated tasks. It is necessary to make some additional efforts in this problem field, which may – on the one side – lead every project or program to visible application, and on the other hand they should provide productivity of using the state resources. Using the example of target program named «Digital economy in Russian Federation» we offer the original methodological approach to solving this problem. It is based on well-known methods of net planning and management. Transformation of text data of a project or a program to net model is rather simple. As well as simple is the further feeding this model with the information about resources, terms, executors, control points and project’s artifacts (these are real demonstrations of this project’s results). This simplicity provides solid base for the right monitoring job process and just-in-time creating regulated managerial acts. Accumulating these functions in total monitoring center would allow creating general methodology of managing the national projects. It also allows to provide just-in-time delivery of actual information to controlling and inspecting authorities. This information is provided with current and perspective development of the projects.
The Evaluation of Production Growth and Inflation under Stimulating the Consumer Demand
Authors: Pitelin Anatoliy С.
Published: August 2020

This article informs about the results of a model experiment conducted at the inter-industry level. The experiment was intended to quantify the growth of gross domestic product resulted from the possible implementation of the Government's financial support program for the poorest people. The possible increase in the inflation rate was taken into account and assessed. The experiment on the model was constructed on the basis of reporting inter-industry balances of 2003, 2014 and 2015, including the division of used products into imported and domestic. The simulated process implied such forms of financial support for poor citizens, which initially lead to an increase in demand mainly (or even exclusively) for domestic products. And then, as the increased demand increases the volume of domestic production and, accordingly, increases the incomes of all segments of the population, the demand for imported products also begins to increase. At the same time as consumption is increasing, there is also an increase in investment due to the increase in corporate revenues and the persistence of all established inter-industry links and basic national economic proportions. Model calculations that reproduce the described process were conducted in several scenarios, involving variations in both the structure of sponsored consumption and the reaction of consumers and producers to the appearance of additional income. The most realistic and preferable (from the economic point of view) variants were considered. The main result of the work done can be considered the following results. First, the experiments found that the greatest economic impact occurs, when financing the additional demand stimulates the growth of domestic production, primarily in the consumer goods (light) and food industries. The most important outcome is that: it is possible to use such methods of stimulating consumer demand. And most importantly, it is possible to use such methods of stimulating consumer demand, in which the emerging growth of gross domestic product significantly exceeds the costs incurred by the state.
Scientific Publications among Novice Researchers: Dilemma to Decision and a Way Forward
Authors: Belbase Pradeep , Adhikari Nilaramba , Dangal Ganesh
Published: August 2020

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Distinctions of the Design of UHP Xenon Lamps with Sapphire Envelope
Authors: Gavrish Sergey V.
Published: August 2020

This article describes the major development results of the first Russian sample of a UHP xenon discharge lamp with sapphire envelope. The article proposes a method of monitoring of thermal fields of semi-transparent materials and studies the thermal distribution of quartz and sapphire envelopes of UHP discharge lamps. Mechanical strength of sapphire tubes depending on the temperature is studied, the thickness of the discharge envelope wall is calculated, and distinctions of the design of a UHP xenon lamp with the sapphire envelope are considered.
Analysis of Characteristics of LED Lamps with T8 Bulb by Various Manufacturers
Authors: Nestyorkina Nina P. , Kovalenko Olga Yu. , Zhuravlyova Yulia A.
Published: August 2020

The article analyses the operational characteristics of 10W LED lamps with T8 bulb manufactured by ASD (Russia), Smartbuy (Taiwan), and VOLPE (PRC) and 18W FL with T8 bulb manufactured by PHILIPS (Poland) including the dependence of these lamps on the supply voltage. The results of measurements show that: a) the period of stabilisation of electric parameters and luminous flux of LED lamps does not cause discomfort of illumination unlike the said FL, the luminous flux of which at the moment of switching on is 70 % of the nominal value, which is reached after 13 minutes; b) with nominal voltage of supply network, the value of luminous flux of 10W ASD LED-T8R-STD LED lamp (Russia) is 6 % less than the declared one, and that of Smartbuy SBL-T8-10-64K-A (Taiwan) and VOLPE LED-T8-10W/DW/G13/FR/FIX/N (PRC) is even less; c) the general colour rendering index of all studied LED lamps is less than the declared one (72 instead of 80); d) the flicker index of all studied LED lamps does not exceed the declared value of 5 %; e) the characteristics of LED lamps almost do not depend on changes of the supply voltage within the range of ±10 %.
The recommendations regarding the application of the studied LED lamps are given.
Study of Characteristics of LEDs for Phytoirradiators
Authors: Erokhin Mikhail M. , Kamshilov Pavel V. , Terekhov Vladislav G. , Turkin Andrei N.
Published: August 2020

