bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for genetic inactivation of long noncoding RNAs in zebrafish
Authors: Lavalou Perrine , Eckert Helene , Damy Louise , Constanty Florian , Majello Sara , Bitetti Angelo , Graindorge Antoine , Shkumatava Alena
Published: May 2019

The number of annotated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) continues to grow; however, their functional characterization in model organisms has been hampered by the lack of reliable genetic inactivation strategies. While partial or full deletions of lncRNA loci disrupt lncRNA expression, they do not permit the formal association of a phenotype with the encoded transcript. Here, we examined several alternative strategies for generating lncRNA null alleles in zebrafish and found that they often resulted in unpredicted changes to lncRNA expression. Removal of the transcription start sites (TSSs) of lncRNA genes resulted in hypomorphic mutants, due to the usage of either constitutive or tissue-specific alternative TSSs. Deletions of short, highly conserved lncRNA regions can also lead to overexpression of truncated transcripts. In contrast, knock-in of a polyadenylation signal enabled complete inactivation of malat1, the most abundant vertebrate lncRNA. In summary, lncRNA null alleles require extensive in vivo validation, and we propose insertion of transcription termination sequences as the most reliable approach to generate lncRNA-deficient zebrafish.
‘It is a question of determination’: a case study of monitoring and evaluation of integrated family planning services in urban areas of Togo
Authors: Baker Helen , Rochat Roger , Hepburn Kenneth , Hennink Monique , Thiam Macoumba , Guede Cyrille , Koalaga Andre , Amegan Eloi , Fombo Koffi , Ogunbiyi Bolatito , Sibley Lynn
Published: May 2019

Background: Integrating family planning into postabortion and postpartum services can increase contraceptive use and decrease maternal and child death; however, little information exists on the monitoring and evaluation of such programs. This article draws on research completed by the EngenderHealth’s AgirPF project in three urban areas of Togo on the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of health services, which operated within the AgirPF project area in Togo, captured integrated family planning services.

Methods: This mixed methods case study used 25 health facility assessments with health service record review in hospitals, large community clinics, a dispensary, and private clinics and 41 key informant interviews with health faculty, individuals working at reproductive health organizations, individuals involved in reproductive health policy and politics, health care workers, and health facility directors.

Results: The study found the reporting system for health care was labor intensive and involved multiple steps for health care workers. The system lacked a standardized method to record family planning services as part of other health care at the patient level, yet the Ministry of Health required integrated family planning services to be reported on district and partner organization reporting forms. Key informants suggested improving the system by using computer-based monitoring, streamlining the reporting process to include all necessary information at the patient level, and standardizing what information is needed for the Ministry of Health and partner organizations.

Conclusion: Future research should focus on assessing the best methods for recording integrated health services and task shifting of reporting. Recommendations for future policy and programming include consolidating data for reproductive health indicators, ensuring type of information needed is captured at all levels, and reducing provider workload for reporting.
Prediction of mosquito species and population age structure using mid-infrared spectroscopy and supervised machine learning
Authors: González Jiménez Mario , Babayan Simon A. , Khazaeli Pegah , Doyle Margaret , Walton Finlay , Reedy Elliott , Glew Thomas , Viana Mafalda , Ranford-Cartwright Lisa , Niang Abdoulaye , Siria Doreen J. , Okumu Fredros O. , Diabaté Abdoulaye , Ferguson Heather M. , Baldini Francesco , Wynne Klaas
Published: May 2019

Despite the global efforts made in the fight against malaria, the disease is resurging. One of the main causes is the resistance that Anopheles mosquitoes, vectors of the disease, have developed to insecticides. Anopheles must survive for at least 10 days to possibly transmit malaria. Therefore, to evaluate and improve malaria vector control interventions, it is imperative to monitor and accurately estimate the age distribution of mosquito populations as well as their population sizes. Here, we demonstrate a machine-learning based approach that uses mid-infrared spectra of mosquitoes to characterise simultaneously both age and species identity of females of the African malaria vector species Anopheles gambiae and An. arabiensis. mid-infrared spectroscopy-based prediction of mosquito age structures was statistically indistinguishable from true modelled distributions. The accuracy of classifying mosquitoes by species was 82.6%. The method has a negligible cost per mosquito, does not require highly trained personnel, is rapid, and so can be easily applied in both laboratory and field settings. Our results indicate this method is a promising alternative to current mosquito species and age-grading approaches, with further improvements to accuracy and expansion for use with other mosquito vectors possible through collection of larger mid-infrared spectroscopy data sets.
Finding Critical Links for Closeness Centrality
Authors: Veremyev Alexander , Prokopyev Oleg A. , Pasiliao Eduardo L.
Published: May 2019

Closeness centrality is a class of distance-based measures in the network analysis literature to quantify reachability of a given vertex (or a group of vertices) by other network agents. In this paper, we consider a new class of critical edge detection problems, in which given a group of vertices that represent an important subset of network elements of interest (e.g., servers that provide an essential service to the network), the decision maker is interested in identifying a subset of critical edges whose removal maximally degrades the closeness centrality of those vertices. We develop a general optimization framework, in which the closeness centrality measure can be based on any nonincreasing function of distances between vertices, which, in turn, can be interpreted as communication efficiency between them. Our approach includes three well-known closeness centrality measures as special cases: harmonic centrality, decay centrality, and [Formula: see text]-step reach centrality. Furthermore, for quantifying the centrality of a group of vertices we consider three different approaches for measuring the reachability of the group from any vertex in the network: minimum distance to a vertex in the group, maximum distance to a vertex in the group, and the average centrality of vertices in the group. We study the theoretical computational complexity of the proposed models and describe the corresponding mixed integer programming formulations. For solving medium- and large-scale instances of the problem, we first develop an exact algorithm that exploits the fact that real-life networks often have rather small diameters. Then we propose two conceptually different heuristic algorithms. Finally, we conduct computational experiments with real-world and synthetic network instances under various settings, which reveal interesting insights and demonstrate the advantages and limitations of the proposed models and algorithms.

