bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governing through Informal Mechanisms
Authors: Rahman Saif Ur , Shurong Zhao
Published: October 2021

In their post-authoritarian period, civilian governments in transitional democracies have often been battered by unelected power centers. Where do these unelected forces derive their power? This article addresses this question through a case study of Pakistan. Since the 2018 elections, a decade after leaving formal political office, the Pakistani military has asserted greater control over civilian government. Using the concept of informal institutions of political participation as an analytical framework, we argue that when formal forms of control become untenable due to legitimacy and/or functional constraints, the military turns into a Janus-faced institution, visibly acting as a formal state organ while invisibly protecting its institutional interests through what we call “informal mechanisms.” The article explains how Pakistan’s pre-2018 political situation dictated a quasi-military regime more suited to the military’s interests than direct military rule.
Using and Understanding Power in Psychological Research: A Survey Study
Authors: Collins Elizabeth , Watt Roger
Published: October 2021

Statistical power is key to planning studies if understood and used correctly. Power is the probability of obtaining a statistically significant p-value, given a set alpha, sample size, and population effect size. The literature suggests that psychology studies are underpowered due to small sample sizes, and that researchers do not hold accurate intuitions about sensible sample sizes and associated levels of power. In this study, we surveyed 214 psychological researchers, and asked them about their experiences of using a priori power analysis, effect size estimation methods, post hoc power, and their understanding of what the term “power” actually means. Power analysis use was high, although participants reported difficulties with complex research designs, and effect size estimation. Participants also typically could not accurately define power. If psychological researchers are expected to compute a priori power analyses to plan their research, clearer educational material and guidelines should be made available.
CDKL5 kinase controls transcription‐coupled responses to DNA damage
Authors: Khanam Taran , Muñoz Ivan , Weiland Florian , Carroll Thomas , Morgan Michael , Borsos Barbara N , Pantazi Vasiliki , Slean Meghan , Novak Miroslav , Toth Rachel , Appleton Paul , Pankotai Tibor , Zhou Houjiang , Rouse John
Published: October 2021

Mutations in the gene encoding the CDKL5 kinase are among the most common genetic causes of childhood epilepsy and can also give rise to the severe neurodevelopmental condition CDD (CDKL5 deficiency disorder). Despite its importance for human health, the phosphorylation targets and cellular roles of CDKL5 are poorly understood, especially in the cell nucleus. Here, we report that CDKL5 is recruited to sites of DNA damage in actively transcribed regions of the nucleus. A quantitative phosphoproteomic screen for nuclear CDKL5 substrates reveals a network of transcriptional regulators including Elongin A (ELOA), phosphorylated on a specific CDKL5 consensus motif. Recruitment of CDKL5 and ELOA to damaged DNA, and subsequent phosphorylation of ELOA, requires both active transcription and the synthesis of poly(ADP‐ribose) (PAR), to which CDKL5 can bind. Critically, CDKL5 kinase activity is essential for the transcriptional silencing of genes induced by DNA double‐strand breaks. Thus, CDKL5 is a DNA damage‐sensing, PAR‐controlled transcriptional modulator, a finding with implications for understanding the molecular basis of CDKL5‐related diseases.
Analysis of relations between the moduli of elasticity in compression, tension, and static bending of hardwoods
Authors: Almeida João P. B. , Aquino Vinícius B. M. , Wolenski Anderson R. V. , Campos Cristiane I. , Molina Julio C. , Chahud Eduardo , Lahr Francisco A. R. , Christoforo André L.
Published: October 2021

Accurate estimation of average modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain (Ec0) is of paramount importance for rational sizing of timber structures, given the use of this property in the estimation of stability of compressed parts (ultimate limit state, ULS) and in calculation of excessive strains (serviceability limit state, SLS). In Brazil, if values cannot be experimentally determined, ABNT NBR 7190 (1997) allows for estimation of Ec0 through relations to average modulus of elasticity both in tension parallel to the grain (Et0) (Ec0 = Et0) and in bending (EM) (Ec0 = EM/0.90). This research aimed to access the efficiency of these relations by testing 30 tropical wood species. The analysis of variance results showed that Ec0 and Et0 were statistically equal. However, Ec0 and EM/0.90 were not statistically equal, and the method of least squares resulted in a coefficient of 0.98, which was 8.89% higher than the one suggested by ABNT NBR 7190 (1997) and close to 1, thus, validating the results of ANOVA, which pointed on the equivalence between Ec0 and EM (Ec0 = EM). As an alternative to simplified equations of the standard, two-parameter regression models were used. The geometric model with R² = 91.67% proved to be the model of best fit, which demonstrated that Ec0 could be calculated as a function of EM.
Meaning in Life During Covid-19 Pandemic and Social Interaction Anxiety : The Relevant Facets
Authors: Gangopadhyay Mayurakshee
Published: October 2021

