bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farmers’ perceptions of organic agriculture in southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bader Alhafi Alotaibi 
Published: June 2020

The study assessed farmers' perception of organic agriculture and level of knowledge regarding organic farming practices. The study involved a random sample of farmers from the governorate. The farmers’ perceptions regarding organic agriculture were slightly positive, although they had a low level of knowledge about organic farming practices. More than half of the farmers had insufficient knowledge about practicing organic farming. Farmers who practiced organic farming had networks with other farmers, sourced of information, and had training in organic agriculture were more likely to have greater perception of the importance of organic agriculture. Similarly, farmers educated beyond high school and younger than 40 years were more positive about organic farming than other farmers. Understanding farmers’ perceptions of the subject will prepare extension agents to develop better programmes in organic agriculture practices. Extension agents and policymakers should concentrate on these factors in developing training programmes for farmers.
Keywords: organic agriculture, farmers' perceptions, extension, Saudi Arabia
Participation of stakeholders in aquaculture value chain of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in Nigeria
Authors: Omeje Julus E. , Achike Anthonia I. , Arene Chukwuemeka J. , Ifejika Philip I. , Ifejika L.I. 
Published: June 2020

The study assessed stakeholder participation in the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme in aquaculture value chain of the Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria. A two stage sampling procedure was used to select 294 value chain actors across 20 communities. Also, Pie charts, logistic regression analysis, 3 point Likert-type scale rating technique and strategic decision matrix were used to analyse primary data. The determinants of participation in the programme were marital status, extension visits, membership of an association and experience. Furthermore, there were moderate financial requirements (need for loan and equipment) in feed milling ( x̄ =2.23), fish processing ( x̄ =2.30) and wholesale marketing ( x̄ ==2.2), while the financial requirement in table-size fish farming was high ( x̄ =2.59). There were moderate development potentials (impacts on income, employment, poverty reduction and food security) in feed milling ( x̄ =2.33), fish processing ( x̄ =2.32) and wholesale marketing ( x̄ =1.99), while the development potential of table-size fish farming was high ( x̄ =2.55). Future interventions in the value chain should make necessary provisions for the financial needs of each value chain with the adoption of backwardforward integration of women and youths in the value chain.
Keywords: WAAPP, aquaculture, feed milling, fish processing, wholesale marketing
Characteristics of shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayanfunke Tijani Sarafat , Kabiru Sanusi Mohammed 
Published: June 2020

The study examined the characteristics of Shea Butter processing and factors associated with the output in Niger states, Nigeria. Two stage sampling procedure was used to select 315 respondents. Interview schedule was used in data collection. Data collected were analysed with percentages, Chisquare, the Pearson Product Moment Coefficient (PPMC) and simple regression model at α 0.05. The result revealed that the majority (80.6%) of the respondents used semi-mechanised method in processing Shea butter. The average unit price of Shea butter was ₦476.07K per Kilogramme, while the average income was ₦439,650.37K per annum. Processors had low level of accessibility to modern processing technologies (66.2%) and more than half (64.8%) of the processors were producing at low level. Lack of credit facilities and high cost of processing equipment were identified as severe constraint to Shea butter processing. There were significant relationship between level of education (χ²=11.18, p≤0.05), level of engagement (χ²=8.71, p≤0.05), income (r=0.819, p≤0.05) and accessibility to modern Shea butter processing technologies (r=0.164, p≤0.05) with level of Shea butter processing output. The major determinants of Shea butter processing output were income, household size, unit price and accessibility to modern processing technologies. Financial institutions should provide soft loans to Shea butter processors to acquire inputs and equipment. Similarly, government agencies should provide Shea butter processing equipment to the processors to improve access to the technologies that could lead to increase Shea butter production in Niger state.
Keywords: Shea butter processing, determinants of processing output, technology accessibility and processors
Effect of Phyisco-chemical Parameters on the Thermal Diffusivity and Soil Heat Flux over Ayadi, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Adedayo K. D. Adedayo 
Published: June 2020

