bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connection of supreme nervous functioning’s neuro-dynamic characteristics with success of junior sportsmen in sports dances
Authors: Korobeynikov G.V. , Myshko V.V.
Published: August 2016

Purpose: to find peculiar features of neuro-dynamic characteristics of 14-15 years’ age sportsmen in sport dances and their influence on successfulness. Material: we tested 32 qualified dancers of 15-16 years’ age. Results: it was found that high workability and reduced anxiety level of dancers with higher successfulness is accompanied by sympathetic adrenalin system’s activation, resulted from mobilization of organism’s adaptation resources. The presence of nervous processes’ high mobility and increase of quickness of information perception and processing are the keys to success in sport dances. It was proved that success in sport dances is connected with nervous processes’ balance and facilitates higher organization of psycho-motor skills. It is also conditioned by concentration on fulfillment of motor skills, accompanied by reduction of nervous processes’ lability. Conclusions: we found connection between individual-typological characteristics of junior dancers’ high nervous functioning. We also determined that high workability and reduced anxiety of sportsmen with high successfulness is accompanied by sympathetic adrenalin system’s activation, resulted from mobilization of organism’s adaptation resources. It follows form mobilization of organism’s adaptation resources. Increase of accuracy and stability of motor skills’ realization reduces the level of junior dancers’ psycho-motor productivity.
Mastering of musical rhythm by pre-school age children with speech disorders with the help of dance-correction program trainings
Authors: Petrenko N.B.
Published: August 2016

Introduction: It is known that regular listening to specially selected music develops children’s cognitive abilities. Musical influence optimizes many important functions of brain: increases mental workability; accelerates processing of information; improves short term memory. Besides, sensitivity of visual and hearing analyzers strengthens, as well as regulation of arbitrary movements; indicators of verbal and non verbal intellect improve. Purpose: to determine peculiarities of musical rhythm’s mastering by pre-school age children with speech disorders with the help of dance-correction program trainings. Material: the categories of the tested children: children of age - 4-5 and 5-6 years with speech disorders and healthy pre-school age children. Children of 4-5 years’ age composed: main group (n=12), control group (n=16); group of healthy children (n=24). For assessment of verbal thinking and rhythm-motor (or dance) abilities we used complex of tests of constantly increasing difficulty. Results: we found that under influence of dance-correcting exercises activation of rhythm-motor abilities and development of cognitive functions happened in children. We also found main functional peculiarities of musical rhythm’s mastering by pre-school age children. It was determined that by the end of pedagogic experiment, main groups of children approached to groups of healthy peers by all tested characteristics. Conclusions: it is recommended to include correcting components (fit ball - dance gymnastic, tales-therapy, logo-rhythm trainings, and game fitness) in trainings by choreographic program.
The relation between service quality of sports camps and elite athletes’ satisfaction of the national teams’ freestyle &Greco-Roman wrestling
Authors: Goharrostami Hamid Reza , Hodhodi Abkenari Behnam , Eftekhari Ozra , Khodayari Abbas
Published: August 2016

Purpose: One of the most important factors influencing satisfaction of athletes in sports camps is the quality of services provided therefore. The main objective of this study is investigation of relation between service quality and elite athletes’ satisfaction in free style and Greco Roman wrestling national teams. Material: Methodology of the research was descriptive correlation, fulfilled as a field study. The statistical population included all athletes invited and presented in the national camps of wrestling (free and Greco Roman wrestling) in different ranges of ages in 1993 and the sample size is equal to the statistical population (N=160). The data collection tool was a questionnaire made by the researcher. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics as Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Binominal test and Regression calculated by SPSS (Statistical package for social science) V.22 are used. The findings showed that there was a significant relation between service quality variables and the athletes’ satisfaction. In addition, according to Friedman test, there is not a significant difference in the mean of ranks in service quality variables of training camps. Results The results of binominal test showed that the quality of services in the training camps left much to be desired. The Demography results indicated that the athletes presented in the camps during longer periods were more satisfied with quality of services provided. Conclusion : According to results, it can be said that, one of the most important factors influencing on satisfaction of athletes in Sports camps, was quality of provided service. Therefore it is important to regard satisfaction of athletes as an essential issue in order to find the gaps and provide proper services.
Summer 2014
Authors: Lal Hamish
Published: August 2016

I attended the ICE Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop held in January. It was an informative and compelling workshop, and for me provided the additional bonus of obtaining feedback on Construction Law Quarterly

One specific comment was that there ought to be more written on international issues (especially since many readers are involved in projects in the Middle East) and more written on arbitration. I have therefore devoted considerable space in this issue to providing an ‘arbitration update’ that takes in the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Japan.