The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2018.0829 .
Bilateral penile cavernosal abscess secondary to Escherichia coli: a case report of a rare diagnosis
Authors: Capella S , Mahesan T , Taylor J , Chetwood A
Published: May 2019

Cavernosal abscess is a rare diagnosis. Disparity exists in the literature but the most common colonising agents appear to be Neisseira gonorrhoea and Staphylococcus aureus. We describe a 75-year-old man who presented with sepsis and was found to have Escherichia coli positive blood and urinary cultures. Following initial treatment for sepsis of unknown origin, computed tomography demonstrated a bilateral cavernosal abscess. The patient was successfully treated with incision and drainage, multiple re-looks and a delayed closure, alongside a course of appropriate antibiotics. A defect in the bulbar urethra was identified and repaired with bladder drainage via both suprapubic and urethral catheters. Following discharge, a urethrogram showed no urethral leak or stricture and the patient is now catheter free.
O papel do tirocínio docência na formação inicial em saúde coletiva: um relato de experiência
Authors: Carvalho Silas Santos , Costa Jéssica Santos Passos , Vilas Boas Laís Barbosa Souza , Nascimento Sobrinho Carlito Lopes
Published: May 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo relatar a experiência vivenciada por mestrandos na prática do tirocínio docência, na graduação de Odontologia, no componente curricular Bioestatística e Epidemiologia. O tirocínio foi realizado portrês mestrandos do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, para uma turma do segundo semestre do curso de Odontologia, da referida instituição, sob a supervisão de um professor orientador. Foi desenvolvido mediante leitura do plano de ensino do componente curricular; organização da proposta de cronograma do mesmo; elaboração de planos de aula; observação, participação e apresentação das aulas teóricas e práticas; além de elaboração e correção das atividadesavaliativas. A experiência da prática pedagógica possibilitou o compartilhamento e a troca de conhecimentos entre os alunos, mestrandos e o professor da disciplina, que contribuíram para o aprendizado, aperfeiçoamento e superação de desafios do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. O tirocínio docência assume, portanto, um papel de grande relevância na formação do pós-graduando, sendo considerado indispensável nesse processo, visto que, é através desta atividade que o conhecimento teórico se consolida na prática, auxiliando na superação de possíveis dificuldades relacionadas à prática docente, colaborando significativamente para a formação de um docente do ensino superior de qualidade.
An Overview on Honeybee Colony Losses in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Authors: Garcia Maria Laura Genchi , Plischuk Santiago , Bravi Claudio Marcelo , Reynaldi Francisco Jose
Published: May 2019

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are essential for the ecosystem, so their loss threatens biodiversity and agriculture. Several factors have been proposed as possible causes of both massive losses and Colony Collapse Disorder. In August 2017 episodes of colony losses were registered in General Alvear, Buenos Aires province. The aim of the present study was to find possible causes of these events. The samples were screened for presence of several pathogens and the determination of maternal lineages was also performed. Seven out of ten colonies were positive for pathogens, but there was no high prevalence of any of them. It will be necessary to carry out a standardization of studies, and delineate boundaries that allow comparing cases in order to discriminate different types of mortality of colonies that occur worldwide.
Pollen Analysis of the Post-Emergence Residue of Euglossa Bees (Apidae: Euglossini) Nesting in an Urban Fragment
Authors: Pinto Rafael Sousa , Silva Albeane Guimarães , Rêgo Márcia Maria Corrêa , Albuquerque Patricia Maia Correia de
Published: May 2019

Euglossini bees are considered pollinators of a wide variety of plants in the Neotropical region, but little is known about their floral preferences. In this study, we identified the botanical species used as pollen and nectar sources by three Euglossa species (Euglossa cordata, Euglossa townsendi, and Euglossa securigera) using pollen residue found in brood cells from trap nests installed in an urban fragment in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. In 14 analyzed Eg. cordata nests, 23 pollen types were observed, in 7 Eg. townsendi nests, 10 pollen types were observed, and in 1 nest of Eg. securigera, 6 morph types were identified. Solanum (Solanaceae), Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae), Mimosa pudica (Fabaceae), and Chamaecrista (Fabaceae) pollen types were common to all three bee species. Principal components analysis showed 83.04% variability on the first two axes, demonstrating substantial similarity among the samples. Solanum, Mimosa pudica, and Zanthoxylum were the principal components in the ranking. Larger diversity values (mean = 0.80) in some samples indicate that the species gathered resources in a heterogeneous manner; this resembles the findings of other studies of Euglossa. In general, the bees exhibited overlapping niches with regard to the most abundant pollens in the nests, but the females showed individual plasticity when gathering the floral resources.
Expanded New World Distributions of Genera in the Termite Family Kalotermitidae
Authors: Scheffrahn Rudolf H.
Published: May 2019

