bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room Temperature NO2 Gas Sensor Based on Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes /Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Abbas Sally K. , Naje Asama N.
Published: November 2020

Functionalized-multi wall carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) and functionalized-single wall carbon nanotubes (F-SWCNTs) were well enhanced using NiO Nanoparticles. The sensor device consisted of a film of sensitive material (F-MWCNTs/ Nickel oxide nanoparticles) and (F-SWCNTs/ Nickel oxide nanoparticles) deposited by drop casting on n-type porous silicon substrate. The two sensors perform high sensitivity to NO2 gas at particular temperatures. The analysis indicated that the (F-MWCNTs/NiONPs) have a better performance than (F-SWCNTs/NiONPs). The F-SWCNTs/NiONPs gas sensor shows high sensitivity (18.2 %) at RT with response time 16 sec, while F-MWCNTs/NiONPs gas sensor show better sensitivity (45 %) at RT with response time 26 sec. The device shows a very reproducible sensor performance, with high repeatability, complete recovery and adequate response. A demonstration of the improvement in sensing of NO2 gas using NiO-functionalized nanotubes is provided.
Abrasion Depth-Mechanical Properties Relations of Low-Cost PVA Engineered Cementitious Composites
Authors: Ayoob Nadheer S. , Daek Yasir H. , Hilo Ali N. , Abid Sallal R.
Published: November 2020

Five engineered cementitious composite mixtures were adopted in this study with five different contents of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% of untreated low cost PVA fiber. Four different test specimens were prepared from the five mixtures to conduct several tests. Abrasion tests were conducted using 300 mm discs for six time steps each of 12 hours, while 100 mm cubes were used to evaluate the compressive strength. Cylinders with 100 mm diameter and 200 mm depth were adopted for splitting tensile strength, while four-point bending tests were conducted using small concrete beams with a span of 210 mm. The modulus of rupture was calculated from the tested beams, while the stiffness and elastic energy were calculated based on the load and deflection records of the beams. The tests showed that compressive strength did not affected noticeably by fiber inclusion, while all other mechanical quantities in addition to abrasion resistance exhibited significant improvement due to PVA fiber effect. The stiffness, splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture and elastic energy exhibited maximum developments of 45, 134, 287 and 1181%, respectively, due fiber addition to the mixture. Quadratic formulas were found to be very accurate to correlate the relationship between abrasion depth in millimeters and each of splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture and elastic energy, where R2 values of these relations were between 96.7 and 99.5%.
Water Impact-Abrasion Erosion of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced High Performance Concrete
Authors: Ali Sajjad H. , Ayoob Nadheer S. , Hussein Munther L. Abdul , Abid Sallal R.
Published: November 2020

Aiming to evaluate the resistance of High Performance Concrete (HPC) against the abrasion erosion due to the continual impact of water and water borne materials, six HPC mixtures reinforced with different fibers and fiber combinations were prepared and tested experimentally in this study. All mixtures share the same contents of all materials, while the types and combinations of fibers used were different among the mixtures. All mixtures included a total of 2.5% volumetric content of fibers. The mixture S6 included pure 6 mm micro-steel fiber (S6), S15 mixture included pure 15 mm micro-steel fiber (S15), while the S6-S15 mixture included 1.25% of each of S6 and S15. S6-PP and S15-PP included 2.0% of S6 or S15, respectively, in combination with 0.5% of polypropylene fiber (PP), while the sixth mixture included 1.0% S6, 1.0% S15 and 0.5% PP. The impact abrasion test was conducted on 200×200 mm plat targets with 50 mm thickness that were fixed perpendicular to a water jet with a high speed of 20 m/s. The results revealed that all HPC mixtures exhibited much higher abrasion resistance than normal concrete. The results also showed that the S15 mixture was the one with highest abrasion resistance with an abrasion loss of only approximately 20 grams after 12 hours testing.
Knowledge on Sudden Unexplained Infant Death-related Safe Sleep Practices and Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pediatric Nurses
Authors: Cho Jung Ae , Sohn Min , Lee Sangmi , Ahn Young Mee
Published: November 2020

Purpose: Sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) is a major contributor to infant mortality, and pediatric nurses have the responsibility to educate parents on SUID-reducing strategies. This study was conducted to measure pediatric nurses' knowledge of SUID-related safe sleep practices (K-SSSP) and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (K-ICPR).Methods: In total, 136 pediatric nurses were administered a survey including K-SSSP (13 items), K-ICPR (5 items), confidence in K-SSSP education (1 item; 5 points), and other factors relating to SUID experiences or education.Results: The correct answer rates of the K-SSSP and K-ICPR were 62.6% and 62.5%, retrospectively. The mean score for confidence in K-SSSP education was 2.6±0.9. Only 18 nurses (13.2%) responded that they educated parents on the content of the K-SSSP, while 76 nurses had received education on SUID. Positive relationships were observed between K-SSSP scores and higher education, between K-ICPR scores and having own child(ren) and clinical experience, and between confidence in K-SSSP education and higher education or having one's own child(ren). Nurses caring for newborns performed more SUID education than nurses working in other units.Conclusion: There is a profound need to implement a systemic educational program on SUID and strategies to reduce SUID for pediatric nurses.
Ozonation as a pre-treatment of landfill leachate
Authors: Hoffmann Leticia Tamara , Jorge Matheus Caneles Batista , Amaral Adriana Garcia do , Bongiovani Milene Carvalho , Schneider Roselene Maria
Published: November 2020

