bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustaining Cross-Timbers Forest Resources: Current Knowledge and Future Research Needs
Authors: Joshi Omkar , Will Rodney E. , Zou Chris B. , Kharel Gehendra
Published: August 2019

The Cross-Timbers region of the United States, situated in the southern Great Plains along the western edge of the eastern deciduous forest, was historically Quercus-dominated open forest interspersed with tallgrass prairie and shrubs communities. The historical structure of the Cross- Timbers forests in this region has been altered, mainly due to fire exclusion, such that the current structure is closed-canopy and includes a midstory of fire-intolerant species. This change has reduced many of the important ecosystem services provided. This paper synthesizes existing literature on the Cross-Timbers with the aim of summarizing the current state of Cross-Timbers management related to sustaining ecosystem services and identifying potential research topics and directions needed. Specifically, we consider the ecological, management, and socio-economic issues. In addition, we theorize how the adoption of active forest management will affect ecosystem services and structure of the Cross-Timbers forests.
Cross-City Convergence in Urban Green Space Coverage in China
Authors: Wang Yueju , Chen Xingpeng , Zhang Zilong , Xue Bing , Lu Chenyu
Published: August 2019

Cross-city convergence in green space coverage could contribute to our understanding of the law of motion of distribution dynamics of environmental sustainability across cities and provide crucial information for designing policies regarding complex processes relating to human–environment interactions in an urban system. The relationship between socioeconomic factors and green space coverage has been widely discussed, but research on the distribution dynamics of green space coverage across cities is limited. This paper explored the pattern of convergence in green space coverage of a group of 285 Chinese cities over the period of 2002–2012 by using hybrid approaches, including the nonparametric estimation technique, unconditional β-convergence model, and conditional β-convergence model. The results indicated that the green space coverage level in most cities has been substantially improved; the spatial disparity across Chinese cities has shrunk, and the level of green space coverage has converged to 104% of the average level. The β-convergence estimation results demonstrate the existence of unconditional and conditional convergence in green space coverage among Chinese cities, which indicates that cities with a low initial level of green space coverage grow faster than those with an initial high level. Faster sprawling, more compact and wealthier cities are likely to converge to a higher level of green space coverage. Expansion of the population and spatial scale of cities contributes to increasing green space coverage, sprawling of built-up area leads to a decrease of the green space coverage, and economic growth has little impact on green space coverage.
Uptake of Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies and Practices: Actual and Potential Adoption Rates in the Climate-Smart Village Site of Mali
Authors: Ouédraogo Mathieu , Houessionon Prosper , Zougmoré Robert B. , Partey Samuel Tetteh
Published: August 2019

Understanding the level of adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices and its drivers is needed to spur large-scale uptake of CSA in West Africa. This paper used the Average Treatment Effect framework to derive consistent parametric estimators of the potential adoption rates of eight CSA technologies and practices in the Climate-Smart Village (CSV) site of Mali. A total of 300 household heads were randomly selected within the CSV site for data collection. Results showed significant differences in the observed and potential adoption rates of the CSA technologies and practices (drought tolerant crop varieties, micro-dosing, organic manure, intercropping, contour farming, farmer managed natural regeneration, agroforestry and climate information service). The most adopted technology was the organic manure (89%) while the least adopted was the intercropping (21%). The observed adoption rate varied from 39% to 77% according to the CSA options while the potential adoption rates of the technologies and practices ranged from 55% to 81%. This implies an adoption gap of 2% to 16% due to the incomplete diffusion (lack of awareness) of CSA technologies and practices which must be addressed by carrying out more actions to disseminate these technologies in the CSV. Results showed that education, number of workers in the household, access to subsidies, and training have a positive effect on the adoption of most of the CSA technologies and practices. The adoption of drought tolerant varieties and micro-dosing are positively correlated with access to subsidies and training. The study suggests that efforts should be focused concomitantly on the diffusion of CSA options as well as the lifting of their adoption barriers.
Investigations on the Winter Thermal Environment of Bedrooms in Zhongxiang: A Case Study in Rural Areas in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Region of China
Authors: Liu Daoru , Ren Zhigang , Wei Shen , Song Zhe , Li Peipeng , Chen Xin
Published: August 2019

In this paper, onsite measurements and a subjective questionnaire were conducted to study the thermal environment and heating condition of bedrooms during the winter in rural areas in China’s hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) region. Indoor and outdoor thermal environmental parameters were measured to evaluate the thermal conditions of bedrooms. Thermal sensation/tendency/acceptance, heating, and health condition were investigated to complete the analysis of attitudes of local residents on the thermal environment of bedrooms, heating and health issues, as well as the analysis of buildings. The observed results demonstrate that occupants in this region have a strong tolerance to low-temperature environments with the 80% acceptable lower temperature of 4.7 °C and a neutral temperature of 10.7 °C, with an average clothing insulation over 2.2 clo. Oversized volume and acreage of buildings and windows induce a lower temperature in the bedroom. Infants have a significant effect on heating requirements, including heating duration and temperature setpoint. Local residents are highly concerned about the costs, safety, and health related to heating and thermal environments. All evidence obtained through this investigation shows that it is beneficial to formulate regulations for the shape, envelope, and centralized heating policy for rural residential buildings in the HSCW region.
Life Cycle Assessment of Forest-Based Products: A Review
Authors: Sahoo Kamalakanta , Bergman Richard , Alanya-Rosenbaum Sevda , Gu Hongmei , Liang Shaobo
Published: August 2019

