bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioclimatic Impact on the Carob Seeds Morphological Diversity in Morocco
Authors: Boubkar Foughali , Rachid Fghire , Fatima Anaya , Oudou Issa Ali , Saadia Tahrouch , Said Wahbi
Published: May 2021

The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua L., a typical thermophilic sclerophyllous species, is a multipurpose tree (agronomic, silvicultural and pastoral) with aromatic and medicinal properties. Due to its geographical distribution, it occupies different countries of the Mediterranean. In Morocco, this species spreads over the different bioclimatic from the arid in the south to the humid in the north. The present work, study the morphological diversity of the seeds of five carob tree ecotypes distributed along a rainfall gradient (from the arid in the south to the humid one towards the north of the country). The shape parameters studied are the length, width, thickness, weight, volume and density of the seeds.The results obtained show that the carob tree ecotypes are characterized by significant differences in the different morphological parameters of the seeds among the five ecotypes studied. Indeed, dry land seeds are generally reduced in length, volume and weight, while those in humid regions are larger in weight and size. Those of the dry sowing areas have moderate parameters. The variance analysis shows that the origin of the ecotypes hada significant effect on the various shape parameters. Moreover, the multiple comparison of averages revealed different distinct groups. ACP analysis revealed that seed weight and volume is strongly correlated with the first component (the bioclimatic origin and the annual rainfall of the site of origin). While the second component corresponds to the parameters of length, width and thickness of the seeds. As for the factor 3, it corresponds to the density of the seeds which is not dependent on the other variables.In terms of conclusion, it is deduced that in Morocco, the carob tree seeds are characterized by a large morphological diversity which varies according to the rainfall gradient.
D. Spivey-Grabs Field, Kingman and Harper Counties, Kansas
Authors: Frensley Robert W. , Darmstetter J. C.
Published: May 2021

The Spivey-Grabs field is in southwestern Kingman County and northwestern Harper County, Kansas. The Mississippian “Chert” produces gas and oil, and the Pennsylvanian reservoirs (Burlingame and Topeka Limestones) produce gas. Stratigraphic trapping is important in the Mississippian accumulations, and the Pennsylvanian accumulations are structurally controlled. Cumulative production to January 1,1967, was 27,686,822 bbls of oil and 168,622,087 Mcf of gas.
Red Oak-Norris Gas Field, Brazil Anticline, Latimer and LeFlore Counties, Oklahoma
Authors: Six David A.
Published: May 2021

The Red Oak-Norris gas field was the first of several fields discovered recently in the deeper part of the Arkoma basin which yield gas from the lower Atoka Spiro Sand. The Red Oak-Norris gas field is, however, the only field discovered to date in which gas is produced in large quantities from sandstone beds of middle Atokan age, namely the Red Oak Sand of the upper middle Atoka.

The middle Atokan gas sands recently discovered at Southwest Quinton by Skelly Oil Company, 12 mi west of Red Oak-Norris field, cannot be correlated definitely as Red Oak Sand, but the productive zone is in the middle Atokan section.

The Red Oak-Norris gas field is the largest single gas-producing field, in both area and reserves, discovered to date in the deeper part of the Arkoma basin; it is believed to be also the most complexly faulted field. Overthrust faulting from the south as well as both normal down-to-the-north and down-to-the-south faulting are in evidence. There is considerably more to be learned concerning the geology of this field as development progresses.
Washburn Anticline Gas Fields, Arkansas
Authors: Bartlett, Jr. Charles S.
Published: May 2021

The Washburn anticline trends east-west for 40 mi and covers at least 157 sq mi within 6,000 ft of closure. Commercial quantities of gas were discovered on the feature in 1954. Since then sporadic drilling has resulted in 31 gas wells, spaced on 640-acre governmental sections, and 12 dry holes. The Gragg, Booneville, and Chismville gas fields are all on surface expression of the Washburn anticline.

Production is essentially dry methane gas from at least 15 sandstone beds within the middle and lower parts of the Atoka Formation. Open-flow potentials range from less than 1 million to 33.5 million cu ft of gas a day with shut-in pressures of from 355 to 2,912 psi. Most of the wells in Chismville, T. 6 N., R. 27 W., and Booneville, T. 6 N., R. 28 W., were connected in 1961. The Gragg wells, in T. 6 N., Rs. 29, 30 W., were connected in June 1964. Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Company is the only purchaser from these fields.

The approximately 11,700 ft of the Atoka Formation at Washburn is subdivided into zones which can be recognized in most wells. Lenticularity of sandstone bodies and marked variation in porosity and permeability in the gas zones reflect the unstable shallow-basin environment in which the sands were deposited. Rocks of the Morrow Series have been tested in three wells, but were found nonproductive. There is one deep Arbuckle (Cambrian-Ordovician) test on structure. This well was dry in all of the pre-Atoka rocks at a total depth of 12,505 ft.

Strike-thrust faults, trending east-west near the crest of Washburn, complicate the structure. Nearly every well has cut at least one thrust fault with displacement commonly being between 1,000 and 1,500 ft.

It appears that the three gas fields on the anticline will ultimately be joined into one large gas field.
Jerusalem Gas Field, Conway County, Arkansas
Authors: Hartman F. H.
Published: May 2021

The Jerusalem field produces dry gas from two sands in the lower part of the Atoka Series. The upper sand is called the “Allen” and the lower sand the “Barton” or “Barton ‘B’.” A third sand, the McGuire, overlies the Allen Sand and may prove to be productive over a very small area on the structurally highest part of the field.