This study assesses the effect of some soil physical properties on the thermal diffusivity and soil heat flux over Ayadi in Ondo State, Nigeria. Physical properties of the soil at different depths were determined using laboratory techniques. In-situ measurement of air temperature and surface soil temperature were carried out. The phase lag method was used to determine the thermal diffusivity of the soil, while the subsoil heat flux was determined from values obtained for the thermal diffusivity. The result showed that the subsoil heat flux values during the dry season ranged between 0.58 and 52.84 W/m2, while that of the wet season ranged between -0.77 and 98.50 W/m2. The average thermal diffusivity values at the different depths had values between 0.74 × 10-7 and 238.7 × 10-7 m2/s for the dry season, while the wet season had a range of 1.97 × 10-7 to 238.7 × 10-7 m2/s.
Keywords: soil moisture content, air temperature, soil temperature, soil heat flux, thermal diffusivity.
Thermodynamic Prediction of the Free Energy of Mixing and Activities of some Goldbased Binary Liquid Alloys
Authors: Odusote Y.A. , Popoola A.I 
Published: June 2020

The free energy of mixing and activities of gold in selected six Au-based binary liquid Au-Cu, Au-Zn, Au-Pb, Au-Ni, Au-Sn and Al-Au alloys at different working temperatures have been studied using the quasi-chemical approximation model (QCAM). The predicted free enegry of mixing and activities results were compared with available experimental values. The predicted results are in reasonable agreement with reported experimental data and confirms that the model is reliable and, thus should serve as an alternative for the prediction of thermodynamic properties of binary liquid alloys.
Keywords: free energy of mixing, activities, Au, Binary liquid alloys, concentration
Development of Alternating Current (AC) Line Monitoring Device for Power System Management
Authors: Obagade T.A. , Konyeha S.G. 
Published: June 2020

This work presents a study of the effect of imbalance between the supply of and demand of power from the National grid on electrical appliances. In the study, an alternating current (ac) line monitoring device was developed using arduino microcontroller to carry out the investigation. The device is a single system capable of measuring both the main frequency and nominal voltage of electricity supply. The device consists of seven major components: 12 V step-down transformer, half-wave rectifier, attenuator, wave-shaping circuit, arduino microcontroller, Liquid crystal display and micro SD card. The heart of the device is the arduino microcontroller that reads the period of the pulses from the shaping circuit and the output voltage from the scale resistor connected to the attenuator circuit in order to measure the levels frequency and voltage of the ac main source. By graphically compared the reading of the voltage obtained by the ac monitoring device with that of the standard Mastech voltmeter, it was shown that the device has a good correlation with the standard voltmeter with a deviation of ±0.21%, and this has proven that the device is capable of measuring ac voltage accurately. From the frequency test level results, it was found that the frequency measured by the device closely related to the frequency measured by the standard frequency meter. This shows that the device satisfied the requirement of the overall design. Hence, it can be used in the laboratory for demonstration and research purposes as well as in power plant industries.
Keywords: Mains frequency, nominal voltage, half-wave rectifier, attenuator, wave-shaping circuit, Arduino microcontroller
Chaotic assessment of the key performance indicators for a GSM Network congestion in an election period in Nigeria
Authors: Adelakun A.O. , Lawal B.Y. , Adekoya M.A. , Ukhurebo K.E. 
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the chaos-based assessment of the Key performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Cellular network congestion during and after 2011 People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election in Eagle Square within Abuja and its environs. Chaotic quantifiers such as average mutual information, Lyapunov exponents and specific attenuation were employed to study the congestion rate or dynamical state of the network. The chaotic assessment of the Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA) data services provided by MTN network using KPIs are reported. The data retrieved from the three Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) were used to analyse the performance of the network. The results revealed the state of dynamical behaviour of the congestion during the study period.
Keywords: Key performance Indicators (KPIs); Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA); Global System of Mobile communication (GSM); Base Transceiver Station (BTS); Chaotic Quantifiers
Meteorological parameter anomalies and anomalous radio propagation over Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel I. , Adedayo K.D. , Adeyemi B. , Ojo O.S. 
Published: June 2020