The New World Kalotermitidae constitute about one-fourth of all termite species in this region. The geographic distributions of all fifteen kalotermitid genera are updated based on records in the University of Florida Termite Collection and in the literature.  Range-appropriate exotic records of four pest species are also given.  New distribution records are presented on maps, and representative soldier photographs are provided for each genus.
A new species of the social wasp genus Chartergellus Bequaert from Trinidad, (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Polistinae, Epiponini)
Authors: Carpenter James M , Andena Sergio Ricardo , Starr Christopher
Published: May 2019

A new species of the social wasp genus Chartergellus is described, Chartergellus trinitatis Carpenter and Andena, NEW SPECIES. Male genitalia are described and comparative remarks are given.
Telephone Counselling for Pregnant Smokers: Essential Elements
Authors: Cummins Sharon E. , Tedeschi Gary J. , Anderson Christopher M. , Quinlan-Downs Raechelle , Harris Patricia , Zhu Shu-Hong
Published: May 2019

Counselling pregnant smokers to quit is as difficult as it is essential. This article discusses a telephone counselling protocol designed to promote tobacco cessation among pregnant smokers. The protocol, validated in a large randomised, controlled trial, addresses three key elements of change for addictive behaviour — motivation, cognition and skill building — in ways tailored to pregnant smokers' unique needs. Details concerning scheduling, counsellor training and broader applicability are also presented.
Long-Term Abstinence After 5 Years Follow-Up of Two Types of Intensive Interventions for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Barrueco Miguel , Torrecilla Miguel , Jiménez-Ruiz Carlos , Otero María José , Palomo Luis , Plaza Dolores
Published: May 2019

This is an open study, with 5 years follow-up, of 502 smokers who received treatment according to their degree of physical nicotine dependence. Those least dependent (BCG) were not given nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), while those with the highest level of dependence (NRTG) used nicotine patches during a 12-week period. A total of 267 subjects completed a 5-year period of followup; 123 were from the BCG and 144 from the NRTG. The abstinence was greater for those who used NRT than for those in the BCG: 29.9% as opposed to 24.4%, for intermittent abstinence (OR 0.93; CI 95 %: 0.53–1.62), and 20.1% as opposed to 15.4% for continual abstinence (OR 1.41; IC 95 %: 0.75–2.66). The 74.4% of subjects who achieved 5 years of abstinence and belonged to the NRTG had correctly completed the pharmacological therapy and 25.6% had not done so. Of those who were not able to achieve nonsmoking status at 5 years, 37.6% had correctly completed the therapy and 62.4% had not done so (p < .05). At the 5-year follow-up 20.1% of subjects who used NRT for 3 months remained abstinent, while only 15.4% of those without patches remained abstinent. Those patients who were more likely to achieve abstinence were those who were older and who were male.
Women and Tobacco Harm Reduction in Appalachia, Ohio
Authors: Ferketich Amy K. , Pirie Phyllis , Wewers Mary Ellen , Barquero Dalisa , Hardikar Sheetal
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this study was to extend research regarding the perceptions smokers have of the advantages and disadvantages of using potential reduced exposure products (PREPs). Five focus groups with female current smokers were conducted in the Appalachian region of Ohio. The semistructured discussion guide was developed to capture information on reasons why women smoke, why and how they quit smoking, and reasons why women would switch to PREPs. The results suggest that these smokers did not express enthusiasm for using PREPs as an aid to smoking cessation or as a harm reduction product. In general, the concept of harm reduction in the sense of reducing disease risks did not engage the participants. Early in the discussion the women had identified some problems caused by their smoking and later PREPs were viewed as reducing these. The results suggest that PREPs may be attractive to some smokers because they offer benefits that other products lack.
An embodied exercise to address HIV- and tuberculosisrelated stigma of healthcare workers in Southern Africa
Authors: Yassi Annalee , Mabhele Simphiwe , Wilcox Elizabeth S. , Tsang Vivian W. L. , Lockhart Karen
Published: May 2019

Healthcare workers (HCW) face the risk of occupational exposure to infectious diseases, especially in countries with high burdens of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Disclosure of TB and/or HIV status is needed to ensure prompt action and treatment, and, in the case of TB, prevent transmission to co-workers and patients. Traditional education and training has had limited impact. It is known that stigma plays a major role in hindering disclosure of HIV status and accessing treatment. Participatory theatre has been used to cultivate communication skills and empathy. We therefore incorporated an embodied stigma exercise into a multi-country collaboration, in which we brought 78 HCWs from seven hospitals to one of three workshops in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, respectively. We describe the exercise, highlight the skilled facilitation needed and present results from exit evaluations and interviews with participants. Some changes in attitudes were noted and our observations provide a basis for considering use of embodied methods in efforts to reduce workplace stigma.
Molecular Survey on Symbiodinium of Some Scleractinean Coral Spp. and a Fire Coral sp. along the Red Sea of Egypt
Authors: Dosoky Muhammad Y. , Madkour Fedekar F. , Ahmed Mohamed I. , Hanafy Mahmoud H.
Published: May 2019