The gas is trapped in a faulted anticline. The Allen reservoir is limited downdip on both sides of the fault by a gas-water interface. The Barton Sand reservoir is limited on the west and the north flanks by lack of permeability and porosity, on the south by a normal fault, and on the east by a gas-water interface.

The oldest rock penetrated by drilling in the Jerusalem field was in the Carter Oil Co. No. 1 Morrilton Lumber Co. This well bottomed at 3,500 ft in the Fayetteville Shale of Mississippian age. The deeper formations have not been tested in this area. Three formations of Ordovician age can be considered to be potential reservoirs, not only here but also in a large part of the Arkansas valley, particularly along the north rim of the basin—the St. Peter Sandstone, the Cotter Dolomite, and the Powell Dolomite.

Twelve wells have been drilled in the process of defining the field limits. Six were producing wells and six were dry holes. Two of the producing wells are completed dually. The writer believes Jerusalem field is one of many small but economical fields which will be discovered on the north rim of the basin. The estimated gas reserve attributed to this field ranges from 18 to 25 billion cu ft.
C. Gas-Productive Areas Western Kentucky
Authors: Rose W. D.
Published: May 2021

Production of natural gas in western Kentucky has been minor in comparison to oil production. By far the largest gas reservoir discovered is the Midland gas field in northern Muhlenberg County. Here gas has accumulated in an isolated sand- filled Bethel channel cut to a depth of more than 200 ft into the underlying limestone. The Midland reservoir is from 0.5 to 2 mi wide and 10 mi long. Gas apparently has accumulated on the south (updip) flank of the main channel. At the western tip of the pool the channel turns northwestward, cutting obliquely downdip and thereby limiting hydrocarbon accumulation in that direction. The trap thus appears to be both stratigraph- ic and structural, with the gas confined to the area where the channel parallels the regional strike. Production is best at the western end, where pay thickness is more than 100 ft. Total reserve is estimated to be approximately 165 billion cu ft.

The most significant gas-productive areas discovered up to 1962 were the Luzerne, also known as “West Greenville,” and Sharon Consolidated fields, both in Muhlenberg County. These two fields are adjacent but apparently not continuous. The Bethel Sandstone is the reservoir formation in both.
Natural-Gas Liquids
Authors: Blackstock W. B. , McCullough G. W. , McCutchan R. C.
Published: May 2021

Casinghead gasoline or natural gasoline, now more suitably known as “natural-gas liquids” (NGL), was a nuisance when first found, but was developed into a major and profitable commodity. This part of the petroleum industry began at about the turn of the century, and more than 60 yrs later the petroleum industry recovers approximately 1 million bbls of natural-gas liquids a day from 30 billion cu ft of natural gas processed in more than 600 gasoline plants. Although casinghead gasoline first was used for automobile fuel, natural-gas liquids now are used for fuel, industrial solvents, aviation blending stock, synthetic rubber, and many other petrochemical uses. Production from the individual plants is shipped by tank car, tank truck, pipeline, and tankers all over the world.

Most of the natural-gas liquids come from wet natural gas which contains a considerable quantity of vapor, ranging from 0.5 to 6 gal/Mcf, and some particularly rich gases contain even more which can be liquefied. Nonassociated gas is generally clean, with a comparatively small quantity of gasoline, 0.1-0.5 gal/Mcf. The natural-gas liquids branch of the industry is built around the condensation of vapors in natural gas. Natural-gas liquids are processed either by the compression method or by adsorption processes. Substantial quantities of NGL are obtained from cycling operations. The gas is cycled continually through the reservoir and stripped of liquid hydrocarbons in plants.
Sheridan Field, Colorado County, Texas
Authors: Lofton Coleman L.
Published: May 2021

Sheridan field, in the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas, is in west-central Colorado County about 85 mi west of Houston. The field is outstanding because of the large gas-condensate reserves found in the Wilcox section of Eocene age and unique for the trend because of the tremendous sandstone thickness and number of sandstone bodies found to be productive. The gross thickness of Wilcox sandstone ranges from 1,200 ft in the southwest part of the structure to 1,700 ft in the northeast part. Forty- three separate units have been recognized, of which 29 are producing or have produced in the past, and 5 others are indicated to be productive. Of the 29 productive Wilcox sandstone units, 8 are associated oil-gas reservoirs and the rest produce exclusively gas and condensate.

The structure, 14,900 acres in area, was first detected by use of reflection seismograph after a period of intensive exploration. In May 1940, Shell Oil Company completed the discovery well, the Plow Realty Company No. 1, as an oil-producing well in the upper Wilcox. Seismic interpretation, confirmed by later development, showed a simple, ovate anticline, uncomplicated by faulting, on the downthrown side of a normal, down-to-the-southeast fault which subsequently has been found to have a throw of approximately 150 ft. A total of 103 wells has been drilled in the field. Of the 95 which penetrated the Wilcox section, 86 were producing wells and 9 were dry holes. Of eight wells drilled exclusively to test the Yegua reservoir, six were producing wells and two were dry holes.

