bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONTRACT ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL THEORIES AND CONVENTIONS
Authors: Al-Amaren Emad Mohammed
Published: June 2019

The contract generally means the consent of two wills to make a particular legal effect of giving or doing work or abstaining from work in return for material or in-kind compensation. As for the commercial nature of the contract, in the Jordanian civil law, the contract is considered commercial if it is included in the business stipulated in Article 6 of the Jordanian Trade Law. A contract is commercial if its subject matter is one of the acts provided for in article 6 of the Trade Law, as is the case with the purchase of movables for the purpose of selling them, and the agency commission and brokerage. On the international level, the commercial character of the contract comes closest to the extent to which the contract relates to international trade as the export or import of goods that regulate the movement of goods across the borders of one State. After the good study of the subject, we find that there are a number of questions or problems that accompany the determination of the internationality of the contract, including the extant of adequacy of the personal internationality, in addition to, whether the introduction of the purely national relationship to the jurisdiction of the foreign country lead to the internationalization of the relationship. The study will deal with international standards of the contract in different international theories and conventions. I will discuss the legal and economic standard in section I, the mixed standard in section II and the standards of the internationality of the contract in accordance to international conventions, especially the Vienna Conventions, The Hague Convention, the Rome Convention and the International Convention on International Arbitration in Section III.
A RAMS analysis for a precision scale-up configuration of “Smart Street" pilot site: an Industry 4.0 Case Study
Authors: Petritoli Enrico , Leccese Fabio , Botticelli Martina , Pizzuti Stefano , Pieroni Francesco
Published: June 2019

In order to develop a scale-up for a "Smart Street" pilot site, we perform a RAMS analysis: the combination of Reliability Analysis and FMECA helps to identify the best configuration to scale up systems without incurring in marginally reliable configurations, allowing refining an Industry 4.0 Case Study.
Applying heuristics to the selection and prioritisation of security assessment items in software assessment: the case of ISO/IEC 27001 the case of ISO/IEC 27001
Authors: Rosa Ferrucio De Franco , Jino Mario , Bueno Paulo Marcos Siqueira , Bonacin Rodrigo
Published: June 2019

Security standards are essential instruments for security assessment. To create security assessment designs with suitable assessment items, we need to know the security aspects that are covered by a particular standard. We propose an approach to the selection and prioritisation of security assessment items. Assessment heuristics are proposed, aiming to increase the coverage of assessment dimensions and security characteristics in assessment designs. The main contribution of this paper to the field is the set of security assessment heuristics. Our approach can be applied to security standards in order to select or to prioritise assessment items with respect to 11 security properties and 6 assessment dimensions. The approach is flexible and allows the inclusion of security dimensions and properties. Our proposal is applied herein to a well-known security standard, ISO/IEC 27001, and its assessment items were analysed. The proposal is intended to support (i) the generation of high-coverage assessment designs, by including security assessment items with assured coverage of the main security characteristics and (ii) the evaluation of security standards with respect to the coverage of security aspects.
Smartphone-based drive-test methodology for the experimental characterisation of the physical layer and a performance assessment of LTE networks in urban environments
Authors: Avallone Stefano , Pasquino Nicola , Ventre Giorgio , Zinno Stefania
Published: June 2019

Long-term evolution (LTE) architecture has recently been enhanced by means of the introduction of multi-antenna systems that make use of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, both at the base transceiver station (eNodeB) and user equipment (UE). MIMO can deploy transmission diversity to achieve more robust transmission in poor propagation conditions and spatial multiplexing to increase throughput and thus LTE performance from an end-user perspective. The most recent version of the standard (Release 10) makes up to eight antennae available for the downlink transmission channel. The paper focuses on the most relevant physical-layer parameters used by LTE to optimise a MIMO system. Performance at different frequencies and bandwidths is investigated over a wide urban area in order to study the network behaviour in actual propagation conditions and to verify whether standard prescriptions are satisfied by a fully operational LTE mobile communication system.
A layered IoT-based architecture for a distributed structural health monitoring system System
Authors: Lamonaca Francesco , Scuro Carmelo , Grimaldi Domenico , Sante Olivito Renato , Sciammarella Paolo Francesco , Carnì Domenico Luca
Published: June 2019

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is responsible for identifying techniques and for prototyping systems performing a state diagnosis of structures. Its aim is to prevent sudden civil infrastructure failure as a result of several invisible sources of damage. Since structural damage is often caused by ground phenomena involving circumscribed geographical areas, it is useful to extend SHM systems to allow for the exchange of information among nearby buildings and then to increase the timeliness of the alerts. To this end, in this article, an SHM based on the IoT paradigm is proposed (SHM-IoT). SHM-IoT carries out both localised monitoring on a single building, and it uses information collected by several sensors correlated in time, aiming to identify potentially dangerous damage. It also performs a wider monitoring on a group of buildings in order to alert a larger number of people. SHM-IoT also sends a remote notification, which is finalised in order to alert the authorities and rescuers about the status of each monitored building. In this context, synchronisation problems arise because the information collected by each sensor of the SHM-IoT needs to be correlated in time in order to be used for damage evaluation and alert generation. In this paper, the hardware and software architectures of the proposed SHM-IoT are presented together with the synchronisation requirements and the methods of satisfying them. Experiments are undertaken to validate the SHM-IoT in real scenarios.
A low power IoT architecture for the monitoring of chemical emissions
Authors: Addabbo Tommaso , Fort Ada , Mugnaini Marco , Parri Lorenzo , Parrino Stefano , Pozzebon Alessandro , Vignoli Valerio
Published: June 2019

