bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CATAGENESIS SCHEME OF THE LOWER – MIDDLE JURASSIC DEPOSITS OF THE URENGOY PETROLEUM REGION AND ADJACENT TERRITORIES BASED ON MINERAL AND STRUCTURAL INDICATORS
Authors:   Siberian Research Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineral Resources, Novosibirsk, Russia, Predtechenskaya E. A. , Zlobina O. N. ,   A.A.Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
Published: June 2022

The article briefly describes the state of the problem concerning stages and zoning of the catagenesis of terrigenous sedimentary strata, examines the mineral and structural indicators of the stages of regional catagenesis determined by a number of researchers in various petroleum basins of the world. Taking into account the mineral and structural indicators of the organic matter (OM) catagenesis scheme by S.G.Neruchev, N.B.Wassoevich and N.V.Lopatin, as well as the catagenesis scheme of terrigenous rocks by N.V.Logvinenko and L.V.Orlova, the author has compiled a more detailed scheme of stages and phases of regional catagenesis of the Lower-Middle Jurassic deposits of the Urengoy petroleum region and adjacent territories of the West Siberian sedimentary megabasin. To distinguish the stages and phases of catagenesis, the composition and typomorphic features of authigenic clay and carbonate minerals, feldspar, silica minerals and some other secondary minerals were used. In the sediments of the Lower-Middle Jurassic, according to the complex of mineral and structural criteria, three stages of rock transformation have been established: middle, late catagenesis and early metagenesis, as well as the main phases of identified stages. Minerals are characterized as indicators of boundaries between stages of middle and late catagenesis, late catagenesis and early metagenesis, as well as boundaries between phases of each stage.
Motivational profiles of prospective mathematics teachers based on different types of personalities
Authors: Kurniawati Annisa Dwi , Noviani Julia
Published: June 2022

[English]: Students' motivation and personality are two important aspects of mathematics learning. Both aspects can be used as one of the bases for mathematics educators to design learning strategies. However, students' motivation for different personality types has not been widely revealed. This qualitative research aims to uncover prospective mathematics teachers’ (PMT) motivation with introverted and extroverted personalities in mathematics learning. The participants were selected using a personality test and then an interview was conducted. The findings show that, in general, the motivation profile of introverted PMT is different from the extroverted ones. Past experiences of success and self-efficacy became essential factors in the motivation of the introvert. As for the extrovert, friends, and interactions in an activity become a motivating factor in learning mathematics. Implications of the findings will be further discussed.
[Bahasa]: Motivasi dan kepribadian siswa merupakan dua aspek penting dalam pembelajaran matematika. Kedua aspek tersebut dapat dijadikan salah satu landasan bagi pendidik matematika untuk merancang strategi pembelajaran. Namun, bagaimana motivasi siswa berdasarkan tipe kepribadian yang berbeda belum banyak terungkap. Penelitian kualitatif ini bertujuan mengungkap profil motivasi mahasiswa calon guru dengan kepribadian introver dan ekstrover dalam pembelajaran matematika. Partisipan dipilih dengan menggunakan instrumen tes kepribadian, kemudian dilakukan wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, secara umum profil motivasi calon guru introver berbeda dengan yang memiliki kepribadian ekstrover. Pengalaman sukses masa lalu dan kepercayaan diri tentang kemampuan diri menjadi faktor penting dalam motivasi calon guru introver. Sedangkan untuk calon guru ekstrover, teman dan interaksi dalam suatu kegiatan menjadi faktor motivasi dalam belajar matematika. Implikasi hasil penelitian ini akan dibahas lebih lanjut dalam artikel ini.
Design and Implementation of a Chip Multiprocessor with an Efficient Multilevel Cache System
Authors: El-Kustaban Amin , Qahtan Abdullah
Published: June 2022

Computer designers utilize the recent huge advances in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) to get Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) by placing several processors on the same chip die. The CMP is the dominant architecture to improve the performance of the current computing systems. However, accessing a shared data by several processors is a primary challenge in CMP. The data consistency must be reached among all memory hierarchies to ensure correct behavior and higher performance. This paper, proposed a CMP with an efficient multilevel cache system, which enhances miss rate and latency (penalty) by designing and implementation of different write policies with two levels of cache. The proposed system is implemented and tested using Hardware Description Language (VHDL) on Altera’s FPGA chip. The results show that a combination of write-through without buffer for the first level and write-back for the second level offers a clear improvement on the multilevel cache system performance.
New Product Binary Operations on Graphs
Authors: Alameri A.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we introduce new binary operations on graphs. In fact, we obtained some other product operations, called them classic product operations from union of two or more new product operations. We examined the relationship between new binary product operations and classic product operations.
Deterioration in Urban Residential Areas: Causes and the Enhancement: Sana’a City is a Case Study
Authors: Al-Sharjabi Ahmed Ghaleb Farea
Published: June 2022