A gas-cycling plant was constructed just north of the central part of the field in 1944, and the first test runs were made in August 1945. The plant was built to cycle the Wilcox “L” and “P-5, Q” Sands. Subsequently, cycling programs have been undertaken for the “G-1” and “H” Sands. The program has now been discontinued for all except the “H” Sand. The “L” and “P-5, Q” are blanket sandstone bodies forming reservoirs of approximately 6,500 and 8,500 acres, respectively. The “H” Sand productive area is more than 7,000 acres, and that of the “G-1” Sand, which produces from a long, narrow stratigraphic trap on the west flank of the structure, is 1,850 acres.
G. Wild Goose Gas Field, Butte County, California
Authors: Hawley Arthur S.
Published: May 2021

The Wild Goose gas field is in Secs. 17 and 18, T. 17 N., R. 1 E., M.D.B.&M., 7 mi northwest of the Marysville Buttes, a topographically prominent volcanic plug in the center of the Sacramento Valley. The field was discovered August 9, 1951, with completion of Honolulu Oil Corporation No. 1 Honolulu-Humble Wild Goose, Sec. 17. This well had an initial production of 4,020 Mcf a day through a 24/64-in choke, with tubing pressure of 1,370 psi, from the Wild Goose Sand section of Late Cretaceous age.
C. Perkins Lake Gas Field, Butte County, California
Authors: Harding Tod P.
Published: May 2021

The Perkins Lake gas field is in Butte County, California, in the northern part of the Sacramento Valley, 75 mi northwest of Sacramento. The field was discovered by Humble Oil and Refining Company in September 1955, after a seismic survey had indicated the presence of an anticlinal structure in the area. The discovery well, Humble Parrott Investment Company No. 1 B, in projected Sec. 16, T. 20 N., R. 1 W., was completed for 4.06 million cu ft a day of 940 Btu dry gas through a 3/8-in choke. Production was from perforations opposite the interval 3,365-3,390 ft.
D. Maine Prairie Gas Field, Solano County, California
Authors: Arleth Karl H.
Published: May 2021

The geologic description of Maine Prairie gas field is based primarily on detailed analysis and correlation of electric logs by the writer.

The Maine Prairie gas field is a multizone dry- gas field consisting of five separate pools. The principal, or Wineman pool, which constitutes the northern two-thirds of the field, is the result of a combination trap and is unusual in that updip closure is provided by the impermeable Markley gorge, a channel-like feature of late Eocene age, traceable on the northeast and southwest for many miles.

The Maine Prairie gas field includes approximately 2,100 acres, and estimated ultimate recoverable reserves are approximately 75,000 million cu ft, according to the California Division of Oil and Gas. The nearly pure methane gas produced has a heating value of approximately 1,000 Btu/cu ft and is sold exclusively to Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Gas Fields of the Alberta Foothills
Authors: Wells G. C.
Published: May 2021

Nineteen gas fields and one oil and gas field had been discovered in the Rocky Mountains Foothills of Alberta to the end of 1965. The Alberta Oil and Gas Conservation Board estimated remaining reserves of marketable gas at 4,878 billion cu ft, gas liquids at 116.2 million bbls, and sulfur at 32.685 million long tons.

Mississippian strata constitute the principal reservoir rock; Triassic strata are important in two fields; Devonian strata provide the reservoir in one field, and are of minor importance in another. The gas fields of the Foothills are in overthrust fault structures, overthrust from the west and striking parallel with the Mountains. Closure is afforded by the thrust fault on the east, the steeply dipping west flank, and the north and south plunges of the fault blocks. Subsurface structures generally are reflected at the surface by folds or imbricate fault zones, but seismic surveys normally are required to confirm dislocation in Paleozoic rocks, and to determine depths and configuration.
Outline of Occurrence of Pennsylvanian Gas in Four-Corners Region
Authors: Picard M. Dane , Brown Boyd R. , Loleit A. J. , Parker J. W.
Published: May 2021

Accumulations of gas and casinghead gas in Pennsylvanian rocks in the Four Corners region (junction of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona) are in carbonate strata of Desmoinesian age in four lithologic zones (“substages”) of the Paradox Member of the Hermosa Formation. These zones, from oldest to youngest, have been named “Barker Creek,” “Akah,” “Desert Creek,” and “Ismay.” They are shelf counterparts of basinal evaporitic sequences.

Reservoir beds are calcirudite, calcarenite, and sparsely to moderately fossiliferous carbonate, which is nearly in place and was deposited in biostromal and biohermal complexes. Dolomitization and other diagenetic changes have affected these units. Vuggy and intercrystalline types of porosity are predominant; fracture porosity is important in places.

In only a few instances can the type of trap be defined from present subsurface control. Structurally, all of the gas fields are on surface or subsurface highs of varied relief and area. Sedimentary compaction has contributed to this relief in places, and Late Pennsylvanian-Permian warping has occurred. Most of the present structural relief of these features results from folding during the Laramide orogeny. Stratigraphic variations from porous reservoir beds to nonporous units contribute to trapping of most accumulations, and are the controlling factor of some.

The cumulative gas production during the years 1958-1962 inclusive in the Aneth complex was 100,753,592 Mcf. To January 1, 1964, the cumulative production in the Barker Creek field was 197,820,591 Mcf, or nearly two-thirds of the calculated original recoverable reserve of 315 billion cu ft of gas at Barker Creek. Gas from the Barker Creek and Alkali Gulch fields, and from the Aneth complex, is transmitted to Kirtland, New Mexico, and thence to Topock, Arizona. Buyers in Topock distribute to customers in southern California and southern Nevada.

