bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A deep learning technique-based automatic monitoring method for experimental urban road inundation
Authors: Han Hao , Hou Jingming , Bai Ganggang , Li Bingyao , Wang Tian , Li Xuan , Gao Xujun , Su Feng , Wang Zhaofeng , Liang Qiuhua , Gong Jiahui 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Reports indicate that high-cost, insecurity, and difficulty in complex environments hinder the traditional urban road inundation monitoring approach. This work proposed an automatic monitoring method for experimental urban road inundation based on the YOLOv2 deep learning framework. The proposed method is an affordable, secure, with high accuracy rates in urban road inundation evaluation. The automatic detection of experimental urban road inundation was carried out under both dry and wet conditions on roads in the study area with a scale of a few m2. The validation average accuracy rate of the model was high with 90.1% inundation detection, while its training average accuracy rate was 96.1%. This indicated that the model has effective performance with high detection accuracy and recognition ability. Besides, the inundated water area of the experimental inundation region and the real road inundation region in the images was computed, showing that the relative errors of the measured area and the computed area were less than 20%. The results indicated that the proposed method can provide reliable inundation area evaluation. Therefore, our findings provide an effective guide in the management of urban floods and urban flood-warning, as well as systematic validation data for hydrologic and hydrodynamic models.
The African Water Vision 2025: its influence on water governance in the development of Africa's water sector, with an emphasis on rural communities in Kenya: a review
Authors: Mutschinski Kristin , Coles Neil A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Reliable and secure water resources for rural communities in Africa continue to be at the forefront of the challenges facing these communities in the last 20 years, particularly for smallholders, agricultural sector productivity, food security and economic development increasingly exacerbated by climate change and rapidly growing urban populations. Addressing these challenges requires well-structured policy in the water sector, to implement commitments and investments effectively, and ultimately ensure the quantity and quality of water supply. The AWV 2025 for Africa was commissioned by the World Water Council in 2000 to create a framework to target these aspects in Africa. We examine the progress towards achieving this vision after two decades, through the initiatives, government policies and water strategies that have been implemented. We take a closer look at the top-down impact of the AWV 2025 in the national context of Kenya and its rural population. While the water sector has evolved since 2000, it remains difficult to meet international standards, both at the continental level and in Kenya. This requires continued efforts to strengthen good governance in the water sector, address the financial challenges associated with the expansion of the infrastructure, and developing decentralized approaches to water supply provision.
Estimation of ecosystem evapotranspiration in aRobinia pseudoacaciaL. plantation with the use of the eddy covariance technique and modeling approaches
Authors: Markos Nikos , Radoglou Kalliopi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractΤhe eddy covariance technique provides reliable ecosystem-level evapotranspiration (ET) measurements. These measurements, when combined with models and satellite products, could offer high spatiotemporal coverage and valuable mechanistic interpretation of the underlying processes. This study address one-year eddy covariance measurements from a Robinia pseudoacacia site in Northern Greece and remote sensing products: we (a) provide a medium-term description of daily ET fluxes for a R. pseudoacacia plantation in a degraded land, (b) assess the contribution of environmental drivers (e.g. net radiation, temperature etc.) on ET and (c) evaluate a simple satellite and meteorological driven model for larger-scale applications, based on the Land Surface Water Index (LSWI) and the FAO approach. R. pseudoacacia was found to have quite high water consumption, especially during leaf expansion. Net radiation and soil water content had the greatest effect on ecosystem evapotranspiration. LSWI was found to be correlated with both soil water content and evapotranspiration. Its use as an index for water limitation in models leads to high accuracy when compared to ET measurements. Our results (a) provide a significant contribution to the assessment of R. pseudoacacia ecophysiology and (b) highlight the potential of accurate ecosystem ET estimation with simple modeling approaches.
Groundwater bacteriological quality assessment: impact of urbanization and agricultural activity
Authors: Ayad Nassim , Haffaressas Yacine , Mouffok Fawzia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Groundwater from boreholes is the major source of bottled water in Algeria. The aim of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of groundwater that serves bottled water production. A total of 73 groundwater boreholes were sampled and analyzed for the required bacteriological parameters. The analysis was performed in accordance to ISO standards methods. There should be no bacteria growth for each bacteriological parameter to qualify the groundwater of good bacteriological quality. The bacteriological analysis highlighted that 37 of the 73 groundwater samples (51%) were of poor bacteriological quality while 36 of them (49%) were of good bacteriological quality. Total coliforms and E. coli were the major sources of contamination with respectively 35 and 24 contaminated samples, followed in order by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enterococci and sulfite reducing anaerobic bacteria spores with respectively 8, 7 and 2 contaminated samples. Bacteriological quality was strongly and negatively correlated with urbanization and/or agricultural activity parameter (r=−0.454). The performed logistic regression model showed that the presence of urbanization or agricultural activity multiplies significantly (P &lt; 0.001) the risk by 7 of being a poor bacteriological quality groundwater. These findings are useful to avoid drill costs and to take the best strategy to protect groundwaters.
Application of central composite design approach for optimization nitrate removal from aqueous solution by immobilizedPseudomonas putida
Authors: El-Sesy Marwa E. , Ibrahim Sabah S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHigh nitrate concentration is a dangerous pollutant in the environment. Immobilization for the optimum denitrifying bacterial strain isolated from collected wastewater samples was suggested for bioremediation of excessive nitrate concentration from aqueous solutions and its denitrification activity under different pH, nitrate concentration, bacterial beads, temperature and sodium alginate concentration conditions was explored. The active isolate was identified as Pseudomonas putida MT364822.1 by 16S rRNA analysis. Nitrate bioremediation process was optimized by applying response surface methodology based on central composite design approach. Nitrate uptake was significantly affected by variables of study (P-value &lt;0.05). Maximum removal of nitrate (91.1%) was achieved at pH 7, nitrate concentration 400 mg/L, immobilized bacterial beads 3.0 g/L, temperature 35 °C and sodium alginate concentration 2.5% as optimal variable values. For application, immobilized P. putida MT364822.1 removed 82.2% of nitrate from raw fish farm effluent. Storage and reusability experiments showed that the immobilized strain stronger and more stable than the pure strain. The results suggested that immobilized P. putida MT364822.1 is a highly promising and suitable microorganism for use in the bio-removal of nitrate, and the central composite design was more effective in optimizing variables to achieve the best nitrate removal efficiency.
Mother tongue disability and socio-cultural development in Nigeria
Authors: Omogho Esiri May 
Published: May 2021

