bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DOMAIN ADAPTATION WITH CYCLEGAN FOR CHANGE DETECTION IN THE AMAZON FOREST
Authors: Soto P. J. , Costa G. A. O. P. , Feitosa R. Q. , Happ P. N. , Ortega M. X. , Noa J. , Almeida C. A. , Heipke C.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Deep learning classification models require large amounts of labeled training data to perform properly, but the production of reference data for most Earth observation applications is a labor intensive, costly process. In that sense, transfer learning is an option to mitigate the demand for labeled data. In many remote sensing applications, however, the accuracy of a deep learning-based classification model trained with a specific dataset drops significantly when it is tested on a different dataset, even after fine-tuning. In general, this behavior can be credited to the domain shift phenomenon. In remote sensing applications, domain shift can be associated with changes in the environmental conditions during the acquisition of new data, variations of objects’ appearances, geographical variability and different sensor properties, among other aspects. In recent years, deep learning-based domain adaptation techniques have been used to alleviate the domain shift problem. Recent improvements in domain adaptation technology rely on techniques based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), such as the Cycle-Consistent Generative Adversarial Network (CycleGAN), which adapts images across different domains by learning nonlinear mapping functions between the domains. In this work, we exploit the CycleGAN approach for domain adaptation in a particular change detection application, namely, deforestation detection in the Amazon forest. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is capable of alleviating the effects associated with domain shift in the context of the target application.
DEEP LEARNING MONITORING OF WOODY VEGETATION DENSITY IN A SOUTH AFRICAN SAVANNAH REGION
Authors: Symeonakis E. , Korkofigkas A. , Vamvoukakis G. , Stamou G. , Arnau-Rosalén E.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Bush encroachment in African savannahs has been identified as a land degradation process, mainly due to the detrimental effect it has on small pastoralist communities. Mapping and monitoring the extent covered by the woody component in savannahs has therefore become the focus of recent remote sensing-based studies. This is mainly due to the large spatial scale that the process of woody vegetation encroachment is related with and the fact that appropriate remote sensing data are now available free of charge. However, due to the nature of savannahs and the mixture of land cover types that commonly make up the signal of a single pixel, simply mapping the presence/absence of woody vegetation is somewhat limiting: it is more important to know whether an area is undergoing an increase in woody cover, ever if it is not the dominant cover type. More recent efforts have, therefore, focused in mapping the fraction of woody vegetation, which, clearly, is much more challenging. This paper proposes a methodological framework for mapping savannah woody vegetation and monitoring its evolution though time, based on very high-resolution data and multi-temporal medium-scale satellite imagery. We tested our approach in a South African savannah region, the Northwest Province (> 104,000 km2), 0.5m-pixel aerial photographs for sampling and validation and Landsat data.
ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE MAPPING IN BANGUI CITY USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES
Authors: Traore M. , Ndepete C. P. , Zaguy-Guerembo R. L. , Pour A. B.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The security instability in the Central African Republic (CAR) forces the civilian population to flee the provinces to seek refuge in Bangui city, or in other countries. Human activity, which is very beneficial in the context of urbanization, is the main driving force of change in the city of Bangui, but also has a negative effect on the geoenvironment. Multispectral images data Landsat TM5, Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat-8 OLI of the years 1986, 2003 and 2020 was used to investigate Land use land cover (LULC) change of the city of Bangui. Maximum Likelihood (ML) classification algorithm was used to produce the map land use/land cover change detection in the study area. In Bangui city, four major classes have been identified, including vegetation, built-up, bare soil / rock and water. The analyses of the classified maps showed that Bangui city has been changed between 1986 and 2020, exceedingly area increased for built up (145.81%), vegetation (5.59%) and water (3.46%), it has however decreased for bare soil/ rock (40.60%). The overall accuracies and overall Kappa statistics achieved were 92.5%, 82.5% and 87.5%, and 0.90, 0.87 and 0.83 for 1986, 1999 and 2018 images, respectively.
WILDFIRE DETECTION AND DISASTER MONITORING SYSTEM USING UAS AND SENSOR FUSION TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Kanand T. , Kemper G. , König R. , Kemper H.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Based on a research program founded by the German Ministry of Traffic and Data Infrastructure, the use of 5G mobile network for modern advanced technologies should be developed and tested. This paper shows the integration of UAS, Multiple Sensor Integration, autonomous UAS Missions and online Geodata handling for the detection of wildfires in a rural region of Saxony / East Germany and the strategy for making use of the upcoming 5G Network. In our project we go a step deeper and combine VIS and Thermal IR cameras in a co-registered way to overlay the images, transfer data of multi-observation poles into a center and perform an automated analysis to detect smoke or hotspots and add to a first estimated localization. The technological advance applied on real project areas means an important step for further applications of UAS and Sensor Fusion Technologies.
GROUND-BASED & SPACEBORNE SAR INTERFEROMETRIC TECHNIQUES SUPPORTING THE MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCIES IN THE HEIMDALL PROJECT
Authors: Navarro J. A. , Luzi G. , Monserrat O. , Crosetto M.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. This paper describes the application of spaceborne and Ground Based radar interferometry as a tool for assisting the management of emergencies related to land movements. The support of the two techniques is carried out integrating some products, using tools available from a software and hardware architecture specifically developed within HEIMDALL, a H2020 project, devoted to providing a multi-hazard Cooperative Management, for Data Exchange, Response Planning and Scenario Building. Deformation maps obtained processing Sentinel-1 SAR images, updated every six days, can provide information over a large area, to be used during the preparedness and recovery phases. Data acquired through a Ground Based SAR system installed in-situ, provide a continuous and discontinuous (periodical) monitoring, aiming at supporting response and recovery phases. The products, in both cases, consist of deformation maps and temporal series, velocity of displacement, obtained through the application of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI).
ASSESSMENT OF EARLY SEASON AGRICULTURAL DROUGHT USING REMOTE SENSING
Authors: Nikam B. R. , Aggarwal S. P. , Thakur P. K. , Garg V. , Roy S. , Chouksey A. , Dhote P. R. , Chauhan P.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Drought is a stochastic natural hazard that is caused by intense and persistent shortage of precipitation. The initial shortage of rainfall subsequently impacts the agriculture and hydrology sectors. Marathwada region of India comes under highly drought prone area in the country. Recent times have shown the increase in occurrence of agricultural drought in the non-monsoon season. The deviation from normal rainfall in the month of October causes soil moisture deficit which triggers an agricultural drought in the early-Rabi season. The traditional remote sensing based agricultural drought monitoring indices lack in identifying the early-season (ES) drought. An attempt has been made in the present study, to map ES agricultural drought in the Aurangabad district of Marathwada region using remote sensing. The meteorological deficit in the month of October, has been assessed using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Impact of meteorological fluctuations on agricultural system in terms of dryness/wetness was evaluated using the Shortwave Angel Slope Index (SASI) derived using MODIS (Terra) Level-3, 8 daily, surface reflectance data for the October months of 2001–2012. It was observed that the area experiences moderate to severe drought 5 times with 12 years of study period (2001–2012). SASI and its parameters were estimated for each week of October month. SASI maps were further classified in four categories viz. moist vegetation; dry vegetation; moist soil and dry soil. The detailed analyses if these maps indicate that agricultural stress occurs in this area even if there is no meteorological stress. However, whenever, there is meteorological stress the area under agricultural stress exceeds more than 50% of the study region. A frequency distribution map of ES drought was prepared to identify the most drought prone area of the district and to alternately identify the irrigated area of the district.
