bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of UAV and ArcGIS in Soil and Water Conservation Monitoring of slag area—Taking a slag area of hydroelectric power station in Dadu River as an example
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Yi Zhongqiang , Zhou Chao , Chang Li , Chen Fan , Zhao ZaiXing , Gao Guoqing
Published: December 2019

In the process of slag area in hydropower projects, the ground will be disturbed strongly, and a large amount of spoil slag will be generated, resulting in serious soil erosion. Therefore, the monitoring of soil and water conservation in the slag area of hydropower projects is particularly important. Tradition al ground monitoring cannot fully meet the needs of current monitoring work. UAV technology is more efficient than traditional technology,. Through periodic aerial photography and post-modeling, combining with ArcGIS, provides enhanced data analysis support for UAV data analysis. Taking the 1# slag yard of a hydropower station in Dadu River as an example, this paper discusses the applicability of UAV and ArcGIS technology in soil and water conservation monitoring of large hydropower project slag area. The effective way of maintaining information, while improving the monitoring efficiency of soil and water conservation, can ensure that the monitoring data and the Soil erosion error control are within 10%, making up for the traditional technical ways that is insufficient in the monitoring of soil and water conservation in the large-scale hydropower project slag yard.

In recent years, the state has paid more and more attention to the construction of ecological civilization. As an important part of ecological civilization construction, soil and water conservation work has become more and more important. As an important part of soil and water conservation work, soil and water conservation monitoring is the basis for ecological restoration and comprehensive management of soil and water conservation, and is a powerful guarantee for national ecological construction decision-making [1]. In recent years, the application of remote sensing technology for UAVs is for production and construction. The project of soil and water conservation monitoring work provides a new technical way [2-4]. UAV operation has high automation and precision, and it is targeted. Some models have reached the application-level standards, and with the rapid progress of software and hardware technology, it is greatly improving the post-processing applicability of aerial image data, making drones widely used in aerial photography, agriculture, plant protection and monitoring. Torres-Sánchez et al [5], Francisco et al [6] use low-altitude high-resolution drone remote sensing imagery to carry out on precision agriculture and agricultural pest control. Mitch Bryson et al. [7] used low-altitude visible drone images to study vegetation type classification based on vegetation color and texture characteristics. Sebastian d’Oleire—Oltmanns et al. [8] used high-altitude drone aerial imagery to complete the monitoring of soil erosion in Morocco, providing a reference for soil and water.
Study on the Stretching Mechanism of the lower Reach of the Distribution Estuary of Alluvial River after Lateral bypass flow-Taking Jingjiang Reach of the Yangtze River as an Example
Authors: Qu Geng , Zhao Zhanchao , Zheng Chengtai
Published: December 2019

After diversion, alluvial rivers tend to widen in local areas downstream of diversion ports. The flow is dispersed and the main stream changes in a year are complex, which has a great impact on flood control, navigation and water intake. Taking the Jingjiang reach in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as an example, according to its historical development, this paper describes the variation of the river regime in the downstream of the diversion ports. Based on the analysis of a large number of measured water and sediment data and the boundary conditions of Jingjiang reach, the characteristics of flow movement in the diversion port reach are studied by combining the solid model test. It is found that after river diversion, the distributary morphology of water flows along the river section changes, and the mainstream develops from concentration to dispersion, and the flow of river diversion will change with the variation of channel flow. Generally speaking, in dry season, because of the small diversion volume, the main stream downstream of the diversion port is far from the diversion port, while in flood season, the diversion volume increases, and the main stream affected by the suction of the diversion port is often close to the diversion port, which causes frequent changes of the main stream downstream of the diversion port in the year. In addition, when the mainstream develops from centralization to dispersion, the riverbank will be eroded by water flow, and the mechanical properties of the riverbank soil will change, and the riverbank gradually loses stability and subsequently collapses. The main reason for the widening in the lower reaches of the diversion estuary is a comprehensive effect due to the changes of the distributary morphology and the main stream position caused by the diversion and the geological conditions of the channel.
The Preliminary Study on the Strategy of Ecological Coast Restoration——Illustrated by the case of the Ecological Restoration of Lingni Old Seawall in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Authors: Chaoyu Xie , Wenfei Peng , Yangchang
Published: December 2019

The eco-coastal restoration has been a hot issue in recent years, however a complete theoretical and methodological system has not been formed yet. Taking the ecological restoration project of Lingni old Seawall in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province as an instance, this paper illustrates the status quo of the project, and elaborates on the three steps of site arrangement, environmental restoration and cultural renewal, which embodies the idea of ecological restoration for this type of coastal space. On this basis, three principles of reality-based, nature-rooted and culture-oriented are put forward. It is hoped that in future related projects and coastal space restoration, the nature will be respected in combination with culture, and municipal infrastructure construction, landscape infrastructure construction and ecological infrastructure construction will be closely coordinated, so as to establish a coastal landscape system with multi-sense ecology in line with the principle of utilizing the sea ecologically.
Study on Optimization of Support of Whole Coal Roadway Using Numerical Simulation
Authors: Nian Liu Yan , Yong Zhao Xiao , Hang Peng Qi
Published: December 2019