I have also chosen to report a case that examines how a fitness-for-purpose obligation works in circumstances where the contractor is required to follow a particular specified design code. The case has significant legal, technical, engineering and commercial implications for readers with specific sector interest in the design and construction of so-called ‘grouted connections’ in offshore wind turbine foundations. The court supported the proposition that the existence of an express warranty of fitness for purpose by the contractor can trump the obligation to comply with the specification, even though that specification may contain an error.

Next we look at two cases dealing with statutory adjudication. The first, Laker Vent Engineering Ltd v. Jacobs E&C Ltd is likely to be followed, discussed and debated in a number of subsequent cases. It deals with whether a general reservation of position can still allow an unhappy party to resist enforcement in circumstances where it has sought to apply the slip rule or made payment; what is the ‘site’ in the context of the exception discussed at section 105(2) of the Construction Act; and whether an adjudication relating to a project in Scotland can use the English scheme in circumstances where the governing law is that of England and Wales. The second case, University of Brighton v. Dovehouse Interiors Ltd, looked at what commences adjudication proceedings – the notice of adjudication or the referral? As readers will be aware, this issue becomes very important in the context of conclusiveness of final certificates.

Finally, we end with an excellent article from David Sears QC. David looks at 199 Knightsbridge Developments Ltd v. WSP (UK) Ltd, a case which highlights the fact that it will not always be a defence to a professional negligence claim to do what others have been doing unquestioningly for some time. The case also re-emphasises the need for a designer to keep a design under review, and to advise the client whenever he or she becomes aware of new information that should lead to a revision of the design.
Investigation of the micro-mechanics of sand–rubber mixtures at very small strains
Authors: Lopera Perez J. C. , Kwok C. Y. , Senetakis K.
Published: August 2016

This study presents a series of discrete element method (DEM) simulations consisting of mixtures of stiff (sand) and soft (rubber) particles, subjected to monotonic triaxial shearing under constant volume at very small strains where pure elasticity governs the behaviour of the samples. The elastic shear moduli of the simulated pure sand and pure rubber samples were first calibrated to values reported in previous experimental works. Sand–rubber mixtures were then simulated with a focus on small-strain stiffness to examine the role of rubber content on the prevailed micro-mechanisms of the samples. The macro-mechanical response of the numerical mixtures showed a decrease in the elastic shear modulus and the deviatoric stress as the soft particle content increased, in line with observations from laboratory tests. Micro-scale information including coordination number, fabric tensor and normal contact force anisotropy was obtained for all tests and the contribution of each type of contact, i.e. sand–sand, rubber–sand or rubber–rubber, in the overall response of the samples, was analysed. The contact force network in the mixtures changed from being sand-dominated to rubber-dominated, with the presence of an intermediate zone in between rubber and sand particles forming a stable contact force network mainly by sand–rubber contacts. Each type of contact was seen to contribute differently to the deviatoric stress in the system as the rubber content increased.
Synchronised multi-scale image analysis of soil deformations
Authors: Teng Yining , Stanier Samuel A. , Gourvenec Susan M.
Published: August 2016

New apparatus and techniques for performing synchronised multi-scale particle image velocimetry or digital image correlation (PIV/DIC) soil deformation measurements have been developed. A central camera records a full field of view (FoV) of the model capturing the ‘macro’ deformation mechanism and the boundaries of the model. Simultaneously, an adjacent slave camera records a subset of the full FoV capturing the ‘micro’ soil response in a region of special interest, such as under the corner of footing. The ‘micro’ FoV images have higher resolution in terms of particle/pixel size ratio (d/p), resulting in the ability to measure localised deformations that are invisible to lower resolution images. Recommendations are made with respect to appropriate subset size and spacing for high-resolution images. A photogrammetric correction process requiring a small number of static control points is proposed and the performance is validated against a conventional photogrammetric calibration utilising a large array of static control points. Lastly, results from a validation experiment are presented comparing the PIV/DIC output from the ‘macro’ and ‘micro’ FoV, illustrating that: (a) the photogrammetric correction method proposed is robust and (b) that there has been an improvement in spatial resolution of the strain measurements that can be obtained through the ‘micro’ FoV camera.
Regions in transition: a lesson for built environment stakeholders
Authors: Derbyshire Alan
Published: August 2016

Regions with formerly distinctive cultural characteristics are being eroded by a combination of global/national environmental legislation and standardised planning practices. Sustainability policy no longer acts as an ecological preservation measure, but more of a blunt chisel disfiguring formerly intricate cultural and formal urban landscapes. This paper examines the urban environments of the former socialist state of Montenegro, currently undergoing transition from centralised government to a civil society administrative model. It considers the role of de facto western planning processes and sustainable policy on the cultural identity of its communities. The effect on embedded traditions, urban form and cultural values is mixed, but it can be convincingly argued that in the move to ‘modernisation’ many of the structures necessary for the evolution of genuine ecological and architectural planning systems are being systematically dissolved. Accordingly, the author appraises the current sustainable planning and design practices in the context of the former Republic of Yugoslavia and considers the present-day effect on the cultural, aesthetic and architectural infrastructure. Identifying the necessary frameworks for maintaining a distinctive identity in the face of standardised environmental assessment models will contribute to a more culturally representative urban landscape.
The role of institutions in the morphology of housing areas
Authors: Harbers Arjan , Tennekes Joost
Published: August 2016

