bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Villages, Customary Laws and Community Management of Ethnic Minority Groups in the Central Highlands
Authors: Nguyen Tuyen Mong Thi
Published: November 2019

Vietnam has been fundamentally an agricultural country and consequently, rural areas with farmers play a critical role in its socio-economic development. As villages and communes are foundational social structures of the agricultural society, they have been the focal points in the development process throughout the history, especially during the modernization and industrialization of the country. For ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands, despite their relative low socio-economic development level, the social relations are community – based, which forms the potential strength of the nation. Socio-economic development and village management have become central tasks set forth by the Party and the national government of Vietnam. The goals are to foster the development of the Central Highland villages while protect them from adversary derivative conditions, creating prerequisite conditions for the region’s integration with the market economy that is being formed and developed. With the development trend, the tools for managing and regulating basic social relations are customary laws and State laws. In this paper, we discuss a traditional form of society which is the village and its customary laws as solutions to developing advanced social relations, enhancing the internal power of the region, creating a driving force for the country.
Weights from a Safety Perspective for Interchange Lighting Prioritization
Authors: Pulugurtha Srinivas S. , Narayanan Ravishankar P.
Published: November 2019

The focus of this paper is to research and update weights (values indicating the effect) to multiply ratings of selected factors used in the Total Design Process (TDP) for interchange lighting prioritization from a safety perspective. Results based on analysis using data collected at 80 interchanges along nine segments in North Carolina showed differences in weights for currently used factors such as freeway median width, freeway number of lanes and night-time traffic volume per lane. Results also showed that considering the number of night-time crashes by severity instead of night-to-day crash rate ratio, for prioritization of interchange lighting system installation or maintenance, would reduce the bias towards interchanges with fewer numbers of crashes and lead to better utilization of limited available transportation funds.
What Matters Most in Transportation Demand Model Specifications: A Comparison of Outputs in a Mid-size Network
Authors: Chen T. Donna , Kockelman Kara , Zhao Yong
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the impact of travel demand modeling (TDM) disaggregation techniques in the context of medium-sized communities. Specific TDM improvement strategies are evaluated for predictive power and flexibility with case studies based on the Tyler, Texas, network. Results suggest that adding time-of-day disaggregation, particularly in conjunction with multi-class assignment, to a basic TDM framework has the most significant impacts on outputs. Other strategies shown to impact outputs include adding a logit mode choice model and incorporating a congestion feedback loop. For resource-constrained communities, these results show how model output and flexibility vary for different settings and scenarios.BACKGROUND Transportation directly provides for the mobility of people and goods, while influencing land use patterns and economic activity, which in turn affect air quality, social equity, and investment decisions. Driven by the need to forecast future transportation demand and system performance, Manheim (1979) and Florian et al. (1988) introduced a transportation analysis framework for traffic forecasting using aggregated data that provide the basis for what is known as the four-step model: a process involving trip generation, then trip distribution and mode choice, followed by route choice. Aggregating demographic data at the zone level, the four-step model generates trip productions based on socioeconomic data (e.g., household counts by income and size) and trip attractions primarily based on jobs counts. The model then proportionally distributes trips between each origin and destination (OD) zone pair based on competing travel attractions and impedances, under the assumption that OD pairings with higher travel costs draw fewer trips. Trips between each OD pair are split among a variety of transportation modes, allocating trips to private vehicle, transit, or other
The Impact of Driving Knowledge on Motor Vehicle Fatalities
Authors: Simmons Walter O. , Welki Andrew M. , Zlatoper Thomas J.
Published: November 2019

This paper analyzes the influence of driving knowledge on highway safety by estimating regression models on U.S. state-level data over six years (2005 through 2010). The models incorporate a representative set of motor vehicle fatality determinants. Driving knowledge—as measured by performance on the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test—has a statistically significant life-saving effect. Negatively related to the motor vehicle death rate and statistically significant are: real per capita income, precipitation, seat belt use, and a linear trend. Statistically significant positive associations with the rate are found for: the ratio of rural to urban driving, temperature, the percentage of young drivers, the percentage of old drivers, and alcohol consumption.
The Multimodal Connectivity at Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Stations and the Impact on Ridership
Authors: Woldeamanuel Mintesnot , Olwert Craig
Published: November 2019

A multimodality index (MI) is developed to evaluate the accessibility and convenience of transit use by investigating the connectivity of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with other modes of travel. Better connected stations increase transit system ridership, resulting in environmental and social equity gains. The integration of the Orange Line BRT system in Los Angeles with other travel modes, including bicycles, pedestrians, regular buses, and private automobiles, was analyzed using field observations and LA Metro data to create a multimodality index (MI). While multimodal connectivity of the Orange Line BRT system varies across stations, a positive relationship exists between ridership and the MI, indicating that the MI is a reliable predictor of transit ridership and a useful tool for transit planning.
Have the Major U.S. Air Carriers Finally Turned the Corner? A Financial Condition Assessment
Authors: Gritta Richard D. , Adams Brian
Published: November 2019