Defects and deterioration of the urban areas throughout Sana’a city due to the lack of awareness, and ignorance the implementation rules, “Building regulations”. These defects and deterioration of the urban housing areas, some of the building been built out of the planning parameters, dimensions’ of the streets changed as it been designed and planed by the planning authority (s), open spaces between buildings never organized, lack of green areas, and lack of social facilities. Moreover, a mixed land uses, harmed the residential areas. The aim of the paper is to discuss the role of urban design as a transformative instrument in the regeneration process, considering the rebuilding of the society cultural values as the most important goals as well as the most important urban and architectural vocabulary. The study aim to identify location and reasons of existence of the defects, and what circumstances will result on social and economic aspects of the inhabitants of the residential areas in the city. We will focus on social as well as spatial aspects of built environments, and discuss national and international case studies in order to explore perceptual, morphological, functional, symbolic, regulatory, social, cultural, and political-economic aspects of urban design and apply that to enhance the defected urban area with the city of Sana’a. The descriptive and comparative analysis method was followed for the study, and then come out with some conclusions and recommendations to improve physical characteristics of built environment, which aim to contribute to the quality of life of urban residential environment at the study area, and to apply to the whole city, in the future urban enhancement.

Keywords: Sana’a city, Residential areas, Urban Environment, defects and deterioration, Urban improvement or enhancement.
New Hybrid Schemes for PAPR Reduction in OFDM Systems
Authors: Nokaiee Saleem , AlKhawlani Mohammed
Published: June 2022

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced LTE to meet increasingly demands for communication services with high speed and quality. LTE uses OFDM in the form of OFDMA in the downlink and SCFDMA in the uplink combined with MIMO oﬀering high data rate, high capacity and immunity against multipath channels. However, still the high PAPR of the LTE transmitted signal is the major problem aﬀecting overall system performance degradation and power efficiency. A plenty of research has been devoted to reduce the performance degradation due to the PAPR problem inherent to LTE OFDM systems. A portion of the current techniques such companding methods have low-complexity, no constraint on modulation format and subcarrier size, good distortion and spectral properties; however, they have limited PAPR reduction capabilities. This paper proposes seven new hybrid schemes including Zaddoff Chu Matrix Transform (ZCT) precoding and six modern companding methods; Rooting Companding (RCT), New Error Function Companding (NERF), Absolute Exponential Companding (AEXP), Logarithmic Rooting Companding (LogR), Cosine Companding (COS) and Tangent Rooting Companding (TanhR) companding. Furthermore, the seventh proposed hybrid scheme has been added incorporating ZCT precoding with new proposed companding called Advanced AEXP (AAEXP) companding. The developed methods are combining properties of both ZCT & Compandings, and achieving superior PAPR performance and optimal BER. Simulations results illustrate that the new seven proposed hybrid schemes can achieve better PAPR reduction, and BER performance and the best achievement has been achieved by ZCT+AAEXP scheme.
Full Duplex Spectrum Sensing and Energy Harvesting in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Alhatmi Taha Ahmed , Aldhabhani Adulaziz M.
Published: June 2022

Full-duplex Energy Harvesting Cognitive Radio Networks (FD EHCRNs), which is a combination of full-duplex (FD) technique, cognitive radio (CR), and radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting technique, is a new wireless communication model to improve spectrum efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE). Using FD, the Energy Harvesting Cognitive Radio Networks (EH CRN) equipment of the cognitive users can perform spectrum sensing, data transmission, and energy harvesting simultaneously. Consequently, full duplex in EH CRNs can solve the spectrum waste and transmission discontinuation problems caused by traditional CRNs. In this paper, a new proposal model for FD EHCRN is presented focusing on detection threshold design and energy harvesting model to try improving the system performance. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to redesign the existing EHCRN and proposes a new model for spectrum sensing technique using full-duplex with only two antennas. Both mathematical analysis and numerical results are presented in this paper.
Migration from IPV4 to IPV6 in Republic of Yemen
Authors: Alsaih Ali M. , Al-Asadi Ghada M. , Al-Muafa Ahlam , Al-Washaly Thuraia , Althorasi Aisha
Published: June 2022

Due to the great features IPv6 has over IPv4, many countries have adopted IPv6 in their networks, and many websites are planning to complete their migration to IPv6. In Yemen, the process of deploying IPv6 is still very slow, and if it continued in the same pace, in few years Internet users in Yemen won’t be able to reach some websites or even communicate with IPv6-only users in other countries. In this paper, not only did we investigate the details of the IPv6 transition process in Yemen, but we also suggested, implemented and tested solutions to one of the most important problems that prevent Yemen’s ISP from deploying IPv6 in their network, which is the fact that many users still have IPv4-only devices and can’t change them or upgrade their software to support IPv6. In our work, we used a combination of software and hardware to implement IPv6 migration techniques, and focused on many important theoretical concepts such as IP addresses planning and OSPF routing in order to make sure that these solutions are applicable in reality.
Studying the Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Columns Confined by Steel Structure Under Eccentrically Loading
Authors: الطرشة احسان , الجراش علي , مبارك فلاح
Published: June 2022

Abstract

This research paper presents an analytical study of a number of Reinforced  Concrete Columns models which have rectangular cross section and confined/unconfined by steel Structure of vertical angles and horizontal plates. Columns are subjected to centric and eccentric compression load. The objective is to know how far the bracing is effective in increasing the strength of these columns. This type of strengthening is considered better than the concrete Structure, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and other types because it has many features, easy and fast to be constructed. The study demonstrated that the bracing by steel Structure led to increase the strength in large ratios and had been clear that once the thickness of steel Structure is increased, the strength increases. And once the eccentricity is increased, the strength decreases and also the failure load.