There are substantial differences in morphology between Dutch residential areas and those in the neighbouring regions of Flanders in Belgium and North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, despite similar geographic and socio-economic conditions. This paper explains how institutional settings, consisting of national regulation and nationwide practices in the development process, have contributed to the variations. To learn more about the role of ‘orgware’ that predetermines some morphological characteristics before urban design takes place, a comparison has been made between institutional settings across the countries involved. First, the most striking morphological differences between residential areas created between 1995 and 2005 were identified on three scales. Subsequently, it is shown how, why and when the differences between the institutions that govern the total development process (zoning, land assembly, land development, housing construction and sales) influence morphology. Important institutional differences concern the extent to which municipalities take part in the development process under private law, the time pressure exerted by rules on housing production and cost recovery, and the rules that increase the possibilities of small-scale, sometimes individual private, stakeholders taking part in the process as developers.
Predicting scour at river bridge abutments over time
Authors: Mohammadpour Reza , Ab. Ghani Aminuddin , Zakaria Nor Azazi , Mohammed Ali Thamer Ahmed
Published: August 2016

Good prediction of scour depth over time is essential for the design of river bridge foundations. In this study, two empirical models are developed to predict the temporal variation of local scour at uniform-section bridge abutments and those with enlarged bases, known as ‘compound’ abutments. The concepts of the principal vortex and the volumetric rate of sediment transport theory are employed to develop the models. The critical bed-shear stress at the scour hole is chosen as a criterion to determine the equilibrium scour depth. To validate the models, experiments are conducted on compound and uniform abutments under clear water conditions. A comparison between the calculated and observed data indicates that the models are able to predict the temporal variation of the scour depth with reasonable accuracy, particularly for abutments with short lengths.
Flow forecasting models using hydrologic and hydrometric data
Authors: Alizadeh Mohamad Javad , Rajaee Taher , Motahari Meysam
Published: August 2016

River flow forecasting is important for successful water resources planning and management. The current study investigated the applicability of the artificial neural network (Ann), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (Anfis), wavelet-Ann (Wann) and wavelet-Anfis (Wanfis) for daily river flow forecasting in Karaj River. Three scenarios were used. In the first scenario, meteorological data were used as input variables for model development. In the second, flow discharge data were used, while the third scenario used a combination of scenarios 1 and 2 as input variables for model development. For each scenario, different combinations of time series were considered. In the Wann and Wanfis models, the effective sub-time series components obtained by discrete wavelet transform were used as the new inputs to Ann and Anfis models to predict daily river flow time series. Wann was found to be the best technique for daily flow prediction throughout this study. The results indicate that the best Wann model (R2test = 0·993, RMSEtest = 0·004) outperformed the best Wanfis model (R2test = 0·976, RMSEtest = 0·008). The results show that only the input structures of scenarios 2 and 3 are efficient input structures for flow prediction in the study area. It was also shown that Wann models are capable of delivering an accurate flow prediction up to the next 4 d.
Three-dimensional numerical modelling of flow field in shallow reservoirs
Authors: Esmaeili Taymaz , Sumi Tetsuya , Kantoush Sameh A , Haun Stefan , Rüther Nils
Published: August 2016

Shallow flows can play a significant role in sediment management for dam reservoirs (e.g. sedimentation in shallow reservoirs and free-flow flushing operation). When shallow flow emerges with symmetric or asymmetric patterns, the flow domain exhibits complex three-dimensional (3D) features (e.g. helical flows). This study focuses on the numerical modelling of the velocity field in shallow reservoirs with varying geometries and also varying bed conditions (i.e. flat and misshaped beds). A fully 3D numerical model using the finite-volume method was utilised to reproduce the 3D flow velocity field. The experimentally measured surface velocity in all cases and velocity profiles in one case were used to validate the model. The numerical results showed that a slight disturbance in the inflow boundary condition results in a steady asymmetric flow pattern in reservoirs with a higher defined shape factor, but does not affect the flow pattern in reservoirs with a lower defined shape factor. Nonetheless, the simulated and measured flow velocity fields are reasonably consistent in all cases. These results can be used to optimise the design of sand traps or water storage facilities, and also to optimise sediment management in existing reservoirs.
Aspects of super to subcritical flow transition without a jump
Authors: Kabiri-Samani Abdorreza , Naderi Soroush
Published: August 2016

