bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balanced Scorecard for evaluating the performance of supply chains: a bibliometric study
Authors: De Sousa Thales Botelho , Melo Isotília Costa , Oliveira Pedro Henrique de , Lourenço Caio Marcelo , Guerrini Fábio Müller , Esposto Kleber Francisco
Published: July 2020

As supply chain management involves several criteria, its performance evaluation is a challenge for industrial managers. Researchers have proposed several approaches for such evaluations, among them, Balanced Scorecard (BSC) highlights. Academic papers on BSC applications for evaluating supply chain performance has an expressively increased in recent years. Considering that examining published papers on a topic is a way of monitoring the emergence of a new field, this study aims to explore, through bibliometry, papers published in indexed journals (SCOPUS and Web of Science databases). This paper weaves an overview of academic production and study trends on BSC for performance evaluation of supply chains. Findings help researchers and managers to understand the state of the art, to identify gaps and to identify future trends. The results also showed the maturation of studies over the years. The predominance of publications in journals with impact factor (Thomson Reuters) also has been noticed. The development of the theme in emerging countries can be useful for increasing the competitiveness of their companies. In summary, this study is helpful for influencing future studies and publications of researchers interested in performance evaluation of supply chains based on BSC and may orient new researchers so that they directly know which journals to consult and which technical procedures to explore.
Evaluation of Compacted Laterite Soil Admixed with Cement and Hair Fibres as Road Construction Material
Authors: OLUREMI Johnson Rotimi , Adedokun Solomon Idowu , Yohanna Paul , Fadiran David A. , Azeez Idris O.
Published: July 2020

A natural lateritic soil classified as A-5 (4) based on American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) soil classification system and ML-CL according to Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), was admixed with ordinary Portland cement and synthetic hair fibres (SHF) was evaluated as road construction material. Soil test specimens were made by admixing lateritic soil with up to 4% cement  in 1 % step concentration and up to 12% SHF in step concentration of 2 % by dry weight of the soil and were subjected to British Standard Light (BSL) or Standard Proctor method of compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests. Results indicated a decrease in the values of optimum moisture content (OMC) while no general trend was established for maximum dry density (MDD). The values of UCS and CBR increased as the content of both cement and SHF increased. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the results shows some level of statistical significance on some geotechnical properties considered. Regression analysis on the results using Minitab R15 software shows that MDD, OMC, cement and SHF significantly influenced the UCS and CBR values of the stabilized soil with correlation coefficient value (R2) of 82.9 and 83.3% respectively. Based on the results, an optimal blend of 3% cement 9% SHF significantly improved  the soil properties and is recommended  for improving the geotechnical properties of cement/synthetic hair fibre treated lateritic soil as road construction material.
Study on permafrost thermal stability and disturbance of the Mohe-Daqing oil pipe and its accompanying road of China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline
Authors: DING LIN , YANG YANG , LIU PING HAI
Published: July 2020

The Mohe–Daqing oil pipeline (MDOP) of China–Russia crude oil pipeline (CRCOP) goes through a 441 km permafrost in high-latitude regions, the most critical problem of which is the thawing settlement of the oil pipe. Global warming effect, oil temperature, and construction technology causes the increase of ground temperature and accelerates the degradation of permafrost. The influence of geohazards on the existing CRCOP and its accompanying road was investigated in this study, which showed that the current engineering had been affected by freezing-thawing influence. It would be more serious for the thermal disturbance between each other. In view of this problem, the thermal stability of the oil pipe and accompanying road was simulated based on the MDOP, considering various scenarios of different oil temperatures, whether global warming is considered or not, whatever the thermal insulation layer is and regardless of the different distances from the accompanying road. The numerical results indicate that the oil temperature had considerable influence on the thawing rate of permafrost. Placing the thermal insulation material around the oil pipe can effectively mitigate or even control the degradation of permafrost. With this measurement, the thaw depth has remained stable after 5 years of construction, and had been controlled within 3.0 m when the thermal insulation thickness reached 8.0 cm. The accompanying road can also have an adverse effect on the permafrost for its thermal interaction with the oil pipe. The larger the distance, the lesser the thermal disturbance. Therefore, the thermal stability of MDOP can positively adopt a suitable oil temperature for thermal insulation thickness, along with an optimized distance away from the accompanying road as well. This study would also provide an essential theoretical and technological support for the design of oil pipeline in other permafrost regions.
A NOVEL PROBABILISTIC GENERATION MODEL FOR GRID CONNECTED PV BASED DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
Authors: Khan Muhammad Faisal Nadeem
Published: July 2020

The feasibility of renewable energy resources such as solar energy is marked by uncertainties that make it an unpredictable mean of power generation. To guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, solar irradiance modelling can be taken as a useful step towards meeting the operational challenges of electric power grid. This paper proposes a dynamic Probabilistic generation model to estimate and generate the time-coupled solar irradiance patterns. Initially, clustering of yearly solar irradiance measurements is performed to obtain a meaningful grouping of similar days. One-hour time step is considered to construct a time-coupled probabilistic model of solar irradiance data based on a Beta distribution. The parameters of beta distribution are found by considering the variations of irradiance patterns at two successive time steps. The probabilistic model is then used to generate number of aggregate solar irradiance generation scenarios. The effectiveness of proposed scenario generation approach is evaluated through Average Mean Absolute Percentage Error (AMAPE) and comparison with the probabilistic model already available in the literature.
The redistribution of temperature-induced interface friction in friction-type high-strength bolted joint after bolt fracture
Authors: Wang Gaoxin , Ding Youliang
Published: July 2020

