bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of study about overfitting in multiclass classifiers using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Toledo Yanexis , Almeida Thais De , Bernardini Flavia , Andrade Eduardo
Published: March 2020

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have achieved much success mainly in areas of computational vision, such as image recognition, classification, object segmentation, and more. The learning process of this type of network generally requires large volumes of data, commonly high-resolution images, and the adjustment of a large number of parameters. The lack of control over the learning process of the model can lead to various problems. One of them is overfitting, which leads the network to a situation where it loses generality, making incorrect forecasts in the presence of new data. Another very common problem is its speed of convergence, which depends on the parameterization of the network: selection of the number of filters per layer, number of convolution layers, and more, where a fine adjustment is very important to avoid excessive computational costs. Understanding the origins of these problems and the ways to prevent them from happening is essential for a successful design. In this paper, we analyze these problems by designing a multiclass classifier among ten categories of images from the Caltech 256 dataset, based on the metrics of accuracy, precision, recall, and loss. To do so, python 3.6, TensorFlow and Keras libraries were used on an RTX 2060 GPU.
A comparative study involving classifiers and dimensionality reduction techniques applied to facial recognition
Authors: Araújo Matheus , Costa Leonardo , Santos Antony , Menezes Caio , Campos Gustavo
Published: March 2020

Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo comparativo entre as técnicas Eigenfaces e Fisherfaces combinadas com os classificadores KNN, SVM e MLP. As técnicas Eigenfaces e Fisherfaces foram utilizadas para projeção das imagens dos bancos de imagens AT&T (The database of faces) e Extended Yale B em um novo espaço de forma a se obter uma redução da dimensionalidade desses dados. Os classificadores mencionados utilizaram os dados projetados para executar a tarefa de treinamento e posterior identificação das classes dos dados de teste. Os resultados foram bastante promissores em ambos os casos, porém a rede neural MLP com a técnica Fisherfaces obtiveram os melhores resultados.
Algoritmo Exato de Avaliação de uma Política Estacionária para CVaR MDP
Authors: Pais Denis , Delgado Karina , Freire Valdinei
Published: March 2020

Processos de decisão Markovianos (Markov Decision Processes -- MDPs) são amplamente utilizados para resolver problemas de tomada de decisão sequencial. O critério de desempenho mais utilizado em MDPs é a minimização do custo total esperado. Porém, esta abordagem não leva em consideração flutuações em torno da média, o que pode afetar significativamente o desempenho geral do processo. MDPs que lidam com esse tipo de problema são chamados de MDPs sensíveis a risco. Um tipo especial de MDP sensível a risco é o CVaR MDP, que inclui a métrica CVaR (Conditional-Value-at-Risk) comumente utilizada na área financeira. Um algoritmo que encontra a política ótima para CVaR MDPs é o algoritmo de Iteração de Valor com Interpolação Linear chamado CVaRVILI. O algoritmo CVaRVILI precisa resolver problemas de programação linear várias vezes, o que faz com que o algoritmo tenha um alto custo computacional. Neste trabalho, é proposto um algoritmo que avalia uma política estacionário para CVaR MDPs de custo constante e que não precisa resolver problemas de programação linear, esse algoritmo é chamado de PECVaR. Além disso, foram realizados experimentos usando o custo total esperado e o custo usando o algoritmo PECVaR de uma política neutra para inicializar o algoritmo CVaRVILI. Os resultados mostram que utilizando essas inicializações é possível diminuir o tempo de convergência do CVaRVILI na maioria dos casos.
Classificação de dislexia a partir de movimentos oculares durante a leitura usando aprendizado de máquina e wavelets
Authors: Ceravolo Isabella , Brasil Antonio , Komati Karin
Published: March 2020

Dislexia é um transtorno que dificulta a leitura e compreensão de textos. O diagnóstico é feito por um especialista através de testes orais e escritos. Isso o torna propenso a erros, por ser uma avaliação indireta do processo de leitura. A leitura pode ser avaliada diretamente através do rastreamento dos movimentos oculares durante o processo de leitura, e pessoas com dislexia possuem movimentos diferentes de pessoas sem dislexia. Esse trabalho propõe a análise destes movimentos utilizando wavelets e algoritmos de aprendizado de máquina, a fim de identificar leitores propensos a dislexia. A base de dados é pública e foi coletada de crianças entre 9 e 10 anos. Como resultado, obteve-se um modelo com acurácia de 97,30% com o algoritmo Floresta Aleatória.
Faithfully Explaining Predictions of Knowledge Embeddings
Authors: Polleti Gustavo , Cozman Fábio
Published: March 2020

Knowledge embeddings are key ingredients of advanced question-answering and recommender systems. Even though their predictions are accurate, they are rather hard to interpret by human users; interpretability techniques are needed so as to provide meaningful human-friendly explanations for prediction generated by embeddings. We propose a novel model-agnostic method inspired by local surrogate approaches that generates faithful explanations for knowledge embedding predictions.
Neural network used in Energy Function of Content-aware Image Resizing Method to Preserve Skin Color Region
Authors: Pereira Tamara , Rabelo Savio , Oliveira Saulo , Bezerra Nivando
Published: March 2020