In some cases, the flow head loss is not the main concern of design engineers, who instead prefer to exclude the hydraulic jump from super- to subcritical flow due to unfavourable flow conditions. The present study investigates the flow field and hydrodynamic aspects of the transitional region from super- to subcritical flow without a hydraulic jump. It is found that inside the transitional region the velocity and pressure profiles deviate slightly from uniform flow velocity and hydrostatic pressure. According to evaluation of the velocity measurements in conjunction with the continuity equation, the characteristics of the transitional region are determined. Furthermore, Reynolds stresses are analysed and the mechanisms of transition from super- to subcritical flow without a jump are demonstrated qualitatively. Results relating to the profiles of shear stresses, vorticity and the total angular momentum along the transition are developed. Results indicate that the first short part of the flow field downstream of the transition structure floats on the incoming high-speed fluid where the shear stress is maximal. It is observed that, downstream of the structure, both the shear stresses and the vorticity are maximal along the streamlines. Inside the shear layer, the vorticity spreads upward by diffusive mechanisms.
Improved criterion for plunge of reservoir turbidity currents
Authors: Xia Junqiang , Li Tao , Wang Zenghui , Zhang Junhua , Deng Shanshan
Published: August 2016

It is important to investigate the condition of turbidity current formation in reservoir sediment management. Previous criteria for turbidity current plunge are not applicable to hyperconcentrated turbidity currents. The governing equations for the motion of a turbidity current are refined, and an improved criterion for predicting the plunge of turbidity currents is derived based on the refined equations, with the effect of sediment concentration being included explicitly. The proposed criterion is calibrated using laboratory experimental data, which indicates that this improved criterion could be applicable to hyperconcentrated turbidity currents with sediment concentrations less than 400 kg/m3 as a kind of Newtonian fluid, and the plunging depth would be in direct proportion to the unit discharge to the power of 2/3 and would be in inverse proportion to the volumetric sediment concentration to the power of 1/4. The improved criterion is then verified using another three datasets, including measurements obtained from the prototype and model of the Xiaolangdi reservoir, and these verified results indicate that the predicted plunging depths agree well with the observed values, with a comprehensive correlation coefficient of 0·94. Therefore, the improved criterion can be used to predict the plunge of turbidity currents in the Xiaolangdi reservoir.
Multifunctional urban flood resilience enhancement strategies
Authors: Mugume Seith N. , Melville-Shreeve Peter , Gomez Diego , Butler David
Published: August 2016

Enhancing resilience in urban drainage systems (UDSs) can be achieved by implementing a range of strategies that minimise the magnitude and duration of flooding during or after the occurrence of unexpected system failures. Dual-purpose rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems provide a promising multifunctional resilience-enhancing strategy due to their associated multiple benefits such as water conservation and distributed control of storm water. However, their effectiveness in respect to minimisation of resulting flooding impacts and provision of alternative water supplies during unexpected system failures has not been explicitly investigated at a city district or catchment scale. This paper applies the global resilience analysis approach to investigate the effect of implementing a set of multifunctional RWH strategies on improvement of UDS resilience to random cumulative link (sewer) failure, using a case study of the Nakivubo system in Kampala, Uganda. The resulting water supply resilience enhancement benefits are also investigated. The study results reveal that catchment-scale implementation of suitably designed RWH systems provides an effective strategy that improves the system's global resilience to flooding by up to 25%, while simultaneously providing up to 30% of the household water supply requirements in the case study area.
Compression of tire aggregates in leachate collection systems
Authors: Mwai Marclus , Wichuk Kristine , McCartney Daryl
Published: August 2016

Tire-derived aggregates (TDA) have previously been applied in leachate collection and drainage systems (LCDSs). However, these systems are subjected to large overburden pressures, which may compress a tire medium and change its properties, thereby affecting its performance. In this study, properties of three types of commercially-available TDA sourced from processors in Alberta, Canada were investigated under conditions expected in a landfill, along with the implications of these properties on hydraulic performance of LCDSs. A large test apparatus was used to compress the materials by up to 330 kPa. Samples tested were highly compressible, with strains of about 50% under 150–240 kPa loads (corresponding to landfill heights of 12–18·5 m under typical compaction). Vertical hydraulic conductivity decreased with compression, but remained above the Alberta threshold of 10−4 m/s. No significant differences among media types were demonstrated. A criterion for determining the initial thickness of a drainage layer required to maintain a thickness of at least 300 mm over a landfill's lifetime. At least 600 mm of TDA would need to be placed to account for 50% compression.
Briefing: Brexit – implications for the waste sector
Authors: Messent Georgie , Ross Fiona
Published: August 2016

On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the European Union (EU). Although Greenland voted to leave the European Economic Community in 1985, there is no precedent for an entire member state leaving the EU and it is not clear in the event of a British exit (‘Brexit’) what kind of relationship the UK will hold with the EU in the future. The environment as a whole and the waste industry in particular are highly regulated by EU law and the authors summarise some of the uncertainties surrounding the UK's departure from the EU.
Briefing: Learning from continuity and change
Authors: Rogers Richard
Published: August 2016

