bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Gender Factor Effect on Saudi Learners’ Perceptions of Using Social Media on Their Social Interaction
Authors: AlGhamdi Boushra Abdul-Aziz , AL-Garni Shorouq Ali , Qutob Maysa M.
Published: September 2018

This study compares males and females perception of the effect of social media on their social interaction to understand the difference between both genders. The study follows a mixed-method methodology using a questionnaire with closed-ended items and open-ended questions. Responses to the questionnaire are collected form 207 male and female students from a public university in Saudi Arabia. In general, the results of the questionnaire are insignificant which indicate that there are no differences between both genders. However, the results of the open-ended questions show that females have a negative view of the effect of social media on human relations while males have a positive point of view. However, both genders have a positive point of view regarding balancing between friends and family in real life and virtual world through time management.
Investigating Foreign Language Learning Anxiety Among Yemeni University EFL Learners: A Theoretical Framework Development
Authors: Yassin Amr Abdullatif , Razak Norizan Abdul
Published: September 2018

This study aimed at investigating the level of foreign language anxiety experienced by Yemeni University EFL students. Although many scales have been developed to measure the level of anxiety, each scale investigates anxiety in one skill except Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) which investigates anxiety mainly in speaking and listening. The current study developed a new scale called Foreign Language Anxiety Scale (FLAS) which fused the three scales with modifications in order to investigate the level of anxiety in the four skills. This scale scored .807 in Cronbach’s Alpha Validity test. The participants are 155 Yemeni University students and the results of the analysis revealed that 13% of the students experienced high level of anxiety, 69% experienced moderate level of anxiety, and 18% experienced low level of anxiety. The general level of anxiety among Yemeni university EFL students is moderate as they score 138 out of 240.
Assessment of a Woodstove Changeout Program on PM2.5 Levels in Keene, New Hampshire, U.S.A.
Authors: Garceau Timothy J.
Published: September 2018

In local airsheds, wood smoke from residential woodstoves is a major source of PM2.5 pollution. Exposure to PM2.5 can cause a variety of health problems and complications. Communities situated in valleys that experience cold winters are especially susceptible to poor air quality during inversion events on calm winter nights. Keene, New Hampshire, USA is one such community where the widespread use of outdated residential woodstoves frequently resulted in PM2.5 exceeding national standards. Seeking to improve air quality, the City of Keene partnered with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services from 2009-2010 to facilitate a woodstove changeout program which replaced 86 inefficient woodstoves with newer or alternate heating appliances. Despite the fact that many U.S. communities have enacted similar programs, research on their effectiveness is limited. This research assessed Keene’s program and determined that Keene has experienced a significant reduction in PM2.5 on calm winter nights. When winds are below 2 miles per hour (3.22 kilometers per hour), PM2.5 dropped 7% to 52% (1.28 to 7.30 µg/m3) after the woodstove changeout; a mean decrease of 23%. It therefore appears that Keene’s woodstove changeout program successfully improved air quality on the nights that are most likely to violate national air quality standards. This provides evidence that such programs can be an effective means to moderating the effects of wood heating in communities susceptible to inversions.
The Beta Log-Logistic Weibull Distribution: Model, Properties and Application
Authors: Makubate Boikanyo , Oluyede Broderick O. , Dingalo Neo , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis
Published: September 2018

We propose and develop the properties of a new generalized distribution called the beta log-logistic Weibull (BLLoGW) distribution. This model contain several new distributions such as beta log-logistic Rayleigh, beta log-logistic exponential, exponentiated log-logistic Weibull, exponentiated log-logistic Rayleigh, exponentiated log-logistic exponential,  log-logistic Weibull, log-logistic Rayleigh and log-logistic distributions as special cases. Structural properties of this generalized distribution including series expansion of the probability density function and cumulative distribution function, hazard function, reverse hazard function, quantile function, moments, conditional moments, mean deviations, Bonferroni and Lorenz curves, R\'enyi entropy and distribution of order statistics are presented. The parameters of the distribution are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation technique. A Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to examine the bias and mean square error of the maximum likelihood estimates. A real dataset is used to illustrate the applicability and usefulness of the new generalized distribution.
Effect of Dry Heat Temperature and Moist Heat Pressure on Canola Meal for Ruminant Utilisation. Part I: Nutritional, Protein Solubility and Degradability Characteristics
Authors: Heim Rebecca Alice Louise , Krebs Gaye Louise
Published: September 2018

The effects of a range of barrel dry heat temperatures (20 to 180 oC), and moist heat pressure (MHP) (120 oC 15 min 192 kPa) on general nutritional, protein solubility, and in vitro protein degradability characteristics of canola meal were investigated. Increasing dry heat temperature was negatively correlated with meal crude protein (CP), soluble CP, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent insoluble CP, and rapidly degradable (B1 Fraction) protein; and positively with NPN, intermediately degradable (B2 Fraction) protein, dry matter, lipid, carbohydrate, and in vitro rumen-undegradable protein. Relative to control meal, MHP increased in vitro rumen-undegradable protein, and in vitro CP digestibility; and decreased soluble protein, and 0.5% KOH solubility. Positive increases of Fraction A and B2, as B1 decreased, suggest barrel temperature induces protein hydrolysis and conversion of rapidly to intermediately degraded protein, respectively. The changes observed may have a great effect on ruminal degradation and supply of protein and AA for ruminant utilisation.
Effect of Dry Heat Temperature and Moist Heat Pressure on Canola Meal for Ruminant Utilisation. Part II: Maillard Reaction Product Formation and Structural Characteristics
Authors: Heim Rebecca Alice Louise , Krebs Gaye Louise
Published: September 2018