The present study introduce an overview on the cladal structure of Symbiodinium population associated with some species of scleractinean corals and fire coral in the Egyptian Red Sea coast and discuss the possible consequences of recent climate changes on coral reefs. Cladal structure of Symbiodinium populations associated with eight keystone species of scleractinean corals and one species of fire coral that collected along Egyptian Red Sea coast, during 2012-2013, had been resolved based on 18S nrDNA and ITS2 genetic markers. Only Symbiodinium subclades C1 and A1 were identified from all examined species. Symbiodinium C1 was the dominant subclade that associated with 61% of coral samples. Results revealed that the studied pocilloporid corals were associated with Symbiodinium C1 and/or A1 while acroporids were only associated with Symbiodinium C1. The present data also indicated that Symbiodinium C1 occurred at high densities than A1 or A1+C1 combination. Because of the relative thermal susceptibility of clades C and A, the current study addresses that the recent climate changes may derive dramatic changes on community structure of coral reefs at the Red Sea.
First Geographical Record of Corymorpha bigelowi (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa, Corymorphidae) in the Northern Red Sea Coast of Egypt, Based on Morphological Description
Authors: Madkour Fedekar Fadel , Zaghloul Walaa Safwat , Mohammad Samya Hussein
Published: May 2019

The Anthomedusae species, Corymorpha bigelowi Maas, 1905 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa, Corymorphidae), was recorded in the northern Red Sea fauna, representing it "first invasion" in Egypt. A fact proven by past studies that this species is endemic in the Indo-Pacific region, which is mainly located in southern coast of Japan and Indian Ocean. The specimens were collected from an area located off Hurghada city, and between latitudes 27° 14.427ˊ and 27° 10.816ˊ N, and longitudes 33° 51.085ˊ and 33° 51.603ˊ E using plankton net (350 µm mesh). In total, six mature medausae of C. bigelowi were caught in December 2014 and February 2015 (4 and 2 medusae, respectively). Following this, the captured species medusa of C. bigelowi was photographed and morphological characteristics described in details. As well as, further discussions of biogeographical distribution and morphological speciation of the present species were provided. This work makes a noteworthy contribution to clarify the migration route of C. bigelowi from southern Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.
Pertumbuhan dan Kandungan Lutein Dunaliella salina pada Salinitas yang Berbeda
Authors: Kimberly Faith Dibri , Supriyantini Endang , Sedjati Sri
Published: May 2019

Dunaliella salina adalah salah satu mikroalga yang mengandung pigmen lutein. Lutein memiliki manfaat sebagai antioksidan untuk melawan radikal bebas pada mata. Pertumbuhan mikroalga dipengaruhi oleh berbagai macam faktor lingkungan, salah satunya adalah salinitas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan salinitas terbaik guna mengoptimalkan pertumbuhan dan produksi pigmen lutein pada D. salina. Metode yang digunakan adalah eksperimen laboratoris. Mikroalga D. salina dikultivasi dengan lima perlakuan salinitas yang berbeda yaitu 20, 25, 30, 35, dan 40 ppt. Pertumbuhan sel D. salina diamati selama 9 x 24 jam kemudian dipanen untuk perhitungan biomassanya. Biomassa basah hasil kultivasi diekstraksi menggunakan pelarut aseton. Ekstrak aseton D. salina kemudian dianalisis kandungan pigmen luteinnya secara spektrofotometrik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan salinitas berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan sel dan kandungan pigmen lutein D. salina. Pertumbuhan sel D. salina optimum pada perlakuan salinitas 30 ppt,yaitu sebesar 125,86 x 104 sel/mL, sedangkan untuk kandungan pigmen lutein     D. salina diproduksi optimum pada salinitas 25 ppt, yaitu sebesar 0,0077 µg/g. Dunaliella salina is a microalga containing lutein pigment. Lutein has the role of being an antioxidant to fight free radicals in the eye. Microalgae growth is influenced by a variety of environmental factors,  such as salinity. The purpose of this research is to determine the best salinity to optimize the growth and production of lutein pigments in D. salina. The method used in this research was a laboratory experiment. Microalgae D.salina was cultivated with five different salinity treatments, which 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 ppt. Growth of D. salina cells was observed for 9 x 24 hours and then harvested for the biomass determination. The wet biomass from the cultivation results was extracted using acetone solvent. D. salina acetone extract was then analyzed for its lutein pigment content spectrophotometrically. The results showed that salinity treatment had a significant effect on cell growth and pigment content of lutein D. salina. The optimum growth of D. salina cell is optimally achieved in 30 ppt salinity treatment at the amount of 125,86 x 104 cell/mL, while for the lutein pigment content of D. salina is optimally achieved in 25 ppt salinity at the amount of 0,0077 µg/g.
Komposisi Dan Kelimpahan Fitoplankton Di Laguna Segara Anakan, Cilacap
Authors: Wiyarsih Budhy , Endrawati Hadi , Sedjati Sri
Published: May 2019