The meaning of life is steadily altering in the Covid-19 pandemic scenario. Since birth, life and living have been the major preoccupation of every human being. However, there remains a constant possibility of death owing to a pandemic breakout. The ways of social interaction and associated psychosocial issues are also of great importance in the present condition. This study thus aimed at finding out the interrelationship between meaning in life and social interaction anxiety among young adults. The study used a quantitative research method with the help of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire by Steger and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale by Mattick and Clarke  on 100 samples of both the Gender, i.e., male and female aged between 21 to 25 years. The findings showed that meaning in life has a significant negative correlation with social interaction anxiety. And social interaction anxiety is found out to be negatively predicted by meaning in life.
Analysing the Twitter accounts of licensed Sports gambling operators in Spain: a space for responsible gambling?
Authors: Hernández-Ruiz Alejandra , Gutiérrez Yoan
Published: October 2021

Apart from the economic impact of the online gambling industry, the social, public order and health-related consequences of the industry merit analysis to inform appropriate action, regulatory or otherwise. The omnipresence of ICTs, the inability to use technologies properly, along with the growth of online gambling channels, have acted simultaneously as a catalyst for the spread of pathological and problematic gambling. In this context, social networks have become a highly effective platform to instil positive attitudes towards the products of gambling operators. This work uses the Natural Language Processing based web application “GPLSI Social Analytics” to track, in real time, the conversations generated on Twitter about the Spanish domain accounts of the main online sports gambling operators. The findings indicate that most of the messages about these operators are positive and surprise is the predominant emotion associated with them. The notion of responsible online gambling barely receives a mention in the conversations analysed. Given the role of new technologies as access facilitators and potential enhancers of addictive behaviours, it is necessary to adopt measures directed at social networks that guarantee the coexistence of the right to freedom of expression with the protection of the most vulnerable populations.
Transparency and applications of transparent soil: a review
Authors: Wang Bo , Hou Hengjun , Zhu Zhengwei
Published: October 2021

The effects of particle size, pore fluid ratio, solution ratio, temperature, time and other preparation factors on the transparency of transparent soil are discussed. The quality of transparency determines the effectiveness of transparent soil in model tests. Also, existing methods cannot quantify transparency in real-time. The history of transparent soil development and the problems encountered in preparation are reviewed; the existing transparency testing methods are scrutinised; and the problems of transparency testing are described. On the basis of progress in the application of machine learning methods to geotechnical engineering, the advantages and technical issues of the method to predict soil transparency are discussed. Lastly, issues that require further research are considered.
Has the Approach of Healthcare Workers to Influenza Vaccine Changed due to the Pandemic? What are their Perspectives on Covid-19 Vaccine?
Authors: KORKMAZ Nesibe , KUL Gülnur
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Increasing influenza vaccine intake in healthcare workers during the pandemic period will benefit the management of respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccine.
Methods: Healthcare workers were questioned over a survey about their status of having received the previous influenza vaccine and the influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine this year. Their relationship with occupation, working in risky conditions and demographic characteristics of the individuals was investigated.
Results: While the rate of those who received the influenza vaccine in 2019 was 19.1% (n=147) this rate was 27.5% (n=211) in 2020 (p<0.001). Those who received the influenza vaccine in 2019 accepted to receive the vaccine in 2020 as well (p<0.001) and it was observed that those who did not receive the vaccine in 2019 did not receive it in 2020, either (p<0.001). The rate of physicians who accepted both vaccines was higher than the rate of the other groups. When those who accepted to receive the COVID-19 vaccine were analyzed it was observed that the rate of those who accepted to receive the influenza vaccine in 2019 and 2020 was significantly higher than the rate of those who did not (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Especially conducting training-based works in order to help the individuals accept influenza-like vaccines that are known to be safe and have been used for years seems to be important for the vaccination of not only this disease but also the other diseases with the same transmission route.
Comparison of İndividuals’ Fear of COVID-19 Pandemic and Perceived Control in Turkey
Authors: ÖZTÜRK ALTINAYAK Serap , YILAR ERKEK Zümrüt
Published: October 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to compare individuals’ fear of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and perceived control.
Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive study comprised 1749 individuals between 18 and 70 years of age living in various provinces in Turkey. Data were collected via an online questionnaire. The “Sociodemographic Information Form,” “Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S),” and “COVID-19 Perceived Control Scale (CV-19PCS)” were used to collect data for this study.
Results: It was determined that the FCV-19S mean total score of participants was 21.7 5.8 and the CV-19PCS mean total score was 35.6  5.6. There was a statistically significant correlation between the FCV-19S total score and CV-19PCS subdimension total scores, whereas no statistically significant effect of the CV-19PCS total score on the FCV-19S total score was found.
Conclusion: The results of the study revealed a partial relationship between the fear of COVID-19 pandemic and perceived control in the Turkish society.
Influência do clima ético na conduta de trapaça acadêmica mediada pelo interesse próprio
Authors: Luz Igor Pereira da , Wagnitz Pamela Raquel , Rengel Rodrigo
Published: October 2021