Climate change, environmental degradation, and limited resources are motivations for sustainable forest management. Forests, the most abundant renewable resource on earth, used to make a wide variety of forest-based products for human consumption. To provide a scientific measure of a product’s sustainability and environmental performance, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used. This article provides a comprehensive review of environmental performances of forest-based products including traditional building products, emerging (mass-timber) building products and nanomaterials using attributional LCA. Across the supply chain, the product manufacturing life-cycle stage tends to have the largest environmental impacts. However, forest management activities and logistics tend to have the greatest economic impact. In addition, environmental trade-offs exist when regulating emissions as indicated by the latest traditional wood building product LCAs. Interpretation of these LCA results can guide new product development using biomaterials, future (mass) building systems and policy-making on mitigating climate change. Key challenges include handling of uncertainties in the supply chain and complex interactions of environment, material conversion, resource use for product production and quantifying the emissions released.
Value Retention Options in Circular Economy: Issues and Challenges of LED Lamp Preprocessing
Authors: Rahman S.M. Mizanur , Kim Junbeum , Lerondel Gilles , Bouzidi Youcef , Clerget Laure
Published: August 2019

The Circular Economy is gaining recognition for its attention to increasing material circularity by proposing a set of value retention options, and organizing business, institutions, and policies for their implementation. Light emitting diode (LED) lamp recycling is becoming increasingly important due to their growing market share and precious metal content. Instead of the current shredding approach, this study applied higher value retention options, such as testing for the functionality of the bulb at the product level, manual disassembly to reuse parts at the component level, and automatic disassembly for industrial scale reuse. This study finds that the effort that is needed to implement higher value retention options (such as reuse) requires a new form of secondary business, wider networks of recycling chains, and favorable policies. It also shows that about 50% of the lamp waste stream is still functioning and economically attractive if they are remarketed. However, the demand-pull market conditions seem to be missing. For manual disassembly, the output fractions are cleaner, but it is not economically feasible due to high labor cost. On the other hand, automatic disassembly does not produce cleaner fractions due to wide design variability. Thus, this study suggests that shifting from shredding-focused-resource recovery to reuse-based-resource circularity requires a comprehensive framework that simultaneously encourages secondary market formation, collaboration between manufacturers, recyclers and companies, and the formulation of favorable reuse policies. This study applies insights from circular economy principles to LED lamp recycling, and it also contributes to the latter by identifying challenges and possible solutions.
The Candoglia Marble and the “Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano”: A Renowned Georesource to Be Potentially Designed as Global Heritage Stone
Authors: Dino Giovanna Antonella , Borghi Alessandro , Castelli Daniele , Canali Francesco , Corbetta Elio , Cooper Barry
Published: August 2019

Marbles from Alpine area have been widely employed to build and decorate masterpieces and buildings which often represent the cultural heritage of an area (statuary, historic buildings and sculptures). Candoglia marble, object of the present research, is one of the most famous and appreciated marbles from Alpine area; it has been quarried since Roman times in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (VCO; Piemonte—NW Italy) extractive area. Candoglia Marble outcrops are present as lenses within the high-grade paragneisses of the Ivrea Zone, a visible section of deep continental crust characterised by amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism (Palaeozoic period). Candoglia calcitic marble (80–85% CaCO3 and the 15–20% other minerals) shows a characteristic pink to gray colour and a coarse-grained texture (>3 mm): frequent centimetre-thick dark-greenish silicate layers (mainly represented by diopside and tremolite) characterize the texture of the marble. It has been largely used in local rural constructions and historical buildings, but its most famous application has been (and still is) for the “Duomo di Milano” construction (fourteenth century). The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano carried out the anthropogenic activities dealing with the Candoglia marble exploitation; it has to be highlighted that the company have managed the Marble exploitation during the last seven centuries and that the quarry itself is a tangible sign of the development of extraction and heritage in the VCO area. Candoglia marble can be recognized as a significant example of a “Global Heritage Stone Resource”: its exploitation from quarry to building (the Duomo di Milano) well represents the close correlation between stone and cultural heritage, between georesources and humankind development.
The Principle of Differential Subordination and Its Application to Analytic and p-Valent Functions Defined by a Generalized Fractional Differintegral Operator
Authors: Cho Nak Eun , Aouf Mohamed Kamal , Srivastava Rekha
Published: August 2019

A useful family of fractional derivative and integral operators plays a crucial role on the study of mathematics and applied science. In this paper, we introduce an operator defined on the family of analytic functions in the open unit disk by using the generalized fractional derivative and integral operator with convolution. For this operator, we study the subordination-preserving properties and their dual problems. Differential sandwich-type results for this operator are also investigated.
Algorithm for Neutrosophic Soft Sets in Stochastic Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making Based on Prospect Theory
Authors: Dong Yuanxiang , Hou Chenjing , Pan Yuchen , Gong Ke
Published: August 2019