Ozone is an oxidizing agent with a potential for removing complex molecules, including those of difficult microbiological decomposition, such as the molecules found in landfill leachates. This effluent presents high organic content, including recalcitrant molecules. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficiency of ozonation in the treatment of raw leachate at the Primavera landfill, located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experiments were carried out using the batch system. The leachate pH value was set at 7 and 10, and the contact times between the gas and the leachate were 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 minutes. Throughout the study, we analyzed color, turbidity, pH value, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV abs) of the leachate, both before and after ozonation. Results show that ozonation presented high removal of color, COD and UV abs when pH was 7. In contrast, turbidity removal was higher when the pH value was 10. Regarding contact time, we observed a high removal of color (between 80% and 90%) and UV abs (between 60% and 70%) at 40 minutes, depending on the pH value. Removal was also high for turbidity (approximately 75%) starting at 20 minutes with the pH value at 10, and at 70 minutes with pH at 7. The removal relation within all analyzed parameters (due to ozone consumption) decreased throughout the reaction time. Thus, we concluded that ozonation as a pre-treatment of leachate is indeed satisfactory because of its great capacity for organic material removal.
Biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds in Red Water by white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and floridae
Authors: Kist Cristiane Patrícia , Scherer Claudio Eduardo , Soares Marlene , Rodrigues Marcio Barreto
Published: November 2020

Pleurotus fungi are basidiomycetes that stand out in the degradation of recalcitrant organic compounds such as lignin derivatives and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to make a comparative evaluation of the capacity of the Pleurotus ostreatus POS 560 and Pleurotus floridae PSP1 fungi in the degradation of 2,4 and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (DNTs) in effluent from an explosive factory. The characterization of the effluent indicated 318 mg L-1 of DNTs, 246 mg L-1 of COD and toxicity factor for Daphnia magna corresponding to 8. The conduct of a multivariate study estimated the influence of the variables pH (5.0 and 6.0), co-substrate concentration (10 and 20 g L-1 of glucose) and species of the fungus Pleurotus (ostreatus and floridae) on the degradation of DNTs, indicating that the variables Fungus and [Glucose] were significant (p <0.05) presenting effects in the order of + 4.45 ± 0.26 and -1.14 ± 0.26, respectively. The reproduction of the best efficiency conditions (P. floridae; pH 6.0 and 10 g L-1 of glucose) in agitated flasks (100 rpm, 26oC) was able to carry out, within 14 days of treatment, the removal of organic matter and toxicity factor in levels on the order of 55 and 50%, respectively, in addition to the complete degradation of DNTs which occurred in the first 120 hours of treatment. In this period, the maximum activity of the peroxidase and Mn-peroxidase enzymes was also characterized, suggesting high potential of the bioprocess under study for remediation of effluents contaminated with nitroaromatic compounds.
Потенциал Рисса с суммируемой плотностью в пространствах
переменной гельдеровости
Authors: Vakulov Boris Grigir'evich , Drobotov Yuri Evgenievich
Published: November 2020

Доказаны условия ограниченности сферического
и пространственного операторов типа потенциала Рисса
переменного порядка с суммируемой плотностью в пространствах
переменной гельдеровости.
Библиография: 20 названий.
Локальная аппроксимация параболическими сплайнами в среднем при больших интервалах усреднения
Authors: Shevaldin Valerii Trifonovich
Published: November 2020

В работе рассматриваются локальные параболические сплайны на оси $\mathbb R$ с равноотстоящими узлами, реализующие простейшую схему локальной аппроксимации, но в ее формуле вместо значений функций в узлах аппроксимируются их средние значения в симметричных окрестностях этих узлов. Для произвольного шага усреднения $H$, более чем в два раза большего, чем шаг сетки $h$ сплайна, на классе функций $W_\infty^2$ точно вычислены погрешности аппроксимации в равномерной метрике этих функций и их производных. Для малых шагов усреднения $H\le 2h$ эти величины были вычислены Е. В. Стрелковой в 2007 году. Библиография: 12 названий.
Associations among Household Animal Ownership, Infrastructure, and Hygiene Characteristics with Source Attribution of Household Fecal Contamination in Peri-Urban Communities of Iquitos, Peru
Authors: Schiaffino Francesca , Rengifo Trigoso Dixner , Colston Josh M. , Paredes Olortegui Maribel , Shapiama Lopez Wagner V. , Garcia Bardales Paul F. , Pisanic Nora , Davis Meghan F. , Penataro Yori Pablo , Kosek Margaret N.
Published: November 2020

Using previously validated microbial source tracking markers, we detected and quantified fecal contamination from avian species and avian exposure, dogs, and humans on household cooking tables and floors. The association among contamination, infrastructure, and socioeconomic covariates was assessed using simple and multiple ordinal logistic regressions. The presence ofCampylobacterspp. in surface samples was linked to avian markers. Using molecular methods, animal feces were detected in 75.0% and human feces in 20.2% of 104 households. Floors were more contaminated than tables as detected by the avian markerAv4143, dog markerBactcan, and human markerBachum. Wood tables were consistently more contaminated than non-wood surfaces, specifically with the mitochondrial avian markersND5and CytB, fecal marker Av4143, and canine markerBactcan. Final multivariable models with socioeconomic and infrastructure characteristics included as covariates indicate that detection of avian feces and avian exposure was associated with the presence of chickens, maternal age, and length of tenancy, whereas detection of human markers was associated with unimproved water source. Detection ofCampylobacterin surface samples was associated with the avian fecal marker Av4143. We highlight the critical need to detect and measure the burden of animal fecal waste when evaluating household water, hygiene, and sanitation interventions, and the possibility of decreasing risk of exposure through the modification of surfaces to permit more effective household disinfection practices. Animals may be a more important source of household fecal contamination than humans in many low-resource settings, although interventions have historically focused almost exclusively on managing human waste.
Mark Tulij Cicero
Authors: Ciceron Mark Tulij , Zlobec Barbara
Published: November 2020