These Pennsylvanian gas accumulations seem to be essentially in situ. The source beds are believed to be present in each zone; migration was predominantly local, not exceeding a few miles; and entrapment occurred in laterally adjacent, sparsely to moderately fossiliferous carbonate beds. After initial entrapment, later migration probably occurred in places.
Natural Gas in Atokan (Bend) Section of Northern Fort Worth Basin
Authors: Blanchard K. S. , Denman Orval , Knight A. S.
Published: May 2021

There is extensive stratigraphic accumulation of natural gas in the numerous lenticular standstone and conglomerate bodies of Early Pennsylvanian age in Jack, Parker, and Wise Counties, Texas. These sandstone and conglomerate lenses, locally known as “Bend Conglomerates,” are characterized by extreme variability in lateral extent. Conglomerate bodies present in one well commonly are not present in the offset well. Some wells contain as many as eight separate lenses with a combined pay thickness of more than 100 ft.

The Boonsville (Bend Conglomerate) gas field and the Toto (lower Bend Conglomerate) gas field cover an area of approximately 450 sq mi in Jack, Parker, and Wise Counties and contain more than 875 gas wells producing from the Bend Conglomerate lenses. Monthly gas production from these wells is 5.75 billion cu ft, and estimated recoverable reserve is more than 1 trillion cu ft, making it the largest gas-producing area of North Texas.
Metaphor as Sea Creature Naming Strategy in Akan
Authors: Wonkyi Patrick Nana , Mireku-Gyimah Patricia Beatrice , Dawson-Ahmoah Grace Nana Aba
Published: May 2021

The paper discusses the role of metaphor in the name construction of sea creatures among Akan (Mfantse) people within the purview of onomasiology. The role of metaphor in the naming of sea creatures has been understudied. This paper is a step towards filling the gap by analyzing the role metaphor plays in constructing naming units for sea creatures. This study has a qualitative research design. Twelve (12) fishers were purposely sampled, three (3) each from four fishing towns: Anomabo, Apam, Sekondi (Sekunde) and Moree (Mowure). The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. The paper finds that likeness between sea creatures and static and/or dynamic entities triggers names for sea creatures. It concludes that, metaphor is employed to achieve simpler forms for salient features, communicate non-codable salient features and condense multiple features in the quest to name sea creatures among the Mfantse people. Through these vital roles, a general metaphor Sea Creatures are Land Animals/Entities is realized. The encyclopedic knowledge, which the Mfantse people have about their environment is realized through their naming strategies. It is recommended that the linguistics of naming percepts in indigenous Akan occupations be explored further.
L'entonació de les preguntes de l'espanyol parlat per xinesos
Authors: Zhao Tianshu
Published: May 2021

Aquest estudi té com a objectiu descriure els trets de l'entonació dels enunciats interrogatius absoluts de l'espanyol parlat per xinesos en parla espontània. Per a tal finalitat, s'ha establert un corpus de 82 enunciats emesos per cinc informants xinesos nadius que parlen espanyol. Després d'analitzar tots els enunciats amb el mètode Anàlisi Melòdica de la Parla (AMP), s'ha trobat que dins del corpus només hi ha 16 enunciats (19,5%) que segueixen els patrons /+ interrogatius/ de l'espanyol peninsular, mentre que la majoría, un 80,5%, es caracteritzen per presentar melodies pròpies d’enunciats suspesos i, en menys casos, declaratius i emfàtics. A més, els resultats mostren que hi ha diferències entre els parlants del nord i del Sud de Xina quan parlen espanyol, la qual cosa indica que cal fer un estudi més complet en el futur per comprovar si és un fenomen significatiu.
Les vocals mitjanes dels parlants de Twi en la parla espontània del català
Authors: Carrasco Laura , Frigolé Neus , Planàs Xavier
Published: May 2021