Seam Carving is a content-aware image resizing method capable of modifying the width or height of pictures. Such an algorithm applies an energy function to evaluate the importance of each pixel in the image. In exceptional cases, such as images that contain people, the method frequently presents deformation of objects due to the energy function not being able to detect a person. In this context, this paper presents a modification of the energy function used in seam carving by employing a neural network which can detect human skin patterns. Such a modification aims at better-preserving people in images. The experiments show that the proposed method achieves superior performance in terms of visual quality through qualitative indexes compared to the original algorithm.
Employing Gradient Boosting and Anomaly Detection for Prediction of Frauds in Energy Consumption
Authors: Albiero Beatriz , Uyrá Estevo , Vilarino Ramon , Silva Juliano , Souza Tales , Santos Ricardo Dos , Yamouni Sami , Vicente Renato
Published: March 2020

Energy fraud is a critical economical burden for electric power organizations in Brazil. In this paper we present the application of cutting-edge Machine Learning algorithms, namely XGBoost and Isolation Forest, for prediction of irregularities in electrical energy consumption. By using a Logistic Regression model as a benchmark, we show that the use of XGBoost results in a significant improvement in the F1-score for fraud predictions in two different scenarios: with and without inspection history features. Moreover, we also propose the use of the Isolation Forest algorithm for detection of anomalies in electrical energy consumption. We show that this approach may be useful in the case of lack of inspection history features, surpassing dummy classifiers.
Simulando o Jogo de Negociação Pit Game em um Sistema Multi-Agentes Implementado com o Framework JaCaMo
Authors: Castro e Silva Abilio , Oliveira Marcos De
Published: March 2020

O presente trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um sistema multi-agentes fechado implementado no framework JaCaMo, para programação orientada a agentes. O principal objetivo do sistema é realizar uma simulação usando o sistema desenvolvido para que se possa avaliar e entender a dinâmica das interações, a eficiência do sistema em geral na execução das tarefas designadas e como os agentes podem perceber e realizar ações em um ambiente que se encontra em constante mudança e se assemelha a um mercado de ações. Para simular um ambiente onde agentes realizam transações comerciais entre eles foi utilizado um ambiente baseado na dinâmica do jogo de negociação conhecido como The Pit Game. Uma interface gráfica foi desenvolvida para uma melhor visualização das interações entre esses agentes.
Hybrid Greedy Genetic Algorithm for the Euclidean Steiner Tree Problem
Authors: Oliveira Andrey , Osti Bruna , Sanches Danilo
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a genetic algorithm for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem. This is an optimization problem whose objective is to obtain a minimum length tree to interconnect a set of fixed points, and for this purpose to be achieved, new auxiliary points, called Steiner points, can be added. The proposed heuristic uses a genetic algorithm to manipulate spanning trees, which are then transformed into Steiner trees by inserting and repositioning the Steiner points. Greedy genetic operators and evolutionary strategies are tested. Results of numerical experiments for benchmark library problem (OR-Library) are presented and discussed.This paper presents a genetic algorithm for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem. This is an optimization problem whose objective is to obtain a minimum length tree to interconnect a set of fixed points, and for this purpose to be achieved, new auxiliary points, called Steiner points, can be added. The proposed heuristic uses a genetic algorithm to manipulate spanning trees, which are then transformed into Steiner trees by inserting and repositioning the Steiner points. Greedy genetic operators and evolutionary strategies are tested. Results of numerical experiments for benchmark library problem (OR-Library) are presented and discussed.
Posicionamento de Estações-Base em uma cidade simulada usando um Algoritmo Genético de Chaves Aleatórias Enviesadas
Authors: Amorim Lucas , Vassalo Daniel , Pereira Gabriel , Pinheiro Rian
Published: March 2020

Conforme as tecnologias de comunicação móvel evoluem, o posicionamento inteligente de estações-base vem se tornando cada vez mais importante. O problema de posicionamento de estações-base trata de posicionar estações de forma eficiente, de forma a trazer um balanço entre cobertura e custo de serviço. Neste trabalho é proposta uma implementação utilizando a meta-heurística BRKGA, que visa alcançar esse balanço de forma ponderada. Foram realizados diversos testes para provar a eficácia da solução proposta, onde o BRKGA apresentou valores distantes 1,4%, em média, da cobertura ótima, resultados superiores em termos de tempo de execução e cobertura de área frente aos métodos adotados pela literatura.
Agendamento Automático de Exames em Clínicas
Authors: Souza Guilherme De , Santos Eduardo , Ramos Geymerson , Pinheiro Rian
Published: March 2020

Este trabalho visa melhor alocar, em clínicas, candidatos para a realização de exames clínicos pertencentes aos processos do Departamento Estadual de Trânsito de Alagoas (Detran-AL). Este estudo desenvolve uma análise comparativa em relação a alocação atual do Detran-AL e o algoritmo proposto. Utilizando de rede neural recorrente para classificação de texto e técnicas de programação matemática para o problema de alocação, reduziu-se em 30.07% o custo total de deslocamento dos candidatos para as clínicas, respeitando restrições impostas por lei.
Avaliação de técnicas de word embedding na tarefa de detecção de discurso de ódio
Authors: Soto Claver , Nunes Gustavo , Gomes José
Published: March 2020