To address issues involving inconsistencies, this paper proposes a stochastic multi-criteria group decision making algorithm based on neutrosophic soft sets, which includes a pair of asymmetric functions: Truth-membership and false-membership, and an indeterminacy-membership function. For integrating an inherent stochastic, the algorithm expresses the weights of decision makers and parameter subjective weights by neutrosophic numbers instead of determinate values. Additionally, the algorithm is guided by the prospect theory, which incorporates psychological expectations of decision makers into decision making. To construct the prospect decision matrix, this research establishes a conflict degree measure of neutrosophic numbers and improves it to accommodate the stochastic multi-criteria group decision making. Moreover, we introduce the weighted average aggregation rule and weighted geometric aggregation rule of neutrosophic soft sets. Later, this study presents an algorithm for neutrosophic soft sets in the stochastic multi-criteria group decision making based on the prospect theory. Finally, we perform an illustrative example and a comparative analysis to prove the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed algorithm.
A Particle Method Based on a Generalized Finite Difference Scheme to Solve Weakly Compressible Viscous Flow Problems
Authors: Zhang Yongou , Xiong Aokui
Published: August 2019

The Lagrangian meshfree particle-based method has advantages in solving fluid dynamics problems with complex or time-evolving boundaries for a single phase or multiple phases. A pure Lagrangian meshfree particle method based on a generalized finite difference (GFD) scheme is proposed to simulate time-dependent weakly compressible viscous flow. The flow is described with Lagrangian particles, and the partial differential terms in the Navier-Stokes equations are represented as the solution of a symmetric system of linear equations through a GFD scheme. In solving the particle-based symmetric equations, the numerical method only needs the kernel function itself instead of using its gradient, i.e., the approach is a kernel gradient free (KGF) method, which avoids using artificial parameters in solving for the viscous term and reduces the limitations of using the kernel function. Moreover, the order of Taylor series expansion can be easily improved in the meshless algorithm. In this paper, the particle method is validated with several test cases, and the convergence, accuracy, and different kernel functions are evaluated.
Toxicity of Aqueous L-Selenomethionine and Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide Exposure to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos Following Tert-Butyl Hydroquinone Treatment
Authors: Gerhart Allyson K. , Janz David M.
Published: August 2019

Aqueous L-selenomethionine (SeMet) embryo exposures represent a rapid and simplified method for investigating the embryotoxic effects of SeMet. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism, the objective of the present study was to characterize the effects of waterborne exposure to both SeMet and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) to early life stages of zebrafish pre-treated with the antioxidant tert-butyl hydroquinone (tBHQ) in an attempt to investigate the mechanism of Se toxicity as it relates to oxidative stress. During the initial concentration range finding experiment, recently fertilized embryos were exposed for five days to 5, 25, 125, and 625 µg Se/L (as SeMet). These exposures informed the second experiment in which embryos were exposed to two concentrations of SeMet (25 and 125 µg Se/L) and 75 mg/L tBOOH either with (tBOOH-t, 25-t, 125-t) or without (tBOOH, 25, 125) a 4 h 100 µg/L tBHQ pre-treatment. Survival, hatchability, time to hatch, the frequency and severity of deformities (total and type), and changes in the expression of seven antioxidant-associated genes were determined. Exposures to SeMet and tBOOH reduced hatchability, increased time to hatch, decreased survival, increased the incidence and severity of deformities, and increased glutathione-disulfide reductase (gsr) expression in the pre-treated tBOOH treatment group.
Molecular Characterisation of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus Section Flavi Isolated from Imported Peanuts along the Supply Chain in Malaysia
Authors: Norlia Mahror , Jinap Selamat , Nor-Khaizura Mahmud Ab Rashid , Radu Son , Chin Cheow Keat , Samsudin Nik Iskandar Putra , Farawahida Abdul Halim
Published: August 2019

Peanuts are widely consumed in many local dishes in southeast Asian countries, especially in Malaysia which is one of the major peanut-importing countries in this region. Therefore, Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxin contamination in peanuts during storage are becoming major concerns due to the tropical weather in this region that favours the growth of aflatoxigenic fungi. The present study thus aimed to molecularly identify and characterise the Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from imported peanuts in Malaysia. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and β-tubulin sequences were used to confirm the species and determine the phylogenetic relationship among the isolates, while aflatoxin biosynthesis genes (aflR, aflP (omtA), aflD (nor-1), aflM (ver-1), and pksA) were targeted in a multiplex PCR to determine the toxigenic potential. A total of 76 and one isolates were confirmed as A. flavus and A. tamarii, respectively. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree resolved the species into two different clades in which all A. flavus (both aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic) were grouped in the same clade and A. tamarii was grouped in a different clade. The aflatoxin biosynthesis genes were detected in all aflatoxigenic A. flavus while the non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus failed to amplify at least one of the genes. The results indicated that both aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus could survive in imported peanuts and, thus, appropriate storage conditions preferably with low temperature should be considered to avoid the re-emergence of aflatoxigenic A. flavus and the subsequent aflatoxin production in peanuts during storage.
Baicalein Inhibits Stx1 and 2 of EHE: Effects of Baicalein on the Cytotoxicity, Production, and Secretion of Shiga Toxins of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Authors: Vinh Pham Thi , Shinohara Yui , Yamada Akifumi , Duc Hoang Minh , Nakayama Motokazu , Ozawa Tadahiro , Sato Jun , Masuda Yoshimitsu , Honjoh Ken-Ichi , Miyamoto Takahisa
Published: August 2019