Mother tongue disability refers to some or total inadequacy in one’s native language. It implies a situation where individuals or groups of persons are unable to speak/ write their native language. This is a common phenomenon among Nigerian youths. As a result, research has shown there are over 450 indigenous languages in Nigeria, which may go extinct (Rotimi, 2012; Bankole, 2010). Colonization and the introduction of western civilization had often been blamed for mother tongue disability. However recent happenings indicate that factors such as the fast decreasing value for mother tongue and parental negative attitudes may be more responsible for mother tongue disability. The paper aims at explaining causes and effects of mother tongue disability in Nigeria and its consequences on socio-cultural development in the country. It concludes that the speaking, writing, as well as the understanding of mother tongue is beneficial for social solidarity, peaceful co-existence (without which there cannot be meaningful development), the maintenance of cultural heritage and values, and for the growth of the tourism industry.
Using Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Factors Contributing to the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Tehran: Cohort Study
Authors: Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Alafchi Behnaz , Cheraghi Zahra , Doosti-Irani Amin , Mirmiran Parvin , Khalili Davood , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: May 2021

Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is considered to be among the most common public health problems worldwide.

Objective
We aimed to identify and rank the most important nutritional and nonnutritional factors contributing to the development of MetS using a data-mining method.

Methods
This prospective study was performed on 3048 adults (aged ≥20 years) who participated in the fifth follow-up examination of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, who were followed for 3 years. MetS was defined according to the modified definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III. The importance of variables was obtained by the training set using the random forest model for determining factors with the greatest contribution to developing MetS.

Results
Among the 3048 participants, 701 (22.9%) developed MetS during the study period. The mean age of the participants was 44.3 years (SD 11.8). The total incidence rate of MetS was 229.9 (95% CI 278.6-322.9) per 1000 person-years and the mean follow-up time was 40.5 months (SD 7.3). The incidence of MetS was significantly (P<.001) higher in men than in women (27% vs 20%). Those affected by MetS were older, married, had diabetes, with lower levels of education, and had a higher BMI (P<.001). The percentage of hospitalized patients was higher among those with MetS than among healthy people, although this difference was only statistically significant in women (P=.02). Based on the variable importance and multiple logistic regression analyses, the most important determinants of MetS were identified as history of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 6.3, 95% CI 3.9-10.2, P<.001), BMI (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.2, P<.001), age (OR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.03, P<.001), female gender (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.38-0.63, P<.001), and dietary monounsaturated fatty acid (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, P=.04).

