bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Efficiency of Nitrogen Slow-Release Fertilizers in Integrated Production of Carrot Depending on Fertilization Strategy
Authors: Sikora Jakub , Niemiec Marcin , Tabak Monika , Gródek-Szostak Zofia , Szeląg-Sikora Anna , Kuboń Maciej , Komorowska Monika
Published: March 2020

Optimization of plant nutrition is a very important part of primary production quality systems. Crop fertilization is the most important agrotechnical measure because it determines the amount and quality of the yield. Moreover, excess fertilization intensifies the eutrophication processes and the greenhouse effect. The study aimed to assess the suitability of slow-release fertilizers in cultivation of carrot subspecies Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus in the integrated production system. The objective was realized on the basis of a strict field experiment set up on a clay loam soil with low nutrient content. The dose of fertilizer was the experimental factor. The fertilizers were applied during the formation of the ridges. Traditional fertilizers (ammonium phosphate, potassium salt, ammonium nitrate, and a multi-component fertilizer Polifoska 6), as well as a multi-component fertilizer with slow release of nutrients, NPK Mg (18-12-24-4), were used. In individual variants of the experiment, different fertilization strategies were applied: integrated production fertilization, traditional fertilization, and fertilization based on the use of slow-release fertilizers. The control treatment comprised of unfertilized plants. The efficiency of nitrogen fertilization was evaluated based on agronomic efficiency, partial factor productivity, physiological efficiency, and removal efficiency. Fertilization strategy significantly impacted the quantity of obtained yield. In the control sample, prior to mineral fertilization, the crop yield was 33.53 Mg·ha−1. The largest yield was 82.30 Mg·ha−1.The largest yields were obtained from plants fertilized with a combination of slow-release fertilizers, with nitrogen introduced in the form of ammonium phosphate, and through conventional fertilization. The highest productivity and environmental efficiency were obtained in treatments with fertilization according to the principles of integrated production and with slow-release fertilizers. In terms of environmental efficiency, the best results were obtained through nitrogen fertilization using 400 kg of slow-release fertilizers. The use of slow-release fertilizers in carrot cultivation can significantly improve the efficiency of fertilization, both in terms of production and environmental protection.
Assessing the Vulnerability of Logistics Service Supply Chain Based on Complex Network
Authors: Ma Fei , Xue Huifeng , Yuen Kum Fai , Sun Qipeng , Zhao Shumei , Zhang Yanxia , Huang Kai
Published: March 2020

The reliable operation of a logistics service supply chain (LSSC) is a key factor for improving logistics efficiency and service level, and vulnerability is an important indicator of reliable LSSC operation. Based on complex network theory, we reconstructed the running mechanism of logistics service providers, integrators, and demanders. We constructed an improved structure model of LSSC. By observing the selected three indicators (clustering coefficient, maximum connectivity, and network connectivity efficiency), the influence caused by the problem will continue to spread to more subjects along the network when a problem exists in one part of the network. The results showed that the destructive power of deliberate attacks is far greater than the damage caused by random attacks, and the disruption of logistics service integrators will considerably increase the vulnerability of the LSSC. However, even if logistics service integrators are removed completely, the LSSC still can operate at low efficiency. Through a case analysis, we identified the vulnerable nodes in logistics service, clarify the vulnerable mechanism in LSSC, and provide guidance for the operation of LSSC in real life.
Gaming Avatar Can Influence Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle: Be Like an Avatar
Authors: Wang Xuhui , Butt Asad Hassan , Zhang Qilin , Shafique Muhammad Nouman , Ahmad Hassaan , Nawaz Zahid
Published: March 2020

Online gaming is consistently changing with the use of new technologies and seen as making an impact on consumers’ sustainable lifestyles. The gaming avatars have influenced low avatar identification players to engage in physical and learning activities through massively multiplayer online (MMO) game genre. The fundamental purpose of the study is to classify the association of an avatar with consumer’s behavioural intention for exercise and to consume healthy food. This study incorporates three theories: social cognitive theory (SCT), social determination theory (SDT) and player-avatar identification (PAI) theory to determine its four dimensions’ impact on exercise and healthy food intention to attain a sustainable healthy lifestyle. SCT is related to human cognitive behaviour in the light of immersive experience, self-presence, and enjoyment. SDT related to the physical aspects of consumers that are exercise intention and consumption of healthy food. The results have shown that immersive experience, self-presence and enjoyment do impact the consumer’s behavioural intention towards an individual’s sustainability.
Characteristics of Non-Point Source Pollution under Different Land Use Types
Authors: Yang Jun , Liang Jiping , Yang Gaihe , Feng Yongzhong , Ren Guangxin , Ren Chengjie , Han Xinhui , Wang Xiaojiao
Published: March 2020

