bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An interrupting mechanism to prevent the formation of coastal hypoxiaby winds
Authors: Yao Juan , Wang Juying , Liu Hongbin , Yin Kedong
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Enrichment of nutrients is believed to lead to coastal hypoxia which have become a seasonal phenomenon over large river estuarine areas such as the Mississippi River-Northern Gulf of Mexico and Changjiang-East China Sea. There is a similar nutrient enrichment process in the Pearl River. However, hypoxia occurs only as episodic events over a relatively small area. We hypothesize that frequent wind events play the interruptive mechanism in preventing the seasonal formation of bottom hypoxia. We used 29 years time series data of dissolved oxygen (DO) and winds in the Hong Kong coastal waters to test the hypothesis. Our results show that bottom DO at 3 stations in southern waters of Hong Kong occasionally drops below the hypoxic level (2 mg/L), lasting only for less than one month in summer. Episodic hypoxia events appear to occur more frequently in recent years, but bottom DO does not show a significantly decreasing trend. The wind speed of 6 m/s appears to be a threshold, above which a wind event could destroy water column stratification and interrupt the formation of low-oxygen (DO
Comparison between constant and variable chlorine decay models applied to urban water supply network
Authors: Tiruneh Ababu T. , Debessai Tesfamariam Y. , Bwembya Gabriel C. , Nkambule Stanley J.
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Monitoring of chlorine residual in water distribution systems is necessary not only for ensuring potable water quality but also prevent emergence of disinfection by-products due to excess chlorination. Modelling work for chlorine residual was carried out for water supply distribution network of a town using both second order and first order reaction rate models. For the development of the model, the bulk reaction decay rate was determined in the laboratory using bottle testing while the wall decay rate was determined by calibration of the water quality model using field residual chlorine concentration measurements. The model results show that there is no significant difference in the residual chlorine between the two models or the cost saving that result in terms chlorine usage for the range of initial chlorine dosages anticipated. Constant rate chlorine model is more conservative and offers additional safety in terms of chlorine residual present. Significant differences only occur at excess chlorine residual concentration within the distribution system above the intended maximum residual to be attained. Further research that relates the chlorine dose with the water quality characteristics is necessary to make a more general evaluation.
Tancaite-(Ce), ideally FeCe(MoO4)3 ● 3H2O: description and average crystal structure
Authors: Bonaccorsi Elena , Orlandi Paolo
Published: June 2020

Abstract. Tancaite-(Ce), ideally FeCe(MoO4)3⚫3H2O, is a new mineral occurring within cavities in the quartz veins
which cut the granite at Su Seinargiu, Sarroch (CA), Sardinia, Italy. It is
a secondary mineral formed in the oxidation zone of a sulfide ore vein.
Associated minerals are quartz, muscovite, molybdenite, pyrite, and a
mendozavilite-like phase. Tancaite-(Ce) is red or pale brown in colour, with
a vitreous to adamantine lustre. Electron microprobe analyses give
(wt %) SiO2 0.34, CaO 0.09, Fe2O3 11.29, SrO 0.02,
La2O3 5.04, Ce2O3 10.35, Pr2O3 1.07,
Nd2O3 3.66, Sm2O3 0.19, ThO2 2.58, UO2 0.17,
MoO3 58.62, and H2O (calculated) 7.43, with a sum of 100.85, from which the
empirical formula is calculated. The empirical formula
Fe1.033+(Ce0.46La0.23Nd0.16Pr0.05Sm0.01U0.01Th0.07)Σ=0.99(Mo2.96Si0.04)Σ=3.00O12⚫3H2O can be simplified as Fe3+(REE)(MoO4)3⚫3H2O and idealized as FeCe(MoO4)3⚫3H2O. The
presence of H2O was confirmed by micro-Raman spectrometry (stretching
and bending vibrations of O–H). The calculated density is 3.834 g cm−3.
The X-ray diffraction pattern of tancaite-(Ce) is characterized by a set of
strong reflections, which point to a cubic subcell with a=6.870(1) Å
and space group Pm3¯m, plus a set of superstructure reflections. Tancaite-(Ce)
displays a new structure type not previously reported in natural and
synthetic molybdates. By considering only the strong reflections, it was
possible to solve and refine its average structure (R1=0.038 for 192 unique reflections with I>2σ(I)). The crystal structure
consists of FeO6 octahedra centred at the origin of the cubic
subcell and linked together through MoO4 tetrahedra by corner sharing.
The Mo-centred tetrahedra are statistically distributed in four
symmetry-related positions, with one-fourth occupancy. In the centre of
the cubic unit cell the REE cations exhibit a 6+3 coordination, bonding
six oxygen atoms and three H2O molecules, each of them being disorderly
distributed in four symmetry-related positions. One of the possible
supercells, with a 48-fold volume with respect to the primitive cubic small
subcell, corresponded to a rhombohedral lattice, with a≈19.43 and c≈47.60 Å in the hexagonal setting. Several unsuccessful trials
were performed to solve the real crystal structure of tancaite, by indexing
the additional superstructure reflections and using their intensities to
refine an ordered structural model. The new mineral has been approved by the
IMA CNMNC (no. 2009-097). The name comes from Giuseppe Tanca, an Italian amateur
mineralogist, who discovered the mineral and gave it to us for studying.
Factors Influencing Salt-Reducing Behavior in Young Adults: a Pilot Cross-Sectional Study from Kazakhstan
Authors: Aubakirova Mina , Sultanov Marat , Izimov Aidarkhan , Sakko Yesbolat , Bex Torekhan , Mussagazin Anuar , Alibekova Raushan
Published: June 2020