Conclusions
Based on our findings, the incidence rate of MetS was significantly higher in men than in women in Tehran. The most important determinants of MetS were history of diabetes, high BMI, older age, male gender, and low dietary monounsaturated fatty acid intake.
Change in Glycemic Control for Patients Enrolled in a Membership-Based Primary Care Program: Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Lesser Lenard I , Behal Raj 
Published: May 2021

Background
Both primary care practices based on the chronic care model (CCM) and digital therapeutics have been shown to improve the care of patients with diabetes.

Objective
The aim of this observational study was to examine the change in diabetes control for patients enrolled in a membership-based primary care service that is based on the CCM.

Methods
Using a diabetes registry, we analyzed the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (initial HbA1c≥9%). All patients had access to a technology-enhanced primary care practice built on the CCM.

Results
The registry included 621 patients diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes. All patients had at least two HbA1c measurements, with the average time between the first and last measurement of 1.2 years (SD 0.4). The average starting value of HbA1c was 10.7, which decreased to 8.7, corresponding to a reduction of 2.03 (P<.001). Secondary analyses showed statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Conclusions
Patients with initially uncontrolled diabetes who undergo care in a technology-enhanced primary care practice based on the CCM have long-term clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1c.
Association Between Public Opinion and Malaysian Government Communication Strategies About the COVID-19 Crisis: Content Analysis of Image Repair Strategies in Social Media
Authors: Masngut Nasaai , Mohamad Emma 
Published: May 2021

Background
The COVID-19 health crisis has posed an unprecedented challenge for governments worldwide to manage and communicate about the pandemic effectively, while maintaining public trust. Good leadership image in times of a health emergency is paramount to ensure public confidence in governments’ abilities to manage the crisis.

Objective
The aim of this study was to identify types of image repair strategies utilized by the Malaysian government in their communication about COVID-19 in the media and analyze public responses to these messages on social media.

Methods
Content analysis was employed to analyze 120 media statements and 382 comments retrieved from Facebook pages of 2 mainstream newspapers—Berita Harian and The Star. These media statements and comments were collected within a span of 6 weeks prior to and during the first implementation of Movement Control Order by the Malaysian Government. The media statements were analyzed according to Image Repair Theory to categorize strategies employed in government communications related to COVID-19 crisis. Public opinion responses were measured using modified lexicon-based sentiment analysis to categorize positive, negative, and neutral statements.

Results
The Malaysian government employed all 5 Image Repair Theory strategies in their communications in both newspapers. The strategy most utilized was reducing offensiveness (75/120, 62.5%), followed by corrective action (30/120, 25.0%), evading responsibilities (10/120, 8.3%), denial (4/120, 3.3%), and mortification (1/120, 0.8%). This study also found multiple substrategies in government media statements including denial, shifting blame, provocation, defeasibility, accident, good intention, bolstering, minimization, differentiation, transcendence, attacking accuser, resolve problem, prevent recurrence, admit wrongdoing, and apologize. This study also found that 64.7% of public opinion was positive in response to media statements made by the Malaysian government and also revealed a significant positive association (P=.04) between image repair strategies utilized by the Malaysian government and public opinion.

Conclusions
Communication in the media may assist the government in fostering positive support from the public. Suitable image repair strategies could garner positive public responses and help build trust in times of crisis.
Development and Validation of a Mobile Game for Culturally Sensitive Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education in Tanzania: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Malamsha Maria Proches , Sauli Elingarami , Luhanga Edith Talina 
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Globally, 3 out of 20 children experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 years. Educating children about sexual abuse and prevention is an evidence-based strategy that is recommended for ending child sexual abuse. Digital games are increasingly being used to influence healthy behaviors in children and could be an efficient and friendly approach to educating children about sexual abuse prevention. However, little is known on the best way to develop a culturally sensitive game that targets children in Africa—where sexual education is still taboo—that would be engaging, effective, and acceptable to parents and caretakers.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a socioculturally appropriate, mobile-based game for educating young children (&lt;5 years) and parents and caretakers in Tanzania on sexual abuse prevention.