Non-point source pollution (NPSP) is a major challenge for current global water resources. The output characteristics of pollutants under different land use types are very important for controlling NPSP. In this study, long-term positioning monitoring and an analysis of rainfall runoff from different land use types were used to evaluate a typical watershed in the water source area of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (MR-SNWDP). The results show significant differences in nitrogen and phosphorus content in the runoff water bodies of various land use types. The nitrogen and phosphorus content in the MR-SNWDP was directly related to rainfall intensity and the fertilization period in the runoff following fertilization of farmland and vegetable plots. This nitrogen and phosphorus content was also observed to be significantly higher in the fertilization period than in other periods. The loss of nitrogen and phosphorus in forestland was greatly affected by rainfall intensity. Nitrogen in runoff comes primarily from farmland and vegetable fields, where its main form is nitrate nitrogen (NN). Vegetable fields are the main source of phosphorus, where its primary form is soluble phosphate (PO43−-P). Nitrogen and phosphorus have a defined incubation period during the dry season. Farmland and vegetable fields receive less rainfall during the dry season and it is difficult to form effective runoff; this allows nitrogen and phosphorus deposition. The runoff formed by the first rainfall at the beginning of the flood season (April or May) will carry a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil into water bodies. Therefore, it is crucial to pay careful attention to the season when attempting to control NPSP.
Food and Non-Food Biomass Production, Processing and Use in sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a Regional Bioeconomy
Authors: Callo-Concha Daniel , Jaenicke Hannah , Schmitt Christine B. , Denich Manfred
Published: March 2020

The bioeconomy concept has the aim of adding sustainability to the production, transformation and trade of biological goods. Though taken up throughout the world, the development of national bioeconomies is uneven, especially in the global South, where major challenges exist in Sub-Saharan Africa with respect to implementation. The BiomassWeb project aims to underpin the bioeconomy concept by applying the ‘value web’ approach, which seeks to uncover complex interlinked value webs instead of linear value chains. The project also aimed to develop intervention options to strengthen and optimize the synergies and trade-offs among different value chains. The special issue “Advances in Food and Non-Food Biomass Production, Processing and Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a Basis for a Regional Bioeconomy" compiles 22 articles produced in this framework. The articles are grouped in four sections: the value web approach; the production side; processing, transformation and trade; and global views. The synthesis presented in this paper introduces the challenges of the African bioeconomy and the value web approach, and outlines the contributing articles.
Did You Invest Less Than Me? The Effect of Other’s Share of Investment on Psychological Ownership of Crowdfunding Projects
Authors: Seo Bong-Goon , Park Do-Hyung
Published: March 2020

The development of information technology, in an online context, has expanded into collective consumption, e.g., crowdfunding projects. Moreover, people feel a sense of psychological ownership (“it is mine”) toward projects they invest in, even if their attributes are immaterial or intangible. This research focuses on changes in psychological ownership based on the characteristics of crowdfunding projects, which are collectively invested in with others, and the attributes of objects (tangible/intangible). Specifically, this research seeks to determine how psychological ownership is affected by information about the amount of money invested by others in a shared project. Additionally, this research investigates whether psychological ownership changes based on others’ investment (less/more) and the attributes (tangible/intangible) of the project. The findings from the empirical analysis indicate that psychological ownership changes based on information regarding other people’s investment in a shared crowdfunding project. The results also show that, in projects with tangible attributes, psychological ownership changes based on investment information; however, no changes were observed in projects with intangible attributes.
Fisheries Sustainability through Soft Multi-Use Maritime Spatial Planning and Local Development Co-Management: Potentials and Challenges in Greece
Authors: Kyvelou Stella Sofia I. , Ierapetritis Dimitrios G.
Published: March 2020

Small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean represent a significant part of the fisheries industry and their substantial social, economic and place attachment related role has always been acknowledged in the region. Despite the fact that this usually family-based endeavor has a vast economic impact on coastal and island communities of the sea-basin, data and insights on the Mediterranean artisanal fisheries continue to be inadequately developed and poorly integrated in the local development strategies. Thus, the aim of this research is two-fold. Firstly, it presents some data and facts on the fisheries sector in the region and secondly it explores the options of their survival, prosperity and sustainability, approaching the combination of fisheries and tourism as a small-scale and soft “multi-use” in the marine space. Greece, with a huge potential in both the fisheries and the tourism sector, was used as focus area where a co-development process was designed aiming to identify advantages/potentials and challenges/disadvantages of the co-existence of artisanal fisheries and tourism, as perceived by a series of stakeholders including the co-management schemes (Fisheries Local Action Groups, FLAGs) in the country. Key conclusion is that sustainable livelihood from small-scale fisheries depends on the correlation between fisheries and other marine activities. Despite some limitations, this can boost sustainable local development and be a unique pattern of a “win-win” and soft multi-use marine spatial planning (MSP), with economic, environmental, social, cultural and governance related benefits for the coastal communities.
Sustainability and Optimization: From Conceptual Fundamentals to Applications
Authors: Sadollah Ali , Nasir Mohammad , Geem Zong Woo
Published: March 2020