Introduction: In Kazakhstan, a post-Soviet country in Central Asia, salt intake is estimated as high, potentially contributing to the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to explore salt intake in residents of the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on salt intake among young adult residents of the capital city of Kazakhstan was conducted (n = 237). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.Results: Although 95% (n=225) reported knowledge on the adverse health effects of high salt intake, older respondents were more aware of its association with high blood pressure (p = 0.007), heart disease (p = 0.037), and heart attack (p = 0.002). Only one-third (n=79) correctly identified the recommended level of daily salt intake. Females reported more awareness of Kazakhstani people consuming salt more than recommended (p = 0.0027) and that processed products constituted the major source of salt in diet (p = 0.007).  General dietary concern (p < 0.001), high self-assessment of salt intake (p < 0.001), and older age (p = 0.012) were found to be adjusted predictors of salt-reducing behavior.Conclusion: Lack of reported knowledge on salt-health relationship is of concern, especially among young males. A greater dietary concern and individual awareness of the excessive salt consumption is likely to assist in reducing salt intake. Further studies are required to validate the findings of this pilot study on a bigger population level in order to provide a basis for future salt related interventions and policy changes in Kazakhstan.
Possibilidades de reparação e justiça para os Avá-Canoeiro do Araguaia a partir da memória e da verdade sobre o que não se quer lembrar
Authors: De Mendonça Rodrigues Patrícia
Published: June 2020

O artigo aborda a possiblidade de contribuição crítica por parte do profissional de Antropologia para os processos de memória, verdade, reparação e justiça a partir da desconstrução de narrativas hegemônicas coloniais sobre povos indígenas. O artigo traz um resumo da história e situação atual dos Avá-Canoeiro do Araguaia, cujo caso é um dos destaques do Relatório da Comissão Nacional da Verdade (2014). Os dados apresentados são baseados na memória oral desse povo de língua tupi e na bibliografia histórica. Vítimas da tentativa de genocídio pelos colonizadores e da ação violenta do próprio Estado durante os governos militares, a situação de grande opressão do grupo permaneceu invisível e naturalizada até recentemente.
Fazer Laudos: algumas questões teórico-metodológicas de uma práxis institucionalizada
Authors: Santos Flavio Luis Assiz dos
Published: June 2020

Fazer laudos se constitui numa prática profissional antropológica que afeta sobremaneira a carreira e a vida dos/das antropólogos/as, tanto por exigir-lhes competências específicas, quanto por se constituir em experiências sui generis. Neste artigo apresento algumas questões teórico-metodológicas que povoam o universo dessa prática profissional especializada, a partir do exame detalhado de laudos antropológicos, associado a entrevistas com os/as seus/suas autores/as, produzidos no bojo de processos administrativos de reconhecimento territorial quilombola em tramitação no Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária (INCRA) na Bahia, de 2003 a 2018.
Justiça de Transição e os Xetá: sem anacronismos
Authors: Lima Edilene Coffaci de , Teixeira Leite Gian Carlo
Published: June 2020

Em meados do século XX, o povo indígena Xetá, falantes de língua tupi, quase sucumbiram à violência contra eles perpetrada no contexto de avanço da colonização cafeeira rumo ao noroeste do Paraná, onde foram oficialmente contatados. O confisco de terras, deslocamento territorial forçado e a drástica redução populacional a qual foram submetidos, tal como relatado na Comissão Nacional da Verdade, situa o caso como sendo de genocídio realizado pelo próprio Estado. Atualmente, vivendo em territórios alheios, os Xetá almejam o retorno às suas antigas terras. No entanto, tal território resta apenas identificado e contestado, de modo que sua efetiva demarcação não parece prevista para o futuro próximo. A tese do Marco Temporal, ao não reconhecer a existência do grupo, tem sido o maior obstáculo político para realização deste retorno. Tese arbitrária quando se observa que uma imensa quantidade de documentos atesta o seu oposto, a saber, existência dos Xetá.
A contribuição da pesquisa sobre povos indígenas
Authors: Da Cunha Manuela Carneiro
Published: June 2020

A partir da apresentação da trajetória pessoal da autora, é discutida a contribuição da pesquisa sobre conflitos e problemas territoriais, principalmente, de povos indígenas. Combinando interesses acadêmicos e ativismo político, a autora apresenta a contribuição dos estudos antropológicos na formulação do capítulo “Dos Índios” na Constituição Brasileira de 1988, nos estudos que embasaram o relatório da Comissão Nacional da Verdade e, mais recentemente, seu envolvimento nas discussões sobre a tese do Marco Temporal, além de sua participação na Plataforma Intergovernamental sobre Biodiversidade e Serviços Ecossistêmicos (IPBES, em inglês)
Reflexões sobre o Turismo Rural e o Desenvolvimento Sustentável
Authors: Arenhart Andrielly , Fontana Rosislene De Fátima
Published: June 2020

