bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyses of different propagation models for the estimation of the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere with an Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Gerzen Tatjana , Minkwitz David , Schmidt Michael , Erdogan Eren
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The accuracy and availability of satellite-based applications like GNSS positioning and remote sensing crucially depends on the knowledge of the ionospheric electron density distribution. The tomography of the ionosphere is one of the major tools to provide link specific ionospheric corrections as well as to study and monitor physical processes in the ionosphere and plasmasphere. In this work, we apply an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) approach for the 4D electron density reconstruction of the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere with the focus on the investigation of different propagation models and compare them with the iterative reconstruction technique SMART+. The STEC measurements of eleven LEO satellites are assimilated into the reconstructions. We conduct a case study on a global grid with altitudes between 430 and 20200 km, for two periods of the year 2015 covering quiet to perturbed ionospheric conditions. Particularly, the performance of the methods to estimate independent STEC and electron density measurements from the three Swarm satellites is analysed. The results indicate that the methods EnKF with Exponential decay as the propagation model and SMART+ perform best, providing in summary the lowest residuals.
Understanding tropical forest abiotic response to hurricanes using experimental manipulations, field observations, and satellite data
Authors: Van Beusekom Ashley E. , González Grizelle , Stankavich Sarah , Zimmerman Jess K. , Ramírez Alonso
Published: June 2020

Abstract. With projected increasing intensity of hurricanes and large
uncertainty in the path of forest recovery from hurricanes, studies are
needed to understand the fundamental response of forests to canopy opening
and debris deposition: the response of the abiotic factors underneath the
canopy. Through two manipulative experiments and instrumenting prior to
Hurricane Maria (2017) in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) of
Puerto Rico, this study found a long recovery time of primary abiotic
factors (beneath canopy light, throughfall, and temperature) influenced by
the disturbance of canopy opening, as well as complex responses by the secondary
abiotic factors (relative humidity, soil moisture, and leaf saturation)
influenced by the disturbance of the primary factors. Recovery took 4–5 years for beneath canopy light, while throughfall recovery took 4–9 years
and neither had recovered when Hurricane Maria passed 3 years after the
second experiment. Air and soil temperature seemingly recovered quickly from
each disturbance (<2.5 years in two experiments for ∼+1 ∘C of change); however, temperature was the most important
modulator of secondary factors, which followed the long-term patterns of the
throughfall. While the soil remained wetter and relative humidity in the air
stayed lower until recovery, leaves in the litter and canopy were wetter and
drier, with evidence that leaves dry out faster in low rainfall and saturate
faster in high rainfall after disturbance. Comparison of satellite and field
data before and after the 2017 hurricanes showed the utility of satellites
in expanding the data coverage, but the muted response of the satellite data
suggests they measure dense forest as well as thin forest that is not as
disturbed by hurricanes. Thus, quick recovery times recorded by satellites
should not be assumed representative of all the forest. Data records
spanning the multiple manipulative experiments followed by Hurricane
Maria in the LEF provide evidence that intermediate hurricane frequency
has the most extreme abiotic response (with evidence on almost all abiotic
factors tested) versus infrequent or frequent hurricanes.
Simulation Analysis of Local Land Atmosphere Coupling in Rainy Season over a Typical Underlying Surface in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Sun Genhou , Hu Zeyong , Ma Yaoming , Xie Zhipeng , Wang Jiemin , Yang Song
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The Local land atmosphere coupling (LoCo) focuses on the interactions between soil conditions, surface fluxes, planetary boundary layer (PBL) growth, and the formations of convective clouds and precipitations. Study of LoCo over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is of great significance for understanding TP's role in the Asian Water Tower. A series of real-case simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) with different combinations of land surface models (LSM) schemes and PBL schemes has been carried out to investigate the LoCo characteristics over a typical underlying surface in the central TP in rainy season. The LoCo characteristics in the study area are analyzed by applying a mixing diagram to the simulation results. The analysis indicates that the WRF simulations using the Noah with BouLac, MYNN, and YSU produce closer results to the observation in terms of curves of Cp*θ and Lv*q, surface fluxes (Hsfc and LEsfc), entrainment fluxes (Hent and LEent) at site BJ/Nagqu than those using the CLM with BouLac, MYNN, and YSU. The frequency distributions of Hsfc, LEsfc, Hent, and LEent in the study area confirm this result. The spatial distributions of simulated Hsfc, LEsfc, Hent, and LEent using WRF with Noah and BouLac suggest that the spatial distributions of Hsfc and LEsfc in the study area are consistent with that of soil moisture, but the spatial distributions of Hent and LEent are quite different from that of soil moisture. A close examination of the relationship between entrainment fluxes and cloud water content (QCloud) reveals that the grids with small Hent and large LEent tend to have high QCloud and Hsfc, suggesting that high Hsfc is conductive to convective cloud formation, which leads to small Hent and large LEent. Sensitivity analysis of LoCo to the soil moisture at site BJ/Nagqu indicates that on a sunny day, an increase in soil moisture leads to an increase in LEsfc but decreases in Hsfc, Hent, and LEent. The sensitivity of the relationship between simulated maximum daytime PBL height (PBLH) and mean daytime evapotranspiration (EF) in the study area to soil moisture indicates that the rate at which the maximum daytime PBLH decreases with the mean EF increase as the initial soil moisture goes up. The analysis of simulated Hsfc, LEsfc, Hent, and LEent under different soil moisture conditions reveals that the frequency of Hent ranging from 80 to 240 W/m2 and the frequency of LEent ranging from −240 to −90 W/m2 both increase as the initial soil moisture increases. Coupled with the changes in QCloud, the changes in Hent and LEent as the initial soil moisture increases indicate that the rise in soil moisture leads to an increase in the cloud amount but a decrease in QCloud.
The GRISLI-LSCE contribution to ISMIP6, Part 1: projections of the Greenland ice sheet evolution by the end of the 21st century
Authors: Quiquet Aurélien , Dumas Christophe
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Polar amplification will result in amplified temperature changes in the Arctic with respect to the rest of the globe making the Greenland ice sheet particularly vulnerable to global warming. While the ice sheet has been showing an increase mass loss in the past decades, its contribution to global sea level rise in the future is of primary importance since it is at present the largest single source contribution behind the thermosteric contribution. The question of the fate of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets for the next century has recently gathered various ice sheet models in a common framework within the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP6. While in a companion paper we present the GRISLI-LSCE contribution to ISMIP6-Antarctica, we present here the GRISLI-LSCE contribution to ISMIP6-Greenland. We show an important spread in the simulated Greenland ice loss in the future depending on the climate forcing used. The contribution of the ice sheet to global sea level rise in 2100 can be thus as low as 20 mmSLE to as high as 160 mmSLE. The CMIP6 models produce much larger ice sheet retreat than their CMIP5 counterparts. Low emission scenarios in the future drastically reduce the ice mass loss. The mass loss is mostly driven by atmospheric warming and associated ablation at the ice sheet margin while oceanic forcing contributes to about 10 mmSLE in 2100 in our simulations.
Greta Garbo and Clarence Brown: An Analysis of their Professional Relationship in the Context of Classical Hollywood Cinema
Authors: Guiralt Carmen
Published: June 2020