A trapaça acadêmica mostrou-se uma preocupação na formação profissional de estudantes. Nesse contexto, a cultura dos indivíduos (interesse próprio) e o ambiente (clima ético) que se encontram podem explicar tais comportamentos. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência do clima ético na conduta de trapaça acadêmica, mediada pelo interesse próprio em estudantes de contabilidade. O estudo caracteriza-se como descritivo, quantitativo, do tipo survey. A amostra foi de 158 respostas de estudantes de contabilidade de universidades públicas e privadas localizadas na região sul do Brasil. Para a análise de dados, foram utilizadas a análise fatorial exploratória e para o teste de hipóteses a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais por mínimos quadrados parciais. Os resultados apontam que o clima ético percebido pelos estudantes influencia negativamente o interesse próprio e a conduta de trapaça acadêmica e que o interesse próprio influencia positivamente a conduta de trapaça acadêmica. Observa-se ainda que o interesse próprio atua como variável mediadora na relação entre clima ético e a conduta de trapaça acadêmica. Os achados demonstram que a conduta de trapaça pode ser motivada pela defesa do interesse próprio dos alunos, além de serem minimizadas pelo clima ético presente no ambiente universitário. Nesse sentido, o estudo contribui para a literatura de ensino contábil, ao enfatizar a importância das regras e responsabilidade social na conduta dos estudantes de graduação. Assim como por demonstrar que tanto aspectos pessoais como do ambiente acadêmico podem moldar o comportamento do estudante. Sugere-se a partir do exposto, uma maior divulgação e monitoramento de programas que incentivem boas condutas, com o objetivo da propagação de práticas eticamente aceitas, a fim de evitar um ambiente propício a trapaças.
When Uncertainty and Volatility Are Disconnected: Implications for Asset Pricing and Portfolio Performance
Authors: Aït-Sahalia Yacine , Matthys Felix , Osambela Emilio , Sircar Ronnie
Published: October 2021

We analyze an environment where the uncertainty in the equity market return and its volatility are both stochastic and may be potentially disconnected. We solve a representative investor's optimal asset allocation and derive the resulting conditional equity premium and risk-free rate in equilibrium. Our empirical analysis shows that the equity premium appears to be earned for facing uncertainty, especially high uncertainty that is disconnected from lower volatility, rather than for facing volatility as traditionally assumed. Incorporating the possibility of a disconnect between volatility and uncertainty significantly improves portfolio performance, over and above the performance obtained by conditioning on volatility only.
System for Measuring the Socio-Economic Sustainability of the Eurasian Economic Union
Authors: Ryazantsev Sergey V. , Rostovskaya Tamara K. , Zolotareva Olga A.
Published: October 2021

Whether applying to individual countries or unions, the comparability of statistical indicators and their compliance with contemporary international initiatives is a serious problem. In particular, analysis of the macroeconomic indicators used for assessing the sustainability of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries has shown that they do not reflect the actual situation. In this regard, the creation of a unified system of indicators for determining the socio-economic sustainability of EAEU member states — as well as the EAEU as a whole — becomes an urgent task. Therefore, the present study aims to refine the system for measuring the socio-economic sustainability of the Eurasian space and develop recommendations for the selection of key parameters. By comparing socio-economic sustainability indicators published by international organisations (UNECE, OECD, Eurostat, CIS Statistical Committee) in the context of the development strategies of individual EAEU countries and the Union as a whole, the authors distinguish between basic and extended indicator types. Basic indicators comprise: the annual consolidated budget deficit; general government debt; annualised inflation rate; contribution of high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries to gross domestic product (GDP); contribution of innovative goods and services to total industrial exports; growth index of the proportion of reconstruction and modernisation investment to total capital investment; fertility rate; life expectancy at birth; poverty rate. Extended indicators include: GDP; economic growth; main international trade; external and national balance of payments; social. The applicability and relevance of the proposed system for measuring the socio-economic sustainability of the Eurasian space is confirmed by statistical analysis of EAEU member state data (including correlation analysis). The results showed that the presented system of indicators reflects the actual development of the EAEU countries, contributing to informed decision-making both at the level of the EAEU member states and at the level of the Union as a whole.
Methodology for Assessing the Vulnerability of Participants in Regional Food Markets
Authors: Alekseev Aleksandr O. , Kovalenko Aleksandr I. , Svetlakov Andrei G.
Published: October 2021

The vulnerability of regional food markets is difficult to study due to the lack of a unified approach to analysing the weaknesses of agricultural enterprises, which is necessary for investigating their response to external and internal changes. The study aims to solve this problem by developing an adaptable method for assessing the vulnerability of organisations that produce, process and sell agricultural products in regional food markets. For this purpose, we applied hierarchical mechanisms of integrated assessment for combining various indicators of agricultural enterprises into a single vulnerability score. The present research examines the alcohol market: while this particular sector is represented by a small number of producers, these organisations are usually the largest taxpayers in the agri-food industry, especially in areas of risky farming. As an example, we show how the vulnerability of Permalko JSC (a large producer of alcoholic beverages) has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This company not only satisfies the needs of Perm oblast’s market, but also exports its production to many Russian regions, as well as to near and far abroad. As a result, we propose a new methodology, represented by a set of mathematical formulas, and define its variables. This versatile approach to vulnerability assessment can be adapted for any agri-food enterprise by specifying the parameters. The model is implemented in the dekon software package, which is a web application. The cloud service will provide unified access to all agricultural enterprises.
Universities as Centres of Attraction for Proactive Youth in the Ural Region
Authors: Koksharov Viktor A. , Agarkov Gavriil A. , Sushchenko Anastasia D.
Published: October 2021