Keywords: reinforced concrete columns, bracing, steel structure, centriccompression, eccentric compression, steel structure thickness, strengtheningeffectiveness, failure load.
Quality Assessment of Seven Brands of Albendazole Tablets Marketed in Yemen
Authors: Othman Gamil Q.
Published: June 2022

Objective: To assess certain quality control parameters for seven brands of albendazole tablets obtained from different retail pharmacies.

Methods: The physicochemical properties and active ingredientsofseven randomly selectedbrands of albendazole tablets were assessed weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution

Results: All seven albendazole brands met the British Pharmacopeia (BP) quality control standards of weight uniformity, friability and the active ingredient content. Five brands met the BP disintegration criterion,whereas only two brands complied with the BP quality control parameters of the dissolution specifications.

Conclusions: Out of the seven brands of albendazole (400 mg) tablets, only two fulfillthe BP quality control standards and show physicochemicalquivalence. This emphasizes the need for regular assessment of marketed drugs to assure equivalenceof these drugs to their innovators.
Spinal Tuberculosis among Yemeni Patients Admitted to Two Major Hospitals in Sana’a: A Neurosurgey Experience
Authors: Amer Majed A. , El-Zine Monya A. Y.
Published: June 2022

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of neurosurgical treatment of dorsal spinal tuberculosis (TB) among Yemeni patients.

Methods: Forty-three patients with histopathology-confirmed dorsal spinal TB, who had been admitted to Kuwait University Hospital of Sana’a University and the University of Science and Technology Hospital, Sana’a, were followed up for the outcomes of neurosurgical treatment in the period from Ott. 2009 to Oct. 2005. Data about the clinical presentation, radiologic findings and the outcomes of surgical treatment were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Of patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment of dorsal spinal TB, 28 were males and 15 were females, with a mean age of 41.3 years (range: 18–70). Nearly a half of patients (50.6%) were farmers and 80% of patients were admitted to hospitals three months after the disease onset. All patients presented with back pain, while paraplegia/paraparesis and sensory impairment were reported in 81.4% and 87.4% of patients at presentation, respectively. Four patients (9.2 %) had cold abscesses and were treated by abscess drainage, while 90.8% of patients were treated by surgical decompression, debridement and posterior transpedicular fixation by screws and rods.

Conclusions: The posterior approach for the treatment of spinal TB, with bilateral transpedicular access to anterior decompression together with posterior transpedicular fixation, has satisfactory outcomes regarding the clinical improvement and spinal stabilization among Yemeni patients.
Fascioliasis in Yemen: A Long Track of Neglect despite Reports of Existence
Authors: Abdul-Ghani Rashad
Published: June 2022

Fascioliasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in Yemen and is viewed as a zoonotic disease of sporadic nature. However, recent reports of human cases, well-documented published literature on animal and human fascioliasis and environmental evidence on the contamination of freshly eaten vegetables necessitate understanding of the disease eco-epidemiology in the country. To improve case detection in clinical settings, laboratory technicians should be trained well on the detection of Fasciola species. From an epidemiologic perspective, serosurveys for anti-Fasciola antibodies are recommended to map the distribution of infection among communities in suspected geographic areas. In parallel, the burden of animal fascioliasis and environmental contamination of freshly eaten vegetables and water should also be assessed. On the other hand, freshwater bodies should be surveyed for potential snail hosts. In fact, it may be premature to discuss the prevention and control strategies while the epidemiologic status of fascioliasis in the country is still unclear.

Keywords: Fasciola, Neglected tropical disease, Yemen
Assessment of Certain Biochemical Parameters among Petrol Station Workers in Sana’a City, Yemen
Authors: Alhaj Ali , Alqubaty Abdulhabib R. , Nassar Mogahid , Al-qadasi Farouk
Published: June 2022

Objective: To assess hepatic and renal functions among petrol stations workers in Sana’a city, Yemen.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Sana’a city, in the period from November 2017 to April 2018. Cases included 109 eligible petrol station workers exposed to petrol for at least six hours daily over a period of six months or more, while 109 apparently healthy office workers were recruited from the University of Science and Technology as controls. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Then, blood samples were collected from cases and controls and tested for albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23.0.

Results: The mean concentration of serum albumin among petrol station workers was significantly lower than the controls. In contrast, the mean level of serum ALP was significantly higher among the petrol station workers than the controls. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean levels of serum ALT and AST between the two groups. Although the mean concentrations of creatinine and urea were higher among the controls than the petrol station workers, the difference was only significantly higher for creatinine among office workers.