Pro Archia je obrambni sodni govor, ki ga je Mark Tulij Ciceron imel poleti leta 62 pr. Kr. Takrat je že dosegel višek svoje kariere in slave, saj je bil leto prej kot konzul odkril in zadušil zaroto, ki so jo snovali razvpiti patricij Katilina in njegovi pristaši.

Pesnika Arhijo je neki Gratij obtožil, da si je nezakonito pridobil državljanske pravice; za ta prestopek je bilo pristojno stalno sodišče z izžrebano poroto (quaestio perpetua de civitate). Sodni primer je bil nezahteven in Ciceron je verjetno Arhijevo obrambo sprejel iz prijateljskega nagiba. Dokaze o Arhijevi nedolžnosti je Ciceron izpostavil pravzaprav samo v prvem delu govora, v nadaljevanju pa se je osredotočil na proslavljanje poezije in na pomen kulture za posameznika in za družbo; že sam Ciceron je začutil, da je zaigral na register, ki tradicionalno ni bil značilen za sodno, pač pa za epidejktično govorništvo, zato se je čutil dolžnega, da izbiro razloži in opraviči.
Evherij Lyonski
Authors: Lyonski Evherij , Bobovnik Nena
Published: November 2020

Evherijevo drugo najslovitejše delo je pismo De laude eremi. Gre za hvalnico otoškemu samostanu Lérins v Ligurskem morju pri Cannesu, na katerem ima okoli leta 400 ustanovljena meniška skupnost skoraj neprekinjeno tradicijo vse do današnjega dne. Na ta meniški locus amoenus se Evherij v De laude ozira skozi prizmo alegorizirajoče hvalnice puščavi kot edinemu pravemu kraju za meniha, asketa in slehernika, ki se želi približati bogu.
Skica za portret
Authors: Senegačnik Brane
Published: November 2020

Kajetan Gantar je prvo ime slovenske klasične filologije in ne nepomebna referenca v mednarodnih krogih. S svojo prevajalsko umetnostjo vtiskuje nespregledljiv pečat slovenski literaturi in če nikoli v zgodovini ni nastajalo toliko slovenskih prevodov antične, srednjeveške in renesančne literature kot v nekaj zadnjih desetletjih, ima pri tem brez dvoma velik delež zaslug, neposredno in posredno, tudi kot učitelj mlajših generacij.
Makrobijev ekskurz o rimskem koledarju (Sat. 1.12-16)
Authors: Petrič Matej
Published: November 2020

Članek obravnava koledarski ekskurz iz Makrobijevih Saturnalij. To antikvarno delo iz prve polovice 5. stoletja vsebuje dva pasusa, posvečena koledarskim vprašanjem (Sat. 1.3 in 1.12.16), ki sta predvsem zaradi virov, na katerih temeljita, kot tudi zaradi obširnega prikaza še danes nepogrešljiv vir za preučevanje rimskega koledarja. Vsebujeta namreč številne podatke, ki manjkajo v primerljivih pasusih pri Cenzorinu in Solinu. V članku se najprej posvečam avtorju Saturnalij, Makrobiju Ambroziju Teodoziju. Po predstavitvi Saturnalij in njihove strukture se težišče članka prenese na osvetlitev koledarskega pasusa in na njegovo umestitev v Saturnalije. V tem delu skušam pokazati, zakaj je Makrobij omenjal določene stvari in v kolikšni meri zapisano drži oziroma je plod kasnejše antikvarne literature, na podlagi katere je Makrobij pisal.
Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethylated and Cross-Linked Enset Starch as a Disintegrant in Tablets
Authors: Mengesha Yohannes , Belete Anteneh , Gebre-Mariam Tsige
Published: November 2020

Starch and modified starches have been commonly employed as excipient in pharmaceutical industry. The use of non-modified or “native” starch,  However, is mostly confined due to limitation in several physicochemical properties. Cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl starch which is also known as sodium starch glycolate is extensively used in fast dissolving tablets to disperse the drugs within short span of time. In this study, enset starch was carboxymethylated and subsequently cross-linked. Carboxymethyl enset starch (CMES) was obtained by reacting enset starch and monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide. CMESs having different degree of substitution (DS) were cross-linked at variousconcentrations (2.5, 5 and 10% w/w) of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) to provide sodium starch glycolate of enset starch (SSG-E). The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the presence of carboxymethylated group in the modified starch granules with new band at 1608.52 cm-1. This dually modified enset starch (SSG-E) was evaluated as a potential disintegrant in paracetamol tablets in comparison with commercially available sodium starch glycolate, Disegel. Carboxymethylation was significantly influenced by reaction medium, reaction temperature and reaction time (p < 0.05). CMES with higher DS (0.437 ± 0.03) exhibited higher peak viscosity than CMES with lower DS (0.224 ± 0.01). Despite exhibiting greater swelling power, CMES showed significantly lower pasting viscosity compared to the native starch (p < 0.05). At 2.5% SHMP, the dually modified starch (SSG-E) exhibited significant increase in swelling but its rate of water-uptake was lower than that of Disegel. As the SHMP concentration wasincreased from 2.5 to 5%, the swelling power decreased significantly (p < 0.05). When the concentration was increased to 10% the swelling power increased significantly (p < 0.05). At 2.5% SHMP concentration SSG-E showed a viscosity comparable to that of CMES. As the concentration of SHMP increased to 5 and to 10% w/w, significant decrease in viscosity (p < 0.05) was observed. Compared to the native enset starch (NES), the solubility of SSG-E was more than 4-fold, but its viscosity was much lower than that of CMESs. The SSG-E exhibited lower moisture sorption than CMES but higher sorption than NES. SSG-E showed good flowability, superior swelling power and solubility than NES. The disintegration time (DT) of paracetamol tablets containing SSG-E as a disintegrant was comparable to those tablets with similar concentration of Disegel. At 4% SSG-E, paracetamol tablets exhibited DT less than 1 min.