Rare prior to the deregulation of the airline industry, air carrier bankruptcies became rather endemic in the period 1982-2005. Since 1982, over 175 airlines have filed under the bankruptcy codes. This number includes eight of the carriers that were formerly referred to as “trunk carriers,” now known as “Majors.” Major carriers are defined as those with annual revenues exceeding $1.0 billion. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the recent performance of these carriers using a statistical model specifically designed to predict the likelihood of financial stress for airlines. The paper will also update past research in this important industry to demonstrate the very precarious nature of profitability. The major reasons for the improvement of the industry’s profitability will be briefly discussed. The analysis will show that the current financial condition of the industry has improved significantly due to increased concentration and the market domination of some carriers, very low fuel costs facing the carriers, and the record low interest rates resulting from the Federal Reserve’s easy monetary policy. the industry may still be fragile or vulnerable to changes in these input factors.
Impacts of Highway Infrastructure Investment Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Authors: Cho Seong-Hoon , Lee Daegoon , Lambert Dayton M. , Roberts Roland K.
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated the impact on highway demand of highway disbursements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Vehicle miles traveled were used to estimate a highway demand equation employing a spatial Durbin model for the 48 contiguous U.S. states during 1994-2008. Estimates from the equation were used to test the hypothesis that highway disbursements caused different upward shifts in the highway demand curves of states. We estimated $8.2 billion in total net benefits for the 48 states as a result of the $27.2 billion in ARRA highway disbursements, yielding an average net benefit of $0.30 per dollar spent.
Hazardous Materials Transportation with Multiple Objectives: A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Hu Ta-Yin , Chang Ya-Han
Published: November 2019

Hazardous material (hazmat) transportation has been an important issue for handling hazardous materials, such as gases and chemical liquids. In the past, researchers have made great efforts to develop policies and route planning methods for hazmat transportation problems. In 2014, Kaohsiung City in Taiwan suffered a gas pipeline explosion at midnight; 32 people were killed, and hundreds of people were injured. After the incident, policies and routing strategies for hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation in Kaohsiung were initiated to avoid pipeline transportation. Although methodologies for hazmat transportation have been proposed and implemented to minimize potential risks, multiple objectives need to be considered in the process to facilitate hazmat transportation in Taiwan. In order to consider both government and operators’ aspects, a multi-objective formulation for the hazmat problem is proposed and a compromise programming method is applied to solve the problem with two objectives: travel cost and risk. The path risk is defined based on risk assessment indexes, such as road characteristics, population distribution, link length, hazardous material characteristics, and accident rates. An aggregate risk indicator is proposed for roadway segments. The compromise programming approach is developed from the concept of compromise decision and the main idea is to search the compromise solution closest to the ideal solution. The proposed method is applied to Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. The results show that two conflicting objectives keep making trade-offs between each other until they finally reach a compromise solution.
An Analysis of the Status of Undergraduate Transportation Management Education in the United States
Authors: Stewart Richard D. , Burger Natalie , Hansen Erica , Johnson Gavin
Published: November 2019

This paper examines 170 of the non-engineering undergraduate degrees in the fields of supply chain management, logistics, and transportation, including joint majors, present within universities in the United States. The curriculum for each degree was evaluated to determine the extent to which the students were taught transportation and related courses. Each university’s website was also examined to catalog additional best practices in education, such as required internships, used to support teaching transportation outside of formal classroom instruction.
Demonstration of the United States Road Assessment (usRAP) as a Systematic Safety Tool for Two Lane Roadways and Highways in Kansas
Authors: Nye B.G. , Fitzsimmons E.J. , Dissanayake S.
Published: November 2019

The United States Road Assessment Program (usRAP) is a systematic tool that determines areas of risk based on roadways characteristics. To determine the effectiveness of the usRAP tool, three rural two-lane corridors, a US highway, a Kansas highway, and a rural secondary road, were selected for this study. Data collection for the usRAP software included manual speed data collection, system-wide centerline miles and crashes, crash costs, countermeasure costs, and manual roadway coding data every 100 m. The usRAP software evaluated and developed a star rating and a Safer Roads Investment Plan for each corridor.
Export Spread, Farmer Revenue and Grain Export Capacity in Western Canada
Authors: Torshizi Mohammad , Gray Richard
Published: November 2019