Segara Anakan merupakan laguna yang terletak di selatan Pulau Jawa tepatnya di perbatasan antara Jawa Barat dengan Jawa Tengah. Kawasan Segara Anakan merupakan tempat bertemunya sungai besar, sehingga mengalami perubahan penurunan kualitas perairan berupa penyempitan dan pedangkalan akibat proses sedimentasi yang tinggi. Hal ini dikhawatirkan dapat mengakibatkan menurunnya kualitas perairan yang dapat mengganggu pertumbuhan fitoplankton di perairan. Fitoplankton merupakan parameter biologi yang dapat dijadikan bioindikator untuk mengevaluasi kualitas dan tingkat kesuburan suatu perairan. Kondisi tentang lingkungan perairan diperkirakan berubah sepanjang waktu, maka perlu penelitian fitoplankton, untuk mengetahui tingkat kesuburan perairannya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui komposisi dan kelimpahan fitoplankton di Laguna Segara Anakan, Cilacap. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif eksploratif dengan pengambilan data menggunakan purposive sampling method. Hasil menunjukkan ditemukan 34 genera yaitu Kelas Bacillariophyceae (21 genera), Kelas Cyanophyceae (4 genera), Dinophyceae (6 genera), Chlorophyceae (2 genera), dan Euglenophyceae (1 genus). Kelimpahan fitoplankton berkisar antara 12.945,8-38.194,1 sel/liter. Indeks Keanekaragaman termasuk kategori sedang dengan nilai berkisar 1,60 - 2,32. Indeks keseragaman termasuk kategori sedang hingga tinggi, dengan nilai berkisar 0,59 - 0,81. Indeks dominansi berkisar antara 0,18 - 0,44. menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada genus yang mendominasi. Segara Anakan is a lagoon located in the south of Java Island precisely on the border between West Java and Central Java. Segara Anakan area is the place where the big river meets. Water quality decrease because of narrowing the lagoon due to the high sedimentation process. This may affect the presence of phytoplankton in the water. The quality and the fertility level of aquatic can be evaluated through the phytoplankton existence since phytoplankton is used as a biological indicator for the marine environment. The condition of the aquatic environment is expected to change over time, so it is necessary to study phytoplankton. The purpose of this research is to know about the composition and abundance of phytoplankton in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap. This research used the descriptive explorative method by data sampling using purposive sampling method. The study showed 34 genera of Bacillariophyceae (21 genera), Cyanophyceae (4 genera), Dinophyceae (6 genera), Chlorophyceae (2 genera), and Euglenophyceae (1 genus). The abundance of phytoplankton ranging from 12.945,8-38.194,1 cells/liter. The Diversity Index is a medium category with values ranging from 1.60 to 2.32. The evenness index is moderate to high, with values ranging from 0.59 to 0.81. The Dominant index ranges from 0.18 to 0.44. The value indicates the category of no dominating genus.
Minimizing cost by reducing scaling operations in distributed stream processing
Authors: Borkowski Michael , Hochreiner Christoph , Schulte Stefan
Published: May 2019

Elastic distributed stream processing systems are able to dynamically adapt to changes in the workload. Often, these systems react to the rate of incoming data, or to the level of resource utilization, by scaling up or down. The goal is to optimize the system's resource usage, thereby reducing its operational cost. However, such scaling operations consume resources on their own, introducing a certain overhead of resource usage, and therefore cost, for every scaling operation. In addition, migrations caused by scaling operations inevitably lead to brief processing gaps. Therefore, an excessive number of scaling operations should be avoided.

We approach this problem by preventing unnecessary scaling operations and over-compensating reactions to short-term changes in the workload. This allows to maintain elasticity, while also minimizing the incurred overhead cost of scaling operations. To achieve this, we use advanced filtering techniques from the field of signal processing to pre-process raw system measurements, thus mitigating superfluous scaling operations. We perform a real-world testbed evaluation verifying the effects, and provide a break-even cost analysis to show the economic feasibility of our approach.
Explain
3D
Authors: Wang Xiaolan , Meliou Alexandra
Published: May 2019

Data plays an important role in applications, analytic processes, and many aspects of human activity. As data grows in size and complexity, we are met with an imperative need for tools that promote understanding and explanations over data-related operations. Data management research on explanations has focused on the assumption that data resides in a single dataset, under one common schema. But the reality of today's data is that it is frequently unintegrated, coming from different sources with different schemas. When different datasets provide different answers to semantically similar questions, understanding the reasons for the discrepancies is challenging and cannot be handled by the existing single-dataset solutions.

In this paper, we propose explain3D, a framework for explaining the disagreements across disjoint datasets (3D). Explain3D focuses on identifying the reasons for the differences in the results of two semantically similar queries operating on two datasets with potentially different schemas. Our framework leverages the queries to perform a semantic mapping across the relevant parts of their provenance; discrepancies in this mapping point to causes of the queries' differences. Exploiting the queries gives explain3D an edge over traditional schema matching and record linkage techniques, which are query-agnostic. Our work makes the following contributions: (1) We formalize the problem of deriving optimal explanations for the differences of the results of semantically similar queries over disjoint datasets. Our optimization problem considers two types of explanations, provenance-based and value-based, defined over an evidence mapping, which makes our solution interpretable. (2) We design a 3-stage framework for solving the optimal explanation problem. (3) We develop a smart-partitioning optimizer that improves the efficiency of the framework by orders of magnitude. (4) We experiment with real-world and synthetic data to demonstrate that explain3D can derive precise explanations efficiently, and is superior to alternative methods based on integration techniques and single-dataset explanation frameworks.
Improvement of IFRS application policy in relation to land assets of agricultural enterprises
Authors: Zhuk Valerii , Bezdushna Yuliia , Tyvonchuk Svitlana
Published: May 2019