CLOUD-BASED GEOSPATIAL PLATFORM IN SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2030: HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR EARTHQUAKE DISASTERS?
Authors: Pirasteh S. , Shamsipour G. , Liu G. , Hajibagheri R. , Ghasemzadeh A. , Jokar M. , Zarbakhsh H. , Behnamfar F. , Li J.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. In July 2, 2018, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted a resolution of the strategic framework of disaster risk reduction. Many seismic countries have experienced challenges with natural hazards, such as earthquakes every year. Seismic safety monitoring and infrastructures, including building vulnerability assessment of earthquake are significant means to protect the safety of people and reduce the loss of property. We present cloud-based Geospatial Information Technologies in this study to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 in earthquake disaster loss reduction, mitigation, and resilience. The authors investigated and programmed the instruction building codes of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We developed sophisticated algorithms to construct a geospatial cloud-based system to support the implementation of disaster risk reduction for strengthening infrastructures and resiliency of pre and post-earthquakes. However, the content is entirely based on the understanding of geospatial knowledge, engineering, and services to the people for a better world for future generations. The objectives of this study are to (1) participate in global sharing of experiences on utilizing geospatial information technologies to address disasters resilience and challenging issues of determining the vulnerability of buildings and estimation of risk as well as recommendation for retrofitting; and (2) developing Geospatial Infrastructure Management Ecosystem (GeoIME) including, Geospatial Rapid Visual Screening (GeoRVS) cloud-based platform. They enable the determination of the vulnerability of infrastructures, such as buildings and the estimation of risk for disaster reduction and management. This study shows that we reduced the cost and time for inspecting a building by 75% and %80, respectively. The application of this study can be used for retrofitting and rehabilitation of infrastructures like buildings and bridges for before and after earthquakes. Finally, we propose recommendations that might be helpful to countries having similar issues, and it has great potential for scalability and customization in other disasters such as floods.
DESIGN AND EXPERIMENT OF A HIGH PAYLOAD FIXED WING VTOL UAV SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Authors: Wu H. , Wang Z. , Ren B. , Wang L. , Zhang J. , Zhu J. , He Z.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. With the development of UAV technologies, the advantages of hybrid VTOL UAV have been realized and taken in emergency response. But, former hybrid VTOL UAV is lack of capacities on payload and endurance, which restrict the integration of multiple sensors. In this paper, a high payload fixed wing VTOL UAV, which has 20 kg payload and more than 3 hours endurance, is used to design a UAV system for emergency response. Multiple sensors including an optronics pod, PhaseOne IXM-100 camera, high accuracy inertial navigation system and three-axis stable head are integrated with it. Based on this, specific processing software is developed to process the video data and image which could meet the requirements of emergency response in different stages. Experiment results shown that the precision of mosaic image is about 10m and the precision of orthoimage is about 1m. This work could be reference for the design and practice of UAV system with multiple sensors.
INFERRING THE SCALE AND CONTENT OF A MAP USING DEEP LEARNING
Authors: Touya G. , Brisebard F. , Quinton F. , Courtial A.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Visually impaired people cannot use classical maps but can learn to use tactile relief maps. These tactile maps are crucial at school to learn geography and history as well as the other students. They are produced manually by professional transcriptors in a very long and costly process. A platform able to generate tactile maps from maps scanned from geography textbooks could be extremely useful to these transcriptors, to fasten their production. As a first step towards such a platform, this paper proposes a method to infer the scale and the content of the map from its image. We used convolutional neural networks trained with a few hundred maps from French geography textbooks, and the results show promising results to infer labels about the content of the map (e.g. ”there are roads, cities and administrative boundaries”), and to infer the extent of the map (e.g. a map of France or of Europe).
SEMANTICALLY DESCRIBING URBAN HISTORICAL BUILDINGS ACROSS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GRANULARITY
Authors: Colucci E. , Kokla M. , Mostafavi M. A. , Noardo F. , Spanò A.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Architectural, built heritage and historical buildings embody cultural heritage value and - as known - they need to be studied, documented, persevered and represented. Although there are many fields involved in these activities, none of these considered individually can fully represent the heritage with a complete level of detail and information. The present work aims to investigate the different levels of detail and granularity among different communities involved in historical buildings tasks to semantically define different concepts. In this context, ontologies are considered as an effective solution for the formal conceptualization of the domains involved, providing a common language for knowledge sharing and reuse. The study starts from existing knowledge (standards, vocabularies, thesauri, classifications) and conceptualisations for regional, urban and architectural heritage and geographic information for various tasks (restoration, documentation and heritage studies, risk prevention, heritage asset and facility management, education and tourism, urban planning and energy refurbishment/performance). A specific use case involving historical buildings in fortified centres across different levels of detail is described to show how existing knowledge and standards conceptualisation need to be integrated and extended.
TOWARDS INNOVATIVE PARTICIPATION-ORIENTED PLANNING OF INFRASTRUCTURE MEASURES
Authors: Löwner M.-O. , Bandelow N. C. , Gerke M. , Hillen F. , Klein L. , Schmidt A. , Siefer T.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Planning and realization of large infrastructure takes a lot of time due to public discussion and may be reduced by active citizen participation in an early stage of project. Insufficient or late citizen participation in large-sized projects is being held liable to effect escalation, which, again may lead to enormous delays and costs. In this contribution we propose and sketching out an internet-based planning tool, which enables the planning of large infrastructure by concerned citizens and. Therefore, it serves to objectify the debate. Within an interdisciplinary group legal issues and planning expertise will be formulized and implemented as a tool suite on a server using open source technologies. A geodatabase holds project related open and official geodata. For planning reasons, recent technology of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data acquisition and feature extraction methods will be used to complement planning data. Geodata and tools will be accessed by an easy-to-use client-based mapping tool that also manages the evaluation of the users planning proposals on a server. Based on a real-life project from railway infrastructure the web-based planning tool will be valuated with real applicants.
LAND-USE DYNAMICS ANALYSIS BASED ON SPATIAL INTERACTIONS MODELS AND SATELLITE IMAGES TIME-SERIES
Authors: Girres J.-F.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. This article presents a research agenda in the domain of the analysis of land-use dynamics. The proposed research intends to develop spatial interactions models in order to understand and simulate land-use dynamics that operate on particular territories. The proposed approach takes into account the main principles of spatial interactions models, such as Reilly’s theory of retail gravitation, combined with land-use coverages extracted from satellite images time-series. The study of the relationship between land-use dynamics with forces of attraction estimated from spatial interactions models can help to better understand how land-use changes are distributed. The proposed approach can also be used to simulate potential evolutions of land-use around time. Finally, this article exposes the contextual limits of the proposed approach, and also presents associated opportunities of research and study areas for application.
Undergraduate Student Thriving: An Assessment and Comparison of Nutrition Science and Dietetics Students
Authors: Edens David , Froyen Erik
Published: August 2020