Keywords: carboxymethylation, degree of cross-linking, enset starch, paracetamol tablets, sodium starch glycolate
In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Methanol Leaf Extract and Fractions of Afzelia bellaHarms (Fabaceae)
Authors: Ofeimun Josephine , Afolabi James , Dowe Ejiro , Erhauyi Osayemwenre , Bafor Enitome , Amaechina Fabian , Ayinde Buniyamin
Published: November 2020

Afzelia bella Harms (Fabaceae), a plant widely distributed in Africa, is used in traditional medicine for varied disease conditions including the treatment of topical skin infections. The present study investigated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract and various solvent fractions of the leaves of the plant. The methanol leaf extract was partitioned to yield petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and residual aqueous fractions. Total phenol and flavonoid contents, radical scavenging activity and ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined by spectrophotometry, while antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract and fractions were determined using agar-well diffusion and agar dilution methods, respectively against clinical bacterial isolates of Bacillus subtilis, Escherishia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Candida parapsilosis, Microsporium audiounii. Bacillus subtilis was the most susceptible among the bacterial strains tested, while Microsporium audiounii was the most susceptible fungus. The alcoholic extract and all solvent fractions demonstrated a concentration dependent antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone diameter range of 7.5 to 35.0 mm. MIC ranged from 0.1 - 8 mg/ml and activity was highest in ethyl acetate fraction with MIC of 0.1 mg/ml. FRAP ranged from 0.161 - 0.319 mmol Fe2+/g extract and was highest in the ethyl acetate fraction. These results give an indication that A. bella leaf has high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and support the folkloric claim of the therapeutic potential of the plant.

Keywords: antioxidant, antimicrobial, ethnomedicine, Afzelia bella, Fabaceae
Geochemical evaluation of Campanian-Maastritchian clay-shale sediments of Patti formation, Southern Bida and Mamu Formation, northern Anambra basins
Authors: Atabo Nathaniel Odoma , Sunday Ojochogwu Idakwo
Published: November 2020

Two basins (Southern Bida and Northern Anambra Basins) were investigated to deduce weathering, paleooxygenation, provenance, depositional environment and tectonic setting, as well as to establish a relationship between the two basins. The obtained high values of calculated weathering indices such as Chemical index of alteration (CIA > 90), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW > 90), Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA > 90) and the Al2O3-(CaO + Na2O)-K2O ternary relationship for the clay – shale sediments from both basins indicate intense weathering in the source area. Important geochemical ratios such as V/Cr, Cu/Zn, Ni/Co, (Cu+Mo)/Zn, revealed predominantly oxic conditions for the clay – shale sediments from both basins, although, a more reducing or an anoxic condition cannot be ruled out for the clay – shale sediments from the Southern Bida basin due to high ratios of U/Th (1.93-5.67) and Cu/Zn (0.19-5.00). In addition, the Sr/Ba ratios (0.16–3.50) for the clay-shales from the Southern Bida basin indicated an alternated marine and continental paleo-depositional settings and only continental setting (Sr/Ba ratios = 0.22 – 0.50) for the Northern Anambra basin. The Th/Sc, La/Sc, Th/Co and the LREE/HREE ratios showed a derivation of the shale and clay deposits from similar felsic-rich source rock while the log of (K2O/Na2O) vs SiO2, revealed a Passive Margin tectonic setting for the two Basins. There is insignificant differences between the geochemical classifications, weathering, source rock/provenance and tectonic settings of clay-shale sediments of both sedimentary basins, however, there exist slight disparity in their salinity conditions and redox settings.

Keywords: Geochemistry, Clay-shale, Provenance, Tectonic Setting, Northern Anambra and Southern Bida Basins
Automatic water level control system using discretized components
Authors: Big-Alabo A , Isaac C
Published: November 2020

This study is based on the design of a portable automatic water level control switch that is capable of switching on the pump when the water level in the overhead tank goes low and switches it off as soon as the water level reaches a pre-determined level to prevent dry-run of the pump in case the level in the underground tank goes below the suction level. The water in the tank is measured by the conductive probes and displaced via the LED indicators. At maximum-set capacity the pump is de-energized to automatically switch off, thereby stopping the inflow of water into the tank. The design approach involves three major stages which are: the power supply unit, the sensing unit, and the motoring and relay unit. The uniqueness of this work is the use of discrete components such as transistors to achieve water level control. This approach is more economical, simpler and easier to implement than the sophisticated programmable logic controllers and computerized microprocessors.