Conclusions: Although no specific biochemical abnormalities exist in the hepatic and renal functions of petrol station workers in Sana’a city, these parameters may show evident effects with prolonged exposure to petrol components. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations of exposure and regular follow-up are recommended to assess the impact of long-term exposure to petrol on hepatic and renal functions.
Berberine Chloride and Hyperthermia Promote Osterix Expression and Suppress Cell Cycle Genes in Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Nashiry Mohammed Ali , AL-Khateeb Alyaa R Rajih , Froemming Gabriele
Published: June 2022

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of berberine chloride and various heat conditions on the gene expression of Osterix, RUNX-2, RANKL, CDK2, CDK4, IL-6 and IL-11.

Methods:  Six groups of cells were treated with hyperthermia for 1 h: Two groups at mild, two at moderate and two at severe hyperthermia (39, 43 and 45°C respectively). Berberine chloride (80 µg/mL) was selected for treating one group of mild, moderate and severe hyperthermia (combination). All treated groups were recovered at 37°C for 24 h. Another exposure for hyperthermia (1 h) and recovery for 3 h at 37°C were applied.

Results: The expression of Osterix was highly upregulated in all groups except in the severe hyperthermia and mild hyperthermia with berberine groups. Only the mild hyperthermia without berberine induced a slight increase in the expression of RUNX2, whereas severe hyperthermia alone suppressed the levels on a significant manner. Berberine alone was more effective in significantly up-regulating RANKL expression. On the other hand, CDK2 mRNA was downregulated in all groups. CDK4 showed a similar regulation in the mild hyperthermia group with control, but the expression was downregulated in the other groups, especially in severe hyperthermia the expression was significantly downregulated (p<0.5). IL-6 was upregulated highly and significantly in the group of berberine and all groups of combinations, whereas mild and moderate hyperthermia stimulated significant expression of IL-11 mRNA.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that hyperthermia and berberine chloride can promote osteosarcoma cells differentiation and arrest cell-cycle.
Determination Of Prescription Dose Around The Target Using Tps 3d Ocentra 4.5.3 On Ca-Thyroid
Authors: Nurdin Dezy Zahrotul Istiqomah , Putri Ayu Sita Dianti Agistya , Purnama Haruming Sekar Siam Duta , Permatasari Perwira Annissa Dyah , Winarno Winarno , Suharmono Bambang Haris
Published: June 2022

Determination of the therapeutic dose (Prescription Dose) around the target using 3D TPS in the case of Ca-Thyroid is used to perform contouring in 3D form of a Ca-Thyroid target volume so that at the time of treatment the right dose can be obtained to kill the target. but also minimize the effects received by OAR. So it is necessary to know the stages in determining the therapeutic dose using TPS in 3D with the software used is Oncentra. This research was conducted using the observation method and the interview method with the field supervisor. From this research, it was found that TPS 3D CRT is a technique of CT planning so that the isodose curve can be formed according to the shape of the target volume. Determination of the therapeutic dose (prescription dose) can be carried out in four stages, namely the initial stage (opening the program), initial planning (contouring internally and externally), planning beam, and dose calculation. So that from the four stages, the dose per fraction of OAR is 2.01 Gy right eye, left eye 0.73 Gy, right eye lens 0.45 Gy, left eye lens 0.19 Gy, and spinal cord 1.8 Gy. . While the dose per fraction for the target volume is GTV 2.77 Gy, PTV 2.92 Gy, and CTV 2.83 Gy.
Association Of Myopia And Axial Length With Risk Of Lattice Degeneration
Authors: Kinayoh Nuraniar Bariq , SARI RIZA TRANSMISIA , Fatmawati Nur Khoma
Published: June 2022

Lattice degeneration is an abnormal condition of the peripheral retina caused by stretching and thinning of the peripheral retina layer. This condition could increassed risk of retinal detachment that can cause blindness. Lattice degeneration is often found on myopic eyes with increases axial length. This study is aimed to evaluate the relationship and risk ratio between lattice degeneration with axial length and myopia among Samarinda college students. This was a cross-sectional study through purposive sampling. All subject underwent ophthalmologic examination including refractive correction, IOLmaster and indirect ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist. A total of 66 myopic eyes were studied. Lattice degeneration was significantly associated with axial length (P=0.002) and myopia degree (P=0.001). Lattice degeneration was more common in high myopia (69,2%) and in axial length >26 mm (68,76%). Increasing lattice degeneration was associated with high myopia (OR:2,754, P=0.026) and axial length (OR:2.290, P=0.278). Conclusion: high myopia and axial length can increase the risk of lattice degeneration.
Building A Disaster Prepared Village Community To Reduce The Risk Of A Landslide Disaster In Sumurup Village, Bendungan District, Trenggalek Regency
Authors: Isnaini Rizkyah
Published: June 2022

