bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation in Genetic Variation of Krachai by Sequence Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Techniques
Authors: Poothong Sukalya , Mangphae Waranya , Chanhom Wuttikon , Nakkuntod Maliwan
Published: December 2023

Krachais are local name of Thai herb which are identified within 2 genera, namely Bosenbergia (white or red krachai) and Kaempferia (black krachai). The rhizome of Bosenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. contains major aromatic compounds against COVID19 but its many morphological characteristics such as leaves, stems and rhizome are like other species in same genus or family. In this study, a total of 13 accessions containing 5 samples of B. rotunda, 2 samples of Boesenbergia spp. and 3 samples of Kaempferia parviflora including 3 samples of other species in same family as outgroups were analyzed and clustered using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) markers. The results showed that 8 SRAP primers (M1E1, M1E2, M1E7, M2E10, M3E9, M5E1, M5E2 and M6E10) could generate 79 polymorphism bands with an average of 92.15% whereas a total of 5 RAPD primers (OPY04, OPY02, OPY04, JAT11 and JAT12) could give 64 polymorphisms with 100% as a percentage of the polymorphism band. The PIC of the SRAP marker (0.470) has a higher value than the RAPD marker (0.264). The highest similarity coefficients within genus Boesenbergia of 1.000 and 0.952 were obtained from SRAP and RAPD markers, respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram of SRAP and RAPD information among krachai presented 2 and 4 groups, respectively. The cluster of Boesenbergia was separated from K. parviflora and other species in same family. Furthermore, the results also pointed that Boesenbergia sp. from Phayao is in correct genus and is B. pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr. because of having red leaf while Boesenbergia sp. from Chiang Rai showed confusion between SRAP and RAPD data. It was concluded that SRAP and RAPD have great potential for the study of genetic diversity of Boesenbergia and other species in family Zingiberaceae.
Evaluation Of Antibacterial Activity In Pelargonium Graveolens Extracts
Authors: Pedraza Paula Sofía Rojas , Aguirre Oscar Eduardo Rodriguez , Palacios Janeth del Carmen Arias
Published: December 2023

The antibacterial activity of the total ethanolic extract and fractions of Pelargonium graveolens against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp. Methods: To measure the relative antimicrobial activity, the percentage of inhibition was calculated by the plate and well method. Results: It was established that the highest antimicrobial activity was presented by the oily extract without preference for Gram positive or Gram negative, the acetone fraction with a value of 58.53% inhibition. The hexane fraction has activity greater than 100% only against S. aureus. Conclusions: The extracts of P. graveolens present antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts, especially the oily extract, which presented the highest percentage of inhibition recorded against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively; while for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, the extract that presented the highest percentage of inhibition was ethyl acetate.
Study of Some Physiological Activities for Multimetal Tolerant Bacteria Under Metallic Stress
Authors: Alhammadi Eeman , Halimoon Normala , Zulkeflee Zufarzaana , Johari Wan Lutfi Wan
Published: December 2023

Electroplating effluents contain heavy metals besides nitrate, which can be harmful to aquatic and terrestrial life if released into the environment. Bioremediation is an imperative task to remove these contaminants from aquatic surfaces. Bacterial species that are tolerant to multiple metals were isolated from electroplating effluents and studied for their ability to withstand high metal concentrations and perform physiological activities. These activities included the production of carotenoid pigments and the reduction of nitrate during exponential and stationary growth phases after exposure to high concentrations of single and quaternary metals. The influence of heavy metals on these activities and bacterial behavior was evaluated. The results showed that the production of carotenoid pigments increased over time, with the highest quantities produced at 48 hours with Zn, Cu, and quaternary. Pigments produced vary with the different types of metals and their concentrations. The ratio of pigment extract to unladen metal cells was higher compared to laden metals cells. The isolates were also capable of reducing nitrate and producing nitrite, but high metal concentrations hindered the conversion of nitrite to nitrogen gas and accumulated great amounts of nitrite between the end of the exponential phase and the start of the stationary phase. The production of carotenoids allowed the bacteria to tolerate high metal concentrations and continue reducing nitrate. This study suggests that pigmented bacteria and aerobic denitrifiers have the potential for bioremediation and nitrate reduction, which can help clean and recover contaminated environments.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technologies in the Training of Information Library Specialists
Authors: F Umaraliyeva F. , D Bayturayev T. , X Maxmudov M. , N Muminxodjayeva L. , I Matmuradova M.
Published: December 2023