For the friction-type high-strength bolted joint, the bolt fracture can cause redistribution of interface friction, which will seriously endanger the connection safety of structural members. However, current study scarcely focuses on the redistribution of interface friction after bolt fracture. Therefore, this paper will specifically carry out finite element analysis on the redistribution of interface friction caused by fractured bolts. Firstly, the refined finite element model of friction-type high-strength bolted joint is used to investigate the variation of interface friction with uniform temperature and the distribution of interface friction in different areas. Furthermore, stochastic finite element method is introduced to explain how the quantity and location of fractured bolts influence the redistribution of interface friction. Finally, the mathematical model of friction redistribution is built to describe the redistribution of temperature-induced interface friction in the friction-type high-strength bolted joint after bolt fracture. After validation, the mathematical model can well describe the redistribution of interface friction caused by fractured bolts.
Implementation of Edge Detection Algorithm using FPGA Reconfigurable Hardware
Authors: Abed Sa'ed
Published: July 2020

Digital image processing is known as computer manipulation of image, which includes algorithms like image enhancement and target reorganization. Some of these algorithms involve operations like convolution and edge detection, which requires high computation. Generally, the software running on processor performs these manipulations. To achieve higher computation performance in terms of execution time, these algorithms are implemented on reconfigurable hardware like FPGA. One can implement parallel architecture and pipelined architecture on FPGA to gain speed up.  In this work, we provide a detailed description of implementing edge detection algorithm on SGI–RC100 platform. The algorithm is implemented using ANSI-C to manipulate the host program and Mitrion–C language. Mitrion–C offers efficient way to write code for parallel and pipelined architecture to preform edge detection. Then, the algorithm is tested on Intel Intanium 2 based architecture and compared its execution time with RC 100 platform based algorithm to check the speed up gain by FPGA based algorithm. The experimental results showed that the speed of the reconfigurable hardware FPGA based algorithm outperformed the software-based approach by more than 50 times.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN JAPAN’S URBAN SYSTEM FROM 1990 TO 2010
Authors: LIU Kai , DAUDA Tamba Sahr
Published: July 2020

An urban system is a group of cities acting in close cooperation with one other. An examination of the factors of change in an urban system at the national scale remains to be done, given data limitations and research issues (e.g., scale, boundary). This study aims to clarify the spatiotemporal pattern of Japan’s urban system (JUS) and then to elucidate the characteristics of change and the related factors, based on an inter-regional travel survey conducted in Japan from 1990 to 2010, as well as numerous official censuses. The results demonstrate the entire system’s compactness, the dominance of the metropolises and the local system’s bipolarization under the hierarchical structure of JUS, with the establishment of hub cities and the development of infrastructure during the two decades from 1990 to 2010. Finally, this study explains the factors of change with consideration of socio-economic characteristics and inter-regional interaction.
MITIGATING FLASH FLOODS WITH THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES: A ΜULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS TO MAP FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY FOR ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND, GREECE
Authors: STAVROPOULOS Stavros , ZAIMES George N. , FILIPPIDIS Evangelos , DIACONU Daniel C. , EMMANOULOUDIS Dimitrios
Published: July 2020

Floods can be extremely harmful for the welfare of societies regardless if they are natural or caused by humans. The Mediterranean region has experienced an increase in flash floods frequency and severity. The suddenness and episodic nature of these type of floods makes it more difficult to predict them compared to river floods. In this study, a map was developed in regard to the flood susceptibility of Zakynthos Island with the use a multi-criteria decision analysis. This analysis utilized six factors: a) flow accumulation, b) land use, c) slope, d) rainfall intensity, e) geology and f) elevation. Each factor had a different weight based on their importance in regard to flash floods. The analysis was run in GIS. To validate the developed susceptibility map, the locations of the recorded past floods on the island were utilized. The end product was a validated flood susceptibility map. This map can help the Civil Protection Authority of Zakynthos Island to mitigate communities’ susceptibility to flash floods.
Impacts of Farming Activities on the Conservation of Sondu River Basin in Kericho County, Kenya
Authors: Kipngeno Japhet , Omondi Paul A , Nunow Abdirizak A
Published: July 2020