In a recent public lecture at the Bartlett School of Planning, Richard Rogers set out a vision for architecture and urbanism. In this briefing, Lord Rogers reveals some of the ideas behind this vision. Rogers' narrative offers interpretations of good cities, architecture and public spaces, an appreciation of urban continuity and change, and advocacy for a broader education for built environment professionals.
Heavy metal contamination of river sediments in Vietnam
Authors: Huong N. T. L. , Masami O. , Li L. , Higashi T. , Kanayama M.
Published: August 2016

There are two rivers in Hanoi City, Vietnam, the To Lich and Kim Nguu rivers, which are the main sources of irrigation water for suburban agricultural land and feed water sources for fish farming ponds. Industrial wastewater that has been discharged into the rivers has degraded the quality of sediments in the river system. The present study showed that sediments in the To Lich and Kim Nguu rivers are heavily polluted with heavy metals. Metal concentrations in sediments appear to be closely related to the type of manufacturing plants located along the rivers. The heavy metals were bound with sediment particles in fractions such as the exchangeable, carbonate, oxide, organic matter and residual fraction. Total heavy metal concentration in the sediment was correlated with organic matter content for copper, lead and nickel while no correlation was found for cadmium, zinc and chromium. Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid caused high heavy metal leachability in comparison with water, acetic acid and nitric acid. Average potential leachability decreased in the order: cadmium > nickel > chromium > copper = zinc > lead. The leachability exhibited a tendency of decreasing with increasing organic matter for heavy metals other than chromium and zinc. To reduce the pollutants discharged from plants, countermeasures by the government and the technological improvement of wastewater treatment in manufacturing processes are needed.
Stresses in cast-iron pipes due to seasonal shrink-swell of clay soils
Authors: Clayton C. R. I. , Xu M. , Whiter J. T. , Ham A. , Rust M.
Published: August 2016

The causes of pipe damage that lead to leakages and bursts in water distribution networks are numerous, and the significance of each possible mechanism is not yet fully understood. This paper reports field monitoring and numerical modelling carried out to evaluate the potential for vegetation-induced desiccation to impose significant bending and therefore additional stress on buried water pipes. Over a period of two years, vertical and horizontal deflections were measured along two flexible pipes buried in London Clay in the vicinity of an oak tree. Meteorological measurements made at the site allowed soil moisture deficit to be computed, and these values were compared with regional values supplied by the UK national meteorological office. Finite difference continuum analyses were carried out in order to permit the interpretation of measured deflections in terms of the equivalent stress increases that would be imposed on a rigid cast iron water pipe. The calculated maximum tensile stress increase was found to be significant in terms of the residual strength of a corroded cast iron pipe.
Variable step closed-loop power control with space diversity for low elevation angle High Altitude Platforms communication channel [Langkah variabel kontrol daya tertutup dengan keragaman ruang untuk sudut elevasi rendah pada kanal komunikasi HAPs]
Authors: Iskandar Iskandar , Kurniawan Adit , Ernawan Mohamad Erick
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes variable step closed loop power control algorithm combined with space diversity to improve the performance of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) communication at low elevation angle using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). In this contribution, we first develop HAPs channel model which is derived from experimental measurement. From our experiment, we found HAPs channel characteristic can be modeled as a Ricean distribution because the presence of line of sight path. Different elevation angle resulting different K factor value.  This value is then used in Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR) based closed loop power control evaluation. The variable step algorithm is simulated under various elevation angles with different speed of mobile user. The performance is presented in terms of user elevation angle, user speed, step size and space diversity order. We found that the performance of variable step closed-loop power control less effective at low elevation angle. However our simulation shows that space diversity is able to improve the performance of closed loop power control for HAPs channel at low elevation angle.*****Kajian ini mengusulkan suatu algoritma kontrol daya langkah variabel loop tertutup dikombinasikan dengan keragaman ruang untuk meningkatkan kinerja komunikasi High Altitude Platforms(HAPs) pada sudut elevasi rendah menggunakan Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Kami berkontribusi untuk mengembangkan model kanal HAPs yang berasal dari pengukuran eksperimental sebelumnya. Dari percobaan tersebut, kami menemukan karakteristik kanal HAPs yang dapat dimodelkan sebagai distribusi Ricean karena kehadiran jalur tanpa penghalang. Eksperimen menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan sudut elevasi menghasilkan perbedaan nilai factor K. Nilai ini kemudian digunakan dalam Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR) berbasiskan evaluasi kontrol daya loop tertutup. Algoritma langkah variabel disimulasikan dibawah sudut elevasi yang berbeda dengan kecepatan yang berbeda dari pengguna vobile. Kinerja tersebut disajikan dalam hal sudut elevasi pengguna, kecepatan pengguna, ukuran langkah dan ketertiban ruang keanekaragaman. Kami menemukan bahwa kinerja langkah variabel kontrol daya loop tertutup kurang efektif pada sudut elevasi rendah. Namun simulasi kami menunjukkan bahwa ruang keragaman mampu meningkatkan kinerja kontrol daya loop tertutup untuk kanal HAPs di sudut elevasi rendah.
Genetic polymorphism of growth hormone releasing hormonegene in exotic and crossbred pigs
Authors: Kaushik Purabi , Naskar Soumen , Handique Pratap J. , Rahman Habibur , Sarma Dilip K.
Published: August 2016

Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) plays a central role in growth and production through its influence on important metabolic activities in mammals which prompted its wide commercial use including use as a candidate marker. In present experiment, polymorphism at exon 2 and 3 of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone gene (GHRH) was studied using PCR–RFLP in crossbred and exotic pigs, commonly found in north east India. Restriction enzyme digestion of 467 bp PCR amplicon with AluI revealed 1 genotype. Comparison of obtained sequences revealed large scale nucleotide and residue substitutions. Observed polymorphism may be associated with wide variability in growth (rate) of different breeds of pig.
Pig farming in rural South Africa: A case study of uThukelaDistrict in KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Sibongiseni  , Gcumisa T. , James  , Oguttu W. , Mary  , Masafu M.
Published: August 2016

We assessed the status of pig farming and its contribution to the livelihoods of rural households in the study area. Snowball sampling was used to sample respondents (n=533), and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The majority (62%) of respondents were females over 46 years of age. Most respondents (62%) had no schooling or had only attended primary school. Male respondents reared significantly (p < 0.05) larger herds. Respondents who had secondary school education tended to rear significantly (p < 0.05) larger herds. The few respondents (1%) who held formal jobs tended to rear significantly (p < 0.05) larger herds. Livestock contributed less (10%) to household income compared to government grants that contributed 47.3%. More than half of respondents (63%) kept pigs for household consumption, while only 33% reared pigs as a source of income. Respondents still reared local pig breeds, and fed their pigs predominantly on swill (81%). Very few respondents had been exposed to training on pig rearing. Most pigs are slaughtered locally and sold mainly at social grant pay points on days when grants are paid out. The potential of pigs to support rural households has not been fully exploited in the study area. There is a need for skills transfer to limit the risks associated with feeding swill and poor animal husbandry practices. Meat inspection services are needed to limit the risk of diseases like cysticercosis.
Cluster bean [cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], an importantindustrial arid legume: A review
Authors: Bhatt R. K. , Jukanti A. K. , Roy M. M.
Published: August 2016

Cluster bean is an important legume cultivated mostly on marginal and sub marginal lands of arid and semi-arid regions. Overall, India produces around 80% of global cluster bean production. It is cultivated on more than 4 m ha in India, Rajasthan alone accounts for around 80% of the area and production. Owing to its demand in the international market, it has been introduced in the non-traditional growing areas like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Further, its cultivation is also being taken up under irrigated conditions during summer. Cluster bean seed (endosperm) is a source of a natural hydrocolloid (galactomannan/‘guar gum’). The gum has unique abilities with multiple commercial applications like textile, printing, paper, cosmetics, mining, pharmaceutical, petroleum, natural gas, well drilling and oil industries. Green pods are nutritionally rich and are routinely consumed as vegetable especially in northern and western parts of India. Additionally, cluster bean has been reported to have beneficial effects when cultivated as an intercrop. Cluster bean meal (high protein content) obtained from seed coat and germ cell is an excellent feed for monogastric animals. Cluster bean cultivars with high gum content (>32%) and viscosity (4000-5000 cps) are more preferred for export. The value of cluster bean exports from India has increased from Rs 242 crores (1994) to Rs 2100 crores (2012-13). This review presents the various aspects of cluster bean cultivation and its emergence as an important industrial crop.
Simulated and In Situ Frost Heave in Seasonally Frozen Soil from a Cold Temperate Broad-leaved Korean Pine Forest
Authors: Lin Maosen , Wang Anzhi , Guan Dexin , Jin Changjie , Wu Jiabin , Yuan Fenghui
Published: August 2016

Frost heave, which is the volumetric expansion of frozen soil, has great ecological significance, since it creates water storage spaces in soils at the beginning of the growing season in cold temperate forests. To understand the characteristics of frost heave in seasonally frozen soil and the factors that impact its extent, we investigated the frost heave rates of forest soil from different depths and with different soil moisture contents, using both lab-based simulation and in situ measurement in a broadleaved Korean pine forest in the Changbai Mountains (northeastern China). We found that frost heave was mainly affected by soil moisture content, soil type, and gravitational pressure. Frost heave rate increased linearly with soil moisture content, and for each 100% increase in soil moisture content, the frost heave rate increased by 41.6% (loam, upper layer), 17.2% (albic soil, middle layer), and 4.6% (loess, lower layer). Under the same soil moisture content, the frost heave rate of loam was highest, whereas that of loess was lowest, and the frost heave of the uppermost 15 cm, which is the biologically enriched layer, accounted for ~55% of the frost heave. As a result, we determined the empirical relationship between frost heave and freezing depth, which is important for interpreting the effects of frost heave on increases in the storage space of forest soils and for calculating changes in soil porosity.
Technical Efficiency and Its Determinants of Rice Production in Cambodia
Authors: Kea Sokvibol , Li Hua , Pich Linvolak
Published: August 2016