In this work, a low-power IoT architecture for the monitoring of chemical emissions is presented. This system is expected to be employed to set up monitoring infrastructures in industrial plants or public buildings. The proposed system has been designed to embed different sensors. In particular, each sensor node manages a humidity sensor and an array of temperature and electrochemical gas sensors for the detection of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and oxygen (O2). Moreover, it exploits some dedicated processing algorithms to mitigate the dependence of the sensor response on temperature. The sensor node has been designed to minimise power consumption as much as possible, and it is provided with LoRa LPWAN connectivity, which allows for wide-area data transmission. Tests carried out in urban areas proved that a 3 km communication range is achievable in noisy environments. A network architecture and a data acquisition and management structure are then described. A multilayer modular topology that combines the features of LoRa technology with shorter and larger range telecommunication channels in order to develop an IoT framework that can be customised according to the physical and technical features of the deployment scenario
Measurement applications in Industry 4.0: the case of an IoT–oriented platform for remote programming of automatic test equipment
Authors: Angrisani Leopoldo , Cesaro Umberto , D'Arco Mauro , Tamburis Oscar
Published: June 2019

A laboratory regarded as a site that collects IoT devices, and which allows remote clients to use them as an automatic test equipment (ATE) through a controller acting as service provider, is proposed herein. To assure efficiency and responsiveness, the controller is programmed as a multithreading system that takes advantage of multicore processors. The controller includes a server application that supports communication with clients by means of a TCP/IP protocol. It uses GPIB bus functionalities to control the instruments of the local ATE. It allows several clients to connect and interact with the specific resources of the laboratory. Thanks to the availability of identical sets of resources and to the underlying multithreading philosophy, client requests are processed in tandem rather than according to a classical queuing approach.
An IoT framework for the assessment of indoor conditions and estimation of occupancy rates: results from a real case study
Authors: Rinaldi Stefano , Flammini Alessandra , Tagliabue Lavinia Chiara , Ciribini Angelo Luigi Camillo
Published: June 2019

In recent years, energy-savings policies have affected many aspects of everyday life. Considering a typical building, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the most energy-consuming system. This consideration is especially true for large public-access buildings, such as schools, and public administrations. In these cases, the energy saving of buildings depends on the capability to optimise the behaviour of the HVAC. Typically, the HVAC control system is based on static models of the building, which consider the average occupancy rate of each of the rooms. On the contrary, in this research work, a cognitive system based on an occupancy rate model that is able to take into consideration user habits and indoor air quality (IAQ) provided by IoT sensors is considered for the control of HVAC systems. This approach has been applied to the eLUX lab building of the University of Brescia, Italy. Data provided by IoT IAQ sensors (temperature, relative humidity, CO2) is used to refine the results of the occupancy rates for the models of the rooms of this building. The experimental results show, as in 22.15 % of the samples, the CO2 concentration exceeded the 1,000 ppm threshold of the perception of fresh air and good conditions.
AKTIFITAS SOCIAL BENEFIT PERUSAHAAN DITINJAU DARI AKUNTANSI LINGKUNGAN DAN FIKIH LINGKUNGAN
Authors: Fatmawatie Naning
Published: June 2019

The role of the company in addition to causing the social cost, in fact can also generate social benefits. Social benefit or benefits is the positive contribution to the public the company's existence. Social activities benefit the company to respond to the Law No. 32 of 2009 on the Protection and Environmental Management. Environmental accounting or accounting or accounting Economic Social Responsibility is an accounting concept that measures how far the company adverse impact and benefit to the community. Islamic jurisprudence is an overview of the environment in regulating the management and conservation of natural resources and the environment. Activity Relationships of social benefits with environmental accounting and environmental fiqh is that the economic development of sharia in Indonesia raise awareness of entrepreneurs to business practices that have an ethical responsibility in Islamic.

Social activities benefit in terms of environmental accounting is that the disclosure of the results of environmental conservation activities in the form of accounting data. The information disclosed is quantitatively measured results of environmental conservation activities. Included is information on the economic resources of an enterprise, the claims to those resources (liabilities of a company to hand sources on other entities or owners of capital), and the effects of transactions, events and conditions that alter the economic resources and claims against the source. While the benefits of social activity in terms of environmental jurisprudence is that a review of Islam in governing the management and conservation of natural resources and the environment, he hoped could provide a fundamental change for the conservation of the environment.
Digital Transformation at BP is Starting to Add Up to Billions
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: June 2019

About 3 years ago, upstream executives at BP came together and recognized that this down cycle was not like the ones before. The moment marked the beginning of the company’s “digital journey,” one that it says is paying off in spades.