Governments and environmental conservationists agree that wetland resources need to be utilized sustainably to ensure the continued presence of wetlands and their ecological goods and services. Ideally, wetlands should be integrated into the national and local land use plans to ensure sustainable use and management of the resources. However, this is not the case as far as Kenya is concerned. Instead, there is rampant exploitation of wetlands by individuals, organizations and even government agencies with no regard for environmental conservation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the impact of human activities on wetland conservation with a focus on the Sondu River Basin. The objective of the study was to establish the farming activities on the Conservation of Sondu River Basin Kericho County, Kenya. The study was grounded on the integrated water resource management theory. This study adopted a concurrent triangulation research design, which entailed a combination of both qualitative and quantitative data. The target population for the study was 164 respondents in which a sample of 144 respondents was selected using Slovin's formula. The sample was randomly selected with the inclusion criterion being that the chosen respondents were homogeneously engaged in human activities that affected wetland conservation. Intensive data cleaning exercise was carried out including checking for outliers, missing data imputation and variable transformation. The collected data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and summation and presented in the form of tables and charts. The results of the study will inform policy and practice in the management and conservation of the Sondu River wetland area. The study established that human activities such as farming, logging, construction, drilling, building and construction and settlements have immensely hampered conservation of Sondu wetland. Further, it was noted that it is indeed possible to gain vital information about the human activities responsible for the degradation of wetlands.
Gingival Recession Treatment: Surgery and Chemical Compounds
Authors: Chelarescu Simina , Vaida Cristina , Ormenisan Alina , Teodorescu Elina , Olteanu Cristian , Kantor Janos , Pacurar Mariana
Published: July 2020

The orthodontic treatment is a favouring factor for the appearance of gingival recession, especially when the teeth are moved toward buccal direction. The purpose of this study is to compare periodontal clinical parameters in patients with gingival recession following fixed orthodontic therapy, treated through two different surgical techniques: free gingival graft (FGG) and connective tissue graft with coronary advanced flap (CTG+CAF), using in both techniques a non-eugenol periodontal dressing. The study is comprised of 12 patients that have previously undertaken fixed orthodontic treatment. 44 sites were treated, 23 of which were treated through free gingival grafts (FGG � with a mean recession of 3.04�0.2mm) and 21 through epithelial-connective grafts with a coronary advanced flap (CTG + CAF � with a mean recession of 3.24�0.24mm). Sites treated with FGG obtained superior results regarding the width of keratinised tissue (p.0.0006), but recession coverage was superior for CTG+CAF (p.0002). The post-operatory discomfort was diminished by using a non-eugenol periodontal dressing, which also ensured a faster healing time.
A Test of the Effect of Denominational Schools in Romania
Authors: Hatos Adrian , Curta Iosif
Published: July 2020

Studies in sociology of education in recent decades have consistently found an advantage for students in denominational schools - those with religious subordination - in terms of educational performance, compared with those in secular schools. Although in Romania a large part of the students from pre-university education attend confessional schools this advantage has not been investigated for the Romanian case. Taking advantage of the increased validity of the Romanian baccalaureate exam, following the measures from 2011-2012 and the availability of the statistical data regarding the schools in Oradea (Bihor county), we checked whether the hypothesis of such an advantage is confirmed in the Romanian case. Applying bivariate analyzes by type of schools (secular vs. confessional) and by types of tracks of the net pass rates (from the total of the graduates) we find that, although the promotion rates are higher for denominational schools, the support for the hypothesis of an advantage of denominational schools is fragile as much of the difference can be attributed to the academic orientation of denominational schools and to the fact that they succeed, probably, in selecting students with better educational skills.
International Trends of Remote Teaching Ordered in Light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its Most Popular Video Conferencing Applications that Implement Communication
Authors: Kristóf Zsolt
Published: July 2020

The global coronavirus pandemic that emerged at the end of 2019 and will reach its peak in 2020 has affected education systems worldwide and led to widespread, complete closure of schools, universities, and colleges. UNESCO estimates that a total of nearly 1.6 billion students worldwide have been affected by the closures of educational institutions. The indicator was the highest in the period from April 1 to April 5, when exactly 1,598,099,008 students were affected by the measures. This accounted for 91.3% of the world’s total learning community, with a total of 193 countries providing full nationwide remote teaching. In response to school clo-sures, UNESCO has proposed distance learning programs as well as open educational applications and platforms that have ena-bled schools and teachers to reach their students remotely and make online education easier (UNESCO, 2020). In addition to reviewing the recent literature and monitoring lockdown measures, the study also suggests a number of specific solutions.
Evaluation of Development in Zakat Literature
Authors: Yusuf Aliyu Olugbenga , Yerima Bello , Ape Grace
Published: July 2020

The study adopted the Scientometrics analysis to evaluate the development in zakat scholarly publications. Scholarly publications on zakat were gathered using the Scopus online databases and later analysed using Microsoft Excel software. The study helps analyse, evaluate and feature scholarly publications based on some considered performance indicators. The study discovered varied trend in the citation of literature based on authorship (single and multiple) and also published date. Zakat authors and researcher cut across several fields and disciples. More publications are discovered in Asian regions and less funding or sponsorship for zakat research is observed.
A New Approach to Zakat Management for Unprecedented Times
Authors: Kidwai Azim , Zidani Mohamed El Mehdi
Published: July 2020