The effects of a range of barrel dry heat temperatures (20 to 180 oC), and moist heat pressure (MHP) (120 oC 15 min 192 kPa) on Maillard reaction product (MRP) formation and canola meal structural characteristics were investigated. Increasing dry heat temperature was negatively correlated with meal whiteness L* and yellowness b* (early-MRP) and positively with surface hydrophobicity. Relative to control meal, MHP increased early-MRP, redness, browning index (late-MRP), and acidity; and decreased L*, surface hydrophobicity, b*, and Abs294nm (intermediate-MRP). Dry heat-associated changes in surface hydrophobicity suggest protein unfolding and side-chain modifications. Lack of high MW polypeptides at dry heat temperatures of 160 and 180 oC imply protein denaturation and formation of insoluble polypeptides. Specific dry heat temperatures increased surface lipid and induced the formation of protein matrix and aggregation. Meal surface morphology rounded and flattened at specific dry heat temperatures, and smoothed with MHP. Differences in lipid-related functional groups were evident between dry heat temperatures, and with MHP. Treatment with MHP affected amide I and II, α-helix, β-sheet, their respective ratios and the total protein fingerprint region; fragmented meal into proteolysis-resistant protein aggregates with crevices containing lipid droplets; and, reduced solubility of canola meal polypeptides > 40 kDa. The changes observed may have a great effect on ruminal degradation and supply of protein and AA for ruminant utilisation.
Agronomic Evaluation of Sweet Sorghum in Semiarid Region: Cultivar and Spacing Effects
Authors: Silva Tatiana Maria da , Oliveira Alexandre Bosco de , Moura Joana Gomes de , Lessa Bruno França da Trindade , Oliveira Lamartine Soares Cardoso de
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of two sweet sorghum varieties for row spacing in the semiarid region of the State of Ceará, Brazil. Hence, an experiment was carried out on the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Ceará, in two agricultural cycles (2015 and 2016), in sandy loam Planosol during the rainy season. Two sweet sorghum varieties (BRS 506 and SF 15), cultivated at 50, 60, 70, and 80 cm row spacing, were evaluated at different times after sowing (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days), in a randomized block design repeated four times in the arrangement of subdivided plots (2 × 4 × 5). The BRS 506 variety had higher mean number of leaves and leaf angle +3 in the two cycles evaluated. The highest mean plant height was observed at 90 DAS (328.11 cm). The stalk diameter at 15.59 mm was greatest with 70 cm spacing between rows. The chlorophyll content of the leaves may be influenced by stress factors, such as water and mineral deficiency, primarily nitrogen. The best results for chlorophyll occurred in the first cycle, in which the greatest mean was observed at 75 days, while in the second cycle, a year that presented low precipitation (water stress), the greatest means were observed at 30 days. Taking into consideration our results, BRS 506 variety is recommended for cultivation in semiarid northeastern Brazil, presenting good agronomic characteristics, when sown with 70 cm spacing between the rows.
Soil and Water Loss Rates in Oxisols Under No-tillage System in Western Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Celante Luana Salete , Secco Deonir , Marins Aracéli Ciotti de , Nava Daniela Trentin , Gurgacz Flávio , Júnior Luiz Antônio Zanão , Tokura Luciene Kazue , Souza Samuel Nelson Melegari de , Santos Reginaldo Ferreira
Published: September 2018

The objective of work was to quantify soil and water loss rates as a function of slope variation, correlating these rates with soybean yield. In addition to developing multiple linear regression models that associate water and soil loss rates in function of their physical attributes. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisols under a no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in Cascavel, PR, Brazil. Four slopes (3.5%; 8.2%; 11.4% and 13.5%) were considered as treatments. The water and soil loss rates were monitored in the rainfall occurring during the crop development cycle. The water drained in each plot was collected in gutters made of polyvinyl chloride and stored in containers for the quantification of soil and water losses. The stepwise backward method was used to identify the variables that had a significant influence on water and soil losses. The unevenness of the terrain did not influence the soil and water loss rates. The maximum soil and water losses during the soybean cycle were, respectively, 0.01962 Mg ha-1 and 4.07 m3 ha-1. The maximum soil and water losses occurred when the precipitation volume was up to 82 mm. Soil and water losses showed a higher correlation with macroporosity and bulk density. Soybean grain yield showed a higher linear correlation with water, and soil loss and was higher at the slopes of 8.2% and 13.4%. The low water and soil losses demonstrate the soil capacity, managed under a no-tillage system, to minimize environmental impacts.
Enzymatic Activity in Essential Oil-Treated and Pathogen-Inoculated Corn Plants
Authors: Veloso Ronice Alves , Ferreira Talita Pereira de Souza , Debona Daniel , Aguiar Raimundo Wagner de Souza , Cangussu Alex Sander Rodrigues , Júnior Aloísio Freitas Chagas , Santos Gil Rodrigues dos
Published: September 2018