Este artículo consiste en un estudio de la relación profesional de Greta Garbo y Clarence Brown, su realizador más habitual en Hollywood, quien la guio en siete largometrajes —ningún otro cineasta la dirigió en más de dos— y al que la crítica y la historiografía han señalado invariablemente como su “director favorito”. Aunque a finales de los años veinte y durante la primera mitad de los años treinta el tándem Garbo-Brown se consideró el equipo más exitoso de actriz y realizador de la época, a día de hoy su asociación es prácticamente desconocida. ¿Fue Brown realmente su “director favorito”? ¿A qué se debió la reticencia de Garbo a repetir más de dos veces con un mismo cineasta? ¿Por qué permitió, en cambio, que Brown la guiará en siete films? ¿Cuál fue su éxito al dirigirla? ¿Era Garbo una actriz técnica o instintiva? ¿Fue una gran intérprete o simplemente un rostro magnífico dotado de una fotogenia excepcional? Para desvelar estos interrogantes, se han analizado de forma cronológica y en profundidad sus siete películas conjuntas, realizadas a lo largo de once años de colaboración, y se han consultado abundantes documentos del periodo y actuales, así como una entrevista inédita con el director.
'El cuerpo es el corazón del mundo'. Entrevista a David Le Breton
Authors: Apolonio Laura
Published: June 2020

David Le Breton es sociólogo y catedrático de antropología en la Universidad de Estrasburgo. Su investigación aborda el estatuto del cuerpo en la sociedad contemporánea desde múltiples aspectos. Profundamente involucrado en la reivindicación de nuestra condición corporal, Le Breton revaloriza el caminar como un acto de resistencia en tiempos de posthumanismo.

En otoño 2019 realicé una estancia de investigación en la Universidad de Estrasburgo tutelada por Le Breton que me permitió profundizar en su pensamiento y conocerle personalmente. Lo primero que me sorprendió fue su alta estatura que intensifica su aspecto idealista asemejándole al Homme qui marche de Giacometti. Sus ojos y su voz transmiten la profunda humanidad de quien ama escuchar.La entrevista se realizó con un juego diseñado adrede en el que cada ficha correspondía a una pregunta (Fig.1), una idea lúdica para añadir movimiento involucrando los gestos (el cuerpo), lo visual y algo de serendipia. Le Breton, gran aficionado al teatro, se prestó divertido al juego. Los temas de la entrevista, partiendo del caminar, nos llevaron a la corporalidad, el transhumanismo, la antropología, llamando a colación a numerosos filósofos, sociólogos y artistas, consiguiendo un documento de estimable valor para la investigación en arte y antropología.
Dispositivo de Emergência
Authors: Andrade Luana , Borre Luciana
Published: June 2020

Este é um registro de investigação em torno do processo criativo do Dispositivo de Emergência. Uma grande e confortável almofada vermelha no meio do caminho contém ideias que transgridem certas normas do convívio e cria novos roteiros no cotidiano, permitindo, mais do que representar a vida, refazê-la. Através de narrativa artográfica suscitamos histórias e imagens, destacando os tangenciamentos deste trabalho com a arte relacional e site-specific, compreendendo em seu caráter questionador a possibilidade de despertar acontecimentos pedagógicos.
The Examination of the Relationship between the Secondary School Students’ Habit of Reading and Their Reading Anxiety
Authors: Tonka Hilal , Bakır Sıddık
Published: June 2020