This article stresses the necessity of Zakat playing a main role in the response to humanitarian crises in the Muslim world and beyond. This will not be possible without a rethinking of the original spirit of Zakat as found in the scriptures, in addition to the adoption of innovative tools in Zakat management. As an increasing number of multi-lateral organizations are today being involved with Islamic philanthropy in general and Zakat in particular, an important topic in this discussion is about partnerships between these organizations and traditional faith-based Zakat houses and collectors. The approach suggested in this paper is a collaborative approach by which faith-based institutions would ensure the spirit of Zakat – which remains in its essence an act of faith – is preserved, while having the highest possible impact on the maximum of people in need by benefiting from the distribution networks, efficiency and other best practices of multi-lateral organizations.
Literacy and Intention to Pay Zakat
Authors: Yusfiarto Rizaldi , Setiawan Ananda , Nugraha Septy Setia
Published: July 2020

Zakat is a crucial instrument in Indonesian economic growth. It is considered vital because it can mobilize assets owned for economic growth by empowering certain groups in society, but Indonesian potential cannot be appropriately maximized. Empirically intention is a determining factor changes in muzakki behavior, influenced by muzakki's knowledge and attitude. The purpose of this study is to explore and examine how much impact the zakat literacy among Indonesian Muslims has on the intention to pay zakat. This study also analyzes the intention to pay zakat when viewed from the level of factors in the theory of planned behavior. This research involves structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, which is done through AMOS software, with a sample of 280 muzakki. The results of this study stated the hypothesis that was tested as a whole was accepted, so that it can be concluded the higher level of attitude, subjective norms, and literacy about zakat owned by muzakki it will have implications for the higher intention of muzakki in his compliance zakat paying
Activation of expansion of access to means of financing implementation of innovative projects of small and medium enterprises
Authors: Vnukova Nataliya
Published: July 2020

Problem setting. A small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), which must be flexible and generate demand for its own innovative products, transforms knowledge into innovative capital. Under these conditions, all areas of intensification of financing of innovative entrepreneurship become especially relevant. In 2020, the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ukraine expires, so the task is to develop new strategic directions for change, preferably on an innovative basis. The main obstacle to starting a business is the low level of access to finance. The issue of intensifying the financial support of innovative entrepreneurship is relevant due to the shortage of own financial resources of economic entities and the difficulty of attracting investment, the need to reduce the cost of lending.
Analysis of resent researches and publications. Zyanko V.V., Pochtovyuk A.B., Pukala R., Volkova N.I., Sviridova K.D. were engaged in problems of financial maintenance of innovative activity of the enterprises, problems of crediting of small and average business in Ukraine. Issues of innovative activity of business are unique in conclusion that the most important obstacle is the problem of unavailability of funds to advance the innovation process at all stages, sources of funding for SMEs studied Kuzmenko A. Yu., Svistun L.A.
Target of research. Development of theoretical provisions and practical recommendations for determining the means of enhancing access to finance for SMEs in an innovative society.
Article’s main body. The current changes in intensifying the expansion of access to finance in entrepreneurship through the development of lending with state support, the stimulation of the regulator of financial institutions to finance innovative entrepreneurship are considered. An innovative approach to the use of automated DSS Decision Making Helper is presented to assess the level of activation of the expansion of access to funding for the implementation of innovative projects for SMEs.
Conclusions and prospects for the development. The economic crisis and significant growth of Fintech services in finance will increase the search for innovative means of financing the innovative development of SMEs, including loans with state support, factoring, financial leasing, venture financing, etc. It is necessary to improve the strategic goals of financial support of innovative entrepreneurship. The use of modern software tools is recommended to be widely used as a direct way to intensify all processes, in particular, to decide on the choice of means of financing the implementation of innovative SME projects.
Features of civil law nature of legal assistance agreement
Authors: Popov Viktor , Slyvnaya Viktoriya
Published: July 2020

Problem setting. Today, the conclusion of a legal assistance agreement is directly regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and Legal Practice”. But for effective and lawful implementation the parties should also be guided by the provisions of the Civil Code of Ukraine. Therefore, it is necessary and relevant to determine which provisions of the Civil Code of Ukraine fall under this agreement and the relations arising from its conclusion.
Target research. The aim of the work is to analyze the provisions of civil law on the differences between work and services, to determine which category of contracts is a legal assistance agreement and which rules of the Civil Code of Ukraine regulate advocacy and this agreement.
Analysis of recent research and publication. The issue of delimitation of works and services is debatable among scientists. In particular, such authors as Gnatiuk G.I, Barinov N.O., Shablova O.G., Pushkin O.A., Ponomarenko O.M., Voronyak A.S., Braginsky M.I., Luts V.V. paid attention to this question. The works of such authors as Gavrilyuk M.O., Sviatotska V.I., Tubelets O.K., Rafilska I.S., Yanovska O.G., Biryukova A.M. are devoted to the question of research of features of legal regulation and realization of advocacy activity in Ukraine.
Article’s main body. The article is devoted to the legal characteristics and features of the legal assistance agreement, the discussion issues regarding the regulation of these relations by acts of civil law are considered. In addition, the article analyzes the legal content of such phenomena as work and services and the main differences between the service agreement and the work contract to determine the category of relations of the legal assistance agreement.
Conclusions and prospect of development. Thus, the characteristics of the legal structure of the agreement between the lawyer and the client are important for the protection of the interests of both parties. Also, having studied all the features of this agreement and various reasoned opinions of scientists on this issue, we can say that advocacy is multifaceted and can take many forms and types, but the legal analysis of these actions still includes it to services.
DELIMITATION AND DESCRIPTION OF 19 NEW GENERA, A SUBGENUS AND A SPECIES OF SALTICIDAE (ARANEAE) OF THE WORLD
Authors: Prószyński Jerzy
Published: July 2020