The present study comprises comprehensive research of red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LED), which are widely used in phytoirradiators for plant growing in protected ground in the environment of a photo-culture including their spectrum measurements within the wide range of current values at room temperature. Shifts of spectral peaks of radiation of red and green LEDs after increase of operating current were discovered. On the basis of the conducted study, recommendations for selection of current operating mode of light sources used in phytoirradiators for plant growing in the environment of photo-culture were worked out, and a model of a phytoirradiator was proposed and studied in this work with red, green and blue LEDs, which have their spectrum covering all regions of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR).
The impacts of exercise on pediatric obesity
Authors: Headid III Ronald J. , Park Song-Young
Published: August 2020

Over the last few decades, the rates of pediatric obesity have more than doubled regardless of sociodemographic categorization, and despite these rates plateauing in recent years there continues to be an increase in the severity of obesity in children and adolescents. This review will discuss the pediatric obesity mediated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as attenuated levels of satiety and energy metabolism hormones, insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness. Additionally, early intervention to combat pediatric obesity is critical as obesity has been suggested to track into adulthood, and these obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of early mortality. Current suggested strategies to combat pediatric obesity are modifying diet, limiting sedentary behavior, and increasing physical activity. The effects of exercise intervention on metabolic hormones such as leptin and adiponectin, insulin sensitivity/resistance, and body fat in obese children and adolescents will be discussed along with the exercise modality, intensity, and duration. Specifically, this review will focus on the differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and combined exercise on the cardiovascular risks in pediatric obesity. This review outlines the evidence that exercise intervention is a beneficial therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk factors for CVD and the ideal exercise prescription to combat pediatric obesity should contain both muscle strengthening and aerobic components with an emphasis on fat mass reduction and long-term adherence.
Helicobacter delphinicola sp. nov., isolated from common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus with gastric diseases
Authors: Segawa T , Ohno Y , Tsuchida S , Ushida K , Yoshioka M
Published: August 2020

Gastritis and gastric ulcers are well-recognized symptoms in cetaceans, and the genus Helicobacter is considered as the main cause. In this study, we examined the gastric fluid of captive common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus with gastric diseases in order to isolate the organisms responsible for diagnosis and treatment. Four Gram-negative, rod-shaped isolates (TSBT, TSH1, TSZ, and TSH3) with tightly coiled spirals with 2-4 turns and 2-6 bipolar, sheathed flagella, were obtained from gastric fluids of common bottlenose dolphins with gastric diseases. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA, atpA, and 60 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp60) genes, demonstrated that these isolates form a novel lineage within the genus Helicobacter. Analyses of 16S rRNA, atpA, and hsp60 gene sequences showed that isolate TSBT was most closely related to H. cetorum MIT99-5656T (98.5% similarity), H. pylori ATCC 43504T (76.7% similarity), and H. pylori ATCC 43504T (78.0% similarity), respectively. Type strains of Helicobacter showing resistance to 2% NaCl have not been reported previously; however, these novel isolates were resistant to 2% NaCl. Culture supernatant of some isolates induced intracellular vacuolization in mammalian cultured cells. These data, together with the different morphological and biochemical characteristics of the isolates, reveal that these isolates represent a novel species for which we propose the name Helicobacter delphinicola sp. nov. with type strain TSBT (= JCM 32789T = TSD-183T). Future studies will confirm whether H. delphinicola plays a role in lesion etiopathogenesis in cetaceans.
Choice of molecular assay determines ranavirus detection probability and inferences about prevalence and occurrence
Authors: Wynne FJ , Puschendorf R , Knight ME , Price SJ
Published: August 2020

Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that can cause morbidity, mortality and population declines in ectothermic hosts; however, there is no standardized approach to diagnostics. Here, we compared the inter-assay variation and intra-assay precision among 2 commonly used quantitative PCRs (qPCRs), a conventional and a nested PCR assay (used as a gold standard), using laboratory-propagated ranavirus (FV3 and CMTV) and field-collected samples. A qPCR assay (‘Leung’) detected viral DNA in dilutions 2 orders of magnitude lower than other assays regardless of the viral lineage of the cultured isolate (FV3/CMTV). The second qPCR (‘Brunner’) was slightly more sensitive than the conventional PCR (‘Mao’ assay). For field samples, the Leung qPCR detected all known positives, while the Mao assay PCR only detected 2.5% of the positive samples. Amplicon sequences from the 2 conventional PCRs were shown to be useful for inferring viral lineage. Inaccurate results will bias estimates of the distribution and prevalence of ranaviruses, and together these findings emphasize that molecular assays should be chosen carefully in the context of study aims.
Microstructures and Oxidation Behaviors of Silicide Coated Nb Alloys by Halide Activated Pack Cementation Process
Authors: Yang Wonchul , Chung Choong-Heui , Lee Sangyeob , Baek Kyeong Ho , Kim Youngmoo , Lee Seong , Park Joon Sik
Published: August 2020

In this study, we tried to improve the oxidation resistance of Nb-12Si (wt%) alloys at 1200 °C or higher through pack cementation coatings. Nb-12Si (wt%) alloys were prepared by arc-melting under Ar atmosphere. When the alloys were coated using pack powder mixtures composed of Si, Al2O3 and NaF, two silicide layers composed of NbSi2 and Nb5Si3 phases were successfully produced on the substrate. The Si-pack coatings were performed with various heat treatment temperatures and time conditions. The microstructures and thickness changes of the coating layers were analyzed to determine the growth behaviors of the coating layer. The growth constant of 8.4 10–9 cm2/sec was obtained with a diffusion growth mode. In addition, in order to examine the resistance of the Si-pack coated alloys, isothermal static oxidation tests were performed at 1200 °C and higher temperatures. As a result, the oxidation resistance of the alloys was determined by protecting the surface of the alloys with silicide oxide layers formed by the silicide coatings. The uncoated specimens exhibited an abnormal weight increase due to the formation of Nb oxide. The coated specimen showed excellent oxidation resistance at 1200 °C for up to 12 hrs, while the previous reports on the same alloy verified oxidation resistance only up to 1100 °C. It appears that the excellent oxidation resistance is closely related to the NbSi2 coating layer thickness. The oxidation behaviors of the coating layers after the oxidation tests were discussed in terms of microstructural and phase analyses.
A Review of the Electoral Process under Ghana's Fourth Republic
Authors: Nkansah Lydia A. , Gawu Delali A.
Published: August 2020

There have been seven general elections, under Ghana's Fourth Republic, to elect presidents and members of parliament. There are laws regulating the electoral process and election results have generally been accepted and, in a few cases, challenged through the laid-down process. Elections in Ghana are nonetheless reportedly flawed with irregularities tainting the outcome and creating tensions and sometimes pockets of violence. This article examines the electoral process under Ghana's Fourth Republic, namely the adoption of regulations for each electoral cycle, voters’ registration and the voters’ register, nomination of aspirants, voting, counting of votes and declaration of the results. To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, the laws regulating elections should comply with the dictates of the procedural requirements of the rule of law and the Electoral Commission's actions must be consistent with these laws.
Domesticating Treaties in the Legal System of South Sudan – A Monist or Dualist Approach?
Authors: Valfredo Ruben S. P.
Published: August 2020

This article examines the approach for the domestication of treaties in South Sudan. Such examination is undergone in light of the theories for the domestication of international law norms into the domestic legal systems of state members of the international community. The article establishes that the approach in South Sudan is not clearly indicated, and seems to be inconsistent with regard to the practice of various institutions linked to the domestication of treaties process in South Sudan. However, the article expands on two foundations: the status quo and the ‘ought to be’ approach.