In an era dominated by information technology, the role of information library specialists has become increasingly vital. These professionals are responsible for managing, organizing, and disseminating vast amounts of information. To keep pace with the evolving landscape of libraries and information services, the training of information library specialists has also undergone significant changes. One such transformation is the integration of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies into the training process. This article explores the efficacy of VR and AR technologies in enhancing the training of information library specialists, drawing insights from scientific studies and relevant literature.
ERPCA-GFCM: An Enhanced DDoS Detection Model on Internet of Things
Authors: Cahulogan Grace Anne S. , Gordula Ederlyne Ann V. , Agustin Vivien A. , Lagunzad Herminiño C.
Published: December 2023

This research paper introduced an Enhanced Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Detection model specifically designed for IoT devices. Given the prevalence of DDoS attacks targeting IoT devices, which involve overwhelming a system with malicious traffic to disrupt its normal functioning, the proposed model aimed to enhance the security and resilience of IoT networks. To address this, the proposed model integrated multiple techniques to improve detection and classification accuracy. The first technique, ER-Relief algorithm, is a feature selection method made to address the presence of noise and outliers in the dataset by minimizing a loss function based on the empirical sum of margins. To further enhance the model's performance, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized for dimensionality reduction. PCA transforms the original high-dimensional feature space into a lower-dimensional space while preserving the most critical information. To achieve better clustering results, the model incorporates the Global Fuzzy C-means algorithm. This algorithm addressed the issue of sensitivity to initial conditions, which lead to suboptimal clustering results. By incorporating fuzzy logic principles, Global Fuzzy C-means assigning data points to multiple clusters with varying degrees of membership, providing a more nuanced representation of the underlying data structure. Lastly, the Random Forest algorithm was employed for training and testing the model. The model was then tested on the CICDDoS2019 dataset, which contains three (3) types of DDoS attacks, namely DNS, UDP, and MSSQL attacks. Based on the evaluation results, the proposed model achieved an impressive accuracy of 97.92%, recall of 97.92%, F1-score of 97.90%, and precision of 97.93%. These metrics highlighted the model's effectiveness, showcasing its ability to accurately detect and classify various types of DDoS attacks with high precision and recall. This research contributes to the advancement of network security by providing a robust and reliable solution for combating DDoS attacks.
Causes and Characteristics of Infidelity in Primary Class Students
Authors: Gapparovna Ibragimova Shakhnoza , Alievich Ergashev Eminjon , Oribovna Rakhmonova Ayshakhan
Published: December 2023

The article presents the study of the causes of non-learning by primary school students by psychologists and their analysis, experimental analysis of the reasons from the point of view of teachers.
Fabrication of the Hybrid Bricks Utilizing Multiple Waste Pozzolanic Stabilizers as Fractional Substitution of Fine Aggregate
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Jahangir
Published: December 2023

The world is pounding with millions of tons of industrial wastes such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash, and mine tailings as various industrial wastes. The best way to make use of these wastes is to incorporate these materials as structural elements, which in turn minimizes the carbon footprint. In this context, this study focuses on using iron ore tailings and slag sand as a replacement for clay or natural sand for the production of stabilized blast furnace iron slag brick. Also, in this study sand is used as a stabilizer instead of more clay ratio. The development of sand-based bricks using fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag has been carried out in this research. The study includes the mechanical properties of the slag iron bricks. Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions have been used as alkaline activators. The ratio of alkaline liquid to alumina-silicate concrete ratio and the percentage of the binder had a major influence on the strength of the brick. The bricks were cast and cured at ambient temperature. Compressive strength at 7, 14, and 28 days and the thermal conduction analysis are the major experimental works including some of the minor findings like water absorption, density and other tests were carried out.
A Review of Microfiltration Membrane in Separating Folic Acid from Fermented Dark Green Leafy Vegetables (DGLVs), Legumes, Beans, and Cereal for Nutraceutical Application
Authors: . Aspiyanto , Susilowati Agustine , Melanie Hakiki , Maryati Yati
Published: December 2023