This study aims to investigate the relationship between reading habits and reading anxiety of secondary school students. In this research, the relational survey model of quantitative research methods was used. The research population consists of students who study at primary schools in the Palandöken district of Erzurum province in the 2019-2020 academic year. The research sample consists of students studying at a secondary school in Palandöken district, including 358 student participants. The research data was collected using two scales. According to the findings, while the gender variable made a significant difference in the reading habits of the students, it did not make a significant difference in reading anxiety. In terms of other sub-problems, the variables of grade, watching television, and going to the library differ significantly in terms of students’ reading habits and reading anxiety. While there was no significant difference in terms of the mother’s educational level variable, there was a significant difference in favor of the students whose father graduated from secondary education. In addition, it was found that there was a negative correlation between reading habits and reading anxiety of secondary school students, and that reading anxiety decreased when students’ reading habits increased.
Hero of the People: Reimagining the Trickster in North Korea
Authors: Shure Charles La
Published: June 2020

The trickster is a liminal figure who subverts and undermines existing power structures. But what happens when the trickster is appropriated by a totalitarian regime? Four North Korean collections of tales featuring Kim Sŏndal, a famous trickster from feudal Korea, show how he can be repurposed as a means of ideological education and institutional control.
Associação da dieta de cafeteria com amido resistente na modulação do perfil glicêmico em ratos Wistar
Authors: Oliveira Tamires Aline , Alves Rafaelde Paula , Silva Thaiany Goulart de Souza e , Paula Hudsara Aparecida de Almeida
Published: June 2020

A dieta hipercalórica é considerada fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, sendo notado que os hábitos ocidentais possuem uma grande influência no desenvolvimento dessas enfermidades. A biomassa e a farinha de banana verde são alimentos que contém amido resistente; este constitui um tipo de carboidrato não digerível categorizado como prebiótico, com papel de regulação da glicemia. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito modulador dos alimentos supracitados em ratos Wistar alimentados com dieta de cafeteria. Foi possível observar uma grande diferença na composição centesimal e de amido resistente entre os dois prebióticos, sendo explicada pelo método de fabricação de cada um. Os grupos de intervenção contendo amido resistente proveniente da biomassa/farinha de banana verde demonstraram, no geral, um melhor perfil glicêmico, menor peso corporal e menor gordura corporal. O consumo alimentar com composição similar à dieta de cafeteria corriqueiramente pode levar a danos cardiometabólicos a longo prazo, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas. Observou-se também que as matrizes alimentares que contém amido resistente auxiliam no controle do ganho de peso corporal, prevenindo o acúmulo de tecido adiposo e intervindo no manejo dos níveis glicêmicos. Em suma, destaca-se que a implementação dos produtos da banana verde na alimentação pode ser de grande valia, considerando os efeitos positivos de seus componentes bioativos, ação prebiótica e a relação custo benefício desta matriz alimentar; porém, mais estudos científicos são necessários para confirmar as demais hipóteses que surgem com o tema.
Antimicrobial activity of oregan and clove essential oils against some foodborne pathogens
Authors: Debiagi Flavia , Kobayashi Renata K.T. , Nakazato Gerson , Panagio Luciano Aparecido , Mali Suzana
Published: June 2020

The tendency to replace synthetic antimicrobials for natural ones in food industry and an increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics resulted in a necessity to find new alternatives, and essential oils are emerging as promising substitutes for synthetic chemicals in food preservation. The objective of this work was to test the antimicrobial activity of oregano (OEO) and clove (CEO) essential oils over a range of bacteria, molds and yeast of importance as pathogens or food spoilage. The antimicrobial activity of oregano and clove essential oils were analyzed by disk diffusion method and broth microdilution test (MIC) of OEO and CEO were determined for each tested microorganism. OEO and CEO were evaluated in natura (IN) and after thermal processing (TP) at 120 o C for 5 min. Both OEO and CEO presented the same inhibition zones for IN and TP samples, for all tested microorganisms, indicating that these oils can be thermally processed maintaining their antimicrobial activity. For OEO and CEO, the more sensitive microorganisms were the fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum and Candida albicans), followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); the lowest antimicrobial activities were observed against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis. In general, OEO resulted in higher inhibition zones and lower MIC values for all tested microorganisms, suggesting that it was more effective as an antimicrobial agent than CEO
Ocorrência de sinistros em veículos no sul de Minas Gerais: uma abordagem via modelos de classificação
Authors: Pala Luiz Otávio de Oliveira , Carvalho Marcela de Marillac , Guimarães Paulo Henrique Sales , Sáfadi Thelma
Published: June 2020