This study utilizes the Thriving Quotient to determine the factors of student thriving for students in a nutrition and dietetics program at a large university in Southern California. Additionally, the study compared these students to the national averages for the factors of thriving. The Thriving Quotient assesses student levels of engagement, academic determination, positive perspective, social connectedness, and diverse citizenship. The largest influence on thriving for the sample population were engagement and academic determination. Comparisons to the national average and implications on practice are discussed.
From Social Research to Education and Training - Campaigns to Raising Public Awareness of Hazards
Authors: Szykula Piec Barbara , Lepczak Izabella Grabowska , Wojakowska Monika
Published: August 2020

The education of society regarding safety is in fact the cheapest, smartest and most effective form of preventing danger. It constitutes a fundamental way of building the population’s safety. It also has a great influence upon the attitudes, values, knowledge and skills required for proper behaviour in case of danger.The article describes the education process consisting in the transfer of knowledge and teaching skills in order to take specific actions, as well as forms and tools to raise the level of social awareness, especially in terms of perceiving actions, and a list of references showing the flow of social research, its purpose, and the tools used. Most of the elements, however, are shown in the list of possibilities to use tools on a very large scale, in the form of social campaigns. An example is given of a practical approach to all departments and goals for raising the level of social opinion in Transcarpathia and of hazadrs occurring in that area and ways to counteract them.
Technology Integration: Teaching Elementary Deaf Student English Language Arts
Authors: Gates Bailey K. , Musyoka Millicent M.
Published: August 2020