Universities, comprising a strategic resource in building up a region’s human capital, play a key role in ensuring sustainable economic growth. For proactive young people seeking opportunities to obtain higher education, develop professional trajectories and enhance their social connections, Russian regions lacking such facilities are seen as less attractive. This situation provokes an outflow of the most promising university candidates from the peripheral regions to the various centres of attraction. Thus, a relevant research question concerns the relationship between the quality of regional universities and the retention of young specialists, who may be expected to support the future development of industrial enterprises in the region. The assessment of interregional mobility carried out by the present study is based on an analysis of responses from applicant and graduate surveys supplemented with statistical data (Monitoring the Effectiveness of Russian Universities, Rosstat). In or der to process this information, classification and data comparison methods were used. The results of the study showed that the Sverdlovsk and Tyumen oblasts are the primary centres of attraction for university entrance candidates from other Russian regions to the Urals, with the inflow of such applicants to these oblasts comprising on average 4.1 % and 13.2 %, respectively, of 18 year olds enrolling in these institutions during the 2015– 2019 period. At the same time, the largest universities provide relevant training for the region’s industrial base (up to 87 % of employed Ural Federal University graduates work in the Ural Region). The research results can be used to enhance the activities of universities and employment services in terms of developing tools for attracting and retaining proactive youth, improving the mechanisms for studying postgraduate migration in order to increase the region’s attractiveness.
Atypical presentation of complex regional pain syndrome: neuropathic itching - A case report -
Authors: Yoon Syn-Hae , Cho Woojong , Mun Juhan , Jeong Wonyeong , Kim Young Do , Choi Seong-Soo
Published: October 2021

Background: In some patients with neuropathic pain (NP), such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), itching rather than pain is the main symptom making diagnosis and treatment difficult.Case: We report a case of a 23-year-old man with a history of hypoxic brain damage who presented with pruritus of the left foot and ankle. His left foot was fractured, and he underwent surgery 6 months previously. After the operation and cast application, he developed uncontrolled pruritus, swelling, sweating, and flushing of the left foot skin with limping. On examination, he showed well-known features of CRPS without pain. He was diagnosed with an atypical CRPS with neuropathic itching (NI). With treatment modalities used for NP and CRPS, his pruritus subsided gradually, and the his ankle mobility improved.Conclusions: Unexplained itching can be the main symptom in some CRPS patients. Treatment according to NP can improve symptoms of NI in CRPS patients.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation combined with spinal cord stimulation for effective treatment of postherpetic neuralgia - A case report -
Authors: Hong Seung Wan , Kim Min Jung , Park Cheol Hwan , Park Sarah , Kim Jae Hun
Published: October 2021

Background: Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be a treatment option for intractable postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), obtaining proper stimulation at the thoracic dermatome is difficult. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation may be an effective treatment for patients with insufficient efficacy in SCS only.Case: A 54-year-old man with intractable PHN was referred to our clinic. Pain was localized to the distribution of the T1–3 dermatomes. SCS trial was conducted, and lead was placed within the epidural space over the C6–T1 level; however, the stimulation was inadequate for his pain site. Therefore, another lead was placed within the left T1 and T2 DRG for trial, and T1 DRG stimulation provided adequate stimulation. T1 DRG stimulation and SCS could cover the entire pain site with paresthesia, and his pain was decreased by over 50%.Conclusions: DRG stimulation combined with SCS may be a good treatment option for intractable thoracic PHN.
Biodiversity-productivity relationship in urban vascular flora: a comparison between wild edible and non-edible plants
Authors: Cordero Sebastián , Galvez Francisca , Carvallo Gastón O.
Published: October 2021

Background: Wild edible plants are species that are not cultivated but can be consumed as food. These plants may exhibit the highest taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity within urban floras, since they have a longer history of use associated with humans than non-edible plants. Also, because biodiversity is strongly associated with biomass, edible plants plant might show higher productivity (biomass per site) than non-edible plants.
Questions: Is taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of wild edible plants higher than non-edibles within urban areas? Is the alpha-biodiversity of wild edible plants positively related to biomass productivity in urban areas?
Study sites and years of study: Cities of the coastal Mediterranean-type ecosystem, central Chile, 2015 and 2016.
Methods: We characterized the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of urban flora differentiating wild edible and non-edible plants. Then, we assessed whether alpha-diversity of assemblages is related to their biomass productivity.
Results: Both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity were higher for edibles than non-edible plants. For edible plants, biomass was positively related to species richness and negatively with the mean phylogenetic diversity (MPD, a measure of evolutionary relationship among plants within an assemblage).
Conclusions: Species richness is a suitable proxy to estimate wild edible plant diversity and their biomass in cities surpassing other proxies, such as phylogenetic diversity. Negative effect of MPD on biomass suggests that only a subgroup of related plants, possibly highly adapted to urban conditions, contribute to edible plant production. The distinction between wild edible and non-edible plants offers a better understanding of the assembly rules and biodiversity-biomass relationship within urban floras.
PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT OF RADIONUCLIDES RELEASE OF INDIVIDUAL DOSE CODE PROGRAM FOR RADIATION MONITORING PURPOSES
Authors: Pane Jupiter Sitorus , Udiyani Pande Made , Setiawan Muhammad Budi , Widodo Surip , Susila I Putu
Published: October 2021