“Our industry—our sector—it fundamentally changed,” said Ian Cavanagh, the head of modernisation and transformation at BP. As a nearly 29-year veteran of the company, encompassing his entire oil and gas career, he spoke with authority on how shifting conditions have redefined what it means to be a supermajor in the 21st century.

It means taking on the controversial issue of global climate change by promising to find ways to increase energy production while lowering the overall car-bon footprint. BP’s answer to this “dual challenge” includes big investments in the electrical vehicle sector, solar power, and wind power.

But more to its core, the tidal forces of volatile commodity prices meant that BP needed to go on a digital technology shopping spree to either find more oil and gas, or get it out of the ground at a lower cost.

Today’s portfolio features a growing list of in-house innovations, such as a new fiber-optic interpretation company that BP is spinning off to the outside world and a team of robots that will soon assume a lead role in offshore inspections. BP reported in January that its new seismic device called Wolfspar led to the discovery of more than 1 billion bbl of oil in place at its Thunder Horse field in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dozens of other technology developments have come together with outside help, including a major digital twin project in the Gulf of Mexico and an artificial intelligence program that aims to prevent sand production problems in the Caspian region. 

But no matter how high the technology stack grows, a digital transformation ends up being a people problem. BP is keenly aware that the modern workforce—now dominated by a tech-savvy millennial generation—has expectations for management that go beyond the size of the paycheck. They want to work at companies that move fast and are willing to kill off the status quo best summarized with the phrase “We’ve always done it that way.”

Cavanagh argues that BP has answered this call. “To retain and attract the best talent in the world, in our industry and outside our industry, we had to change several things about how we do work,” he said, noting that without getting this human element right, “we’re in trouble.”

Transforming BP meant that executives would have to put their weight behind an effort to root out the traditional oil and gas decision-making processes that Cavanaugh recognized as “slow, and quite cumbersome.” In their place today are approaches described as “agile,” a word that has risen to become a cornerstone principle of today’s management methodology.
RESEARCH IN THE RETIREMENT VILLAGE COMMUNITY – DOES THE RECRUITED SAMPLE REFLECT THE RESIDENT POPULATION?
Authors: Connolly Martin Joseph , Hikaka Joanna , Bloomfield Katherine , Broad Joanna , Wu Zhenqiang , Boyd Michal , Peri Kathy , Calvert Cheryl , Tatton Annie , Higgins Ann-Marie , Bramley Dale
Published: June 2019

Background

Retirement Villages (RVs) for older people represent a burgeoning industry. However, we know little about residents’ demographics and health/disability issues - information which could inform health planning, facilitate independence and reduce service demand. RVs are semi-closed communities: access for researchers is most conveniently gained via RV managers. We are studying RV residents in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) to acquire demographic, health, disability and social data, with a randomized-controlled-trial of a multidisciplinary intervention aimed to reduce adverse outcomes. We here describe recruitment problems we encountered.

Methods

We planned to approach all RVs in Auckland/Waitemata Districts, with random sampling of residents in each village using unit/apartment lists as the sampling frame. Exclusions: Refusal of/inability to consent (complying with NZ legislation; ACER<65, or person clinicians felt lacked capacity). We planned access via RV managers and contact residents by ‘letter-drop’ then ‘door-knocks’. In ‘small’ RVs (n<60 units), we planned to contact all residents, with random selection in ‘larger’ RVs.

Results

We approached managers of 53 of the 65 RVs. 38 initially replied positively, of which 34 permitted us to recruit residents, 6 did not reply. Another 9 declined our first approach, of which eight were ‘small’, seven independently-owned. Some managers prohibited ‘letter-drops’ or ‘door-knocks’ at all or without prior residents’ meetings to assess acceptance of this methodology. Hence, we had to recruit volunteers (in 23 villages) via residents’ meetings, posters/newsletters and word-of-mouth. We recruited 578 residents from 33 villages (one village had no volunteers) (median age=82yrs; 420 female; 217 sampled, 361 volunteers).