Shiga toxin-producing enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is an important foodborne pathogen. Baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxylflavone), a flavone isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, is considered as a potential antibacterial agent to control foodborne pathogens. Among seven compounds selected by in silico screening of the natural compound database, baicalein inhibited the cytotoxicity of both Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1 and Stx2) against Vero cells after pretreatment at 0.13 mmol/L. In addition, baicalein reduced the susceptibility of Vero cells to both Stx1 and Stx2. Real-time qPCR showed that baicalein increased transcription of stx1 but not of stx2. However, baicalein had no effects on production or secretion of Stx1 or Stx2. Docking models suggested that baicalein formed a stable structure with StxB pentamer with low intramolecular energy. The results demonstrate that inhibitory activity of baicalein against the cytotoxicity of both Stx1 and Stx2 might be due to of the formation of a binding structure inside the pocket of the Stx1B and Stx2B pentamers.
Throw out the Map: Neuropathogenesis of the Globally Expanding California Serogroup of Orthobunyaviruses
Authors: Evans Alyssa B. , Peterson Karin E.
Published: August 2019

The California serogroup (CSG) comprises 18 serologically and genetically related mosquito-borne orthobunyaviruses. Of these viruses, at least seven have been shown to cause neurological disease in humans, including the leading cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in the USA, La Crosse virus. Despite the disease burden from these viruses, much is still unknown about the CSG viruses. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the CSG viruses, including human disease and the mechanisms of neuropathogenesis.
The T-Cell Response to Type 2 Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)
Authors: Kick Andrew , Amaral Amanda , Cortes Lizette , Fogle Jonathan , Crisci Elisa , Almond Glen , Käser Tobias
Published: August 2019

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) continues to cause severe reproductive and respiratory pathologies resulting in immense monetary and welfare costs for the swine industry. The vaccines against PRRSV are available; but they struggle with providing protection against the plethora of heterologous PRRSV strains. To improve PRRSV vaccine development, the aim of this study was to provide an in-depth analysis of the crucial heterologous T-cell response to type-2 PRRSV. Following PRRSV modified live virus (MLV) vaccination or infection using one high- or one low-pathogenic PRRSV-strain, this nine-week study evaluated the T-cell response to different PRRSV strains. Our results demonstrate an important role for T cells in this homo- and heterologous response. Specifically, the T-helper cells were the main responders during viremia. Their peak response at 28 dpi correlated with a reduction in viremia, and their homing receptor expression indicated the additional importance for the anti-PRRSV response in the lymphatic and lung tissue. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was the strongest at the site of infection—the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage. The TCR-γδ T cells were the main responders post viremia and PRRSV induced their expression of the lymph node homing the chemokine receptor, CCR7: This indicates a crucial role for TCR-γδ T cells in the anti-PRRSV response in the lymphatic system.
Fusogenicity of the Ghana Virus (Henipavirus: Ghanaian bat henipavirus) Fusion Protein is Controlled by the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Attachment Glycoprotein
Authors: Voigt Kathleen , Hoffmann Markus , Drexler Jan Felix , Müller Marcel Alexander , Drosten Christian , Herrler Georg , Krüger Nadine
Published: August 2019

The Ghana virus (GhV) is phylogenetically related to the zoonotic henipaviruses Nipah (NiV) and Hendra virus. Although GhV uses the highly conserved receptor ephrin-B2, the fusogenicity is restricted to cell lines of bat origin. Furthermore, the surface expression of the GhV attachment glycoprotein (G) is reduced compared to NiV and most of this protein is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we generated truncated as well as chimeric GhV G proteins and investigated the influence of the structural domains (cytoplasmic tail, transmembrane domain, ectodomain) of this protein on the intracellular transport and the fusogenicity following coexpression with the GhV fusion protein (F). We demonstrate that neither the cytoplasmic tail nor the transmembrane domain is responsible for the intracellular retention of GhV G. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic tail of GhV G modulates the fusogenicity of GhV F and therefore controls the species-restricted fusogenicity of the GhV surface glycoproteins.
Lettuce Chlorosis Virus Disease: A New Threat to Cannabis Production
Authors: Hadad Lior , Luria Neta , Smith Elisheva , Sela Noa , Lachman Oded , Dombrovsky Aviv
Published: August 2019