In recent years, both sustainability and optimization concepts have become inseparable developing topics with diverse concepts, elements, and aspects. The principal goal of optimization is to improve the overall sustainability including the environmental sustainability, social sustainability, economic sustainability, and energy resources sustainability through satisfying the objective functions. Therefore, applying optimization algorithms and methods to achieve the sustainable development have significant importance. This paper represents a considerable review on the employed optimization methodologies to sustainability and the sustainable development including sustainable energy, sustainable buildings, and sustainable environment. Since energy optimization is one of the major necessities of sustainability, sustainable development is investigated from the energy perspective. In addition, the concept, definitions, and elements of the sustainability and optimization have been presented, and the review of the optimization metaheuristic algorithms used in recent published articles related to sustainability and sustainable development was carried out. Thus, it is believed that this paper can be appropriate, beneficial, and practical for students, academic researchers, engineers, and other professionals.
Financial Performance of SDG Mutual Funds Focused on Biotechnology and Healthcare Sectors
Authors: Martí-Ballester Carmen-Pilar
Published: March 2020

Measures favoring healthy lives among populations around the world are essential to reduce social inequalities. Mutual funds could play an important role funding these measures if they are able to attract socially concerned investors by improving their wealth. This study analyzes the financial performance of mutual funds focused on the biotechnology and healthcare sectors related to UN sustainable development goal 3 (SDG 3), comparing their risk-adjusted return with that achieved by conventional mutual funds. This study implements Carhart’s multifactor model and Bollen and Busse’s timing multifactor model on a sample of 34 biotechnology and 178 healthcare mutual funds and 4352 conventional mutual funds. The results show that biotechnology and healthcare mutual funds perform similarly, while both of them outperform conventional mutual funds. This outperformance of biotechnology and healthcare funds is driven by the superior stock-picking skills of their managers with regards to those of conventional fund managers, while managers of biotechnology, healthcare, and conventional mutual funds present similar poor market timing ability. Mutual funds specialized in biotechnology and healthcare sectors related to sustainable development goal 3 (SDG 3) outperform conventional mutual funds.
Business Risk Evaluation of Electricity Retail Company in China Using a Hybrid MCDM Method
Authors: Guo Sen , Zhang Wenyue , Gao Xiao
Published: March 2020

Electricity retail marketization reform is in progress in China, and many electricity retail companies (ERC) have been founded. The comprehensive evaluation of business risk for ERC can help effectively manage business risk and reduce risk loss, which is vital for its healthy and sustainable development. In this paper, a new hybrid multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method integrating the Bayesian best-worst method (BBWM) and improved matter-element extension model (IMEEM) is proposed for business risk evaluation for an ERC. The latest group MCDM method, namely the BBWM is employed to determine risk criteria weights, and the IMEEM is used to rank the business risk of ERC. The evaluation index system is built including three aspects of economic operation risk, marketable risk and political risk. The business risk of ERC in China is evaluated by using the proposed MCDM method, and the result shows the current business risk belongs to ‘High’ grade and closer to ‘Very High’ grade more. The proposed MCDM method for business risk evaluation of ERC is effective and practical, which can provide references for risk management and sustainable development of ERC.
Crafting Jobs for Sustaining Careers during China’s Manufacturing Digitalization
Authors: Xu Zhenhao , Chin Tachia , Cao Lele
Published: March 2020

Accelerated digitalization coupled with ever-growing new job demands in China’s manufacturing industry has led to serious concerns about rising work stress and the loss of the sustainability of careers among production workers. They are trapped within an organization due to the lack of career alternatives in the labor market; under such occupational stress, some proactive workers may engage in expansive job crafting (JC) behaviors to get more resources to meet their career goals and make better career plans. As a result, this paper aims to investigate how Chinese manufacturing workers perform JC behaviors to translate perceived work stress into more control over their careers in today’s shrinking job market. Drawing on the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study thus investigates how employee continuance commitment (CC), as a manifestation of work stress, influences career control that can reflect the sustainability of careers in such a turbulent time and how the three dimensions of employees’ JC (i.e., increasing structural job resources, increasing social job resources, and increasing challenging job demands) mediate the CC‒career control relationship, respectively. A time-lagged survey was carried out with a sample of 476 Chinese production workers. The results show that crafting jobs is instrumental in translating the degree of CC that embodies the level of work stress to the degree of career sustainability during the digital transformation of Chinese manufacturing. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications. Limitations and their implications for future studies are also reviewed.
“Separation of Vehicle and Battery” of Private Electric Vehicles and Customer Delivered Value: Based on the Attempt of 2 Chinese EV Companies
Authors: Yang Shuxia , Li Ruoyang , Li Jialin
Published: March 2020