The climate change and food security are closely related to the effective use and conservation of agricultural land. This research is devoted to improving the methodological and methodical procedures for the IFRS’s application to the accounting of the land assets of agricultural enterprises, primarily for the needs of developing countries.Research of the accounting state of agrarian enterprises in Ukraine was carried out using statistical methods, methods of analysis and synthesis. Interviews of 3000 different accountants as to the land tenure of enterprises revealed methodological and methodical difficulties in applying IFRS to the land assets of agricultural enterprises. A special need consists in improvement of the valuation procedures for such assets. On the example of the United States and Ukraine, it has been established that, for the purpose of determining the fair value of agricultural assets, it is difficult for accountants to use generalized approaches to IFRS that do not take into account branch specifics and differences in socioeconomic environments in different countries. For developing countries with a strong agricultural potential, the most effective is the f the land potential of agricultural enterprises based on the rental income. Accordingly, the calculation methodology should be incorporated into their current accounting policy.Based on the simulation and forecasting technique it was determined, that valuation of the land assets of agricultural enterprises by the rental income method increases their cost by almost three times compared with the calculation based on the rental.The carried out studies form also the methodological framework for the further improvement of IFRS, including development of a separate industry-specific IAS (IFRS) “Agricultural Land”.
Making managerial decisions in the agrarian management through the use of ABC-Analysis tool
Authors: Nuzhna Oksana , Tluchkevych Nataliia , Semenyshena Nataliia , Nahirska Kateryna , Sadovska Irina
Published: May 2019

The current paper is focused on material resources as a controlling factor in crop production. It has been found that according to the analysis of crop production expenditures in agricultural enterprises of Ukraine an expense structure consists of approximately 70% of material costs. In this regard, the ABC-analysis is utilized with the aim to determine the items of material expenses that significantly affect the cost and consequently the process of operational management for making decisions. The findings of the ABC-analysis of material expenditures for crop production in terms of elements at Ukrainian agricultural enterprises made it possible to determine the types of control (systematic, periodic, selective) that should be applied for different cost groups focusing on the most significant items of the material expenses. Expenditures are classified according to the stages of the technological process and types of the technology for crop cultivation, allowing to control the scope of production costs at each stage of crops growing. These stages can be the basis for the application in the system of cost management of Activity Based Costing model. It is proposed to apply the operational control of material costs through the budgeting system in the agrarian management. It plays a leading role in the management system providing the process of managerial decisions making with the operative information about the actual indicators of material costs and their deviations. A form fragment of a flexible budget on material expenditures for winter wheat production has been elaborated. The enterprise managers can make operational, current and strategic management decisions and, consequently, influence the change of material resources, adjusting them to the technological processes stages in production and sales of goods, works and services based on the proposed form of a budget.
Development of technology for the hemp stalks preparation
Authors: Sheichenko Viktor , Marynchenko Ihor , Dudnikov Ihor , Korchak Mykola
Published: May 2019

Getting high-quality trusts in modern technology for growing technical hemp is one of the most labor-intensive processes.The main factors that cause loss of quality of hemp are determined by the level of perfection of the harvesting stage of the production process. It is precisely at this stage that the basic processes of product quality management are concentrated, the main physical and technological losses are taking place.The main drawbacks of the known methods of obtaining the trusts of technical hemp include the dependence of the process of forming its qualitative indicators on weather conditions, the unevenness of the separation and strength of the fiber on the entire mass of the sent layer, the length of the technological process, which determines the quantitative loss of production.The article presents the results of research on the development of resource-saving technology for the production of technical hemp trusts due to the addition of an outlet with improved water drains with reeds and finger-wheels and the direct effect of their constructive parameters on the quality indicators of the trust.Mechanized technological processes are carried out thanks to the developed unit, which includes: a modernized corrugated water pump, hay rakes and a roll baler.It was noted that an increase in the number of mechanical influences on the hemp strap ribbon leads to a corresponding decrease in its height and mass. The loosening process reduces the weight of the tape to 2.1 kg per linear meter. Under these conditions, the height of the windrow increases to 35.0 cm. Techniques for obtaining a hedge trustee make it possible to reduce the time of process implementation at the initial stages of its preparation for primary processing, intensifies the process of purification due to the additional mechanical drive with improved aggregates. The short fiber obtained from the hemp trust for the technology developed meets the existing requirements.
国际汉语教材中的中国人物性别角色
Authors: 彭 增安 , 闫 晓莉
Published: May 2019

提要：

国际汉语教材既是外国学习者学习汉语知识的工具，也是了解中国的一个重要窗口。教材中的人物设置及性别刻板印象会对学习者产生潜移默化的影响。本文从人物设定、作者性别、角色职业分布和角色职业出现的频次等方面着手，对较有代表性的五套国际汉语综合教材进行了数据统计和文本分析，发现国际汉语教材中确实存在对中国男女角色的性别刻板印象。文章分析总结了国际汉语教材中出现中国男女性别刻板印象的一些原因，并对如何消解教材中的中国性别角色刻板印象提出了几点建议。
汉语作为外语写作焦虑的质性研究
Authors: 剑 吴 , 欣 刘
Published: May 2019