Environmental radiation monitoring is one of the important efforts in protecting society and the environment from radiation hazards, both natural and artificial. The presence of three nuclear research reactors and plans to build a nuclear power plant reactor prompted Indonesia to prepare a radiation monitoring system for safety and security (SPRKK). The goal of the study is to provide an appropriate method for developing radiation monitoring system to support the development of nuclear power plant in the near future.  For this preliminary study, the author developed a code program using Gaussian distribution model approach for predicting radionuclide release and individual dose acceptancy by human being within 16 wind directions sectors and up to 50 km distance. The model includes estimation of source term from the nuclear installation, release of radionuclides source into air following Gaussian diffusion model, some of the release deposit to the land and entering human being through inhalation, direct external exposure, and resuspension, and predicted its accepted individual dose. This model has been widely used in various code program such as SimPact and PC-Cosyma. For this study, the model will be validated using SimPact code program. The model has been successfully developed with less than 5% deviation.   Further study will be done by evaluating the model with real measuring data from research reactor installation and prepare for interfacing with real time radiation data acquisition and monitoring as part of radiation monitoring system during normal and accident condition.
Assessment of in-hand manipulation by occupational therapists in paediatric practices in South Africa
Authors: Kruger Annelize , Strauss Monique , Marieta M , Nel Mariette
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Assessment of in-hand manipulation is fundamental to guide treatment for children with fine motor delays. Limited literature is available on how South African occupational therapists assess in-hand manipulation. This study aimed to describe which current in-hand manipulation assessment methods are used and what the preferences of occupational therapists in all areas of paediatric practices are regarding a suitable instrument METHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional study design with a non-probability purposive sampling method was used. Participants completed an EvaSys survey system online questionnaire RESULTS: Two-hundred-and-ninety-two (n=292) occupational therapists registered with the HPCSA participated. Limited familiarity (n=50; 17.1 %) with the formal assessment instruments described in literature was reported. The informal assessment methods most commonly used were subjective observation of tasks (n=287; 98.3%) of scholastic tasks (n=261; 89.4%) and play tasks (n=255; 87.3%) for children between the ages of five to six years (n=273; 93.5%). Preferences supported a descriptive instrument accompanied by a user manual that is administered under 15 minutes, in multiple languages, and with attention to the quality of movements and compensatory techniques used by the child CONCLUSION: Results showed that the current and preferred assessment methods used by occupational therapists might provide guidance for the future development of a contextual, relevant in-hand manipulation instrument for paediatric practices in South Africa Keywords: in-hand manipulation; assessment methods; paediatric practice
Chert Gravel and Neogene Drainage in East-Central Kansas
Authors: Aber James S.
Published: October 2021

Eastern Kansas has an active geomorphic regime dominated by stream erosion, which is strongly influenced by bedrock structure. Alluvial deposits of chert gravel of presumed Neogene age are widespread and abundant on hill tops and high terraces throughout the region. Many of these gravels contain quartzite and other exotic pebbles derived from western sources. Geographic information system (GIS) techniques are used to document and analyze the spatial distribution of upland chert gravel deposits. On this basis, Neogene drainage routes may be recognized for the ancestral Arkansas, ancestral Verdigris, ancestral Neosho, and ancestral Marais des Cygnes. These drainages bore little resemblance in position or direction to the modern rivers. Stream captures, valley entrenchment, and wholesale inversion of topography led to the modern drainage systems. During entrenchment, streams have shifted systematically southward and eastward, possibly as a result of long-term and continuing crustal tilting (neotectonism) down toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Sedimentology and Ichnology of Paleozoic Estuarine and Shoreface Reservoirs, Morrow Sandstone, Lower Pennsylvanian of Southwest Kansas, USA
Authors: Buatois Luis A. , Mangano Gabriela M. , Carr Timothy R.
Published: October 2021

Integration of facies and trace-fossil evidence tests and refines depositional models constructed solely on the basis of physical sedimentology. In recent years, the petroleum industry has increasingly used trace-fossil analysis of cores as an aid in reservoir characterization. In particular, ichnologic data have been instrumental in the recognition of estuarine deposits and their distinction from open-marine facies (e.g., MacEachern and Pemberton, 1994). Previous ichnologic analyses of cores, however, have concentrated on post-Paleozoic reservoirs (e.g., Bockelie, 1991; Pemberton, 1992; Taylor and Gawthorpe, 1993; Howell et al., 1996; Martin and Pollard, 1996; MacEachern and Pemberton, 1997). The present study represents one of the first attempts to apply trace-fossil analysis to cores from Paleozoic reservoirs.