Electric vehicles are an effective tool to reduce vehicle born emissions from road transportation. Faced with major pollution issues, China is committed to vigorously promoting electric vehicles. China has made active efforts in subsidies, policies, charging facilities, business models, etc., so that the annual growth rate of electric vehicle sales has accelerated. State subsidies have greatly promoted the use of electric vehicles, but the government is gradually reducing subsidies. In the case of government subsidy decline or even zero subsidy, “separation of vehicle and battery” is considered to be a good mode for solving the development of private EVs. The battery of an electric vehicle does not form a whole with the chassis, but they could be physically separated, replacing the battery with one which is fully charged instead of charging by users themselves, substituting battery leases for battery purchases, called separation of vehicle and battery. However, a series of issues such as whether this mode is beneficial to consumers, whether it has competitive advantages for vehicle companies, and what difficulties exist need to be further studied. This paper firstly analyzes whether it is necessary to implement “separation of vehicle and battery” for private electric vehicles (SEPARATION) in China. Based on this, it sums up the attempts of two companies to implement SEPARATION and extracts the key factors involved in SEPARATION. Then, such key factors are analyzed, and the customer delivered value model of SEPARATION is established. Finally, this article discusses the predicament of SEPARATION and makes some recommendations for the implementation of SEPARATION in China. The innovations in this paper include: (1) Analyzing the issue of SEPARATION from the perspective of customer delivered value. (2) Proposing a customer delivered value model of SEPARATION for the first time. (3) Proposing a two-level battery replacement network in the SEPARATION mode.
Anticipating the Length of Employees’ Working Time
Authors: Kostrzewa-Demczuk Paulina , Rogalska Magdalena
Published: March 2020

Asymmetry of employee productivity is an important issue when planning production work. Estimated time to complete the work depends on many factors, such as employee experience, qualifications, and efficiency of brigades and subcontractors, accidents, unreliable suppliers, material shortages, the need for correction work, fatigue, stress, etc. The paper presents the statistical method—Multivariate Method of Statistical Models—MMSM. It enables the assessment of the impact on the duration of works of its characteristic variables and the prediction of the duration of individual orders. In order to carry out the multi-criteria method (MMSM) analysis, the employees’ working time was measured at the newly opened steel structure production plant in Kielce. The results of the analyses clearly show that thanks to the method used, quick and accurate prediction of employees’ work efficiency is possible. In the analyzed case, the best forecast was obtained using the method of automatic neural networks, where the MAPE error = 0.02%.
Convergence and Dynamics of a Higher-Order Method
Authors: Moysi Alejandro , Argyros Ioannis K. , Regmi Samundra , González Daniel , Magreñán Á. Alberto , Sicilia Juan Antonio
Published: March 2020

Solving problems in various disciplines such as biology, chemistry, economics, medicine, physics, and engineering, to mention a few, reduces to solving an equation. Its solution is one of the greatest challenges. It involves some iterative method generating a sequence approximating the solution. That is why, in this work, we analyze the convergence in a local form for an iterative method with a high order to find the solution of a nonlinear equation. We extend the applicability of previous results using only the first derivative that actually appears in the method. This is in contrast to either works using a derivative higher than one, or ones not in this method. Moreover, we consider the dynamics of some members of the family in order to see the existing differences between them.
Pythagorean Fuzzy Matroids with Application
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Akram Muhammad , Ali Ghous
Published: March 2020

The Pythagorean fuzzy models deal with graphical and algebraic structures in case of vague information related to membership and non-membership grades. Here, we use Pythagorean fuzzy sets to generalize the concept of vector spaces and discuss their basis and dimensions. We also highlight the concept of Pythagorean fuzzy matroids and examine some of their fundamental characteristics like circuits, basis, dimensions, and rank functions. Additionally, we explore the concept of Pythagorean fuzzy matroids in linear algebra, graph theory, and combinatorics. Finally, we demonstrate the use of Pythagorean fuzzy matroids for minimizing the time taken by a salesman in delivering given products.
Interleukin-1 Receptor-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in the Pancreas Controls Hyperglycemia Caused by Scorpion Envenomation
Authors: Reis Mouzarllem B. , Elias-Oliveira Jefferson , Pastore Marcella R. , Ramos Simone G. , Gardinassi Luiz G. , Faccioli Lúcia H.
Published: March 2020