提要：

汉语作为外语写作时产生的焦虑是一种极其复杂的心理现象。我们在 Cheng（2004）研制的 “第二语言写作焦虑量表” 基础上结合汉语特点稍作修改制成 “汉语作为外语写作焦虑量表”，并根据量表进行了问卷调查，得到 204 份有效问卷。考虑写作焦虑本身的主观性、动态性、阶段性，本研究在 204 份有效问卷答题者中选定六名外国留学生做了深度访谈，同时对四名担任他们写作课的任课教师做了深度访谈。学生访谈提纲和教师访谈提纲参考了Horwitz et al (1986)、Macintyre and Gardner (1991)、Aida（1994）、Gregersen (2003)、Ewald (2007)的研究结论。通过对六名受访学生和四名受访教师的访谈，本文研究发现：（一）受访学生写作焦虑的主要影响因素是性格、写作策略、评价恐惧，其中关键因素是性格。（二）受访学生认为大量的写作训练是减少写作焦虑的最好办法，然而该解决方案受访教师没有提及并予以足够重视，可见教师与学生在降低汉语写作焦虑方法论上的侧重点有所不同。（三）受访教师认为华裔与非华裔在写作方法和写作效果上存在显著差异，然而在写作焦虑上并无显著差异，今后在汉语写作焦虑研究设计中没有必要设置华裔/非华裔这一身份变量了。（四）总体焦虑值高于 3 的受访学生会有明显的写作焦虑自我认知，反之，总体焦虑低于 3 的受访学生会有明显的无写作焦虑自我认知。（五）写作焦虑是否会随着学习时间增加而减少，受访学生有不同意见。持肯定意见的学生认为只要克服语言表达上的障碍，写作焦虑就会越学越少。持反对意见的学生则认为随着自身汉语水平的提高，自己对写作表达能力的要求也在不断加码，因此写作焦虑不会随着学习时间变长而发生太大变化。（六）过程写作教学法在降低汉语写作焦虑上行之有效，为大部分学生所接受，但仍需要根据实际教学情况做出一定的修改。
人文社會科學語料庫與學術搭配詞檢索系統之建置與專業華語教學
Authors: 貞妤 劉 , 浩然 陳 , 鑑城 吳
Published: May 2019

提要：

有鑑於專業華語的研究與教材仍為不足，本研究基以人文社會科學領域之高頻詞，應用以網路為語料庫的概念，自網頁擷取了約 4 千 3 百萬字之語料建置人文社會科學語料庫，並據此建置學術搭配詞檢索系統，可提供豐富搭配詞資訊與例句為教學與教材編纂所用。與收錄一般語料之中央研究院平衡語料庫相比亦發現，本系統可提供較多學術相關之搭配詞，彰顯此語料庫之學術色彩，亦顯示此種語料庫建置方式有其效用，可應用於未來專業華語之探究。
Developing a Linearization Method to Determine Optimum Blending for Surimi with Varied Moisture Contents Using Linear Programming
Authors: Park Hyeon W. , Park Jae W. , Yoon Won B.
Published: May 2019

Novel algorithm to determine the least cost formulation of a surimi blend was developed using linear programming (LP). Texture properties and the unit cost of surimi blend at the target moisture content were used as constraint functions and the objective function, respectively. The mathematical models to describe the moisture content dependence of the ring tensile properties were developed using critical moisture content, and the model parameters were used for the least cost LP (LCLP) model. The LCLP model successfully predicted the quality of surimi blend. Sensitivity analysis was used to obtain an additional information when the perturbations of design variables are provided. A standard procedure to determine the least cost formulation for blending surimi with varied moisture contents was systematically developed.
The pragmatics of amicable interstate communication
Authors: Kampf Zohar , Aldar Lee , Danziger Roni , Schreiber Mia
Published: May 2019

This paper proposes a research agenda for studying the building blocks of amicable communication and their role in fostering sociability between states. Against the backdrop of linguistic-pragmatic, international relations, and communication theories, it first theorizes the state as a communicating actor in social interactions and conceptualizes amicable actions and their potential to advance relations in interstate communication. On the basis of 2,180 amicable statements performed by a variety of international actors in a range of communicative contexts, a classification according to variations, intended goals, and prevalence of amicable actions is suggested. The findings show a preference to perform interstate communication through solidarity-oriented and expressive actions. Asserting friendship and thanking were found to be the most popular actions, frequently utilized by international actors in a range of ceremonial contexts. Paying respect and expressions of honor were found to be the most frequent strategy for showing one’s deference to the other’s sovereignty and autonomy. In the conclusions, we argue for the importance of studying the pragmatics of interstate communication and point to factors that need to be confronted in the future in order to answer the overarching question: Under what conditions do amicable actions achieve their ends?
Investigating test-takers’ strategy use in task-based L2 pragmatic speaking assessment
Authors: Youn Soo Jung , Bi Nick Zhiwei
Published: May 2019

This study explicates cognitive validity of task-based L2 pragmatic speaking assessment by examining reported strategy use of test takers at varying performance levels across different task types. Thirty university-level ESL learners completed four pragmatic speaking tasks that differ in the formality of pragmatic actions. Two trained raters scored the task-based pragmatic performances using analytical rating criteria and displayed a satisfactory level of consistency and accuracy in scoring the performances. The test-takers’ retrospective reports were transcribed and analyzed to develop a valid coding scheme that consists of cognitive, metacognitive, and pragmatic strategies. An association between the test-takers’ pragmatic performances scored by the trained raters and their reported strategy use was examined. The higher-ability test takers utilized diverse strategies more frequently, ranging from varied pragmatic strategies to strategies specifically related to managing task demands, compared to the lower-ability test takers. Further, the test takers utilized distinct types of strategies appropriate to handling unique pragmatic task situations and complexities involved in each pragmatic assessment task. These findings explain how the test takers cognitively interacted with the assessment tasks and what strategies potentially led to successful pragmatic performances. The implications of examining pragmatic strategy use were discussed in terms of advancing practices of teaching and assessing L2 pragmatics.
How to put yourself in someone else’s shoes: The role of point-of-view in the interpretation of mixed messages
Authors: Vergis Nikos
Published: May 2019