Starting in the 2013-14 crop year, a lack of export capacity resulted in substantial increases in the spread between farm and port FOB prices in western Canada. This created a very difficult situation for the farming community. We calculate that this situation reduced grain farmers’ income over the 2013-14 and 2014-15 crop years by approximately C$6.7 billion. Clearly, the grain handling and transportation system has problems and capacity to move grain is one of them. To evaluate the need for grain export capacity expansion, we forecast future grain production using a rational expectations model to estimate future export spreads and subsequent rents. We find that without capacity improvements, the expected cost of limited grain export capacity could exceed C$5.6 billion over the next decade. Capacity improvements on the order of a 25% increase will likely mitigate this issue in the future.
Calibration of the Highway Safety ManualGiven Safety Performance Functions for RuralMultilane Segments and Intersections in Kansas
Authors: Aziz Syeda Rubaiyat , Dissanayake Sunanda
Published: November 2019

The Highway Safety Manual (HSM) provides models and methodologies for safety evaluation and prediction of safety performance of various types of roadways. However, predictive methods in the HSM are of limited use if they are not calibrated for local conditions. In this study, calibration procedures given in the HSM were followed for rural segments and intersections in Kansas. Results indicated that HSM overpredicts fatal and injury crashes and underpredicts total crashes on rural multilane roadway segments in Kansas. Therefore, existing safety performance functions (SPFs) must be adjusted for Kansas conditions, in order to increase accuracy of crash prediction. This study examined a way to adjust HSM calibration procedures by development of new regression coefficients for existing HSM-given SPF. Final calibration factors obtained through modified SPFs indicated significant improvement in crash prediction for rural multilane segments in Kansas. Additionally, obtained calibration factors indicated that the HSM is capable of predicting crashes at intersections at satisfactory level.
Indian Vehicle Ownership: Insights from Literature Review, Expert Interviews, and State-Level Model
Authors: Bansal Prateek , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: November 2019

This study reviews existing vehicle ownership models for India and describes the results of nine experts’ interviews to gather insights about Indians’ travel patterns and vehicle choices. According to the experts, vehicle price, fuel economy, and brand (in declining importance) are the most decisive factors in Indians’ car purchase choices. This study also estimated household vehicle ownership levels across India’s 35 states using Census 2011 data. The results suggest that states with a higher proportion of computer-owning households and higher share of households living in rural areas with larger household size, ceteris paribus, are likely to have higher car ownership.
Pass the Salt: Markets for Grain Shipping on the Great Lakes
Authors: Pizzey Logan , Nolan James
Published: November 2019

We assess the structure of grain shipping within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system. While U.S. grain exports ship from the port of Duluth, Minnesota, Canadian grain exports ship from several ports located on the Lower St. Lawrence Seaway. While North American grain exports moving from west to east can be transported in several different ways, due to data limitations our focus in this analysis is on the so-called saltie shipping market. While our findings are somewhat unexpected, they give us some unique insight into the nature of this crucial yet understudied transportation market.
An Application of Decision Tree Models toExamine Motor Vehicle Crash Severity Outcomes
Authors: Bernard Jill M.
Published: November 2019

Classification and Regression Tree (CART) and chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree models are estimated and compared to examine the effect of driver characteristics and behaviors, temporal factors, weather conditions, and road characteristics on motor vehicle crash severity levels using Missouri crash data from 2002 to 2012. The CHAID model is found to significantly better discriminate among severity outcomes, and results suggest that the presence of alcohol, speeding, and failing to yield lead to many fatalities each year and likely have interactive effects. Decision rules are used to identify changes in driving policies expected to reduce severity outcomes.
Stochastic Modeling of the Last Mile Problem for Delivery Fleet Planning
Authors: Brown Jay R. , Guiffrida Alfred L.
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a stochastic representation of the last mile problem that quantifies expected maintenance, regular labor, overtime labor, fuel, and carbon emission costs resulting from different delivery fleet options. The last mile delivery fleet planning model presented herein can be used in a decision framework to evaluate alternative delivery strategies involving fleet size and delivery frequency with information regarding cost, carbon emissions, service levels for available delivery hours, and payload capacity, as well as the transportation capacity needed to meet customer demand and lends itself well to performing what-if analyses.
JTRF Volume 56 No. 3, Fall 2017Private Vehicle Ownership in Provincial China
Authors: McCarthy Patrick , Wang Junda
Published: November 2019

