bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Channel–Lobe Transition Zone With High-Resolution AUV Bathymetry: Navy Fan, Offshore Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Carvajal Cristian , Paull Charles K. , Caress David W. , Fildani Andrea , Lundsten Eve , Anderson Krystle , Maier Katherine L. , McGann Mary , Gwiazda Roberto , Herguera Juan Carlos
Published: July 2019

Ultra-high-resolution (1 m * 1 m * 0.25 m) bathymetry was acquired with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) over a sector of the Navy Fan offshore Baja California. The survey specifically targeted an area where the former interpretation of the fan showed a channel–lobe transition; however, the lobe and the transition were not recognized. Instead, the newly acquired bathymetry shows that the previously identified channel continues basinward changing its overall morphology and stratigraphic architecture, becoming gradually but significantly wider (650–1000 m) and of lower relief (3–4 m). Cores from the channel thalweg recovered mud-poor (< 5%) well-sorted sands, interpreted as deposited by fully turbulent flows. The cores also show several mud-rich (9–18%) poorly sorted sands, probably indicating deposition from more cohesive flows.

The high-resolution bathymetry shows large sectors of the seafloor sculpted by elaborate bedforms and scours. The overbank area north of the channel exhibits the most numerous and prominent scours, interpreted to have been largely generated by flow stripping at a bend in the channel. Along high-gradient sectors (more than approximately 1¯) of this area, the scours are largest and deepest. Some of these scours show an erosional headwall and a distal upflow-dipping depositional bulge, forming repetitive bedforms interpreted as erosional cyclic steps associated with locked-in-place trains of hydraulic jumps. The scours seem to coalesce to form an incipient channel, which would likely drive the avulsion of the main channel. Further basinward, average gradients decrease (< 0.6¯ ) and scours become smaller and less deep suggesting a gradient control on erosion. The southern channel margin and adjacent overbank area exhibit a trend of scours that are elongated transverse to flow, that successively repeat themselves basinwards, and that at times merge with sediment waves. Probably these scours are genetically linked to sediment waves, and they may have been formed by cyclic-step-like processes as well. The acquired bathymetry represents a breakthrough in the imaging of the proximal sectors of deep-sea fans, which provides the basis for an accurate morphometric characterization and the understanding of sedimentary processes and morphodynamics associated with the delivery of sediment into the deep sea.
Extraction and Comparison of Spatial Statistics For Geometric Parameters of Sedimentary Layers from Static and Mobile Terrestrial Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Walton Gabriel , Fotopoulos Georgia , Radovanovic Robert
Published: July 2019

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a surveying technology that has seen increasing use in the field of geosciences in recent years. One potential application for this technology is to aid in quantitative stratigraphy. Given a point cloud containing multiple lithologies, the points associated with a specific lithology can be analyzed to quantify the geometric characteristics of that lithology, such as apparent dip, thickness, and spacing. In this study, a semi-automated work flow to perform such a characterization is presented and applied to a case study from an oil sands pit mine in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada. The results obtained using data collected with mobile and static TLS systems are compared to evaluate the effects of the various measurements and resolutions on the resulting stratigraphic statistics. In addition, mobile data collected for a small portion of the pit that was actively being mined are compared over time to evaluate changes in sedimentary layering in the direction perpendicular to the pit face. This component of the study highlights the impact of data quality on the resulting interpretations and represents a potential methodology for enhancing three-dimensional quantitative spatial modeling in a sedimentary environment.
A Design Method For Landslide Surface Water Drainage Control
Authors: Haugen Benjamin D.
Published: July 2019

Infiltration of surface water increases pore water pressures in slopes and reduces their stability. Common landslide features such as tension cracks and sag ponds can act as preferential pathways for surface drainage and may increase infiltration and exacerbate pore pressure–induced instability. Surface water drainage control is likewise recommended by numerous authors as an effective and inexpensive landslide mitigation method and has been shown to reduce the risk of landslides. While robust design procedures for other geotechnical applications exist (e.g., slope reduction, subsurface drains), similar procedures for landslide surface water drainage control have remained largely ad hoc and vary among practitioners. The objective of this article is to summarize technical literature related to surface water drainage control and provide a coherent design procedure for landslides.
Consideration of the Validity of Debris-flow Bulking Factors
Authors: Brunkal Holly , Santi Paul
Published: July 2019

Compilation of a database of debris-flow peak discharges (Q) allowed for a comparison with the expected basin discharge, as computed using the rational equation, Q=CIA. The observed values of Q for debris flows in unburned and burned areas were divided by the computed Q values of runoff using the rational method. This ratio is the bulking factor for that debris-flow event. Unburned and burned basins constitute two distinct populations; analysis shows that the bulking factors for burned areas are consistently higher than those for unburned basins. Previously published bulking factors for unburned areas fit the data set in about 50 percent of the observed cases in our compiled data set. Bulking factors for burned areas that were found in the published literature were well below the observed increases in peak discharge in over 50 percent of the cases investigated. If used for design purposes, these bulking factors would result in a significant underestimation of the peak discharge from a burned basin for the given rainfall intensity. Peak discharge bulking rates were found to be inversely related to basin area.
Deterministic Three-dimensional Rock Mass Fracture Modeling from Geo-radar Survey: a Case Study in a Sandstone Quarry in Italy
Authors: Elkarmoty Mohamed , Colla Camilla , Gabrielli Elena , Bonduà Stefano , Bruno Roberto
Published: July 2019