A les societats actuals hi ha la convivència de diferents comunitats lingüístiques en un mateix marc social degut als fluixos migratoris. Thomason (2011) parla de contacte de llengües quan s’utilitza més d’un llenguatge en el mateix lloc al mateix moment. Aquest contacte pot generar situacions d’influència entre llengües que provoquen certes interferències entre elles. Per aquest motiu, hem volgut explorar si s’observen fenòmens de transferència fonètica en les vocals mitjanes dels parlants de Twi en la parla espontània del català. En aquest estudi s’han descrit acústicament les vocals mitjanes i s’han comparat els resultats obtinguts amb l’estudi de Rius-Escudé (2015) en què es descriuen les vocals del català central en parla espontània. L’anàlisi de les vocals s’ha realitzat mitjançant el programa d’anàlisi fonètic Praat. El corpus de parla espontània utilitzat està compost per 144 enunciats obtinguts a partir d’una interacció professor-alumne. Els resultats demostren que entre les vocals mitjanes dels parlants de Twi en parla espontània del català i les vocals del català central analitzades per Rius-Escudé no hi ha diferències significatives i per tant, no podem parlar de transferència fonètica. Les diferències més notòries es troben en la producció de la [ɛ] i la [e].
COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices of United Arab Emirates medical and health sciences students: A cross sectional study
Authors: Baniyas Noura , Sheek-Hussein Mohamud , Al Kaabi Nouf , Al Shamsi Maitha , Al Neyadi Maitha , Al Khoori Rauda , Ajab Suad , Abid Muhammad , Grivna Michal , Abu-Zidan Fikri M.
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest viral pandemic of the 21st century. We aimed to study COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among medical and health sciences students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We performed a cross-sectional study between 2 June and 19 August 2020. The survey was distributed online using Survey Monkey. It was conducted in English and comprised two parts: socio-demographic characteristics, and KAP towards COVID-19. 712 responses to the questionnaire were collected. 90% of respondents (n = 695) were undergraduate students, while 10% (n = 81) were postgraduates. The majority (87%, n = 647) stated that they obtained COVID-19 information from multiple reliable sources. They were highly knowledgeable about the COVID-19 pandemic, but 76% (n = 539) did not recognize its routes of transmission. Medical students were significantly more knowledgeable compared with allied health students (P<0.0001, Mann Whitney U test) but there was no difference in knowledge between undergraduate and postgraduate students (P = 0.14, Mann Whitney U test). Medical students thought that more could be done to mitigate the COVID-19 situation compared with the allied health students (66.2% compared with 51.6%, p = 0.002 Fisher’s Exact test). 63% (n = 431) were worried about getting COVID-19 infection, while 92% (n = 633)) were worried that a family member could be infected with the virus. 97% (n = 655) took precautions when accepting home deliveries, 94% (n = 637) had been washing their hands more frequently, and 95% (n = 643) had been wearing face masks. In conclusion, medical and health sciences students in the UAE showed high levels of knowledge and good attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they were worried about themselves or their family members becoming infected. Medical students had more knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic which was reflected in their opinion that more can be done to mitigate its effects.
Identifying anthropogenic features at Seoke (Botswana) using pXRF: Expanding the record of southern African Stone Walled Sites
Authors: Biagetti Stefano , Alcaina-Mateos Jonas , Ruiz-Giralt Abel , Lancelotti Carla , Groenewald Patricia , Ibañez-Insa Jordi , Gur-Arie Shira , Morton Fred , Merlo Stefania
Published: May 2021

Numerous and extensive ‘Stone Walled Sites’ have been identified in southern African Iron Age landscapes. Appearing from around 1200 CE, and showing considerable variability in size and form, these settlements are named after the dry-stone wall structures that characterize them. Stone Walled Sites were occupied by various Bantu-speaking agropastoral communities. In this paper we test the use of pXRF (portable X-ray fluorescence analysis) to generate a ‘supplementary’ archaeological record where evident stratigraphy is lacking, survey conditions may be uneven, and excavations limited, due to the overall site size. We propose herein the application of portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (pXRF) coupled with multivariate exploratory analysis and geostatistical modelling at Seoke, a southern African SWS of historical age (18thcentury CE). The aim of the paper is twofold: to explore the potential of the application of a low cost, quick, and minimally invasive technique to detect chemical markers in anthropogenic sediments from a Stone Walled Site, and to propose a way to analyse the results in order to improve our understanding of the use of space at non-generalized scales in such sites.
Performance of the Abbott RealTime MTB and RIF/INH resistance assays for the detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and resistance markers in sputum specimens
Authors: Araya Bezalem Tesfaye , Ali Kirubel Eshetu , Geleta Dereje Assefa , Tekele Saba Gebremichael , Tulu Kassu Desta
Published: May 2021

Background

The Abbott RealTime MTB is an assay for the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex DNA from respiratory specimens in combination with the Abbott RealTime RIF/INH assay for the detection of genetic resistance markers for isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) from MTB positive isolates. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Abbott RealTime MTB and RIF/INH assays.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 289 study subjects presumptive to have pulmonary tuberculosis at Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital, South Ethiopia from April 2017 to June 2018. Two morning expectorated sputum specimens were collected from each study participant. One sample was tested directly by Xpert MTB/RIF assay at Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital and the other sample was used for smear microscopy, TB culture, Abbott RealTime MTB, and Abbott RealTime INH/RIF assays at International Clinical Laboratories, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The diagnostic performance of the Abbott RealTime MTB and INH/RIF assays were calculated against MGIT liquid culture and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) as the gold standard.

Results

For the detection of MTB the Abbott RealTime MTB assay exhibited sensitivity 92.4% (95% CI 83.6–96.9), specificity 95.4% (95% CI 91.1–97.7), PPV 89.0% (95% CI 79.7–94.5) and NPV 96.9% (95% CI 93.0–98.7). For the detection of RIF resistance MTB, Abbott RealTime MTB RIF/INH concurred with phenotypic DST and Xpert MTB/RIF, while for the detection of INH resistance MTB, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the Abbott MTB RIF/INH assay was 84.2% (95% CI 60.4–96.6), 100% (95% CI 89.7–100), 100% and 91.9% (95% CI 80.0–96.9), respectively.