Private vehicle ownership has rapidly grown with China’s economic development and increasing incomes. This paper analyzes China’s provincial demands for private vehicles during the post-opening period 2000 – 2012. Based on estimates from pooled, ﬁ xed effects and Hausman-Taylor models, private vehicle ownership during this period grew at an average annual rate of over 20%, all else constant. The study focuses on the roles of economic, spatial, investment and regulatory factors in shaping private vehicle demands. The study ﬁ nds that increases in GDP per capita and vehicle use cost reinforce and constrain, respectively, the strong trend toward increased ownership. And absent changes in population density, higher percentages of the population in urban areas increase the demand for private vehicles. But increasing population density provides stronger incentives for reducing vehicle demands. Municipal restrictions aimed at reducing the congestion and environmental effects of vehicle ownership and use are effective in reducing provincial demands. A separate analysis of provinces that are at least 60% urbanized identiﬁ es important differences. Vehicle demands are income elastic and infrastructure investments have stronger effects in the most urbanized provinces than in less urbanized provinces.
A Case Study of Higher Education in Mongolia: Institutional Isomorphism
Authors: Dembereldorj Zoljargal
Published: November 2019

Universities elsewhere have been changing its purposes, functions, roles, and pursuits in society. This study is a case study of Mongolian higher education in which institutional changes are taking place incrementally. The purpose of this study is to explore institutional isomorphism or homogenization of a case university in Mongolia in two different periods of which one is a university under the Soviet regime in the past, and the other is under the democracy in present. The research question was how a university in Mongolia has been changing isomorphically under the different environmental pressures. The study applied a single case study proposed by Yin (2003; 2009) to explore homogenization or isomorphic changes at one prestigious higher education institution in Mongolia. Interviews, reports, and other related documents were used for the analysis. The analytical procedure applied main elements of qualitative research methods. The findings are discussed in three major themes: coercive isomorphism of a university, isomorphic changes triggered by the faculty members: bottom-up process, and mimetic isomorphism modeling after American higher education. It is concluded that the institutional changes taken place in the university was first pressured by the coercion dictated by the political social circumstances, that is, Soviet regime; second, by the faculty members triggered by the professionalization; and third, by the mimicry modeling after successful higher education institution, an American higher education system.
Sheep to Slaughter
Authors: Edwards David B. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2019

This essay seeks to articulate the process by which sacrifice took on new meanings, symbols, and practices in the context of the war in Afghanistan. It does so by examining five acts and the ‘axial figures’ associated with each of these acts, the first of which centers on the early efforts of Afghan political parties to change the focus of popular esteem from brave deeds to heroic deaths and the axial figure of veneration from the Warrior to the Martyr. The second act is associated with ‘Abdullah ‘Azzam who infused the figure of the Martyr with a sanctity long associated with the Sufi Saint by documenting miracles observed during and after the death of Afghan Arabs who died in the Afghan jihad. The third act involves the Taliban’s deployment of public rituals that altered the focus of sacrificial violence from collective veneration of the Martyr to the punishment of criminals who had defiled the purity of the jihad. The fourth act is associated with Osama Bin Laden who exploited the potential of using bodies as weapons of mass destruction, in the process turning the figure of the Suicide Bomber into one of the key symbols of our age. The fifth and final act discussed here involves the rise of the Islamic State and its synthesis of diverse forms of sacrificial violence, expanding and recasting these elements in a symbolic register derived from popular media and centered around the figure of the Slaughterer.
Anti-Social Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy
Authors: Probst Sarah Noel
Published: November 2019

Social media, and Facebook in particular, have become such a ubiquitous and deeply imbedded part of culture that few would bother to mark their existence with more than a casual shrug. People use social media to fulfill all manner of tasks, needs, and desires, while businesses and organizations use it to reach increasingly specific segments of the population. Engaging with social media is a foregone conclusion—a swift glance around any coffee shop, university, classroom, restaurant, or nearly any other public setting is enough to validate this. In the realm of social media, Facebook is king. The platform can now boast of well over 2 billion international users that post, upload pictures and video, and interact with it hundreds of thousands of times a day. At a surface level, Facebook appears to ask nothing of people except their time, but a deeper dive into the world of likes, clicks, and shares unveils a riptide of surveillance, manipulation, disinformation, and digital imperialism. In Anti-Social Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy, Siva Vaidhyanathan takes a floodlight to the very roots of the platform and demonstrates with careful, piercing analysis how it has eroded one of the hallmarks of a democracy: the ability of the public to have reasoned, informed discourse.
Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech
Authors: Jerome Kristi H.
Published: November 2019

There has been a rise in recent discussions about the purpose of higher education. Due to rising costs, political turmoil, and a perceived overabundance of censoring conservative voices, many are questioning whether universities are just bastions of left-leaning, socialist schools of thought. In his book Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech, Keith E. Whittington, a constitutional law professor from Princeton University with a background in history, uses history, constitutional law, and philosophy to show how foundational free speech and intellectual freedom are to the American university system. These principles allow for the exchange of ideas in an environment meant to educate and promote intellectual thought. Whittington writes that universities have a mission to “produce and disseminate knowledge.” In order to accomplish those goals, students and faculty must be able to listen and freely discuss different forms of thought and expression in order to substantiate, strengthen, change, or produce knowledge.
Censorship Dateline
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: November 2019