The article argues that the approach as it exists seems to be a monist rather than a dualist approach. This is evident from the indicators of South Sudan's constitutional, legislative and judicial settings such as the text of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, the treaty ratification process, the practices of the National Legislative Assembly in respect of international conventions and a judicial circular issued by the Supreme Court of South Sudan. Furthermore, the article advances that the ‘as ought to exist’ approach needs to be a clearly mixed approach, partly monist and partly dualist. Such approach combines the advantages associated with each approach in one place.

The article recommends that there is a need to have a well informed, well established and clear status in respect of the domestication approach guided by the various arrangements and settings highlighted above. It may also take account of the various states’ attitudes towards international law and the legal school of thought which forms the basis of South Sudan legal system. Such recommendation could be materialised via an act of parliament, a regulation or a practice manual.
Comparative Studies on the Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Salt Stress of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) and Its Rootstock S. torvum
Authors: Brenes Marco , Pérez Jason , González-Orenga Sara , Solana Andrea , Boscaiu Monica , Prohens Jaime , Plazas Mariola , Fita Ana , Vicente Oscar
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses to salinity stress of Solanum melongena and its wild relative, Solanum torvum, commonly used as eggplant rootstock. Young plants of both species were watered during 25 days with NaCl aqueous solutions at the following four final concentrations: 0 (for the controls), 100, 200, and 300 mM. Plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments content, monovalent ion concentrations in roots and leaves, leaf levels of osmolytes (proline and total soluble sugars), oxidative stress markers (MDA and H2O2), non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids), and enzymatic antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase) were determined after the stress treatments. Salt-induced growth reduction was more significant in S. melongena than in S. torvum, especially at high salt concentrations, indicating a (slightly) higher salt tolerance of the wild species. The mechanisms of tolerance of S. torvum were partly based on the active transport of toxic ions to the leaves at high external salinity and, presumably, a better capacity to store them in the vacuoles, as well as on the accumulation of proline to higher concentrations than in the cultivated eggplant. MDA and H2O2 contents did not vary in response to the salt treatments in S. torvum. However, in S. melongena, MDA content increased by 78% when 300 mM NaCl was applied. No activation of antioxidant mechanisms, accumulation of antioxidant compounds, or increase in the specific activity of antioxidant enzymes in any of the studied species was induced by salinity. The relatively high salt tolerance of S. torvum supports its use as rootstock for eggplant cultivation in salinized soils and as a possible source of salt-tolerance genes for the genetic improvement of cultivated eggplant.
Effects of Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Post-Extraction Alveolar Sockets: A Randomized, Controlled Split-Mouth Trial in Dogs with Spontaneous Periodontal Disease
Authors: Tambella Adolfo Maria , Bartocetti Francesca , Rossi Giacomo , Galosi Livio , Catone Giuseppe , Falcone Annastella , Vullo Cecilia
Published: August 2020

Periodontal disease (PD) is a common inflammatory condition in dogs; in severe stages, dental extraction is frequently required. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been used in human oral surgical procedures and has been experimentally tested on post-extraction sockets in healthy dogs. This is the first split-mouth, randomized, controlled trial designed to compare post-extractive alveolar socket healing with and without topical application of PRF in canine spontaneous PD. Clinical evaluation, radiographic density, and histological scores for inflammation and regeneration were assessed at recruitment (T0) and after a three-week follow up (T1) on 12 dogs, for a total of 31 pairs of sockets. No complications or clinically evident differences between the treated sites and the control sites were observed. Comparing the radiographic densities of the extraction sites measured at T0 and T1, a significant enhancement was observed within the PRF group, but not within control group. The histological score decreased significantly from T0 to T1 within group PRF, but not within the control group; at T1, the PRF group showed a significantly lower histological score than the control group. These findings suggest that PRF could be able to stimulate the natural process of tissue healing and regeneration of post-extraction sites in dogs with spontaneous periodontal disease (PD).
Habitat Suitability Based Models for Ungulate Roadkill Prognosis
Authors: Balčiauskas Linas , Wierzchowski Jack , Kučas Andrius , Balčiauskienė Laima
Published: August 2020

