bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency Distributions for Hourly and Daily Clearness Indices
Authors: Ibañez Manuel , Beckman William A. , Klein Sanford A. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The clearness index for hourly and daily radiation is an important parameter in describing solar radiation. Liu and Jordan demonstrated that the monthly average daily clearness index could be used to predict the long-term distribution of daily solar radiation in a month. This paper reviews recent literature on the prediction of hourly and daily frequency distributions and cumulative frequency distributions of clearness indices. Ten years of measured weather data for six cities in the US are used to investigate the nature of the hourly and daily frequency distributions. A second set of ten years of data for six cities is used to verify the predictions. A bi-exponential probability density function is proposed that fits the observed bimodal nature of the data better than existing models. A case is made for the function being universal.
The DISS Project: Direct Steam Generation in Parabolic Troughs — Operation and Maintenance Experience — Update on Project Status
Authors: Zarza Eduardo , Valenzuela Loreto , León Javier , Weyers H.-Dieter , Eickhoff Martin , Eck Markus , Hennecke Klaus 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The DISS (DIrect Solar Steam) project is a complete R+TD program aimed at developing a new generation of solar thermal power plants with direct steam generation (DSG) in the absorber tubes of parabolic trough collectors. During the first phase of the project (1996–1998), a life-size test facility was implemented at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA) to investigate under real solar conditions the basic DSG processes and evaluate the open technical questions concerning this new technology. This paper updates DISS project status and explains O&M-related experience (e.g. main problems faced and solutions applied) with the PSA DISS test facility since January 1999.
Solar Production of Aluminum by Direct Reduction: Preliminary Results for Two Processes
Authors: Murray Jean P. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The production of aluminum or silicon by reduction of their oxides with carbon is a technical challenge. The temperature required, in the range 2100–2300 °C, is too high for practical process heat addition from a combustion source alone. When an electrothermal process is used, only about a third of the energy contained in the fuel used to generate electricity enters the process. Thus, for materials produced electrolytically or in an electric furnace, the energy cost dominates the cost of the final product. By contrast, highly-concentrated solar energy is capable of supplying large amounts of process heat at very high temperatures, and may have real advantages for metals reduction processes. An arc introduces too much energy to the reaction zone. In the case of aluminum, the metal floats and it short circuits the arc. Ideally, the heat would enter at the bottom or side of a reactor, which could be achieved with solar process heat. Among industries, the primary aluminum industry is a major consumer of electricity. It uses about 10% of the electricity generated globally for industrial purposes, and about half comes from coal-fired generation stations. This represents about 5% of the electricity generated for all sectors. A solar-thermal process would drastically reduce the emission of climate-altering gases, reduce the reliance on electricity, and might be a critical factor in making a direct thermal route from the ore to metal possible. Two industrially-developed processes appear to be attractive candidates for a solar process. Preliminary tests have been performed using a black-body cavity receiver placed at the focus of the Paul Scherrer Institute’s 70kW tracking parabolic concentrator, and though the experiment had to be ended earlier than planned, a small amount of 61/37 weight percent Al/Si alloy was formed, and the partially reacted pellets showed conversion to Al4C3 and SiC. Further qualitative tests have been performed using the facilities at Odeillo in a 2 kW solar furnace, where the onset of production of both aluminum by direct carbothermal reduction, and Al-Si alloy via carbothermal reduction of a mixture of alumina, silica and carbon could be directly observed.
Facilitators and barriers to the self-management of COPD: a qualitative study from rural Nepal
Authors: Yadav Uday Narayan , Lloyd Jane , Hosseinzadeh Hassan , Baral Kedar Prasad , Dahal Sagar , Bhatta Narendra , Harris Mark Fort 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo understand the facilitators and barriers to the self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rural Nepal.SettingsCommunity and primary care centres in rural Nepal.ParticipantsA total of 14 participants (10 people with COPD and 4 health care providers) were interviewed.Primary and secondary outcome measure(s)People with COPD and healthcare provider’s experience of COPD self-management in rural Nepal.ResultsFacilitators and barriers affecting COPD self-management in Nepal operated at the patient-family, community and service provider levels. People with COPD were found to have a limited understanding of COPD and medications. Some participants reported receiving inadequate family support and described poor emotional health. At the community level, widespread use of complementary and alternative treatment was found to be driven by social networks and was used instead of western medicine. There were limited quality controls in place to monitor the safe use of alternative treatment. While a number of service level factors were identified by all participants, the pertinent concerns were the levels of trust and respect between doctors and their patients. Service level factors included patients’ demands for doctor time and attention, limited confidence of people with COPD in communicating confidently and openly with their doctor, limited skills and expertise of the doctors in promoting behavioural change, frustration with doctors prescribing too many medicines and the length of time to diagnose the disease. These service level factors were underpinned by resource constraints operating in rural areas. These included inadequate infrastructure and resources, limited skills of primary level providers and lack of educational materials for COPD.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest the need for a more integrated model of care with multiple strategies targeting all three levels in order to improve the self-management practices among people with COPD.