O espaço rural, anteriormente visto por parte da sociedade como um espaço em decadência, atualmente tem sido procurado por turistas que querem sair da rotina estressante das cidades. Pelo fato de o turismo ser considerado uma atividade econômica propulsora de desenvolvimento, o turismo rural surgiu como estratégia visando o desenvolvimento rural sustentável das propriedades em dificuldade. O estudo teve como objetivo apresentar uma reflexão teórica sobre o turismo rural e o planejamento do mesmo relacionado com a possibilidade ou não do desenvolvimento sustentável. O trabalho caracteriza-se como um ensaio teórico com abordagem qualitativa e exploratória, realizado por meio de pesquisas bibliográficas. Com base na literatura estudada, constatou-se que a atividade pode estar relacionada com o desenvolvimento rural sustentável, desde que seja planejada e trabalhada de forma profissional pelos proprietários.
Intertwining Practices and Uses of ICT: A Cultural Digital Analysis
Authors: Khanchel Hanen
Published: June 2020

National culture is a central principle in understanding employees, their work and how to do it. When communication practices are incompatible with the values of employees, they are likely to feel dissatisfied, distracted, uncomfortable and uncommitted. As a result, they may have less ability or desire to perform. Instead, consistency between practices of communication and the characteristics of the national culture leads to better performance. This study highlights some elements of cultural analysis by identifying the behavior of groups of individuals by combining their communication practices, their ICT equipment and the uses they make of it. We identify five very distinct profiles ranging from “univores” to “multi-omnivores”, whose membership factors we test. It seems that the more diverse the use of ICT, the more the individual has a diversified consumption of the time budget. More finely, the “culture of digital networks” positively explains the degree of technophilia. The difficult start of digital communication models can be explained by the generally limited profile of "multi-omnivores" and the geographic location.
Traffic Analysis of a Congested and Uncongested Network in a Sequential Server Model
Authors: Ahamed Afsana , Vakilzadian Hamid
Published: June 2020

The efficient flow of messages in a communication network is crucial in today’s dynamic environment. These networks are designed to transmit messages in the shortest amount of time. The source sends the messages to the destination through single or multiple servers. Each server contains a buffer that queues the incoming messages when it is busy. This study analyzed the traffic behavior of uncongested and congested wired communication networks for limited and unlimited queue sizes in multiserver configurations with a sequential server model. The performance of the network was measured using three cases: varying the packet length, adding an extra link, and with a broken link connecting the two servers. The performance of the wired communication networks for these three cases was measured based on packet drop rate, throughput, and average end-to-end delay using the OMNeT++ network simulator. Limited and unlimited queue sizes for a sequential server in the network were implemented and simulated to measure the interarrival rate and packet length for optimum performance. For various interarrival rates, the optimum throughput was measured for different queue sizes. The performance with a broken link or the addition of an extra link was assessed and compared with the sequential server model.
Enhancing Software Evolution Requirements Engineering Based on User Feedback
Authors: aljannan M.Redwan , A. Ismail Manal , Salah Akram
Published: June 2020

End-user feedback has an essential role in the requirement’s identification, prioritization, and management of the software evolution process. Several approaches are proposed for utilizing user-pushed feedback collected from social media, forums, and review systems. The collected feedback via the online channels contains a variety of information. Thus, the researchers proposed analytical approaches to classify feedback according to the data it holds. Still, recent results indicate that no single classifier works best for all feedback types and information sources. Also, online feedback does not have a direct mapping to the requirements, and it does not contain user context data. This causes wasting in developers’ effort in understanding and analyzing feedback. On the other hand, online feedback cannot be used to explore user satisfaction and acceptance of the implemented and planned requirements. Likewise, the developer cannot collect feedback from a specific segment of the users. To overcome the deficiency of online feedback, this paper proposes a novel approach that utilizes pulling feedback from users while using the software. The proposed approach consists of a model and process for structuring feedback requests, linking feedback to the requirements, embedding feedback with the user context information, specifying the target audience for the feedback request, analyzing collected feedback depending on predefined interpretation rules, which provide insights that support developers in release planning. The feedback request model and process are implemented by a tool called FeatureEcho which was evaluated in a software company by conducting a case study for upgrading a governmental internet portal. The results indicate that FeatureEcho is a valuable step towards increasing the understanding of the end-users needs which supports the decision-making procedure of software evolution.
Bidirectional Residual LSTM-based Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Malki Zohair , Atlam Elsayed , Dagnew Guesh , Alzighaibi Ahmad Reda , Ghada Elmarhomy , Gad Ibrahim
Published: June 2020