Com as mudanças nos padrões de risco, novos produtos de seguros são disponibilizados no mercado, atendendo as demandas do consumidor. Consequentemente, os modelos de precificação são reestruturados de modo a gerenciar os níveis de risco e estabelecer prêmios que mantenham o bem estar atuarial, alocando apólices em carteiras através de modelos de classificação e clusterização. Este trabalho analisou o desempenho dos modelos logístico e Random forests na classificação de ocorrências de sinistros do tipo colisão por perda total no sul de Minas Gerais utilizando amostras de treino originais e artificiais via método de reamostragem ROSE. Considera-se a perda total de um veículo quando os custos de reparos do sinistro de um mesmo evento superarem um percentual estabelecido contratualmente. Como resultado, obteve-se que os modelos com amostra artificial apresentaram resultados de acurácia superiores aos demais, indicando a melhoria nas taxas de acurácia através de métodos de reamostragem durante o treino.
Avaliação das deflexões da via férrea utilizando o método dos elementos finitos
Authors: Miecoanski Jean Felipe , Vicentini Daniane Franciesca
Published: June 2020

O transporte ferroviário está ligado à eficiência da infraestrutura de transportes. A sua importância ficou evidenciada com as crescentes dificuldades apresentadas pelo transporte rodoviário nacional. Por isso, tem-se buscado o alívio dos gargalos logísticos, e as propostas que visam melhorias no modal ferroviário têm ganhado cada vez mais atenção como alternativa. Nesse sentido, o conhecimento do comportamento mecânico da via é fundamental, tanto para a manutenção, quanto para o projeto de novas ferrovias. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o comportamento mecânico da via férrea, através de uma modelagem com o emprego do método dos elementos finitos. Para tanto, foi elaborado um modelo tridimensional do trilho, e os demais componentes da via férrea foram simulados pela consideração de molas com coeficientes de rigidez constantes, conforme o conceito do coeficiente de rigidez de apoio. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com dados da literatura e formulações analíticas, a partir do método de Talbot. Como resultado, foram encontradas bacias de deflexão similares entre os modelos comparados, as suas divergências ocorreram em função das diferentes considerações dos modelos.
Topic Subject Creation Using Unsupervised Learning for Topic Modeling
Authors: Mehdiyev Rashid , Nava Jean , Sodhi Karan , Acharya Saurav , Rana Annie Ibrahim
Published: June 2020

We address the problem of topic mining and labelling in the domain of retail customer communications to summarize the subject of customers inquiries. The performance of two popular topic mining algorithms - Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) – were compared, and a novel method to assign topic subject labels to the customer inquiries in an automated way was proposed. Experiments using a retailer’s call center data verify the efficacy and efficiency of the proposed topic labelling algorithm. Furthermore, the evaluation of results from both the algorithms seems to indicate the preference of using Non-Negative Matrix Factorization applied to short text data.
Inventories Accounting under US-GAAP and IFRS Standards: The Differences That Hinder the Full Convergence
Authors: Lucchese Manuela , Carlo Ferdinando Di
Published: June 2020

This study purposes of understanding the existing differences between US-GAAP and IFRS accounting treatments of inventory. Given the 2015 FASB update, aimed at simplifying and aligning inventory accounting with IFRS standards, the research explores the introduced innovations. More specifically, the study, starting from a literature review and standards analysis, designs a theoretical framework aimed at facilitating the understanding of the differences still existing between the two accounting principles. Different from the prior works, we focus on the complex determination of the net realizable value in the case of input (e.g., raw materials) write-down. In particular, we show how the net realizable value (NRV) changes according to the value taken as a reference. The results of this analysis suggest that, based on a prudential valuation logic, the replacement cost is the best estimate for NRV.
Customer Perception towards Electronic Banking and its Relationship with Customer Satisfaction: An Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Thi Phuong Nguyen Linh , Vo Chi Tran Hieu
Published: June 2020

Electronic Banking (e-Banking) is a popular banking service all over the world nowadays because of its convenience and great benefits for both banks and customers. However, although e-Banking has been implemented in Vietnam for a long time, the awareness and usage of customers toward this banking service are still very low in reality. This study aims to provide an insight into customer perception of e-Banking and to figure out which areas of customer perception influence customer satisfaction of e-banking in Vietnam. A structured questionnaire was distributed to three hundred and fifty banking customers in Vietnam. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive, Pearson’s correlation, t-test, and ANOVA with Tukey analysis. The results illustrated customer perception of e-banking in Vietnam in different areas such as convenience, speed, security, procedure, ease of use, service costs, reliability, and quality of service. There were significant differences in customers’ perception of electronic banking among ages, occupations, income levels, and frequency of using groups in Vietnam. However, variables such as gender, marital status, and education levels had no significant influence on the perceptions of electronic banking. The study also found that except service costs, other factors such as convenience, speed, security, ease of use, reliability, quality of service, and procedure are positively related to customer satisfaction of electronic banking in Vietnam. Thus, it implies that bank managers should focus on these areas to raise customer perception and customer satisfaction of electronic banking.
Peak Temperature Correlation and Temperature Distribution during Joining of AZ80A Mg Alloy by FSW – A Numerical and Experimental Investigation
Authors: Sevvel p , Dhanesh Babu S.D. , Senthil Kumar R.
Published: June 2020