Rock mass fractures adversely affect the production of ornamental stone quarries. Fractures cause natural rock blocks, which threaten extraction of the required commercial block size of ornamental stones. Accurate subsurface detection and modeling of fractures are required for pre-exploitation evaluation and planning. This paper introduces a new three-dimensional deterministic fracture modeling approach using ground penetrating radar (GPR) as a data acquisition tool. A case study was performed in a fractured bench of a sandstone quarry in Firenzuola, Italy, using a 400 MHz GPR antenna. To accurately detect fractures at true depth, an in situ calibration based on previous knowledge of the depth of a subsurface reference reflector allowed us to estimate a bulk dielectric constant of the rock mass during the time of data acquisition. A data interpretation tracing technique was developed to model fractures as 3-D surfaces in two forms, either irregular or planes. The modeled fractures were visualized through a multi-platform visualization software package (ParaView). A comparison between the orientations of the fractures measured by the traditional manual method and the orientations of the modeled fractures is presented as a possible geologic validation for the detection and interpretation of fractures. For the objective of pre-exploitation evaluation, a distribution analysis provided an evaluation-based fracture index for the bench in the case study.
Conjugate Oblique-Extension Veins in Shear and Tensile Fracture Systems at the Komis Gold Mine and Mufferaw Gold Prospect, Northern Saskatchewan
Authors: LAFRANCE BRUNO
Published: July 2019

Quartz veins at the Mufferaw gold prospect and Komis gold deposit, northern Saskatchewan, are examples of oblique-extension veins that crystallized in shear and tensile fractures, which propagated and then opened oblique to their walls during a single continuous deformation event. The Mufferaw gold prospect consists of an interlinked mesh of conjugate shear fractures, tensile fractures, and veins. Oblique-extension veins crystallized in conjugate shear fractures, which opened during dilation of intersecting tensile fractures under the same far-field stress system. At the Komis gold mine, tensile and dextral shear fractures cut across granodiorite dikes. The tensile fractures formed perpendicular to the dike margins during stress transfer from the less-competent country rocks to the more-competent dikes. During extension of the dikes oblique to the bulk extension direction in the country rocks, the tensile fractures were reactivated as sinistral shear fractures. The reactivated tensile fractures and dextral shear fractures opened oblique to their walls, parallel to the bulk extension direction, and were sealed by the deposition of oblique-extension veins during the same deformation event.
Use of Tri-Chloroacetic Acid /Acetone/polyethylene glycol for protein purification from HIV-1 infected human plasma
Authors: Barik Sushanta Kumar , Mohanty Keshar Kunja , Bisht Deepa , Mohanty Partha Sarathi , Patil Shripad , Joshi Beenu , Varshney Deepika , Tandon Rekha , Tripathy Srikanth Prasad , Singh Tej Pal , Jena Srikanta
Published: July 2019

Human plasma contains high amount of abundant proteins like albumin and globulin. Normally, the proteins having potential for biomarkers are present in very low concentration in human plasma. To resolve the low concentration proteins in polyacrylamide gel, the removal of high abundant proteins from plasma are very essential. Polyethylene glycol is a nontoxic, water soluble synthetic polymer has several applications in chemical and biomedical industries. Various molecular variants of poly ethylene glycol is available and used in protein purification. The mechanism behind the use of high concentration of polyethylene glycol is it binds the molecule in more compact or interpenetrates forming a gel like network surrounding the molecule. Polyethylene glycol -6000 removes the high abundant proteins like Albumin and Globulin in the HIV -1 infected plasma samples and concentrates the low molecular weight proteins as the low molecular weight proteins are essential in biomarker study.
Use of organic solvents for protein purification from HIV-1 infected human plasma
Authors: Barik Sushanta Kumar , Mohanty Keshar Kunja , Bisht Deepa , Mohanty Partha Sarathi , Patil Shripad , Joshi Beenu , Varshney Deepika , Triptahy Srikanth Prasad , Singh Tej Pal , Tandon Rekha , Jena Srikanta
Published: July 2019

Human plasma contains various high molecular and low molecular proteins like Albumin, Globulin, Lipoproteins, Glycoproteins etc. To get a pure protein of interest , the organic solvents are very useful in the plasma protein purification steps. To achieve a low cost and reliable purification, the organic solvents are best useful in laboratory practice. Tri-choloroacetic acid and Acetone removes the Albumin and Globulin while Chloroform, methanol, isopropanol removes the Glycoproteins and Lipoproteins and would give the protein of interest in HIV-1 infected human plasma.
Standard Cultivar Selection and Digital Quantification for Precise Classification of Maturity Groups in Soybean
Authors: Song Wenwen , Sun Shi , Ibrahim Seifeldin Elrayah , Xu Zejun , Wu Haiying , Hu Xingguo , Jia Hongchang , Cheng Yanxi , Yang Zhonglu , Jiang Shibo , Wu Tingting , Sinegovskii Mikhail , Sapey Enoch , Nepomuceno Alexandre , Jiang Bingjun , Hou Wensheng , Sinegovskaya Valentina , Wu Cunxiang , Gai Junyi , Han Tianfu
Published: July 2019