Este artigo apresenta os resultados obtidos da exploração dos vetores de características gerados de técnicas de word embedding (especificamente word2vec e wang2vec) a partir de um banco de textos na ordem do bilhão de tokens em comparação com os gerados a partir de bancos pequenos na ordem de dezenas de milhar, na aplicação de detecção de discurso de ódio na língua portuguesa. Dando continuidade às pesquisas desenvolvidas por outros autores no Brasil e em Portugal, e aproveitando os recursos e sugestões por eles disponibilizados, conseguiu-se uma melhora de até 2,5% na taxa de acerto na classificação, em relação ao estado da arte em língua portuguesa.
Deep Learning in Risk Assessment
Authors: Fernandes Janayna , Bissaro Lucas , Santos Fernanda , Carneiro Murillo
Published: March 2020

Credit evaluation models have been largely studied in the accounting and finance literature. With the support of such models, usually developed as part of a data mining process, it is possible to classify the credit applicants more accurately into "good" or "bad" risk groups. Despite many machine learning techniques have been extensively evaluated to this problem, deep learning models have been barely explored yet, although they have provided state-of-the-art results for a myriad of applications. In this paper, we propose deep learning models for the credit evaluation problem. To be specific, we investigate the abilities of deep neural networks (DNN) and convolutional neural networks (CNN) for such a problem and systematically compare their classification accuracy against five commonly adopted techniques on three real-world credit evaluation datasets. The results show that random forest, which is a state-of-the-art technique for such a problem, presented the most consistent performance, although CNN demonstrated a high potential to outperform it in bigger datasets.
Otimizando a Transmissão TCP para Veículos Aéreos Não Tripulados
Authors: Silva Rafael de Amorim , Sales Leandro de Melo
Published: March 2020

Este artigo propõe um sistema de comunicação tolerante a interrupções para veículos aéreos não tripulados que utilizam informações provenientes das camadas inferiores da arquitetura TCP/IP para controlar a transmissão deste TCP em canais intermitentes. Utiliza-se a suíte de protocolos do padrão ATN/IPS como base, desenvolvendo e colocando entidades no roteador móvel e no host controlador para desempenhar tal controle. Também são discutidos detalhes técnicos que devem ser considerados para se desenvolver um esboço de padrão para o IETF.
Cestode parasites (Neodermata, Platyhelminthes) from Malaysian birds, with description of five new species
Authors: Mariaux Jean , Georgiev Boyko B.
Published: March 2020

We studied the cestode fauna (Platyhelminthes) of forest birds in Malaysia (Selangor) collected during a field trip in 2010. Ninety birds of 37 species were examined and global prevalence of cestodes was 15.3%. Five new taxa are described: Emberizotaenia aeschlii sp. nov. (Dilepididae) from Tricholestes criniger (Blyth, 1845) (Pycnonotidae); Anonchotaenia kornyushini sp. nov. (Paruterinidae) from Trichastoma malaccense (Hartlaub, 1844) (Pellorneidae); Biuterina jensenae sp. nov. (Paruterinidae) from Chloropsis cochinchinensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Irenidae); Raillietina hymenolepidoides sp. nov. (Davaineidae) and R. mahnerti sp. nov. (Davaineidae) from Chalcophaps indica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Columbidae). Ophryocotyloides dasi Tandan & Singh, 1964 is reported from Psilopogon henricii (Temminck, 1831) (Ramphastidae). Several other taxa in Dilepididae, Davaineidae, Paruterinidae, Hymenolepididae and Mesocestoididae, either potentially new or poorly known, are also reported. The richness described from this small collection hints at the potentially huge unknown parasite diversity from wild hosts in this part of the world.
Hervir y moler: descifrando técnicas de elaboración de alimentos a través del análisis microscópico de los granos de almidón recolectados en contextos arqueológicos mesoamericanos
Authors: Cagnato Clarissa
Published: March 2020

Desde una perspectiva arqueológica, la recuperación y análisis de granos de almidón –microscópicos gránulos producidos por un gran número de plantas, a través de los cuales es posible identificar el género o especie de una planta– permiten comprender el uso de las plantas en el pasado. Además de determinar las especies de plantas que fueron consumidas en el pasado, los granos de almidón proporcionan importantes indicios para descifrar las técnicas de elaboración de alimentos que fueron empleadas. Este artículo ofrece una breve introducción respecto a la biología de los granos de almidón y las técnicas utilizadas para su extracción de artefactos antiguos. Además, se presentan los resultados del estudio realizado a varios artefactos mesoamericanos (vasijas y manos de moler) y, asimismo, desde una perspectiva microscópica, se trata de reconstruir las técnicas probablemente utilizadas por antiguas sociedades mesoamericanas para elaborar alimentos.
Simbolismo de las técnicas de preparación del maíz. Análisis de unos platillos tlapanecos (me’phaa) del estado de Guerrero (México)
Authors: Dehouve Danièle
Published: March 2020

El presente artículo procura generar lasbases para establecer una clasificación simbólica de los platillos de maíz en función de sus técnicas de preparación. Con la ayuda de los textos en náhuatl recopilados por el fraile Sahagún en el siglo XVI, y de los resultados de un trabajo de campo entre los tlapanecos (me’phaa) contemporáneos del estado de Guerrero (México), presenta las maneras de preparar el maíz en un cuadro que comprende cuatro técnicas de cocción (dos de los granos –pop-corn y pozole–, y tres de la masa –tortilla, tamal, atole–) a las cuales se pueden aplicar –o no– dos categorías transversales (nixtamalización y fermentación). Luego se estudian en su contexto ritual tres platillos elaborados por los tlapanecos, lo que permite poner en evidencia el simbolismo vinculado a la ausencia de nixtamalización (fertilidad, crecimiento de las plantas y penitencia personal). En cuanto a la fermentación, es un proceso aleatorio que requiere precauciones técnicas y un periodo de penitencia y, por tanto, se considera que su éxito o su fracaso revela públicamente la calidad de la abstinencia sexual del encargado ritual.
Olla, comal y horno de barbacoa: técnicas de cocción de la cocina ritual mixteca
Authors: Katz Esther
Published: March 2020