In a survey conducted in Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) authorized farms in Israel, plants showed disease symptoms characteristic of nutrition deprivation. Interveinal chlorosis, brittleness, and occasional necrosis were observed in older leaves. Next generation sequencing analysis of RNA extracted from symptomatic leaves revealed the presence of lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV), a crinivirus that belongs to the Closteroviridae family. The complete viral genome sequence was obtained using RT-PCR and Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. The two LCV RNA genome segments shared 85–99% nucleotide sequence identity with LCV isolates from GenBank database. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci Middle Eastern Asia Minor1 (MEAM1) biotype transmitted the disease from symptomatic cannabis plants to un-infected ‘healthy’ cannabis, Lactuca sativa, and Catharanthus roseus plants. Shoots from symptomatic cannabis plants, used for plant propagation, constituted a primary inoculum of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cannabis plant disease caused by LCV.
Assessing the Freshwater Quality of a Large-Scale Mining Watershed: The Need for Integrated Approaches
Authors: Mercado-Garcia Daniel , Beeckman Eveline , Van Butsel Jana , Arroyo Nilton Deza , Sanchez Peña Marco , Van Buggendhoudt Cécile , De Saeyer Nancy , Forio Marie Anne Eurie , De Schamphelaere Karel A. C. , Wyseure Guido , Goethals Peter
Published: August 2019

Water quality assessments provide essential information for protecting aquatic habitats and stakeholders downstream of mining sites. Moreover, mining companies must comply with environmental quality standards and include public participation in water quality monitoring (WQM) practices. However, overarching challenges beyond corporate environmental responsibility are the scientific soundness, political relevance and harmonization of WQM practices. In this study, a mountainous watershed supporting large-scale gold mining in the headwaters, besides urban and agricultural landuses at lower altitudes, is assessed in the dry season. Conventional physicochemical and biological (Biological Monitoring Water Party-Colombia index) freshwater quality parameters were evaluated, including hydromorphological and land-use characteristics. According to the indicators used, water quality deterioration by mining was absent, in contrast to the effects of urban economic activities, hydromorphological alterations and (less important) agricultural pollutants. We argue that mining impacts are hardly captured due to the limited ecological knowledge of high-mountain freshwaters, including uncharacterized mining-specific bioindicators, environmental baselines and groundwater processes, as well as ecotoxicological and microbial freshwater quality components. Lessons for overcoming scientific and operational challenges are drawn from joint efforts among governments, academia and green economy competitiveness. Facing a rapid development of extractive industries, interinstitutional and multidisciplinary collaborations are urgently needed to implement more integrated freshwater quality indicators of complex mining impacts.
The Influence of Channel Morphological Changes on Environmental Flow Requirements in Urban Rivers
Authors: Zhang Liu , Yuan Buxian , Yin Xinan , Zhao Yanwei
Published: August 2019

Previous research on environmental flows (e-flows) of urban rivers usually assumes that the channel morphology is fixed. However, due to the trapping of sediments by weirs, the channel morphology will undergo significant changes. In this research, the influence of channel morphological changes on e-flow requirements is explored in urban rivers. The hydrological connectivity is considered as a primary factor in e-flows, and three hydrological connectivity scenarios (i.e., high, medium, and low) are explored. The Shiwuli River is adopted as the case study. The results show that e-flows are significantly influenced by changes in river morphology. With an increase in siltation depth, the e-flow requirements will decrease. The sensitivity of e-flows to siltation varies among different river segments, especially in those with low weir heights. In addition, the change ratios of e-flows are different under different hydrological connectivity scenarios. Although siltation is beneficial to the satisfaction degree of e-flow supply, it also leads to a decrease in the flood control ability of rivers. The balance between e-flow and flood reduction is also discussed, and river segments are identified that should be the priority when adopting dredging measures.
Interannual Hydroclimatic Variability of the Lake Mweru Basin, Zambia
Authors: Waylen Peter , Annear Christopher , Bunting Erin
Published: August 2019

Annual precipitation inputs to the Lake Mweru basin, Zambia, were computed from historic data and recent gridded data sets to determine historic (1925–2013) changes in lake level and their potential impacts on the important fisheries of the lake. The results highlight a period from the early 1940s to the mid-1960s when interannual variability of inputs doubled. Existing lake level data did not capture this period but they did indicate that levels were positively correlated with precipitation one to three years previously, reflecting the hydrologic storage of the lake, the inflowing Luapula River and the upstream Bangweulu wetland complex. Lag cross-correlations of rainfall to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole were weak and spatially and temporally discontinuous. The two drivers were generally positively correlated and induced opposing effects upon annual precipitation and lagged lake levels. This correlation became non-significant during the time of high observed interannual variability and basin inputs were prone to the vagaries of either driver independently or reinforcing drought/excess conditions. During times of high flows and persistent elevated lake levels, breeding habitat for fish increased markedly, as did nutrition supplied from the upstream wetlands. High hydrologic storage ensures that lake levels change slowly, despite contemporary precipitation totals. Therefore, good conditions for the growth of fish populations persisted for several years and populations boomed. Statistical models of biological populations indicated that such temporally autocorrelated conditions, combined with abundant habitat and nutrition can lead the “boom and bust” of fish populations witnessed historically in Lake Mweru.
The Impact of Climate Change on Crop Production in Uganda—An Integrated Systems Assessment with Water and Energy Implications
Authors: Sridharan Vignesh , Pereira Ramos Eunice , Zepeda Eduardo , Boehlert Brent , Shivakumar Abhishek , Taliotis Constantinos , Howells Mark
Published: August 2019