The maturity group (MG) system is widely used to group soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties based on their growth periods and photothermal responses. However, there is still no universal standard or quantifiable methodology for MG classification. In this study, phenological traits of 107 Chinese, 4 Far East Russian representative soybean varieties, and 113 North American reference varieties covering 13 MGs were evaluated at eight locations (ranging from 30 to 50° N) in four ecoregions of China for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Relative maturity groups (RMGs) were attributed to all the varieties based on the linear regression models. To decimalize the RMG values of the early‐maturing varieties belonging to MGs below 0, negative values were defined for MGs 00, 000, and 0000. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model was used to screen 185 standard candidate varieties for MGs 0000 to VIII. This study provided a systematic and quantifiable methodology for RMG identification in soybeans. The methodology is expected to be widely adopted by soybean regionalization and germplasm exchanges throughout the world and will be helpful for characterizing the photothermal sensitivity and adaptability of the given soybean varieties.
Does Irrigated Corn Require Multiple Applications of Sulfur?
Authors: Kurbondski Andria J. , Kaiser Daniel E. , Rosen Carl J. , Sutradhar Apurba K.
Published: July 2019

Sulfur is applied to irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) grown on sandy soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sprinkler‐irrigated corn response to S. Treatments were a factorial combination of 0, 14, 28, and 42 kg S ha−1 as (NH4)2SO4 applied on the soil surface at four locations at planting and in season (V5). Tissue samples were collected at V8 and R2 and evaluated along with corn grain yield and soil pore water SO42––S concentration measured at 60 cm with suction tube lysimeters. Application of S increased V8 plant mass, V8 whole plant S concentration and S uptake, and R2 leaf S concentration but did not increase corn grain yield. Decreased V8 plant mass was a result of S deficiency and was only corrected when some S was applied at planting. A total of 28 kg S ha−1 was sufficient to ensure adequate plant growth and S uptake whether S was applied at planting, in‐season, or as a combination of the two timings. Concentrations of S were elevated in soil pore water from at planting and in‐season S application indicating a portion of the S applied were still available for most—and at the end of—the growing season. Sulfur fertilizer is crucial early in the growing season for irrigated corn to ensure optimal corn growth. Rate of application is more important than time of S application in irrigated corn production. Incidental applications of S may reduce the need of S fertilizer for irrigated corn.

Core Ideas

Application of sulfur at planting is required to maximize early irrigated corn plant mass.

Delaying sulfur application to the V5 growth stage results in luxury uptake of S in corn.

Rate of sulfur applied is of greater importance than timing and number of applications.

Sulfur applied at planting will not fully leach from the root zone the year of application.

Sulfur fertilizer may not be required to achieve maximum grain yield for irrigated corn.
Sperrylite saturation in magmatic sulfide melts: Implications for formation of PGE-bearing arsenides and sulfarsenides
Authors: Bai Liping , Barnes Sarah-Jane , Baker Don R.
Published: July 2019

Sperrylite (PtAs2) is one of most common Pt minerals, but the processes whereby it forms are not clearly established. Most commonly it is associated with the major-component base metal sulfide minerals (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite), which are believed to have crystallized from magmatic sulfide melts. Hence, sperrylite is thought to have formed by crystallization from a sulfide melt or by exsolution from sulfide minerals. However, sperrylite is also found associated with silicate and oxide minerals where it is thought to have formed by crystallization from the silicate magma. To investigate the conditions under which sperrylite could crystallize from a magmatic sulfide melt we investigated sperrylite saturation in Fe-Ni-Cu-S sulfide melts under controlled fO2 and fS2 at 910–1060 °C and 1 bar. The As and Pt concentrations in the sulfide melt at sperrylite saturation increase from 0.23–0.41 to 2.2–4.4 wt% and from 0.36–0.65 to 1.9–2.8 wt%, respectively, as the iron concentration in the sulfide melt decreases from 50 to 36 wt% at 910–1060 °C. We show that transitional metal concentrations, particular iron and nickel, as well as sulfur and oxygen fugacities influence As and Pt concentrations in the sulfide melt at sperrylite saturation. These intensive variables appear to effect sperrylite solubility by influencing the oxidation state of As in the sulfide melt. The measured concentrations of As and Pt in sperrylite-saturated sulfide melts produced in our experiments are much higher than that in most natural sulfides, implying that arsenides and sulfarsenides will not reach saturation in natural magmatic sulfide melts at high temperatures unless the magma has been contaminated with an exceptionally As-rich rock. This suggests that the observed arsenides and sulfarsenides in natural sulfide ores were not formed by crystallization from unfractionated sulfide melts at high temperatures above 900 °C, but might form at low temperatures below 900 °C.
Using mineral equilibria to estimate H2O activities in peridotites from the Western Gneiss Region of Norway
Authors: Kang Patricia , Lamb William M. , Drury Martyn
Published: July 2019