The present study aims to measure the technical efficiency and establish core factors effecting rice production in Cambodia. Four-years dataset generated from the central government document “Profile on Economics and Social” of entire 25 provinces between 2012-2015 and the stochastic production frontier model (SFA) was applied. The results indicated that the technical efficiency of Cambodian rice production varied according to the different level of capital investment in agricultural machineries, total rice actual harvested area, and technically fertilizers application within provinces. Furthermore, evidence revealed the overall mean efficiency of rice production is 78.4% implies that there is still room to further improve technical efficiency by given the same level of inputs and technology. More importantly, the findings revealed that irrigation, production technique and amount of agricultural supporting staffs are being as the most important influencing factors of rice production in Cambodia. In conclusion, present study strongly recommends the development of irrigation systems and good water management practices to be considered and bring into more effective actions by the central government as well as related agencies for improving rice production in Cambodia in addition to capital investment and improving technical skills of supporting staffs and rural farmers.
Specificity in Legume-Rhizobia Symbioses
Authors: Andrews Mitchell , Andrews Morag E
Published: August 2016

The Leguminosae (legume family) is divided into three sub-families, the Caesalpiniodeae, Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae. Here, the literature on legume-rhizobia symbioses was reviewed, and genotypically characterised rhizobia related to the taxonomy of the legumes they were isolated from. Only data from field soils were considered. The objective of the work was to assess to what extent legume specificity for rhizobial symbiont is related to legume taxonomy. Bradyrhizobium spp. were the exclusive rhizobial symbionts of species in the Caesalpinioideae but data are limited. Where tested, species within the two Mimosoideae tribes, Ingeae and Mimoseae were nodulated by different rhizobial genera. Generally, Papilionoideae species with indeterminate nodules were promiscuous in relation to rhizobial symbionts but high specificity for rhizobial partners appears to hold at tribe level for the Fabeae (Rhizobium spp.), genus level for Medicago (Ensifer spp.), Cytisus (Bradyrhizobium spp.) and Lupinus (Bradyrhizobium spp.), and species level for Galega spp. (Neorhizobium galegeae), Hedysarum coronarium (Rhizobium sullae), Cicer arietinum (Mesorhizobium spp.) and New Zealand native Sophora spp. (Mesorhizobium spp.). High legume specificity for rhizobial symbionts was linked to specific rhizobial symbiosis genes. For Papilionoideae species with determinate nodules, the Dalbergieae were primarily nodulated by Bradyrhizobium but were promiscuous with respect to Bradyrhizobium spp. while those in the Desmodieae, Phaseoleae, Psoraleae and Loteae were promiscuous across different rhizobial genera. Possible advantages and disadvantages of high specificity or promiscuity are discussed.
Raptor’s “Right Hunger” Characterization to Develop Sustainable Exclusion Areas for wildlife at Civil & Military Airports
Authors: González Jose Luis Roca , López Juan Antonio Vera , Martínez Manuel Fernández
Published: August 2016

The bird strike damage on aircrafts is a widely studied matter [1] with a high economic impact on stakeholders finances. Some authors estimate it in about USD1.2 Billion for nowadays commercial worldwide activity [2], and more than USD937 million in direct and other monetary losses per year just for the United States, as an example of civil aviation industry [3]. The present techniques to face this problem have been previously analyzed in order to decrease the wild life hazards at the airport facilities [4] however nowadays there is a new point of view to prevent this risk at airports that requires an interesting approach in relationship with industrial process improvement examples, such approach lies on preserving the natural life at the airport facilities by developing raptor micro-habitats than change into exclusion areas when the risk of being hunted is recognized by the existing wildlife.

Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to share several experiences developed at the Spanish dual airport (military & civilian) of San Javier (Spain), as a case of study in where the mathematics and nonlinear sciences provides the foundations of the ontological knowledge for falconry performance as a Wildlife Control Technique for airport facilities.
Growing Dedicated Energy Crops on Marginal Lands and Ecosystem Services
Authors: Blanco-Canqui Humberto
Published: August 2016

Core Ideas

Dedicated bioenergy crops can enhance ecosystem services in marginal lands.

Ecosystem services vary with the type of marginal land.

More field data are needed about the performance of energy crops on marginal lands.