Psychometric properties of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement among Chinese women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Na , Li Ping , Wang Jie , Chen Dan-dan , Sun Wei-jia , Guo Ping-ping , Zhang Xue-hui , Zhang Wei 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo perform the cross-cultural adaption of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement (BCAM) and to test its psychometric properties among Chinese women.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.SettingsThis study was conducted in communities, schools and institutions in Changchun, Jilin Province, China.ParticipantsA total of 328 women voluntarily participated in and completed the Chinese version of the BCAM (C-BCAM), resulting in an effective response rate of 91.1%.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPsychometric properties, including item analysis (the extreme group comparison and item-total correlations), content validity (item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index (S-CVI)), construct validity (exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α and test–retest reliability), were measured.ResultsThe C-BCAM has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.90), with alpha coefficients of 0.88, 0.84 and 0.94 for its three domains. The test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.72. The I-CVI ranged from 0.86 to 1.00, and the S-CVI was 0.92. CFA showed that the three-factor model explained 51.56% of the total variance, with a good model fit (likelihood ratio χ2/df=1.86, incremental fit index=0.94, comparative fit index=0.94, goodness-of-fit index=0.84, adjusted goodness-of-fit index=0.80, standardised root mean square error of approximation=0.06 and root mean square residual=0.05).ConclusionsThe C-BCAM has satisfactory validity and reliability and is a culturally appropriate and reliable tool for evaluating breast cancer awareness among Chinese women. This reliable instrument can help researchers and health professionals evaluate women’s knowledge about the symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer and identify their barriers to seeking medical help. It also helps healthcare providers identify women with poor breast cancer awareness and encourage them to perform screening practice.
Optically tunable terahertz-band interference fringe shift based on indium oxide
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Liu Bin , Liu Dandan , Ji Hongyu , Shen Jingling , Zhang Bo 
Published: March 2020

An optically tunable terahertz (THz)-band shift in interference fringes based on an indium oxide structure was investigated. An interference phenomenon formed by the combination of partial-through measurements with a shift in the periodic peaks in a THz time-domain spectroscopy system was reported. When the THz beam passes through the edge of the material sample, equally spaced interference fringes are obtained in the frequency domain and these interference fringes can be varied using a 450 nm external continuous-wave laser. The peak of the THz interference fringe shifts by almost half a period. This work offers the ability to observe THz-band interference fringes in the frequency domain and shows that these interference fringes change with variations in the intensity of the applied excitation light.
The Origins and Evolution of Sufi Communities in South Asia Revisited
Authors: Auer Blain 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This article offers a reevaluation of studies on the origins of Sufism in South Asia. Generally, scholars have pointed to the thirteenth century as the genesis of Sufi orders in Northern India. However, this period supplies no textual evidence to support this claim. The vague picture of the thirteenth century is one of individual shaykhs unattached to specific Sufi orders or distinct religious teachings. By contrast, in the fourteenth century there is a wealth of Sufi textual sources available in the genres of malfūẓāt, letters and biographical texts that seek to institutionalize Sufi teachings and create genealogies of learning. Based on textual and archeological sources this author demonstrates that it was during the fourteenth century that we see the development of institutionalized forms of Sufism. Special attention is given to the origins and development of the Chishtiyya lineage of shaykhs during this critical period.