Roads do not only have a detrimental effect on nature (fragmenting habitats, isolating populations and threatening biodiversity), but the increasing numbers of wildlife-vehicle collisions are also a direct threat to humans and property. Therefore, mitigation measures should be placed with respect to animal distribution and movements across the roads. We simulated red deer, roe deer and wild boar movements in Lithuania, focusing on the two main highways A1 and A2. Using regional habitat suitability and linkage models, we calculated movement pathways and the most probable crossing zones in 2009. The prognostic value of these models was tested by comparing the pathway predictions to the real roadkill and roadkill cluster locations in 2002–2009 and 2010–2017. Across both periods and on both highways, the roe deer roadkill locations were significantly closer to the model-predicted pathways than to randomly selected points. The prediction of roadkill locations was also good for wild boar. The roe deer roadkill clusters and multi-species clusters were significantly better represented by the model than by random distribution. On both highways, the biggest differences in distance from the predicted locations were near big cities. We recommended wildlife movement models as an additional tool for planning wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation measures and we advise measures for increasing their predicting power.
Effect of Dietary Insoluble and Soluble Fibre on Growth Performance, Digestibility, and Nitrogen, Energy, and Mineral Retention Efficiency in Growing Rabbits
Authors: Farías-Kovac Carlos , Nicodemus Nuria , Delgado Rebeca , Ocasio-Vega César , Noboa Tamia , Abdelrasoul Ramadan Allam-Sayed , Carabaño Rosa , García Javier
Published: August 2020

Dietary soluble fibre limits the incidence of epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) and improves the energy and nitrogen balance in low-insoluble fibre diets, while high-insoluble fibre diets seem to favour ERE. This study assessed whether the positive effects of soluble fibre are influenced by the level of insoluble fibre. Four diets (2 × 2 factorial arrangement) were used with two levels of insoluble fibre (314 vs. 393 g/kg DM) and soluble fibre (87 vs. 128 g/kg DM), resulting in four diets with increasing total dietary fibre levels. Growth performance and chemical composition (body and carcass) (28–62 days of age), faecal digestibility (54–57 days of age), and jejunal morphometry functionality (39 days of age) were determined. Mortality was low (<1%) and treatments did not influence it. Insoluble and soluble fibre tended to reduce the growth rate (p ≤ 0.109), body protein, and fat accretion (p = 0.049 to 0.120), but only insoluble fibre impaired feed efficiency (p < 0.001). The efficiency of digestible energy used for growth was impaired with the increase of total dietary fibre (p = 0.027), while that of nitrogen remained majorly unaffected. In conclusion, in healthy rabbits, the increase of either insoluble or soluble fibre had no benefit.
Chemical Composition and Microstructural Morphology of Spines and Tests of Three Common Sea Urchins Species of the Sublittoral Zone of the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Varkoulis Anastasios , Voulgaris Konstantinos , Zaoutsos Stefanos , Stratakis Antonios , Vafidis Dimitrios
Published: August 2020