Tityus serrulatus causes numerous scorpion envenomation accidents and deaths worldwide. The symptoms vary from local to systemic manifestations, culminating in pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. Among these events, transitory hyperglycemia is a severe manifestation that influences pulmonary edema, hemodynamic alterations, and cardiac disturbances. However, the molecular mechanism that leads to increased glucose levels after T. serrulatus envenomation remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate our hypothesis that hyperglycemia due to scorpion envenomation involves inflammatory signaling in the pancreas. The present study showed that T. serrulatus venom induces the production of IL-1α and IL-1β in the pancreas, which signal via IL-1R and provoke nitric oxide (NO) production as well as edema in β-cells in islets. Il1r1−/− mice were protected from transitory hyperglycemia and did not present disturbances in insulin levels in the serum. These results suggest that the pathway driven by IL-1α/IL-1β-IL-1R-NO inhibits insulin release by β-cells, which increases systemic glucose concentration during severe scorpion envenomation. A supportive therapy that inhibits NO production, combined with antiserum, may help to prevent fatal outcomes of scorpion envenomation. Our findings provide novel insights into the design of supportive therapy with NO inhibitors combined with antiscorpion venom serum to overcome fatal outcomes of scorpion envenomation.
Forty Years of the Description of Brown Spider Venom Phospholipases-D
Authors: Gremski Luiza Helena , da Justa Hanna Câmara , da Silva Thaís Pereira , Polli Nayanne Louise Costacurta , Antunes Bruno César , Minozzo João Carlos , Wille Ana Carolina Martins , Senff-Ribeiro Andrea , Arni Raghuvir Krishnaswamy , Veiga Silvio Sanches
Published: March 2020

Spiders of the genus Loxosceles, popularly known as Brown spiders, are considered a serious public health issue, especially in regions of hot or temperate climates, such as parts of North and South America. Although the venoms of these arachnids are complex in molecular composition, often containing proteins with distinct biochemical characteristics, the literature has primarily described a family of toxins, the Phospholipases-D (PLDs), which are highly conserved in all Loxosceles species. PLDs trigger most of the major clinical symptoms of loxoscelism i.e., dermonecrosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, and acute renal failure. The key role played by PLDs in the symptomatology of loxoscelism was first described 40 years ago, when researches purified a hemolytic toxin that cleaved sphingomyelin and generated choline, and was referred to as a Sphingomyelinase-D, which was subsequently changed to Phospholipase-D when it was demonstrated that the enzyme also cleaved other cellular phospholipids. In this review, we present the information gleaned over the last 40 years about PLDs from Loxosceles venoms especially with regard to the production and characterization of recombinant isoforms. The history of obtaining these toxins is discussed, as well as their molecular organization and mechanisms of interaction with their substrates. We will address cellular biology aspects of these toxins and how they can be used in the development of drugs to address inflammatory processes and loxoscelism. Present and future aspects of loxoscelism diagnosis will be discussed, as well as their biotechnological applications and actions expected for the future in this field.
Modeling of the Free-Surface Vortex-Driven Bubble Entrainment into Water
Authors: Putra Ryan Anugrah , Lucas Dirk
Published: March 2020

The recently developed GENTOP (Generalized Two Phase Flow) concept, which is based on the multifield Euler‒Euler approach, was applied to model a free-surface vortex—a flow situation that is relevant for hydraulic intake. A new bubble entrainment model has been developed and implemented in the concept. In general, satisfactory agreement with the experimental data can be achieved. However, the gas entrainment can be significantly affected by several parameters or models used in the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation. The scale of curvature correction C s c a l e in the turbulence model, the coefficient in the entrainment model C e n t , and the assigned bubble size to be entrained have a significant influence on the gas entrainment rate. The gas entrainment increases with higher C s c a l e values, which can be attributed to the stronger rotation captured by the simulation. A smaller bubble size gives higher gas entrainment, while a larger bubble size leads to a smaller entrainment. The results also show that the gas entrainment can be controlled by adjusting the entrainment coefficient C e n t . Based on the modeling framework presented in this paper, further improvement of the physical modeling of the entrainment process should be done.
Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Cr(III) from Tannery Waste: Optimization and Selectivity Investigation
Authors: Kokkinos Evgenios , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: March 2020

Tanneries produce significant quantities of hazardous waste/waters and, according to international environmental organizations, their further recycling/reuse/exploitation in the context of circular economy is considered mandatory. A relevant case study is the recovery of Cr(III), used in large amounts during the tanning process, which can be recovered from the corresponding industrial waste/sludge. The aim of this work is to optimize the Cr(III) hydrometallurgical recovery from the tannery sludge by examining the major experimental conditions that affect the efficiency of its different sequential steps, namely extraction/leaching and precipitation. The chemical characterization revealed that tannery sludge contains high amounts of Cr(III) (14.1%), Ca (14.8%), and organic matter (22%). The extraction of Cr(III) was examined by applying various common acids (H2SO4, HNO3, HCl) in the concentration range of 0.02–2 N. The highest selectivity and efficiency (93%) were obtained by the addition of H2SO4 as the insoluble CaSO4 and soluble CrSO4+ species were formed. Regarding the experimental conditions, only the increase in temperature showed a positive effect on Cr recovery. The Cr(III) can be further precipitated from the resulting leaching solution by increasing the equilibrium pH; the precipitate with the higher purity in Cr(OH)3 (70%) was obtained by the application of NaOH and could possibly be reused by tanneries.
Dynamic Water Balance Modelling for Risk Assessment and Decision Support on MAR Potential in Botswana
Authors: Lindhe Andreas , Rosén Lars , Johansson Per-Olof , Norberg Tommy
Published: March 2020