Exceptionality and Colonial-State–Corporate Crimes in the Puerto Rican Fiscal and Economic Crisis
Authors: Atiles Osoria José 
Published: March 2020

A sociolegal analysis of the sources of Puerto Rico’s fiscal and economic crisis points to the use of the colonial state of exception as an economic development policy facilitating the creation of a tax-haven-like economy and normalizing a series of a colonial-state–corporate crimes. The Puerto Rican people need to hold those who generated the crisis accountable both politically and legally. They must continue mobilizing and promoting the repoliticization of recovery efforts by not paying the public debt, taking legal action against financial predators and corrupt politicians, clawing back fees and refusing to pay any additional fees, giving more importance to the human rights of Puerto Ricans than to the rights of bondholders and vulture funds, and initiating a process of decolonization that will allow them to make decisions about their future. Un análisis sociolegal de los orígenes de la crisis fiscal y económica de Puerto Rico apunta al uso del estado de excepción colonial como una política de desarrollo económico que facilita la creación de una economía parecida a un paraíso fiscal y normaliza una serie de crímenes estado-coloniales y corporativos. El pueblo puertorriqueño debe responsabilizar a quienes generaron la crisis, tanto política como legalmente. Deben continuar movilizando y promoviendo la repolitización de los esfuerzos de reactivación al no pagar la deuda pública, emprender acciones legales contra depredadores financieros y políticos corruptos, recuperar tarifas y negarse a pagar tarifas adicionales, dando más importancia a los derechos humanos de los puertorriqueños que a los derechos de los portadores de bonos y fondos buitres, e iniciar un proceso de descolonización que les permita tomar decisiones sobre su futuro.
Training and support for caregivers of people with dementia: The process of culturally adapting the World Health Organization iSupport programme to Portugal
Authors: Teles Soraia , Napolskij Milaydis Sosa , Paúl Constança , Ferreira Ana , Seeher Katrin 
Published: March 2020

Background Informal caregivers of people with dementia often struggle with several stressors, and their mental and physical health can be negatively affected by providing care. iSupport is an online self-help programme designed by the World Health Organization to provide education, skills training, and support to those caregivers. Purpose This paper describes the development of an adapted version of iSupport to the Portuguese culture. We present the adaptation process, methods used and results for the country-specific version. Methods The adaptation of iSupport was operationalised in five steps: needs assessment; content translation by an authorised translator and technical accuracy check by health professionals; cultural adaptation; independent appraisal of contents by an expert panel; and fidelity check by programme authors. Results Findings indicated the adjustments needed in the original iSupport contents. Overall, 323 text excerpts were proposed to adaptation, comprising semantic and conceptual equivalence of expressions, and adjustments to cultural habits, customs, traditions, local resources, and practices. The expert panel identified the need to reformulate definitions, designations, recommendations, and case studies to fine-tune the original contents to local knowledge and practices. Most adaptations were considered to be in line with the core concepts of the original programme. Conclusions iSupport is an innovative tool capturing the attention of several organisations around the world interested in translating, adapting, and using the programme. This paper is the first describing the methodological approach for culturally adapting iSupport, constituting an essential resource for those aiming to replicate the process or culturally adapting evidence-based interventions. Tailoring iSupport to the Portuguese context was critical to accommodate the cultural experiences of the target group as well as the knowledge, theoretical approaches, and practices of local professionals. The European-Portuguese version of iSupport introduces the adjustments needed to implement a useful new intervention programme aimed at minimising the psychological distress of Portuguese caregivers.
Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Heilongjiang and Fujian provinces of China
Authors: Wang Sheng-Nan , Sun Yun , Zhou Huan-Huan , Lu Gang , Qi Meng , Liu Wei-Shi , Zhao Wei 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause enteric infections in a wide range of hosts, including humans. Both are transmitted from animals to humans by direct contact or through contaminated equipment. Bears are frequently found in Chinese zoos as ornamental animals as well as farmed as commercial animals, and are therefore in close contact with zoo- or farm-keepers, but the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in bears is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to provide data on the occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in Asiatic black bears from Heilongjiang and Fujian, China. From May 2015 to December 2017, 218 fresh fecal specimens were collected from captive Asiatic black bears in Heilongjiang (n = 36) and Fujian (n = 182), China. Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi were examined by PCR amplification of the partial small subunit of ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, respectively. C. andersoni-positive isolates were subtyped through PCR analysis of the four minisatellite/microsatellite (MS1, MS2, MS3 and MS16) loci.