The Residual Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning approach is attracting attension of many researchers due to its efficiency when trained on high dimensional datasets. Nowadays, Human Activity Recognition (HAR) has come with enormous challenges that have to be addressed. In addressing such a problem, one can think of developing an application that can help the elderly people as an assistant when it works in collaboration with other timely technologies such as wearable devices with the help of IoT. Many research works are using a standard dataset in evaluating their proposed method in this regard. The dataset comes with its own challenge such as imbalanced classes. In this work, we propose to apply different machine learning techniques to address the specified problems and the method is validated on a standard dataset. To validate the proposed method, we evaluated using different standard metrics such as classification accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The proposed method achieves an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 100%, 97.66% of accuracy, 91.59% precision,  93.75% of recall and 92.66% of F1-score respectively.
Determination of the Incidence of Medicolegal Death in a Tertiary Health Institution in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South-East, Nigeria
Authors: Edegbe Felix O. , Uzoigwe Chukwuma J. , Ekwedigwe Kenneth C. , Okani Chukwudi O. , Agwu Uzoma M. , Nwafor Johnbosco , Ekwedigwe Paul I.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND: Death is an inevitable end that comes when not expected. However, when death occurs as a result of violence or unclear and suspicious manner, a coroner inquest is instituted to determine the cause, manner and the mechanism of death.

AIM: To determine the incidence and causes of medicolegal death in Ebonyi State.

MATERIALS & METHOD: This is a 5-year retrospective study of medicolegal autopsies reports of subjects whose cause of death were subject of litigation. The study analysed data between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi, Southeast, Nigeria. Data analysis was with the SPSS version 20.

RESULTS: During the study period. A total number of 202 autopsies were performed. The age range of the deceased was from 2 years to 90 years, with a mean age of 35.2 ± 16.1. The predominant age group was 30 - 39 years (30.2%) while the least (0.5%) were between the age of 90 and 99 years. Males accounted for 158 (78.2%), and females were 44 (21.8%). Farmers (31.2%) and students (15.3%) were mostly affected by unnatural death in this study. Accidental deaths constituted 54.5% of cases, followed by homicidal death (36.6%). Impalement by sharp objects (41.9%) was a significant cause of death due to homicide in this study. In contrast, accidental deaths were mainly as a result of a road traffic accident (95.5%). The majority (60.4%) of those who died as a result of an accident sustained an injury at multiple body sites.

CONCLUSION: Road traffic accident and homicide were responsible for the majority of cause of death found in medicolegal autopsies in Ebonyi State. Proper road maintenance, safe driving culture, and making people adhere strictly to the rule of law are necessary to reduce the incidence of avoidable deaths in our environment.
The Impact of Talent Management (TM) on Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWB) in Industrial Companies in Jordan
Authors: Hussein Mansour Maan , Khaled Shehadeh Hazem
Published: June 2020

Counterproductive work Behaviors is certainly causes high economic costs for the organizations, psychological, and social costs as well That is why, it should be well-controlled or the organizations go to a great lost. Therefore many organizations have prioritized talent management to ensure they acquire, develop and retain the right staff. The main objective of this research is to test the impact of talent management on Counterproductive work Behaviors. The questioner was used as a tool to collect information from the study sample in the industrial companies in Jordan. The results showed that there is an impact of talent management, represented in (attract talent, talent retention, talent development and career succession) on Counterproductive work behaviors represented in (sabotage, withdrawal, Deviation in production, Theft, Bribery).
Some Characteristics of Syllable Structure in Qassimi Arabic (QA): An Optimality Theoretic Framework
Authors: Alhoody Metab , Aljutaily Mohammad
Published: June 2020

The paper investigates the syllable structures of Qassimi Arabic (QA), which is a sub-dialect of Najdi Arabic (NA) and is spoken in the north-central region of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Qassim Region. Within the framework of Optimality Theory (OT), we show how the well-formed syllable is derived from the interaction of constraints. We show how the OT captures some of the major processes for structuring the syllables of QA, such as syncope, epenthesis, and geminate. The analysis revealed that onsetless syllables are prohibited in QA. The dialect allows word-initial consonant clusters, which is a result of the syncope process. Coda clusters also occur in QA that must obey the Sonority Sequencing Principle (SSP); otherwise, epenthesis presents to repair the violation. As for the geminates, QA permits geminates medially and finally, but not initially. The data revealed that QA demonstrates seven fundamental syllable structures grouped into three categories: light syllables, as in CV; heavy syllables, as in CVV and CVC; and super heavy syllables, as in CVVC, CVCC, CCVVC and CVVCC.
Optical coherence tomography angiography–guided photodynamic therapy for extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Chawla, MD Rohan , Hasan, MD Nasiq , Sundar, MD Dheepak , Sharma, MOptom Anu
Published: June 2020

Type 1 extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration was diagnosed in a 68-year-old woman using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) alone. The entire network of vessels was clearly visible on a 12 × 12 mm OCT-A scan segmented below the retinal pigment epithelium. The patient was initially treated with intravitreal ranibizumab followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT) guided by OCT-A. Complete resolution of subretinal fluid with shrinkage of the neovascular complex was noted 1 month after PDT.
Theater und Politik als Weg zur Integration
Authors: Lemke Christiane , Sdroulia Amalia
Published: June 2020