With less than 3% of agricultural cropland under irrigation, subsistence farmers in Uganda are dependent on seasonal precipitation for crop production. The majority of crops grown in the country—especially staple food crops like Matooke (Plantains)—are sensitive to the availability of water throughout their growing period and hence vulnerable to climatic impacts. In response to these challenges, the Government has developed an ambitious irrigation master plan. However, the energy implications of implementing the plan have not been explored in detail. This article attempts to address three main issues involving the nexus between water, energy, crop production, and climate. The first one explores the impact of climate on rain-fed crop production. The second explores the irrigation crop water needs under selected climate scenarios. The third focuses on the energy implications of implementing the irrigation master plan. We attempt to answer the above questions using a water balance model for Uganda developed for this study. Our results, developed at a catchment level, indicate that on average there could be an 11% reduction and 8% increase in rain-fed crop production in the cumulatively driest and wettest climates, respectively. Furthermore, in the identified driest climate, the electricity required for pumping water is expected to increase by 12% on average compared to the base scenario.
Accommodation-Free Head Mounted Display with Comfortable 3D Perception and an Enlarged Eye-box
Authors: Shrestha Pawan K. , Pryn Matt J. , Jia Jia , Chen Jhen-Si , Fructuoso Hector Navarro , Boev Atanas , Zhang Qing , Chu Daping
Published: August 2019

An accommodation-free displays, also known as Maxwellian displays, keep the displayed image sharp regardless of the viewer’s focal distance. However, they typically suffer from a small eye-box and limited effective field of view (FOV) which requires careful alignment before a viewer can see the image. This paper presents a high-quality accommodation-free head mounted display (aHMD) based on pixel beam scanning for direct image forming on retina. It has an enlarged eye-box and FOV for easy viewing by replicating the viewing points with an array of beam splitters. A prototype aHMD is built using this concept, which shows high definition, low colour aberration 3D augmented reality (AR) images with an FOV of 36°. The advantage of the proposed design over other head mounted display (HMD) architectures is that, due to the narrow, collimated pixel beams, the high image quality is unaffected by changes in eye accommodation, and the approach to enlarge the eye-box is scalable. Most importantly, such an aHMD can deliver realistic three-dimensional (3D) viewing perception with no vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). It is found that viewing the accommodation-free 3D images with the aHMD presented in this work is comfortable for viewers and does not cause the nausea or eyestrain side effects commonly associated with conventional stereoscopic 3D or HMD displays, even for all day use.
Sinop Yarımadası Kıyıları Denizel Makroalg Komünitelerinin Mevsimsel Komposizyonu
Authors: YILDIZ Gökhan , KARAÇUHA Ali , ERSOY KARAÇUHA Melek
Published: August 2019

Bu
araştırmada, Sinop kıyıları üst infralittoralinde dağılım gösteren
makroalglerin biyokütle değişimleri mevsimsel olarak incelenmiştir.
Örneklemeler 2014 yılı boyunca dört istasyonda (Hamsilos, Akliman, DSİ,
Karakum) 0-1 m derinlikteki kayalık substratumlardan metal bir çerçeve
(20x20cm) ile üç tekerrürlü olarak yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda 30 takson
tespit edilmiş ve bunların gruplara dağılımı Rhodophyta 16, Phaeophyecae 8 ve
Chlorophyta 6 şeklinde olmuştur. İstasyonlar genelinde yıllık en yüksek
ortalama biyokütle değeri (825.80 g/m2)
Akliman, en düşük değer ise DSİ (694.17 g/m2)
istasyonundan elde edilmiştir. Örnekleme boyunca tespit edilen biyokütle
değerinin 935.32 g/m2 (kış mevsimi) ile 588.19 g/m2 (yaz
mevsimi) arasında değiştiği tespit edilmiştir.
RESIDUOS SÓLIDOS EN HOSPITALES DE REFERENCIA DE LA REGIÓN PUNO
Authors: Cari Larico Harold
Published: August 2019

Los hospitales más concurridos en la región Puno son Hospital Regional Manuel Núñez Butrón, Hospital Carlos Monge Medrano. Objetivos: Determinar cómo es el manejo de residuos sólidos hospitalarios de hospitales de referencia.  Material y métodos: Se emplea una lista de verificación para el manejo de residuos sólidos hospitalarios en acondicionamiento, se  calibrando al personal con la oficina de salud ambiental. Resultados: En la fase o etapa de acondicionamiento se tiene un 96.84% de manejo con la normativa técnica empleada en el Hospital Regional Manuel Núñez Butrón, en contraste con un 97.96% de manejo con la normativa técnica empleada en el Hospital Carlos Monge Medrano, Quispe y Zamata encontraron datos del 67% de riesgo de punzo cortantes y solo realizan clasificación, Jara encontró deficiente conocimiento en personal de enfermería. Conclusiones: Los hospitales de referencia regional cuentan con un manejo de recolección conforme su normatividad.
Aplikasi Pemutar Musik Menggunakan Speech Recognition
Authors: Khairunizam Khairunizam , Danuri Danuri , Jaroji Jaroji
Published: August 2019