Conclusions

Due to organizational/managers’ policy, and the fact that NZ legislation did not allow recruitment of residents without legal capacity to consent, our sample does not fully represent our RV population. Future RV research should consider alternative recruitment strategies e.g. random sampling from national census, electoral roll, or via residents’ organizations.
Using the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score to Compare Ankle-Foot Orthoses, Sensorimotor Orthoses and Barefoot on Gait Pattern in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study
Authors: MacFarlane Clare , Hing Wayne , Orr Rob
Published: June 2019

Background: Gait analysis is one of the important aspects of evaluation in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP). Typically prescribed for children with CP, ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) improve gait and alignment through providing support and stability to the ankle complex. An alternative and under-researched orthosis being used in this population is the Sensomotoric orthotic (SMotO), which uses a different approach to correct alignment and improve gait. The Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) is a valid, robust, reliable and easy-to-use observational gait analysis scale to measure of gait quality in CP. Improvements to gait could then be attributed to intervention, or regression of gait could be attributed to poor intervention or physical changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use the EVGS to determine the effect of SMotOs, AFOs and barefoot on gait pattern in children with CP. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study investigated the differences in gait quality in children with CP between wearing SMotOs and AFOs through using the EVGS. Video imagery was taken when walking barefoot (where appropriate), in SMotOs and in AFOs for at least 5m at a self-directed pace. Individual scores and averages across the population were recorded. Data was analysed through SPSS statistics software (Version 20) and the Microsoft Office Excel 2007. A one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni were completed to identify significant differences with the alpha level set at p<.05. Results: One-way ANOVA analyses revealed significant differences between total left (p=0.011) and right (p=0.014) scores between SMotO and AFOs. Overall, results demonstrate improved gait in favour of SMotO vs AFO and that there are no significant differences between being barefoot and wearing AFOs. Conclusions: SMotOs are a viable orthotic option to improve gait in children with CP, but due to small yield of participants, a larger scale, blinded study should be performed to further determine results.
Evaluation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) Assay for detection of aprV2 positive Dichelobacter nodosus in-field by secondary users
Authors: Best Nickala , Rodoni Brendan , Rawlin Grant , Beddoe Travis
Published: June 2019

Objective

Dichelobacter nodosus is the causative agent of footrot in sheep. Ovine footrot causes considerable economic losses and substantial animal welfare issues in the Australian sheep industry. Recently, we developed a robust LAMP assay (VDN LAMP) that was able to identify aprV2 positive D. nodosus in-field. A major advantage of LAMP technology is the ability of the assay to be performed by non-specialists with minimal training. We aimed to assess the performance of the VDN LAMP in comparison to a laboratory rtPCR test when used by secondary users.

Results

Two animal health officers (termed secondary users) from Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia were trained in the use of VDN LAMP, before carrying out in-field testing. The performance of VDN LAMP assay by secondary user 1 was shown to successfully detect 73.91% aprV2 positive samples, while secondary user 2 detected 37.93% aprV2 positive samples. Overall, the ability to identify virulent D. nodosus by VDN LAMP by secondary users was mixed, however, this could be rectified by additional training and commercial production of the LAMP kits to increase stability. We envisaged in the future VDN LAMP will able to be used by non-specialists to aid control programs.
Association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome in a longitudinal study of Iranian adults
Authors: Khosravi-Boroujeni Hossein , Sarrafzadegan Nizal , Sadeghi Masoumeh , Roohafza Hamidreza , Ng Shu-Kay , Ahmed Faruk
Published: June 2019

Background

In recent years, hypovitaminosis D has been linked to many chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, there are considerable discrepancies in the study findings. Therefore, the present study investigated the association between vitamin D status and MetS in a cohort of Iranian adults followed from 2001 to 2013.

Method

This study was designed using the data from Isfahan cohort study which is an ongoing cohort of Iranian adults. For this study, 170 cases with MetS were selected from those who were free of MetS in 2001 but developed the condition in 2013. Controls (n=200) were selected from those who were free of MetS throughout the study period. Various biochemical parameters, including serum vitamin D concentrations, and socio-demographic information were assessed in 2001, 2007 and 2013. Generalized Estimating Equations was used to analyse the longitudinal association between vitamin D status and MetS.

Results

The subjects with MetS had higher levels of serum vitamin D [25(OH)D], total cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure than that in the control subjects in 2001, while they had lower physical activity levels. A family history of hyperlipidemia was also more prevalent in the subjects with MetS. This study did not find any association between MetS and serum vitamin D status after controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion

In spite of the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and MetS among studied population, this study failed to show any association between vitamin D status and MetS and/or its components. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the potential association more meticulously.
Phenotypic Analysis Combined with Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) Labeling Reveals the Heterogeneity of Strawberry Stolon Buds
Authors: Guan Ling
Published: June 2019

