bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Evaluation of Bacillus siamensis Isolate for its Growth Promoting Potential in Tomato
Authors: Islam Amanul , Kabir Shahinur , Khair Abul 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In quest of prospective rizospheric bacteria of agricultural importance, one of the isolates from bean (Lablab niger Medikus) was identified as Bacillus siamensis based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Study was carried out to evaluate growth promotion of two tomato cultivars, in vitro and in vivo. Experiments conducted for two consecutive years, following seed treatments revealed that the bacterial isolate increased plant height by 14.66‒15.68%, shoot fresh weight by 34.5‒65.09% and root fresh weight by 75.3‒92.48% over the non-treated control. The bacterial strain showed encouraging results for plant growth promotion in pot study and hence may be useful for the growth enhancement of tomato plant.
Responding of Long Green Pepper Plants to Different Sources of Foliar Potassium Fertiliser
Authors: El-Mogy Mohamed M. , Salama Azza M. , Mohamed Hanaa F. Y. , Abdelgawad Karima F. , Abdeldaym Emad A. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of foliar potassium fertiliser relative to morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of hybrid long pepper (Capsicum annuum). Pepper plants were grown in a greenhouse and supplied with three sources of foliar potassium fertilisers, i.e., potassium-humate (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha), potassium sulfate (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha), and potassium chloride (1 g/L = 1,250 g/ha). Water served as control. The impacts of these treatments on the phytosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, leaf carotenoids) and chlorophyll a and b, metabolic compounds and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were measured. The phytosynthetic parameters significantly improved by different foliar potassium application and the highest level of photosynthetic activity was noted in plants supplied with potassium sulfate, followed by potassium-humate and potassium chloride. Plant biomass accumulation, cholorophyll (a and b), and total yield showed larger increases in plants fertilised with potassium sulfate than those fertilised with potassium-humate; smallest increases occurred with potassium chloride. Concentrations of total sugars, carotenoids, chlorophyll (a and b), and endogenous level of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents in plants and fruits were possitively influenced by varying sources of potassium. The fruit color parameters and total soluble solid were also significantly increased with all foliar potassium treatments compared with control. Foliar application of potassium sulfate recorded the highest values and significantly increase all anatomical characters for leaf, stem and fruit of pepper plant.
Comfort Levels and Communication Styles of Sexual Health Educators: An Interdisciplinary Study
Authors: Greenan Kathleen A. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
This study explored sexual health education (SHE) through the lens of public school educators in the United States of America. It examined their comfort levels and the barriers educators faced by asking, “How comfortable are educators when communicating sexual health topics to adolescents for them to build a foundation to become sexually healthy adults?” The qualitative, phenomenological study included 11 public school teachers among three school districts in the State of Indiana. Conducting intimate, face-to-face interviews with participants advanced and expanded interdisciplinary research. Educators shared their beliefs and values regarding SHE instruction and levels of sexuality comfort. Three findings emerged from the data that can contribute to research in the fields of education, public policy, public health, and communication: (1) An inclusive sexual health education program can provide educators with more sexuality comfort, (2) Teacher training and instructional materials relate to an educator’s sexuality comfort level and willingness to communicate SHE, and (3) An educator’s level of sexuality comfort may likely increase if engaged in SHE decision-making policies. At the time of the study, State policies prohibited comprehensive education, although participants preferred a more inclusive approach to teaching, SHE. Additionally, the concept of sexuality comfort (1984) was reconstructed and revised. This study offered an in-depth exploration into a topic - sexual health - that affects all individuals and established a foundation for future qualitative and quantitative studies.
An Evaluation of a Key Innovation: Mobile Learning
Authors: Belle Louis Jinot 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
This paper examines the impact of m-learning as an innovative tool that is still in its infancy in many countries, but that can significantly contribute to effective teaching and learning in the context of the digital age. Based on the theoretical principles of learning, the uses of m-learning are reviewed. To provide complete insights into its potential adoption in higher education institutions in countries such as Mauritius and Nigeria, the various emerging issues such as technical issues, usability issues, content security and copyright issues as well as issues relating to privacy and cyber bullying are discussed. The paper suggests some of the future trends in the adoption of m-learning, but it concluded that it may not be successful due to other challenges that are typical to many countries in Africa. African countries are faced with context-bound and technological constraints that are hindering the leaners of higher education institutions to benefit from the learning advantages that they may get to improve their learning and for the countries to give more access to higher education through the use of open education that may be technologically enhanced.