This study examined an elementary deaf education teacher’s experiences and practices regarding the integration of technology into an English/Language Arts (ELAR) classroom. Most deaf students experience challenges acquiring and learning English as a second language. Research continues to indicate deaf students graduate high school with a fourth-grade reading level. Specifically, the study investigated how technology was used to support the development of English/Language Arts skills in deaf students based on McCrory’s model on technological integration (McCrory, 2006). McCrory’s (2016) technology integration model is used to identify the teacher knowledge and use of technology. The model includes four components: representation, information, transformation, and collaboration. Using a qualitative case study design, data was collected using interviews, surveys, and observations. The data collected focused on the teacher only and did not include the students. The analysis showed how the ELAR teacher used technology to teach deaf students in relation to the four components of McCrory’s model. Implications for K-12 teacher preparation and professional development are discussed.
Uma proposta de universidade corporativa pautada nos pilares educação corporativa, gestão do conhecimento e gestão da inovação
Authors: Araujo Juliana Alexandre de Oliveira , Domingos Maria de Lurdes Da Costa
Published: August 2020

Introdução: Devido às constantes mudanças do cenário corporativo, processos e produtos tendem a ser repensados. Admitindo a educação como elemento de sustentação organizacional, este artigo visa discutir a importância da criação de uma Universidade Corporativa – UC, com base nos Pilares Educação Corporativa – EC, Gestão do Conhecimento - GC e Gestão da Inovação – GI. Método: A pesquisa adotou a revisão bibliográfica e entrevistas semiestruturadas em uma amostra de três empresas que já possuem UC. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise de discurso. Resultados: Houve a confirmação da importância dos Pilares delimitados, com definição de etapas para a concretização da UC. Conclusão: Percebeu-se a necessidade de alinhar a oferta de ações educacionais às estratégias da organização, proteger os conhecimentos já construídos e gerar oportunidades para a inovação nas empresas, a fim de ajustá-las às demandas do mercado e clientes. Propõem-se novas pesquisas em instituições privadas e multinacionais, investigando não somente práticas de UC, mas também as peculiaridades de GC e GI em diferentes contextos.
Mn(III) Catalyzed Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Alenezi Khalaf M.
Published: August 2020

Though challenging, conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable products is an emerging area of research. Electrochemical reduction (ECR) has emerged as an efficient and rapid technique to achieve this goal. Herein, 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H, 23H-porphine manganese(III) chloride [(Mn(TPP)Cl)] catalyzed CO2 reduction at vitreous carbon electrode in acetonitrile electrolyte is reported. The effect of catalyst concentration, addition of Brönsted acid (CF3CH2OH) to CO2-saturated solution have been studied and reported. Based on the results, possible mechanistic pathways have also been suggested and discussed.
Effect of Preoperative Duloxetine on Opioid Consumption in Women Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Bastanhagh Ehsan , Zamiri Fahime , Samimi Sadeh Saghar , Adabi Khadijeh , Pourfakhr Pejman
Published: August 2020

Background: Pain is one of the most challenging issues following surgery, and it is crucial to provide adequate and appropriate pain control measures. Objectives: This study assessed the efficacy of preoperative duloxetine in controlling postoperative pain in women following an abdominal hysterectomy in Yas Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences between December 2019 and April 2020. Methods: The study involved 80 women who were candidates for elective abdominal hysterectomy. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 received a 60 mg duloxetine capsule two hours before surgery. Group 2 received placebo following the same schedule. The amount of administrated opioids and the time from surgery to the administration of opioids were recorded, along with the frequency of nausea and vomiting experienced. Results: Two patients from each group withdrew before the study ended. In total, 38 women in each group were assessed. There were no significant differences in age, duration of surgery, and the amount of administrated opioids between the two groups. However, the number of patients who had nausea and vomiting differed significantly between the two groups (65% vs. 34%; P = 0.006). Conclusions: Our findings showed that duloxetine was not effective in controlling pain after abdominal hysterectomy. In addition, patients who received duloxetine had a significantly higher rate of nausea/vomiting.
Oral Antibiotic Use Following Stented Hypospadias Repair: Does It Play a Role in the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections?
Authors: Suoub Mohammed , Sawaqed Fadi
Published: August 2020