Roadway is a necessary channel for mining, and smooth and stable roadways are the guarantee for safe and efficient mining. Due to the diversity of roadway support modes and support parameters, this paper aims to analyze the influence of different support modes and different support parameters on the whole coal roadway using numerical simulation method.
Analysis of urban flood prevention emergency plan in Pinghu City
Authors: Wang Lirong , Yan Bin , Ma Xiaobing
Published: December 2019

With the acceleration of urbanization in China, urban flood disasters have gradually become a prominent type of urban disease, seriously affected the normal production and life of urban residents, and brought great challenges to urban flood control and disaster reduction work. Based on the current situation of urban flood control in Pinghu City and the latest Guidelines for the Compilation of Urban Flood Control Emergency Preparedness Plan, this paper analyses the scope of application, key defense objects and key points of urban flood control in Pinghu City, and puts forward the organizational system and responsibilities of urban flood control, preventive and early warning measures, emergency response actions, public defense guidelines, personnel transfer and placement, etc. Specific non-engineering measures for urban flood control are put forward for Pinghu City.
Preliminary study on the erosion impact of breach floods based on numerical simulation and physical model test
Authors: Liu Xinyuan , Chen Dong , Qu Geng , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2019

This paper established the combination model of numerical simulation and physical model test to fully demonstrate the influence of dike-breach floods on the pipeline. Numerical models were used to analyze the effects of different flooding schemes with different breach locations and different breach widths on the engineering line. The results show that the large flow velocity is mainly distributed in the vicinity of the breach for each scheme, and the influence is most serious when the breach occurs near the pipeline. Comparing the floods of different magnitudes comprehensively, the greater is the flood magnitude, the more serious is the influence on the pipeline. As the breach width increases, most of results show some characteristics, such as the decrease of the maximum flow velocity at the breach, the increase of the maximum flow velocity in other areas of the pipeline, the increase of the maximum flow velocity contour range, and the decrease of the large flow velocity duration. The plane and range of the scouring pit were obtained by physical model test. Considering results of numerical and physical model comprehensively, the protection ranges of different grades along the project were determined according to different ranges of impact velocities and scouring pits. The research results can provide reference for the protection of the pipeline in the Jiahetao area.
Modification of the Xin’anjiang Model for Flood Forecasting in Karst Area, Southwestern China
Authors: Jiang Rucheng , Gu Shixiang , Zhou Mi
Published: December 2019

Hydrological modeling of a karst environment is challenging because of the characteristically thin soil and low soil water retention capacity. The purpose of this study was to simulate floods in a complex karstic river basin that comprised a large karst depression, high mountainous karstic areas, springs, and downstream karst areas. In such an environment, deterministic models (e.g., SWAT) are unable to compute the additional contribution from the subsurface. In this paper, a modified Xin’anjiang model was proposed and a specific method was presented for characterizing the karst aquifers flow systems by calibrating parameters from a spring hydrograph analysis. The simulated results indicated that the karst depression, as a storage element, provides a considerable buffer to the effects of a rainstorm. The application of the modified Xin’anjiang model demonstrated its applicability to the karst regions in southwestern China. Thus, it can provide better understanding of such hydrological systems and offer an improved basis for their future hydrological management.
Visualization Analysis for Tunnel Researches Based on CiteSpace
Authors: Li Gong , Zhonghui Wang , Yingdi Qi , Yiqun Yang , Hong Wang
Published: December 2019

In order to find out the history, present situation and hot trend of tunnel research, this article is based on the literature data of tunnel study from 1997 to 2017 in CNKI database, using CiteSpace visual econometric analysis software to co-occurrence analysis and keyword co-word analysis and processing by citation data of authors and research institutions. The results showed that there is close cooperation among the authors of the main research groups, haveing a good cooperative relationship chain among the research institutions, and the keywords of hot research are diversion tunnel, deep buried tunnel, numerical simulation, water conveyance tunnel, lining, rock burst, rock mechanics, surrounding rock, river diversion tunnel, TBM and so on.
Analyzing the algal bloom risk and its relationship with environmental variables in urban landscape water
Authors: Luo Kun , Wu Conglin , Zheng HeZhen , Hu Xuebin , He Qiang
Published: December 2019