19 new genera, one new subgenus and one new species of salticid spider are delimited and described. These are: Logunyllus gen. n., Marusyllus gen. n., Myrmage gen. n., Myrmagua gen. n., Myrmanu gen. n., Myrmapana gen. n., Myrmapeni gen. n., Myrmaplata gen. n., Myrmatheca gen. n., Myrmavola gen. n., Myrmele gen. n., Nandicius gen. n., Nepalicius gen. n., Okinawicius gen. n., Orienticius gen. n., Psenuc gen. n., Rudakius gen. n., Sittipub gen. n., Toxeus gen. reinstated. New subgenus Pellenes (Pellap) Prószyński, 2015 subgen. n. is also delimited. One misidentified species is renamed, Myrmavola yamasakii Prószyński, 2016 sp. n., and described as new species. I propose to consider name Helicius kimjoopili Kim, 1995 a “nomen dubium”. Following synonyms are rejected and species reinstated to their current combinations: Tasa koreana Suguro & Yahata, 2014 (female) = Nepalicius koreanus (Wesolowska, 1981) comb. n., Tasa koreana Suguro & Yahata, 2014 (male) = Tasa nipponica Bohdanowicz & Prószynski, 1987, Pseudicius tokaraensis Suguro & Yahata, 2014 (male) = Nepalicius koreanus (Wesolowska, 1981) comb. n., Pseudicius tokaraensis Suguro & Yahata, 2014 (female 1) = Okinawicius okinawaensis (Prószyński, 1992) comb. n., Pseudicius tokaraensis Suguro & Yahata, 2014 (female 2) = Okinawicius tokaraensis (Bohdanowicz & Prószyński, 1987) comb. n. Also American Pseudicius siticulosus Peckham & Peckham, 1909 = Metaphidippus [?] siticulosus (Peckham, Peckham, 1909) comb. n., Myrmarachne paludosa (Simon, 1900) = Panachraesta paludosa Simon, 1900. I confirm hereby original genus placement of Emertonius exasperans Peckham & Peckham, 1892, as seconded by Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold, 2010: 164-167, 169-17, but disregarded by World Spider Catalog, ver. 2016.For diagnostic documentation see also: http://www.peckhamia.com/salticidae/q24-Emer.html.Species Author correction Yllenus arenarius Simon*, 1868 (see footnote on page 29).
THE IMPACT OF PREDATION BY THE MYRMECOPHAGOUS SPIDER ZODARION ELEGANS (ARANEAE: ZODARIIDAE) ON THE ACTIVITY PATTERN OF THE MEDITERRANEAN HARVESTER ANT MESSOR WASMANNI (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)
Authors: Traxler Tanja
Published: July 2020

This study was designed to determine the effect of predation by the zodariid, obligate myrmecophagous spider Zodarion elegans (Simon, 1873) on the activity pattern and behavior of the Mediterranean harvester ant Messor wasmanni Krausse, 1910. Previous field studies suggested that the activity patterns of M. wasmanni colonies are modified not only by microclimatic conditions, but also by biological factors such as the presence of predators. The present study clearly demonstrates that M. wasmanni colonies respond in two different ways to spider predation. The ants 1) attack the invader, and 2) temporarily stop all foraging activities and close nest entrances with pebbles and other materials. This causes obligate myrmecophagous spiders such as Z. elegans to leave such inactive colonies and move to active ones nearby. Moreover, the laboratory experiments show that the capture of a single ant is in every case sufficient to trigger cessation of foraging activities and nest closure. After the spider attacks, entrances remained closed for up to six days. Perturbation experiments show that events that directly affect workers engaged in one task outside the nest also alter the activity intensity of task performance inside the nest. All exterior workers remain inside the nest when entrances are closed. Inside the nest, only a small proportion of marked foragers switch to food processing, while the majority was inactive or performed grooming during the inactive phase outside the nest.
PSEUDOSCORPIONS IN CYPRUS: AT A LIGHT TRAP AND NOCTURNAL ACTIVITIES
Authors: Legg Gerald
Published: July 2020

This paper records finding of pseudoscorpion at a moth-trap that was in operation on a patio table.
EDAPHIC ONISCIDEA, DIPLOPODA AND CHILOPODA FROM PĂDUREA CĂLUGĂREASCĂ (SOUTH-EASTERN ROMANIA)
Authors: Giurginca Andrei , Baba Ştefan Cătălin
Published: July 2020