DGLVs (spinach, broccoli), legumes (soybean, mung bean, kidney bean), and cereal (corn) are well recognized for human health benefits due to the presence of natural folate (vitamin B9) with essential micronutrients. Folate is among the most unstable vitamins for the normal functions of the human body. The recent development of membrane-based methods for the separation of folic acid (FA) is reviewed from the selected literature and covers the result of significant research that has been performed in the last five years on the use of the microfiltration (MF) method. This is coupled with the fermentation process to support and achieve separation or recovery of FA from their selected plant-based food source. The nixtamalization, fermentation, separation, and purification of DGLVs, legumes, and beans, as well as corn, were conducted using the MF (pore size 0.15 µm) membrane separation method. The results showed that the MF membrane was able to separate FA components in permeate from fermented spinach and broccoli, soybean, mung bean, kidney bean, and corn, namely 7.14 and 3.79, 197.00, 325.37 and 242.93, and 121.10 µg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, FA content in retentate from fermented spinach and broccoli, soybean, mung bean, kidney bean, and corn was 58.90 and 28.10, 362.07, 254.07 and 506.07, and 212.84 µg/mL, respectively. The applications of membrane techniques were used as an alternative to some unit operations in the solving of separation issues as well as the development of selected new fermented plant-based food sources. The contemporary pressure-driven membranes, such as MF, and the main applications were related to pre-treatment, selected fermented plant-based food sources, and alternative technology for extending the shelf life of natural folate. The utilization of MF membranes in the nutraceutical field holds significant promise, particularly in the creation of value-added products from minor compounds.
Analytical Method Development and Validation of Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for The Simultaneous Estimation of Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disproxil Fumarate
Authors: Ramarao Abburi , Abbaraju V D N Kumar , Shahinshavali S. , Chinnamaneni Satya Vani , Kodali Unati Sai , Rao Guttikonda Venkata , Rao Mandava Venkata Basaveswarao
Published: December 2023

A simple, Accurate, precise method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of the Dolutegravir (DUA), Emtricitabine(ECB) and Tenofovir Disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablet dosage form. Chromatogram was run through Std Kinetex Biphenyl, 250 x 4.6 mm, 5µm. Mobile phase-A containing pH-3.0 Ammonium acetate Buffer & Mobile phase -B containing Degassed mixture of Acetonitrile & Methanol taken in the ratio of 50:50 was pumped through column at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Diluent used in this method was 0.1% Orthophosphoric acid buffer & Methanol in the ratio of 50:50%v/v. Temperature was maintained at 40°C. Optimized wavelength selected was 260 nm. Retention time of DUA, ECB and TDF were found to be 14.6min, 3.98min and 12.60min. %RSD of the DUA, ECB and TDF were found to be 0.35, 0.47 & 0.40 respectively. %Recovery was obtained as 98.9%, 99.6% and 99.3% for DUA, ECB and TDF respectively. Both the runtime and retention times were decreased, so this method developed was simple and economical this can be adopted in regular quality control in pharma industries.
The Effect of Diffrenet Types of Strengthening RC Columns Subjected to Eccentric Load
Authors: Faried A. S. , Osman Kh. , Mohamed M. G.
Published: December 2023

In many constructions, columns are subjected to eccentric loads. So, they are unable to withstand higher loading requirements. Ferrocement jacketing and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) have demonstrated exceptionally high efficacy in comparison to other strengthening techniques. This paper presents the results of experimental studies on reinforced concrete columns strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and ferrocement layer composites under an eccentric load. The new techniques depended on the combination of (CFRP) and Ferrocement to strengthen RC columns, which are subjected to eccentric loads. To get the average result for the model, ten tested models are patterned using two of each specimen, totaling twenty tested specimens. Models are divided into four groups in accordance with the method of strengthening. The specimen in the first group has not been strengthened. The second group consists of six specimens strengthened with one, two, or three successive layers of the wire mesh with an outer 15 mm thickened coating. The third group consists of four specimens strengthened with one or two successively wrapped layers of the (CFRP). The fifth group consists of six specimens strengthened with one or two layers of CFRP and one or two layers of concrete wire mesh. The purpose of the current study is to compare the use of CFRP, ferrocement layers, or a combination of carbon fibers and ferrocement to strengthen concrete columns that are subjected to eccentric loads (e/t = 0.5). The study has also shown that mixing GFRP with ferrocement is more effective than using ferrocement or carbon, but more expensive.
Analysis of Concerns of the Agricultural Sector in the Philippines using Associative Rule
Authors: Patacsil Frederick F. , Parrone Jennifer M. , Brosas Monica B. , Roaring Bobby F.
Published: December 2023

The Philippines is an agricultural country famous for its wide range of natural resources scattered over the archipelago. The country’s agriculture sector comprises four sub-sectors: fisheries, farming, livestock, and forestry. The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, is straining food systems and causing food insecurity across the world. This study used a mixed method that analyzed qualitative data using quantitative analysis. Concerns voiced by agricultural sectors were analyzed utilizing the frequencies of words used. The study utilized the frequency of the words was TF-IDF or Term Frequency – Inverse Document Frequency to analyze agricultural word concerns. This schema was used as a numeric measure to show the importance of using words to voice out their concerns. The next step is the determination of word patterns using association rule Association Rule Mining. The result reveals the prevalent words used to express concern by the agriculture sector are "cash" and "seed" and "assist" + "cash" is the most frequent word pattern.  The word "cash," the most commonly used word used by the agriculture sector to air their concern, reveals that this sector needs cash assistance to finance their agricultural activities. The result of this study can be utilized to address concerns in the agriculture sector. Furthermore, this research can be utilized in other sectors to analyze their concerns and provide necessary interventions.
Digital Perception on Changes Experienced in Modern Banking Services Perceptional Study in Salem City
Authors: Shetty Aman , S Balakrishnan , Prasath S. , S Bharath
Published: December 2023