In the Mediterranean Sea, the species Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus and Sphaerechinus granularis often coexist, occupying different subareas of the same habitat. The mechanical and chemical properties of their calcitic skeletons are affected both by their microstructural morphology and chemical composition. The present study describes the main morphologic features and the possible temporal differences in elemental composition of the test and spines of the three species, while also determining the molar ratio of each element of their crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed major differences in the ultrastructure of the spines, while minor differences in the test were also noticed. More specifically, the spines of all three sea urchins possess wedges, however A. lixula exhibits bridges connecting each wedge, while barbs are observed in the wedges of S. granularis. The spines of P. lividus are devoid of both microstructures. Secondary tubercles are absent in the test of A. lixula, while the tests and spines of all three species are characterized by different superficial stereom. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy detected that Ca, Mg, S, Na and Cl were present in all specimen. Mg and Mg/Ca showed significant differences between species both in test and spines with S. granularis having the highest concentration. The spines of P. lividus exhibited lowest values between all species. Differences between spines and test were observed in all elements for P. lividus except S. A. lixula exhibited different concentrations between test and spines for Ca, Mg and Mg/Ca, whereas S. granularis for Mg, Cl and Mg/Ca. Finally, temporal differences for Ca were observed in the test of P. lividus and the spines of S. granularis, for Mg in test of S. granularis, for S in the spines of A. lixula and the test and spine of S. granularis, for Na in the test of P. lividus and A. lixula and for Cl and Mg/Ca in the test P. lividus. Powder X-ray diffractometry determined that, out of all three species, the spines of P. lividus contained the least Mg, while the test of the same species exhibited higher Mg concentration compared to A. lixula and S. granularis. The current study, although not labeling the specimens attempts to estimate potential time-related elemental differences among other results. These may occur due to changes in abiotic factors, probably water temperature, salinity and/or pH. Divergence in food preference and food availability may also play a key role in possible temporal differences the skeletons of these species
Risk of Antimicrobial Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella during Asymptomatic Infection Passage between Pet Dogs and Their Human Caregivers in Khon Kaen, Thailand
Authors: Wu Xin , Angkititrakul Sunpetch , L. Richards Allen , Pulsrikarn Chaiwat , Khaengair Seri , Keosengthong Amphone , Siriwong Supatcharee , Suksawat Fanan
Published: August 2020

To explore the risk of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) non-typhoidal Salmonella during asymptomatic infection passage between pet dogs and human caregivers in Khon Kaen, Thailand, one hundred forty paired fecal samples (n = 280) were obtained from companion dogs and their human caregivers, interviewed from 140 households during 2019–2020. The purified Salmonella isolates were serotype-identified and tested for antimicrobial resistance against ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and tetracycline. The homologous Salmonella isolate pairs (suggesting Salmonella infections may have been due to passage between each one of the pair, or derived from the same source) were subsequently characterized by serotype screening, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and Synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SR-FTIR). The Salmonella prevalence observed in dogs, 12.86% (18/140), was not significantly different from that observed in humans, 17.86% (25/140) using McNemar’s test. The AMR patterns (the patterns among the isolates of pet dogs and caregivers) and the serotypes (thirteen serotypes with 18 isolates from pet dogs plus thirteen serotypes with 25 isolates from humans) between pet dogs and humans were not significantly different using Pearson’s chi-squared test. The homologous Salmonella isolates from the Salmonella-present households was 5.13% (2/39). This study demonstrated that the hypothesis that there is a high risk of Salmonella infection passage between dogs and humans with close contact in Khon Kaen is doubtful. Only 5.13% of homologous Salmonella isolates from Salmonella-present households were found in Khon Kaen, Thailand, although the prevalence of Salmonella-positive samples, serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance patterns were quite similar among the two populations.
Exploring the Use of Dimethyl Fumarate as Microglia Modulator for Neurodegenerative Diseases Treatment
Authors: Rosito Maria , Testi Claudia , Parisi Giacomo , Cortese Barbara , Baiocco Paola , Di Angelantonio Silvia
Published: August 2020

The maintenance of redox homeostasis in the brain is critical for the prevention of the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Drugs acting on brain redox balance can be promising for the treatment of neurodegeneration. For more than four decades, dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and other derivatives of fumaric acid ester compounds have been shown to mitigate a number of pathological mechanisms associated with psoriasis and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, DMF has been shown to exert a neuroprotective effect on the central nervous system (CNS), possibly through the modulation of microglia detrimental actions, observed also in multiple brain injuries. In addition to the hypothesis that DMF is linked to the activation of NRF2 and NF-kB transcription factors, the neuroprotective action of DMF may be mediated by the activation of the glutathione (GSH) antioxidant pathway and the regulation of brain iron homeostasis. This review will focus on the role of DMF as an antioxidant modulator in microglia processes and on its mechanisms of action in the modulation of different pathways to attenuate neurodegenerative disease progression.
Robust Parking Block Segmentation from a Surveillance Camera Perspective
Authors: Hurst-Tarrab Nisim , Chang Leonardo , Gonzalez-Mendoza Miguel , Hernandez-Gress Neil
Published: August 2020