This mentoring research describes the reality of people's lives who have low awareness of natural disaster response. The problems that arise in the community are the lack of public awareness in tackling and dealing with disasters, the absence of a disaster emergency response and response system, and the absence of village government policies that focus on managing landslides. The purpose of this empowerment is to find a strategy in building a resilient community for landslide natural disasters to be more independent in handling and preventing disaster events in Sumurup Village.
This study refers to a research approach using the PAR method. Namely making changes in the form of education and training in landslide risk reduction in order to provide a basic understanding of disaster risk reduction by making disaster-prone maps. As well as disaster simulation training accompanied by determining evacuation routes, and installing danger signs. In addition, by advocating village government policies to create funding rules for disaster management. With a series of activities that have been carried out with the community so as to create a strong and independent community attitude in dealing with natural disasters. These activities have resulted in improvements and changes in community capacity, especially for communities directly affected by disasters in reducing the risk of landslides.
Novel Recurrence Relations for Volumes and Surfaces of N-Balls, Regular N-Simplices, and N-Orthoplices in Real Dimensions
Authors: Łukaszyk Szymon
Published: June 2022

The study examines n-balls, regular n-simplices, and n-orthoplices in real dimensions using novel recurrence relations that removed indefiniteness present in known formulas. They show that in the negative, integer dimensions volumes of n-balls are zero if n is even, positive if n = -4k - 1, and negative if n = -4k - 3, for natural k. Volumes and surfaces of n-cubes inscribed in n-balls in negative dimensions are complex, wherein for negative, integer dimensions they are associated with integral powers of the imaginary unit. The relations are continuous for n Î ℝ and show that the constant of π is absent for 0 ≤ n < 2. For n < -1 self-dual n-simplices are undefined in the negative, integer dimensions, and their volumes and surfaces are imaginary in the negative, fractional ones, and divergent with decreasing n. In negative, integer dimensions n-orthoplices reduce to the empty set, and their real volumes and imaginary surfaces are divergent in negative, fractional ones with decreasing n. Out of three regular, convex polytopes present in all natural dimensions, only n-orthoplices, n-cubes (and n-balls) are defined in the negative, integer dimensions.
Analysis of the Infiltration Complex System Using a Novel GSA-Hybrid for Automatic Calibration Focused at Civil Construction
Authors: Aguero_Martinez Domingo_Stalin , Murari Thiago , Moret Marceelo
Published: June 2022

Among the various complex systems that we experience each day, there is the physical phenomenon of infiltration. Infiltration is considered as the dynamics of water flow in the subsurface soil that in this work is framed for the context of civil construction. This issue is approached with the use of mathematical models and stochastic techniques, however, there are hardships in collecting the samples in the field, the adoption of a scale type, the influence in soil layers interfaces, the effects of soil anisotropic characteristics and so on. In this study, methodology is proposed to deal with the soil sampling input such as the retro model, constitutive model and optimization algorithms. Additionally, an automatic calibration is set forth to fix parameters from the mathematical model submitted. Especially among the existing Optimization Algorithms there are Genetic Algorithms and the Generalized Simulated Annealing Algorithm (GSA). This work presents an overview of these optimization methods and a proposal for a more efficient and faster algorithm called GSA-HYBRID based on convergence gradient technique. The applied strategy depends on the type of case study considering its physical properties and constraints. In this sense, it is found that while Genetic Algorithms are able to replicate the optimization surface, Generalized Simulated Annealing is much more adequate in characterizing the system at an extremely low computational cost. Nevertheless, the hybrid technique GSA-HYBRID performed the fastest. Further research is necessary to implement the novel GSA-HYBRID algorithm due to its flexibility and higher speed, also, studying its application at different case studies.
2-hydroxy-3-(1-(4-vinylbenzyl)imidazol-3-ium-3-yl)propane-1-sulfonate and 3-(4-vinylbenzyl)dimethylammonio)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate as New Zwitterionic Monomers
Authors: Ben-Hadj-Salem Jihen , Touil Soufiane , Rouden Jacques , Baudoux Jérôme , Lepoittevin Bénédicte
Published: June 2022

Zwitterionic polymers emerge as very useful materials for applications in antifouling surfaces. The properties of these polymers can be tuned by variation of the chemical structure of the corresponding monomer. In this study, two zwitterionic ammonium sulfonate monomers bearing an hydroxyl function and a styrenic polymerizable groups were prepared in two steps. The two monomers were obtained using 4-vinylbenzyl chloride as the key precursor. The zwitterionic monomers were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). These two monomers enable the preparation of novel zwitterionic polymers with enhanced hydrophilicity due to the presence of a hydroxyl group.
Fuzzy Logic: An Application into Marketing Strategy
Authors: Rosário Albérico Travassos , Dias Joana Carmo
Published: June 2022