The Financial and Economic Implications of Underground Economy: The Nigerian Perspective
Authors: Omodero Cordelia Onyinyechi 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The economic and financial effect of underground economy in all emerging countries is of tremendous concern. Sometimes due to the inputs of the sector to economic growth of nations, it is usually assumed that the government has nothing to lose, meanwhile it goes beyond the seemingly economic benefits, but provides an avenue whereby the government has to suffer financial losses through unavoidable and inherent tax evasions. This study evaluates the impact of shadow economy using the transaction approach and the MIMIC approach which helped to determine the size of the shadow economy as a percentage of GDP and the tax revenue losses suffered by the government for a period spanning from 1991 to 2018. Ordinary least squares method is used to examine the impact of tax revenue earned and lost on Nigeria’s GDP. The regression results indicate that tax revenue earned has a significant positive impact on economic growth, while the tax revenue loss has a significant negative influence on GDP. The study finds that underground economy activities do more harm to the government than good and is also detrimental to Nigeria’s economic progress. Therefore the suggestion among others is that the legal activities among them should be formalized and taxed while the unlawful ones should be exterminated.
Monitoring of Educational Programs for the Development of Professional Competencies by Procurement Specialists in Procurement Statistics
Authors: Sergeeva Svetlana A. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Development of professional competence of the procurement specialists in procurement statistics is one of the research priorities in the supply of human resources for procurement. State priorities in the training of personnel ready for efficient professional activity in the ever changing environment are reflected in the content of educational programs. But the lack of uniform requirements for the training of managers, specialists and experts in the field of procurement gives rise to a huge number of problems. Digitalization of procurement, growth of e-commerce requires mandatory introduction of such a component as procurement statistics into the structure of professional competence of customers. But how to determine the necessary amount of knowledge, which statistical tools should be in possession of a graduate of the educational program - these and many other questions remain open. This paper presents the main approaches to the development of professional competencies of procurement specialists in maintaining statistical records of the procurement activities through educational programs based on monitoring of their efficiency.
Printmaking in Nigeria: Its Evolution and Developmental History
Authors: Ijisakin Eyitayo Tolulope 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Despite the prolific and ingenious productivity of the printmakers in Nigeria, the significance of their creative endeavours has not been given adequate attention by scholars of contemporary Nigerian arts. Scholarship on the printmakers has been limited to catalogues of art exhibitions, skimpy art reviews in magazines, and a few sketches on their biographies. This study therefore probes into the evolution of printmaking in Nigeria. This is with a view to obtaining its developmental history and enabling a more nuanced and useful understanding of the ways in which printmaking contributes to contemporary art praxis in Nigeria. Relying on field investigation, data were collected through in-depth interviews of printmakers, art critics, art historians and gallery owners, using oral or interactive formats; and collection of visual media sources. This study justifies the need for a developmental history; it identifies and examines the key actors who pioneered printmaking in Nigeria. It further appraises printmaking in Nigeria through the lens of relevant literature; and examines workshops, training, and techniques of printmaking in Nigeria.
Degradation of Functional Properties of Pseudoelastic NiTi Alloy Under Cyclic Loading: An Experimental Study
Authors: Iasnii Volodymyr , Yasniy Petro 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The influence of the cyclic loading on the functional properties of NiTi was studied. Cylindrical specimens with a diameter of 4 mm and a gage length of 12.5 mm were tested under uniaxial cyclic loading with control crosshead displacement at a temperature of 0°C. The dependences of the stress and strain range as well as dissipation energy on the number of loading cycles at different initial stress range were analysed. During the first 10 loading cycles, a rapid decrease in the strain range and energy dissipation was observed. Dissipation energy was invariant to the loading cycles’ number at N > 20 cycles and to the stress range that did not exceed the martensite finish stress level, was within the same scatter band and can be described by the single dependence. With the stress range growth at N < 20 cycles from 509 to 740 MPa, the value of dissipation energy increases and that of relative dissipation energy decreases. Loss coefficient, which characterises material damping ability, significantly decreases during the first 10 loading cycles and remains practically unchanged up to the failure of the specimens. At the stabilisation area, the loss coefficient is almost non-sensitive towards the stress range.