Marginal lands are candidates for growing dedicated energy crops such as perennial warm‐season grasses (WSGs) and short‐rotation woody crops (SRWCs), but actual field data on ecosystem services have not been widely discussed. This review (i) discusses potential marginal lands studied for energy crop production, (ii) considers the impacts of energy crops on ecosystem services, and (iii) underlines research needs. Some marginal or degraded lands studied for energy crops include highly erodible, flood‐prone, compacted, saline, acid, contaminated, or sandy soils, reclaimed minesoils, urban marginal sites, and abandoned or degraded croplands. Field data are few but indicate that ecosystem services vary with the type of marginal land, management (i.e., fertilizer or amendment rates), and perennial species. Biomass yields can vary between 1 and 14 Mg ha−1 yr−1 under WSGs and between 0.5 and 9.5 Mg ha−1 yr−1 under SRWCs. Growing energy crops on marginal lands can reduce water and wind erosion, sequester soil C between 0.25 and 4 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, restore contaminated or compacted soils, and improve biodiversity. Fertilization or addition of organic amendments increases biomass yield and C sequestration on marginal lands. Future research on energy crops on marginal lands should evaluate (i) all ecosystem services, (ii) site‐specific management strategies, (iii) species tolerant to adverse climatic, soil, and environmental conditions, and (vi) economic viability, among others. Overall, dedicated bioenergy crops can provide biofuel feedstocks and other ecosystem services, but more experimental data are needed to reduce the uncertainty regarding the performance of energy crops under different types of marginal or degraded lands.
The Quality of Essay Writing of Indonesian EFL Learners
Authors: Qonitatun Qonitatun
Published: August 2016

There is an assumption that the writing ability of the forth semester students have been improved because the students have learned about how to develop paragraph in writing I, writing II, and writing III subject, so they are expected able to develop an essay. The purposes of the study are to describe the organization of the essay developed by the students of Widyagama University and to know the grammar problems found in the sentences of the essay developed by the students of Widyagama University. Based on finding and discussion of the research, the researcher concludes that the organization of the essays that developed by the research subjects is poor. Only one essay has a complete organization. The developing paragraph of each essay is also poor. Most of the paragraphs don’t have concluding sentence. Generally, the essays had covered four types of the sentences; simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence, and compound-complex sentence. However, the essays are dominated by only one type of sentences, simple sentence. The grammar problems that found are fragment sentence, the errors of subject-verb agreement, and the errors in using coordinating conjunction
FORMATION OF THE NATIONAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS IN THE MNEMONIC DISCOURSE
Authors: Kuzmina S. G.
Published: August 2016

The paper is based on the material of mnemonic texts created by representatives of Russian, Polish and Lithuanian national cultures. The aim of the paper is to justify the influence of the national mentality on the cognitive process of memory by fixing the linguistic means of actualization of national and international components in the mnemonic author’s linguistic picture of the world, and fixing the features of their appeal to national and cultural realities. The main methods of the research are the descriptive analysis, the analysis of the context, and the method of quantification. Results of the research are made through the discourse projection, continuing the development of the concepts “mnemonic discourse” and “cognitive and speech subject” in relation to the mnemonic narrator. The paper proves the fact of influence of the features of the mnemonic narrator’s mentality (which includes both the national self-identification, and the experience of international relations) on the cognitive process of reminiscence, and demonstrates the process of creation of national and cultural contexts in the mnemonic discourse.
SUBJECTIVE ORGANIZATION OF THE LANDSCAPE DISCOURSE IN OLEG CHUKHONTSEV’S LYRICS
Authors: Levitskaya N. E.
Published: August 2016

The paper studies O. Chukhontsev’s lyrics of the 1990s – early 2000s. The study focuses on the landscape lyric discourse, the category of the author’s world view is used in the conceptual and functional aspects as a methodological tool of the study. The organization of the subjective sphere of landscape discourse indicates the predominance of the lyrical subject-subject relations in the author – character scope.
AVANT-GARDISM AND CAPITALISM IN THE MIRROR OF PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY
Authors: Bakhitov S. B.
Published: August 2016

The paper investigates the role of the avant-gardism in a capitalist society in the works of philosophers, especially M. A. Lifshitz and M. Cantor. The purpose of the paper is the comparison of the positions of these authors, to reveal their criticism of modernism historical and ideological component. The paper also addresses the problem of estrangement in the sphere of influence of culture in the reflection of the philosophical works of the 20th – early 21st centuries. Modern culture is the result of the degeneration of this estrangement, the cause of the alienation of labor. One of the manifestations of this degeneration has become the avant-garde, which has evolved from a "non-threatening rebellion" to the profitable business. The paper also addresses the problem of the correlation between fascism and avant-garde. Basic research methods in the paper are the historical-genetic and historical-comparative methods. Comparison of the critical positions of M. A. Lifshitz and M. Cantor shows that the main reason for the differences in their views is a different understanding of the world historical process. This difference reflects the ideological and social differences between the Soviet and post-Soviet humanitarian intelligentsia.