Distribution and variation of anomalous radio propagation, temperature and relative humidity anomalies were obtained and analyzed using six years (2010-2015) Era interim data. Seasonal spatial distribution of refractivity gradient and its components were analyzed. The result showed that about 90% of wet component contributed to the variation of refractivity gradient. Highest range of refractivity gradients and its wet components were obtained during the wet season. The result of correlation between ducting occurrence and temperature showed strong negative correlation except in Lagos where positive correlation of 3% was observed. However, positive correlation which ranges between 39% and 70% exist between duct occurrence and relative humidity except in Lagos in Nigeria. Refractivity gradients, relative humidity anomaly and temperature experience a monthly variation. These variations can be attributed to the seasonal movement of inter-tropical discontinuity (ITD) across Nigeria.
Keywords: anomalous, anomaly, correlation, ITD
Internal Microclimate: Cumulative Exergy Consumption in a Sandcrete and a Burnt Brick- Walled Structure
Authors: Ibrahim A.A. , Adedeji A.A. 
Published: June 2020

Current practices of planning and designing of buildings in Nigeria do not consider the thermal comfort, the building energy and exergy demand. There is a need for better understanding of exergy analysis to improve the quality match between building energy demand and supply. The aim of this study is to estimate the exergy consumption value for a hollow sandcrete and a burnt brick-walled structure in a tropical sub-region. The properties of the building were assessed, eQuest software was used to estimate the energy demand of the respective buildings and the exergy analysis was conducted using the exergetic factor of electricity. The cumulative exergy consumptions of the existing sandcrete-walled building, the modelled sandcrete and the burnt brick-walled building were found to be 246,074.4 MJ/year, 128,646 MJ/year, and 128,595.6 MJ/year respectively. The modelled sandcrete-walled building, as well as the burnt brick-walled building, were found to be 48% more energy efficient than the existingbuilding as a result of improving the airtightness of the building, reducing the solar heat gain, and utilizing extremely efficient systems. However, the exergy analysis suggested that the hollow burnt brick-walled building perform better than the hollow sandcrete-walled building.
Keywords: Building, electricity, energy, eQuest, exergy, sandcrete.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics Investigations on Corrosion Inhibiting Properties of Coffee Husks Extract on Mild Steel in Acidic Medium
Authors: Kalisa Nyirimbibi Daniela , Muhizi Theonestea , Niyotwizera Jean Jacques Yvesa , Barutwanayo Jean Baptistea , Nkuranga Jean Boscoa 
Published: June 2020