Background: There is a lack of consensus regarding the role of oral antibiotics following hypospadias repair. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the role of oral antibiotic use following stented Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) in the prevention of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 40 patients undergoing stented TIPU for coronal hypospadias between January 2014 and December 2016. The average age of the subjects was 13.2 months at the time of surgery, ranging from 11 to 16 months. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 20 patients receiving oral antibiotics until urethral catheter removal, whereas group B consisted of 20 patients without any oral antibiotics postoperatively. Results: The two groups were followed for three years. The urethral catheter was removed eight days postoperatively in the two groups. In group A, the patients received oral antibiotics as long as the catheter was left in situ. Urine samples were collected from the patients and sent for analysis and culture at the time of stent removal and after three weeks. The results showed that 3/20 (15%) patients from group A had pyuria and bacteriuria, while all of them had negative urine culture results. On the other hand, in group B, 8/20 (40%) patients had pyuria and bacteriuria (P > 0.05), and four (20.0%) patients had positive urine cultures for Escherichia coli (P < 0.05), sensitive to co-trimoxazole. None of the patients in the two groups had febrile UTI. Conclusions: The use of oral antibiotics for patients following stented TIPU reduces pyuria and significantly decreases positive urine culture results and the risk of UTI after surgery.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Antibiotic Self-Medication
Authors: Mousavi Fatemeh , Shojaei Parisa , Nazemi Azadeh , Dadashi Atefe
Published: August 2020

Objectives: This research has been conducted to study antibiotic self-medication, prevalence, and reasons. Methods: A questionnaire containing 30 comprehensive questions in terms of the experience of antibiotic self-medication was prepared. In this cross-sectional study, data were analyzed using analytical statistics bases on chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The results showed that 61.3% of the participants were self-antibiotic users. There was a significant difference only between gender and self-medication such that self-medication in males was more than females (P value = 0.027). Conclusions: Self-medication of antibiotics is almost high and requires more information about the side effects of these drugs in order to promote rational and physically prescribed use.
Merleau-Ponty’s Account of Appearance
Authors: Antich Peter ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2020

Merleau-Ponty’s account of phenomena, or appearances, and their relation to things themselves, is obviously central to his project as a Phenomenologist. And yet there is no agreed upon interpretation of the account of appearance that he gives in the Phenomenology of Perception: many commentators suggest that that work is ultimately either Idealist or Realist, or even that his account of appearance there is simply inconsistent. In this article, I argue that Merleau-Ponty does, in fact, offer a coherent alternative to Realism and Idealism about appearances in the Phenomenology, and I examine some key features of the account that often give rise to the suspicion of inconsistency. I show that these features only appear inconsistent if we adopt certain assumptions about appearance that Merleau-Ponty would reject, and that we have good reason to question as well.
From Autonomy to Heautonomy
Authors: Noller Jörg ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2020

In this paper, I will shed light on Karl Leonhard Reinhold’s and Friedrich Schiller’s conceptions of practical self-determination after Kant. First, I outline Kant’s conception of freedom as autonomy. I then explain the so-called “Reinhold’s dilemma,” which concerns the problem of moral imputability in the case of immoral actions, which arises from Kant’s theory of autonomy. I then show how Reinhold and Schiller tried to escape this dilemma by developing an elaborated theory of individual freedom. I will argue that Reinhold’s and Schiller’s symmetrical account of freedom to act according and against the moral law is not to be confused with freedom of indifference but can be reconstructed in terms of practical self-determination on the basis of first-order desires and second-order volitions.
The peroxisome counteracts oxidative stresses by suppressing catalase import via Pex14 phosphorylation
Authors: Okumoto Kanji , El Shermely Mahmoud , Natsui Masanao , Kosako Hidetaka , Natsuyama Ryuichi , Marutani Toshihiro , Fujiki Yukio
Published: August 2020

Most of peroxisomal matrix proteins including a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-decomposing enzyme, catalase, are imported in a peroxisome-targeting signal type-1 (PTS1)-dependent manner. However, little is known about regulation of the membrane-bound protein import machinery. Here, we report that Pex14, a central component of the protein translocation complex in peroxisomal membrane, is phosphorylated in response to oxidative stresses such as H2O2in mammalian cells. The H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 at Ser232 suppresses peroxisomal import of catalase in vivo and selectively impairs in vitro the interaction of catalase with the Pex14-Pex5 complex. A phosphomimetic mutant Pex14-S232D elevates the level of cytosolic catalase, but not canonical PTS1-proteins, conferring higher cell resistance to H2O2. We thus suggest that the H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 spatiotemporally regulates peroxisomal import of catalase, functioning in counteracting action against oxidative stress by the increase of cytosolic catalase.
Shared and modality-specific brain regions that mediate auditory and visual word comprehension
Authors: Keitel Anne , Gross Joachim , Kayser Christoph
Published: August 2020