Our study is a brief biodiversity evaluation of a less investigated community of Oniscidea, Diplopoda and Chilopoda from a plains location situated in South-Eastern Romania (Bărăganului Plain). The study targeted three types of habitat (two natural habitats and one semi-natural habitat) from Pădurea Călugărească: we can record the presence of 7 families of Oniscidea, 4 families of Diplopoda and 6 families of Chilopoda. Our study confirms the presence in Romania of Propolyxenus trivittatus and Lophoproctus lucidus, also, we can record new distribution data for Schendyla mediterranea (second location from Romania), Lithobius burzenlandicus euxinicus and Lithobius aeruginosus luciae (first record in the Romanian Plain). Although using only qualitative collecting methods, our data underline the significance of forest plains in one of the most arid regions in Romania in supporting the biodiversity of soil-dwelling arthropods and, also, show the potential of this region of Romania for subsequent, more complex studies.
THE SOLAR ACTIVITY CYCLES AND THE OUTBREAKS OF THE GYPSY MOTH – LYMANTRIA DISPAR L. (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE) IN SERBIA
Authors: Milenković Milan , Ducić Vladan
Published: July 2020

Seven outbreaks of the gypsy moth in Serbia for the last seven decades were researched in relation to the solar activity cycles and the solar flux at 2.8 GHz. Based on data analysis, three types of outbreaks were selected. A–type includes the second half of the solar cycle. This type of the outbreak doesn’t get into the next cycle (the values of the solar flux at 2.8 GHz decrease in the final phases). Besides the final years of the solar cycle, B–type also includes the initial years of the next cycle. C–type appears in the beginning of the solar activity cycle. At B-type and C-type the interruption of the outbreak occurs while the solar flux at 2.8 GHz value is increasing. The outbreaks of A-type were: 1970–1976 and 2004–2007; B-type: 1952–1956, 1962–1966, 1984–1987 and 1995–1998; C-type: 2009–2014. The obtained results suggest that the gypsy moth outbreaks are caused by corresponding range of energy coming from the Sun.
TOWARDS AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO TAXONOMY OF ERIOPHYOIDEA (ACARI, PROSTIGMATA) - AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Petanović Radmila
Published: July 2020

A contemporary approach to describing species diversity, so called integrative taxonomy, aims to delimit the units of life’s diversity from multiple and complementary perspectives. An overview of alpha taxonomy of eriophyoid mites, one of the most economically important and speciose groups of the Acari, is presented from its very beginnings at the end of 19th century until today. The analysis follows the development of morphotaxonomy, from the increase of the number of characters visible and distinguishable in slide-mounted specimens, up to the discovery of new characters using LTSEM, CLSM and other modern microscopic techniques. Molecular genetic tools, as one of the complementary segments of the integrative approach and ideally suited for the elucidation of cryptic eriophyoid diversity, have been intensively applied nowadays. All this is considered in the light of improvements of alpha taxonomy of Eriophyoidea moving gradually towards integrative taxonomy.
THE GUILD OF SAPROBIONTIC NEMATODES ASSOCIATED WITH ANTS (FORMICOIDEA)
Authors: Sudhaus Walter
Published: July 2020

At least 14 different saprobiontic species of Rhabditida are intimately associated with ants on different continents. These myrmecophilous nematodes belong in particular to Diploscapter and Sclerorhabditis, and to the Oscheius Dolichura group (all "Rhabditidae"). Species of Diplogastridae and Halicephalobus (Panagrolaimidae) are rarely found in association with ants, but some records do exist. Oscheius janeti is argued here to be a separate species. Dauerlarvae of all these species invade the postpharyngeal glands of ants via the mouth (including as a result of trophallaxis) and, after some time and under suitable conditions, leave them the opposite way to complete their life cycle. These species usually propagate in the debris of ants' nests using ants as a means of dispersal (endophoresis). Species which live in certain saprobic biochores (such as slime flux) frequented by ants enter the ants to survive the unfavourable conditions of their habitat. Mostly the infestation rate is very low. Most field-collected ants contain no nematodes, and more than ten specimens are rarely found in one ant. The infestation rate increases in formicaria in the laboratory. There are some indications that dauerlarvae obtain nutrients from the carrier/host, so they may perhaps be viewed as facultatively larval parasitic. Queens, which have the potential to found a new colony, have also been documented to be infested. New nematode records from Solenopsis, from Azteca in domatia of Tococa (Melastomataceae) and Cecropia (Urticaceae), from Crematogaster in domatia of Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae), and from the fungus-growing Acromyrmex and Atta are reported. The nematode-ant relationship and distinctive organ specificity of the dauerlarvae to the postpharyngeal glands of ants has been attained by convergent evolution no less than nine times. It is expected that living together with saprobiontic nematodes in myrmecophilous plants offers some kind of benefit to ants.
THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER AND REED MANAGEMENT ON NESTING PARAMETERS OF THE GREAT REED WARBLER, ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS (AVES: SYLVIIDAE)
Authors: Mérő Thomas Oliver , Žuljević Antun
Published: July 2020