¿Entre los mixtecos de Oaxaca (o Ñu Savi, el Pueblo de la Lluvia), cuáles son las particularidades de las cocciones realizadas en contexto festivo o ritual? Para entenderlo, se analizan aquí de manera diacrónica las técnicas de cocción, los utensilios asociados y los platillos festivos de un pueblo de la Mixteca Alta. Para las fiestas, los platillos son preparados en horno de barbacoa, una técnica muy antigua que permite cocinar al mismo tiempo una gran cantidad de alimentos, en olla (en agua o al vapor), en cazuela (con grasa y agua) o en comal (para las tortillas). Tortillas y frijoles, que constituyen la base de la alimentación, están presentes en las comidas festivas. Sin embargo, otros platillos a base de maíz, probablemente más antiguos que las tortillas, juegan un papel mayor en esas ocasiones: el pozole, la masa de barbacoa y el mole amarillo. La lengua mixteca distingue dos tipos de cocciones: “cocer dejando los alimentos blandos” (chi’yo) o “dejándolos secos” (skasu). La particularidad de las cocciones rituales es que solo entran en la categoría chi’yo, que remite al simbolismo de la lluvia y la fertilidad.
Tamales nejos y galletas chatos: la ofrenda de maíz nuevo para la fiesta del Día de los Muertos entre los nahuas de La Montaña, Guerrero
Authors: Serafino Gregorio
Published: March 2020

La fiesta de Día de Muertos en las comunidades indígenas de México celebra el regreso temporáneo al mundo terrestre de los difuntos. Cada año para el f in del mes de octubre y en particular entre los días del 31 de octubre y 1 y 2 de noviembre las poblaciones indígenas de la región de La Montaña de Guerrero organizan rituales y fiestas para sus muertos. Sin embargo, esta temporada del año representa también el fin del ciclo agrícola del maíz y el aproximarse de la cosecha. Este artículo describe algunas de las ofrendas en comida elaboradas por los nahuas de la Montaña con el maíz nuevo. Técnicas especiales de cocción se ocupan para platillos de comidas rituales como los tamales nejos y las galletas chatos, preparados con maíz nuevo. Los nahuas elaboran ritualmente comida como los tamales nejos para ofrendarla a los difuntos que regresan a sus hogares. Entre los nahuas de Guerrero el ciclo agrícola está estrechamente vinculado al ciclo de las fi estas. El procedimiento de los ingredientes y las especiales técnicas de cocción están relacionadas con las creencias en los muertos, el cultivo del maíz y la regeneración de la vida.
Juegos temporales en el teatro de Gustavo Ott
Authors: Falska Maria
Published: March 2020

Gustavo Ott es un dramaturgo venezolano contemporáneo galardonado con numerosos premios nacionales e internacionales. Es autor de unas cuarenta obras escritas desde los años ochenta hasta la actualidad y representadas en varios países del mundo. El objetivo de este artículo es acercarse al teatro de Gustavo Ott con el fin de constatar la importancia que cobra el tiempo en su producción y analizar cómo funciona en la estructura dramática. Su interés por el tiempo se manifiesta en varios niveles, desde consideraciones de carácter filosófico, científico, hasta su manejo dramatúrgico mediante varios recursos y procedimientos. Se estudian en el trabajo las alteraciones de la duración y del orden del tiempo, vistas desde la perspectiva de la relación entre el tiempo diegético y el escénico, así como el tiempo irreal, onírico (sueños, alucinaciones) y el tiempo alternativo.
Piotr Sawicki, Marta Minkiewicz, Anna Olchówka, Iberystyka wrocławska (1967-2007). Ilustrowany przewodnik retrospektywny
Authors: Urbańczyk Ewa
Published: March 2020

Reseña/Recenzja
CircParser: a novel streamlined pipeline for circular RNA structure and host gene prediction in non-model organisms
Authors: Nedoluzhko Artem , Sharko Fedor , Rbbani Md. Golam , Teslyuk Anton , Konstantinidis Ioannis , Fernandes Jorge M.O.
Published: March 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are long noncoding RNAs that play a significant role in various biological processes, including embryonic development and stress responses. These regulatory molecules can modulate microRNA activity and are involved in different molecular pathways as indirect regulators of gene expression. Thousands of circRNAs have been described in diverse taxa due to the recent advances in high throughput sequencing technologies, which led to a huge variety of total RNA sequencing being publicly available. A number of circRNA de novo and host gene prediction tools are available to date, but their ability to accurately predict circRNA host genes is limited in the case of low-quality genome assemblies or annotations. Here, we present CircParser, a simple and fast Unix/Linux pipeline that uses the outputs from the most common circular RNAs in silico prediction tools (CIRI, CIRI2, CircExplorer2, find_circ, and circFinder) to annotate circular RNAs, assigning presumptive host genes from local or public databases such as National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Also, this pipeline can discriminate circular RNAs based on their structural components (exonic, intronic, exon-intronic or intergenic) using a genome annotation file.
Marketing Chain and Structure, Conduct and Performance of Sesame: The Case of Kafta Humera District, Western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebretsadik Desale
Published: March 2020