Visual speech carried by lip movements is an integral part of communication. Yet, it remains unclear in how far visual and acoustic speech comprehension are mediated by the same brain regions. Using multivariate classification of full-brain MEG data, we first probed where the brain represents acoustically and visually conveyed word identities. We then tested where these sensory-driven representations are predictive of participants’ trial-wise comprehension. The comprehension-relevant representations of auditory and visual speech converged only in anterior angular and inferior frontal regions and were spatially dissociated from those representations that best reflected the sensory-driven word identity. These results provide a neural explanation for the behavioural dissociation of acoustic and visual speech comprehension and suggest that cerebral representations encoding word identities may be more modality-specific than often upheld.
Identifying mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys
Authors: Kellogg Christina A. , Moyer Ryan P. , Jacobsen Mary , Yates Kimberly
Published: August 2020

Coral reefs are degrading due to many synergistic stressors. Recently there have been a number of global reports of corals occupying mangrove habitats that provide a supportive environment or refugium for corals, sheltering them by reducing stressors such as oxidative light stress and low pH. This study used satellite imagery and manual ground-truthing surveys to search for mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and then collected basic environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pHNBS, turbidity) at identified sites using a multi-parameter water quality sonde. Two kinds of mangrove-coral habitats were found in both the Upper and Lower Florida Keys: (1) prop-root corals, where coral colonies were growing directly on (and around) mangrove prop roots, and (2) channel corals, where coral colonies were growing in mangrove channels under the shade of the mangrove canopy, at deeper depths and not in as close proximity to the mangroves. Coral species found growing on and directly adjacent to prop roots included Porites porites (multiple morphs, including P. divaricata and P. furcata), Siderastrea radians, and Favia fragum. Channel coral habitats predominantly hosted S. radians and a few S. siderea, although single colonies of Solenastrea bournoni and Stephanocoenia intersepta were observed. Although clear, low-turbidity water was a consistent feature of these mangrove-coral habitats, the specific combination of environmental factors that determine which mangrove habitats are favorable for coral recruitment remains to be defined. Circumstantial evidence suggests additional coral communities existed on mangrove shorelines of oceanside and backcountry islands until destroyed, likely by Hurricane Irma. These mangrove-coral habitats may be climate refugia for corals and could be included in ecosystem management plans and considered for their applications in coral restoration.
A Comparative Study on Potential Antioxidants and Antioxidant Activity in Raw and Cooked Selected Locally Grown Legumes in Sri Lanka
Authors: Lokuge L. L. P. S. , Herath H. M. T. , Samaranayake M. D. W. , Liyanage S. L. , Ratnayake R. H. M. K. , Abeysekera W. K. S. M.
Published: August 2020

Legumes are important crop species belonging to the family Fabaceae and constitute a significant part in the diet of Sri Lankans, as a meat substitute. The present study evaluated antioxidants and their activity in locally grown legume varieties for potential utilization as health foods. Twelve legume varieties grown in Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) were used for screening purpose. Results were statistically analysed using Univariate General Linear Model (SPSS Version 20) followed by mean separation Tukey HSD test. The Total Phenolics Content (TPC) of raw and cooked form of legume varieties ranged from 0.84 ± 0.04 (MICP 1) to 4.34 ± 0.15 mg (GAE)/g (ANKCP 2) and 0.30 ± 0.04 (MICP 1) to 3.71 ± 0.12 mg (GAE) /g  (Dhawala) whereas Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) ranged from 0.88 ± 0.03 (ANK-Black) to 2.19 ± 0.04 mg (QE)/g (Waruni) and 0.62 ± 0.04 (Waruni) to 8.33 ± 0.16 mg (QE)/g (Dhawala) respectively. TPC and TFC were significantly differed (p < 0.05) among the varieties as well as raw and cooked form in each variety.

The significant highest (p<0.05) antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH was shown in both forms of raw and cooked in dark seed coat coloured varieties of ANK-Brown (4.95± 0.42 and 2.18± 0.45 (TE) / g ; dark brown) ANK-Black (4.11± 0.41and 3.17± 0.60 (TE) / g ; black) and Waruni (3.38± 0.18 and 1.51± 0.13 (TE) / g ; purple) respectively while the significant (p<0.05) highest ABTS and FRAP were shown in the same varieties in raw form only. Similarly, the highest results for activity for ABTS (11.74 ± 0.26 (TE) / g) and FRAP (0.32 ± 0.02 (TE) / g) were found in cooked form of variety Dhawala. Results demonstrated the varietal identification of ANK-Brown, ANK-Black, Waruni and Dhawala with a high potential in developing functional foods.
HIV and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) Deficiency among University Athletes in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Okonko I. O. , Oseni S. Adewuyi- , Cookey T. I. , Anugweje K. C.
Published: August 2020

Aim: Athletes are not immune to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, and these conditions do not cause any harm or damage to their body as long as the necessary precautions in term of medications and others are adhered to. This research’s main objective was to determine the prevalence rate of G-6-PD deficiency and HIV among the University athletes in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Study Design:  Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Nigeria, between June 2012 and July 2015.