Schools, Colleges and Universities, Prisons, Bookstores, Broadcast Media
Is It Legal?
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: November 2019

Libraries, Schools, Colleges and Universities, Prisons, Government Speech, Internet, Free Speech, Privacy, International
Drag Queen Storytimes
Authors: Stone David R.
Published: November 2019

Libraries, Community Centers and Museums, Bookstores and Other Stores
En hjelpende livmor?
Authors: Stuvøy Ingvill
Published: November 2019

Surrogati har vært gjenstand for mye debatt i Norge det siste tiåret; en debatt som blant annet har handlet om lovligheten og etikken i nordmenns reising ut av Norge for å få kvinner i andre land til å føde et barn for dem, ofte i bytte med penger. De siste par årene, i forbindelse med den pågående revideringen av Bioteknologiloven, har diskusjonen i økende grad handlet om hvorvidt surrogati burde være lovlig i Norge eller ei, nå helst uten penger involvert. Posisjonene i den norske offentlighet har etterhvert utkrystallisert seg som for eller imot (kommersiell eller altruistisk) surrogati, i Norge eller i andre land. I denne kommentarartikkelen hevder jeg til gjengjeld at ja eller nei til surrogati ikke er (det presserende) spørsmålet. I stedet argumenterer jeg for å se surrogati som en anledning til å tenke grundigere over hva reproduktiv assistanse er og kan være, og hvilke relasjonelle forpliktelser og nye politikker det kaller på. 40 år etter fødselen til verdens første prøverørsbarn i England, muliggjort av at reproduksjonsteknologien «ga naturen en hjelpende hånd» (jf. Strathern, 2002), så har vi fortsatt lite (be)grep om hvordan vi skal forholde oss til den reproduktive assistansen og de menneskene som yter den. Dette ses i den norske barneloven, hvor kun to personer kan defineres som et barns foreldre, til tross for at barn rutinemessig unnfanges takket være flere menneskers innsats. Det jeg gjør i artikkelen er å ta utgangspunkt i det analytiske arbeidet surrogati som fenomen gjør knyttet til reproduktiv assistanse: der den gravide magen og fødselen opp gjennom historien har vært tenkt som synlige bevis på moderskap, så er disse i dag, i kontekst av surrogati, synlige bevis på at det foregår en reproduktiv assistanse. Med inspirasjon i tidligere teoretiseringer av surrogati, utforsker jeg de mulige betydningene av reproduktiv assistanse og hvilket potensial som ligger i å tenke denne assistansen på måter som overskrider to-foreldrenormen og den avgrensede kjernefamilien.
Efficacy of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Lambda-cyhalothrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Performance of Okra in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Authors: Oso A. A. , Okunoye A. J.
Published: November 2019

Okra, an economically important vegetable crop with numerous benefits to human, is often attacked by large number of insect species. These insect species cause direct damage to okra plants and also serve as vectors of diseases resulting in economic loss. Control of these insect pests given reducing hunger and poverty, and fostering agricultural ecosystems becomes imperative.  This study aimed at the use of indigenous medicinal plant and a sub-lethal dose of synthetic insecticide to check the invasion of pests and performance of okra. The field laid in a randomized complete block design of four treatments replicated three times. The treatments included; Curcuma longa 5%, Curcuma longa 20%, lambda-cyhalothrin, and a control. Data were collected on insect pest species recovered after treatment application and yield of okra. All data were subjected to analysis of variance and differences between the treatment means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. C. longa (20%) compared effectively with the sub-lethal dose of lambdacyhalothin (0.5 ml/l) in their attack against the targeted pests. Although higher number and weight of pods were harvested from synthetically treated plots, the C. longa treated plots produced significantly higher number and weight of harvested pods when compared with untreated plots. Water extract of the rhizomes also conferred some protection against okra pests; we recommend that farmers in Ekiti State adopt this botanical against the notorious flea beetles especially when the profits accrue from okra sales outweigh their net investment.
Physiological Assessment of Radiation and PVP/ Zn-Nanoparticles on Sour Orange Seedling
Authors: Hamed Nadia A. , Salah M. , Ahmed M. F. , Shoala Tahsin
Published: November 2019

Aims: The objective of this study is evaluate the effects of both pre-sowing gamma irradiation at low dose of 0 or 20 Gy and the soaking part of radiated seeds in zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) solutions at rate 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm on behavior and physiological changes of sour orange seedling.

Study Design: The design of the study is Two-Way Randomized Blocks.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out during two successive seasons of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 on sour orange rootstock (Citrus aurantium) grown at the experimental farm of the  Horticulture Institute, Giza , Egypt.