Keywords: discrete components; conductive probes; sensors; relays; pump
Estimation of annual erosion in six soil series of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Nigeria using Rusle in Map Algebra
Authors: Oyedepo J.A. , Olawale R.A. , Oluyege D.E. , Babajide E.I.
Published: November 2020

Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, bush burning and extensive opening of farmlands in the 10,000 hectares at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have increased vulnerabilities of the seven soil series in the campus to agents of erosion. Therefore it is important to evaluate the rate and locations of soil erosion in the study area inorder to develop erosion control intervention programme using standard methods. The results show that overall soil erosion ranges from 0 to 167.8 tons per hectare per annum. 10% of University land now has high risk of soil erosion being grasslands exposed to annual fires. Soil erosion is pronounced in the two soil series (Oke-imesi and Apomu) that are found along river fringes with topographic factors (Slope length and steepness) playing major role in the soil erosion.

Keywords: Soil series; Erosion; Map algebra; Spatial mode
Comparative evaluation of growth performance and soil quality of two age sequences of Gmelina arborea plantation in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Akhabue E.F. , Chima U.D. , Eguakun F.S.
Published: November 2020

This study was conducted in 2019 to compare the growth performance and soil quality of two agesequences of Gmelina arborea plantation within the premises of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data were collected from two stands of G. arborea established in 2011 and 2015. Growth performance was evaluated based on tree growth variables and above-ground carbon stored. Tree growth variables estimated were total height (TH), diameter at breast height (DBH), crown height (CH), crown diameter (CD) and merchantable height (MH). Topsoil (0 – 30 cm) samples collected from the two sites were analyzed for particle size distribution, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av.P), exchangeable bases (Mg, Ca, K and Na), exchangeable acidity (Al+ H+), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base saturation (BS), pH, Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn). The above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock (CS) were also determined. T-test was used to test for significant difference in the measured parameters between the two age-sequences of G. arborea. Higher values for TH, DBH, CS and MH were recorded for the older stand although the differences between the two age-sequences were not significantly different (p ≥ 0.05). The AGB and CS per hectare were higher for the older than the younger G. arborea stand (302.27 m3 ha-1 and 151.52 m3 ha-1, respectively). Higher values for silt, clay, Ca, Mg, Al+ H+, ECEC, BS, Mn, Fe and Zn were also recorded for the older stand. However, the observed differences were only significant (p < 0.05) for clay, pH, Av.P, Mn and Fe. The study revealed that although soil properties, tree growth as well as carbon sequestration capacity of G. arborea stand improved/increased with age, the differences were mainly not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) between the two (eight and four years) age-sequences.

Keywords: Gmelina arborea, age sequence, soil quality, carbon sequestration
Space weather and earthquakes: possible triggering of seismic activity by strong solar flares
Authors: Novikov Victor , Ruzhin Yuri , Sorokin Valery , Yaschenko Alexey
Published: November 2020

The studies completed to-date on a relation of the Earth’s seismicity and solar processes provided the fuzzy and contradictory results. The main problem of this research is a lack of physical explanation of a mechanism of earthquake triggering by strong variations of space weather conditions. Based on results obtained in the field and laboratory experiments on earthquake triggering by DC pulses injection into the Earth crust we may assume that the similar triggering phenomena may occur after the strong electromagnetic impact to the earthquake source due to solar flares or geomagnetic storms. Numerical estimations demonstrated that telluric currents induced by geomagnetic pulsations generated by solar flare have the similar density at the depth of earthquake source location (10-6 A/m2) in comparison with the current density generated by artificial power sources (10-7 – 10-8 A/m2) resulted in observed spatiotemporal redistribution of seismic activity in the regions of Pamirs and Northern Tien Shan. For supporting the idea of a possible earthquake triggering by solar flares we carried out a statistical analysis of global and regional (Greece) seismicity behavior during the solar flare of X9.3 class occurred on September 6, 2017 (the strongest flare over the past thirteen years). We have discovered a new evidence of earthquake triggering due to the Sun-Earth interaction by simple comparison of a number of earthquakes before and after the strong solar flare. The global number of earthquakes (USGS catalog, M ≥ 4) for time window of ±11 days after the solar flare has increased by 68%, and the regional seismicity (Greece, EMSC catalog, M ≥ 3) has increased by 120%.
Sunflower seed husk combined with poultry droppings to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated soil
Authors: Boopathy Sinduja , Appavoo Merline Sheela , Radhakrishnan Ilamathi
Published: November 2020

To remediate crude oil-contaminated soil, poultry droppings and sunflower seed husk were incorporated at various concentrations. Initially, the pH, moisture content, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen content, and bacterial population of soil, poultry droppings, and sunflower seed husk were determined. The initial bacterial population was 35 × 108 colony forming units/g soil (dry weight basis). The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in crude oil-contaminated soil was 7,048.4 mg/kg, in which 857.9 mg/kg accounted for eicosane. Naphthalene and acenaphthalene were the two polyhydroxy aromatic hydrocarbons present in soil at low concentrations. After the amendment, the pH, moisture content, microbial population, and TPH content of soil were determined on days 20, 40, and 60. The TPH concentration was considerably decreased in the treatment T4 wherein 250 g of soil was mixed with 125 g of poultry droppings and 125 g of sunflower seed husk. The indigenous bacterial population was also increased tremendously. The dehydrogenase enzyme activity was increased in the amended soil (T4: 0.74 ± 0.06 μg TPF/g/h). After the treatment of soil, the germination percentage and vigour index of maize, lady’s finger and tomato seeds were enhanced.
GLEC Framework for Logistics Emissions Accounting and Reporting
Authors:   Smart Freight Centre, Lewis Alan , Greene Suzanne
Published: November 2020