The adoption of new technology to provide digital banking to enhance ease of use, transaction speed and an improved overall experience is essential for banking institutions to remain competitive both locally, and internationally. The digitalization of banking has revolutionized banking operations and practices. In India specifically, banking services have changed dramatically since the economic liberalization of 1991, but particularly over the last decade with rapid adoption of technology with the aim of improved operational and administrative efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the perception amongst customers and bankers in the Southern Indian city of Salem, on the changes experienced in banking services vis-a-vis adoption of technology and the issues faced in this regard its relationship to customer (and Banker) demographics.
Chaotic single neuron model with periodic coefficients with period two
Authors: Bula Inese , Radin Michael A.
Published: December 2023

Our goal is to investigate the piecewise linear difference equation xn+1 = βnxn – g(xn). This piecewise linear difference equation is a prototype of one neuron model with the internal decay rate β and the signal function g. The authors investigated this model with periodic internal decay rate βn as a period-two sequence. Our aim is to show that for certain values of coefficients βn, there exists an attracting interval for which the model is chaotic. On the other hand, if the initial value is chosen outside the mentioned attracting interval, then the solution of the difference equation either increases to positive infinity or decreases to negative infinity.
Stability of port-Hamiltonian systems with mixed time delays subject to input saturation
Authors: Chen Yufei , Liu Qihuai
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we investigate the stability of port-Hamiltonian systems with mixed time-varying delays as well as input saturation. Three types of time delays, including state delay, input delay, and output delay, are all assumed to be bounded. By introducing the output feedback control law and utilizing serval Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals, we present three delay-dependent stability criteria in terms of the linear matrix inequality. Meanwhile, we use Wirtinger’s inequality, constraint conditions, and Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals of triple and quadruple integral form to obtain less conservative results. Some numerical examples demonstrate and support our results.
„Niekada negalvojau, kad čia gyvensiu“: vyresnio amžiaus asmenų persikėlimo į globos įstaigą kontekstas
Authors: Charenkova Jūratė
Published: December 2023

Nursing home relocation is considered one of the most significant and stressful events in older age. Research shows that a variety of factors influence the decision to move to a nursing home and that the circumstances of the move have an impact on the post-move adaptation process and the quality of life in the nursing home. This paper aimed to reveal the context of the nursing home relocation of older people. Research data was gathered through life story interviews with 18 nursing home residents. Life story interviews were supplemented with semi-structured interview questions.
The research revealed that the decision to move and the subjective experience of nursing home relocation is shaped not only by micro-environmental factors of an older person, such as health status or certain personality traits, but also by the conditions of the broader socio-economic, political and historical context. The interaction of these factors, which can be conditionally distinguished at the individual, family (community) and societal levels, creates a unique context in which older people decide to move to a nursing home.
On an individual level, such factors as a person’s health, values and beliefs, personality traits, circumstances of the nursing home relocation and knowledge of possible alternatives to residential care affect the relocation decision-making. On the family or community level, the influence of family members, recommendations from social workers, doctors and acquaintances, community social support networks and access to social services play an important role. And lastly, on the societal level such factors as cultural norms and values (i.e. societal attitudes towards residential care and attitudes towards parental care), organisation of the social services system and history of the country (Soviet era) affect the nursing home relocation decision-making.
Prospects for use of man-made disturbed lands in mining regions for the location of renewable energy sources facilities
Authors:   M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Medvedieva Olha , Halchenko Zariana ,   M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Shustov Oleksandr ,   Dnipro University of Technology, Akhmetkanov Dalelhan ,   Satbayev University
Published: December 2023