Since the creation of the theater, the theater stage has been closely connected to the political. Can theater play also pave the way for integration? In this book, amateur actors from different language and cultural backgrounds develop a play based on their own experiences with flight, alienation and starting new. The authors present suggestions for the instructional processing of self-written texts, exercises for testing different forms of expressions of the body as well as practical tips for the stage performance. Interviews with participating migrants, refugees and German students about their experiences with theater and integration in their daily lives complete the text.
The Effect of Educational Intervention on Safe and High-Risk Driving Behaviors in Taxi Drivers
Authors: Razmara Asghar , Aghamolaei Teamur , Hosseini Zahra , Madani Abdoulhossain , Zare Shahram
Published: June 2020

Background: High-risk driving behaviors is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention on promoting safe-driving behaviors and reducing high risk-driving behaviors in taxi drivers based on the health belief model and planned behavior theory. Methods: A quasi-experimental study of interventional and control drivers (n = 40) selected by a cluster sampling method was conducted. The participants were selected from taxi stations. The intervention group was divided into 4 groups, including 10 people. The contents of the training program were based on driving laws, avoiding high-risk behaviors, and advising on safe driving behaviors. The driving behaviors were measured at baseline and 3-month post-intervention. Constructs of the health belief model and theory of planned behavior were used as an interventional program framework. Independent t-test and Paired t-test were used to compare the scores between intervention and control drivers and the intervention group before and after the intervention at each of the variables, respectively. Results: Three months post-intervention, the scores of safe driving behaviors in the intervention group were higher than the control group, and high-risk driving behaviors in the intervention group were less than the control group. After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control between two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Educational intervention within the framework of the combined constructs of the health belief model and theory of planned behavior can reduce high-risk driving behaviors and promote safe driving behaviors in taxi drivers.
Criminological Study on Criminal Activities Human Trafficking in the Nusa Tenggara Timur Region (NTT), Indonesia
Authors: Susanti Vinita , Kosandi Meidi , Imam Subono Nur , Kartini Evida
Published: June 2020

The rise of trafficking of women and children in the Nusa Tenggara Timur region, Indonesia. Research method, descriptive qualitative, consisting of primary data obtained through field studies using interview techniques, secondary data from literature. The results research of criminological on human trafficking are transnational crimes that have come to the attention of countries in the world. This crime is caused by the factors of poverty, low education, difficult employment opportunities, culture in society. According to human trafficking data from 2012 to 2016 there were 643 cases, consisting of 263 cases of labor, 310 cases of sexual abuse, 65 cases of default and 5 cases of selling babies. And as many as 754 victims, consisting of 418 adult women, 218 girls, 115 adult men and 3 boys. This prevention must begin with the inculcation of moral values and character in children, where this task is carried out by families such as parents at home and teachers at school. The Indonesian National Police as a guardian of security and order in society can make efforts to instill awareness about the dangers of crime in human trafficking.
Economic Analysis of Utilization of Corn Stover for Bioenergy Production: Towards Diversifying Income Opportunities for Small Farmers
Authors: Alegbeleye Ibukun D. , Illukpitiya Prabodh
Published: June 2020

Bioenergy production from plant wastes such as corn stover has the potential to improve energy security and mitigate climate change in the United States. However, there is a limited understanding of its utilization and economic potentials for bioenergy production. The overall objective of the study was to estimate the economic profitability of utilizing corn stover for different ventures after harvesting corn, which includes: 1) corn stover production, 2) ethanol production, and 3) electricity generation through on-farm gasifiers. The data for this study was based on secondary data from various sources. The benefit-cost model was applied for the analysis. Investment evaluation criteria include annualized net return from corn stover, ethanol, and electricity generation. Results show that under current conversion rate, the net return from marketing corn stover ranges from $80.61/kg to $394.11/kg, while the net return from ethanol production ranges from $-104.91/ha to $848.96/ha of corn stover under varying price and yield scenarios. Also, under the government subsidy scheme that covers 25% of equipment costs, there is an investment opportunity for on-farm gasifier with an NPV of $4,329.29. The findings of the study show the potential for using corn stover for bioenergy production since it showed a positive net return. Also, the production of ethanol from corn stover is not only economically feasible but also socially acceptable since it does not compete with food production, and serves as a means of income diversification for corn farmers.
Keywords: Corn stover, plant waste, biofuel, ethanol, benefit-cost, gasifier.
Inference Procedures on the Ratio of Modified Generalized Poisson Distribution Means: Applications to RNA_SEQ Data
Authors: Shoukri M.M. , Al-Eid Maha
Published: June 2020