Intisari  - Perkembangan  teknologi  pada  saat  ini  semakin  maju  dan  sangat  pesat,  terutama  pada teknologi  smartphone  semakin  canggih,  oleh  sebab  itu  produsen  smartphone  semakin  banyak dipasaran   dengan   menawarkan   berbagai   fitur-fitur  dari   smartphone   yang  diproduksinya   dan bermacam-macam jenis merek. Aplikasi pemutar musik masih mencari lagu dengan menggunakan ketik untuk mencari lagu, pembuatan aplikasi pemutar musik dibutuhkan data musik, editor android studio, library google speech API dan platform android membuat sebuah aplikasi pemutar musik menggunakan   speech   recognition.   Aplikasi   ini   bekerja   dengan   cara   melakukan   pencarian menggunakan pengucapan suara yang akan diproses menjadi sebuah perintah yang akan langsung memutarkan music, tidak hanya dalam melakukan pencarian tetapi dalam mengontrol musik juga dapat menggunakan perintah suara diantaranya perintah sebelumnya, selanjutnya, berhenti, mainkan, dan keluar. Saran untuk tahap pengembangan aplikasi ini kedepannya dengan menambahkan fitur mengkelompokan lagu dengan kategori album, artis, lagu, genre. Kata Kunci- musik, Speech to text, online, library google speech API
Bir Elektromanyetik Fırlatıcı Bobininde Mermiye Etkiyen Kuvvetin Çok Katmanlı Sinir Ağı ile Kestirimi
Authors: DALCALI Adem , ÇETİN Onursal , OCAK Cemil , TEMURTAŞ Feyzullah
Published: August 2019

Elektromanyetik
fırlatıcılarda merminin üzerindeki kuvvet, uyartım değeri ve merminin sargı
içerisindeki konumuna göre değişiklik göstermektedir. Bu çalışmada
elektromanyetik fırlatıcılarda kullanılan bobin ve merminin 3 boyutlu modeli
oluşturularak sonlu elemanlar metodu ile analizler gerçekleştirilmiştir.
Parametrik çözüm metodu kullanılarak, sargının uyartım değeri ve mermi konumu
değiştirilerek mermi üzerindeki kuvvet karakteristiği elde edilmiştir. Sonlu
elemanlar analizlerinde daha küçük çözüm adımları tanımlanarak daha hassas
analizler gerçekleştirilebilir. Bununla birlikte, değişkenlerin sayısındaki
artış nedeniyle analiz süresi uzamaktadır. Analiz süresi dikkate alınarak,
çalışmada kuvvet kestirimi tek gizli katmandan ve iki gizli katmandan oluşan
çok katmanlı sinir ağı modelleri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çok
katmanlı sinir ağları ile yapılan kuvvet kestirimi çalışmalarında başarılı
sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.
Integration of Solar and Wind Based DGs with DSTATCOM in Distribution Systems using Modified Bat Algorithm
Authors: Thangaraj Yuvaraj
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, renewable energy sources based distributed generations (REDGs) interconnection with distribution system is gaining more attention by the power system engineers since it meets increasing load demand and cancel out environmental threats. Suitable incorporation of REDGs in radial distribution system (RDS) is vital in ensuring qualitative network operational profits. In this present approach a modified bat algorithm (MBA) based optimization method is employed to allocate solar and wind DGs along with DSTATCOM in RDS. The proposed new multi objective function to mitigate power loss, bus voltage development stability betterment and Total Operating Cost (TOC) minimization. Proper modelling of solar irradiance and wind speed have been done in the RDS. The present approach is tested to Indian countrified system structure and standard IEEE 69-bus system, and received satisfactory outputs.
Comparative Analysis of P & O and RBFN MPPT Controller Based Three Level SEPIC Topology for 1.2kW Solar PV System
Authors: RAMASAMY Sudha , REDDY Damodhar
Published: August 2019

This paper accords an intelligent controller based 3-level SEPIC configuration for energy transformation in the solar PV system. An artificial intelligence based radial basis function network is engaged as a control algorithm for the maximum power extraction and the converter control can be done based on the duty cycle generated by the controller. In this system, a SEPIC topology is used for high voltage gain with reduced switching losses. In this paper, an RBFN controller based 3-level SEPIC topology is designed for 1.2kW solar PV system over the traditional P & O (Perturb & Observe) control method and the comparative result analysis is done though the simulation output for the corresponding input parameters.
Optimization Of Multi Responses Using Data Envelopment Analysis: The Application in Food Industry
Authors: Kılıc Duygu , Ebegıl Meral , Bayrak Hulya , Ozkaya Berrin , Apaydın Avsar Başak
Published: August 2019

Multiple response is a widely used method of increasing product quality, optimizing cost and time in industry. However, technological developments and processes are becoming more and more complex, which means that more than one response is effective rather than a single response, in product or process optimization. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) can be used to optimize a single response or multiple responses. It is known that when there are numerous responses, it is difficult and complex to optimize responses simultaneously. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a statistical approach where multiple inputs and multiple outputs, regardless of how many they are can simultaneously be optimized. For this reason, in this study Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique was applied in combination with The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and this enabled us to optimize more than one response concurrently.
Estimation of Mean of a Sensitive Quantitative Variable in Complex Survey: Improved Estimator and Scrambled Randomized Response Model
Authors: KOYUNCU Nursel , SALEEM Iram , SANAULLAH Aamir , HANIF Muhammad
Published: August 2019