The Lower Pennsylvanian Morrow Sandstone contains oil and gas reservoirs in a wide variety of shallow and marginal-marine depositional environments. Delta-front, shoreface, and estuarine valley-fill reservoir sandstones are encased in offshore and estuarine mudstones (Sonnenberg, 1985; Krystinik and Blakeney, 1990; Sonnenberg et al., 1990; Wheeler et al., 1990). An integrated stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and ichnologic study provides a more accurate characterization of reservoir facies and geometry. This study allows distinction between marine-shoreface and estuarine valley-fill sandstones from four cores of the lower Morrow in southwestern Kansas. Core analysis subsequently was integrated with well-log information. Previous studies have emphasized the presence of estuarine valley-fills in the upper Morrow (Wheeler et al., 1990). Our integrated approach extends the estuarine valley interpretation into the lower Morrow. Within the midcontinent, trace fossils are useful in distinguishing different facies in estuarine incised valleys and marine shorefaces. Detailed study of biogenic structures provides high-resolution information to solve problems in facies, stratigraphic, and reservoir modeling. In some cases, they represent the only evidence available to develop a reasonable picture of depositional conditions and to estimate reservoir heterogeneity. The present study provides a detailed analysis of the sedimentary facies, documents the associated trace fossils, and illustrates how trace fossils are used to refine environmental interpretations of the lower Morrow sandstone reservoirs.
Inferring Stratigraphic Position of Fossil Vertebrates from the Niobrara Chalk of Western Kansas
Authors: Bennett Christopher S.
Published: October 2021

The stratigraphy of the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Chalk of western Kansas is well understood as a result of the work of Hattin (1982) and Stewart (1988). Marker units identified by Hattin (1982) allow quick determination of the stratigraphic position of a specific outcrop. This study demonstrates that it is now possible to determine the stratigraphic positions of specimens from locality data, thus permitting one to infer stratigraphic position of specimens collected long ago. This technique is particularly useful in the upper half of the Smoky Hill Chalk Member, where biostratigraphy is not informative. The stratigraphic distribution of the type skulls of the pterosaur Pteranodon is examined as an example of the procedure, which in turn demonstrates that the procedure can have the power to reject hypotheses. Inferring stratigraphic positions of fossil vertebrates may be useful in further studies of the large collections of fossil vertebrates from the Smoky Hill Chalk Member. In addition, examination of the stratigraphic distribution of outcrops of the Smoky Hill Chalk Member in western Kansas suggests that most of the fossil vertebrates collected from the member came from a rather restricted stratigraphic interval between Marker Units 15 and 20.
Paleoecology of the Permian (Wolfcampian) Phylloid Alga Calcipatera from an In Situ Occurrence in Kansas, U.S.A.
Authors: Sawin Robert S. , West Ronald R.
Published: October 2021

In situ occurrences of the calcareous marine phylloid alga Calcipatera cottonwoodensis in the Permian Cottonwood Limestone Member (Beattie Limestone) occur in Greenwood County, Kansas, in association with platy algal packstones, which are the phylloid algal facies most commonly described in the literature. The in situ algal facies occurs in the upper 0.45 m of an exposure where it is overlain and underlain by algal packstones composed of transported and broken fragments of Calcipatera cottonwoodensis.

Calcipatera cottonwoodensis colonized coarse carbonate sands or carbonate mud substrates. During growth, carbonate mud accumulated in the cup-shaped thalli, and death followed when the rate of sedimentation exceeded the rate of algal growth. The three lithologies--substrate, cup-filling, and smothering--are easily recognized on polished surfaces.

Other members of the Calcipatera cottonwoodensis benthic community are Shamovella, encrusting and boring algae, foraminiferids, fenestrate and ramose bryozoans, brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods, trilobites, ostracodes, and echinoids. This occurrence and biotic association compares well with those described by Toomey (1976) and Wahlman (1988, 2002) from the Permian (Wolfcampian) of West Texas.
Reconstructing Late Cenozoic Stream Gradients from High-Level Chert Gravels in Central Eastern Kansas
Authors: Harbaugh John W. , Merriam Daniel F. , Howard Hugh H.
Published: October 2021

Interpreting the evolution of Kansas' landscape east of the Flint Hills provides major challenges. In the Neogene (late Tertiary) and perhaps part of the Pleistocene, streams transported a variety of sedimentary materials, including chert gravels derived from the Flint Hills. Gentle intermittent uplift stimulated the stream system to cut down, locally removing and reworking the gravels to create stream-terrace deposits that consist mostly of chert pebbles, which now lie well above the floodplains of modern streams. By correlating the elevations of these gravels, the gradients of the trunk streams that deposited them can be reconstructed. Interestingly, these ancient streams flowed southeast at a little more than a foot per mile (0.2 m/km), roughly the same as the gradient of the trunk streams in the region today.