This study analyzed marketing chain and structure, conduct and performance of sesame in Kafta Humera district of Tigray region, Ethiopia; using primary and secondary data obtained from field survey and desk review using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 128 and 126 small and, large-scale sesame producers, respectively. Also, a total of 44 assemblers, 5 cooperatives, 13 exporters and one processor were interviewed. Applying the descriptive statistics method and market observation of the researcher; the major sesame market chain actors were producers, assemblers, cooperatives, exporters and processors. The concentration ratios of the first four and eight large local assemblers and exporters indicated that there was a weak oligopoly market structure. It is also found that there were entry barriers, information asymmetry and collusion in price-setting; indicating that sesame market was deviating from the norms of competitive market structure. Considering free on board of hulled sesame price; the gross marketing margins of 5%, 12% and 45% and net marketing margins of 1%, 3% and 17% obtained by assemblers, exporters and processors, respectively. But, Considering the free-on-board price of raw sesame; the gross marketing margins of 7%, 18% and about 75% and net marketing margins of 1.13%, 4.41% and 4.85% obtained by assemblers, exporters and producers, respectively. All these indicating that the sesame market was being poorly performing. Depending on the results found this study recommends, it will be better if the focus is given to value-added product export, securing competitive market through minimizing entry barriers, strengthening timely updated market information and formal credit access, hiring marketing experts at market centres to control collusion of traders in price setting.
Tax Revenue and Economic Growth of Sierra Leone
Authors: Bangura Alpha Bernard
Published: March 2020

The positive trend in world economic growth can be attributed to differential growth across the world. The Republic of Sierra Leone is one of the countries in the emerging sub-Saharan African region. Despite Africa’s growth prospects, the region is still one of the global hubs of poverty. This study examined the effect of tax revenue and economic growth of Sierra Leone for the period 1987-2017. This study adopted the ex-post facto design. Data relating to revenues from different tax components and GDP were collected for the years 1987-2017. The study concluded that tax revenue has significant effect on the economic growth of Sierra Leone, although Companies Income Tax (CIT), Custom Excise Duties (CED) and Road Taxes have not contributed positively to economic growth of this nation over the period of study. The intent of government with such tax should be communicated to the general public. In so doing, a separate body should be set up to inspect and ensure that the funds generated by government through tax at each level of government is properly used and any level of government that fails to utilise such taxes as communicated to the public should be charged to court.
Mushroom Production Benefits, Status, Challenges and Opportunities in Bangladesh: A Review
Authors: Ferdousi Jannatul , Riyadh Zabid Al , Hossain Md. Iqbal , Saha Satya Ranjan , Zakaria Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Compacted information on mushroom cultivation in relation to production, performance, problems and prospects is very important for developing this sector. So, the aim of the review paper is to compile information on mushroom cultivation in Bangladesh. Mushroom production is increasing due to high demand of domestic market and export potentiality. In Bangladesh 40000 MT mushrooms are produced during 2018-19. Oyster, Reishi, Milky, Button, Straw and Shiitake mushrooms are most preferable species and cultivated by the farmers; but the maximum cultivation is confined to oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) which are grown throughout the year. Mostly young aged educated people and rural women are adopting mushroom farming as commercial basis in Bangladesh. The study revealed that mushroom production is easy work because it requires only a little technical efficiency and a highly profitable agribusiness as evident for its lucrative benefit cost ratio (BCR 1.55-4.25). Although mushrooms production increased, there are some problems confronting by the mushroom growers during cultivation and marketing including lack of cultivation house, unavailability of good spawn, capital shortage, lack of equipment’s, lack of available market and promotion in local level, lack of storage facilities etc. which are needed to be addressed for further development of this sector. There is enormous opportunity of expanding mushroom farming throughout the country. Considering the country’s limited land, over and unemployed population, strengthening the production of mushroom could be one of the sustainable options for the development of rural economy. Development of this sector would also improve the diversified business and employment opportunities both in the rural and semi-urban areas.
Balloon Mitral Valvotomy in Gestational Women with Symptomatic Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Anandan Prem Krishna , Kaushik Arun , Tamilarasu K. , Rajendran G. , Sundaram Shanmuga , Ramasamy P. , Vidyakar R. B.
Published: March 2020

Background: Rheumatic valvular heart disease, commonly mitral stenosis, complicate 1% of pregnancies. Balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) is an established treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis. Aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of Balloon mitral valvuloplasty in pregnant women with severe mitral stenosis.

Materials and Methods: 66 patients who failed to respond to medical therapy undergoing BMV during pregnancy were analysed in this retrospective study. Mitral valve area (MVA), transmitral Mean valve gradient (MVG), and mitral regurgitation (MR), Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were assessed before and 24 hours after the procedure by transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were followed up to one month post BMV and neonates were monitored for the adverse effect of radiation. 