Background: Ramet propagation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is the most effective way in production. However, the lack of systematically phenotypic observations and high-throughput methods limits our ability to analyze the key factors regulating the heterogeneity in strawberry stolon buds.
Results: From observation, we found that the axillary bud located in the first node quickly stepped into dormancy (DSB), after several bract and leaf buds were differentiated. The stolon apical meristem (SAM) degenerated as the new ramet leaf buds (RLB) and the new active axillary stolon buds (ASB) differentiated continually, after the differentiation of the first leaf. Using tandem mass tags (TMT) labeling method, totally 7,271 strawberry proteins were identified, and were used for further bioinformatics analysis in differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the groups of ASB and DSB, RLB and DSB, and RLB and ASB. Between ASB and DSB, the spliceosome DEPs, such as Ser/Arg-rich (SR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP), showed the highest enrichment and high PPI connectivity. This indicated that the differences in DEPs (e.g., SF-3A subunit 2 isoform X1, hnRBP C1827.05c, and PK, cytosolic isozyme) at the transcriptional level may be causing the differences between the physiological statuses of ASB and DSB. As expected, the photosynthetic pre-form RLB mainly differentiated from ASB and DSB judging by the DEP enrichment of photosynthesis. However, there are still other specialized features of DEPs between RLB and DSB and between ASB and DSB. The DEPs relative to DNA duplication [e.g., minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM 2, 3, 4, 7)], provide a strong hint of functional gene duplication leading the bud heterogeneity between RLB and DSB. In addition, the top fold change in DEP LSH 10-like protein might be involved in the degeneration of SAM into RLBs. As for RLB/ASB, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway probably regulates the ramet axillary bud specialization, and further promotes the differentiation of xylem when ASB develops into a new stolon [e.g., cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (CAD1) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 (PAL1)].
Conclusions: The definite dormancy phase of DSB, and the biological pathways and gene networks that might be responsible for stolon buds heterogeneity were also revealed.
The neuroprotective effects of xenon on neonatal rats with white matter damage by regulating expression of microRNA-210 and HIF-1α
Authors: yin xiangyun , Zhao Jixiu , Jiang Jian , Xi Hongmin , Li Xianghong , Zhang Lulu , Jiang Hong
Published: June 2019

Background

Premature birth is a significant health care burden. White matter damage (WMD) is a leading cause of acute mortality and chronic morbidity in preterm birth. Xenon(Xe) is a general anesthetic with neuroprotective effects.We aimed to reveal the molecular basis and neuroprotective mechanism of Xe intervention in treating white matter damage by detecting the expression level of microRNA 210 (miR-210) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in brain tissues of 3-day-old neonatal rats.

Methods

Three-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into sham group(Group A, n=24), lipopolysaccharide(LPS)+hypoxia-ischemia(HI) group (Group B, n=24) and LPS+HI+Xe group (n=72). The onset of Xe inhalation started at 0,2 and 5 hours in subgroups C,D,and E respectively.We investigated the neurobehavioral deficits by performing TUNEL and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and examining the expression of miR-210and HIF-1α in brain tissues via RT-PCR and western blot.

Results

HE staining revealed distorted cytoarchitecture, tangled nerve fibers and pyknosis along with apoptosis in group B.Xe treatment improved the histological alterations and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in group C pups.Compared to group A,Detection of miR-210 level by RT-PCR. the expression level of miR-210 in neonatal rats' periventricular tissue increased significantly at all time points in group B (p<0.05).While the expression level of miR-210 in brain tissues of group B was significantly lower at 48h and 72h than that of group C(p<0.05).Similarly,Detection of HIF-1α protein by Western blot. The level of HIF-1α protein in group B brain tissues was significantly higher than that of group A at each time point (p<0.05), Xe treatment resulted in a marked increase in HIF-1α in C,D, and E subgroups (P < 0.05, compared togroup B).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the expression of HIF-1α and miR-210 increased in periventricular tissues and Xe could relieve the white matter damage by up-regulating the expression of HIF-1α and its target gene miR-210.The Xe therapeutic time window was within 5 hours after intervention, the sooner the better.
Predictors of Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Stroke Patients: A Case Control Study
Authors: Li Ya-ming , Zhao Yan-xin , Xu Jian-hua
Published: June 2019

Background

Patients with stroke have a high risk of infection which may be predicted by methods. The methods can reduce unfavourable outcome by preventing the occurrence of infection. Therefore, we aim to identify early predictors for urinary tract infection in patients after stroke.

Methods

In 186 collected acute stroke patients, we divided them into urinary tract infection group, other infection type groups, and non-infected group. Data were recorded at admission. Independent risk factors and infection prediction model were determined using Logistic regression analyses. Likelihood ratio test was used to detect the prediction effect of the model. Receiver Operating Characteristic curve and the corresponding area under the curve were used to measure the predictive accuracy of indicators for urinary tract infection.

Results

Of the 186 subjects, there were 35 cases of urinary tract infection. Elevated interleukin-6, higher NIHSS, and decreased hemoglobin may be used to predict urinary tract infection. And, the predictive model for urinary tract infection (including sex, NIHSS, interleukin-6, and hemoglobin) have the best predictive effect.