Methods: A total of 258 athletes were screened (134 females and 124 males) for HIV and G-6-PD deficiency. The athletes’ ages, gender and dates of birth were obtained and recorded. The presence of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody was detected using the Uni-Gold™ Recombigen® HIV-1/2 for the detection of HIV. While Beutler Semi-quantitative G-6-PD Test Kit (BSA-3000) was utilized for the quantitative detection of G-6-PD deficiency in whole blood.

Results: Of the 258 athletes tested, 0.7% was G-6-PD deficient while 1.2% was positive for HIV. The G-6-PD deficient positive cases were found in the age range of 21-25 years while the higher prevalence of HIV was observed in the age range 31-35 years (4.8%), followed by 26-30 years (1.9%) and the least was observed in the age group 21-25 years (0.7%). Age and gender had no significant relationship with the positivity of the athletes to HIV and G-6-PD (p-value >0.05).

Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of HIV and G-6-PD deficiency among university athletes in Rivers State, Nigeria. This calls for routine testing of both the athletes and the general public for G-6-PD deficiency to prevent hemolysis causes by G-6-PD deficiency.
The Unintended Effects of Bank of Ghana’s Clean-Up Exercise on Unaffected Financial Institutions: Evidence from Yilo Krobo Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Affum Frederick
Published: August 2020

This paper seeks to analyze the unintended accompanying effects of the Bank of Ghana’s financial sector sanitization popularly referred to as “clean-up exercise” which ended in August 2019 on the operations of unaffected financial institutions with ardent interest in customer deposits or investment and lending activities. The mixed-method approach thus, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting data, was deployed for the study. The study population covered branch managers, credit officers, and cashiers of all financial institutions that were not affected by the Bank of Ghana clean-up exercise in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, Ghana. The findings of the study revealed that deposits have generally been low, whereas withdrawals have been very high, and these were due to fear and panic of losing funds or investments and loss of confidence among the banking population. On the other hand, lending activities have not been affected as customers of defunct financial institutions have shifted their loan demands or requests to the unaffected ones. However, some financial institutions are unable to meet loan request from their customers due to liquidity challenges arising from low cash deposits. The study recommends strict regulatory enforcement, periodic publishing of financial institutions in good standing, and timely education of customers of financial institutions in the event of any possible revocation of the license of  any Financial Institution.
Challenges and Opportunities of Soybean Marketing in Chewaka District, Ethiopia
Authors: Achamyelh Kumilachew , Hailemariam Mesfin
Published: August 2020

The pricing system for soybean is complex because it involves interactions between the markets for soybean grain, soybean meal and soybean oil. The study was undertaken with the objective of identifying and describing the constraints, challenges and opportunities of soybean production and productivity and its impact on the livelihoods of smallholder producer farmers in the area. A multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed to select a total of 153 farmers from four Kebeles. Data were collected from both primary and primary secondary sources. Descriptive statistical analysis, Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, econometrics analysis and value chain analysis were used to analyze the data. Soybean value chain analysis of the study area revealed that the main value chain actors are input suppliers, direct market actors and chain supporters. The major constraints identified are input supply constraints viz., rhizobium inoculants and different pesticides; lack of collateral to get credit, poor storage facilities, low price of the produce in market, and low negotiation (bargaining) power of producers. Moreover, the opportunities are the availability of Union and different NGOs working in soybean, strong community based seed system in the area, wide arable land for soybean production, government’s policy support for soybean sub-sector and establishments of soybean based agro-industry. Therefore, improving extension services of soybean, minimizing the transaction cost of soybean, improving the transportation access, to link producers to chain actors and facilitators, to set up demand driven soybean improvement, increase land allocation for large scale production and market information dissemination are require to improve productivity and profitability of soybean farming in the region and Ethiopia at large. Practical use of trade and marketing policies (including subsidy policies) are needed in this country to compete for the export market.
Teachers’ Difficulty in Teaching Classes VII and VIII Sciences in Bhutanese Schools: A Case Study in Gasa, Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang Districts
Authors: Wangdi Norbu , Utha Karma
Published: August 2020

This study aimed at finding out the teachers’ difficulty in teaching classes VII and VIII science. The research methodology used in this study is convergent parallel mixed method. A total of 107 Classes IX and X students and 12 science teachers from two higher secondary schools and a middle secondary school were included for the study. Data collection instruments used were survey questionnaires and focus group interview. Survey questionnaire data is analyzed using SPSS, while the recorded interview data is analyzed based on themes. The findings of this study revealed that teachers are facing difficulty in teaching classes VII and VIII science as they are not able to teach contents of science that are not their area of specialization. Therefore, study recommends Ministry of Education, Bhutan to work towards developing bifurcated science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology for Classes VII and VIII.
Study of Estimation of Urinary Delta Aminolevulinic Acid Levels as an Indicator of Lead Exposure in Pottery Workers
Authors: Patil Neelam J. , Kalokhe Sayali R. , Patharkar Sachin A. , Nerurkar Alka V. , Surve Pradeep N. , Shinde Umesh R.
Published: August 2020