In this study, the use of green corrosion inhibitors extracted from coffee husks was investigated on mild steel materials in acidic medium. Phenolic compounds from coffee husks were extracted using acetone solvent, characterised and investigated for their corrosion inhibiting properties. The FTIR and 1H-NMR technique were carried out to characterise the present phenolic compounds extracted from purified coffee husks. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of phenolic compounds from coffee husks extract on mild steel in 1.0 M HCl was evaluated by using weight loss method. The obtained results showed that corrosion rates decreased with the increase of inhibitor concentration, temperature and immersion time. The optimum inhibition efficiency of 86.5% at 25 ºC was obtained with a concentration of 400 mg/L (400 ppm) of coffee husks extract in two hours of experiment. The observed inhibition efficiency was attributed to the physical adsorption mechanism of phenolic compounds on mild steel surface through charged ion formation from protonation of lone pairs of oxygen in phenol or ionic dissociation of carboxylic acid functional group that formed a charged layer over mild steel surface. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the adsorption process obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model at all investigated temperatures between 25 and 40 ºC.
Keywords: Corrosion inhibitor, phenolic compounds, coffee husks extract, mild steel, adsorption
Heavy air pollution with a unique “non-stagnant” atmospheric boundary layer in the Yangtze River middle basin aggravated by regional transport of PM2.5 over China
Authors: Yu Chao , Zhao Tianliang , Bai Yongqing , Zhang Lei , Kong Shaofei , Yu Xingna , He Jinhai , Cui Chunguang , Yang Jie , You Yinchang , Ma Guoxu , Wu Ming , Chang Jiacheng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The regional transport of air pollutants, controlled by emission
sources and meteorological factors, results in a complex source–receptor
relationship of air pollution change. Wuhan, a metropolis in the Yangtze
River middle basin (YRMB) of central China, experienced heavy air pollution
characterized by hourly PM2.5 concentrations reaching 471.1 µg m−3 in January 2016. To investigate the regional transport of
PM2.5 over central eastern China (CEC) and the meteorological impact on
wintertime air pollution in the YRMB area, observed meteorological and other
relevant environmental data from January 2016 were analyzed. Our analysis
presented noteworthy cases of heavy PM2.5 pollution in the YRMB area
with unique “non-stagnant” meteorological conditions of strong northerly
winds, no temperature inversion, and additional unstable structures in the
atmospheric boundary layer. This unique set of conditions differed from the
stagnant meteorological conditions characterized by near-surface weak winds,
air temperature inversion, and stable structure in the boundary layer that
are typically observed in heavy air pollution over most regions in China.
The regional transport of PM2.5 over CEC aggravated PM2.5 levels,
thus creating heavy air pollution in the YRMB area. This demonstrates a
source–receptor relationship between the originating air pollution regions
in CEC and the receiving YRMB region. Furthermore, a backward trajectory
simulation using a Flexible Particle dispersion (FLEXPART) Weather Research and
Forecasting (WRF) model to integrate the air pollutant
emission inventory over China was used to explore the patterns of regional
transport of PM2.5 governed by the strong northerly winds in the cold
air activity of the East Asian winter monsoon season. It was estimated that
the regional transport of PM2.5 from non-local air pollutant emissions
contributes more than 65 % of the PM2.5 concentrations to the heavy
air pollution in the YRMB region during the study period, revealing the
importance of the regional transport of air pollutants over China as a
causative factor of heavy air pollution over the YRMB area.
Rediscovering the Brothers Grimm of China: Lin Lan
Authors: Zhang Juwen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe concept of “fairy tale” was introduced to China in the early twentieth century. Subsequently, a wave of collecting and publishing fairy tales, along with other genres of folklore, spread all over China. By the early 1930s, the most influential editor in this folklore collection movement, with more than a thousand tales in multiple volumes, was Lin Lan. The tales were collected from everyday people in rural areas. These tales have demonstrated a continuing interactive history of oral storytelling and written records in Chinese history. By the late 1930s, many of the tales from the Lin Lan series had been introduced to the West. However, at the same time, questions about the actual identity (or identities) of “Lin Lan” and why the Lin Lan phenomenon occurred were never openly mentioned or discussed. Further, Lin Lan is still unknown beyond the Chinese-speaking world. This article revisits the Lin Lan phenomenon, examines the social background, and argues that Lin Lan should be appropriately acknowledged as the “Brothers Grimm of modern China.”
Optimization of fermenters for ethanol production: Residence Time Analysis apllying Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Freire Evelise Roman Corbalan Góis , Seleghim Junior Paulo 
Published: June 2020

A procura por novas formas de garantir combustível para a sociedade é um grande desafio para cientistas. Uma alternativa interessante ao combustível derivado do petróleo é o etanol produzido a partir da cana-de-açúcar. Apesar do Brasil estar em condições de vantagem na produção de etanol, os equipamentos utilizados na usinas sucroalcooleiras, como os fermentadores por exemplo, ainda necessitam de melhorias em sua eficiência. A geometria do tanque do fermentador tem uma grande influência nos parâmetros do escoamento interno, e consequentemente, afetam fortemente as reações químicas envolvidas no processo. Para melhor eficiência do equipamento, é preciso garantir que o mosto permaneça o tempo adequado dentro do tanque para que as reações químicas sejam completadas. Caso permaneça um tempo maior que o exigido, as reações químicas são prejudicadas. Neste estudo, a influência da geometria do tanque do fermentador na distribuição de tempo de residência (DTR) foi avaliada através da simulação computacional da injeção de um traçador no escoamento. Além disso, vinte geometrias foram simuladas através de um processo de otimização univariada. Resultados mostram que o ângulo entre a tubulação de entrada do tanque é o parâmetro geométrico com maior influência no escoamento. A geometria que garante o ângulo de escoamento ideal deve ter 22,5o de ângulo de entrada, combinada com uma altura de 120 cm para a tubulação de saída. Considerando que os fermentadores são utilizados em processamento de alta escala, as melhorias propostas na geometria do fermentador podem aumentar sua eficiência e reduzir impacto ambiental.
Epoxidized corn oil polyol-based composites polyurethane flexible foams, preparation, and characterization
Authors: Silva Simone Adriane , Zawadzki Sônia Faria , Barbosa Ronilson Vasconcelos , Ramos Luiz Pereira 
Published: June 2020