Longjing Lake is an urban landscape lake located in the Chongqing Expo Garden, Chongqing City, China. In order to assess the lake condition for eutrophication, the water quality and phytoplankton community in Longjing Lake was investigated monthly in 2016. A total of 53 genera of phytoplankton belonging to eight phyla were identified. The dominant organisms included Pseudanabaena, Ankistrodesmus and Cryptomonas, with Pseudanabaena being the most dominant, (dominance value = 0.7163). One-way ANOVA showed significantly larger Pseudanabaena abundance but lower biotic indices (Shannon-Wiener index (H), richness index (Dm), evenness index (J) and Simpson diversity index (D)) in June through September compared to other months (p < 0.05). A stepwise discriminant function analysis was employed to develop predictive model for assessing the level of algal bloom risk. The input variables for the model included water temperature (T), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO). By measuring the values of T, DO, and COD concentrations, thus, lake managers could understand the temporal variation in phytoplankton biomass, and analyze the risk of algal bloom. Since the model developed in this study use only three easy-to-measure variables, its application can help in rapid assessment of algal bloom risk.
Exploring spatial and temporal distributions of air quality in China from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Liu Yan , Suo Liming
Published: December 2019

In recent years, severe and persistent air pollution episodes in China have drawn wide public concern. It is necessary to analyse and evaluate the current status of air quality of China, which is significant for sustainable urbanization and environment protection. In this study, we investigate the air quality of the key 74 cities in China from 2013 to 2017 based on the data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China. With the use of ArcGIS and Stata, we identify the spatial correlation and agglomeration of the air quality. The significant value of Moran’s I test shows positive autocorrelation between the cities and verifies the spatial spill over effect of the air pollution. From the temporal dimension, we find the seasonal variations and an overall better-off trend of air quality. This improvement over the past year benefits from the strict regulations and governance from both central and local government. Our research provides an updated measurement and detailed illustration of the air condition in China. With the exploration of spatial and temporal distributions of air quality, the research findings facilitate the future governance and guidelines for sustainable environmental development.
Alternative methods for reforestation and land rehabilitation to reduce the plastics waste in forest areas
Authors: Holbert J , Sudrajat D J , Nurhasybi  , Yulianti
Published: December 2019

The accumulation of mismanaged plastic waste in the environment is a serious problem in Indonesia and become a global growing concern. Implementation of mitigation policies to reduce the use of plastics is very urgent, including in reforestation and land rehabilitation programs revealed by many plastics (polybags) used in seedling production for forest planting. Reducing the plastic waste in the planted forest areas can apply some alternative methods that were applied in several regions, such as direct seeding, bare-root seedling and bio-pot seedling. In this paper, application of several methods would be assessed as alternative methods for reforestation and land rehabilitation. Bio-pot seedlings had the highest growth performances in nursery and field test for several tree species, followed by polybag seedling, and direct seeding using seed briquette. However, seedling grown from direct seeding using seed briquette tended to have better root formation, especially in tap root length, tap root biomass and bellow-ground biomass. Direct seeding was estimated twice lower compared to transplanting using polybag or bio-pot seedlings. Furthermore, use of bio-pot seedlings was more effective in rapidly growth and establishing canopy. Direct seeding using seed briquette was a promising alternative technique for land rehabilitation and reforestation, especially for remote areas.
Water quality assessment of Cisadane River using pollution indicator parameters
Authors: Purwati Sri Unon , Lestari Nastiti Sih , Nasution Eva Lindasari
Published: December 2019

The Cisadane River catchment area is approximately 1,375.43 km2, and it is one of the main rivers in Banten and West Java Province, Indonesia. The Cisadane River has an important function in supporting the lives of many people with all their activities. Most of the studies related to the assessment of the water resources quality have used through several water quality indices, Those are are water quality index (WQI), water pollution index (WPI), and river habitat survey (RHS). However, the study of determining pollutant sources in the river has less done, including Cisadane River in this case. This study aimed to identify the important environmental parameters that can be used as indicators of pollution in the Cisadane River. This research was conducted in 2007 - 2014 by collecting water samples, 2 - 4 times every year. Employing the box and whisker statistical method, it can be concluded that free chlorine (Cl2), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenol, total coliform and E.coli were reliable indicators of contamination in The Cisadane River. As an indicator of pollution in the Cisadane River 6 these parameters can be used as a basis for assessing the quality of Cisadane water.
Calling in the face of danger: Do nestling Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) suppress begging in response to predator playbacks?
Authors: Yasukawa Ken , Sollenberger Jessica , Lindsey-Robbins Josie , DeBruyn Elizabeth
Published: December 2019