Conclusions

The Abbott RTMTB and RIF/INH assays revealed high sensitivity and specificity in MTB diagnosis and provided reliable INH and RIF resistance profiles. This assay has a similar diagnostic performance to the Xpert MTB/RIF assay with the advantages of high-throughput.
Funciones jurídicas
Authors: Burazin Luka
Published: May 2021

Este artículo pretende explicar el tipo de entidades que son las funciones jurídicas y en qué consiste su forma particular de existencia. Esto es, pretende explicar en virtud de qué puede afirmarse que las funciones jurídicas existen. De igual manera, pretende explica en virtud de qué puede decirse que estas funciones son jurídicas. A pesar de que se toma el antirrealismo como punto de partida, según el cual los artefactos, y por lo tanto las funciones jurídicas, dependen de la mente humana (i.e. son entidades dependientes de la mente (mind-dependent)) en el sentido que los estados mentales de los autores de artefactos o los conceptos en los que se basan estos estados constituyen (por lo menos parcialmente) su existencia, el artículo procura demostrar la relevancia que tiene el uso efectivo de las funciones jurídicas para constituir su existencia.
La ideologización de los principios jurídicos en la teoría soviética del derecho. Entre el legalismo y la teoría estatalista de las fuentes formales del derecho
Authors: González Monzón Alejandro
Published: May 2021

En el presente artículo se sistematizan los elementos fundamentales de la teoría soviética del derecho respecto a los principios jurídicos. En esta dirección, se analiza la posibilidad de una teoría marxista del derecho y su relación con el pensamiento principialista, a la vez que se describen las tendencias que sobre esta cuestión desarrolló la doctrina jurídica soviética. Como conclusión de la disertación se presenta la caracterización ideologizada de los principios jurídicos en la teoría soviética del derecho y su negación como tipologías normativas, esto como consecuencia del legalismo y la teoría estatalista de las fuentes formales del derecho instrumentada en este contexto.
La teoría alexiana de los principios y dos concepciones de la democracia
Authors: Encinas Duarte Gabriel
Published: May 2021

El objetivo de este escrito se delimita a anotar la posibilidad de tender un puente conceptual. Éste mediaría entre la teoría de la democracia en sus versiones contemporáneas (más específicamente, tomando en cuenta la persistente tensión entre sus concepciones procedimentales y epistémicas) y la teoría de los principios (en cuanto desarrollo ulterior de la teoría de la argumentación jurídica y de los derechos en Robert Alexy). Para esto, se tomarán los siguientes pasos. Primero (1), un breve balance de los puntos de oposición actual entre concepciones procedimentales y epistémicas en la democracia. Después (2), un balance igualmente breve de las actuales teorías de los principios a partir de algunos de sus más relevantes postulados teórico-sistemáticos. Por último (3), una vez efectuados ambos mapeos, se presentan consideraciones que nos apuntan hacia la posibilidad de un futuro recorrido integrador entre ambas disciplinas.
Estado Laico: ni libertad religiosa, ni superioridad de un saber secular
Authors: Cuno Cruz Humberto Luis
Published: May 2021

En este trabajo se destaca que solo una rigurosa neutralidad frente a las creencias o convicciones (religiosas o no) puede caracterizar una verdadera actitud o pensamiento laico, actitud que empieza no solo por dejar de lado la idea de que lo laico se opone a lo religioso, sino también por dejar de identificar lo laico con libertad religiosa, por un lado, y, con pensamiento secular, por el otro. Solo así se garantiza igual libertad para que cada creencia se desarrolle por virtud de sus propios méritos, pudiendo, incluso, en situaciones concretas, guiar válidamente el razonamiento interpretativo de los funcionarios civiles, siempre que sea la fuerza de las razones la que los lleve en esa dirección y no la idea de favorecer o desacreditar determinada creencia. A partir de este planteamiento se abordan de manera crítica las ideas centrales de Alfonso Ruiz Miguel y Rafael Navarro-Valls.
Revisión Bibliográfica: Disfunción Eréctil y Enfermedad Periodontal
Authors: Romero Espinoza Katherine Andrea , Abril Rivera Juan Andrés , Iñiguez Plasencia Fátima Graciela , Figueroa Tejedor Willian Nelson
Published: May 2021

The association between periodontal disease and erectile dysfunction has not been sufficiently studied. However, recent studies have reported a possible link based on mutually shared risks factors between both pathologies, but the association is fundamentally attributed to endothelial dysfunction, phenomenon that is related to both diseases. It has been suggested that chronic periodontal disease can induce systemic inflammatory response that results in deterioration of the physiological and biochemical conditions of the endothelium causing endothelial dysfunction. On the other hand, erectile dysfunction is a multifactorial disease, but the vasculogenic factor is considered as the most frequent one, attributed to a vascular defect (en-dothelial dysfunction). So, the strongest link is the vascular function alteration, which undoubtedly demonstrates demonstrates a solid argument of association between both diseases. The objective of this literature review is to report the possible mechanisms of association between periodontal disease and erectile dysfunction, focusing mainly on endothelial dysfunction as the main existing link. KEYWORDS: PERIODONTAL DISEASES; PERIODONTITIS; ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION; VASCULAR ENDO-THELIUM.
On the critical behavior for inhomogeneous wave inequalities with Hardy potential in an exterior domain
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem , Vetro Calogero
Published: May 2021