The Poisson and the Negative Binomial distributions are commonly used as analytic tools to model count data. The Poisson is characterized by the equality of mean and variance whereas the Negative Binomial has a variance larger than the mean and therefore is appropriate to model over-dispersed count data. The Generalized Poisson Distribution is becoming a popular alternative to the Negative Binomial. We have considered inference procedures on a modified form of this distribution when two samples are available from two independent populations and the target effect size of interest is the ratio of the two population means. The statistical objective is to construct confidence limits on the ratio. We first test the presence of over dispersion and derive several estimators in the single sample situation. When two samples are available, our interest is focused on the estimation of an effect size measured by the ratio of the respective population means. We have compared two methods; namely the Fieller’s and the delta methods in terms of coverage probabilities. We have illustrated the methodologies on published genomic datasets.
Capital Account Liberalization Indices: A Review of Literature
Authors: Kalsie Anjala , Kalra Jappanjyot Kaur , Dhamija Jyoti
Published: June 2020

The complexities of the global financial system have been increasing and the same is managed by implementation of capital controls by the nations. Therefore, it is important to understand what controls are and how the nations implement them. The aim of this paper is to analyze and understand the capital controls indices developed so far to measure financial openness or liberalization. Broadly the measures developed so far are categorized into de facto, de jure and hybrid measures. Each measure constructed has used different scale and hence the intensity and description of each measure is different also they cover different countries.
Variabilité pluviométrique dans le bassin versant du Haut et Moyen Cheliff
Authors: Amiar Sekina , Bouanani Abderrazak , Baba-Hamed Kamila , Belarbi Halima
Published: June 2020

L'Algérie, un pays aride à semi-aride, est très vulnérable aux changements climatiques. La pluviosité limitée sur sa zone côtière, incertaine, voire inexistante vers le sud, est particulièrement sensible aux effets négatifs du réchauffement climatique. La tendance est à la baisse depuis l’année 1975 et la phase ascendante des pluies n’est pas encore prête d’être amorcée. C'est dans cette perspective que se situe le présent travail qui a pour objectif d’analyser la variabilité interannuelle des séries chronologiques de 17 stations pluviométriques du bassin versant du Haut et Moyen Cheliff sur la période 1972/73-2012/13 (soit 42 ans). Ces séries chronologiques sont soumises à la méthode de la moyenne mobile à sept ans et à des tests statistiques non paramétriques de rupture (Pettitt et Mann-Kendall). Cette analyse fait apparaitre une alternance de périodes humides 1972/73 à 1979/80 et d'autres sèches 1979/80 à 2005/06 communes à 14 stations. La date de rupture décelée pour la majorité des séries analysées se situe entre la fin des années 1970 et le milieu des années 1980. En effet, 6 stations sur 17 présentent une régularité du régime pluviométrique. Les 11 stations restantes enregistrent un déficit pluviométrique qui oscille entre 16 et 29 %.
Chezy’s resistance coefficient in a horseshoe-shaped tunnel
Authors: Loukam Imed , Achour Bachir , Djeddou Messaoud
Published: June 2020

The calculation of Chezy’s resistance coefficient (CRC) is typically not provided a priori in a design problem, and its value is often selected subjectively from the literature in most open channels and conduits for the uniform flow. The evaluation of this coefficient is crucial to channel design and for computing its normal depth. The primary purpose of this research study is to revisit the mathematical formulation for the resistance coefficient. A general explicit relation of the resistance coefficient in turbulent flow is set with different geometric profiles of conduits and channels, mainly the horseshoe-shaped tunnel using the rough model method (RMM). CRC is firmly based on the internal walls' absolute roughness of the channel, the liquid kinematic viscosity, the longitudinal slope, the discharge and the filling rate. Additionally, a simplified method is proposed to determine CRC with a restricted number of variables such as the kinematic viscosity, the absolute roughness, the slope of the conduit, and the discharge. Based on studying the variation of CRC as a function of the filling rate, another explicit expression is provided to compute this coefficient efficiently when its maximum value is reached. To demonstrate how Chezy’s resistance coefficient can be calculated in a horseshoe-shaped tunnel, some examples of calculations are proposed.
Évaluation de la pollution azotée minérale des eaux superficielles de la zone humide Ramsar du lac Fetzara (Nord-Est algérien)
Authors: Boulaksaa Khaoula , Laifa Aziz
Published: June 2020

Par sa taille et sa spécificité, la zone humide Ramsar du lac Fetzara est représentative du type rare de zone humide naturelle de la région méditerranéenne. L’activité agropastorale pratiquée dans sa zone périphérique et les eaux résiduaires des agglomérations urbaines avoisinantes constituent des sources potentielles de pollution de ses eaux par les éléments nutritifs. Cette étude a été menée avec l’objectif d’évaluer la pollution des eaux superficielles de la zone humide du lac Fetzara par l’azote minéral. Par une approche physicochimique spatiotemporelle, les résultats analytiques obtenus montrent que les eaux de cette zone humide ne sont pas polluées par l’ion nitrate, alors que la majorité de ces eaux sont riches en ions nitrites. L’activité agricole qui caractérise cette zone serait la source directe ou indirecte de pollution. En ce qui concerne la contamination en ions ammonium, toutes les stations étudiées présentent une pollution nette avec des valeurs maximales (jusqu’à 20,7 mg∙L-1) dans les stations qui reçoivent des eaux résiduaires urbaines. Les concentrations en azote minéral deviennent considérablement élevées au cours de l’année 2016 et varient spatialement selon la distance d’éloignement de la source de pollution et par rapport à la saison, humide et sèche.
Shear stimulation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 differentially regulates cytoskeletal activity during lymphatic valve maturation
Authors: Norden Pieter R , Sabine Amélie , Wang Ying , Demir Cansaran Saygili , Liu Ting , Petrova Tatiana V , Kume Tsutomu
Published: June 2020