A quadratic equation has been developed based on experimental measurements to estimate the peak temperature in the friction stir welding (FSW) process during the joining of AZ80A Mg alloys. The numerical simulation of the FSW process was performed by employing COMSOL software to predict and calculate the distribution of temperature on the various regions of the parent metal and the welded joints. The predicted and finite element analysis (FEA) simulating the results of the distribution of peak temperatures were found to be consistent with the experimental values. In addition to this, a parametric experimental investigation was conducted to identify the most influential process parameter that plays a significant role in the peak temperature distribution during FSW of AZ80A Mg alloy. Linear contributions by the input process parameters of FSW, namely, traversing speed, rotating tool speed and axial force on the peak temperature were observed to be 32.82 %, 41.65 % and 21.76 %, respectively.
LE CONTENTIEUX DE CANDIDATURE À L’ÉLECTION DE GOUVERNEUR DE PROVINCE EN RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO. LE DOUBLE FONDEMENT DE LA COMPÉTENCE D'APPEL DU CONSEIL D’ÉTAT
Authors: Kahunga Mapela Jean Jacques
Published: June 2020

La polémique née lors du traitement juridictionnel du contentieux de candidature des gouverneurs de provinces a été suscitée par l’exercice par certains candidats de leur droit constitutionnel de recours. Une certaine opinion a considéré que l’exercice de ce droit n’était pas fondé et que le Conseil d’Etat s’était arrogé des compétences qu’il n’avait pas étant donné qu’aux termes de l’article 27, alinéa 4 de la loi électorale, il est établi que le dispositif de l’arrêt ou du jugement qui est notifié aux parties concernées ainsi qu’à la Commission électorale n’est susceptible d’aucun recours. Cette réflexion a montré que la polémique n’avait pas lieu d’être. Car, au-delà du fondement constitutionnel et légal évoqué par le Conseil d’Etat pour se reconnaitre cette compétence d’appel en la matière, les droits humains et l’Etat de droit sous-tendent également sa compétence d’appel. Ce qui signifie qu’en vertu du principe de la conformité à la Constitution de tous les actes infra constitutionnels, la loi électorale n’est pas fondée à déroger au droit de recours ainsi constitutionnalisé. Il s’en suit que la disposition de la loi électorale qui y déroge nécessite une réécriture pour éviter la cacophonie à laquelle ce contentieux a donné lieu.
L’INSPECTORAT GENERAL DES SERVICES JUDICIAIRES : UN SERVICE EN MARGE DE LA CONSTITUTION CONGOLAISE DU 18 FEVRIER 2006 ?
Authors: Shamashanga Minga Clément
Published: June 2020

Cette étude analyse l’Inspectorat général des services judiciaires institué sous la deuxième République par l’ordonnance du 23 juin 1987 dans un contexte marqué par la négation de la séparation des pouvoirs. L’existence de l’Inspectorat général des services judiciaires est vue par une certaine opinion comme portant atteinte aux principes de la séparation des pouvoirs et de l’indépendance du pouvoir judiciaire ainsi que du juge consacrés par la Constitution du 18 février 2006. L’étude démontre, cependant, que la consécration des principes de la séparation des pouvoirs et de l’indépendance du pouvoir judiciaire ne fait pas obstacle à l’existence d’un service public ayant la mission de contrôler le fonctionnement des institutions judiciaires et de s’assurer de la bonne administration de la justice par les cours et tribunaux ainsi que par les parquets. Cependant, certaines compétences reconnues à l’inspectorat général des services judiciaires par l’ordonnance précitée sont contraires à la Constitution en ce qu’elles permettent aux membres de l’inspectorat général des services judiciaires de porter une appréciation sur l’œuvre du juge. Il en est ainsi de la compétence reconnue aux membres de l’inspectorat général de s’assurer, au cours de leur mission, de la bonne administration de la justice et de l’expédition normale des affaires notamment par l’examen des dossiers, des registres et des copies des jugements. Cette étude propose la réforme de l’inspectorat général des services judiciaires afin de rendre sa mission conforme à la Constitution et à la nouvelle législation régissant le secteur de la justice. Dans ce cadre, la première reforme consiste à donner un fondement légal à l’ordonnance instituant l’inspectorat général des services judiciaires car ce texte n’a pas une base légale aujourd’hui. La deuxième reforme concerne le cadre opérationnel et structurel de l’inspectorat général des services judiciaires. La troisième reforme concerne la mise à la disposition de ce service des moyens humains, matériels et financiers conséquents afin de lui permettre de jouer un rôle efficace pour la bonne administration de la justice en République Démocratique du Congo.
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE FORMATION JUDICIAIRE : ENJEUX ET DEFIS POUR LE RENFORCEMENT DE L’EFFICACITE DE L’APPAREIL JUDICAIRE EN REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
Authors: Chubaka Kahiro Chrispin
Published: June 2020