The Earth’s mantle is an important reservoir of H2O, and even a small amount of H2O has a significant influence on the physical properties of mantle rocks. Estimating the amount of H2O in rocks from the Earth’s mantle would, therefore, provide some insights into the physical properties of this volumetrically dominant portion of the Earth. The goal of this study is to use mineral equilibria to determine the activities of H2O (aH2O) in orogenic mantle peridotites from the Western Gneiss Region of Norway. An amphibole dehydration reaction yielded values of aH2O ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 for these samples. Values of fO2 of approximately 1 to 2 log units below the FMQ oxygen buffer were estimated from a fO2-buffering reaction between olivine, orthopyroxene, and spinel for these same samples. These results demonstrate that the presence of amphibole in the mantle does not require elevated values of aH2O (i.e., aH2O≈1) nor relatively oxidizing values of fO2 (i.e., >FMQ).

It is possible to estimate a minimum value of aH2O by characterizing fluid speciation in C-O-H system for a given value of oxygen fugacity (fO2). Our results show that the estimates of aH2O obtained from the amphibole dehydration equilibrium are significantly lower than values of aH2O estimated from this combination of fO2 and C-O-H calculations. This suggests that fluid pressure (Pfluid) is less than lithostatic pressure (Plith) and, for metamorphic rocks, implies the absence of a free fluid phase.

Fluid absent condition could be generated by amphibole growth during exhumation. If small amounts of H2O were added to these rocks, the formation of amphibole could yield low values of aH2O by consuming all available H2O. On the other hand, if the nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) contained significant H2O at conditions outside of the stability field of amphibole they might have served as a reservoir of H2O. In this case, NAMs could supply the OH necessary for amphibole growth once retrograde P-T conditions were consistent with amphibole stability. Thus, amphibole growth may effectively dehydrate coexisting NAMs and enhance the strength of rocks as long as the NAMs controlled the rheology of the rock.
Rancang Bangun Pengelolaan Dan Penggunaan Dana Desa Sistem Terpadu Dengan Metode Berorientasi Objek
Authors: Rasminto Hendri , Siswanto Siswanto , Danang Danang
Published: July 2019

The Village Fund Budget is a revenue-sharing fund between the District and Village Governments for the welfare of the community. The budget obtained is managed by the village government for community development and welfare. Budget management by the Village Government has been regulated in the Semarang Regent Regulation Number 8 of 2016 concerning Village Financial Management that that Changes to the Village Revenue and Expenditure Budget are stipulated by Village Regulations. Budgeting that has to create a new form in Microsoft Excel will increase the length of work time and must understand excel logic. The absence of databases and security systems that are not yet available is a balance between the need for an information system for managing village expenditure expenditure budgets that will make time more effective in budgeting. This information system uses Visual Basic 6.0 with the MySQL database. The research method used is R & D which was developed by Borg and Gall (1983) through the following stages: Research and information collecting, Planning, Develop prelminary form of product, Prelminary field testing, Main product revision, Main field testing. Designing a system that will produce a prototype product that will be tested by internal and external experts who will assess the design is valid or not. If the design is valid, it will produce a Accounting Information System prototype product of the Village Revenue and Expenditure Management (APBDes) that can be used, but if the product is not valid, it will be repaired according to expert instructions until the product is declared valid and usable. After being declared valid by the expert, it will produce a prototype product that can be used.  The purpose of the village income and expenditure budget management information system in the Kaliwungu village is expected to be able to assist in the preparation of village income and expenditure budgets so that the time needed to prepare the report is quite effective and not too late. With the distribution of access rights and security systems, the information system for managing village income and expenditure budgets is expected to be safer
Revalorizing Lignocellulose for the Production of Natural Pharmaceuticals and Other High Value Bioproducts
Authors: Zhang Congqiang , Too Heng-Phon
Published: July 2019

Lignocellulose is the most abundant renewable natural resource on earth and
has been successfully used for the production of biofuels. A significant challenge is to develop
cost-effective, environmentally friendly and efficient processes for the conversion
of lignocellulose materials into suitable substrates for biotransformation. A number of approaches
have been explored to convert lignocellulose into sugars, e.g. combining chemical
pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. In nature, there are organisms that can transform
the complex lignocellulose efficiently, such as wood-degrading fungi (brown rot and
white rot fungi), bacteria (e.g. Clostridium thermocellum), arthropods (e.g. termite) and
certain animals (e.g. ruminant). Here, we highlight recent case studies of the natural degraders
and the mechanisms involved, providing new utilities in biotechnology. The sugars
produced from such biotransformations can be used in metabolic engineering and synthetic
biology for the complete biosynthesis of natural medicine. The unique opportunities
in using lignocellulose directly to produce natural drug molecules with either using mushroom
and/or ‘industrial workhorse’ organisms (Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
will be discussed.
Lignocellulosic Biomass Derived Functional Materials: Synthesis and Applications in Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Zhang Lei , Peng Xinwen , Zhong Linxin , Chua Weitian , Xiang Zhihua , Sun Runcang
Published: July 2019