The Global Logistics Emissions Council Framework is the industry standard for calculating and reporting carbon emissions from freight transportation consistently across supply chains. The method is in alignment with Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Global Green Freight Action Plan, CDP, and the Science-Based Targets initiative.
Did Bubble Activity Intensify During COVID-19?
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar
Published: November 2020

In this note, we utilize hourly exchange rate data for Japanese Yen, Canadian dollar, European Euro and the British pound to search for possible bubble type behavior. We identify evidence that bubble activity characterizes all four exchange rates more so in the COVID-19 period. We also show that bubble activity intensified during the COVID-19 period, implying markets became relatively more inefficient compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.
Dynamics of Foreign Portfolio Investment and Stock Market Returns During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From India
Authors: KP Prabheesh
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the causality relation between stock returns and foreign portfolio (FPI) flows in the Indian context during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using daily data and the Toda and Yamamoto Granger causality test, the study finds that unidirectional causality runs from FPI flows to stock returns during the pandemic.
The Effect of Country-level Factors and Government Intervention on the Incidence of COVID-19
Authors: Haldar Anasuya , Sethi Narayan
Published: November 2020

This study explores the effects of demographic, socio-economic, and public-response factors on the incidence of new COVID-19 cases for the 10 countries with the greatest number of confirmed cases. Results show that demographic factors and government policies are significant determinants of COVID-19. Socio-economic factors, such as GDP per-capita and the human development index, appear statistically insignificant. The findings are important for policymakers in their efforts to reduce the number of new cases.
الحوافز التسويقية في شركات الاتصالات في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة دراسة تحليلية فقهية
Authors: Abdullatif Mohamad Abdulrahman , Ghalia Bouhedda
Published: November 2020

تقدم شركات الاتصالات في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة مجموعة كبيرة من الحوافز التسويقية بأشكال متنوعة، لترويج خدماتها، وترغيب الناس فيها، وضمان استمرارهم معها، وهذا قد يؤثر سلبا على الشركات التي لا تقدم مثل هذه الحوافز؛ لانصراف المتعاملين إلى الشركات التي تقدمها. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى النظر فيما إذا كان استخدام شركات الاتصالات للحوافز التسويقية لترويج خدماتها؛ لجذب المتعاملين إليها يتوافق مع أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، وعليه فقد تناولت الدراسة الأحكام الشرعية المتعلقة بالحوافز التسويقية، والتي تتمثل في القول بجواز البيع بأقل من سعر السوق لجذب المتعاملين أو عدم جوازه، ومن جهة أخرى ناقشت الدراسة حكم الاشتراك بمقابل في البرامج التحفيزية القائمة على جمع النقاط للحصول على المكافآت حيث إنها منطوية على نوع من الغرر والجهالة. واعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الاستقرائي لجمع الحوافز التسويقية المقدمة من شركات الاتصالات، من خلال البحث في مواقع الشركات ورسائلها الترويجية، والمنهج التحليلي لببيان أنواع الحوافز التسويقية، ودراستها للوصول إلى التكييف الفقهي لها، والمنهج النقدي لدراسة أقوال الفقهاء وأدلتهم المتعلقة بمسائل البحث، ومناقشتها، لبيان الحكم الشرعي لهذه الحوافز. وخلص البحث إلى عدة نتائج، أهمها: جواز الحوافز التسويقية المباشرة التي تقدمها شركات الاتصالات للجمهور، لأن حقيقتها بيعٌ بأقل من السعر المعتاد، أو مآلها إلى ذلك، ويجوز كذلك تقديم الحوافز التسويقية من خلال الحصول على النقاط من عمليات الشراء من شركة اتصالات ثم استبدالها للحصول على التخفيضات أو الهدايا. ويوصي الباحث بإنشاء لجنة شرعية للنظر في المعاملات المالية التي تجريها شركات الاتصالات مع الجمهور، لبيان ما يحل منها ليُجاز، وما يحرم منها ليمنع، أو يعدّل عليه ليتوافق مع أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية.
Analysis of Mineral Elements in Medicinal Plant Samples Using LIBS and ICP-OES
Authors: Sharma Neha , Singh Virendra K. , Lee Yonghoon , Kumar Sandeep , Rai Piyush K. , Pathak Ashok K. , Singh Vivek K.
Published: November 2020

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied for the rapid analysis of the major and trace elements in five medicinal plant samples. The LIBS results showed the presence of carbon, iron, magnesium, silicon, calcium, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and sodium; however, the concentration of these elements differs in each of the five medicinal plant samples. The plant body samples, such as roots and leaves, were first analyzed for the presence of major and trace elements by using the LIBS technique, then their corresponding concentrations were evaluated by applying the intensity ratio method on the observed LIBS data. The results obtained were compared with the intensity ratios obtained from the analysis by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was also performed with the LIBS spectra to extract the spectral differences between the five medicinal plant samples. These statistical methods generate calibration and classification models which can further help to understand the unknown plant sample in the prepared model to predict the nature and the composition of the sample easily in the future. This study clearly shows the LIBS technique, when used with chemometric methods, becomes an important tool to study the distinguishing characteristics of different biological plant samples.
Leaching of Gallium from Coal Fly Ash, Alumina and Sediment Samples with an Acid Mixture for its Determination by ICP-OES
Authors: Sahayam A.C. , Venkateswarlu G. , Thangavela S.
Published: November 2020