Bipolaris maydis and Exserohilum turcicum are important fungal pathogens that cause leaf blight in corn whose control have been difficult. Essential oils are a promising and environmentally friendly alternative for disease management, but the mechanisms of action remain poorly studied. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of B. maydis and E. turcicum as well as the essential oil of Morinda citrifolia in the activity of plant defense enzymes in corn plants. Experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications and six treatments as they follow: (T1): corn plants inoculated with B. maydis; (T2): corn plants inoculated with E. turcicum; (T3): corn plants treated with essential oil of M. citrifolia (0.25%) and inoculated with B. maydis; (T4): corn plants treated with essential oil of M. citrifolia (0.25%) and inoculated with E. turcicum; (T5): corn plants treated with essential oil of M. citrifolia (0.25%); and (T6): corn plants non-inoculated and treated with distilled water. Protein content (PC) and activities of the enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, chitinase (CHI), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed. PC was significantly decreased, whereas CHI and SOD activity was higher in T1-T5 compared to T6. T4 and T5 significantly increased POX activity relative to T6. Therefore, our findings suggest that the essential oil of M. citrifolia may play an active role in disease control by activating defense enzymes in corn plants.
Soil Chemical Amendments and the Macronutrients Mobility Evaluation in Oxisol Treated With Biochar
Authors: Fernandes Josely Dantas , Chaves Lúcia Helena Garófalo , Mendes Jacqueline da Silva , Chaves Iêde de Brito , Tito Gilvanise Alves
Published: September 2018

Biochar is material produced during a process called pyrolysis. This material can be used as fertilizer to increase the agronomic productivity of low fertility soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical amendments and the macronutrients leaching following biochar application, produced from poultry litter, in Yellow Red Latosol in laboratory experiments. Soil columns (height 20 cm) containing 0; 10; 15; 20; 25 and 30 t ha-1 of biochar with four replications totaled 24 experimental units. For 30 days, water was applied daily to each column, and the leachates were collected and chemically characterized. After this period, soil samples were taken from the 0-10 and 10-20 cm layer depth and chemically characterized. Biochar reduced exchangeable acidity values. Biochar improved soil fertility. Leachates contained increasing EC, K, Na, Ca and Mg, however the concentration of these elements were small in relation to the biochar doses.
Predator Insect Families Associated With Melon Crop in a Semiarid Region in Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Adriano Soares de , Molina-Rugama Adrian José , Silva Francisco Edivino Lopes , Costa Ewerton Marinho , Araujo Elton Lucio
Published: September 2018

Knowledge of diversity of natural enemies in agroecosystems is vital for the integrated pest management. However, surveys of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) in the melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) in the semiarid region in Brazil are scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to know the families of predator insects associated with melon crop in a semiarid region in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), one of the main melon producers in Brazil. The survey study was carried out in a commercial melon area, in the municipality of Baraúna (RN). The samples were collected weekly during the cycle of melon, using passive (Pitfall and Moericke traps) and active (sweep net) collection methods. A total of 13 families of predator insects were collected. The families with the highest relative abundances in the passive collection method were Labiduridae (89.53%) and Formicidae (6.91%), while in the active collection method were Chrysopidae (59.81%) and Staphylinidae (20.56%). These families contain important species of predator which can promote crop pest suppression in melon agricultural systems.
Organic and Mineral Fertilizer on the Initial Development and Nutrition of Jatropha
Authors: Reis Aline Cristina de Souza , Silva Tiago Roque Benetoli da , Gonçalves-Júnior Affonso Celso , Secco Deonir , Alves Charline Zaratim , Santos Reginaldo Ferreira
Published: September 2018

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is an herbaceous plant, perennial, belonging to the family of Euphorbiaceaes. Jatropha’s extract is used for the harvest of fruits, high amount of nutrients and, if not properly fertilized, can lead to the impoverishment of the soil over the years of cultivation. Thus, in this present work, we have a concern with the importance of fertilization. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in the 2014/2015 agricultural year, in São Jorge do Patrocínio, State of Parana, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five replications and five treatments, totaling 25 installments. The treatments were as follows: organic fertilization (total rate: 2,800 g plant-1), mineral fertilizers with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (total rate: 174.4 g plant-1, and 13.2 g plant-1 of urea, 141.2 g plant-1 of superphosphate and 20 g plant-1 of potassium chloride), 75% organic fertilizer + 25% mineral, 50% organic fertilizer + 50% mineral, 25% organic + 75% mineral, applied at planting. Poultry litter was used as the organic fertilizer source, the nitrogen source was urea, the phosphorus source was superphosphate and, the potassium source was potassium chloride. Spacing of 2 × 2 m between plants and the pits with 30 × 30 × 30 cm. The evaluated variables were: plant height, stem diameter, contents macro and micronutrients in leaves. It can be concluded that there was no influence of mineral and organic fertilization on the initial growth of jatropha. As for the macronutrient levels, there were no significant differences for P and K. However, regarding the mineral fertilizer and the micronutrient content, there was a significant difference in Mn, in the treatment with total rate of mineral fertilizer and in the treatment with 25% organic fertilizer and 75% mineral fertilizer.
Emergence and Initial Growth of the Seedlings of Euterpe oleracea Mart. Seeds of Different Ecotypes in Function on the Substrate
Authors: Silva S. A. , Melo P. A. F. R. , Araújo J. R. G. , Gomes J. J. A. , Jesus T. F. , Junior A. C. V. Neves , Santos F. A. , Lemos R. N. S. , Mondego J. M.
Published: September 2018