Botswana experiences a water stressed situation due to the climate and a continuously increasing water demand. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is considered, among other measures, to improve the situation. To evaluate the possibility for increased water supply security, a probabilistic and dynamic water supply security model was developed. Statistically generated time series of source water availability are used in combination with the dynamic storages in dams and aquifers, and the possible supply is compared with the demand to simulate the magnitude and probability of water supply shortages. The model simulates the system and possible mitigation measures from 2013 to 2035 (23 years), using one-month time steps. The original system is not able to meet the demand, and the estimated volumetric supply reliability in the year 2035 is 0.51. An additional surface water dam (now implemented) will increase the reliability to 0.88 but there will still be a significant water shortage problem. Implementing large-scale MAR can further improve the reliability to at least 0.95. System properties limiting the effect of MAR are identified using the model and show how to further improve the effect of MAR. The case study results illustrate the importance and benefit of using an integrated approach, including time-dependence and future scenarios, when evaluating the need and potential of MAR.
Occurrence and Fate of Heavy Metals in Municipal Wastewater in Heilongjiang Province, China: A Monthly Reconnaissance from 2015 to 2017
Authors: Du Peng , Zhang Lingrong , Ma Yuntao , Li Xinyue , Wang Zhenglu , Mao Kang , Wang Na , Li Ying , He Jia , Zhang Xuan , Hao Fanghua , Li Xiqing , Liu Maodian , Wang Xuejun
Published: March 2020

As one of the major sources of pollutions in the environments, effluents from municipal wastewater recently became a hot topic. This study quantified monthly county-level releases of five heavy metals, i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), from municipal wastewater into the environment in the Heilongjiang Province of China, based on sampling, measurement, and modeling tools. Wastewater samples were collected from 27 municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) in 15 county-level cities of Heilongjiang every month from 2015 to 2017. The concentrations of five heavy metals were analyzed in both influents (Pb: 160 ± 100 μg/L; Cd: 15 ± 9.0 μg/L; Cr: 170 ± 64 μg/L; Hg: 0.67 ± 1.5 μg/L; As: 6.2 ± 4.8 μg/L) and effluents (Pb: 45 ± 15 μg/L; Cd: 5.2 ± 5.1 μg/L; Cr: 57 ± 13 μg/L; Hg: 0.28 ± 0.12 μg/L; As: 2.6 ± 1.4 μg/L). The removal ratios of the five heavy metals ranged from 50% to 67%. Inflow fluxes of Pb, Cr, and Cd displayed increasing trends first then decreased after reaching a maximum value, whereas those of Hg and Pb remained stable. Material flow analysis reveals that constructions of MWTPs are conducive to significantly reduce the releases of heavy metals from urban areas into the aquatic environment in the study area. Additionally, municipal wastewater sludge (used as fertilizer or spread on the land) could be a significant source of heavy metals in the land.
In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Microbial Activity of Carica Papaya Seeds
Authors: Singh Pooja G. , S. B Madhu , Shailasreesekhar Shailasreesekhar , TS Gopenath , Basalingappa Kanthesh M. , BV Dr. Sushma
Published: March 2020

Papaya seeds are reported to have higher therapeutic potential in comparison to the fruits in which they reside. Thus, the present in-vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effect of seed extracts on Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae). The bioactive form the seeds were sequentially fractionated with hexane, chloroform, diethyl ether, and methanol in the increasing order of polarity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated. These extracts were assessed for an antioxidant property by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydroxyl (DPPH) method and reducing power assay was carried out using the FeCl3 method. Inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase (LOX) by these extracts at 5 -25μg to asses anti-inflammatory capacity was studied.
El género de la gestión pública federal brasileña: Mujeres en las carreras de la gestión gubernamental (1995-2017)
Authors: De Melo Xavier Elaine , Yannoulas Silvia Cristina
Published: March 2020