Cet article est focalisé sur la place de l’Institut national de formation judiciaire dans l’administration de la justice en RDC. Il s’intéresse à la contribution de l’Institut pour le renforcement de l’efficacité de l’appareil judiciaire en tenant compte de son organisation, sa composition et ses missions tel que prévu par les instruments juridiques pertinents. L’article s’intéresse également aux institutions qui concourent à rendre possible l’accomplissement des missions de l’Instituts. Il s’agit ici de la collaboration entre l’Institut et le Ministère de la justice qui assure sa tutelle administration d’une part, et du conseil supérieur de la magistrature d’autre part. L’Institut se veut être une des solutions idoine pour remédier aux maux dont souffre l’appareil judiciaire en RDC. Il organise la formation initiale et continue des magistrats; des greffiers et secrétaires de parquet, des futurs agents des services pénitentiaires et autres agents du ministère de la Justice et Droits humains en vue du bon fonctionnement de la justice par le renforcement des capacités de ses ressources humaines.
LA PROMOTION DE L’ENTREPRENEURIAT FEMININ PAR LE MICROCREDIT EN REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
Authors: Bibi Ekomene Genèse
Published: June 2020

Cette étude fait une analyse autour des questions basées sur la contribution des microcrédits dans l’autonomisation de la femme, les difficultés que celles-ci rencontrent pendant l’exercice de leurs activités et si l’hypothèse d’accès au microcrédit par les femmes peut promouvoir leur entrepreneuriat. L’auteure fait d’abord un état de lieux de l’entrepreneuriat féminin en RDC qui pour sa part les activités des femmes demeurent encore et surtout dans l’informel, ensuite examine l’état de la protection juridique de ces activités et les avantages d’accès au crédit et ses limites et enfin met en exergue les défis auxquels ces femmes sont confrontées et propose quelques pistes de solutions en vue d’une promotion effective de l’entrepreneuriat féminin et l’autonomisation de la femme en RDC.
Beneficial Effects of Intrathecal Injection of Methylprednisolone Against Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Wang Cong , Guan Zhengmao , Ma Hui
Published: June 2020

Background: High dose intravenous (i.t.) injection of methylprednisolone (MPSS) for spinal cord injury (SCI) is clinically controversial. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether i.t. MPSS would have a beneficial effect on SCI and whether or not it is a safe operation for SCI patients. Methods: An animal experiment was conducted to explore the safety and feasibility of i.t. Administration of MPSS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) sham group, i.t. injection of normal saline (NS) (n = 25); (2) control group, SCI surgery (created using the Infinite Horizon IH-400 impactor) with i.t. injection of NS (n = 25); (3) i.t. MPSS1 group, SCI with i.t. injection of MPSS by a pulse therapy (n = 25); (4) i.t. MPSS2 group, SCI with i.t. injection of MPSS intermittently (n = 25). Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and inflammatory cytokines in serum were measured at 6h, 24h, 48h, 7d, and 14d after surgery with commercial assay kits. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) level was observed at 14 days after surgery by immunohistochemistry. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were monitored and recorded separately before surgery and 1, 7, and 14 days after surgery. Also, locomotor function was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. Results: The results showed that the levels of MDA and SOD, and three inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced in i.t. MPSS groups than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). The expression of GFAP was inhibited after i.t. MPSS treatment. The amplitude was reduced, and the latency period of SEP and MEP recovery was prolonged (all P < 0.05) after MPSS administration. In addition, the recovery of limb function (BBB score) was significantly ameliorated (P < 0.05) in SCI rats treated with MPSS compared with the control group. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that i.t. MPSS was a potential strategy for reducing the secondary damage after SCI, especially the MPSS pulse therapy.
Degradation of Diclofenac in Water Using the O3/UV/S2O8 Advanced Oxidation Process
Authors: Jabbari Fatemeh , Eslami Akbar , Mahmoudian Jahanbakhsh
Published: June 2020

: Diclofenac (DCF) is among the compounds that are highly resistant to biological degradation processes and have low removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants. In the current study, DCF removal was examined by using the O3/UV/S2O8 process. All experiments were carried out in a 2-liter lab-scale semi-continuous reactor. DCF concentration was measured by HPLC analytical method. The study began with the optimization of pH, and the effects of other operating parameters, including pH, ozone concentrations, drug, persulfate, and natural organic matter (Humic acid) on the degradation were investigated. The mineralization of diclofenac was also investigated. The results showed the removal efficiency of 89% and a persulfate concentration of 200 mg/L, pH = 6, DCF = 8 mg/L, and reaction periods 30 min in the O3/UV/S2O8 process. Humic acid was selected as a scavenging compound, which decreased the removal DCF rate from 89% to 76%. So, sulfate radical-based technologies show promising results for the removal of these particular pharmaceuticals from the wastewater treatment plant.
Characteristics of Neisseria Species Colonized in the Human’s Nasopharynx
Authors: Mehrabi Tavana Ali , Ataee Ramezan Ali , Jonaidi Nematollah , Sorouri Rahim
Published: June 2020