Nest predation is the most frequent cause of nest failure in birds such as the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) that nest on or near the substrate. Nestlings should therefore exhibit adaptations to reduce the risk of nest predation. We tested the nestling antipredator hypothesis by examining the begging responses of Red-winged Blackbird nestlings to vocalizations of (1) an important nest predator (American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos), (2) a predator that rarely preys on nestlings (Cooper’s Hawk, Accipiter cooperii), and (3) a nonpredator (Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus). We performed playbacks with (1) both parents present at the nest, (2) male at the nest, and (3) neither parent present. Following playback, we measured duration of nestling begging after the parent departed (begging persistence), bouts of otherwise normal begging when no parent was present (parent-absent begging), and calling without postural components of begging (nonpostural begging). When the male or both parents were present during playback, adults responded with alarm calls and nestlings significantly reduced parent-absent begging following American Crow and Cooper’s Hawk playbacks. Nonpostural begging was significantly reduced following Cooper’s Hawk playback, but there were no significant differences in the other begging variables. When neither parent was present, we found no significant differences in nonpostural begging in response to the 3 playback types, but parent-absent begging was significantly reduced following American Crow and Cooper’s Hawk playbacks when compared to Northern Flicker playbacks. These results show that nestlings suppress their vocal begging in response to calls of predators including Cooper’s Hawks even though they are not common nest predators.
Deep learning for drug response prediction in cancer
Authors: Baptista Delora , Ferreira Pedro G , Rocha Miguel
Published: December 2019

Predicting the sensitivity of tumors to specific anti-cancer treatments is a challenge of paramount importance for precision medicine. Machine learning(ML) algorithms can be trained on high-throughput screening data to develop models that are able to predict the response of cancer cell lines and patients to novel drugs or drug combinations. Deep learning (DL) refers to a distinct class of ML algorithms that have achieved top-level performance in a variety of fields, including drug discovery. These types of models have unique characteristics that may make them more suitable for the complex task of modeling drug response based on both biological and chemical data, but the application of DL to drug response prediction has been unexplored until very recently. The few studies that have been published have shown promising results, and the use of DL for drug response prediction is beginning to attract greater interest from researchers in the field. In this article, we critically review recently published studies that have employed DL methods to predict drug response in cancer cell lines. We also provide a brief description of DL and the main types of architectures that have been used in these studies. Additionally, we present a selection of publicly available drug screening data resources that can be used to develop drug response prediction models. Finally, we also address the limitations of these approaches and provide a discussion on possible paths for further improvement. Contact:  mrocha@di.uminho.pt
RNA CoSSMos 2.0: an improved searchable database of secondary structure motifs in RNA three-dimensional structures
Authors: Richardson Katherine E , Kirkpatrick Charles C , Znosko Brent M
Published: December 2019

The RNA Characterization of Secondary Structure Motifs, RNA CoSSMos, database is a freely accessible online database that allows users to identify secondary structure motifs among RNA 3D structures and explore their structural features. RNA CoSSMos 2.0 now requires two closing base pairs for all RNA loop motifs to create a less redundant database of secondary structures. Furthermore, RNA CoSSMos 2.0 represents an upgraded database with new features that summarize search findings and aid in the search for 3D structural patterns among RNA secondary structure motifs. Previously, users were limited to viewing search results individually, with no built-in tools to compare search results. RNA CoSSMos 2.0 provides two new features, allowing users to summarize, analyze and compare their search result findings. A function has been added to the website that calculates the average and representative structures of the search results. Additionally, users can now view a summary page of their search results that reports percentages of each structural feature found, including sugar pucker, glycosidic linkage, hydrogen bonding patterns and stacking interactions. Other upgrades include a newly embedded NGL structural viewer, the option to download the clipped structure coordinates in *.pdb format and improved NMR structure results. RNA CoSSMos 2.0 is no longer simply a search engine for a structure database; it now has the capability of analyzing, comparing and summarizing search results.

Database URL: http://rnacossmos.com
PCaLiStDB: a lifestyle database for precision prevention of prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Yalan , Liu Xingyun , Yu Yijun , Yu Chunjiang , Yang Lan , Lin Yuxin , Xi Ting , Ye Ziyun , Feng Zhe , Shen Bairong
Published: December 2019

The interaction between genes, lifestyles and environmental factors makes the genesis and progress of prostate cancer (PCa) very heterogeneous. Positive lifestyle is important to the prevention and controlling of PCa. To investigate the relationship between PCa and lifestyle at systems level, we established a PCa related lifestyle database (PCaLiStDB) and collected the PCa-related lifestyles including foods, nutrients, life habits and social and environmental factors as well as associated genes and physiological and biochemical indexes together with the disease phenotypes and drugs. Data format standardization was implemented for the future Lifestyle-Wide Association Studies of PCa (PCa_LWAS). Currently, 2290 single-factor lifestyles and 856 joint effects of two or more lifestyles were collected. Among these, 394 are protective factors, 556 are risk factors, 45 are no-influencing factors, 52 are factors with contradictory views and 1977 factors are lacking effective literatures support. PCaLiStDB is expected to facilitate the prevention and control of PCa, as well as the promotion of mechanistic study of lifestyles on PCa.