Leaching of gallium (Ga) from coal fly ash, alumina and sediment is reported for its determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). A mixture of acids (H2SO4, HNO3 and HF) was used for the leaching process which was carried out overnight at room temperature or heated for 1 h on a hot plate. HF is essential for the quantitative recovery of Ga from coal fly ash. Leaching with either HCl or HNO3 in combination with HF also yielded quantitative recoveries of Ga from coal fly ash, but not from other matrices. After leaching, HF and HNO3 were evaporated and HCl was added to the acid leach before dilution for analysis. When mixed acid leaching was employed, leaching of Ga was 92-102%. For accuracy, the method was applied to a sediment sample, a candidate material prepared as the in-house CRM, and the values obtained were well within the uncertainty reported. The present procedure was validated using the solvent extraction method. The values by the two methods were in close agreement according to the Student’s t-test with a confidence level of 95%. The limit of detection was 0.45 mg Kg-1. The analytical methodology was applied for the determination of Ga in three coal fly ash samples, two from thermal power plants and a NIST CRM 1633b (not certified for Ga) as well as an alumina sample from an aluminum industry facility. A red mud sample, by-product of Bayer’s process of aluminum extraction, was also analyzed using HCl/HF and HNO3/HF leach.
A Highly Sensitive Zirconium Hydrogen Phosphate Emitter for Ni Isotope Determination Using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Li Chao-Feng , Chu Zhu-Yin , Wang Xuan-Ce , Feng Lian-Jun , Guo Jing-Hui
Published: November 2020

The nickel isotope has a great potential for investigating biogeochemical processes in the geosciences and has been proven to be extremely useful for studying the chronology of the early solar system. As one of the most powerful techniques in metal isotopic ratio measurements, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) shows poor sensitivity for Ni isotope ratio analysis, because the high ionization potential (7.640eV) of Ni makes it difficult to be ionized on a hot filament. In previous studies, a minimum of 1000 ng Ni was required using the classical Sigel-H3BO3-Al emitter or the Sigel-H3PO4-Al emitter. The present study is first to employ a highly sensitive zirconium hydrogen phosphate (Zr(HPO4)2) emitter to measure the Ni isotopes with TIMS. This emitter produces a significant enhancement in the ionization efficiency of Ni and enables the analysis of the Ni isotope at the 200 ng level with high precision. In addition, this newly developed emitter shows a strong inhibition to the Fe and Zn signals, which are the main potential isobaric interferences during Ni measurement. A series of analyses of the NIST SRM 986 standard demonstrated that an internal precision (2 RSE) of ± 0.03 to 0.05 ‰ can be achieved depending on the sample size. Analysis of the NIST SRM 986 standard also shows an external reproducibility (2 RSD, n = 10) of better than ± 0.11‰, even for Ni at 200 ng.
Lessons to Be Learnt For Policy Planners on Promoting Health Education on Childhood Fever Management: Evidence from a Cohort of Children with Dengue Fever
Authors:   Ministry of Health, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka, Arnold S.M.
Published: November 2020

Introduction Dengue fever has been a public health challenge in Sri Lanka. Many of the home-based secondary preventive measures are influenced by the parental knowledge on fever. This study was done to describe the level of knowledge on fever among parents and its associations with the events of child’s dengue episode with the view of exploring the components that should be covered in related health educational messages. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in six general medical wards of the premier children’s hospital in Sri Lanka. Parents who were the bystanders of children admitted as suspected cases of dengue according to the surveillance guidelines, consisted the study population. The sample size was determined with a statistical formula. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data collection was done by two trained data collectors. Descriptive statistics and the chi square test were used with a significance level of 5%. Prior ethics approval was obtained. Results Study sample included 423 parents with a response rate of 99.5%. Most were parents of children of school going age (64.8%) and majority were mothers (97.6%). In more than half (50.4%), the level of knowledge was unsatisfactory. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the education level (p<0.05), but not with the gender or the employment status (p>0.05) of the parents. A higher knowledge was further associated with a higher utilization of thermometer, and the administration of the correct anti-pyretic dosage and early laboratory diagnosis (p<0.05). Conclusions and Recommendations A higher level of knowledge on fever is associated with favourable clinical events in the dengue episode. The level of knowledge on fever must be improved irrespective of the gender and the employment status of the parents prioritizing those with a lower level of education. Public health interventions must be implemented by regular updating of public health staff’s knowledge on prevention of dengue, fever management their implications on laboratory diagnosis and treatment costs through in service training and in empowering the field health staff in disseminating relevant health education messages to the community.
The Dynamics of Differential Impacts of COVID-19 on African Countries Compared to Other Parts of the World
Authors:   Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University, Oye Ekiti State, Nigeria., Simeon Joseph Oyepata
Published: November 2020