The pertinent issue of resources shortage arising from global climate change in the recent years has accentuated the importance of materials that are environmentally friendly. Despite the merits of current material like cellulose as the most abundant natural polysaccharide on earth, the incorporation of lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to value-add the recent development of cellulose-derivatives in drug delivery systems. Lignocellulosic biomass, with a hierarchical structure is comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. As an excellent substrate that is renewable, biodegradable, biocompatible and chemically accessible for modified materials, lignocellulosic biomass sets forth a myriad of applications. To date, materials derived from lignocellulosic biomass have been extensively explored for new technological development and applications, such as biomedical, green electronics and energy products. In this review, chemical constituents of lignocellulosic biomass are first discussed before we critically examine the potential alternatives in the field of biomedical application. In addition, the pretreatment methods for extracting cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin from lignocellulosic biomass as well as their biological applications including drug delivery, biosensor, tissue engineering etc. are reviewed. It is anticipated there will be an increasing interest and research findings in cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin from natural resources, which help provide important directions for the development in biomedical applications.
C-cinnamoyl Glycosides: An Emerging “Tail” for the Development of Selective Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Martínez Helberth Llantén , Riafrecha Leonardo E. , Colinas Pedro A.
Published: July 2019

Attachment of different tails to the well-known carbonic anhydrase (CA) pharmacophores
has led to the development of several new CA inhibitors (CAIs). A very good example
of such “tails” is constituted by carbohydrates, which represent a wide range of chemotypes,
leading thus to a high number of new CAIs. In the last years, several C-cinnamoyl glycosides
containing different scaffolds have been prepared and investigated as carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors, showing that some of them are very potent and selective CAIs. This article
will review the latest developments in the synthesis and biological activity of these Cglycosides.
Human Toxocara Infection: Allergy and Immune Responses
Authors: Zibaei Mohammad , Shayesteh Zahra , Moradi Najmeh , Bahadory Saeed
Published: July 2019

Background:

Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan infection that occurs in various
regions worldwide, more frequently in developing countries. Chronic infections with Toxocara
species in humans are associated with the production of high levels of specific and
non-specific antibodies of all isotypes and IgG subclasses and a cytokine response characterized
by the production of Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by Peripheral
Blood Monocytes (PBMCs) and Leukocytes (PBLs) in whole blood cultures. Other Th2 effector
responses are also prominent during infection, reflected by elevated numbers of peripheral
blood eosinophils and increased expression of eosinophil degranulation products.
The production of IFN-γ by PBMCs/PBLs stimulated with Toxocara-secreted proteins is
not prominent in toxocariasis but IL-10 production may be increased in infected individuals.
The relationship between Toxocara species with allergic reactions was reported in the
recent century. Experimental and epidemiological investigations revealed that toxocariasis
with this parasite led to the development of allergic symptoms, such as asthma. However,
the findings are conflicting since in other investigations no association between these two
immunopathologies has been reported.

Conclusion:

The present review endeavours to summarize the data on Toxocara species
and findings from studies on the relationship of toxocariasis with symptoms and signs of
allergy. Furthermore, the mechanisms of immune responses and the factors associated between
allergy and Toxocara infection are discussed.
Application and Development of Green Scale Inhibitor: A Mini- Review
Authors: Jing Guolin , Guo Kai , Sun Zhengnan , Yu Hailin , Liu Yang
Published: July 2019

Green scale inhibitor has the characteristics of high-efficiency, multifunctional,
non-toxic and biodegradable, so it is widely used in water treatment. Some scale inhibitors
such as polyaspartic acid type, polyepoxysuccinic acid type and poly Valley are reviewed in
this paper. By investigating green scale inhibitors, it is proposed that the complexes of amino
acid scale inhibitors and their copolymers should be the focus of future research. The development
direction of new green scale inhibitors is pointed out, which provides reference and
basis for the research and development of new water treatment scale inhibitors in the future.
A Linguistic Study of Praise with Reference to Arabic Religious Texts
Authors: Al-Abodi Iman Khudhair Oda
Published: July 2019

This study explores praise as one of the expressive acts in Arabic. The love of praise is part of human nature and a sincere praise is an important tool in giving people confidence and hence making them feel happy and satisfied. The problem may increase when the speaker expresses his praise by using words of blame which might create some sort of ambiguity to the reader because he might understand it as blame rather than praise. For the sake of presenting and discussing the act of praising in Arabic, the present study aims at proving the linguistic devices of praise focusing on three aspects: pragmatic, semantic and syntactic in some religious texts. The theoretical part deals with investigating the pragmatic, semantic and syntactic aspects of praise as well as its types. The practical part deals with analyzing some religious texts taken from different aayas from different suras in the Glorious Quran. It is concluded that praise can be applied to religious texts depending on three aspects of language and Arabic language is distinguished by its heavy use of explicit and implicit forms expressing praise.
Longitudinal Study of the Variation in Patient Turnover and Patient-to-Nurse Ratio: Descriptive Analysis of a Swiss University Hospital (Preprint)
Authors: Musy Sarah N , Endrich Olga , Leichtle Alexander B , Griffiths Peter , Nakas Christos T , Simon Michael
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Variations in patient demand increase the challenge of balancing high-quality nursing skill mixes against budgetary constraints. Developing staffing guidelines that allow high-quality care at minimal cost requires first exploring the dynamic changes in nursing workload over the course of a day.