Mutations in the transcription factor FOXC2 are predominately associated with lymphedema. Herein, we demonstrate a key role for related factor FOXC1, in addition to FOXC2, in regulating cytoskeletal activity in lymphatic valves. FOXC1 is induced by laminar, but not oscillatory, shear and inducible, endothelial-specific deletion impaired postnatal lymphatic valve maturation in mice. However, deletion of Foxc2 induced valve degeneration, which is exacerbated in Foxc1; Foxc2 mutants. FOXC1 knockdown (KD) in human lymphatic endothelial cells increased focal adhesions and actin stress fibers whereas FOXC2-KD increased focal adherens and disrupted cell junctions, mediated by increased ROCK activation. ROCK inhibition rescued cytoskeletal or junctional integrity changes induced by inactivation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 invitro and vivo respectively, but only ameliorated valve degeneration in Foxc2 mutants. These results identify both FOXC1 and FOXC2 as mediators of mechanotransduction in the postnatal lymphatic vasculature and posit cytoskeletal signaling as a therapeutic target in lymphatic pathologies.
Predicting geographic location from genetic variation with deep neural networks
Authors: Battey CJ , Ralph Peter L , Kern Andrew D
Published: June 2020

Most organisms are more closely related to nearby than distant members of their species, creating spatial autocorrelations in genetic data. This allows us to predict the location of origin of a genetic sample by comparing it to a set of samples of known geographic origin. Here, we describe a deep learning method, which we call Locator, to accomplish this task faster and more accurately than existing approaches. In simulations, Locator infers sample location to within 4.1 generations of dispersal and runs at least an order of magnitude faster than a recent model-based approach. We leverage Locator’s computational efficiency to predict locations separately in windows across the genome, which allows us to both quantify uncertainty and describe the mosaic ancestry and patterns of geographic mixing that characterize many populations. Applied to whole-genome sequence data from Plasmodium parasites, Anopheles mosquitoes, and global human populations, this approach yields median test errors of 16.9km, 5.7km, and 85km, respectively.
Near-atomic structures of the BBSome reveal the basis for BBSome activation and binding to GPCR cargoes
Authors: Yang Shuang , Bahl Kriti , Chou Hui-Ting , Woodsmith Jonathan , Stelzl Ulrich , Walz Thomas , Nachury Maxence V
Published: June 2020

Dynamic trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) out of cilia is mediated by the BBSome. In concert with its membrane recruitment factor, the small GTPase ARL6/BBS3, the BBSome ferries GPCRs across the transition zone, a diffusion barrier at the base of cilia. Here, we present the near-atomic structures of the BBSome by itself and in complex with ARL6GTP, and we describe the changes in BBSome conformation induced by ARL6GTP binding. Modeling the interactions of the BBSome with membranes and the GPCR Smoothened (SMO) reveals that SMO, and likely also other GPCR cargoes, must release their amphipathic helix 8 from the membrane to be recognized by the BBSome.
Whole-organism behavioral profiling reveals a role for dopamine in state-dependent motor program coupling in C. elegans
Authors: Cermak Nathan , Yu Stephanie K , Clark Rebekah , Huang Yung-Chi , Baskoylu Saba N , Flavell Steven W
Published: June 2020

Animal behaviors are commonly organized into long-lasting states that coordinately impact the generation of diverse motor outputs such as feeding, locomotion, and grooming. However, the neural mechanisms that coordinate these distinct motor programs remain poorly understood. Here, we examine how the distinct motor programs of the nematode C. elegans are coupled together across behavioral states. We describe a new imaging platform that permits automated, simultaneous quantification of each of the main C. elegans motor programs over hours or days. Analysis of these whole-organism behavioral profiles shows that the motor programs coordinately change as animals switch behavioral states. Utilizing genetics, optogenetics, and calcium imaging, we identify a new role for dopamine in coupling locomotion and egg-laying together across states. These results provide new insights into how the diverse motor programs throughout an organism are coordinated and suggest that neuromodulators like dopamine can couple motor circuits together in a state-dependent manner.
Biochemical basis for the regulation of biosynthesis of antiparasitics by bacterial hormones
Authors: Kapoor Iti , Olivares Philip , Nair Satish K
Published: June 2020

Diffusible small molecule microbial hormones drastically alter the expression profiles of antibiotics and other drugs in actinobacteria. For example, avenolide (a butenolide) regulates the production of avermectin, derivatives of which are used in the treatment of river blindness and other parasitic diseases. Butenolides and γ-butyrolactones control the production of pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites by binding to TetR family transcriptional repressors. Here, we describe a concise, 22-step synthetic strategy for the production of avenolide. We present crystal structures of the butenolide receptor AvaR1 in isolation and in complex with avenolide, as well as those of AvaR1 bound to an oligonucleotide derived from its operator. Biochemical studies guided by the co-crystal structures enable the identification of 90 new actinobacteria that may be regulated by butenolides, two of which are experimentally verified. These studies provide a foundation for understanding the regulation of microbial secondary metabolite production, which may be exploited for the discovery and production of novel medicines.
A Global lmmunological Observatory to meet a time of pandemics
Authors: Mina Michael J , Metcalf C Jessica E , McDermott Adrian B , Douek Daniel C , Farrar Jeremy , Grenfell Bryan T
Published: June 2020