Results: Mitral valve area increased from 0.83 ± 0.13 cm2 to 1.38 ± 0.29 cm2 (P = 0.007). Mean gradient mitral valve gradient decreased from 15.5 ± 7.4 mmHg to 3.36 ± 2.36 mmHg (P = 0.001). Pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 65.24 ± 17.9 to 50.45 ± 15.33 (P = 0.012). No maternal death, intrauterine growth restriction was observed.

Conclusion: Balloon mitral valvuloplasty has favourable immediate good outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Efficacy Assessment of Various New Fungicides for Management of Powdery Mildew of Pea (Pisum sativum L. sub sp. hortense)
Authors: Agrawal Sonali , Singh B. K. , Singh Anand K. , Maurya Amit Kumar , Dhakad Umesh Kumar
Published: March 2020

The experiment was carried out to test the comparative efficacy of various new fungicides in management of powdery mildew disease of garden pea. The results obtained by the concerned study revealed that Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG at a dosage of 350 g/ha was highly effective in controlling powdery mildew disease after 1st, 2nd and 3rd spray as compared to other fungicides used followed by Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 300 g/ha and Tebuconazole 250 EC (Tebuconazole 25.9 w/w EC) @ 700 ml/ha.
Mapping the Density and Distribution of Indigenous Cattle Population Using Geographic Information System (GIS) Tools
Authors: Gopalakrishnan B. , Sugumaran M. P. , Kannan Balaji , Thirunavukkarasu M. , Davamani V.
Published: March 2020

Aim:The current research aims to map the density and distribution of indigenous cattle population using GIS technique.

Study Design:  Survey research - Cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu State, India.September 2018 to January 2019.

Methodology: A house to house survey was conducted and the locations of farms and households with the indigenous cattle population were geocoded using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) device. Thepoints generated were used to create density and distribution maps using QGIS 3.4 software and the information collected from the survey.

Results: The study revealed that a total of 21 indigenous breeds were found in the study area out of which 15 breeds were under the descript category and 6 breeds under the non-descript category. In the adult category, the Kangayam breed (descript) was found to be dominant compared to other breeds, occupying 25% of the total indigenous cattle population followed by the non-descript Kongu cattle (19%). Breeds like Hallikar, Kankrej, Umblachery, Tharparkar and Sahiwal (all descript) occupied 7%, 5%, 4%, 2%, and 2% of the total indigenous cattle population, respectively. The results were similar in the calves category (including heifers) as well, with the Kangayam breed dominating the category with 8% of the total population, followed by the Kongu cattle (7%), Kankrej (2%), Hallikar (1%), Umblachery (1%), Sahiwal (1%) and Gir (1%). The distribution was found to be more concentrated towards the settlements and lower in the individual farms outside the settlements. Thereverse scenario was observed with regard to density. Both the density and distribution were found to be least along the village boundaries adjoining the hilly areas.

Conclusion: Spatial distribution and density related information can be effectively utilisedin cattle management, policy-making and decision support systems.
The Effect of Different Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Cow Dung on Yield and Yield Components of Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Audu Iliyasu
Published: March 2020

Field experiments to study the performance of maize varieties (Zea mays L.) under different rates of nitrogen fertilizer and cow dung in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria were conducted in 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons at the Food and Agricultural Organization/Tree Crops Plantation (FAO/TCP) Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University Mubi. A split plot design was adopted for the study with two maize varieties assigned to the main plots and nitrogen with cow dung assigned to the subplots in a factorial combination. Nitrogen rates of 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1 and cow dung 0, 1 and 2 ton ha-1 were used. Data were collected on number of cobs per plant, cob length, 100 grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS system for windows 9.2 version 2005 and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Result showed that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and yield parameters increased significantly with the use of 120 kg N per ha-1 recording the highest for cob length (17.68 cm) 100 grain weighs (32.89 g) and grain yield (5658.3 kg). The control plot produced the least. Application of 2 ton ha-1 cow dung exhibited the highest yield. there was an interaction of variety with nitrogen on cob length and grain yield. Application of 120 kg N ha-1 significantly increased the yield of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) along with 2 ton ha-1 cow dung.
Susceptibility Patterns of Some Enteric Bacteria to Crude and Purified Bark Extracts of Annona muricata L.
Authors: Dada Ebenezer Oluyemi , Akinde Kehinde Yemisi
Published: March 2020

Aims: This research was carried out to evaluate the susceptibility pattern of some enteric bacteria to crude and purified extracts of Annona muricata bark.

Study Design: Experimental design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Between January, 2019 and May, 2019.

Methodology: Extraction of bioactive components of bark was done by maceration and phytochemical screening was carried out on the bark extracts to determine the bioactive components present. The bacteria isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test using standard methods while the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts on human enteric bacteria was determined using agar well dilution method. A. muricata bark extracts were purified using column chromatography method. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) of the extracts were performed using tube dilution technique.

Results: The quantitative phytochemical screening for bark extract revealed that glycosides (7.06±0.04, 34.67±0.02 and 19.35±0.01) extracted with aqueous, ethanol and methanol respectively is the most abundant phytochemical constituents. The antibacterial activities of the bark extracts revealed that aqueous showed no inhibition to none while ethanol and methanol inhibited all the test organisms. The highest value of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) for both ethanol and methanol bark extracts was 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively.