Methodology: Eight different treatments were used as follow: 1) Control, 2) Gamma radiation at 0 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 500 ppm. 3) Gamma radiation at 0 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 1000 ppm. 4) Gamma radiation at 0 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 2000 ppm. 5) Gamma radiation at 20 Gy + soaking in tap water Zn NPs at 0 ppm. 6) Gamma radiation at 20 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 500 ppm. 7) Gamma radiation at 20 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 1000 ppm. 8) Gamma radiation at 20 Gy + soaking in Zn NPs at 2000 ppm.

Results: Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed multiple shapes and uniform distribution of Zn NPs through the polymer network and the mean size of Zn NPs ranging is 40.9 nm. Generally, the results reveal that, 20 Gy combined with 1000ppm Zn NPs treatment increased seed germination percentage and stem length. While, 20 Gy plus 500 ppm Zn NPs treatment increased stem diameter and plant pigments concentration. Protein analysis of sour orange seedling treated with gamma radiation and then Zn NPs showed that, protein groups pattern (10-20 KD) enhanced with gamma rays 20 gray alone or with Zn NPs at 500 or 1000 ppm, while the protein groups pattern above 60 KD disappeared.

Conclusion: Using gamma irradiation and then soaking part of irradiated seeds in Zn NPs solutions had significant effects on vegetative growth and root characters as well as some chemical properties of sour orange leaves. In addition, there are variable differences in the protein pattern between treated and untreated sour orange seedlings with gamma radiation and / or Zn NPs. Although, 20 Gy + 500 ppm Zn NPs treatment increased stem diameter, which is the main characteristic for the success of grafting process, the obtained results showed changes in proteins and it possible the gene structure had been changed due to this treatment.
Copper (II) Complex of Salicylaldehyde Semicarbazone: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Sarker Dipta , Karim Md. Rabiul , Haque Md. Masuqul , Zamir Rausan , Asraf Md. Ali
Published: November 2019

Salicylaldehyde semicarbazone ligand and its Cu (II) complex have been synthesized and characterized by a range of physicochemical methods. Experimental data shows the complex is monomeric and the copper atom is four coordinated in a square planar geometry. The ligand chelates the copper in a tridentate fashion through the carbonyl O,  imine N, and phenolato O with the fourth position being occupied by coordinated Cl. Antibacterial activity of the  prepared compounds was tested against the microbes Enterobacter Aerogenes and Bacillus Cereus. The metal complex showed higher antibacterial activity than the free ligand.
SOADIWA: A Service-oriented Architecture for Data Interoperability in Web Applications
Authors: Oladimejia Yusuf Lateef
Published: November 2019

The realisation of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) to communicate data between systems running on different platforms lack an organised framework to capture the essential elements required for successful interoperability between web applications and their services. In this work, a SOA for Data Interoperability in Web Applications (SOADIWA) was designed. The architecture of SOADIWA was based on five layers, namely Web Application Layer (WAL), Quality of Service Assurance Certifier Layer (QoSACL), Web Service Layer (WSL), Visualization Input Layer (VIL) and Visualization Output Layer (VOL). In WAL, the Service Requester (SR) initiates a request for data from the Service Provider (SP) through the QoSACL to provide appropriate website via WSL for rendering of services which must be accepted, processed and returned for a particular need in VIL. The requested data is filtered in VIL for data exploration and analysis in VOL using context-sensitive visualization techniques. The purpose of QoSACL is to check and verify the claims made by the SP about its quality of service. This enabled the SR to choose the service that satisfied its needs. The implementation comprised of Java Script, Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 and NuGet packages; while the experiment was simulated on LoadUI pro application. Standard metrics such as Optimal Performance (OP) and Phased Effort Distribution (PED) were developed to test SOADIWA. These results conformed to basic web service interoperability. The work led to the integration of a host of techniques towards the creation of a novel tool that is useful in web domain using SOA approach.
A Smart Vision Based Navigation Aid for the Visually Impaired
Authors: Kommey Benjamin , Herrman Kumbong , Addo Ernest Ofosu
Published: November 2019

Due to the ever increasing number of blind and visually impaired people in the world, there has been a great amount of research dedicated to the design of assistive technologies to support them. The various assistive technologies apply different techniques including laser, ultrasonic sensors and image processing. Autonomous navigation is a significant challenge for the visually impaired, it makes life uncomfortable for them and poses serious safety issues. In this paper we review the progress made so far in vision based systems and propose an approach for developing navigation aids through techniques used in other autonomous systems like self-driving vehicles. The proposed system uses a front camera to capture images and then produces commensurate guiding audio signals that allow the user freely move in their environment. An extra rear camera is included to allow the user to obtain more information about the scene. Care is taken however not to overload the user with information. The proposed method is tested both in indoor and outdoor scenes and is effective in notifying the user for any obstacles. The goal of this paper is to propose a model for and to develop subsystems for an intelligent, high performance, affordable and easy to use image based navigation aid for the visually impaired.
Ranking of Four Types Fodder as Sole Diet Considering Biological Characteristics and Growth of Local Growing Bulls
Authors: Huque Khan Shahidul , Roy Biplob Kumer , Huda Nazmul
Published: November 2019

Aims: In this experiment, evaluation of intake, digestibility and growth performances of local growing bulls by feeding Jumbo-green, Para and German grass based on Index (Mf) of Maize are considered and ranked this fodder accordingly.