In Brazil, the assai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a native palm of the Amazon biome, being exploited in an extractive and predatory way to obtain palm heart and processed pulp. In recent years, there has been an increase in the exploitation of commercial plantations in the country, since extractivism and management of native areas are not able to meet growing demand. In this way, companies of the sector and public institutions have invested in new technologies, such as the improvement of plants, which has increased the demand for good quality seeds, coming from natural ecotypes. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate seeds of E. oleracea from three ecotypes regarding the emergence and initial growth of the seedlings in different substrates to guide future plant selection. Seed lots from three assai berry ecotypes were evaluated for water content, seedling emergence, first count, seedling emergence speed index, seedling length and dry mass. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four repetitions of 50 seeds, sown on different substrates. In the physiological characteristics of the seeds and seedlings, there are differences of the three E. oleracea ecotypes. These ecotypes make it possible to identify and select assai palm’s mother plants of Luiz Domingues (IG) and Maracanã (V) natives of areas of the igapó and várzea, respectively, as producers of better quality seeds and seedlings in an alternative substrate (composed of sand, agricultural soil and cattle manure in a proportion of 2:2:1) and, commercial substrate (FORTH® compound of pinus and gray bark), respectively.
Removal of Copper Ions from Aqueous Solution by Bentonite Clay Applied in Soil in Leaching Columns
Authors: Tito Gilvanise Alves , Chaves Lúcia Helena Garófalo , Guerra Hugo Orlando Carvallo , Fernandes Josely Dantas , Chaves Iêde de Brito
Published: September 2018

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of bentonite applied in soil, on the removal of copper (Cu) from aqueous solutions, in leaching columns. The experiment was carried out at laboratory using leaching columns filled with 4 kg of soil mixed with bentonite according to treatments B0, B30, B60 and B90, that is, 0; 30; 60 and 90 t ha-1 of bentonite. Each leaching column (experimental unit) was constituted of a PVC tube, with 0.10m of diameter and 0.50m height sectioned in two 0.20 m rings (10-30 cm and 30-40 cm) and one, on the top, of 0.10 m high, reserved for a hydraulic head of 0.08 m. The columns were placed in a vertical support and saturated with distilled water by capillary ascension. Then percolation began, passing through the column five volumes of pores (initially four liters of water contaminated with 1000 mg of Cu and afterwards one liter of distilled water). Ten leached aliquots of 0.5 volume of pores were collected and stored in polypropylene flasks in a refrigerator for quantification of copper (Cu) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. At the end of the tests, the solid material contained in each ring was collected and the Cu concentration determinated. Increasing doses of bentonite increased Cu retention in soil; Cu was more retained in the surface layer in all treatments; there was no copper leaching from the columns with 60 and 90 t ha-1 of bentonite application, indicating that all copper was retained in the soil avoiding thus potential risks for groundwater contamination.
Public Policies for Food Security and Rural Development in a Brazilian Cooperative
Authors: Pereira José Aparecido , Souza-Esquerdo Vanilde Ferreira de , Thonsom Carolina Rios
Published: September 2018

PAA (Food Purchase Program) and PNAE (National School Feeding Program) are known worldwide as pioneers public policies on fighting food insecurity and rural poverty. We have analyzed the participation of a family farmers’ Cooperative on such programs as a supplier of organic products. Both programs revealed to be economically relevant and promote local governance if well executed, depending on the level of commitment from local administrations, beneficiaries and farmers. However, both are yet highly sensible to governmental changes as we’ve identified municipalities that explore their fully potential and others which do not engage, even though Brazilian law requires them so.
Computational System for Sizing Wind Energy Generation Systems Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Ferques Rafael Gil , Nogueira C. E. C. , Meneghetti A. M. , Rocha D. M.
Published: September 2018

The objective of this work was to develop a computational application for the design of wind power generation systems in small-scale On-Grid and Off-Grid installations, using a user friendly and interactive process. Using artificial intelligence concepts in conjunction with genetic algorithms, to verify the technical and economic viability of the implementation of the wind power generation system. The application coding was done using the languages Java, C, C++ and the database in MySQL language, containing technical specifications and costs of components of a wind system (of this type of system). For the development of neural networks and genetic algorithms, the Encog library was used. The application has proven effective in designing and economic analysis of small wind systems, allowing fast and simple simulation of On-Grid systems and Off-Grid systems. In addition, it proved effective in storing and accessing the information regarding the simulations performed and in the comparison between them, in order to perform a new simulation. Also, it was reliable in the accomplishment of the economic analysis, returning in a clear form the feasibility or not of the implantation of the project.
N Sources and Doses on Japonese Cucumber Yield and Nitrate Accumulation in Fruits in Greenhouse
Authors: Pôrto Mônica Lima Alves , Puiati Mario , Fontes Paulo Cezar Rezende , Cecon Paulo Roberto , Alves Jailson do Carmo
Published: September 2018