Context: Neisseria meningitidis is the causative agent of a life-threatening infection with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The most common types of this bacterium are serogroups A, B, C, W135, X, and Y. Although in some countries, such as Iran, the meningococcal meningitis has been well monitored and controlled by the use of divalent and quadrivalent vaccines, other fatal infections caused by these bacteria are still an important threat. For the above reason, this review focused on the differences of Neisseria characteristics, particularly in capsular composition, pathogenic and commensal stages to a better understanding of how to manage Neisseria infections. Evidence Acquisition: In this review, PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language publications on pathogenic or commensal strains of Neisseria, meningococcal disease, Neisseria biology, genetic diversity, molecular typing, serogroups, diagnostic, and epidemiology around the world up to July 2019. All articles and academic reports in the defined area of this research were considered too. The data were extracted and descriptively discussed. Results: We included 85 studies in the survey. The data analysis revealed that the distribution of meningococcal serogroups was different regionally. For example, the serogroups C and W-135 accounted for Africa and Latin America regions, serogroup B in the European countries, and rarely in the Western Pacific, and serogroups A and C were dominant in Asian countries. Although data set for laboratory-based diagnosis of N. meningitidis are available for all countries, only 30% of the countries rely on reference laboratories for serogroup determination, and more than half of the countries lack the ability of surveillance system. Nevertheless, molecular detection procedure is also available for all countries. The use of the meningococcal vaccine is a variable country by country, but most countries have applied the meningococcal vaccine, either divalent or quadrivalent, for the protection of high-risk groups. Conclusions: Owing to the geographical distribution of N. meningitidis serogroups in circulating, each country has to monitor for changes in serogroups diversity and its control management. Furthermore, laboratories should scale up the epidemiology and disease burden. It should be mentioned that quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines reduce the meningococcal disease burden sharply.
Inovačné aktivity a ich význam v miestnej samospráve
Authors: Cifranič Michal , Valach Maroš
Published: June 2020

Innovations are also an integral part of local self-government. If the self-government wants to keep up with growing claims of the citizens, or with very quick modernization of competition, it has to outlay the necessary effort to modernize itself and its offered services. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyse the innovative activities of the city of Košice and its quarter Košice - Staré Mesto with a focus on evaluating the innovation environment, identifying implemented innovations, evaluating the financing of innovations as well as the institutional context of their creation. Both primary and secondary data were used to identify and evaluate innovation activities. In order to obtain empirical data was used the interviewing method supported by the structured interview. The municipality perceives the need for innovations in order to increase the efficiency of ongoing processes within its organizational structures, which will enable citizens to provide better services. It also considers it necessary to increase the share of funding to support introducing innovations. So far, most resources have been focused on process and organizational innovations, many of which have been created by the Office's employees, which can be considered as original.
How has time progressed with the EU Regional Competitiveness Index? Continued number 2. What change did the last edition of RCI 2019 bring?
Authors: Melecký Lukáš
Published: June 2020

Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI) has been measuring the significant factors of competitiveness over the past ten years for all the NUTS 2 level regions across the European Union (EU). RCI measures with more than 70 comparable indicators the ability of a region to offer an attractive and sustainable environment for firms and residents to live and work. RCI results are standardly illustrated with interactive maps and a range of interactive web tools, which is attractive as well as for the public. The scorecards make it easy to compare any region with the EU and regions with a similar level of GDP per head. Users can easily see where their region stands on aspects such as governance, infrastructure, including the digital networks, health, human capital and labour market and innovation. RCI results confirm a polycentric pattern with a strong performance of most capitals and regions with large cities, that benefit from agglomeration effects, better connectivity and high levels of human capital. Other regions in the same country in some cases, score much worse. The north-west and south-east divide across the EU is still clear and visible. The paper aims at comprehensive analysis of RCI approach is performed by the systematic review across the editions. Results show that comparing RCI over time is complicated because all editions incorporate slight modifications. The authors of RCI try to keep changes to a minimum so as not to affect its overall structure and to maintain a high degree of comparability across the editions. However, despite all its shortcomings, RCI proved to be a robust way to summarise many different indicators into one index.
New coronavirus disease – data from the regions of the Czech Republic
Authors: Rozmarinová Jana
Published: June 2020

A new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread across the world from Wuhan (China) in the first quarter of 2020. The goal of our research in this paper is to map the extension of coronavirus cases across the regions of the Czech Republic and to describe the trends in dissemination within the regions. The results of a descriptive analysis of cases in the regions of the Czech Republic are reported. The survey was based on the reports by the Regional Hygiene Station of the Czech Republic The number of days to reach 100 cases in the regions, the average age of patients in the region and the median age of the population in individual regions were calculated. The number of days to reach 100 cases in a region shows in the speed of the spread of the virus in the region. The regions with the most aggressive beginning of the infection are not those currently reporting the highest numbers of infection. Concerning the division of cases into individual regions, the Prague region is the leader in absolute numbers. The Karlovarský region, together with Prague, is the most affected if taking into account the size of the population.
The New Rules of Capital Adequacy Basel III from the Perspective of Leasing Companies in Europe and Czech Republic
Authors: Svítil Martin
Published: June 2020