OBJECTIVE

Accordingly, this longitudinal study analyzed nursing care supply and demand in 30-minute increments over a period of 3 years. We assessed 5 care factors: patient count (care demand), nurse count (care supply), the patient-to-nurse ratio for each nurse group, extreme supply-demand mismatches, and patient turnover (ie, number of admissions, discharges, and transfers).

METHODS

Our retrospective analysis of data from the Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Switzerland included all inpatients and nurses working in their units from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Two data sources were used. The nurse staffing system (tacs) provided information about nurses and all the care they provided to patients, their working time, and admission, discharge, and transfer dates and times. The medical discharge data included patient demographics, further admission and discharge details, and diagnoses. Based on several identifiers, these two data sources were linked.

RESULTS

Our final dataset included more than 58 million data points for 128,484 patients and 4633 nurses across 70 units. Compared with patient turnover, fluctuations in the number of nurses were less pronounced. The differences mainly coincided with shifts (night, morning, evening). While the percentage of shifts with extreme staffing fluctuations ranged from fewer than 3% (mornings) to 30% (evenings and nights), the percentage within “normal” ranges ranged from fewer than 50% to more than 80%. Patient turnover occurred throughout the measurement period but was lowest at night.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on measurements of patient-to-nurse ratio and patient turnover at 30-minute intervals, our findings indicate that the patient count, which varies considerably throughout the day, is the key driver of changes in the patient-to-nurse ratio. This demand-side variability challenges the supply-side mandate to provide safe and reliable care. Detecting and describing patterns in variability such as these are key to appropriate staffing planning. This descriptive analysis was a first step towards identifying time-related variables to be considered for a predictive nurse staffing model.
Effectiveness of Wearable Trackers on Physical Activity in Healthy Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)
Authors: Tang Matilda Swee Sun , Moore Katherine , McGavigan Andrew , Clark Robyn A , Ganesan Anand N
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Wearable trackers are an increasingly popular tool among healthy adults and are used to facilitate self-monitoring of physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of wearable trackers for improving physical activity and weight reduction among healthy adults.

METHODS

This review used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology and reporting criteria. English-language randomized controlled trials with more than 20 participants from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus (2000-2017) were identified. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported an intervention group using wearable trackers, reporting steps per day, total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, activity, physical activity, energy expenditure, and weight reduction.

RESULTS

Twelve eligible studies with a total of 1693 participants met the inclusion criteria. The weighted average age was 40.7 years (95% CI 31.1-50.3), with 64.4% women. The mean intervention duration was 21.4 weeks (95% CI 6.1-36.7). The usage of wearable trackers was associated with increased physical activity (standardized mean difference 0.449, 95% CI 0.10-0.80; P=.01). In the subgroup analyses, however, wearable trackers demonstrated no clear benefit for physical activity or weight reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the use of wearable trackers in healthy adults may be associated with modest short-term increases in physical activity. Further data are required to determine if a sustained benefit is associated with wearable tracker usage.
Distopías en la cocina: un análisis de los orígenes de la puertorriqueñidad a través del discurso culinario en las Crónicas de Indias
Authors: Ortiz María Inés
Published: July 2019

Cuando nos remontamos a la tradición de las Crónicas de Indias abrimos las puertas a un pasado donde la imposición de los ideales eurocéntricos muestra cómo el coloniaje tomó control de la vida diaria en todos los niveles, trasplantando viejos esquemas en este nuevo y a veces “exótico” espacio de las Américas. En Puerto Rico, muchos aspectos de la “vieja” y la “nueva” cultura chocarían, múltiples ideas serían refutadas, despreciadas, otras se esfumarían,
muchas quedarían en el silencio del derrotado, mientras que otras se transformarían y se asimilarían para dar paso a lo que eventualmente se revelaría como los indicios de la idea de una identidad propia. Siguiendo el caso de los Cronistas de Indias y su manifestación literaria que surge de la experiencia en la vida diaria en la Isla de San Juan Bautista, nos aproximamos a esa distopía de la idea de lo puertorriqueño visto desde el discurso culinario durante el régimen español. Estudiamos secciones del controversial Diario de Colón, además de inmiscuirnos en las letras de Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, Fray Damián López de Haro y Fray Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra. Se considera la gran paradoja literaria donde la retórica gastronómica es clave para entender la distopía que se devela en la lectura de los textos de estos cronistas, mientras al mismo tiempo son cruciales elementos de propaganda donde se trata de clamar un sentido de normalidad en el aparente mundo de caos del salvaje noble.
Mapeo preliminar de diseño y emoción: convergencias para la conciencia social y ambiental
Authors: Abella Ainoa , Cléries Laura , Marco Almagro Lluís
Published: July 2019

El diseño, como disciplina, tiene la capacidad de incorporar las emociones en su proceso y resultado para crear una propuesta de valor distintiva gracias a la experiencia emocional. Las emociones, gracias a su impacto, pueden ayudar a realizar acciones, entre ellas: influenciar en el acto de decisión y adquisición, acelerar la adopción de nuevos valores culturales y empatizar con las problemáticas sociales actuales.