Despite Japanese cucumber nutritional and commercial importance, few studies have been carried out with the nitrogen (N) fertilization of the crop, especially in greenhouse conditions. This study objective was to evaluate the Japanese cucumber yield and nitrate (NO3-) accumulation in the fruits in greenhouse as a function of the N sources and doses at Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design, arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, with two N sources (ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate) and five N doses (0; 75; 150; 300 and 600 kg ha-1), with four replicates. The number of fruits per plant, average fruit mass, fruits yield and NO3- accumulation in the fruits were evaluated. The maximum economic efficiency N doses for two N sources used was calculated according to the prices of the fertilizers and Japanese cucumber fruits practiced in 2010. There were no significant effects of N sources and of the interaction between N sources and N doses for the productive characteristics (number of fruits per plant, average fruit mass and fruits yield) of the Japanese cucumber. However, all the productive characteristics of the Japanese cucumber increased following a quadratic model as a function of the N doses. The maximum economic efficiency N doses for the fruits yield of Japanese cucumber were 398 kg ha-1 and 386 kg ha-1, resulting in fruits yield of 76.38 t ha-1 and 76.29 t ha-1, for the ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, respectively. NO3- accumulation in Japanese cucumber fruits as a function of the N doses for two N sources evaluated was not verified.
Chemical Control of Asian Soybean Rust and Its Effect in the Yield and Quality of Soybean Seeds
Authors: Gabriel Márcia , Muraro Dionei Schmidt , Rosa Genesio Mario da , Wastowski Arci Dirceu , Kulczynski Stela Maris , Silva Juliano de Cesar da , Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , Szareski Vinícius Jardel , Silva Vanessa Alba da , Stumm Juliano de Oliveira
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a foliar fungicide commonly used to control Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) in the physiological and sanitary quality of soybean seeds. The experiment was carried out during the 2012/13 field season, with six treatments and four replications arranged in a randomized complete block design. The following treatments were evaluated: T1 (no fungicide application); one application at R1 stage; two applications at R1 and R3 stages; three applications at R1, R3, and R5 stages; four applications at R1, R3, R5, and R6 stages and five applications at R1, R3, R5, R6 and R7 stages. Seeds yield, seed weight, viability and vigor assessments were used to measure the impact of foliar fungicide applications on soybean yield and seed quality. The results indicated that four fungicide applications provide higher grain yield, increased seed weight, and germination percentages within commercial standards. In contrast, the number of fungicide applications did not correlate with the sanitary quality of the seeds.
Integrated Sensor for Estimating in situ Soil Water Content in Vertical Profile
Authors: Saeed Iftikhar Ahmed , Minjuan Wang , Qiang Ji , Qinglan Shi , Hua Zheng Li , Xinliang Liu , Wanlin Gao
Published: September 2018

Many agricultural and hydrological processes require the detailed knowledge of soil water content (SWC) in the vertical profile. Quantifying real-time and in situ SWC is difficult due to time, cost, toil, and technical issues. This paper describes the development of a multi-depth SWC monitoring sensor which can estimate the SWC from 4 vertical depths simultaneously. The probe is a type of electromagnetic (EM) sensor that indirectly measures the SWC on the basis of dielectric theory. The sensor was calibrated with soil samples of three distinct topographical locations. The calibration models were established by fitting linear order equations. The performance of the sensor was evaluated in situ field conditions. A multi-depth SWC curve was investigated to examine the impact of continuous estimations of SWC at specified depths on the sensor performance. The sensor was integrated with vertical interpolation technique to improve the measurement accuracy. The results indicated the optimal range of the SWC measurements, and the estimation error was less than 5%, except irrigation cycles. The linear fit coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 0.957 to 0.993 and root mean square error (RMSE) was ranging from 1.565 to 4.456. The results showed that the sensor performed consistently better for at least 4 months within acceptable soil conditions. The sensor will be advantageous for continuous estimations of SWC, and managing the irrigation practices.
Cl− More Detrimental Than Na+ in Rice Under Long-Term Saline Conditions
Authors: Dao Hanh Duy , Hirai Yoshihiko
Published: September 2018