The evolving landscape in eastern Kansas also has been strongly influenced by an extensive network of fractures that is widespread in the midcontinent region and may be worldwide in extent. In northeastern Kansas, glaciation during the Pleistocene disrupted the southeasterly drainage and established the present location of the Kansas River. South of the Kansas River and its immediate tributaries, however, the general southeasterly drainage has been preserved.

We have made use of the wealth of topographic-elevation data now available in digital form known as DEMs or digital elevation models. Coupled with GIS procedures, the DEMs helped link the mapped distribution of chert gravels with hypothetical fitted surfaces that represent ancient stream gradients. Furthermore, DEM data placed in shaded-relief map form emphasize the influence of fractures in evolution of the drainage system.
Palynological Correlation of Atokan and Lower Desmoinesian (Pennsylvanian) Strata Between the Illinois Basin and the Forest City Basin in Eastern Kansas
Authors: Peppers Russel A. , Brady Lawrence L.
Published: October 2021

Palynological correlation is made between Atokan and lower Desmoinesian strata in the Illinois basin and the Forest City basin in eastern Kansas. Spore data from previous studies of coals in the Illinois basin and other coal basins are compared with data from spore assemblages in coal and carbonaceous shale bands in a core drilled in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Correlations are based on first and/or last occurrences of 31 species common to the Illinois basin and eastern Kansas and on significant increases or decreases in abundance of several of those taxa. The oldest coal, which is 26 ft (8 m) above the top of the Mississippian, is early Atokan (early Westphalian B) in age and is approximately equivalent to the Bell coal bed in the Illinois basin. The Riverton coal bed at the top of the studied interval in Kansas is early Desmoinesian (early Westphalian D) and correlates with about the Lewisport coal bed in the Illinois basin. Three coal beds near the base of the Pennsylvanian in three cores drilled in Cherokee County, Kansas, which were also studied, range in age from late Atokan to early Desmoinesian.

As in other coal basins, Lycospora, borne by lycopod trees, greatly dominates the lower and middle Atokan spore assemblages in coals and shale, but spores from ferns, especially tree ferns, significantly increase in abundance in the upper Atokan and lower Desmoinesian. The pattern of change of dominance among Lycospora pellucida, L. granulata, and L. micropapillata in middle Atokan (Westphalian B-C transition) that has been demonstrated earlier in the Illinois basin and eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, also occurs in eastern Kansas. At least 10 species of spores, which appeared in the middle Atokan in other parts of the equatorial coal belt, also appeared at this time in eastern Kansas. Most of these species have their affinities with the ferns, which were adapted to drier habitats than lycopods. Thus, the climate may have become a little drier in the equatorial coal belt during middle Atokan.
Preliminary Identification of Ground-Water Nitrate Sources Using Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes, Kansas
Authors: Townsend M. A. , Macko S. A.
Published: October 2021

Increasing nitrate-N in ground water is a problem in many areas with limited ground-water supplies, such as west-central Kansas. However, potential sources of nitrate-N are not known. Nitrate-N concentrations in ground water in the Hays study area in Ellis County, west-central Kansas, range from 0.9 to 26 mg/L. The δ15N signatures of the ground waters are more enriched (+16.8 to +28.7‰) than those of the soils (+8.4 to +13.7‰), strongly suggesting that nitrogen sources are not from mineralized and labile nitrogen present in the unsaturated zone. In this study, nitrate-N values greater than the U.S. EPA drinking water limit of 10 mg/L occur with δ15N values of greater than +10‰. This relationship between high nitrate-N concentrations and enriched δ15N values (greater than +10‰) in ground water has been observed in other studies in Kansas and is usually related to a human- and/or animal-waste source.

Soil cores collected near municipal wells had mean total nitrogen values of 1.2-15 mg/kg. Increased δ15N with depth in several of the cores suggests that microbial mineralization, denitrification, or volatilization processes caused the enriched δ15N signatures. Decreasing total nitrogen and nitrate-N values with depth also help support the idea of microbial processes.

Stable carbon isotopes provide supporting evidence that soils are not a major contributor to the observed nitrate-N concentration in the ground water. δ13C values of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils generally were more enriched (-11.6 to -18.8‰) while corresponding ground-water δ13C values were more depleted (-19.9 to -22.2‰), suggesting that the source of the DOC in ground water is not from the soils.
Clarification and Changes in Permian Stratigraphic Nomenclature in Kansas
Authors: Sawin Robert S. , Franseen Evan K. , West Ronald R. , Ludvigson Greg A. , Watney W. Lynn
Published: October 2021