Parking block regions host dangerous behaviors that can be detected from a surveillance camera perspective. However, these regions are often occluded, subject to ground bumpiness or steep slopes, and thus they are hard to segment. Firstly, the paper proposes a pyramidal solution that takes advantage of satellite views of the same scene, based on a deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Training a CNN from the surveillance camera perspective is rather impossible due to the combinatory explosion generated by multiple point-of-views. However, CNNs showed great promise on previous works over satellite images. Secondly, even though there are many datasets for occupancy detection in parking lots, none of them were designed to tackle the parking block segmentation problem directly. Given the lack of a suitable dataset, we also propose APKLOT, a dataset of roughly 7000 polygons for segmenting parking blocks from the satellite perspective and from the camera perspective. Moreover, our method achieves more than 50% intersection over union (IoU) in all the testing sets, that is, at both the satellite view and the camera view.
Improvement of an Online Education Model with the Integration of Machine Learning and Data Analysis in an LMS
Authors: Villegas-Ch William , Román-Cañizares Milton , Palacios-Pacheco Xavier
Published: August 2020

The events that took place in the year 2020 have shown us that society is still fragile and that it is exposed to events that rapidly change the paradigms that govern it. This has been shown by a pandemic like Coronavirus disease 2019; this global emergency has changed the way people interact, communicate, study, or work. In short, the way in which society carries out all activities has changed. This includes education, which has bet on the use of information and communication technologies to reach students. An example of the aforementioned is the use of learning management systems, which have become ideal environments for resource management and the development of activities. This work proposes the integration of technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis, with learning management systems in order to improve learning. This objective is outlined in a new normality that seeks robust educational models, where certain activities are carried out in an online mode, surrounded by technologies that allow students to have virtual assistants to guide them in their learning.
Can Defect Prediction Be Useful for Coarse-Level Tasks of Software Testing?
Authors: Cui Can , Liu Bin , Xiao Peng , Wang Shihai
Published: August 2020

It is popular to use software defect prediction (SDP) techniques to predict bugs in software in the past 20 years. Before conducting software testing (ST), the result of SDP assists on resource allocation for ST. However, DP usually works on fine-level tasks (or white-box testing) instead of coarse-level tasks (or black-box testing). Before ST or without historical execution information, it is difficult to get resource allocated properly. Therefore, a SDP-based approach, named DPAHM, is proposed to assist on arranging resource for coarse-level tasks. The method combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and variant incidence matrix. Besides, we apply the proposed DPAHM into a proprietary software, named MC. Besides, we conduct an up-to-down structure, including three layers for MC. Additionally, the performance measure of each layer is calculated based on the SDP result. Therefore, the resource allocation strategy for coarse-level tasks is gained according to the prediction result. The experiment indicates our proposed method is effective for resource allocation of coarse-level tasks before executing ST.
Selection of Tanned-Leather Waste in Recovering Novel Raw Material for Manufacturing Rubber Artifacts: Towards a Zero-Waste Condition
Authors: Bufalo Gennaro , Molino Bruno , Ambrosone Luigi
Published: August 2020

Zero-waste is an ambitious goal to encourage sustainable production, consumption optimum recycling and resource recovery. The recycling and resource recovery of chrome-tanned leather waste is a difficult proposition because of the three-dimensional chemical network of collagen, which renders leather waste incompatible to polymer matrices. Many attempts have been undertaken to reuse leather waste, most of them require technological processes and challenging chemical pretreatments, which make the reuse an economically disadvantageous industrial operation. The paper aims to show how a very fine separation of leather solid waste leads to raw materials suitable for mixtures with natural rubber, without any chemical pretreatment. In other words, the paper intends to be a stimulus to manage leather solid waste carefully to start a cleaner and more profitable production. In particular, various industrial compounds containing different concentrations of post-tanning dyeing, or chrome shaving or oil-tanning and natural rubber were vulcanized through a standard preparation. Some compounds were also reinforced with carbon black and the vulcanization kinetics were monitored through rheometer. Experimental results indicate that there exists an optimal concentration of waste such that post-tanning dyeing post-tanning and chrome shaving are suitable for manufacture floor mats, soles and heels while oil-tanning waste can be used for making hose or conveyor belts. The mechanical performances of the articles prepared by direct mixing with leather waste are the same as those of commercially distributed rubber products.
An Advanced Vehicle Body Part Inspection Scheme Based on Scattered Point Cloud Data
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Ming , Ma Xie
Published: August 2020