Database URL: http://www.sysbio.org.cn/pcalistdb/
Larval Performance of a Major Forest Pest on Novel Hosts and the Effect of Stressors
Authors: Peterson Donnie L , Cipollini Don
Published: December 2019

Novel hosts lacking a coevolutionary history with herbivores can often support improved larval performance over historic hosts; e.g., emerald ash borer [Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) Coleoptera: Buprestidae] on North American ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. Whether trees are novel or ancestral, stress on plants increases emerald ash borer preference and performance. White fringetree [Chionanthus virginicus (L.) Lamiales: Oleaceae] and olive [Olea europaea (L.) Lamiales: Oleaceae] are closely related non-ash hosts that support development of emerald ash borer to adulthood, but their relative suitability as hosts and the impact of plant stress on larval success has not been well studied. In a series of experiments, survival and growth of emerald ash borer larvae on these novel hosts were examined along with the impact of stress. In the first experiment, larvae grew more slowly in cut stems of olive than in green ash [Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Marshall) Lamiales: Oleaceae] and several adults successfully emerged from larger olive stems. In two experiments on young potted olive with photosynthesizing bark, larvae died within a week, but mechanical girdling increased the rate of gallery establishment. The final two experiments on field-grown fringetrees found increased larval survivorship and growth in previously emerald ash borer attacked and mechanically girdled plants than in healthy stems or stems treated with the defense hormone, methyl jasmonate. Our results demonstrate that these non-ash hosts are less suitable for emerald ash borer than preferred ash hosts, but previous emerald ash borer attack or girdling led to better survival and growth demonstrating the importance of stress for larval success. In potted olive, high mortality could be due to higher loads of toxic compounds or the presence of chlorophyllous tissue.
My life with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a patient perspective
Authors: Ferrari Pisana , Skåra Hall
Published: December 2019

In recent years, there has been an increase in therapeutic options and treatment strategies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, patients still report delays in receiving a diagnosis, which is a significant burden associated with the disease, and which shows a general lack of disease awareness. This review has been written by two PAH patients to describe the patient experience and explore the ways in which patients are increasingly being given a voice in developing approaches to treatment. As patients with PAH are living longer, it is important that they work with healthcare professionals to develop treatment strategies that improve and maintain quality of life. Healthcare professionals should consider a holistic approach to disease management, including dietary recommendations, individually adapted exercise, and options for counselling where available, alongside therapeutic treatments. The experiences of patients with PAH are important not just for individual patient treatment but should also be considered in clinical trial design and guideline development. Patient representatives and patient associations can play an influential role in improving the treatment and management of PAH. In this review, we use our experiences as patient representatives to describe the current situation of patients with PAH from first experiencing symptoms to receiving treatment, using two patient cases as examples. We also discuss the role of patient advocacy in improving PAH care and future roles for patient associations and patient representatives in the design of clinical trials and development of new treatment guidelines.
Error reporting and the performance of nursing management: a game-theoretic study
Authors: Barrachina Alex , González-Chordá Víctor M
Published: December 2019

The interaction between nurses and their managers is a very important factor in nurses’ error reporting behaviour, which is crucial to improving patient safety in healthcare organizations. However, little theoretical work has been undertaken to analyse this interaction. This paper uses a game-theoretic principal–agent framework with asymmetric information to study this interaction. We suppose that the principal (the nurse manager) asks the agent (the nurse) to perform a task with a certain patient. In case a mistake is made while treating the patient, the nurse has to decide whether to report it to the manager, who can observe whether the patient suffered an accident. We consider different manager’s leadership styles and analyse their performance in obtaining error notification from nurses in this framework.
Jeu de taquin, uniqueness of rectification and ultradiscrete KP
Authors: Iwao Shinsuke
Published: December 2019

In this article, we study tropical-theoretic aspects of the ‘rectification algorithm’ on skew Young tableaux. It is shown that the algorithm is interpreted as a time evolution of some tropical integrable system. By using this fact, we construct a new combinatorial map that is essentially equivalent to the rectification algorithm. Some of properties of the rectification can be seen more clearly via this map. For example, the uniqueness of a rectification boils down to an easy combinatorial problem. Our method is mainly based on the two previous researches: the theory of geometric tableaux by Noumi–Yamada, and the study on the relationship between jeu de taquin slides and the ultradiscrete KP equation by Mikami and Katayama–Kakei.
When States Crack Down on Human Rights Defenders
Authors: Bakke Kristin M , Mitchell Neil J , Smidt Hannah M
Published: December 2019

Research suggests that civil society mobilization together with the ratification of human rights treaties put pressure on governments to improve their human rights practices. An unexplored theoretical implication is that pressure provokes counterpressure. Instead of improving treaty compliance, some governments will have an interest in demobilizing civil society to silence their critics. Yet we do not know how and to what extent this incentive shapes governments’ policies and practices regarding civil society organizations. In this article we argue and show—using a new global database of government-sponsored restrictions on civil society organizations—that when governments have committed to human rights treaties and, at the same time, continue to commit severe human rights abuses, they impose restrictions on civil society groups to avoid monitoring and mitigate the international costs of abuses.
Comparison of 2 fixatives in the porcine colon for in situ microbiota studies
Authors: Blick Anna K , Giaretta Paula R , Sprayberry Sarah , Bush-Vadala Clara , Paulk Chad B , Boeckman Justin , Callaway Todd R , Gill Jason J , Rech Raquel R
Published: December 2019