Some significant changes to the Basel III regulatory framework (called Basel IV) will come into effect during the 2022 to 2027 period. In its first part, this article shows the opinion of the European Federation of Leasing Company Associations Leaseurope on Basel IV. In its second part, this paper evaluates the situation of the largest leasing companies on the Czech market using methods of financial analysis.The results of several studies published by Leaseurope clearly show that the risk associated with the provision of liabilities through leasing is significantly lower than the risk calculated by the capital adequacy calculation for Basel rules. For this reason, the Leaseurope federation prepared concrete proposals for changes in the rules so that the regulation better corresponds to the actual risks taken.The second part of the article analyzes the situation of leasing companies in the Czech Republic in terms of capital, capital adequacy and compliance with Basel rules. It shows the state of the capital adequacy of the largest leasing companies operating on the Czech market using simplified indicators of the ratio of Equity / Balance sheet total and Equity / Receivables. As a complementary indicator, the ratio of Share capital / Balance sheet total is also used. Furthermore, a simplified stress test based on 5% and 10% decline in net receivables and coverage of this decline from equity, respectively, was performed.The results show that leasing companies operating on the Czech market would probably have no problem meeting the considered tightening of capital requirements. Several exceptions are mentioned in the text.
Why Did the Machine Work?
Authors: Oyelakin Richard Taye ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2020

Computational functionalism assumes a synonymy between abstract functional processes in the central processing unit of a typical digital computer and the human brain, hence the conclusion that an appropriately programmed computer is a mind. Arguably, the point is that neural firings are synonymous with the transfer of electrical currents. Both are accountable and susceptible to a physicalist’s explanation. But, the reason they both worked is ultimately premised upon a causal relationship with nature. However, to understand why nature works raises some problems. Nature is either a self-propelled machine or is propelled by another force. The paper submits that, much as the discourse implies some form of “theism,” the only consistent construal is functional-theism. This, again, raises further problems.
Mapeamento do Uso da Terra e Identificação de Conflitos Legais em Áreas de Preservação Permanente Utilizando SIG
Authors: Cruz Rodrigo da , Lanzanova Mastrângello Enivar , Bisognin Ramiro Pereira
Published: June 2020

A Lei Federal nº. 12.651/2012 define APPs como áreas protegidas, cobertas ou não por vegetação nativa, com a finalidade de preservar os recursos hídricos, a biodiversidade, proteger o solo e assegurar o bem-estar das populações humanas, podendo ser urbanas ou rurais. Portanto, o conhecimento das áreas destinadas a preservação ambiental é fundamental para orientar a utilização racional do território. Por esse motivo, no presente estudo se objetivou identificar e mapear a ocorrência de conflitos no uso da terra em APPs de recursos hídricos urbanos no município de Giruá/RS. Para tanto, foram utilizadas imagens de satélite processadas no software ArcGIS® 10.6. A delimitação das APPs foi realizada conforme art. 4º da Lei Federal nº. 12.651/2012. A cobertura da terra foi classificada em a) áreas urbanizadas; b) áreas antrópicas agrícolas; c) nascentes e cursos d’água; d) APPs e; e) áreas de vegetação natural. Como resultado identificou-se 8,55 km² de zona urbana, ocupada em 59,25% por áreas urbanizadas, 27,5% por áreas antrópicas agrícolas, 12,34% por vegetação natural. As APPs ocupam 4,36 % do território urbano. Verificou-se que 29,93% das APPs possuem uso conflitivo. Em razão disso indica-se a recuperação das áreas que estão em desacordo com a legislação ambiental.
A proteção de áreas naturais no contexto do planejamento territorial municipal: estudos de caso na Zona Costeira do Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Lima Elizete Aparecida Checon de Freitas , Ranieri Victor Eduardo Lima
Published: June 2020

Os municípios que abrigam unidades de conservação em seu território apresentam um papel decisivo para a proteção dessas áreas. Por meio de instrumentos de ordenamento territorial, como o plano diretor e o zoneamento ambiental, o município pode definir uma ocupação antrópica mais adequada à conservação ambiental no entorno das áreas protegidas, presentes em seu território. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo investigar o potencial dos instrumentos de planejamento territorial, principalmente o plano diretor na proteção das áreas naturais, em especial, as unidades de conservação. O projeto foi desenvolvido em municípios integrantes da Zona Costeira do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os planos diretores apresentaram situações diversificadas quanto à maneira como abordaram a questão da presença e da proteção da unidade de conservação no território do município. A metade dos planos diretores analisados apresentou características que foram associadas com a proteção das UCs, reafirmando o potencial desse instrumento de planejamento territorial na proteção das áreas naturais existentes no município.
Physical-chemical and microbiological analysis of water of irrigation and microbiological analysis of lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Authors: Bierhas Camila Corrêa , Machado Aline Belem , Picoli Simone Ulrich , Osorio Daniela Montanari Migliavacca , Berlese Daiane Bolzan
Published: June 2020

The contamination of vegetables by pathogenic microorganisms is directly related to the water quality used in their irrigation. Lettuce is the main vegetable consumed in Brazil and because it does not undergo any processing before its consumption, it is directly affected by the quality of the water used for irrigation. This study analyzed the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of water used in lettuce irrigation and possible microbiological contamination of lettuce. In relation to microbiological analyzes, high values were found for heterotrophic bacteria and total coliforms in weirs and vegetables. For fecal coliforms, in almost all water samples, the value found was above that established by the legislation. In lettuce, this occurred in three samples. No strong correlation was found between water and lettuce contamination. In relation to the physicochemical parameters analyzed, only the value of the turbidity in one of the weirs was above the threshold established by the legislation.