The term fuzzy refers to things that are unclear or vague. In the real world, we often encounter a situation where we cannot determine whether the state is true or false, and fuzzy logic allows for more flexible reasoning. This is a form of multivalued logic where the truth values ​​of variables can be any real number between 0 and 1, as opposed to Boolean logic where the logical values ​​can only be 0 or 1. Fuzzy logic is therefore a problem-solving technique used to evaluate all available information and thus make the best decisions. When applied to marketing, fuzzy logic allows treating customers in an individual and personalized way, instead of being fully identified within a particular market segment. Fuzzy marketing considers the degree to which a customer belongs to certain segments and subsequently allows them to be targeted with messages that engage them emotionally. To better understand the application and importance of fuzzy logic in marketing strategy, we developed a systematic review of the bibliometric literature (LRSB). It was possible to create a connection between these concepts, marketing and fuzzy logic, to increase the efforts of marketing professionals to achieve competitiveness in the unpredictable business environment.
Toward Understanding Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development in Developing and Emerging Economies: A Review
Authors: Said Rabie , BHATTI M. Ishaq , Hunjra Ahmed
Published: June 2022

The last few years have witnessed an explosion of research on Sustainable development. Most of this research is concentrated on the developed countries related to the issues not compatible with developing countries. This paper fills the gap and reviews the literature related to developing and emerging economies and their environmental and social constraints under Renewable energy and sustainable development (RESD). It also investigates how RESD can be implemented in the presence of serious issues pertaining to population increase, shortage of energy supply, lack of transportation, shortage of clean water, less food production and bad environmental systems and these are coupled with war, and hunger and political instability. The main contribution of this paper is to present extensive discussion in the context of hypotheses of economic growth and its association with energy consumption, and renewable energy options for sustainable development.
END-PERMIAN BURNOUT: THE ROLE OF PERMIAN–TRIASSIC WILDFIRES IN EXTINCTION, CARBON CYCLING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN EASTERN GONDWANA
Authors: MAYS CHRIS , MCLOUGHLIN STEPHEN
Published: June 2022

Wildfire has been implicated as a potential driver of deforestation and continental biodiversity loss during the end-Permian extinction event (EPE; ∼ 252 Ma). However, it cannot be established whether wildfire activity was anomalous during the EPE without valid pre- and post-EPE baselines. Here, we assess the changes in wildfire activity in the high-latitude lowlands of eastern Gondwana by presenting new long-term, quantitative late Permian (Lopingian) to Early Triassic records of dispersed fossil charcoal and inertinite from sediments of the Sydney Basin, eastern Australia. We also document little-transported fossil charcoal occurrences in middle to late Permian (Guadalupian to Lopingian) permineralized peats of the Lambert Graben, East Antarctica, and Sydney and Bowen basins, eastern Australia, indicating that even vegetation of consistently moist high-latitude settings was prone to regular fire events. Our records show that wildfires were consistently prevalent through the Lopingian, but the EPE demonstrates a clear spike in activity. The relatively low charcoal and inertinite baseline for the Early Triassic is likely due in part to the lower vegetation density, which would have limited fire spread. We review the evidence for middle Permian to Lower Triassic charcoal in the geosphere, and the impacts of wildfires on sedimentation processes and the evolution of landscapes. Moreover, we assess the evidence of continental extinction drivers during the EPE within eastern Australia, and critically evaluate the role of wildfires as a cause and consequence of ecosystem collapse. The initial intensification of the fire regime during the EPE likely played a role in the initial loss of wetland carbon sinks, and contributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions and land and freshwater ecosystem changes. However, we conclude that elevated wildfire frequency was a short-lived phenomenon; recurrent wildfire events were unlikely to be the direct cause of the subsequent long-term absence of peat-forming wetland vegetation, and the associated ‘coal gap' of the Early Triassic.
FIRST REPORT OF FUNGAL PALYNOMORPHS FROM THE ZECHSTEIN GROUP (LOPINGIAN): IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STRATIGRAPHIC COMPLETENESS OF THE EARTH'S PALEOZOIC FUNGAL RECORD
Authors: GIBSON MARTHA E.
Published: June 2022

Palynological study of the Permian–Triassic boundary has typically focused on the pollen grain and spore content to reconstruct vegetation, with fungal remains either left unidentified or set aside for future research. Paleozoic fungal microfossil records in particular are lacking. The Zechstein Group (∼ 258–252 Ma; Lopingian) is a remarkable stratigraphic sequence of stacked carbonates and evaporites. High-resolution palynological analysis of new borehole cores through the Zechstein Group of northeast England has revealed its entire sedimentological history and enabled a new reconstruction of vegetation dynamics in central-western Europe preceding the Permian–Triassic boundary. Assemblages composed of conifers, pteridosperms, pteridophytes, sphenopsids, and cycads/ginkgoes were recovered alongside fungal remains throughout the entire sequence. Four fungal morphologies were observed, the most common being smooth-walled spheroidal inclusions of an endobiotic Chytridiomycota or Hypochytridiomycota affinity. Other evidence of fungi includes epiphytic Callimothallus-type fungi (Family Microthyraceae), the dematiaceous Chaetomium-like mold (Family Chaetomiaceae) found associated with soil, cellulose and plant debris, and possible evidence of chytrid-induced pitting on the surface of plant cuticle. This is the first study to highlight the fungal content of Zechstein palynological preparations and while occurrences are rare, they provide new insight into the composition of the Zechstein forest understory, reinforcing the interpretation that the upper Zechstein environment was humid. This work improves our understanding of the taxonomic and functional diversity of fungal taxa associated with evaporite systems during the Lopingian, and highlights the exceptional preservation potential of halite, combating underestimates of fungal richness in the fossil record.
An EFQM-Based Self-Assessment Method for Railway Transportation Service Quality: An Application with Intuitionistic Fuzzy AHP
Authors: YANGINLAR Gözde , GÜL Sait
Published: June 2022