Rice is considered sensitive to salinity and hence, improving the salinity tolerance of rice is desired to increase productivity. Most research on salinity tolerance for the growth and grain yield of rice focuses on the toxicity of sodium (Na+) and not chloride (Cl−); the information on the negative effects of Cl− on rice is still limited. To learn the difference in the long-term effects of Na+ and Cl− on the whole plant and grain productivities, three rice varieties differing in salinity tolerance were grown in pots irrigated by water with NaCl and KCl in the same molar concentration. The whole plant dry weight and grain yield in all varieties decreased to the same extent after NaCl and KCl treatments compared to the control during the full heading and maturity stages. However, Na+ content in shoots of all varieties under NaCl treatment were higher at all stages than that under KCl treatment and the control. In the most cases, the Cl− content in plants was similar in the NaCl and KCl treatment groups. There was a negative significant correlation between the relative dry weight and grain yield (treated/control) and the Cl− content in the plants. From these results, it was suggested that plant dry weight and grain yield under long-term salinity conditions was reduced by Cl− toxicity rather than Na+ toxicity.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Black and Navy Bean Productivity in Virginia
Authors: Smith Tyler , Hamama Anwar , Abraha-Eyob Zaid , Bhardwaj Harbans
Published: September 2018

Black and navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are economically important crops for US Agriculture and provide nutritious food for humans. These crops are predominantly grown in Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington states. We are interested in introducing these crops in Virginia as alternative summer crops. Four cultivars each of black (Eclipse, T-39, Zenith and Zorro) and navy bean (Alapena, Avalanche, Norstar, and Vista) were grown in the field at Randolph Farm of Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia during 2016. We planted these twice (May 26 and June 30) by using two inter-row spacings (37.5 and 75 cm). Results indicated that yields of black bean (1691 kg/ha) didn't differ significantly from that of navy bean (1402 kg/ha). Effects of cultivars and row spacings were not significant. Seed yield for May planting date (883 kg/ha) was significantly lower than that for June planting (2210 kg/ha). Concentrations of protein, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, verbascose, total sugar, insoluble dietary fiber, and total dietary fiber in black and navy bean seeds were not different. Black bean had significantly higher soluble dietary fiber concentration (4.46%) as compared to navy bean (3.68%). Nutritional quality traits of black and navy bean seed produced in Virginia compared well with values in the literature. Based on desirable seed yield levels and nutritional quality, it was concluded that black and navy bean are potential new/alternate crops for Virginia and adjoining areas in the mid-Atlantic region of United States of America.
An Error Bound for Low Order Approximation of Dynamical Systems Subjected to Initial Conditions
Authors: Maciel Gabriel Pedro Ramos , Barbosa Roberto Spinola
Published: September 2018

In recent years, a great effort has been taken focused on the development of reduced order modeling techniques of dynamical systems. This necessity is pushed by the requirement for efficient numerical techniques for simulations of dynamical systems arising from structural dynamics, controller design, circuit simulation, fluid dynamics and micro electromechanical systems.We introduce a method to calculate the minimum upper $\mathcal{L}_2$ error bound of a linear time invaritant reduced order model considering any possible unitary initial conditions (IC). As a consequence, the proposed method calculates the unitary IC vector which leads to the maximum $\mathcal{L}_2$ norm of the error. Based on this error bound, it is discussed the capacity of a reduced order system to approximate the free transient response in the worst case scenario.
A Comparison Among Simple Algorithms for Linear Programming
Authors: Silva Jair , Ghidini Carla T. L. S. , Oliveira Aurelio R. L. , Fontova Marta I. V.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a comparison between a family of simple algorithms for linear programming and the optimal pair adjustment algorithm. The optimal pair adjustment algorithm improvements the convergence of von Neumann's algorithm which is very attractive because of its simplicity. However, it is not practical to solve linear programming problems to optimality, since its convergence is slow. The family of simple algorithms results from the generalization of the optimal pair adjustment algorithm, including a parameter on the number of chosen columns instead of just a pair of them. Such generalization preserves the simple algorithms nice features. Significant improvements over the optimal pair adjustment algorithm were demonstrated through numerical experiments on a set of linear programming problems.
'Dispensatie onder de loep'
Authors: Rojer M.F.P. , van der Veldt C.M.T.
Published: September 2018

Sinds januari 2007 past de Minister van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (SZW) gewijzigd dispensatiebeleid toe. Aanleiding daarvoor was de constatering dat in de voorafgaande jaren in een aantal gevallen op oneigenlijke wijze gebruik was gemaakt van de mogelijkheid tot dispensatie van algemeen verbindend verklaarde cao-bepalingen. Tegenwoordig zijn aan het verkrijgen van dispensatie verschillende condities verbonden. Behalve het hebben van een rechtsgeldige cao, dienen betrokken partijen onafhankelijk van elkaar te zijn én de dispensatieverzoekende partijen dienen met hun eigen cao zwaarwegende argumenten te hebben waarom het besluit tot algemeenverbindendverklaring op hen niet van toepassing zou moeten zijn. Vooral met de voorwaarde van een beargumenteerde motivatie van het dispensatieverzoek is een draai gemaakt in het dispensatiebeleid van 180 graden: van welhaast automatische dispensatie naar dispensatie onder strikte voorwaarden.
Na naturalisatie is er niet zonder meer sprake van een zuiver interne situatie voor het personenverkeer
Authors: Oosterom-Staples H.
Published: September 2018

Na naturalisatie is er niet zonder meer sprake van een zuiver interne situatie voor het personenverkeer

De Algerijnse Toufik Lounes vraagt bij de Britse autoriteiten een verblijfskaart ‘derdelander familielid van een Unieburger’ aan. Zijn aanvraag wordt afgewezen, omdat zijn echtgenote naast de Spaanse ook de Britse nationaliteit bezit; er is sprake van een interne situatie waarop het Unierecht niet ziet. Het Hof van Justitie oordeelt anders. Omdat zijn vrouw de Britse nationaliteit heeft verkregen na uitoefening van haar reis- en verblijfsrecht en met behoud van haar oorspronkelijke nationaliteit valt haar situatie en daarmee ook die van haar familieleden binnen de werkingssfeer van het Unierecht. Haar derdelander echtgenoot ontleent zijn verblijfsrecht aan het Unierecht dat tevens de voorwaarden bepaalt waaronder dit recht mag worden uitgeoefend.