Study Design:  Completely randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka, between July 2016 and September 2016.

Methodology: Biomass production efficiency (Xddm), animal production efficiency (Xap), CH4 emission deduction efficiency (XCH4) and benefit to cost efficiency (Xbc) was considered to identify the biological characteristics of four fodders. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS-17 to evaluate the intake, digestibility and growth of animal. Rank of each fodder was calculated through the equation of Maize index (Mi) = (Xddm + Xap + XCH4 + Xbc)/4.

Results: Aggregation of four arithmetic average efficiency; Jumbo-green, Para and German got 0.42, 0.40 and 0.72 point out of 1.0 point of Mi, respectively. Among four fodders German grass performed best in terms of average daily gain (107 gm/d) and feed conversion ratio (46.9) compared to maize silage (64 gm/d & 58.4, respectively). Weight loss of bulls fed Jumbo and Para has occurred unexpectedly.

Conclusion: In combination of mathematical calculation and statistical evaluation, the rank of four fodders measured as Maize>German>Jumbo-green>Para.
Food Information Requirements of the Indian Consumers
Authors: Ghimire Sarthak , Kamalvanshi V. , Bunkar D. S. , Kumar Rajan
Published: November 2019

Because of increase in the complexity of the food supply chain, there is information asymmetry in the food industry. But, in other hand, due to increase in concern over health, sustainability, local production, genetically modified crops and welfare issues, there is increase in concern of consumers regarding food information. Similarly, food information has direct implication to food safety. Although nutritional labelling is common in India, there exist knowledge gap about the actual informational need of the Indian consumers regarding the food they are consuming. This paper using the primary data collected through the structured web questionnaire tries to explore what information are required by the Indian consumers regarding the food and calculates their average willingness to pay for food with higher information. Survey was conducted in the month of March-April, 2019. A total of 514 valid responses were considered in the study. It was found that maximum number of consumers are willing to know more about chemical used at any stage, followed by production and marketing information and dietary health restrictions, respectively. It is found that Indian consumers at an average willing to pay 11.06% more for food with higher level of food information, than ordinary food. This research is valuable for future research on food information and various authorities to make policies regarding food information.
Differentiation and Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Causing Pulmonary Tuberculosis across North Central Nigeria
Authors: Chuku Aleruchi , Ajide Bukola , Lawson Lovett , Orule Kayode , Adogo Lillian
Published: November 2019

Aims: To differentiate and Characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex causing pulmonary tuberculosis across North Central Nigeria

Study Design: This was a simple descriptive health-based study that involved clinically suspected tuberculosis patients who were referred to two selected General Hospitals for diagnosis in each of the states across North Central Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the North Central zone of Nigeria and it included all the seven States across North Central Nigeria using two General Hospitals per state. The study included 371 positive sputum samples drawn from 2800 suspected pulmonary TB patients between 2017 and 2018.

Methodology: A total of 371 GeneXpert positive sputa for TB were decontaminated using N Acetyl Cysteine and Sodium Hydroxide under a level 3 Bio-safety cabinet and the resulting sediment was cultured on Lowestein- Jensen (LJ) media containing glycerol and pyruvate at 37ºC in a slanted position, SD- Bioline (TB Ag MPT 64) for the differentiation of MTBC from NTM was carried out using the isolates from LJ culture. Evaluation of speciation was done using Line Probe Assay to determine the predominant species of MTBC. All the protocols used in this study followed the manufacturer’s manual strictly.

Results: A total of 371 decontaminated positive GeneXpert sputa derived from 2800 suspected PTB participants were cultured on Lowestein- Jensen (LJ) medium and 302(81.40%) was found positive while 69(18.60%) were found negative. Out of the culture positive isolates, 288 (95.36%) isolates were detected on SD-BIOLINE TB Ag MPT 64 ® assay for MTBC and 14 (4.64%) as NTM. Of the 288 MTBC, three different species were identified; 272 (94.64%) were M. tuberculosis/M. Canetti, 7 (2.43%) were M. africanum and 9(3.13) showed a no MTBC reaction band on all the samples that were analysed.