With the intention to control a true swapping between the efficiency and the privacy protection this paper introduces a scrambled randomized response (SRR) model to be alternative of Saha’s scrambling mechanism. The basic initiative is to provide an assortment of the additive, the subtractive and the multiplicative models. The simulation and the empirical studies are provided for various sample sizes to compare the efficiency of the proposed model. The results obtained from simulation showed that the proposed model performs better than Pollock and Bek’s additive model. Also, the proposed generalized estimator of mean has been studied using a new SRR model presented in this article and shown that the proposed estimator and its class of estimators are more efficient than existing estimators. It is also shown that gain in efficiency is more when the proposed SRR model is used. The efficiency of the proposed class of estimators over existing estimators using both models is also provided using real data and with a simulation study.
Reliable Iterative Methods for Solving Convective Straight and Radial Fins with Temperature-Dependent Thermal Conductivity Problems
Authors: AL-JAWARY Majeed , ABDUL NABI Al-zahraa
Published: August 2019

In our article, three iterative methods are performed to solve the nonlinear differential equations that represent the straight and radial fins affected by thermal conductivity. The iterative methods are the Daftardar-Jafari method namely (DJM), Temimi-Ansari method namely (TAM) and Banach contraction method namely (BCM) to get the approximate solutions. For comparison purposes, the numerical solutions were further achieved by using the fourth Runge-Kutta (RK4) method, Euler method and previous analytical methods that available in the literature. Moreover, the convergence of the proposed methods was discussed and proved. In addition, the maximum error remainder values are also evaluated which indicates that the proposed methods are efficient and reliable. Our computational works have been done by using the computer algebra system MATHEMATICA®10 to evaluate the terms in the iterative processes.
The Modified Modal Operators over the Generalized Interval Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: BALOUI JAMKHANEH Ezzatallah
Published: August 2019

Interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy set (IVFS) as an extension of intuitionistic fuzzy sets is described by two parameters, namely membership degree and non-membership degree which are expressed in terms of intervals rather than crisp numbers. IVFS can be used to handle uncertainty and vagueness in real world decision making problems and operators of IVFSs have a key role in this filed. Thus, in this work we define newly defined modal operators over generalized interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets by modifying the existing operators. The new proposed operators are the integrity and comprehensive. Then, we describe the desirable properties of the proposed operators and discuss the special cases of them in details. Furthermore, the relationship between operators is examined. Finally, an illustrative example is provided for comparison.
DGO: Dice Game Optimizer
Authors: DEHGHANI Mohammad , MONTAZERI Zeinab , MALIK Om Parkash
Published: August 2019

In recent years, optimization algorithms have been used in many applications. Most of these algorithms are inspired by physical processes or living beings' behaviors. This article suggests a new optimization method called “Dice Gaming Optimizer“ (DGO), which simulates dice gaming laws. This algorithm is inspired by an old game and the searchers are a set of players. Each player moves in the playground based on at least one and maximum six different players called guide’s players. The number of guide’s players for each player is determined by the number of dice. DGO is tested on 23 standard benchmark test functions and also compared with eight other algorithms such as: Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), Cuckoo Search (CS), Ant-Lion Optimizer (ALO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm and Emperor Penguin Optimizer (EPO). Moreover, a real-life engineering design problem is solved by DGO. The results indicate that DGO have better performance as compared to the other well-known optimization algorithms.
Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by Selected Bacillus sp.
Authors: DEVI Deepa
Published: August 2019

The necessity of environment friendly disposal policies designed for the biodegradation of synthetic plastics is tremendously crucial and need attention in the present scenario, considering the hazardous impact of widely used packaging material such as Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) on the environment. Our study aims to explore the degradation of LDPE by three strains of Bacillus sp. i.e ISJ51, ISJ55 and ISJ57. The magnitude of biodegradation was evaluated by several techniques comprising weight loss of the polyethylene sample, reduction in bacterial hydrophobicity and estimation of biomass attached to the polyethylene film. The maximum biodegradation i.e., 1.5%, as well as protein content (0.75 μg/cm2) of bacterial biofilm adhered on LDPE was observed in Bacillus sp. strain ISJ55 after 60 days of treatment. ISJ55 also demonstrated more hydrophobicity in comparison to ISJ51 and ISJ57, since, a 20.3% reduction in culture turbidity was specifying better attraction towards hydrophobic substances. SEM analysis revealed that ISJ55 exhibited morphological changes in polyethylene surface while FTIR images showed functional changes after an incubation of 60 days. The establishment of biofilms on polyethylene surface and adhesion capabilities of bacteria are deliberated as the first step in the process of biodegradation. Therefore these results show that the isolate ISJ55 can colonize, modify and utilize LDPE as a sole carbon source, signifying the potential of Bacillus sp. to degrade LDPE film. This manuscript also paves the way for future studies on biodegradation to resolve the universal issue.