Fruto de una revisión bibliográfica, en este texto se presenta la creación de un mapeo gráfico, una visión general de las distintas teorías de diseño y emoción con sus correspondientes autores de referencia que promueven su integración con una base sólida. Además, se muestran proyectos creativos que proponen soluciones a retos sociales y ambientales actuales, que plantean actuar en una de las tres acciones descritas.
EFECTOS DE LA LIBERACIÓN COMERCIAL EN EL CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO Y LA BALANZA DE PAGOS EN AMÉRICA LATINA
Authors: Pacheco López Penélope
Published: July 2019

Se utilizan técnicas paramétricas y no paramétricas para evaluar si la liberación comercial ha mejorado o empeorado la relación inversa entre la balanza de pagos y el crecimiento económico en un grupo de 17 países de América Latina durante el período 1977-2002, y para estimar el efecto de las reformas comerciales en el crecimiento económico de la región. Los resultados muestran que la liberación comercial no ha relajado la restricción de la balanza de pagos al crecimiento económico de los países de América Latina, debido a que la liberación no ha mejorado notablemente el crecimiento de las exportaciones y ha incrementado la propensión a importar.
Sobre el lento crecimiento económico de México. Una explicación estructural
Authors: Loría Eduardo
Published: July 2019

Existe un amplio consenso con relación a que la economía mexicana experimentó una estrategia de crecimiento  muy exitosa durante el periodo 1945-1970 y que desde fines de los años sesenta comenzaron a aparecer graves problemas estructurales que avisaban sobre el agotamiento del modelo de sustitución de importaciones. Fueron el incremento del endeudamiento  externo (1970-1976) y luego el auge petrolero (1978-1981) los factores que recuperaron transitoriamente las tasas de crecimiento de las décadas anteriores. La crisis de balanza de pagos de 1982-1983 resultó ser el elemento final que definió una nueva estrategia de crecimiento basada principalmente en la privatización de la actividad productiva y en la apertura internacional (comercial y financiera) irrestrica. En el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 1983-1988 (De la Madrid 1983) se planteó la necesidad de realizar las reformas estructurales necesarias que favorecieran la exportación de manufacturas y se convirtieran así en un motor del crecimiento.
El pago del salario
Authors: Benítez Sánchez Alberto
Published: July 2019

En este artículo se estudia el modo en que el calendario de pagos salariales vigente en la economía afecta a la distribución del ingreso. Normalmente, los cambios en este calendario inducen modificaciones en el programa de producción por la vía de las variaciones en la demanda agregada en los distintos mercados, mientras que un programa de producción constante permite aislar los efectos de estos cambios sobre las variables investigadas. Con el propósito de preservar esta última condición, consideramos una situación en la cual todos los mercados se hayan en equilibrio y todas las ramas industriales obtienen la misma tasa de ganancia. En este marco, se analizarán las relaciones entre la tasa de ganancias, el salario, la ganancia y el calendario de pagos salariales que son compatibles con el programa de producción dado.
Influencia del tipo de sección transversal en la hidrodinámica de los colectores solares de los fotobiorreactores tubulares
Authors: Ramirez José Luis , Ramos Lucumi Mabel Angélica
Published: July 2019

Diversos estudios en los cultivos de microalgas muestran la relación de la eficiencia fotosintética con la agitación; esta incidencia fue evaluada en colectores solares para fotobiorreactores tubulares que poseen diversas geometrías en el perfil transversal –circular, octagonal, hexagonal y cuadrado. En este trabajo se realizó un estudio computacional de un cultivo de microalgas (flujo monofásico) para cada uno de estos colectores solares con un diámetro hidráulico de 2in, 100in de longitud y seis diferentes velocidades de entrada del cultivo al colector (de 0,25 a 0,5m/s), para establecer la influencia de los perfiles en el comportamiento del fluido. Se evaluaron los parámetros de velocidad, caída de presión, flujo secundario y esfuerzo cortante; estableciendo que el colector con perfil hexagonal proporciona la mejor agitación debido a la irregularidad geométrica, aunque se deben utilizar velocidades de entrada del cultivo menores a 0.3m/s para garantizar un modelo de crecimiento de las microalgas continuo, de acuerdo con la tendencia de la bibliografía. Bajo este régimen de operación se encontró que los valores de esfuerzos cortantes no causan daños en la pared celular de las microalgas haciendo viable su implementación en plantas piloto.
The Effect of Internet Slack on Learning Performance
Authors: Hariwibowo Ignatius Novianto
Published: July 2019