Results
The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi were 2.4% (4/218) and 6.4% (14/218), respectively, with 2.8% (1/36) and 22.2% (8/36) in the Heilongjiang Province, and 1.6% (3/182) and 3.3% (6/182) in the Fujian Province. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium species: C. andersoni (n = 3) and a genotype termed Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n = 1). All three identified C. andersoni belonged to the MLST subtype A4, A4, A4, A1. Two known E. bieneusi genotypes D (n = 4) and SC02 (n = 10) were identified, both of which belong to zoonotic Group 1.

Conclusions
This is the first report of C. andersoni and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV in bears. The discovery of the zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi genotype D in bears highlights its significant zoonotic potential and potential threat to human health.
Tuberculosis treatment outcome among patients treated in public primary healthcare facility, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a retrospective study
Authors: Fentie Atalay Mulu , Jorgi Tadesse , Assefa Tamrat 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Despite the availability of effective drugs, tuberculosis remains a major public health problem that predominantly affects low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess tuberculosis treatment outcomes among patients treated at one of the primary health care levels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods
An institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tuberculosis clinic in public primary healthcare facility. The study populations were all patients with tuberculosis who had been completed their treatment course in the center from July 2014 to July 2018. After getting Ethical clearance and permission from the health center, trained data collectors working in the center were recruited. The collected data were checked for completeness every day by the principal investigators. Data were edited, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data while multinomial logistic regression was employed to explore associations among variables of interest, and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results
A total of 352 patients with tuberculosis were included for the study with a median age of 25 years which ranged from 1 to79 year. Most (36.4%) participants were in the age group of 15 to 24 years. The majority (38.8%) of patients had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 11.9% of them were HIV positive and only two had family history of tuberculosis. Regarding treatment outcome, 238(67.6%) completed the treatment, 95(27%) cured and the rest were unsuccessful treatment outcomes 19(5.4%) either died, defaulted or treatment failed. The odds ratio for cured in relation to unsuccessful treatment outcome was found to be significantly higher in HIV negative patients (AOR = 6.1; 95%CI 2.1–13.9) compared with those patients tested positive for HIV. While patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (AOR = 10.5, 95% CI 5.36–16.31) were significantly associated with the odds of having complete treatment cure as compared to patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Similarly being HIV positive and extrapulmonary tuberculosis were predicting factors for unsuccessful treatment compared with their counterparts.

Conclusions
The finding of the present study showed that successful tuberculosis treatment outcome was found to be optimal.
Assessment of riparian zone dynamics and its flood-related implications in Eleyele area of Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Olokeogun Oluwayemisi S. , Ayanlade Ayansina , Popoola Olusola O. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study aims at assessing how riparian zones have been altered through various land use activities and the implications of its capacity to mitigate flood. The study focused mainly on examining the land use/land cover changes within the riparian zone over a period of 20 years. The vulnerability of the riparian zone to flood were analyzed using remote sensing datasets. Flood vulnerability models were created based on the elevation and land cover type. A Euclidean distance (700 m) was created using the shuttle radar topographical mapping (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) of the lake and its riparian zone. The flood attenuation (150 m buffer) and riparian habitat (500 m) zones (areas) within the riparian zone of the lake were then created using the extracted lake boundary. Landsat 7 (for 1999) and 8 (for 2019) covering both zones were classified using the Maximum Likelihood Classification method. The results revealed that the built-up area increased from 2.04 to 4.54 km2 between 1999 and 2019 while water body, grassland, and forest decreased from 0.05 to 0.04 km2, 0.37 to 0.12 km2 and 1.84 to 1.82 km2 over the period of the study. The results further show that about 18.9% of built-up areas were within the very high vulnerability zone of flood as of the year 2019. The results reveal that the riparian area cover is declining in the study area, despite its ecological services in reducing the effect of floods by slowing down runoff, trapping sediments and enhancing infiltration. The pattern of distribution of the land cover classes at different flood vulnerability levels within zones indicates that the more the alteration of both zones’ landscape, the more vulnerable they are to flood. The study concluded that there is a significant level of structural change of the riparian zone which increases its vulnerability level to flooding.