We study the wave inequality with a Hardy potential

∂

t
t

u
−

Δ

u
+

λ

|

x

|

2

u
≥

|

u

|

p

in 
(
0
,
∞
)
×

Ω

,

$$\begin{array}{}
\displaystyle
\partial_{tt}u-{\it\Delta} u+\frac{\lambda}{|x|^2}u\geq |u|^p\quad \mbox{in } (0,\infty)\times {\it\Omega},
\end{array}$$

where Ω is the exterior of the unit ball in ℝ
N
, N ≥ 2, p > 1, and λ ≥ −

N
−
2

2

2

$\begin{array}{}
\displaystyle
\left(\frac{N-2}{2}\right)^2
\end{array}$

, under the inhomogeneous boundary condition

α

∂
u

∂
ν

(
t
,
x
)
+
β
u
(
t
,
x
)
≥
w
(
x
)

on 
(
0
,
∞
)
×
∂

Ω

,

$$\begin{array}{}
\displaystyle
\alpha \frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu}(t,x)+\beta u(t,x)\geq w(x)\quad\mbox{on } (0,\infty)\times \partial{\it\Omega},
\end{array}$$

where α, β ≥ 0 and (α, β) ≠ (0, 0). Namely, we show that there exists a critical exponent pc
(N, λ) ∈ (1, ∞] for which, if 1 < p < p

c
(N, λ), the above problem admits no global weak solution for any w ∈ L
1(∂ Ω) with ∫
∂Ω

w(x) dσ > 0, while if p > p

c
(N, λ), the problem admits global solutions for some w > 0. To the best of our knowledge, the study of the critical behavior for wave inequalities with a Hardy potential in an exterior domain was not considered in previous works. Some open questions are also mentioned in this paper.
Ungewöhnliche Perspektiven auf Juden in der deutschen und italienischen Literatur des Spätmittelalters
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: May 2021

We always face a certain danger when we investigate cultural-historical situations or conditions. Our chronicles and other documents tend to emphasize dramatic, if not tragic cases that color our understanding in rather dark light. This also applies to the relationship between Jews and Christians during the late Middle Ages, which has been discussed already from many different perspectives. Less consulted have been late German medieval verse narratives (verse-couplets, or mæren), where we encounter a number of times quite remarkable frameworks which situate the Jews in a much more mundane, ordinary context. As much as the poets endeavored, of course, to present the possibility of converting Jews to Christianity, as much they thereby also reveal a variety of different relationships characterized by a surprising degree of normalcy, free from the usual anti-Judaic hostility. We gain additional support for our approach by way of including two prose novellas by Boccaccio in his Decameron (ca. 1350).
Polynomially convex embeddings of odd-dimensional closed manifolds
Authors: Gupta Purvi , Shafikov Rasul
Published: May 2021

It is shown that any smooth closed orientable manifold of dimension2⁢k+1{2k+1},k≥2{k\geq 2}, admits a smooth polynomially convex embedding intoℂ3⁢k{\mathbb{C}^{3k}}. This improves by 1 the previously known lower bound of3⁢k+1{3k+1}on the possible ambient complex dimension for such embeddings (which is sharp whenk=1{k=1}). It is further shown that the embeddings produced have the property that all continuous functions on the image can be uniformly approximated by holomorphic polynomials. Lastly, the same technique is modified to construct embeddings whose images have nontrivial hulls containing no nontrivial analytic disks. The distinguishing feature of this dimensional setting is the appearance of nonisolated CR-singularities, which cannot be tackled using only local analytic methods (as done in earlier results of this kind), and a topological approach is required.
Priestley duality for MV-algebras and beyond
Authors: Fussner Wesley , Gehrke Mai , van Gool Samuel J. , Marra Vincenzo
Published: May 2021

We provide a new perspective on extended Priestley duality for a large class of distributive lattices equipped with binary double quasioperators. Under this approach, non-lattice binary operations are each presented as a pair of partial binary operations on dual spaces. In this enriched environment, equational conditions on the algebraic side of the duality may more often be rendered as first-order conditions on dual spaces. In particular, we specialize our general results to the variety of MV-algebras, obtaining a duality for these in which the equations axiomatizing MV-algebras are dualized as first-order conditions.
The effect of data aggregation on dispersion estimates in count data models
Authors: Errington Adam , Einbeck Jochen , Cumming Jonathan , Rössler Ute , Endesfelder David
Published: May 2021

For the modelling of count data, aggregation of the raw data over certain subgroups or predictor configurations is common practice. This is, for instance, the case for count data biomarkers of radiation exposure. Under the Poisson law, count data can be aggregated without loss of information on the Poisson parameter, which remains true if the Poisson assumption is relaxed towards quasi-Poisson. However, in biodosimetry in particular, but also beyond, the question of how the dispersion estimates for quasi-Poisson models behave under data aggregation have received little attention. Indeed, for real data sets featuring unexplained heterogeneities, dispersion estimates can increase strongly after aggregation, an effect which we will demonstrate and quantify explicitly for some scenarios. The increase in dispersion estimates implies an inflation of the parameter standard errors, which, however, by comparison with random effect models, can be shown to serve a corrective purpose. The phenomena are illustrated by γ-H2AX foci data as used for instance in radiation biodosimetry for the calibration of dose-response curves.
Optimization of controller gains to enhance power quality of standalone wind energy conversion system
Authors: Subhash Bochu , Rajagopal Veeramalla , Salkuti Surender Reddy
Published: May 2021