Service quality is one of the most important issues in railway transportation because it is a concept that positively affects customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, corporate image, and intention to repurchase. The European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model provides an opportunity to facilitate the service quality-focused self-assessment efforts of the railway companies. This is the first study that integrates intuitionistic fuzzy theory in the application of the EFQM Model of railway industry in Turkey. As the main contribution, it is aimed to find a dedicatedly special weighting schema for the application of EFQM model in railway transportation. For this purpose, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized with an integration of intuitionistic fuzzy sets that can reveal the decision-makers’ opinions, preferences, and expertise more comprehensively than traditional fuzzy sets can do. Consequently, it is found that the original model should be modified for the railway industry since the weights of all the criteria included in the model are found different than the original ones. The study provides new insights into the long-term benefits of applying the EFQM model as a framework in railway transportation and understanding the associations between the EFQM criteria and railway transportation.
AKADEMİDE ANLAM KAYNAKLARI ENVANTERİ: BİR ENVANTER GELİŞTİRME ÇALIŞMASI
Authors: POLATCI Sema , ALPARSLAN Ali Murat , YASTIOĞLU Seher
Published: June 2022

Bu araştırmada akademide anlam deneyiminin altında yatan psikolojik süreçleri anlamlandırmak adına “Akademide Anlam Kaynakları Envanteri”ni geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu envanter sayesinde akademisyenlerin işlerini anlamlı kılan kaynaklar tespit edilecektir. Tespit edilen kaynakların yönetilmesi ile akademisyenlerin işlerine daha fazla anlam yüklemeleri ve bu sayede performans ve verimliliklerinin artması sağlanabilecektir. Envanter geliştirme süreci 3 araştırmadan oluşmuştur. Araştırma 1’de (n=815) madde havuzu oluşturulmuş, odak grup görüşmeleri ve uzman görüşleri sonrasında taslak envanter üzerinden deneme ölçümleri yapılmıştır. Araştırma 2’de (n=352) envanterin pilot çalışması gerçekleştirilmiş, keşfedici faktör analizi yapılmıştır. Araştırma 3’te (n=669) ise doğrulayıcı faktör analizi, güvenilirlik analizi ve ölçüt bağıntılı geçerlilik analizi yapılmıştır. Yapılan 3 aşamalı araştırma sonucunda 31 ifade ve 5 boyuttan oluşan bir envanter elde edilmiştir. Oluşan modele göre, akademide anlam kaynakları envanterinin boyutları; “yaşam tutkusu”, “bilimsel katkı sağlama”, “fayda sağlama”, “para ve saygınlık elde etme” ve “keşfetme ve öğrenme”dir. İşin anlamlılığı ile en yüksek ilişkili anlam kaynağı boyutları “fayda sağlama” ve “yaşam tutkusu” olarak belirlenmiştir.
FROM DISCRETE TO CONTINUOUS: GARCH VOLATILITY MODELING OF THE BITCOIN
Authors: ARI Yakup
Published: June 2022