Conclusion

This study is the first to discover decreased hemoglobin which may predict urinary tract infection. The prediction model shows the best accuracy.
Ethnoarchaelogy – the Present as Key to the Past
Authors: Porčić Marko
Published: June 2019

This text discusses the theoretical aspects of ethnoarchaeology, as a discipline that represents a specific hybrid of ethnology and archaeology and thus asserts itself as a significant pathway to building middle-range theories. Methods in ethnoarchaeology enable us to study all aspects of human action, with the necessary reliance on the premise of uniformness, which also gets tested in the course of research. In many ways, this subdiscipline relies on results from related disciplines such as ecology, sociology and psychology. Ethnoarchaeology is thus viewed as a vital research strat­egy in the building of archaeological theory that represents a necessary condition for the knowledge of the past, and the uses of that knowledge in the construction of gen­eral anthropological theory. The author points to the yet unexploited possibilties of ethnoarchaeology in the Balkans, claiming that their exploration may lead to the pro­ductive collaboration of archaeology and ethnology in Serbia.
IMPUTATION OF MISSING VALUES BY USING RAW MOMENTS
Authors: Sohail Muhammed Umair , Shabbir Javid , Sohil Fariha
Published: June 2019

The estimation of population parameters might be quite laborious and inefficient, when the sample data have missing values. In comparison follow-up visits, the method of imputation has been found to be a cheaper procedure from a cost point of view. In the present study, we can enhance the performance of imputation procedures by utilizing the raw moments of the auxiliary information rather than their ranks, especially, when the ranking of the auxiliary variable is expensive or difficult to do so. Equations for bias and mean squared error are obtained by large sample approximation. Through the numerical and simulation studies it can be easily understood that the proposed method of imputation can outperform their counterparts.
Simulation‐based Maize–Wheat Cropping System Optimization in the Midhills of Nepal
Authors: Laborde John P. , Wortmann Charles S. , Blanco‐Canqui Humberto , McDonald Andrew J. , Lindquist John L.
Published: June 2019

Rainfed maize (Zea mays L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the midhill region of Nepal is limited in the winter season by cool temperatures, low rainfall, and low fertility. Here, we use the Decision Support System for Agricultural Transfer Cropping System Model (DSSAT‐CSM) to simulate potential productivity for conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional practice (CP), contrasting N application rates, and wheat planting dates ranging from 1 September to 15 December under six different weather scenarios in the midhills of Nepal. Total maize plus wheat aboveground biomass increased up to 56% with longer vs. shorter duration maize varieties, but the subsequent dry‐season wheat failed 71% of the time after late‐planted, long‐season maize in areas where mean seasonal temperature was below 14°C. The optimal wheat planting date increased from August to December as seasonal rainfall amount increased. Increasing N application rate in wheat from 50 to 150 kg ha–1 resulted in significant yield and net profit gains for all weather scenarios given current grain and fertilizer prices in the midhills, especially where conditions were cool and rainfall exceeded 400 mm. Principal component analysis of soil and climate parameters indicated that CA benefits most from higher N application rates when conditions are cool and wet due to increased residue retention coupled with slow soil organic matter decomposition.

Core Ideas

Conservation agriculture out‐yields conventional practice in wheat for weather scenarios with high seasonal rainfall.

Insufficient growing degree days may force earlier than optimal wheat planting in cooler midhill weather scenarios.

Optimal wheat planting date occurs before October in warmer and drier midhill weather conditions.
Planting Green Effects on Corn and Soybean Production
Authors: Reed Heidi K. , Karsten Heather D. , Curran William S. , Tooker John F. , Duiker Sjoerd W.
Published: June 2019

No‐till farmers who want more from their cover crops (CCs) are delaying CC termination until the main crop is planted. Delaying termination can help dry wet soils and reduce erosion. This process is referred to as planting green (PG). We hypothesized that PG would (i) dry soil at main crop planting, but conserve soil moisture later in the growing season; (ii) reduce soil temperature; (iii) reduce slug damage on main crops; and (iv) not reduce main crop yield. This experiment was conducted in Pennsylvania between 2015 and 2017 to compare two CC termination dates: preplant killed (PK) and planting green (PG) in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Planting green increased CC biomass an average of 94% and 94 to 181% compared to PK preceding corn and soybean, respectively. Soil was 7 to 24% drier and 0.9°C cooler at corn planting, and 8% drier and 0.7 to 2.4°C cooler at soybean planting in PG compared to PK. Slug damage was not different, lower, or higher in PG corn, and not different or lower in PG soybean compared to PK. Corn yield was reduced and not impacted by PG in higher and lower yielding environments, respectively. Soybean yield was stable across locations, and not affected by cover crop termination date. We concluded that corn was more vulnerable to yield losses from conditions created by PG than soybean; therefore, growers who desire potential benefits and lower risk from PG should first consider soybean.

Core Ideas

Planting green refers to planting the main crop into a living cover crop.

Planting green increased cover crop biomass by 94% in corn and by 94 to 181% in soybean.

Planting green dried the soil at main crop planting.

Planting green cooled soil 0.7 to 2.4°C at planting.