SARS-CoV-2 presents an unprecedented international challenge, but it will not be the last such threat. Here, we argue that the world needs to be much better prepared to rapidly detect, define and defeat future pandemics. We propose that a Global Immunological Observatory and associated developments in systems immunology, therapeutics and vaccine design should be at the heart of this enterprise.
Temporal and spatial variability of terrestrial diatoms at the catchment scale: controls on productivity and comparison with other soil algae
Authors: Foets Jasper , Wetzel Carlos E. , Teuling Adriaan J. , Pfister Laurent
Published: June 2020

Terrestrial diatoms are an integral component of the soil microbial community. However, their productivity and how it compares to other algal groups remains poorly known. This lack of knowledge hampers their potential use as environmental markers in various applications. As a way forward, we investigated the seasonal and spatial patterns of diatom assemblages and the role of environmental factors on the soil diatom productivity. We collected soil algal samples in 16 sites across the Attert River basin (Luxembourg) every 4 weeks for a period of 12 months. The algal abundances were then derived from pigment analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Our results indicate that diatom productivity is mainly controlled by factors related to soil moisture availability leading to seasonal patterns, whereas the concentration of green algae remained stable over the course of the study period. Generally, anthropic disturbed habitats contained less living diatom cells than undisturbed habitats. Also, we learned that diatoms can be the dominant algal group at periods of the year with high soil moisture.
Farmers Characteristics in Relation to Soil and Water Conservation: The Case of Yongdeng County, China
Authors: Adingo Samuel , Li Xiaodan , Xue-Lu Liu , Yeboah Frederick Kwame
Published: June 2020

Many soil and water conservation technologies have been promoted and spread to encourage the sustainable use of resources by small-scale farmers, but soil degradation continues intensively. The objective of this study therefore, was to identify the measures of Soil and Water Conservation, the factors that inform the adoption and use Soil and Water Conservation measures and evaluate the limitations to realize and maintain of these conservation practices. This study was done in Yongdeng County which falls under the governance of the city-level prefecture of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province. One hundred farmers were randomly selected. Primary data was obtained through interviews and group discussion with farmers, and agricultural extension workers and field survey. The results revealed that the level of education and farm size did not affect the use of SWC measures. Unlike formal education, membership of the group of farmers was significant and had positive correlation with SWC measures. SWC education and training was significant and had a positive impact on the use of SWC measures. The study found that SWC structures commonly used by farmers in the study area include terraces (30%), contour ploughing (20%) and the use of drains. The agronomic practices commonly used are agroforestry, crop rotation and the use of grass strips. Farmers identified poverty, ignorance and lack of technical advice as the main obstacles to realizing the full potential of soil and water conservation in the area. Poorly laid out soil conservation structures were also accelerating soil erosion. These results show that, in order to ensure adequate soil and water conservation, particular attention must be paid to institutional and economic factors. Also, to encourage farmers’ participation in education and extension training on SWC, it is vital to strengthen the relationship between extension workers and farmers.
Histological Response of Clarias gariepinus to Varying Concentrations of Pharmaceutical Effluents
Authors: Akinpelu Ayandiran T. , Akinloye Ogundiran M. , Olayinka Adewoye S. , Olaniyi Opasola A. , Stephen Olanipekun A. , Oluwaseun Okaseun T.
Published: June 2020

For the past few decades, environmental pollution is considered a major global problem for public health and this problem has continued to impact aquatic environment. Pharmaceutical discharges are major sources of pollution that poses serious threat to aquatic animals like fish, therefore, this work aimed at evaluating the histological architecture of the gill tissues of Clarias gariepinus on exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of pharmaceutical effluents using standard laboratory procedure. The physicochemical characteristics of the pharmaceutical effluent used revealed varied level of deviations from World Health Organization standard for waste discharge into any categories of water bodies. The histological studies of the sectioned gills of the exposed fish showed varied level of histological alterations which are concentrations dependent. The observed histopathological lesions recorded include infiltration of secondary lamellae, inter-lamellae hyper plastic lesion, and oedema, congestion of the blood vessels, epithelial thickening and lifting, and necrosis of various degrees. All the fish held in the control stock showed inappreciable or no histological degradation and their staining patterns and cellular arrangement remained unaffected and this showed that even low concentration of such effluent is enough to induce physiological imbalances in aquatic organisms. The degrees of all these recorded anomalies were concentration dependent. Therefore, indiscriminate disposal of this effluent is detrimental to aquatic community and to combat this, strict compliance of the laws with total vigilance against illegal discharge of effluent should be enacted and enforced.