To further improve the efficiency and accuracy of the vehicle part inspection process, this paper designs an accurate and efficient vehicle body part inspection framework based on scattered point cloud data (PCD). Firstly, a hybrid filtering algorithm for point cloud denoising is designed to solve the problem of multiple noise points in the original point cloud measurement data. Secondly, a point cloud simplification algorithm based on Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) is designed to solve the problems of a large amount of data and many redundant points in the PCD. Thirdly, a point cloud fine registration algorithm based on the Teaching-Learning-based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm is designed to solve the problem where the initial point cloud measurement data cannot be located properly. Finally, the deviation distance between the PCD and Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) model is calculated by the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm to inspect and analyze the point cloud after preprocessing. On the basis of the design algorithm, four groups that contain measurement data for eight vehicle body parts are analyzed and the results prove the effectiveness of the algorithm, which is very suitable for the inspection process of vehicle body parts.
Variable-Diameter Drum with Concentric Threshing Gap and Performance Comparison Experiment
Authors: Li Yaoming , Su Zhan , Liang Zhenwei , Li Yu
Published: August 2020

The threshing gap of the thresher device for rice combine harvester has to be adjusted in real time based on different feed rates to ensure the operation efficiency in the harvesting process. However, adjusting the threshing gap by changing the position of concave grid may result in unevenness of threshing gap of the thresher device and further impact on the fluidity of material in the thresher device; in addition, it is also unavailable to adjust the threshing gap by changing the drum diameter when the rice combine harvester is in operation. In view of the above and based on axial flow threshing drum, the design of a variable-diameter threshing drum available for overall and rapid drum diameter adjustment and the research on diameter adjustment device as well as electronic control self-locking device were introduced in this study. Besides, stress analysis was implemented to the diameter adjustment device to ensure the stability of the variable-diameter threshing drum. Field experiment was implemented to identify the difference between the impacts brought to the threshing performance (grain-entrainment loss rate, damage rate, threshing efficiency, and threshing power consumption) by both methods for threshing gap adjustment. The experiment result shows that the drum adjustment method with variable-diameter drum features higher grain-entrainment loss rate, threshing efficiency, and threshing power consumption, yet stable in terms of consumption fluctuation, but a lower damage rate than their counterparts with concave adjustment method.
A Challenging Tornado Forecast in Slovakia
Authors: Šinger Miroslav , Púčik Tomáš
Published: August 2020

An F1 tornado hit the village of Lekárovce in eastern Slovakia on the afternoon of 3 October 2018. The tornado, which occurred outside the main convective season in Slovakia, was not anticipated by the meteorologists of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. The models available to the forecasters simulated an environment of marginal convective available potential energy (CAPE) and weakening vertical wind shear. This paper addresses forecasting challenges associated with events related to a tornado threat. To investigate conditions before tornado formation, observational datasets, including sounding, and vertical-azimuth display (VAD) data from a radar station and surface stations were used. Hodographs based on observational data and a higher-resolution run of the limited-area model showed stronger lower tropospheric shear than was formerly anticipated over the area of interest. The higher-resolution model was able to better represent the modification of the lower tropospheric flow by a mountain chain, which was crucial to maintaining the strong lower tropospheric shear in the early afternoon hours before the tornado’s occurrence. We discuss the importance of using both observational datasets and higher-resolution modeling in the simulation of lower tropospheric wind profiles, which affect the lower tropospheric storm relative helicity as one of the key ingredients in mesocyclonic tornadogenesis.