This article describes the prospects for use of man-made disturbed lands of mining regions, which for a number of reasons are not subject to recultivation, in the context of the effective use of renewable energy sources. The use of renewable energy sources is considered, first of all, to satisfy energy needs, but taking into account their environmental value and renewability. It is shown the importance of decentralization of power supply sources for consumers, which can be achieved through the use of renewable energy sources. The article provides a brief structure of Ukraine's energy consumption. The main obstacles that stand in the way of the development of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency in Ukraine are analyzed. As one of the perspective directions for the introduction of renewable energy sources, the use of wind power plants is considered. The main advantages of wind energy are listed. Formulas for calculating the power of a wind power plant are provided. The gross potential, technical potential and economic potential of the implementation of wind power plants are considered. The coefficient of wind energy utilization, which depends on the wind speed, is given. The paper gives a comparative assessment of existing types of wind turbines – with a horizontal and a vertical axis of rotation. It has been proved that vertical axis wind power plans are more effective for implementation. The vertical axis wind power plans have their advantages. It is recommended to use vertical axis wind power plans with using of a magnetic levitation. This makes vertical axis wind turbines the most efficient. Due to the use of wind generators with a vertical axis of rotation of a turbine with a magnetic-levitating bearing, in the conditions of Kryvbas, vertical wind power plants can produce electricity more than 7 times more than traditional (horizontal) ones. It has been proven that the amount of generated electricity increases with the height of the wind turbine location. The article examines the ecological advantages of placing wind power plans on man-made disturbed lands of mining regions.
Criterion for assessment of compliance of water consumption by the irrigation system of imported roadheaders with the requirements of Ukrainian regulations
Authors:   M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Minieiev Serhii , Usov Oleh ,   M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Published: December 2023

Over the past 10 years, the mining conditions of Ukraine's coal deposits have changed significantly. The development of particularly dusty seams has been discontinued and the transition from domestic roadheaders to imported ones has begun. And the normative document governing the requirements for roadheaders’ irrigation parameters has not been changed for the last 18 years. This makes the revision of certain provisions of the document a matter of urgency. Of particular relevance is the development of a criterion for assessing the conformity of water consumption by the irrigation system of imported roadheaders to the conditions of Ukrainian coal deposits. A comparison of the dust-generating capacity of seams mined when the normative document was issued in 2005 and those currently being mined showed that the maximum dust generation has now been reduced by 35%. This made it possible to reduce the normative indicator of specific water consumption from 100 l/m3 to 65 l/m3 of broken rock. The analysis of the normative methodology for the calculation of the water consumption by the irrigation system of cutter-loaders showed that these calculations take into account an understandable physical law of the reduction of the specific dust generation with the reduction of the coal hardness. However, roadheader calculations do not take this law into account. This leads to an underestimation of the allowable water consumption for hard rock and an overestimation for soft rock. To eliminate this drawback of the methodology for calculating the water consumption of the roadheader irrigation system, a regression dependence of the specific dust generation reduction was obtained when increasing the excavation productivity of weaker rock. The use of this dependency made it possible to determine the value of the equivalent productivity of the roadheader in terms of the dust factor and to formulate the criterion for evaluating the compliance of the water consumption of its irrigation system with the requirements of normative documents. The same dependence can also be used for a rough estimate of the equivalent productivity of shearers.
Lobelia urens (Campanulaceae), a new naturalized alien species in the flora of seaside Adjara (SW Georgia / Sakartvelo)
Authors:   Institute of Phytopathology and Biodiversity, Shota Rustaveli State University of Batumi, Kobuleti, Georgia / Sakartvelo, Mikeladze I.Sh. , Bolkvadze G.K. ,   Institute of Phytopathology and Biodiversity, Shota Rustaveli State University of Batumi, Kobuleti, Georgia / Sakartvelo, Shainidze G.E. ,   Department of Biology, Shota Rustaveli State University of Batumi, Batumi, Georgia / Sakartvelo, Davitadze M.U. ,   Department of Biology, Shota Rustaveli State University of Batumi, Batumi, Georgia / Sakartvelo
Published: December 2023

The article reports a new alien plant species found in Georgia / Sakartvelo, Lobelia urens (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), first recorded in 2012 in the floristic district of Adjara. Data on its distribution and ecological and cenotic interactions with local native and alien species under new environmental conditions are provided.
Comparing Fishery Impacts and Maturation Schedules of Hatchery-Origin vs. Natural-Origin Fish from a Threatened Chinook Salmon Stock
Authors:   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration–Fisheries, Satterthwaite William , Chen Emily ,   University of California, Berkeley, McReynolds Tracy ,   California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dean Audrey ,   California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Allen Shanae ,   Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, O'Farrell Michael ,   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration–Fisheries
Published: December 2023