Does having a communicative role other than the speaker’s make a difference to the way pragmatic meaning is construed? Standard paradigms in interpersonal pragmatics have implicitly assumed a speaker-centric perspective over the years, however modern approaches have re-considered the role of listener evaluations. In the present study, I examine whether assuming different communicative roles (speaker, listener, observer) results in varying interpretations. A web-based experiment revealed that participants who took the perspective of different characters in short stories differed in the way they interpreted what the speaker meant. In most cases, participants in the role of the listener interpreted speaker meaning in more negative ways than participants in the other roles. The present study suggests that the directionality of the difference (negative inferences under the listener’s perspective) could be explained by taking into account affective factors.
A cross-linguistic perspective on the Right-Hand Head Rule: the rule and the exceptions
Authors: Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman Mitib
Published: May 2019

The study investigates the patterning of headedness in compounding, in particular the patterning of regularities and exceptions to the Right-Hand Head Rule (RHHR). An examination of the grammatical descriptions of compounds in English, French, Italian, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Dutch and Spanish indicates that languages such as German and Dutch are strongly right-headed, other languages such as French and Arabic are strongly left-headed, whereas English, Spanish and Italian tend to be mixed between left-headed and right-headed. Despite the existence of some exceptions to RHHR in some of these languages, the rule remains viable, as these exceptions may have a systematic pattern. While in Romance languages the exceptions seem to be phonologically conditioned, in Germanic languages the exceptions appear to be syntactically conditioned. This study raises the question whether internal headedness in a language could be regarded as a fairly arbitrary property, unconnected to the language’s other characteristics, or not.
Preparation of chitosan functionalized polyamidoamine for the separation of trivalent lanthanides from acidic waste solution
Authors: Pahan S. , Panja S. , Banerjee D. , Dhami P. S. , Yadav J. S. , Kaushik C. P.
Published: May 2019

The manuscript deals with the sorption of Am(III) and Eu(III) from pH medium using chitosan functionalized with dendrimer like polyamidoamine (PAMAM) polymers up to third generation. The PAMAM polymers were introduced into chitosan by two step processes and were characterized by various instrumental techniques like FTIR, XRD, TG-DTA. The sorption process was highly pH dependent for both Am(III) and Eu(III) with increasing trend for higher pH of the solution. Kinetics of equilibration was found to be fast with equilibrium attained in 10 min for both the metal ions. Pseudo 2nd order kinetics mechanism was found to be followed for both Am(III) and Eu(III). The sorption process of Eu(III) was found to fit the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum sorption capacity of 6.01 mg/g. There was no effect on the generation of PAMAM Dendron on the efficiency, kinetics or sorption capacity for Am(III) as well as Eu(III). The synthesized different generation of PAMAM functionalized chitosan is a promising material for removal of actinides and lanthanides from waste water solution.
Effect of Humeral Locking Plate System on Absorbed Energy in Breast Tissue with Different Radiological Energies Using MCNPX Code
Authors: Güçlü B. , Altunsoy E. E. , Manici T. , Tekin H. O.
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to investigate the radiation absorption effects of the humeral locking plate system on breast tissue in different radiological energy ranges using MCNPX (Monte Carlo N-Particle Extended Transport Code System, version 2.6.0) general-purpose Monte Carlo code. In the present study, a novel MCNPX simulation setup has been generated considering the elemental mass fractions of investigated materials and biological structures. The validation of MCNPX simulation geometry used in this study has been provided by comparing the results with standard XCOM data for mass attenuation coefficients of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. A very good match between XCOM and MCNPX data has been achieved. Therefore, validated simulation input has been employed for further investigations of the present study. Our findings showed that the amount of absorbed energy that was measured in breast tissue with the humeral locking plate was higher than that without humeral locking plate for the same radiological energy value. Our results would be beneficial to use the present simulation technique and mass attenuation coefficients for radiation physics and medical applications, especially for assessments of breast cancer risk.
Measuring Vibration and Noise from a Magnetic Levitation Central Air-Conditioner
Authors: Tan Xinyu , Ma Meng , Cao Rongning
Published: May 2019

Mechanical vibrations and acoustic noise induced by air-conditioners are a widespread cause for concern. The magnetic levitation (maglev) central air-conditioner (CAC) system is a new type of air-conditioner system considered to be able to generate less vibration and noise. The performances of a maglev system and a regular CAC system, under normal operating conditions, were compared experimentally in the same room. For each CAC, the compressor vibrations and floor vibrations were measured and evaluated with reference to the guidelines of the Chinese National Standard GB/T 50355-2005, Standard of Limit and Measurement Method of Vibration in the Room of Residential Buildings. The indoor noise generated by each CAC system was also measured and compared. Results show that (1) in the frequency domain, the compressor vibrations of the maglev CAC are one to two orders of magnitude weaker than those of the regular CAC; (2) the dominant frequencies of the compressor of the maglev CAC are 125, 165, and 350 Hz, but there are no apparent characteristic frequencies for the regular CAC; and (3) the indoor acoustic noise generated by the maglev CAC is significantly weaker than that generated by the regular CAC, with A-weighted sound levels differing by 6.5 dB on average.