Nesting parameters such as clutch size, hatching rate or nesting success have been extensively studied in birds in relation to biotic and abiotic factors. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of air temperature, amount of precipitation, reed burning, and water depth (independent variables) on nest density, clutch size, hatching rate, and nesting success (dependent variables) of the Great Reed Warbler during a nine-year period. We found that neither the clutch size nor the hatching rate was influenced by any of the predictor variables. Nest density was positively influenced by the water depth, while the nesting success was negatively related to the amount of precipitation. Reed burning had no effect on any of the nesting parameters. Similarly, to our results, short-term studies reported a positive relationship between nest density and water depth, and a negative relationship between the nesting success and amount of precipitation, indicating that these two environmental variables generally influence the two nesting parameters. However, the impact of various reed management practices, such as harvesting or removal, on the nesting variables of the Great Reed Warbler needs further clarification.
મહેસાણા જિલ્ લાના ધોરણ - 6 ના ગિુ રાતી વિષયના G-SLASના લવનિંગ આઉટકમ્સ પર આધારરત સધુ ારાલક્ષી કાયયક્રમની સરં ચના અનેતેની અસરકારકતા
Authors: Bhojak Jainee
Published: July 2020

NCF 2009 મજુ બ બાળકનુું પ્રાથમિક મિક્ષણ તેની િાતભૃ ાષાિાું જ હોવુું જોઇએ. કેિકે બાળક
િાતભૃ ાષાિાું જ સારી રીતેસિજી િકે છે. તો પછી મિદ્યાથીઓ િાતભૃ ાષાિાું પાછળ કેિ? િહેસાણા
જજલ્ લાના િષષ 2013-14 ના G-SLAS પરરણાિ (પ્રથિ સત્ર) િાું ધોરણિાર અને મિષયિાર સૌથી ઓછી
મસદ્ધિ ધરાિતાું પાુંચ મિષયિાું ધોરણઃ6 ગજુ રાતી સૌથી મનમ્ન કક્ષાએ િાલિૂ પડેલ છે. ગજુ રાતી
ભાષાની અભભવધ્ૃધધ કઇ રીતેિધારી િકાય? આનદું સાથેમિદ્યાથીઓ ગજુ રાતી ભાષાની અભભવદ્ધૃિ કરે
તે િાટે સ ુંિોધકે એક પ્રયોગ દ્વારા સ ુંિોધન કરિાનો પ્રયત્ન કરેલ છે.
The Construction of Prototype of a Tactical Oceanographic Map for Navigation of Submarine in Sunda Strait
Authors: Hendra Hendra , Pranowo Widodo S. , Sukoco Nawanto Budi
Published: July 2020

Selat Sunda merupakan salah satu selat yang dilalui oleh Alur Laut Kepulauan Indonesia (ALKI I) yang digunakan untuk kepentingan jalur pelayaran niaga, selain itu juga digunakan sebagai jalur pelayaran militer termasuk sebagai jalur lintas kapal selam. Dalam pelaksanaan tugas operasi kapal selam dibutuhkan suatu peta yang secara khusus dibangun untuk menunjang kegiatan operasi yang dibuat dari data-data oseanografi fisik seperti temperatur, salinitas, dan sound speed yang selanjutnya diolah untuk menentukan batas lapisan termoklin dalam empat musim. Serta memberikan informasi Penampangan Horizontal, Diagram Vertikal, Profil Termoklin, Model Arus dan Konstanta Pasut.
Water Fountain in Iron and Aluminium Cast Utensils
Authors: Ansah enjamin , Agyeman Kafui Kwesi , Quaye Harold Awuley , Clement Frederick Ampah
Published: July 2020

Iron has been the most ridiculed material (main and auxiliary) in the production of water fountains generally. Its use has been questionable, because of its ability to easily rust when it comes into contact with water and oxygen. However, iron is a material that is relatively strong and elegant in looks when manipulated in art forms such as ornamental furniture. This is the primary motivation for engaging iron as a fountain material. To think of auxiliary materials, the diversification fountain materials also again influenced the choice of the aluminium utensils, because they have forms that can easily be employed in the production of fountains. This study is a material based design that employed iron with Aluminium cast utensils as the main materials. in this regard, the properties of aluminium and iron that make them suitable for the production of water fountains were duly analysed to inform the design. Also the functional and aesthetic properties of selected aluminium utensil were also assessed to underpin the design. This was followed by the well informed selection of appropriate finishes that have the right preservative properties for the iron. The design ensued from series of sketches through to a selected final plan the informed and directed the construction of the fountain. The aluminium cast utensils and types of iron were sample purposively according to the dictates of the design. The study resulted in a well fabricated indoor water fountain using the two materials namely iron and the Aluminium cast utensils. In conclusion, this study has been able to identify and creatively adapted some Iron forms and Aluminium Cast Utensils, guided by selected literature for the production of a fountain
For Fairness, Kindness and Justice
Authors: Raman Lakshman
Published: July 2020

Letter on the impact of adult dependent relative rules in the UK since 2012 on NHS staff.
(Non)radial Solar Wind Propagation through the Heliosphere
Authors: Němeček Zdeněk , Ďurovcová Tereza , Šafránková Jana , Richardson John D. , Šimůnek Jiří , Stevens Michael L.
Published: July 2020