Central Valley Spring-run Chinook (CVSC) are listed as threatened under the California and federal Endangered Species Acts, but how ocean fisheries affect CVSC is not routinely monitored or managed, largely because of data limitations. Most tag data for CVSC are from a hatchery program that may not sufficiently represent natural-origin fish in ocean and inland fishery recovery data. However, a discontinued tagging program for Butte Creek Wild Spring-run Chinook (BCWSC) provides for estimation of fishery impacts and maturation schedules for a limited set of years, which we compared with estimates for hatchery-origin fish for common years, while extending the hatchery-origin estimates over a wider time-frame. Additional scale-age data from BCWSC allow inferences about more recent maturation rates, conditional on harvest-rate estimates borrowed from other stocks. Overall, CVSC appear to experience low age-3 ocean fishery impact rates, but age-4 impact rates can be comparable to ocean harvest rates estimated for Sacramento River Fall Chinook. Tagging data from the years available indicate that ocean fisheries may reduce spawning run sizes (all ages combined) by 40% to 60% during periods of high fishing effort. Effects of ocean fishing on spawner abundance are weaker in years of reduced fishing or for cohorts displaying earlier maturation. It appears that maturation rates of hatchery-origin CVSC may have increased (i.e., earlier maturation) over the full time-period examined, and there may be indications of increasing maturation rates for BCWSC as well.
A Simple Approach to Modeling Light Attenuation in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Using Commonly Available Data
Authors:   US Geological Survey, Richardson Emily , Bouma-Gregson Keith ,   US Geological Survey, O’Donnell Katy ,   US Geological Survey, Bergamaschi Brian ,   US Geological Survey
Published: December 2023

The diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation (KdPAR) is commonly used to predict light attenuation in aquatic productivity models, but obtaining measurements of PAR to compute KdPAR is difficult. In situ calculations of KdPAR require multiple measurements of PAR through the water column, and these measurements are infeasible for real-time recording. Instead, predictive models using surface-water measurements may be used. Traditional KdPAR models are based on open-ocean habitats and rely on chlorophyll—as a proxy measurement for phytoplankton abundance—as the main predictive parameter. However, elevated suspended sediments and dissolved organic materials may also affect KdPAR values of inland water bodies and estuaries. In this study, we leverage KdPAR calculations derived from in situ light measurements collected along with surface-water-quality parameters across the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in California, USA (the Delta). Sampling occurred between January of 2013 and May of 2014. We also explored regional and seasonal effects, but these did not clearly affect the model. Ultimately, the best-performing model included surface-level turbidity only (R2 = 0.91). The simplicity of the model facilitates use of KdPAR estimates for a variety of purposes throughout the Delta, including euphotic depth calculations, and as inputs to primary-productivity and habitat-suitability models. We demonstrate the model’s usability with two open-sources data sets (one spatially dense, and one temporally dense), and estimate KdPAR, euphotic depth, and primary productivity within the Delta. We provide calculations for each estimation, allowing users to easily adopt these models and apply them to their own data or with open-sourced data, which are abundant.
A Simplified Approach for Estimating Ionic Concentrations from Specific Conductance Data in the San Francisco Estuary
Authors:   Tetra Tech, Inc., Hutton Paul , Sinha Arushi ,   Tetra Tech, Inc., Roy Sujoy ,   Tetra Tech, Inc., Denton Richard ,   Richard Denton & Associates
Published: December 2023

This work presents a simplified approach for estimating ionic concentrations from specific electrical conductance (EC) data in the San Francisco Estuary. Monitoring the EC of water through electrodes is simple and inexpensive. As a result, a wealth of high-resolution time-series data is available to indirectly estimate salinity concentrations and, by extension, seawater intrusion throughout the study domain. However, scientists and managers are also interested in quantifying ionic (e.g., bromide, chloride) and total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations to meet water-quality regulations, protect beneficial uses, support environmental analyses, and track source-water dominance. These constituent concentrations, reported with lower spatial and temporal resolution than EC, are typically measured in the laboratory from discrete (grab) water samples. We divided the study domain into four unique regions to estimate concentrations of major ions and TDS as mathematical functions of measured or model-simulated EC. Salinity relationships in three of the four regions—regions that represent Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) inflow and seawater-dominated boundaries—reflect ionic make-ups that are either independent of or weakly dependent on season and hydrologic condition, and are highly correlated with EC. The fourth region—represented by the interior Delta—exhibits salinity characteristics associated with complex-boundary source-water mixing that varies by season and hydrologic condition. We introduce a novel method to estimate ionic and dissolved solids concentrations within this fourth region, given month, water year type, and (optionally) X2 isohaline position, which allows for more accurate EC-based estimates than previously available. The resulting approach, while not a substitute for hydrodynamic modeling, can provide useful information under constrained schedules and budgets.
Ngəmba interrogative verb ghě ‘to what?’
Authors: Mekamgoum Solange , Kießling Roland
Published: December 2023

While interrogative pronouns, adverbials, and determiners seem to constitute universal word categories (Ultan 1978), interrogative verbs are rather rare worldwide (Hagège 2008). One of the languages to attest this rare category is Ngəmba, a Ghomala’ variety of the Eastern Grassfields Bantu group in Cameroon. This article provides a first descriptive outline of the semantic and morphosyntactic properties of the Ngəmba interrogative verb ghě ‘do what?’. Based on comparative evidence from micro-variation across closely related neighbouring Ghomala’ varieties, it fleshes out a historical model that traces the Ngəmba interrogative verb back to a fusion of a prior verb meaning ‘do’ with an interrogative element.
Contact influence in the Tjhauba variety of Kgalagadi
Authors: Gunnink Hilde
Published: December 2023