Los procesos de producción y reproducción de las desigualdades sociales que estructuran la sociedad brasileña continúan restringiendo las posibilidades de competir por un empleo público a los grupos que no reúnen condiciones para aprobación de concurso público (establecido en la Constitución Federal de 1988 para ocupación de cargos en la administración pública). También determinan los nichos que están abiertos para quien logra ultrapasar las barreras iniciales.  En el caso de las mujeres, el empleo público históricamente tuvo relevancia porque otorga garantías para el ejercicio del maternaje, pero las restringió a espacios específicos en las áreas sociales, y aun así sin ocupar cargos relevantes. La investigación que realizamos mostró que ellas están en áreas consideradas no estratégicas, más expuestas al proceso de precarización, y que enfrentan dificultades específicas para la promoción dentro de la carrera administrativa. Las 14 personas entrevistadas nos ayudaron a comprender los mecanismos de discriminación encubiertos.
Combating Malaysia's Involvement in Worldwide Organ Trafficking by Tapping into the Potential of Bioprinting
Authors: Majid Marina Abdul
Published: March 2020

Objective - Organ shortages have caused many Malaysian people to travel to India or China to purchase organs illegally and to have those organs transplanted into their body, thus contributing to the worldwide problem of organ trafficking. Bioprinting presents the potential to develop human organs in the future. The objective of this study is to explore, through empirical research, the potential of bioprinting as a means of addressing Malaysia’s organ shortages, thereby discouraging Malaysians from obtaining illicitly acquired organs abroad. Methodology/Technique – This is a qualitative study involving primary data including binding international agreements, soft law (non-binding documents issued by international organizations) and Malaysian legislation dealing with organ trafficking. These legal documents are interpreted through a textual analysis. A content analysis was also conducted on the secondary resources consisting of journals, book chapters, conference and working papers, newspaper reports, and other internet materials. Findings - The results of the study show that between 2014 and 2018, Malaysia experienced significant organ shortages, particularly shortages of kidneys. They also suffered from a lack of transplant specialists and medical teams as well as overburdened government hospitals. The Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill, a new law replacing the Human Tissues Act of 1974, aims to ban organ trading and regulate organ donations. Malaysian research universities have embraced bioprinting through the production of blood vessels and skin, and the Malaysian government has introduced grants and technology transfers that are hoped to accelerate bioprinting. This has the potential to curb Malaysian involvement in worldwide organ trafficking. Novelty – This study is novel as it proposes bioprinting as a technological solution to illicit organ trading and transplantation within the Malaysian context, which has not been previously suggested. Type of Paper: Review. JEL Classification: K10, K14, K49. Keywords: 2000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; Bioprinting; Guiding Principles on Human Cell; Transplantation Bill; Organ Trafficking.
The Role of Psychological Testing As an Effort to Improve Employee Competency
Authors: Baron Ihil S. , Melania Melania , Agustina Hellya
Published: March 2020

Objective - Psychological testing and assessment is used to obtain suitable candidates with the ability to achieve the needs of organisations. The purpose of this qualitative study is to evaluate the results of psychological testing as an effort to improve employee competency.

Methodology/Technique - This study examines 175 samples from psychological testing reports by psychologists in providing competencies assessments of each potential employee applying for the position of customer service and teller in a State-owned Bank in the Kalimantan area.

Findings - The results show that to obtain competent employees, they must meet the standards set by the organisation. Competencies must be future oriented and are not a mechanism for reciting the past, so it is important for organisations to obtain a list of competencies that fit their needs. The results suggest that an organisation does not merely receive a list of competencies from the consultant (psychologist; practitioner and human resources department), but rather organizations should obtain a list of competencies that are personalised to their environment. This finding indicates that competencies are interrelated and do not stand alone. Since competencies are a behavioural approach to emotional, social, and cognitive intelligence, this integrated concept offers more than a comfortable framework for describing humanity as a whole. This suggests that to develop employee competencies characteristics associated with successful performance, organizations and practitioners must exhibit the patterns of behaviour that can be observed and make a positive difference to others.

Novelty – It is important to realize that there are a number of characteristics that may not have a direct impact on performance, but which may be an important determinant of the success of the employee.

Type of Paper - Empirical

Keywords: Psychological Testing; Competencies; Successful Performances; Business Value.

JEL Classification: J30, J33, J39.
Investigating the electronic properties of shrimp synthetic viral
DNAs integrated within Schottky junctions
Authors: Chan Yen Yew , Bhassu Subha , Periasamy Vengadesh
Published: March 2020