The solar wind nonradial velocity components observed beyond the Alfvén point are usually attributed to waves, the interaction of different streams, or other transient phenomena. However, Earth-orbiting spacecraft as well as monitors at L1 indicate systematic deviations of the wind velocity from the radial direction. Since these deviations are of the order of several degrees, the calibration of the instruments is often questioned. This paper investigates for the first time the evolution of nonradial components of the solar wind flow along the path from ≈0.17 to 10 au. A comparison of observations at 1 au with those closer to or farther from the Sun based on measurements of many spacecraft at different locations in the heliosphere (Parker Solar Probe, Helios 1 and 2, Wind, Advanced Composition Explorer, Spektr-R, Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) probes, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN), Voyagers 1 and 2) shows that (i) the average values of nonradial components are not zero and vary in a systematic manner with the distance from the Sun and (ii) their values significantly depend on the solar wind radial velocity.
A Magnetar-asteroid Impact Model for FRB 200428 Associated with an X-Ray Burst from SGR 1935+2154
Authors: Dai Z. G.
Published: July 2020

Very recently, an extremely bright fast radio burst (FRB) 200428 with two submillisecond pulses was discovered coming from the direction of the Galactic magnetar SGR 1935+2154, and an X-ray burst (XRB) counterpart was detected simultaneously. These observations favor magnetar-based interior-driven models. In this Letter, we propose a different model for FRB 200428 associated with an XRB from SGR 1935+2154 in which a magnetar with high proper velocity encounters an asteroid of mass ∼1020 g. This infalling asteroid in the stellar gravitational field is first possibly disrupted tidally into a great number of fragments at a radius of ∼a few times 1010 cm, and then slowed around the Alfvén radius by an ultra-strong magnetic field, and in the meantime two major fragments of mass ∼1017 g that cross magnetic field lines produce two pulses of FRB 200428. The whole asteroid is eventually accreted onto the poles along magnetic field lines, impacting the stellar surface, creating a photon-e± pair fireball trapped initially in the stellar magnetosphere, and further leading to an XRB. We show that this gravitationally powered model can interpret all of the observed features self-consistently.
Cytogenetic characterization, rDNA mapping and quantification of the nuclear DNA content in Seriolella violacea Guichenot, 1848 (Perciformes, Centrolophidae)
Authors: Araya-Jaime Cristian , Palma-Rojas Claudio , Von Brand Elisabeth , Silva Alfonso
Published: July 2020

Seriolella violacea Guichenot, 1848 is an important component of the fish fauna of the Chilean coast and is of great economic interest. Cytogenetic information for the family Centrolophidae is lacking and the genomic size of five of the twenty-eight species described for this family are is barely known. This study aimed to describe for the first time the karyotype structure via classical and molecular cytogenetics analysis with the goal of identifying the constitutive heterochromatin distribution, chromosome organization of rDNA sequences and quantification of nuclear DNA content. The karyotype of S. violacea is composed of 48 chromosomes, with the presence of conspicuous blocks of heterochromatin on chromosomal pairs one and two. FISH assay with a 5S rDNA probe, revealed the presence of fluorescent markings on the heterochromatic block of pair one. The 18S rDNA sites are located exclusively on pair two, characterizing this pair as the carrier of the NOR. Finally, the genomic size of S. violacea was estimated at 0.59 pg of DNA as C-value. This work represents the first effort to document the karyotype structure and physical organization of the rDNA sequences in the Seriolella genome, contributing with new information to improve our understanding of chromosomal evolution and genomic organization in marine perciforms.
Notable homologous variation in chromosomal races of the common shrew
Authors: Bulatova Nina
Published: July 2020

This paper is a review of the rare phenomenon of chromosome intraspecies variation manifested in monobrachial homology series in the comprehensively investigated karyotype of the common shrew Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia). The detailed dataset on the account of this mammalian species was drawn from the recently published monograph by Searle et al. (2019) “Shrews, Chromosomes and Speciation”. The parallels to the law of homologous series in variation by Nikolai Vavilov are discussed.
The methanolic extract of Garcinia atroviridis (MeGa) reduces body weight and food intake, and improves lipid profiles by altering the lipid metabolism: a rat model
Authors: LIM Wai Feng , NASIR Suriati Mohd , TEH Lay Kek , JAMES Richard Johari , IZHAR Mohd Hafidz Mohd , SALLEH Mohd Zaki
Published: July 2020

Garcinia species are widely used for their slimming effects via increased fat burning and suppression of satiety. However, scientific evidence for the biological effects of Garcinia atroviridis (GA) is lacking. We investigated the phytochemical composition, safety profiles, and antioxidant and antiobesity effects of methanolic extracts of Garcinia atroviridis (MeGa) in obese female rats. Repeated dose toxicity studies were conducted according to the OECD guidelines. Upon sacrifice, haematological, biochemical, lipid profile, and serum-based metabolomics analyses were performed to evaluate metabolic expression changes and their related pathways. MeGa contains several phytochemical groups and GA fruit acids. MeGa was found to be nontoxic in both male and female rats with an oral lethal dose (LD50) of 2000 mg/kg. After 9 weeks of treatment, MeGa-treated obese rats had lower weight gain and better lipid profiles (cholesterol and triglyceride), which correlated with the altered metabolic pathways involved in the metabolism of lipid (glycerophospholipid) and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid. In addition, MeGa caused differential metabolism pathways of arachidonic acid and tryptophan that affect the inflammatory response and suppression of appetite. We concluded that MeGa is safe, and its slimming effects are due to the differential metabolism of lipids