Fixation is the first step towards preservation of tissues and can impact downstream histological applications. Historically, formalin has been the fixative of choice in both research and clinical settings due to cost, accessibility, and broad applicability. Here, we describe a method for collection of porcine colon, and compare the usage of Carnoy’s solution (CS) to a 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) in tissue fixation. Consecutive colon samples were collected from 24 four-wk-old piglets and fixed in CS for 45 min or NBF for 24 h. We measured the thickness of the inner mucus layer using Alcian Blue stain and found thicker inner mucus layers in porcine colons fixed with CS as compared to NBF (P < 0.0001). Carnoy’s solution-fixed colon exhibited greater bacterial cell counts than NBF-fixed colon (P < 0.0022) after labeling with an eubacterial probe in fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). No difference was observed between the mucosal height (P = 0.42) and number of goblet cells (P = 0.66) between the 2 fixatives. From this, we concluded CS is more suitable than NBF for the preservation of the mucus layer and the associated mucosal bacteria in the porcine colon without compromising on overall tissue morphology. This study provides a useful sampling and fixation methodology for histology studies in the porcine gastrointestinal tract, and may be beneficial to microbiota, pathology, and nutrition studies.
Playing the Spinal Chord: Tantric Musicology and Bengali Songs in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Williams Richard David
Published: December 2019

Across the nineteenth century, Bengali songbook editors applied musicological theory to their tantric religious practices. Responding to the new possibilities of musical publishing, these editors developed innovative techniques of relating the body to music by tying together tantric tropes with music theory and performance practice. Theories about the affective potential and poetic connotations of rāgas were brought into conversation with understandings of the yogic body, cakras, and the visualization of goddesses. These different theories, stemming from aesthetics and yogic philosophy, were put into effect through lyrical composition and the ways in which songs were set to music and edited for printed anthologies. This article considers different examples of tantric musical editorial, and explores how esoteric knowledge was applied in innovative ways through the medium of printed musical literature.
The importance of mesorectum motion in determining PTV margins in rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy
Authors: Alickikus Zumre Arican , Kuru Ahmet , Aydin Barbaros , Akcay Dogukan , Gorken Ilknur Bilkay
Published: December 2019

New precision radiotherapy (RT) techniques reduce the uncertainties in localizing soft and moving tumors. However, there are still many uncontrollable internal organ movements. In our study, patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NA-CRT) for rectal cancer were evaluated to determine inter-fraction mesorectum motion and dosimetric changes. Fourteen patients treated with NA-CRT for rectal cancer between 2014 and 2016 were included in the analysis. The mesorectum and clinical target volume (CTV) were delineated on planning computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT (CB-CT) scans. After planning with a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan, re-planning was performed on all CB-CTs. Finally, the volumetric and dosimetric changes of PTV and mesorectum were evaluated in all CB-CTs compared with the initial CT and VMAT plans. The geometrical center of mesorectum volume in CB-CTs had moved 1 (0.2–6.6), 1.6 (0.2–3.8) and 1.6 (0–4.9) mm in the x, y and z-axis respectively compared with the initial CT. The dosimetric parameters of PTV including D2, D95 and D98 on CB-CT showed a median 47.19 (46.70–47.80), 45.05 (44.18–45.68) and 44.69 (43.83–45.48) Gy and median 1% (1–2), 0% (0–2) and 1% (0–2) dosimetric change compared with the initial VMAT plan. In our study, we have shown that the mesorectum has moved up to 20 mm in the lateral and anterior–posterior direction and almost 10 mm in the superior/inferior direction during RT, causing a median of ~2% change in dosimetric parameters. Therefore, these movements must be considered in determining PTV margins to avoid dosimetric changes.
Measurement of Social Integration: Syrian Women in Turkey
Authors: Açikalin Şuay Nilhan , Erçetin Şefika Şule , Potas Nihan , Çevik M. Sabir , Neyişçi Nilay Başar , Görgülü Deniz
Published: December 2019

The concept of integration, defined as a harmonization process between the host society and immigrants, aims to maintain peaceful and social relationships. This study aims to measure the social integration of immigrants; to analyse multidimensionality the integration level of women Syrian refugees in Turkey; and to determine whether the integration status of refugee women differs according to age, marital status, number of children in the family and number of individuals in the family. In the study, the Social Integration of Immigrant Scale, which consists of four sub-dimensions, was used as a data-collection tool. When the validity and reliability analysis results of the scale were evaluated, it was concluded that Social Integration of Immigrant Scale was an appropriate instrument for psychometric use. In the result of the research, it was seen that refugee women have a high level of integration. It has been concluded that the social integration of Syrian women is highest in education and lowest in social inclusion.
Dualism or Paradox? A New ‘Light’ on the Gospel of John
Authors: Estes Douglas
Published: December 2019