Soybean yield was not influenced by planting green; corn yield was reduced.
Shading Effects on Marandu Palisadegrass in a Silvopastoral System: Plant Morphological and Physiological Responses
Authors: Gomes Fagner J. , Pedreira Carlos G. S. , Bosi Cristiam , Cavalli Josiana , Holschuch Solange G. , Mourão Gerson B. , Pereira Dalton H. , Pedreira Bruno C.
Published: June 2019

The understanding of plant morphological and physiological responses to shading can contribute to developing sustainable silvopastoral systems (SPS). Our objective was to evaluate the shading effect on herbage accumulation (HA), plant‐part composition, physiology, and canopy structural characteristics of Marandu palisadegrass {Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster [syn. Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf]} under intermittent defoliation in a SPS with Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake) in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged under a strip‐split‐plot, where the plots were allocated to four distances from the Eucalyptus grove (3, 6, 10, and 15‐m) in the SPS, on both faces (north and south), with four replications. The evaluations were done during two summer rainy seasons (RS1 and RS2) and one dry season (DS). The herbage accumulation (HA) in RS1 (4290 kg DM ha–1) was 51% greater than in RS2. The greatest canopy height, light interception, and leaf area index (LAI) values were measured during RS1 (25 cm, 91%, and 3.5 cm2 cm–2, respectively). Leaf photosynthesis rate was less at the 3‐m distance (12.5 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1) than at other distances (17.3 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1). We conclude that Marandu palisadegrass has the ability to physiologically adapt to shaded environments, although the dynamics along the whole tree growing cycle needs to be considered so that grass productivity can be sustained in the long‐term.

Core Ideas

Longer shading impacted canopy structure and forage accumulation at 3‐m distance.

Physiological responses shows reduced light effects on the forage growth pattern.

Morphologic composition and sward characteristics were only affected at 3‐m distance.

Leaf photosynthesis rate was lesser close to the grove.

Silvopastoral systems is an option for livestock production in the Brazilian Amazon.
Mineral Elements Bioavailability in Milling Fractions of Wheat Grain Response to Zinc and Nitrogen Application
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Ma Geng , Wang Chenyang , Zhu Yunji , Guo Tiancai
Published: June 2019

A field experiment was conducted in a high‐yield region in North China to estimate the effect of Zn and N fertilization on mineral element distribution and bioavailability in eight milling fractions of wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.), which included bran, shorts, break (B1, B2, and B3) and reduction (R1, R2, and R3). The results indicated that foliar Zn decreased Ca and Mn concentration in wheat grain averagely by 4.3 and 6.8%, respectively, but increased Zn by 42.6%. Soil N application improved N, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentration by 38.9, 10.5, 19.95, 7.0, and 24.4%, respectively. All elements, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn, were mostly located in bran and shorts. Foliar Zn significantly decreased the accumulation of Mn in bran, shorts, and B2, and increased Zn in each fraction, but did not influence the distribution of Mn and Zn among the eight fractions. Nitrogen application increased the accumulation of all elements in shorts, and altered the distribution in wheat grain. Both measures improved the bioavailability of Zn in B3, R1, R2, and reduction, but did not affect that in bran and shorts. Foliar Zn and N application increased total daily absorbed Zn in flour by 66.0 and 48.9%, and grain by 32.0 and 28.4%, respectively. The concentration of N in wheat grains was positively correlated with Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn. No correlation was found between Zn and Fe concentration. These results are relevant to agronomic management strategies to improve the element nutrition of wheat grain.

Core Ideas

Foliar Zn decreases Mn accumulation in bran, shorts, and B2 and increased Zn in each fraction.

Soil N application increased accumulation of all elements in shorts, Cu, and Fe in bran but decreased P and K in bran fraction.

Zinc bioavailability was higher in break and reduction, and improved by foliar Zn and soil N application.

Nitrogen concentration was positively correlated with Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn in wheat grains.

Zinc concentration was not correlated with Fe in wheat grains.
Assessing the Breeding Potential of Thirteen Day‐Neutral Landrace Accessions in an Upland Cotton Breeding Program
Authors: Campbell B. T. , Hugie K. , Hinze L. , Wu J. , Jones D. C.
Published: June 2019

An untapped genetic resource available to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) breeding programs is represented by the primitive, upland cotton landrace collection. Primarily due to their photoperiodic nature, efforts to utilize these resources have been slow. To complement efforts to develop day‐neutral converted germplasm lines, we identified a number of naturally occurring day neutral landrace genotypes and evaluated their breeding potential when crossed to elite upland germplasm lines and cultivars. The mean performance of parental lines and F2 hybrids along with genetic effect estimates indicate that naturally occurring day‐neutral landrace genotypes provided average agronomic performance while increasing fiber quality performance. Results suggest that crosses derived from naturally occurring day‐neutral genotypes and elite upland lines result in new allelic combinations that interact in both an additive and nonadditive way. However, it appears that several naturally occurring day‐neutral genotypes transmit negatively correlated alleles for agronomic performance and fiber quality that often display opposite additive and nonadditive effects. These negatively correlated allele combinations present a major challenge for cotton breeding programs. Future efforts that determine the percentage of “new” alleles present in the landrace germplasm, along with innovative breeding methods focused on efficiently capturing beneficial alleles, are needed to expand the cotton genetic base.
Field Screening is Effective for Identifying Genetic Resistance to Scald of Barley
Authors: Xi K. , Turkington T. K. , Juskiw P. , Nyachiro J. , Capettini F.
Published: June 2019