In the midst of the widespread application of the internet in learning activities, this research was conducted to assess the impact of internet abuse on classroom learning outcomes. Published research shows the impact of diverse internet uses and this study aims to show the consequences of internet abuse on learning outcomes. This research was conducted on accounting class students with a hybrid learning system, where learning is done face-to-face in class but is supported by e-learning technology. The respondents of this study were 224 accounting students. Data were taken using questionnaires and 216 questionnaires were processed using SEM-PLS. The results of this study indicate that internet abuse does not moderate the influence of interaction and social presence on classroom learning performance. These findings indicate that internet abuse is not a factor that decreases student learning performance and can be an input for the design of e-learning concepts to use the internet as an interactive learning media where activities can still be controlled.
Vinculándose al territorio: el ApS y la participación comunitaria. Estudio de caso en una escuela rural
Authors: Sales Auxiliadora , Monfort Monfort Caterina
Published: July 2019

La apertura de la escuela a la comunidad educativa se considera esencial para poder cubrir las necesidades sociales que esta tiene y para favorecer su democratización. En este estudio, realizado en el aula de sexto de uno de los dos aularios de un Colegio Rural Agrupado (CRA), se pretende conocer cuál es la percepción de la comunidad hacia un proyecto de Aprendizaje Servicio (ApS) de mejora de la escuela que se lleva a cabo en la clase y respecto su participación dentro del mismo. Se trata de un estudio de caso cualitativo que recoge la visión de dos madres, la tutora, la concejala de educación, el alumnado del aula de sexto, una vecina y dos alumnos de la UJI, a través de la técnica de la entrevista, la observación y el análisis documental. Los resultados muestran discrepancias entre la metodología del ApS y una más tradicional y una participación secundaria de la comunidad educativa. Como conclusión, se confirma la capacidad del ApS para vincular la escuela con agentes organizados del territorio, siempre y cuando la escuela tenga una cultura escolar de apertura a la comunidad.
The Impact of Globalization on the Security Environment
Authors: Cîrdei Ionuț Alin
Published: July 2019

Globalization is a particularly complex phenomenon that marked the twentieth century and the beginning of the 21st century, bringing about transformations at the level of the entire human society. This phenomenon produces profound, and sometimes irreversible, changes in all areas and imposes an alert rhythm for the existence of all mankind, which must keep pace with globalization in order to maintain its chances of development in an increasingly competitive world. In the last decades, we witness the manifestation of the effects of globalization in the field of individual and collective security, with great implications on the relations between different actors of the security environment. Globalization creates new opportunities, but at the same time it gives rise to new vulnerabilities and allows the emergence of new threats that, once materialized, can have a major impact at a regional or even global level.
Development and Improvement of Logistics in the Bulgarian Armed Forces: New Trends and Perspectives
Authors: Dimitrov Miroslav Stefanov
Published: July 2019

The paper reveals the opportunities for the development and improvement of logistics in the Bulgarian Armed Forces in the context of NATO transformation. In the context of the Readiness Action Plan (RAP) at the Warsaw Summit in 2016, package capabilities were adopted to define the framework for Bulgaria’s commitments to provide logistic support to NATO forces. Using multinational logistics approaches is a key factor in the development of logistic capabilities. The paper discusses focusing on the organization of Host Nation Support in NATO operations and exercises, the use of new technologies and information systems, as well as innovation and integrated logistics support.
Tactical Variables – A Tool for Mission Analysis
Authors: Hrnčiar Michal
Published: July 2019

Military operations have an evolving character that responds to the changes in the nature of the conflict. The basic nature of the operation is given by the operational themes. These have a major impact on related military activities and on their tactical tasks. The commander at the tactical level, in order to achieve the end state of the operation, must fully understand the mission, respect the superior’s intent and perceive the conditions, circumstances and influences of each individual characteristic element of the assigned area of operation. The instruments to achieve this status of comprehension are tactical variables (Mission, Enemy, Terrain and Weather, Troops available, Time available, Civil considerations - METT-TC). The aim of the article is to describe tactical variables, which at the tactical level serve as the tool for mission analysis.
Mission Command & Manoeuvrist Approach – Basic Principles of Nato Urban Operations
Authors: Ispas Lucian , Tudorache Paul
Published: July 2019

Analyzing the recent confrontations, as those from Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, and so on, we have found that most of the military operations, at least the decisive ones, have taken place predominantly in urban environments whose fundamental characteristics are given, especially by the density of buildings and population. Carrying out operations in such environments, particularly offensive, requires the military forces to deal with the most complex and difficult situations, because in addition to engaging a very diverse typology of adversaries, it is also necessary to apply control measures in order to limit the losses and collateral damage among own forces and local populations. As a result, this context has imposed an operational adaptation of military forces, whose principles consist in manoeuvrist approach and mission command, which, correlated and applied coherently, finally led to the desired end states.
Forign Influences on the Geopolitical Evolution of Cyprus
Authors: Metea Ileana-Gentilia
Published: July 2019

The moments of turning around in Cyprus’ history have long been a source of opportunity for various state actors on the international stage, mentioning, on the one hand, the main stakeholders, Greece, Turkey, on the other, the big players, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia. The way they have taken advantage of certain situations has made a visible influence on the fate of the island’s inhabitants, but has also been a source of dispute at several levels: economic, geopolitical, geostrategic etc.