Tjhauba, spoken in northwestern Botswana, is a regional variety of the Bantu language Kgalagadi. Tjhauba exhibits a number of striking linguistic differences with respect to other, previously described Kgalagadi varieties, some the result of language-internal changes, but mostly due to contact with different surrounding Khoisan and Bantu languages. Making use of newly collected field data, this paper shows that Tjhauba has an extensive inventory of click phonemes, contrasting different click accompaniments and, in the speech of elderly speakers, also different click types. Tracing the sources of Tjhauba click words shows that these originate in different Khoisan languages, but also in the Bantu click language Yeyi. Semantically, click words, but also loanwords that do not contain clicks, cluster in the domain of flora and fauna, particularly species found in or close to water. These linguistic findings also shed light on the history of Tjhauba speakers. The adoption of a large number of click phonemes suggests intensive language contact, as still evidenced by ongoing Tjhauba/Khwe bilingualism. A number of the likely source languages for Tjhauba click words are no longer spoken in the area, suggesting contact situations that are no longer ongoing. Furthermore, clicks occur in loanwords, but unlike in neighbouring Bantu click languages, there is no evidence that clicks were also extended to inherited Tjhauba words. This suggests that the sound symbolic or identity marking functions of clicks as posited for other Bantu click languages do not play a role in Tjhauba.
On the conceptual nature of hybrid adverbials in Isu
Authors: Schaefer Ronald , Egbokhare Francis O.
Published: December 2023

We review Kießling’s (2011) assessment of the emergence of hybrid adverbials from serial verb constructions in Isu of Bantoid and the Narrow Grassfield group of East Benue Congo. He posits two paths, preverbal and postverbal, that coverb elements follow as they abandon verbal properties pertaining to syntax, morphology, and tone. Our focus rests on whether this impressive array of grammatical change might reflect a particular system of semantic concepts. We contend that one lens through which to view such a system consists of a merger of Dixon’s secondary concept types and Nuyts’ hierarchy of categories conveying clausal modification. To support our contention, we apply the resulting system of semantic concepts to Isu preverbal hybrid adverbials, finding eight conceptual types oriented toward characterization of grammatical subject. Despite the highly tentative nature of this effort, results align with a similar range of conceptual types that occur as preverbs in West Benue Congo Yoruboid and Edoid, which have also grammaticalized from verbs.
Two more contexts for Ge‘ez *u > u and three for *a > ǝ
Authors: Suchard Benjamin
Published: December 2023

The main Ge‘ez (Classical Ethiopic) verbal adjective is characterized by an ǝ-u vowel melody. Based on cognate evidence, the most basic form of this adjective, 01-stem 1ǝ2u3, derives from a *1a2uː3- pattern and thus shows assimilation of *aCuː > ǝCu. This assimilation does not operate in a set of specialized numerals shaped like 1ä2u3, which should be reconstructed as *1a2u3- with short *u. Short *u also yields Ge‘ez u in the nonaccusative case of the masculine cardinal numerals, like *ɬalaːθtu > śälästu ‘three’; this ending goes back to the Proto-Semitic diptotic nominative. The assimilation of *aCuː > ǝCu, on the other hand, also affected the personal pronoun *huːʔa-tuː > wǝʾǝtu, the perfect of fientive verbs like *gabaruː > gäbru ‘they did’, and the jussive of stative verbs like *yitrapuː > yǝtrǝfu ‘may they remain’. Ə was leveled to other parts of these paradigms, solving several longstanding problems of Ge‘ez morphology.
Gehrmann, Susanne. 2021. Autobiographik in Afrika. Literaturgeschichte und Genrevielfalt. (Literaturen und Kunst Afrikas, Band 14). Trier: WVT Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier.
Authors: Reuster-Jahn Uta
Published: December 2023

Review of Susanne Gehrmann's "Autobiographik in Afrika. Literaturgeschichte und Genrevielfalt."
Consciousness and Prospects of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks for Wall Construction: Comparative Study Nigeria and South Africa
Authors: Oladiran Olatunji , Simeon D.R
Published: December 2023