METHODS

HappyToto children’s game was co-designed with 111 parents and caretakers (females: n=58, 52.3%; male: n=53, 47.7%) of children below 18 years of age and 24 child experts in Tanzania through surveys and focus group discussions conducted from March 2020 to April 2020. From these, we derived an overview of topics, sociocultural practices, social environment, and game interface designs that should be considered when designing child sexual abuse prevention (CSAP) education interventions. We also conducted paper prototyping and storyboarding sessions for the game’s interface, storylines, and options. To validate the application’s prototype, 32 parents (females: n=18, 56%; males: n=14, 44%) of children aged 3-5 years and 5 children (females: n=2, 40%; males: n=3, 60%) of the same age group played the game for half an hour on average. The parents undertook a pre-post intervention assessment on confidence and ability to engage in CSAP education conversations, as well as exit surveys on the usability and sociocultural acceptability of the game, while children were quizzed on the topics covered and their enjoyment of the game.

RESULTS

Parents and caregivers showed interest in the developed game during the conducted surveys, and each parent on average navigated through all the parts of the game. The confidence level of parents in talking about CSAP increased from an average of 3.56 (neutral) before using the game to 4.9 (confident) after using the game. The ability scores, calculated based on a range of topics included in CSAP education talks with children, also increased from 5.67 (out of 10) to 8.8 (out of 10) after the game was played. Both confidence level and ability scores were statistically significant (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). All 5 children were interested in the game and enjoyed the game-provided activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The HappyToto game can thus be an effective technology-based intervention for improving the knowledge and skills of parents and children in CSAP education.
Greenhouse Gas Emission from Rice field in Indonesia: Challenge for future research and development
Authors: Ariani Miranti , Haryono Eko , Hanudin Eko 
Published: May 2021

Rice is an essential crop in Indonesia. Any aspects of rice to increase productivity have been well studied and documented; however, there are still lacking well-documented studies on its environmental aspects, including climate change. Many researches might already be conducted, but only a few have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. There is still a lack of robust data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the rice field in Indonesia, factors affecting and the technology on how to reduce it. From the reviewed publications, it was found out that research only conducted under a controlled environmental setting. More research on understanding the controlling factors (e.g., water management, rice cultivar, soil types, and fertilizer) of GHG emission from rice field is still needed. The result will introduce a sustainable farming practice, with low in GHG emissions, high in productivity, simple to apply and generate more income to farmers. This review has identified the gaps for future research and development in Indonesia. The research should meet the need, either national or global strategies. Development of a new farming practice will succeed in the presence of government policies. Therefore an intensive interdisciplinary approach between researcher and other stakeholders should be conducted.
Settlement and bearing capacity of water-saturated soils of foundations of finite width under static impact
Authors: Ter-Martirosyan Zaven G. , Ter-Martirosyan Armen Z. , Othman Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

Introduction. In case of brief exposure to static loads or dynamic loads, in conditions of absence of drainage, distribution of total stresses between the skeleton of soil and pore gas-containing water should be taken in account. The situation of the stress-strain state of the base is further complicated when we consider the degree of water-saturation of soil of the foundation (0.8 < Sr ≤ 1). The aim of the study is to pose and solve problem of the stress-strain state of a water-saturated soil massif, Including settlement and bearing capacity of a water-saturated base of a foundation of finite width, depending on the degree of water saturation of soils, taking into account the linear and nonlinear properties of the skeleton of soil and the compressibility of pore gas-containing water.
Materials and methods. Henckyʼs system of physical equations are used as a calculation model to describe the relationship between deformation and stresses of soil, which takes into account the influence of the average stress on the deformation and strength properties of the soil. This system allows us to represent the linear deformation of the soil as the sum of the volumetric and shear components of the soil of this deformation. In addition allows us too to determine the deformation of the layer of soil, as part of the compressible thickness of the base of foundation with finite width under conditions of free deformations.
Results. Depending on the linear and nonlinear deformation parameters, the settlement can be developed with a damped curve (S – p) and stabilize, and can be developed with a non-damped curve (S – p) and moved to the stage of progressive settlement.
Conclusions. Solutions have been made for cases when the water-saturation of the base soils changes in the range of 0.8 to 1.0. It is shown that the settlement and bearing capacity of a water-saturated base significantly depends on the degree of water saturation of soils.