HvJ EU 14 november 2017, zaak C-165/16, Toufik Lounes/Secretary of State for the Home Department, ECLI:EU:C:2017:862.
Estetização da mercadoria: construção e consumo do corpo e beleza femininos na sociedade midiática
Authors: Soares-Correia Maria Joana Casagrande
Published: September 2018

O presente trabalho tem o intuito de problematizar, a partir da sociedade midiática, o processo de transformação do corpo e da beleza em mercadorias. Corpo e beleza adquirem então status de objetos, o que os torna passíveis de serem inseridos em um sistema econômico, investidos de valor, motivos de desejo e, portanto, consumidos. A discussão aqui realizada é de caráter bibliográfico e versou sobre as diferentes abordagens de consumo (BACCEGA, 2008; BAUDRILLARD, 2010; BARBOSA; CAMPBELL, 2006); o sistema de produção capitalista, a produção e a estetização da mercadoria e seus diferentes valores (ANDRADE, 2007; BAUDRILLARD, 2010; HAUG, 1997); centralidade do corpo e da beleza na cultura contemporânea, sob o viés da mídia (GOLDENBERG, 2007; GOLDENBERG; RAMOS, 2007; NOVAES, 2011; SIBILIA, 2005; SOARES-CORREIA, 2015).
Un estudio de la actitud ciudadana hacia la presencia de la política en los programas de infoentretenimiento
Authors: García Arrizabalaga Iñaki , Gibaja Martíns Juan José , Berasategi Zeberio Miren , Mujika Alberdi Alazne
Published: September 2018

En este artículo se estudia la opinión de los guipuzcoanos respecto a la presencia de la política en los programas de infoentretenimiento, y de manera más concreta sobre la participación de líderes políticos en este tipo de programas. Asimismo, pretende determinar el perfil de ciudadano más y menos proclive hacia dicho fenómeno. El trabajo presenta los resultados de una encuesta realizada sobre una muestra representativa de guipuzcoanos. En primer lugar, se constata que de manera generalizada la actitud de los guipuzcoanos hacia la presencia de la política en programas de infoentretenimiento es desfavorable. Las mujeres y los individuos de mayor edad son, además, los colectivos que muestran una actitud más crítica. Asimismo, los individuos que se autoperciben como de izquierdas parecen más críticos. Por el contrario, quienes tienen más interés en la política y aquellos que ven este tipo de programas muestran una actitud menos contraria. Estos resultados sugieren que los individuos podrían estar condenando la tendencia a mezclar hechos reales y ficticios de forma que el fenómeno del infoentretenimiento no respondería a su objetivo original de causar impacto en la audiencia. En definitiva, la comunicación política se encuentra ante la encrucijada de la consagrada fotografía de «cartón-piedra» y el escaparate televisivo más sensacionalista.
Participants’ motivations to contribute to biodiversity citizen science projects
Authors: Lotfian Maryam , Ingensand Jens , Ertz Olivier , Composto Sarah , Oberson Mathias , Oulevay Simon , Campisi David , Joerin Florent
Published: September 2018

The public participation in scientific projects (citizen science) is significantly increasing specially with technology developments in recent years. Volunteers play an essential role in citizen science projects, therefore understanding their motivations, and understanding how to sustain them to keep contributing to the project are of utmost importance. This paper presents the analysis of volunteers’ characteristics and their motivations to contribute to a citizen science project, which aims at encouraging citizens to take action for biodiversity. The results from the online survey illustrate that people are more motivated by intrinsic nature-related motives rather than extrinsic motivations.
The role of ego threat in professional growth: Fulfilling the ethical intentions of the SEED Model
Authors: Gregory Jess L. , Mebane Karreem A.
Published: September 2018

Schools and education in general have made an implicit and, we would assert, explicit promise to society to educate all the children in their care. Unfortunately, there are achievement gaps that illustrate how schools have broken this promise. Teacher evaluation and other accountability
measures have been heralded as the answer to this problem. Educator ego threat impedes the implementation of goal-driven teacher evaluation models and, thus, ethical questions arise. To realize the noble goals of educator evaluation, leaders must attend to ethical concerns and to the human
aspects of ego threat.
Differential expression of NF-κB heterodimer RelA/p50 in human urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Durairajan Sankari , Jebaraj Walter Charles Emmanuel , Samuel Mary Divya , Palani Dinesh , G Dicky John Davis , C George Priya Doss , Pasupati Sneha , Johnson Thanka
Published: September 2018

Background

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the fifth most common malignancy that accounts for 5% of all cancers. Diagnostic markers that predict UC progressions are inadequate. NF-κB contributes towards disease progression upon constitutive activation in many solid tumors. The nuclear localization of NF-κB indicates increased transcriptional activity while cytoplasmic localization indicates the inactive protein repository that can be utilized readily by a malignant cell. This study delineates the nuclear and cytoplasmic differential expression of NF-κB heterodimers in UC progression.