This paper outlines Permian nomenclature changes to Zeller (1968) that have been adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey. The Permian System/Period, Cisuralian Series/Epoch, and Asselian Stage/Age are established at the base of the Bennett Shale Member of the Red Eagle Limestone. Series/epoch names Wolfcampian, Leonardian, and Guadalupian are retained and usage of Gearyan, Cimarronian, and Custerian is abandoned. The repositioned Carboniferous-Permian boundary divides the Council Grove Group into Carboniferous (Upper Pennsylvanian Series/Epoch; Virgilian Stage/Age) and Permian (Wolfcampian Series/Epoch) segments.
New Stratigraphic Rank for the Carboniferous, Mississippian, and Pennsylvanian in Kansas
Authors: Sawin Robert S. , Franseen Evan K. , Watney W. Lynn , West Ronald R. , Ludvigson Greg A.
Published: October 2021

A new classification for the Carboniferous System/Period is formally adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), and Zeller (1968) is modified accordingly. The Carboniferous is the system/period between the Devonian and Permian, and the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian are subsystems/subperiods of the Carboniferous. The Mississippian is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Mississippian Series and the Pennsylvanian is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Pennsylvanian Series. Regional stage names remain unchanged.
Quaternary Stratigraphy and Stratigraphic Nomenclature Revisions in Kansas
Authors: Layzell Anthony L. , Sawin Robert S. , Mandel Rolfe D. , Ludvigson Greg A. , Franseen Evan K. , West Ronald R. , Watney W. Lynn
Published: October 2021

This paper outlines Quaternary nomenclature changes to Zeller (1968) that have been adopted by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS). The KGS formally recognizes two series/epochs for the Quaternary: the Holocene and Pleistocene. Pleistocene stage/age names Kansan, Aftonian, Nebraskan, and Yarmouthian are abandoned and replaced with the broader term "pre-Illinoian." Formation names Bignell, Peoria, Gilman Canyon, and Loveland are maintained for loess units. Formation names for the following alluvial lithostratigraphic units are abandoned: Crete, Sappa, Grand Island, Fullerton, and Holdrege. The Severance Formation is adopted as a new lithostratigraphic unit for thick packages of late Pleistocene alluvium and colluvium in Kansas. The DeForest Formation is accepted as a valid lithostratigraphic unit for deposits of fine-grained Holocene alluvium in Kansas. Formation names Iowa Point, Nickerson, and Cedar Bluffs for glacial tills and Atchison and David City for glaciofluvial deposits are abandoned. The Afton and Yarmouth Soils are abandoned as pedostratigraphic units, whereas the Sangamon Geosol and Brady Geosol are maintained.
"And My Screen Wouldn't Share": Student-Teachers' Perceptions of ICT in Online Teaching Practice and Online Teaching
Authors: Fořtová Nicola , Sedláčková Jitka , Tůma František
Published: October 2021

The sudden switch to online teaching enforced by the covid-19 pandemic has impacted teacher education at universities, particularly micro-teachings and teaching practice, as technology has become an inherent part of these processes. The growing body of literature on online teaching and teacher education during lockdown conditions mainly addresses challenges in teacher education and educator perceptions. However, very few studies deal with the perceptions of student- teachers. To fill this gap, a group of teacher educators conducted a research study with 63 students enrolled in a master’s Degree in Teaching efl for Secondary Schools offered at Masaryk University, Czechia. To carry it out, qualitative coding procedures were employed on a dataset of 120 lesson reflections written by students completing their teaching practice via online courses which were ordinarily conducted in person. The purpose was to find out how student-teachers perceived technology use when teaching online. The main findings show that, despite constant comparison between the face-to-face and online classrooms and an initial reliance on the success of technology to determine a lesson’s success, the majority of student-teachers normalized technology as a platform for teaching, using technology-specific language for teaching strategies and classroom events. These findings suggest that online teaching and learning should be seen as an integral part of teacher education.
Las tutorías de escritura académica presenciales y virtuales: ¿qué podemos aprender sobre sus estrategias didácticas?
Authors: Núñez Cortés Juan Antonio , Errázuriz María Constanza , Neubauer Esteban Adrián , Parada Claudia
Published: October 2021

En el contexto hispánico, han surgido los centros de escritura y las tutorías, los cuales se han debido adaptar a la educación a distancia, por causa de la emergencia sanitaria de la covid-19. No obstante, aún hay pocas evidencias con respecto a cómo funcionan las tutorías en esa modalidad de educación. A partir de lo anterior, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar las estrategias didácticas que utilizaron dos tutoras pares durante las tutorías de escritura presenciales que ofrecieron antes de la pandemia y las virtuales, realizadas durante la pandemia, luego de un programa específico de formación. Para ello, mediante una investigación cuantitativa-cualitativa, se realizó un análisis de contenido, por medio del software maxqda, de las transcripciones de 16 tutorías (8 presenciales y 8 virtuales). Los resultados dan cuenta de una prevalencia general de estrategias cognitivas, sobre todo la pregunta, junto con instructivas, como la sugerencia y la explicación. No obstante, se perciben diferencias en los tipos de tutorías y se confirma una tendencia a centrarse más en el estudiante y en el proceso en las tutorías virtuales. Estos resultados sugieren que las tutorías virtuales son una alternativa útil en el acompañamiento del proceso de escritura a estudiantes universitarios.