Corn oil is a renewable resource useful for the preparation of polyols used in syntheses of polyurethane. The goal was to synthesize composites flexible foams from corn oil polyol obtained by epoxidation and 4,4’ – methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate) and evaluate their properties. It was used as filler inorganic clay (from up 2 to 5% of silica fume, montmorillonite, and bauxite). The samples were analyzed by DSC, TG, compressive properties and SEM analyses. On DSC analysis was observed the negative temperature of the glass transition for all the samples, and thermally stable up to 200°C. The composites flexible foams showed weakly resistance in the compressive strength and SEM test the specimens exhibited opened cells.
Charles Morin au « Haut-Canada », 1871-1874. Les mémoires d’un charpentier itinérant
Authors: Frenette Yves 
Published: June 2020

La sixième contribution de notre confrère Yves Frenette scrute l’itinéraire ontarien d’un jeune travailleur canadien-français du Québec. Entre 1871 et 1874, Charles Morin séjourna trois fois dans la nouvelle province d’Ontario, qu’il nommait toujours « Haut-Canada », selon l’ancienne appellation officielle en vigueur avant 1841. Ces courts séjours s’inscrivaient dans un parcours sinueux qui, pendant dix-huit ans, compta également des haltes dans plusieurs localités du Québec, en Illinois, en Californie et en Colombie-Britannique, avant l’établissement définitif du charpentier au Minnesota. Par deux fois, au moins, Charles Morin rédigea ses mémoires, rares exemples d’écrits personnels de peu-lettrés qui ont été conservés. Ces documents remarquables sont une fenêtre ouverte sur la réalité et l’imaginaire des milliers de jeunes Canadiens français du xixe siècle qui, comme lui, se déplacèrent, pendant de longues ou de brèves périodes, pour gagner leur vie. Souvent aux prises avec la précarité, ces migrants trouvaient néanmoins quelque sécurité et un réconfort certain auprès de membres de leur parenté, de connaissances et d’autres compatriotes.
Osteopathic Physician Mortality in the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1920
Authors: Watson Ashley , Watson Tyler , Ching Leslie 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The influenza outbreak that occurred during 1918-1920 was a defining moment in the history of the world and osteopathic medicine. Despite the tremendous loss of human life, osteopathic physicians also observed greater success in the treatment of patients with the disease, in contrast with their allopathic counterparts. Osteopathic physicians also succumbed to the deadly influenza effects while treating patients. A list of osteopathic physicians who died of influenza or related complications during the pandemic, obtained from osteopathic journals from that time, is provided, along with the historical context of the pandemic.
Heat shock protein 90 enhances the electron transfer between the FMN and heme cofactors in neuronal nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Zheng Huayu , Li Jinghui , Feng Changjian 
Published: June 2020

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a key regulator of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in vivo. Despite its functional importance, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. Here, purified dimeric human Hsp90α was used to investigate whether (and if so, how) Hsp90 affects the FMN–heme interdomain electron transfer (IET) step in NOS. Hsp90α increases the IET rate for rat neuronal NOS (nNOS) in a dose‐saturable manner, and a single charge‐neutralization mutation at conserved Hsp90 K585 abolishes the effect. The kinetic results with added Ficoll 70, a crowder, further indicate that Hsp90 enhances the FMN–heme IET through specific association with nNOS. The Hsp90‐nNOS docking models provide hints on the putative role of Hsp90 in constraining the available conformational space for the FMN domain motions.