Conclusion: This research revealed that A. muricata bark extracts possesses antibacterial activity against human enteric bacteria isolates used in this study. The purified extracts of A. muricata bark showed higher zones of inhibition which indicates that it can compete well with standard antibiotics and it may also serve as a substitute to the commercially available antibiotics that can be used for the treatment of infections caused by enteric bacteria.
PI Controller Based Performance Analysis of Brushless DC Motor, Utilizing MATLAB Simulink Environment
Authors: Rawat Ankit , Bilal Mohd , Azeem Mohd Fazle
Published: March 2020

Brushless DC Motor (BLDC) is gaining more and more popularity as one of the best electrical drives nowadays due to advantages like high efficiency, low maintenance, good reliability & wide dynamic response. The traditional brushed motor speed regulation is essentially effective in low speed and unable to lower the commutation torque ripple in high speed range. Speed regulation of Brushless DC (BLDC) motor is done by utilizing PI controller. The PI controller output act as  the input to the variable voltage block. The mathematical modeling of BLDC motor is additionally shown here. The BLDC motor is supplied from the inverter while the rotor position and speed are the input here. The detailed mathematical model of the anticipated drive system is developed and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink environment.  Principle of operation of using component is examined and therefore the simulation results are reported here to verify the theoretical analysis.
Cocoa Farmers’ Coping Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Orimogunje Alex O. , Ogundeji Babatunde A. , Ademola Tolulope I. , Balogun Shamsudeen T. , Awodumila David J. , Olorunmota Rosemary T. , Oyeledun Kehinde O.
Published: March 2020

Aims: This study sought to identify the personal characteristics, climate adaptation/coping strategies and enterprise characteristics of cocoa farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study also aimed at determining constraints faced by the cocoa farmers in the course of carrying out the coping strategies.

Study Design: Multistage sampling technique.

Place and Duration of Study: Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methodology: This research work examined cocoa farmers’ coping strategies for climate change adaptation in Ogun State, Nigeria. A sample size of 60 respondents was used. Data were collected from selected cocoa farmers with the aid of structured interview schedule and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The results revealed that the mean age of respondents was 46.5 years, indicating that most of them were still in their active age. The findings also revealed that majority (78.3%) of the respondents were married, while 90.0% of them were educated at various levels. Planting of cocoa under a weeded forest was ranked first in the coping strategies used by the farmers. Poor access to credit facilities was ranked first among the constraint faced by the respondents in the use of adaptation strategies in the study area. However, educational qualification (χ2=22.949, p=0.000) indicated that they were significantly related to the rate of adoption of farmers’ coping strategies to climate change in the study area.

Conclusion: The study established that poor funding, among other challenges was a major constraint to farmers’ adoption of climate change coping strategies. Researchers therefore, need to commence developmental interventions aimed at addressing the identified constraints and work towards the development of drought tolerant cocoa varieties in order to boost cocoa production and improve farmers’ livelihood.
Methanococcaceae
Authors: Rother Michael , Whitman William B. , Boone David R. , Koga Yosuke
Published: March 2020

Me.tha.no.coc.ca.ce'ae. N.L. masc. n.Methanococcustype genus of the family; ‐aceaeending to denote a family; N.L. fem. pl. n.MethanococcaceaetheMethanococcusfamily.

Euryarchaeota / Methanococci / Methanococcales / Methanococcaceae

DNA G+C content (mol%): 29–34.

Type genus:MethanococcusKluyver and van Niel 1936ALemend. Barker 1936, Mah and Kuhn 1984 (Judicial Commission 1986).
D
esulfosarcina
Authors: Watanabe Miho , Fukui Manabu , Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: March 2020

De.sul.fo.sar'ci.na. L. pref.
de
‐ from; L. neut. n.
sulfur
sulfur; N.L. pref.
desulfo
‐ desulfuricating (prefix used to characterize a dissimilatory sulfate‐reducing prokaryote); L. fem. n.
sarcina
a package, bundle, and also a generic name (
Sarcina
); N.L. fem. n.
Desulfosarcina
sarcina‐shaped sulfate reducer.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfobacteria / Desulfobacterales / Desulfosarcinaceae / Desulfosarcina

Cells are oval‐to‐rod shaped. Occur singly or in pairs. Spore formation is not observed. Stain Gram‐negative. Nonmotile or motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strictly anaerobic, having both a respiratory and a fermentative type of metabolism. Chemoorganotrophs using formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, higher fatty acids, other organic acids, alcohols, alkanes (one species), and benzoate or similar aromatic compounds (most species) including methylated monocyclic hydrocarbons (three species) as electron donors and also as carbon sources; these compounds are completely oxidized to CO
2
. Chemolithoautotrophic growth occurs with H
2
as the electron donor and CO
2
as the carbon source. Complete oxidation of acetyl‐CoA or CO
2
fixation during autotrophic growth is achieved via the anaerobic C
1
pathway (carbon monoxide dehydrogenase [CO‐DH] or Wood–Ljungdahl pathway). Sulfate and other oxidized sulfur compounds serve as terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to H
2
S. In the absence of an external electron acceptor, growth by fermentation occurs. Media containing a reductant and not less than 10 g/l NaCl and 2 g/l MgCl
2
·6H
2
O are necessary for growth. Mesophilic, with optimal growth temperature of 28–34°C. The genus
Desulfosarcina
contains five described species. Occur in anoxic part of brackish water and marine habitats including oil fields.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 51–57 (
T
m
, LC, genome).