Methods

The involvement of the NF-κB proteins in UC was analyzed in silico using cytoscape. The expression of NF-κB heterodimers was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

PINA4MS app in cytoscape revealed over expression of RelA and suppression of NF-κB1 (p50 precursor) in UC whereas the expression of NF-κB target proteins remained unhindered. Immunohistochemical localization showed nuclear RelA/p50 in low grade UC whereas in high grade only RelA expression was observed. Conversely, cytoplasmic expression of RelA/p50 remained extensive across high and low grade UC tissues (p < 0.005). RelA nuclear and cytoplasmic expression (p < 0.005) was directly proportional to the disease progression. In our study, some of the high-grade UC tissues with squamous differentiation and muscle invasion had extensive nuclear p50 localization. The phenomenon of RelA/p50 expression seen increased in low-grade UC than high grade UC might be due to their interaction with other members of NF-κB family of proteins. Thus, NF-κB RelA/p50 differential expression may play a unique role in UC pathogenesis and can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis.
Mass fluctuation in breeding females, males, and helpers of the Florida scrub-jay Aphelocoma coerulescens
Authors: Cucco Marco , Bowman Reed
Published: September 2018

Much evidence suggests that birds actively regulate their body mass reserves relative to their energy needs. Energy requirements during reproduction may differ in relation to sex-specific behavioural roles or, in the case of cooperative breeders, breeders relative to helpers. We measured body mass of free-living Florida scrub-jays throughout the nesting season by training them to land on an electronic balance. Jays exhibited a pattern of diurnal linear mass gain, from morning to afternoon. Day-to-day mass fluctuations, defined as the difference between mass on two consecutive days, were small (>80% were within 2 g, less than 3% of the mass of an adult bird) for all classes of jays: female breeders, male breeders and prebreeding helpers. The jays, which live in subtropical south-central Florida, did not exhibit changes in day-to-day mass fluctuation relative to weather or climate variables or calendar date. Day-to-day mass fluctuations influenced mass fluctuation between the following third and fourth days. These changes were usually compensatory, indicating that jays are able to regulate their body mass on a short-term basis, despite strong differences in their roles in reproduction. During reproduction, jays have a relatively predictable and abundant food supply, thus the appropriate strategy may be to maintain a stable body mass that balances some energy reserves against maintaining a low body mass for efficient flight, as required during reproduction.
Despite availability of screens and medications, most AUDs not treated: Study
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

There are three medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD): disulfiram (Antabuse), naltrexone and acamprosate. If you count both oral and injectable versions of naltrexone, there are four. Yet fewer than 9 percent of patients with AUD receive one of these medications, according to a review published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association by Henry Kranzler, M.D., and Michael Soyka, M.D. Rather, most of these patients receive only counseling, according to their study, which concluded that the first‐line treatment for people with moderate AUD should be medication along with brief counseling, or a referral to a more intensive psychosocial intervention.
Construction among the professions hit hardest by fatal drug overdoses
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2018

Construction, mining and health care practitioner occupations are among those with the highest proportion of drug‐related overdose deaths among 26 studied occupation groups, newly published research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests. With the identification of the causes for the disproportionate overdose death rates by profession being beyond the scope of this study, researchers hope the data will spur additional studies in this generally under‐researched area, to inform workplace strategies to help mitigate the threat of overdose.
DSM‐5 diagnosis of alcohol use disorder
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

Alcohol use disorder is a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12‐month period.
From starter OTP to acquisition by BayMark: A 3‐year journey
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

BayMark Health Services has acquired Counseling Solutions, a treatment provider focusing on methadone and buprenorphine treatment with locations in Chatsworth, Georgia, and Brasstown, North Carolina. When Zachary Talbott first started working to open his opioid treatment program (OTP) in Chatsworth more than three years ago, he had no plans to sell it (see ADAW, Aug. 17, 2015).
Opioid bills stalled after GOP clears them in Senate
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

Neither S. 2680 nor H.R. 6, the two big opioid bills that are being crafted into one package under the leadership of Sen. Lamar Alexander (R‐Tennessee), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee, have come before the full Senate yet. Despite the fact that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R‐Kentucky) called them a “priority” last month (see ADAW, Aug. 27), and got his party to clear Senator Alexander's package on Aug. 28, he has not yet scheduled a vote.
NIDA: Daily marijuana use at 13% in noncollege young adults
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

The latest Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey results on teens transitioning to adulthood shows that more than 13 percent who are not in college are using marijuana on a daily basis. Conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), MTF is a national survey released in December every year, with a specialized focus on 19‐ to 22‐year‐olds released in the following September.