This article presents optimized gains for regulation of frequency and terminal voltage irrespective of the varying wind speeds in an autonomous wind power generation feeding linear and non-linear loads. Icosφ control algorithm is used to calculate and estimate reference source currents in a remote area wind energy conversion system (WECS) using an Induction Generator (IG). The Icosφ control algorithm do not have any phase locked loop or any conversions from one reference frame to other, which improves the dynamics and power system quality issues. The heart of the control algorithm is how quickly it estimates the reference source currents; this in turn depends on values of proportional and integral controller gains in the control algorithm. Here we are applying three optimization techniques to find the optimal proportional-integral (PI) controller output gains, the best convergence values are taken from optimization technique and applied for WECS. Battery energy storage system (BESS) connected to the direct current (DC) link of voltage source converter (VSC) manages the power of WECS. When load useful power level is less than the generated power level, the excess will be diverted and stored in the battery. But when generated power level is less than the load applied on WECS then the excess power requirement of the load is met by the battery, thus regulating the frequency under varying wind speeds. An isolated zigzag transformer is connected between point of common coupling and controller for neutral line current compensation. The controller is used for load balancing, current harmonic suppression, voltage and frequency regulation.
An approach to effectively improve the interfacial bonding of nano-perfused composites by in situ growth of CNTs
Authors: Chen Xingxing , Li Ying , Wang Ying , Song Dingquan , Zhou Zuowan , Hui David
Published: May 2021

Nano molding technology (NMT) has shown great potential in the preparation of metal/resin composites, which can integrate resin and metal into a lightweight, high-strength metal matrix composite. However, due to the poor interfacial bonding strength between metal and polymer, the application of the metal/polymer composites is limited. In this paper, we proposed a novel method to improve the bonding strength between Fe–Co–Ni alloy and epoxy resin by Nano Perfusion Technology (NPT), featuring in situ growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the pores on anodized Fe–Co–Ni alloy porous surface, followed by a perfusion of epoxy resin throughout the pores that had been in situ grown CNTs. Due to the “anchor effect” of CNTs, the bonding strength between the epoxy and the alloy matrix is improved. The results showed that the interfacial bonding between the in situ CNTs-modified alloy and the resin was significantly improved compared to the metal-resin composites surface treated with T-treatment in traditional method of NMT. The maximum interfacial bonding force of the alloy-CNTs/epoxy composite reached up to 691.80 N, which was 460, 315, and 267% higher than those by mechanical treatment, without CNTs and T-treatment, respectively. This work provides a new approach to protect metals or alloys from environmental corrosion, impact damage, and so on.
New Insights on Sodium Oleate Adsorption on Quartz for Iron Direct Flotation under Weak-Acidic Condition
Authors: Hou Ying , Sobhy Ahmed
Published: May 2021

To study the sodium oleate (NaOL) adsorption on quartz and its effect on flotation under weak-acidic conditions, the adsorption characteristics of NaOL on the surface of quartz were determined at pH = 6.5 by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The solution chemical calculation results show that NaOL exists as oleic acid (HOL) under weakly acidic conditions. The existence form and charge distribution of quartz and HOL were analyzed by Molecular Dynamics Simulation (MDS) using Materials Studio (MS) software, and the results showed that HOL is prone to the (101) and (100) surfaces of quartz under weak-acidic conditions by hydrogen bonding. The flotation verification test with NaOL as a collector was also performed under weak-acidic conditions. The flotation test led to a partial flotation of quartz into the froth products, reducing the grade of hematite direct flotation concentrate, which is consistent with industrial production.
Historical Dynamics of Socialization in the Context of Managed and Spontaneous Beginnings
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Chaplya Tatiana Vitalyevna
Published: May 2021

Introduction, problem setting: the relevance to study the dynamics of controlled and spontaneous socialization processes is associated with rapidly changing living conditions of society and the constant search for its place in the world and in the society. The purpose of the article is to analyze the controlled and spontaneous principles in socialization in historical dynamics as a process of constant redefinition of oneself, society and one’s place in it. Review of scientific literature on the problem: socialization has become the subject of study of many humanitarian sciences: pedagogy (P. L. Lavrov, N. K. Mikhailovsky, V. Mudrik), psychology I. Kon, M. A. Andreeva) sociology T. Parson, J. Mead, E. Giddens and others). Research methodology and methods: The article is based on the environmental approach in pedagogics, architecture and sociology, that makes it possible to trace the connection between place and forms of social organization, and the corresponding functionality; J. Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism with his acceptance of the role of the “other” that is a result of the interaction and serves as an indicator of its success and effectiveness; the concept of managing impressions by I. Hoffman, who analyzes the foreground and background of interactions to indicate success of mastering a set of social roles. The results of the study, discussion: the historical dynamics of the process of socialization are directly related to the type of society and its ways of dealing with nature, the types of social relations that find expression in the ways of translating social experience and the forms of settlement. The dynamics of human history demonstrates the interaction of two components of the process of socialization: a controlled, more characteristic of mythological cultures, the Middle Ages and the new time, until the end of the XVII - the first half of the XIX century and spontaneous, associated with the destruction of traditional foundations, the reduction of the role of the spatial factor and the development of information technologies. Conclusion: As a result of the study, here are some conclusions: 1) the history of the mankind development is the history of defining and drawing boundaries between our own and others; 2) historical process combines elements of controlled and spontaneous entry into society; 3) the complication of socialization processes and the growth of unconscious processes are associated with changes in historical conditions and the destruction of the social structure of society.