Volatility is an important concept for identifying and predicting the risk of financial products. The aim of the study is to determine the most appropriate discrete model for the volatility of Bitcoin returns using the discrete-time GARCH model and its extensions and compare it with the Lévy driven continuous-time GARCH model. For this purpose, the volatility of Bitcoin returns is modeled using daily data of Bitcoin / United States Dolar exchange rate. By comparing discrete-time models according to information criteria and likelihood values, the All-GARCH model with Johnson's-SU innovations is found to be the most adequate model. The persistence of the volatility and half-life of the volatility of the returns are calculated according to the estimation of the discrete model. This discrete model has been compared with the continuous model in which the Lévy increments are derived from the compound Poisson process using various error measurements. As a conclusion, it is found that the continuous-time GARCH model shows a better performance to predict the volatility.
A Meshless Numerical Modeling Method for Fractured Reservoirs Based on Extended Finite Volume Method
Authors: Rao Xiang , Zhao Hui , Liu Yina
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a meshless numerical modeling method named mesh-free discrete fracture model (MFDFM) of fractured reservoirs based on the newly developed extended finite volume method (EFVM) is proposed. First, matching and nonmatching point cloud generation algorithms are developed to discretize the reservoir domain with fracture networks, which avoid the gridding challenges of the reservoir domain in traditional mesh-based methods. Then, taking oil/water two-phase flow in fractured reservoirs as an example, MFDFM derives the EFVM discrete scheme of the governing equations, constructs various types of connections between matrix nodes and fracture nodes, and calculates the corresponding transmissibilities. Finally, the EFVM discrete scheme of the governing equations and the generalized finite difference discrete scheme of various boundary conditions form the global nonlinear equations, which do not increase the degree of nonlinearity compared with those in the traditional finite volume method (FVM)-based numerical simulator. The global equations can be solved by the existing nonlinear solver in the FVM-based reservoir numerical simulator by only adding the linear discrete equations of boundary conditions, which reduce the difficulty of forming a general purpose MFDFM-based fractured reservoir numerical simulator. Several numerical test cases are implemented to illustrate that the proposed MFDFM can achieve good computational performance under matching and nonmatching point clouds, and for heterogeneous reservoirs, complex fracture networks, complex boundary geometry, and complex boundary conditions, by comparing the computational results of MFDFM with embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM). Thus, MFDFM retains the computational performances of the traditional mesh-based methods and can avoid the difficulties of handling complex geometry and complex boundary conditions of the computational domain, which is the first meshless numerical framework to model fractured reservoirs in parallel with the mesh-based discrete fracture model (DFM) and EDFM.
Comparison of life history traits of two populations of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): implications for larval biomass production
Authors: MASSE Paul Serge MBENOUN , GBETKOM Loudh MBANSIE , LIBONG Sipora Glwadys NGO , TOTUOM Clarette Sidoine MAMNO , BILONG Charles Felix BILONG
Published: June 2022

The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens is widely studied as a sustainable alternative source of protein. Herein, we investigated the relationship of life history traits between wild population (WP) and domesticated population (DP) of H. illucens. Prepupa stages of both populations were maintained under the same rearing conditions from July 2020 to June 2021. Our results show that the pupation time was longer in WP (10.25 ± 2.66 days) than in DP (7.2 ± 1.1 days). In contrast, the emergence time of BSF adults was shorter in WP (8.3 ± 2.2 days) than in DP (9.7 ± 1.8 days). The courtship was nearly similar in both populations. Mounting and reverse coupling were the two different copulation models used by BSF adults in WP while reverse coupling dominated in DP. The BSF females laid more eggs in WP (1468.75 ± 593.09 eggs) than in DP (246.21 ± 96.23 eggs). The egg stage was similar in length and width in both populations while the morphometric traits in the larval, pupal and adult stages were consistently lower in domesticated than in wild population. The life span of adults (males and females) was longer in DP than in WP. Our findings indicate higher values of morphological traits in WP than in DP, and distinct mating and reproductive behaviours between both populations. Wild population of H. illucens might be more suitable for larval mass production and might serve as an alternative source of protein that could substitute the expensive commercial food used to feed poultry and fish.
Growth, Gas Exchange, and Mineral Nutrients of Albizia julibrissin and Sophora japonica Irrigated with Saline Water
Authors: Paudel Asmita , Sun Youping
Published: June 2022

Albizia julibrissin (mimosa tree) and Sophora japonica (Japanese pagoda tree) are drought-tolerant landscape plants; however, salinity responses of these two species are not well documented. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological and physiological responses of these two species to three salinity levels in greenhouse conditions. Two studies were conducted in the summer/early fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021. In 2020, uniform plants were irrigated weekly for the first 2 weeks and every other day for the following 3 weeks with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m−1 as a control or saline solution at ECs of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m−1. In 2021, plants were irrigated weekly for 8 weeks with the same treatment solutions as described previously. Albizia julibrissin and S. japonica survived in both experiments with minimal foliar salt damage (leaf burn or necrosis). Irrigation water at ECs of 5.0 and 10.0 dS·m−1 reduced plant height and dry weight (DW) of both species. In the fall experiment, A. julibrissin irrigated with a saline solution at an EC of 10.0 dS·m−1 had the highest reduction in plant height (61%) compared with the control. Albizia julibrissin and S. japonica irrigated with a saline solution at an EC of 10.0 dS·m−1 had 52% and 47% reductions in shoot DW compared with the control, respectively. In the spring experiment, compared with the control, there were 72% and 45% reductions in height of A. julibrissin and S. japonica, respectively, when irrigated with saline solution at an EC of 10.0 dS·m−1. In addition, compared with the control, A. julibrissin and S. japonica had 58% and 64% reductions in shoot DW, respectively, when irrigated with saline solution at an EC of 10.0 dS·m−1. Increasing salinity levels in the irrigation water also reduced leaf greenness [Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD)], leaf net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gS), and transpiration rate (E) of both species. Furthermore, sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) concentrations in leaves were affected by elevated salinity levels in the irrigation water. Visual score, Pn, gS, and E negatively correlated to Na+ and Cl− concentrations in leaves. But Cl− accumulation had more impact on the growth of A. julibrissin and S. japonica. In summary, both species were tolerant to saline solution irrigation up to 5.0 dS⋅m−1 and moderately tolerant to saline solution irrigation up to 10.0 dS⋅m−1.