To evaluate barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for resistance to scald by Rhynchosporium commune, field trials including advanced yield tests, yield and germplasm screening (YGS) trials, and race variation (RV) tests were conducted across central Alberta, Canada, from 2010 to 2014. Broad‐sense heritability of scald resistance was estimated using scald severity data from these field trials. Moderate to high heritability estimates, ranging from 0.57 to 0.91, were obtained in 21 of 23 tests, each consisting of two to four sites. The heritability estimates determined were similar among the three types of field trials with the RV test having slightly higher heritability estimates. Genotype plus genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses were used to visualize interactions between genotype and environment, and to identify scald‐resistant genotypes. The scald resistance in genotypes identified based on biplots was validated by barley parentage and published data. The identified resistant genotypes are being used in an Alberta‐based breeding program as sources of scald resistance. However, the reactions of some highly resistant cultivars varied with test location. Scald resistance expression depended on the virulence of local scald pathotypes and interactions with variable environmental conditions. Selection for resistance should be effective, as indicated by moderate to high heritability and field validation. Both biotic factors including R. commune pathotypes and other diseases such as the net form of net blotch (Pyrenophora teres. f. teres) and abiotic conditions affected expression of resistance. Screening over multiple years and locations is recommended along with accounting for the development of nontarget diseases.
Genotype–Phenotype Relationships for High‐Temperature Tolerance: An Integrated Method for Minimizing Phenotyping Constraints in Wheat
Authors: Sharma Davinder , Chandra Pandey Girish , Mamrutha Harohalli Masthigowda , Singh Rajender , Singh Nagendra Kumar , Singh Gyanendra Pratap , Rane Jagadish , Tiwari Ratan
Published: June 2019

Various attempts have been made to understand the traits and genes associated with heat stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the field and under controlled conditions. Attempts made under controlled conditions have not been conclusive, mainly through a lack of sufficient precision in simulating the ambient temperature dynamics and microenvironments prevalent in the field. In addition, inconsistency in field phenotyping is a major concern. Hence, we attempted to develop a method for phenotyping wheat for heat stress tolerance through a novel temperature‐controlled phenotyping facility (TCPF), along with an inexpensive tool to ensure uniform crop establishment. The objective was to improve the precision of assessing plants' responses to elevated temperatures, particularly when these experiments are challenged by a large number of genotypes to be screened that show significant variations in their phenology. The study involved 75 genotypes from a recombinant inbred line population with differing responses to heat stress under three conditions: in the TCPF and in the field [regular field season and late sown (LS)] across two consecutive years. The results revealed that the yield components were different under LS and TCPF conditions. These differences reflected the plants' responses to morphophenological adaptations arising from the late planting time and were not really reflective of the heat stress response. However, greater precision in differentiating high‐temperature responses in the TCPF was evident from the repeatability in terms of growth, physiology, and productivity. This could be attributed to uniform crop establishment and improved capacity to maintain the desired temperature for phenotyping.
Idea Factory: the Maize Genomes to Fields Initiative
Authors: Lawrence‐Dill Carolyn J. , Schnable Patrick S. , Springer Nathan M.
Published: June 2019

Increases in agricultural productivity are necessary to meet anticipated demands, and these increases must occur in an environmentally sustainable fashion. However, it has become measurably harder to generate ideas and new approaches that result in real gains. The maize Genomes to Fields (G2F) Initiative seeks to bring together researchers across diverse disciplines to create situations that generate new ideas for research, development, and education. Contact from those interested to learn more about G2F is invited, and inquiries on how to initiate and support research and training at scale are welcome.
The Relationship between f Ratio and Seed Yield‐Related Traits in Festulolium
Authors: Kubota Akito , Akiyama Yukio , Fujimori Masahiro
Published: June 2019

Festulolium is the result of hybridization between Lolium and Festuca species. Amphidiploid festulolium produced by crosses between tetraploid Lolium species (L. multiflorum Lam. and L. perenne L.) and Festuca pratensis (F. pratensis Huds.) exhibits genome balance drift, thereby favoring Lolium over numerous generations. In a previous report, we found no decrease in the f ratio (the ratio of total area of Festuca‐specific genome regions to the total area of all genome regions) in maternally derived progeny over generations, suggesting that seed yield can cause Lolium‐favored genome balance drift. In this study, we investigated seed yield, ripening rate, germination rate, and seed weight in the field for 2 yr in festulolium plants with f ratio over and under 50%. The over 50 f ratio group had significantly lower seed yields, ripening rates, and germination rates than the under 50 f ratio group. Further correlations between seed yield‐related traits and f ratio values revealed that germination rate was negatively correlated with f ratio in the over 50 f ratio group. Simulated next‐generation f ratios were 2% lower than the actual f ratio values of maternal plants. Our study shows that Lolium‐favored genome balance drift can solely be caused by phenotypic differences, regardless of any biases toward Lolium occurring during meiosis.