Type species
:
Desulfosarcina variabilis
Widdel 1980, VL7.
D
esulfomicrobium
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: March 2020

De.sul.fo.mi.cro'bi.um. L. pref.
de
, from; L. neut. n.
sulfur
sulfur; N.L. pref.
desulfo‐
desulfuricating (prefix used to characterize a dissimilatory sulfate‐reducing prokaryote); N.L. neut. n.
microbium
(from Gr. masc. adj.
mikros
small and Gr. masc. n.
bios
, life), a microbe; N.L. neut. n.
Desulfomicrobium
sulfate‐reducing, small life.

Desulfobacterota / Desulfovibrionia / Desulfovibrionales / Desulfomicrobiaceae / Desulfomicrobium

Rod‐shaped cells, 0.5–1.0 × 0.9–5.0 μm. Occur singly or in pairs. No spore formation. Gram‐stain‐negative. Nearly all species are motile. The genus currently accommodates six species. All
Desulfomicrobium
spp. are strict anaerobes with respiratory and fermentative types of metabolism. All species are chemolithoheterotrophs requiring acetate or yeast extract as an additional carbon source for growth by sulfate reduction on H
2
and CO
2
(also on formate) with the exception of
Desulfomicrobium macestii
, which has been reported to grow by sulfate reduction as a chemolithoautotroph on H
2
and CO
2
. Nearly all species can grow by fermentation of pyruvate, fumarate, or malate. All species possess hydrogenases, and
b
‐ and
c
‐cytochromes are often present. Desulfoviridin is not present, and two species contain desulforubidin. Anoxic media (with sulfide as a reductant) are necessary for growth. Vitamins are not required. The optimal pH for growth is 7.2 when determined. Mesophilic; the optimal temperature range for growth is between 25 and 37°C. All species have very high similarity values for the 16S rRNA and
dsrAB
sequences. Species of the genus
Desulfomicrobium
were isolated from various anoxic environmental, technological, and biological sources.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 57.8–63.6 (
T
m
, LC, genome).

Type species
:
Desulfomicrobium baculatum
Rozanova et al. 1988, VL49 (basonym:
Desulfovibrio baculatus
Rozanova and Nazina 1976).
Water‐Based Robust Transparent Superamphiphobic Coatings for Resistance to Condensation, Frosting, Icing, and Fouling
Authors: Gu Wancheng , Song Kaixing , Cheng Zhen , Wang Qiaoling , Wang Shanlin , Wang Xikui , Yu Xinquan , Zhang Youfa
Published: March 2020

Due to the considerable demand for improving energy conservation and emission reduction, superhydrophobic coatings mainly derived from organic solvents have attracted significant interest, based on their potential role in enhancing heat transfer. Although water‐based coatings are relatively safe and economical, and contain low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the realization of coatings with excellent anti‐condensation, anti‐frosting, anti‐icing, and passive self‐cleaning properties remains challenging, owing to the Wenzel state of small‐sized condensate microdrops. Herein, a water‐based transparent superamphiphobic coating is developed through a single‐step spraying method performed at ambient temperature using water and liquid rheological additives to disperse fluorinated SiO2 nanochains. The coating exhibits resistance to damage induced by low‐ and high‐temperature processing, chemical solution attacks, outdoor exposure, and freeze–thaw cycles. Most importantly, the porous structure consisting of nanopores and sub‐micropores, results in the suppression of condensation, frosting, and icing as well as facile removal of condensate micro‐drops, sparse frost, and ice. Furthermore, fouling can be eliminated via condensation or a cycle of frosting and defrosting utilizing the moisture in the air. The findings of this study may represent a significant advance in long‐term, efficient, and low‐VOC superamphiphobic technologies for large‐scale applications.
Free‐Radical‐Promoted Alkenylation of C(sp3)−H Bond in Chloroalkane with Cinnamic Acid and β‐Nitrostyrene
Authors: Sun Minzhi , Xu Zhengbao , Li Wenjie , Yang Le , You Huichao , Yu Dan , Fang Fang , Wang Yaxin , Liu Zhong‐Quan
Published: March 2020

We demonstrated herein a free‐radical alkenylation of the C(sp3)−H bond in 1,2‐dichloroethane with cinnamic acid and β‐nitrostyrene. This method not only provides a facile approach to chloroalkylated styrenes, but also would be instructive for halogen‐atom directing selective functionalization of inert C(sp3)−H bond.

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Nanofiltration thin‐film composite membrane on either the internal or the external surface of a polysulfone hollow fiber
Authors: Echaide‐Górriz Carlos , Malankowska Magdalena , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: March 2020

The inner and outer surfaces of a porous hollow fiber polysulfone support are compared as substrates for the synthesis of polyamide thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes by interfacial polymerization. While both surfaces have pores common of microfiltration membranes, the inner surface has a larger pore diameter than the outer surface (2,700 nm compared to 950 nm). The inner TFC membrane showed higher water nanofiltration permeance than the outer (2.20 ± 0.17 compared to 0.13 ± 0.03 L m−2 hr−1 bar−1). This was due to the influence of the porosity and roughness, which were different on both support surfaces. These membranes are interesting because they were synthesized in a hollow fiber support with a high membrane area per volume unit (~6,900 m2/m3) and the substrate used was commercial, which means that the TFC membrane obtained is suitable for industrial application. A mathematical simulation of the nanofiltration run with COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3 software confirmed the experimental trends observed.