Background: Lead toxicity is a significant environmental hazard and has widespread ill effects on human body. In this study we detected the lead exposure by measuring urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels. The activity of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase enzyme is inhibited significantly by lead, which leads to an increase in urinary δ- ALA excretion. Hence we can use estimation of urinary δ-ALA levels as a surrogate marker of lead exposure in pottery workers.

Aim: To estimate the urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels in pottery workers as an index of lead exposure.

Materials and Methods: The study was done on 85 pottery workers of age group between 18 to 50 years with their brief history related to lead exposure. Their urine samples were analysed for δ-ALA by Ehrlich method.

Results: According to our observation, it was found that out of 85 urine samples; 58 samples showed increased urinary δ-ALA levels (68.23%).

Conclusion: We conclude that the prevalence of lead exposure in pottery workers in Mumbai is very high. Good hygienic practices and necessary precautions should be followed to avoid its ill effects on human body.
Cardiac, Renal and Gastrointestinal Anomalies in a Neonate: Could this be VACTERL Association? A Case Report
Authors: Idholo Urire , Duru Chika O. , Okosun Ofure , Oremodu Imaculata I. Tunde- , Ogoinja Stanley
Published: August 2020

Introduction: VACTERL association is a rare congenital defect. It is a constellation of the involvement of six systems which comprise of vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, trachea-oesophageal fistula, renal anomalies and limb abnormalities.  At least three systems should be involved before VACTERL is suspected and in many cases, it is difficult to differentiate it from other multiple congenital anomalies.

Case Report: We present a day old preterm neonate who presented with respiratory distress and abdominal distension at birth. Late pregnancy ultrasound done at 34 weeks gestation showed a singleton fetus with gross ascites, dilated urinary bladder and bilateral calyceal dilatation. On examination, he had hyper-plantar flexion of the left ankle joint, ascites and a loud systolic murmur. Abdominal scan showed bilateral renal stones with medullary sponge kidneys, gaseous distension of the bowels and massive ascites. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a 10 mm ostium secundum atrial septal defect, 6 mm perimembranous ventricular septal defect and a 3 mm patent ductus arteriosus. Micturating cystourography showed a dilated posterior urethra with an appearance of a ring lucent filling defect at the membranous urethra and an irregular and beading distal urethra which was suggestive of posterior urethral valves (diaphragmatic type).

Conclusion: VACTERL association occurs sporadically in most cases and presentation is varied depending on the degree of systemic affectation. Our patient presented with a constellation of congenital defects which could all fit into the criteria for VACTERL association, however because of the lack of genetic testing, it is difficult to determine if this is just a chance occurrence of multiple congenital anomalies.
On-farm Evaluation of Rice-groundnut Sequence vis-a-vis Rice-rice Cropping System under Limited Irrigated Situations of Telangana, India
Authors: Pasha Md. Latheef , Sridevi S. , Goverdhan M. , Reddy G. Kiran , Alibaba Md.
Published: August 2020

Crop diversification with resource efficient and remunerative cropping systems is a sustainable agricultural practice. On farm evaluation with an improved cropping system of rice-groundnut vis-a-vis farmers’ practice of rice-rice was conducted in ten farmer’s fields of Medak district of Telangana state. Crop diversification with Rice-groundnut realized 7.3% (881 kg ha-1) higher mean rice grain equivalent yield (12969 kg ha-1) over farmer’s practice of cultivation of rice-rice (12,088 kg ha-1). Mean technology and extension gaps were 2,231 kg ha-1 and 881 kg ha-1 respectively.  Technology index ranged from 8.8 to 23.7% with an average value of 14.7%. The mean gross and net returns of improved cropping system were Rs 1,92,930 and 1,09,658 ha-1, while that of farmers practice was Rs 1,81,320 and 83,955 ha-1 respectively.  On an average a B C ratio of 2.3 was earned in improved cropping system as against the 1.9 under farmers practice. The mean additional returns in improved cropping system were Rs 13,210 ha-1 with a mean effective gain of Rs 27,303 ha-1. Improved cropping system registered a mean total productivity per day of 35.5 kg ha-1 day-1 with a mean profitability of Rs 300 day-1. Average Production Use Efficiency of improved cropping system was 56.4 kg ha-1 day-1, while that of farmer’s practice was 49.3 kg ha-1 day-1.  The edge in productive economic parameters in terms of Mean Relative Productive Use Efficiency and Relative Economic Efficiency were 7.3 and 30.6 respectively and were indicating the profitability of improved cropping system.