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Block (AACB) is a viable, sustainable walling material for building projects but has not been given the attention it deserves in developing countries. To increase the usage of AACB on building projects, this study examines the consciousness and prospects for its use in Nigeria and South Africa. The objectives are (i) to evaluate the degree of knowledge about AACB, (ii) the variants in Nigeria and South Africa, and to assess the likelihood of adopting AACB in Nigeria—the study centres on Lagos and five provinces in South Africa. Lagos was chosen in Nigeria because the State is the only place in Nigeria where AAC blocks have been used. A total of 145 questionnaires were administered to professionals who had been involved in AAC projects. In contrast, 17 South African respondents familiar with AACB in construction projects were polled online using Google Forms. Convenience and snowball sampling procedures were used for construction professionals in both countries. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Statistics such as percentages and mean scores were explored using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Mann-Whitney U test. Findings indicate that construction professionals in Nigeria know very little about 19 of the 20 documented AACBs. However, the South African professionals are very knowledgeable about AACB grade 42.5 OPC and AACB of AP/RHA and fully aware of AACB with grade 52.5 OPC, though they know nothing about the Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) AACB. This means that Nigerian professionals have a moderate stance on using AACB. The study concludes that South African Builders are more aware of AACB and its variants than Nigeria. This implies that AACB manufacturing in Nigeria would not thrive in the construction market due to poor patronage since patronage is directly related to product awareness. The study, therefore, suggests that building construction professionals should increase their understanding of AACB through continuous development training, workshops, and seminars on environmentally friendly building materials. Another suggestion is for consultants, clients, developers, contractors, governments, and research institutions to continuously conduct research and embrace findings on the AACB and new building construction materials regarding usage, wear, tears and durability.
Exploring the interplay between quantity surveyors’ conflict-handling styles and personality traits
Authors: Verwey Janita , Cumberlege Roy , Crafford Gerrit Jacobus
Published: December 2023

Construction projects are prone to conflict; thus, effective conflict management is more important than ever to avoid disputes and ensure project success. This study explores the link between conflict-handling styles and personality traits used by clients’ quantity surveyors in South Africa. The study used an online web survey based on how clients’ quantity surveyors dealt with conflict according to their personality traits. The population of this study included registered professional quantity surveyors and candidate quantity surveyors. The most common way of dealing with conflict and the most dominant personality trait among quantity surveying professionals were determined using descriptive statistics. A Spearman rank correlation analysis was subsequently conducted to establish whether there was a link between management of conflict and personality traits. The collaborating style was primarily used as a conflict management style by quantity surveyors, while the most common personality trait amongst client's quantity surveyors was Conscientiousness. Generally, most of the conflict-handling styles do not significantly interplay with personality traits. However, a collaborating conflict-handling style was found to have a negative correlation with the neuroticism personality trait. Also, the accommodating conflict handling style positively correlates with the agreeableness personality trait, and the avoiding conflict handling style correlates with the neuroticism personality trait. Quantity surveying firms will benefit from this information regarding their employees' conflict-handling styles and personalities by training professionals on managing conflict successfully by combining their personalities with the appropriate style. The focus on registered and candidate quantity surveyors was a limitation of the study, as other construction professionals could add value to the study. Further studies may include conflict-handling styles from a contractors’ quantity surveyor’s perspective.
Keywords: Conflict-handling styles, Construction Industry,  Personality, Quantity Surveyors
Impact of Leadership Styles on Government Construction Project Success: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Ssenyange Kasimu , Kudakwashe Chodokufa
Published: December 2023

Government construction projects play an important role in both developed and developing countries. They contribute about 80% of total capital assets, 10 % of GDP, and more than 50% of the wealth invested in fixed assets and employment opportunities. As such, several countries like Sweden in Europe, Indonesia in Asia, South Africa and Kenya in East Africa have invested heavily and succeeded in construction projects. Similarly, Uganda has also invested heavily in construction projects; however, most of these projects have been unsuccessful, yet projects contribute to economic development. This study aimed to determine the contribution of leadership styles to the success of government construction projects in Uganda. The study was cross-sectional with a quantitative research design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 100 Kampala Capital City Authority construction projects from a population of 120 projects that were stratified according to the five divisions of Kampala district. Four respondents were selected from each of the 100 projects selected, resulting in a total of 400 respondents for the study. Structural Equation Modelling was conducted using SPSS. Results show that leadership styles, especially communication and participation are positively and significantly associated with government construction project success. Therefore, government project managers should communicate effectively and involve stakeholders at every stage of the project cycle to realise project success. It is recommended that the path-goal theory be adopted for replicating the study. Also, government ministries must adopt the proposed model as it is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, especially those involved in government construction projects. Similarly, the government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, should constantly remind government project managers to ensure adequate internal and external communication and allow the participation of stakeholders during the implementation of government projects.
Keywords
Communication, Government Construction Projects, Leadership styles, Participation, Project Success, Structural Equation Modeling, Uganda