Modern scholarship maintains the Gospel of John is dualistic. This view is uneasily held as there is a growing move to distance the gospel from the original history-of-religions concept of dualism that reached its peak in the mid-twentieth century with expectations of incipient Gnosticism in John. Instead of further nuancing the dualistic-sounding ideas in John, this essay challenges directly the claim that John is dualistic—and it proposes that what is often understood to be a dualistic metaphysic is actually paradoxical language as part of the Gospel’s oral and literary language games. Starting with a survey of how dualism entered into the scholarly purview of John, the essay then turns to the meaning and function of paradox in the ancient world. Since scholars point to John’s ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ imagery as the most prominent example of dualism, this essay uses the paradox language of ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ as a test case to demonstrate how paradox, and not dualism, is a more accurate and historical descriptor for John’s communicative strategy.
Capture of interstellar objects: a source of long-period comets
Authors: Hands T O , Dehnen W
Published: December 2019

We simulate the passage through the Sun–Jupiter system of interstellar objects (ISOs) similar to 1I/‘Oumuamua or 2I/Borisov. Capture of such objects is rare and overwhelmingly from low incoming speeds on to orbits akin to those of known long-period comets. This suggests that some of these comets could be of extrasolar origin, in particular inactive ones. Assuming ISOs follow the local stellar velocity distribution, we infer a volume capture rate of $0.051\, \mathrm{au}^3\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. Current estimates for orbital lifetimes and space densities then imply steady-state captured populations of ∼102 comets and ∼105 ‘Oumuamua-like rocks, of which 0.033 per cent are within 6 au at any time.
Is child weight status correctly reported to parents? Cross-sectional analysis of National Child Measurement Programme data using ethnic-specific BMI adjustments
Authors: Firman Nicola , Boomla Kambiz , Hudda Mohammed T , Robson John , Whincup Peter , Dezateux Carol
Published: December 2019

Background

BMI underestimates and overestimates body fat in children from South Asian and Black ethnic groups, respectively.

Methods

We used cross-sectional NCMP data (2015–17) for 38 270 children in three inner-London local authorities: City & Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets (41% South Asian, 18.8% Black): 20 439 4–5 year-olds (48.9% girls) and 17 831 10–11 year-olds (49.1% girls). We estimated the proportion of parents who would have received different information about their child’s weight status, and the area-level prevalence of obesity—defined as ≥98th centile—had ethnic-specific BMI adjustments been employed in the English National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).

Results

Had ethnic-specific adjustment been employed, 19.7% (3112/15 830) of parents of children from South Asian backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a heavier weight category, and 19.1% (1381/7217) of parents of children from Black backgrounds would have been informed that their child was in a lighter weight category. Ethnic-specific adjustment increased obesity prevalence from 7.9% (95% CI: 7.6, 8.3) to 9.1% (8.7, 9.5) amongst 4–5 year-olds and from 17.5% (16.9, 18.1) to 18.8% (18.2, 19.4) amongst 10–11 year-olds.

Conclusions

Ethnic-specific adjustment in the NCMP would ensure equitable categorization of weight status, provide correct information to parents and support local service provision for families.
A participatory method to assess the contribution of agricultural research to societal changes in developing countries
Authors: Faure Guy , Blundo-Canto Genowefa , Devaux-Spatarakis Agathe , Le Guerroué Jean Louis , Mathé Syndhia , Temple Ludovic , Toillier Aurélie , Triomphe Bernard , Hainzelin Etienne
Published: December 2019

Over the last decade, societal pressure has increased on public research agencies to provide evidence that their research contributes to achieve development goals. To address this challenge, the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (Cirad), developed an ex-post impact assessment method based on the impact pathway approach, called Impact of Research in the South (ImpresS). The reconstruction of the impact pathway identifies and assesses research outputs, outcomes, and impacts on development over long-time spans, taking into account the contribution of other stakeholders, projects, and contextual factors. By applying mixed methods and participatory approaches, ImpresS involves key actors in assessing the contribution of research to impacts in innovation processes. Such a participatory approach raises, however, questions about the advantages and disadvantages of participation in impact assessment. This article examines whether and how participation affects the results of an evaluation and the methodological challenges this poses. The analysis is based on 13 case studies covering different innovation processes, countries, and time spans. The main results show that participation, combined with triangulation of information including quantitative and qualitative data, strengthens the explanation of the causal relationships among outputs, outcomes, and impacts. It helps reveal a large and diversified list of impacts based on the perception of actors, especially uncovering positive and negative impacts unexpected by researchers. However, participation may render other impacts less visible, especially those related to environmental and political issues. Furthermore, participatory evaluation entangles challenges linked to expectations, divergent perceptions, power dynamics, and social inequality, which must be carefully addressed to provide robust and transparent evaluation results.
RADIOMETRIC SURVEY OF THE TYAA RIVER SAND MINE IN KITUI, KENYA
Authors: Matsitsi S M , Linturi J M , Kebwaro J M , Kirago L M
Published: December 2019