Conclusion: Differentiations of MTBC from NTM has help to re-confirm that not all symptoms of pulmonary infection are caused by MTBC but NTM are implicated due to their distribution in the environment, however, molecular characterisation method has narrow our findings down to M. tuberculosis/M. canettii as the predominant specie of MTBC circulating in the region, although, M. africaum was also detected and these two species of MTBC are the leading cause of pulmonary tuberculosis across all the North Central state of Nigeria.
Existence of the Rotational Subsonic Stationary Solution for a Two-Dimensional Bipolar Euler-Poisson Equation
Authors: Liu Fang , Li Yeping
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we study a two-dimensional bipolar Euler-Poisson equation (hydrodynamic model), which arises in mathematical modeling for semiconductors and plasmas. We are interested in the existence of the rotational subsonic stationary solution. Under the proper boundary conditions, we show the existence of rotational subsonic stationary solutions for the two-dimensional bipolar Euler-Poisson equation. This result is the first result about the rotational subsonic stationary solution for the multi-dimensional bipolar isentropic Euler-Poisson equation. The proof is completed by delicate energy estimate and fixed point principle.
Os Acromiale-unusual Manifestation as Superior Spur and Bursitis-A Case Report
Authors: Raviraj A. , Maalepati Vidyasagar , Sugumar K. Abhishek , Savsani Vivek Kumar N. , Prabhu Ajith K. , Anand Ashish
Published: November 2019

An Os acromiale is a condition that results from the failure of fusion of the anterior acromial apophysis. It can be asymptomatic. It can also result in subacromial impingement and rotator cuff tear. In this case report of a 39 year-old lady we would like to present the management of the painful bursitis and spur formation on the superior surface of a meso-type of os acromiale. Conservative management in the form of rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy did not provide symptomatic relief. Patient then underwent surgical excision of the superior spur. Open reduction and internal fixation was not carried out. Patient had resolution of pain and no recurrence of symptoms or features of impingement at 6 months follow up. To the best of our knowledge there are limited reports in English literature about this rare subset of patients with symptomatic os acromiale with superior spur formation and with no features of impingement or cuff pathology.
Effects of Different Water Regimes and Spacing on Insect Pest Infestation and Efficacy of Control Measures in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Authors: Oso A. A. , Awe G. O.
Published: November 2019

Aim: Information on the influence of water availability during different seasons of rainfed or irrigated agriculture as it relates to insect pest population build-up in crops could assist in the development of integrated pest management. A study was therefore conducted to investigate effects of spacing, pest infestation and control on cucumber under rainfed and irrigated conditions.

Place and Duration of Study: At the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria during the 2016/2017 rainy and dry seasons.

Methodology: The experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split-plot arrangement in five replications, with spacing (60 x 60 cm, 60 x 90 cm and 60 x 120 cm) as the main plot treatments and the sub-plot treatments were different pest control strategies. The pest control strategies include synthetic insecticide (Lambda-cyhalothrin), botanical insecticide (Anogeissus leiocarpus) and control. Growth parameters and yield attributes were recorded. Insect pest occurrence, their build-up and percentage infestation on cucumber and the efficacy of the management strategies were monitored.

Results: The results showed that yield was enhanced in irrigated system with the widest spacing of 60 x 120 cm botanical treatment interaction. Bemisia tabaci was the most prominent insect pest attacking cucumber under irrigated system.

Conclusion: Other cultural control practices such as the use of trap crops with little or no financial implication should also be added to botanical pesticides as an integrated pest management tactic for effective management and control of the pest.
Challenges Facing Graduate Structural Engineers in the Building Construction Industry in Kenya
Authors: Barnabas Bett , John Simiyu , Herbert Dimo
Published: November 2019

Despite a number of challenges, training institution Kenya has produced structural engineers in the building and construction field. As a result, there have been problems facing these apprentices that have led to questions concerning their competencies in the Kenyan building and construction industry. Mitigating such foreseeable problems, require proper policy planning, which can only be enacted after findings of facts have been adduced. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the challenges facing university trained structural engineers in the construction industry in Kenya. The research design in the study was cross-sectional survey research design. Purposive sampling was employed in collecting the data. The study population comprised practicing structural engineers trained at the universities offering building construction, civil engineering and structural engineering. Questionnaires were used to collected data from the sampled respondents in the building industry. Proportional analysis techniques and statistical chi-square test was used to analyze the data. Information on problems facing the engineers and perception of the engineering graduates concerning university training were collected from 89 Kenyan university trained practicing Structural engineers. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 23.0) presented inform of descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, frequency distribution, cross-tabulation and Chi-square (c2) tests. The results obtained revealed that, graduates had problems related to initial choice of the course, for which they did not have interest in and hence poor content coverage. These results demonstrate the need for establishment of a clear policy aimed at regulating the learning resources for structural engineers at the universities appropriately. Moreover, there is need for standard resources for the teaching of the programme and the need for higher educational funding scheme for research in the universities.