In this report, DNA-specific Schottky junctions were used for studying electronic
properties of selected viral-derived DNAs. Two junction types were studied in
this work; Al//DNA/ITO/Al and Cu/DNA/Cu using synthetic sequences of viral
infecting shrimps commonly found in aquaculture. Two models based on thermionic
emission theory were employed to calculate selected solid-state parameters. The
ideality factor for example calculated using Cheung’s method for all viral
DNA samples showed values between 11.27 to 17.56 and 8.35 to 8.67 when using the
Al/DNA/ITO/Al and Cu/DNA/Cu junctions, respectively. In general, characteristic
profiles and parameters were observed for all DNA sequences studied using both
junctions.
Solving Traffic Congestion Problems and Definition Stress-Strain State of Curvilinear Overpass Module Sector Ring Slab
Authors:   Professor of the Departament Transport, transport equipment and tehnology, Karaganda State Technical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Kadyrov Adil , Amanbayev Sabit ,   Сhairman of the union of motorists, Almaty, Kazakhstan, Ganyukov Aleksandr ,   Senior Lecturer of the Departament Mechanics, Karaganda State Technical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Balabekova Kyrmyzy ,   Senior Lecturer of the Departament Transport, transport equipment and tehnology of Karaganda State Technical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Kurmasheva Bahyt ,   Senior Lecturer of the Departament Transport, transport equipment and tehnology, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Published: March 2020

In the article we discuss the construction of curvilinear overpass module sector – ring slab. Calculation of constructive elements and studied the stress-strain state of a sector-ring. The purpose is the development of the technique and calculation for the new construction of a curvilinear overpass for reduction of traffic jams. The methods uses are mathematical analysis, method of finite elements, method of finite differences, and analytical method of relocation. The purpose of the study is calculate constructive elements of module sector – ring slab and decrease of traffic jams. Researched the bending state of the sector-ring structurally orthotropic slab of the roadway of the curvilinear module of the combined bridge crossing. The method finite difference is used to determine the bending stiffness. There were selected cross sections of the supporting elements from the condition of their strength; the rigidity of the slab with the thickness.
A Support Vector Machine and Decision Tree Based Breast Cancer Prediction
Authors:   Department of Computing Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia., Assegie Tsehay Admassu , J. Sushma S. ,   Associate Professor, GSSSIETW, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Published: March 2020

The first step in diagnosis of a breast cancer is the identification of the disease. Early detection of the breast cancer is significant to reduce the mortality rate due to breast cancer. Machine learning algorithms can be used in identification of the breast cancer. The supervised machine learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) and the Decision Tree are widely used in classification problems, such as the identification of breast cancer. In this study, a machine learning model is proposed by employing learning algorithms namely, the support vector machine and decision tree. The kaggle data repository consisting of 569 observations of malignant and benign observations is used to develop the proposed model. Finally, the model is evaluated using accuracy, confusion matrix precision and recall as metrics for evaluation of performance on the test set. The analysis result showed that, the support vector machine (SVM) has better accuracy and less number of misclassification rate and better precision than the decision tree algorithm. The average accuracy of the support vector machine (SVM) is 91.92 % and that of the decision tree classification model is 87.12 %.
Extractive Text Summarization for Social News using Hybrid Techniques in Opinion Mining
Authors:   Dept of Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School Of Engineering ,Saveetha Institute Of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India,, Muneera M. Nafees , Sriramya P. ,   Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School Of Engineering ,Saveetha Institute Of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.
Published: March 2020

Presently almost all enterprises are oriented into building text data in abundance savoring the benefits of big data concept but the reality is that it’s not practically possible to go through all this data/documents for decision making because of the time constraint. Here in exists intense need of an approach as an alternative for the actual content which can summarize the complete textual content. By adopting these summarizing approaches, the accuracy in data retrieval of summarized content via search queries can be enhanced compared to performing search over the broad range of original textual content. There are many text summarization techniques formulated having their own pros and cons. The present work focuses on a comprehensive news review of extractive text summarization process methods and also taking into account, data appended dynamically. The existing work recommends a technique of hybrid text summarization that’s a blend of CRF (conditional random fields) and LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis) which being highly adhesive with low redundant summary and coherent and in-depth information. The above hybrid techniques is being extracted in five types that being: Positive and negative, statement, questions, suggestions and comments. The technique of LSA extracts hidden semantic structures within words/sentences that being commonly utilized in the process of summarization. The statistical modeling technique of CRF adopts ML (machine leaning) for offering structured detection and providing multiple options for evaluation of opinion summarization thereby identifying the most appropriate algorithm for news text summarizations considering the heavy volume of datasets.
A Reliability Model for a Two Dissimilar Units Series System with Repair Time-Dependent Standby
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, Government P.G. Nehru College Jhajjar, Haryana, India., Bhagwan Jai
Published: March 2020

The present paper stochastically analyze a system comprising two dissimilar units (unit-1/unit-2) working in series configuration. System fails completely when either of the units gets failed. The repair time of unit-2 is considered to be much more as compared to the repair time of unit-1. So, to minimize the breakdown period of the system, a standby unit is provided against the second unit. Regenerative point technique (RPT) is used to develop a semi-markovian reliability model for the mentioned system. Optimum cut-off points concerning the profitability of the system have also been obtained. The model has applications in industries, particularly in aluminum industry.