Gamma spectroscopic analyses of sand and rock samples from Tyaa River report an average activity concentration of 33 ± 1, 55 ± 2.8 and 812 ± 40.46 Bqkg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively in the sand. A similar analysis of rock samples reveals a mean of 21 ± 2.47, 49 ± 2.47 and 782 ± 39.13 Bqkg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The absorbed dose rate in rocks averaged 75 ± 3.78 nGyh−1, while in the sand was 86.2 ± 4.31 nGyh−1. The ranges and mean radiological hazard indices (radium equivalent, internal and external) were within the permissible limits and the use of sand and rocks from this mine as construction material pose no health risks. Correlation analysis between the radioactivity in the sand and rocks reveals weak non-linear positive relationships suggesting that they might be from different bedrocks.
Self-Care in an Interprofessional Setting Providing Services to Detained Immigrants with Serious Mental Health Conditions
Authors: Cartwright Hannah C , Hope Megan E , Pleasants Gregory L
Published: December 2019

The authors are social workers and lawyers in an interprofessional setting providing legal and social services to detained immigrants in deportation proceedings who have serious mental health conditions. Drawing on direct experience working in the setting, as well as survey responses and feedback from other involved providers, the authors (a) identify barriers to self-care for social workers and lawyers that prevent them from effectively addressing the effects of secondary trauma; (b) propose a relationship-centered framework that, as an alternative to individualized practices of self-care, serves as a way to overcome those barriers; and (c) apply that framework to a case example from their interprofessional setting. The authors advocate for a relationship-centered, recovery-based approach to self-care to manage trauma exposure responses for social workers and lawyers in their specific interprofessional setting and for those working together in similar settings.
Congenital Malaria in Newborns Delivered to Mothers with Malaria-Infected Placenta in Blue Nile State, Sudan
Authors: Omer Samia A , Adam Ishag , Noureldien Ali , Elhaj Hadeel , Guerrero-Latorre Laura , Silgado Aroa , Sulleiro Elena , Molina Israel
Published: December 2019

Diagnosis of congenital malaria is complicated by the low density of the parasite circulating in the cord blood and/or the peripheral blood of the newborns. Molecular techniques are significantly more sensitive than blood smears in detecting low-level parasitemia. This study investigated the prevalence of congenital malaria by the use of the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) in 102 babies born to mothers with microscopically confirmed infected placenta from Blue Nile state, Sudan. At delivery time, placental, maternal peripheral and cord blood samples in addition to samples collected from the newborns’ peripheral blood were examined for malaria infection using Giemsa-stained thick smear and parasite DNA detection by real-time PCR. The overall prevalence of congenital malaria includes the total babies with cord blood parasitaemia and peripheral blood parasitaemia was 18.6 and 56.8% using microscopy and real-time PCR, respectively. Even though all the neonates were aparasitaemic by microscopy, 19 (18.6%) of the babies had congenital malaria detected by real-time PCR, 15 (25.9%) of the babies with congenital malaria were born to mothers with both placental and peripheral blood malaria infections detected using the two techniques. Congenital malaria was significantly associated with cord blood malaria infections, maternal age and maternal haemoglobin level (p < 0.001). This first study investigating congenital malaria in Blue Nile state, Sudan shows that malaria-infected placenta resulted in infant and cord blood infections.
Subnational operationalization of One Health: lessons from the establishment of One Health rapid response teams in Tanzania
Authors: Mtui-Malamsha Niwael , Assenga Justine , Swai Emmanuel , Msemwa Faraja , Makungu Selemani , Chinyuka Harrison , Bernard Jubilate , Sallu Raphael , OleNeselle Moses , Ponsiano Elias , Kazwala Rudovick , Kimera Sharadhuli , Nonga Hezron , Folorunso Fasina
Published: December 2019

In 2018, Tanzania launched the One Health Coordination Desk (OHCD) in a country that operates a centralized public health system with limited privatization. In contrast, the animal health system is decentralized, with huge reliance on privatization. Subnational level implementation of health services are sometimes at odds with national-level planning due to inherent challenges. To bridge these gaps, One Health rapid response teams (OHRRTs) were set up and pilot tested in selected districts and regions of Tanzania. These teams serve the community directly through the delivery of community-oriented One Health activities. We discuss the OHRRT set-up process as an example of good practice for adoption in developing economies.