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. A number of deaths have been recorded across world. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the extent the virus affects Africa relative to other parts of the world and it significant. One hundred and eighty seven (187) countries were selected randomly based on their continents and cases of infection. Data from each country were obtained from United Nations Geoscheme and WHO as at October 12, 2020 and were analyzed and compared to that of the United State of America (USA). USA was used as a Comparism Factor (CF) because it has one of the best healthcare system and high COVID-19 cases. Subsequent examination of associations between the proportion of COVID-19 cases, recovery and deaths of each country to the United State of America was carried out. All data used in these analyses are from publicly available data sets. Data analyzed revealed that almost all African countries appears to be least affected by the virus. African countries have the least impacted and lesser number of deaths index. Result from the study suggests that the virus affect Africa the least when compared to USA and other continents in terms of cases and mortality. This may be due to among other factors a more robust immune response. The result also helps to provide relative explanation as to how significant developing and providing vaccine may be to various part of the world.
Análise quantitativa dos resultados de uma Sondagem dos estudantes de 6º ano com problemas do Campo Multiplicativo
Authors: Ribeiro Marcos Luiz , Curi Edda
Published: November 2020

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma análise quantitativa dos dados de uma avaliação relacionada aos problemas do Campo Multiplicativo fundamentada na Teoria dos Campos Conceituais de Vergnaud, realizada semestralmente pela Rede Municipal de Educação da Cidade de São Paulo, com estudantes do 1o ao 6° ano do Ensino Fundamental. O estudo foca nas análises de invariantes operacionais em resolução de problemas do Campo Multiplicativo e chamavam a atenção para um aspecto da proporcionalidade, em função das dificuldades dos estudantes que estão relacionadas com a Multiplicação Comparativa. Assim este artigo disserta sobre os conceitos centrais de Vergnaud acerca das Estruturas do Campo Multiplicativo. Utilizamos a abordagem quantitativa presente, nos estudos de John W. Cresweell. A amostra do estudo constou na análise de protocolos dos 110 estudantes do 6o ano, com suas respectivas resoluções, tomando por base a grade indicada no documento de sondagens da SME de São Paulo, DOS, cuja descrição é feita no artigo, que tem por aporte a TCC. O trabalho de análise contou com a participação de professores orientadores da Rede de Ensino.
Diversidad cultural en la percepción de estudiantes de educación secundaria de una institución educativa de Ucayali – Perú
Authors: Villacrez Estrella Michel Angel , López Marrufo Carlos Alberto , Ruiz de la Cruz Jhonn Robert
Published: November 2020

Esta investigación respondió al problema de cómo perciben la diversidad cultural los estudiantes del séptimo ciclo de educación secundaria de la institución educativa Agropecuario, Callería-Ucayali, 2020. Fue un estudio descriptivo y transeccional que tuvo como población a 151 estudiantes del cuarto y quinto grados de educación secundaria; además, se aplicó como instrumento un cuestionario de 24 reactivos debidamente validado y cuya prueba de confiabilidad alfa de Cronbach, dio como resultado 0.84. Los resultados obtenidos precisan que el 85.4% de la población percibe la diversidad cultural en un nivel regular, por lo que se concluye que, si bien no es negativa la percepción de la diversidad cultural en estos estudiantes, tampoco está en un buen nivel, que es lo que espera cuando ya están terminando la educación básica regular.
Diagnostic dilemma of congenital segmental jejunal pseudo-dilatation associated with immature ganglion cells in the colon: A case report
Authors: Adhikari Suman Bikram , Rana Shovita , Chalise Sanat
Published: November 2020

Background: Neonatal intestinal obstruction is one of the emergency conditions with many etiologies, amongst which congenital segmental dilatation of small intestine is one, which is characterized by three to four folds increase in diameter of the bowel. Immaturity of ganglion cells of large intestine is also one of the congenital intestinal neuronal malformations which may cause neonatal intestinal obstruction. Prompt diagnosis of these conditions is very difficult as clinical and radiological features are non-specific to them.
Case Presentation: A 3-day-old male baby presented with failure to pass meconium, abdominal distension, and bilious vomiting. At surgery, the baby had congenital segmental pseudo-dilatation of jejunum with immature ganglion cells in colon. Since it was not typical of a congenital segmental dilatation, it was left as such. The baby needed another laparotomy for resection of segmental pseudo-dilatation along with ileostomy.
Conclusion: Because of rarity and diagnostic dilemma, re-laparotomy with ileostomy, which could have been avoided, were performed in the baby. Lack of typical features of congenital segmental dilatation along with presence of immature ganglion cells in the colon were unusual findings in this case
BUGÜNKÜ TÜRKİYE TÜRKÇESİNİN SÖZ VARLIĞI
Authors: Özdemir E. D.
Published: November 2020

Her boyun kendi ağız özelliklerini geliştirmesi ve diğer boylara ait özellikleri de teker teker terk etmesi neticesinde ortaya çıkan farklı yazı dilleri içerisinde: Azerî Türkçesi, Özbek Türkçesi, Türkiye Türkçesi gibi diller bunların en güzel örnekleri arasındadır. Söz varlığı, bir dildeki sözlerin bütünü, söz hazinesi, sözcük dağarcığı, kelime hazinesi şeklinde açıklanmıştır. Söz varlığı üzerine tespit edilen birtakım veriler bu konuda Türkçenin halen istenen düzeyde zenginliğe ulaşamadığını, halen birçok ödünçlemenin eserlerde kullanılmakta olduğunu göstermektedir. Günümüze kadar ulaşan diller arasında kendisini yabancı kelimelerden tamamen korumuş saf bir dile ulaşmak neredeyse imkansızdır. Bu çalışma Türkçenin söz varlılığının temel niteliklerini ve söz varlığına ait özellikleri vermesi bakımından önemlidir.