Ability of Energy Harvesting Mr Damper to Act as a Velocity Sensor in Vibration Control Systems
Authors: Rosół Maciej , Sapiński Bogdan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The study investigates the self-sensing ability in an energy harvesting magnetorheological damper (EHMRD). The device consists of a conventional linear MR damper and an electromagnetic harvester. The objective of the work is to demonstrate that the EHMRD with specific self-powered feature can also serve as a velocity sensor. Main components of the device and design structure are summarized and its operation principle is highlighted. The diagram of the experimental set-up incorporating the measurement and processing unit is provided, the experimental procedure is outlined and data processing is discussed. The self-sensing function is proposed whereby the relative velocity of the EHMRD can be reconstructed from the electromotive force (emf) induced in the harvester coil. To demonstrate the adequacy of the self-sensing action (i.e., the induced emf should agree well with the relative velocity), the proposed self-sensing function is implemented and tested in the embedded system that will be a target control platform. Finally, the test results of the system utilizing a switching control algorithm are provided to demonstrate the potentials of the EHMRD acting as a velocity sensor and to confirm its applicability in semi-active vibration control systems.
Defense manifestations of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in Ricinus communis L. exposed to lead in hydroponics
Authors: Kiran Boda Ravi , Prasad M.N.V. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a major inorganic pollutant with no biological significance and has been a global concern. Phytotoxicity of lead induces toxic effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inhibits most of the cellular processes in plants. Hydro-ponic experiments were performed with Ricinus communis to investigate the toxicity and antioxidant responses by exposing to different concentrations of lead (0, 200 and 400 µM) for 10 days. Pb stress caused a significant increase in electrolyte leakage, non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenols and flavonoids) and a decrease in the elemental profile of the plant. Histochemical visualization clearly indicates the significant increase of H2O2 production in dose-dependent manner under Pb stress. Likewise, an increase in catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity was also evident. Ascorbate peroxidase and MDAR, on the other hand, responded biphasically to Pb treatments showing a decrease in concentration. The decline in redox ratio GSH/GSSG was imposed by the indirect oxidative stress of Pb. Hence these findings showed the ameliorative potential of R. communis to sustain Pb toxicity under oxidative stress.
Corrosion inhibition of iron surfaces with phosphatidic acid
Authors: Al-Badran Ahmed Sameer , Mechler Adam 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Preventing the corrosion of iron in inaccessible structures requires a coating method that reaches all surface areas and creates a uniform protective layer. An ages old practice to protect iron artefacts is to coat them with animal fat, that is, a mixture of lipids. This “method” is accidentally ingenious: some natural phospholipids found in animal fat have the potential to form a tightly packed self-assembled monolayer on metal oxide surfaces, similar to the surfactant monolayers that have attracted increasing attention lately. Thus, the most primitive corrosion prevention method may point at a way to coat complex iron structures in an industrial environment. Here the ability of phosphatidic acid, a natural lipid, to coat and protect iron surfaces was examined. Iron coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors were used for the experiments, to monitor the deposition of the lipid as well as the acidic corrosion (dissolution) of iron in situ, in real time. The sensors were coated by self-assembled monolayers of di-myristoyl phosphatidic acid using the liposome deposition method. In this process, 50-100 nm vesicles formed by the lipid are delivered in an aqueous solution and spontaneously coat the iron surfaces upon contact. QCM and ellipsometry measurements confirmed that continuous bilayer and monolayer surface coatings can be achieved by this method. QCM measurements also confirmed that the layers were corrosion resistant in 0.01M acetic acid solution that would dissolve the thin iron layer in minutes in the absence of the protective coating. XPS results suggested a chemisorption-based mechanism of phosphatidic acid attachment to the iron surface. Hence, liposome deposition of phosphatidic acid offers a suitable solution to coat iron surfaces in inaccessible structures in situ.
Tree ring growth as a response of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) from Rudnik Forest District to climatic factors
Authors: Tomczyk-Kida Monika , Durło Grzegorz B. , Wilczyński Sławomir 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) from the Rudnik Forest District on the selected meteorological elements and to develop a chronology of local tree-ring width and the annual sensitivity.
Based on the analysis, the site chronology of silver fir was developed and the strength of the relationship between the climate components and the width of annual rings was calculated. In addition, we examined the degree of homogeneity of short-term incremental response, rated the representativeness of the chronology and climate signal strength.
Having analysed the indicator years, namely 1932–2013, we concluded that the growth of firs was positively influenced mainly by air temperature in winter, and to a lesser extent, by precipitation in spring and summer. The main factors that limit its growth are cold winters, cool and low rainfall summers, and rainy springs.
Reproduction of silver fir (Abies alba Mill) forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians
Authors: Mohytych Vasyl , Sułkowska Małgorzata , Klisz Marcin 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Existing knowledge of the Ukrainian foresters related to the historical changes and current state of silver fir forests, as well as on the various methods of restoration of such forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians were discussed. Forest cover of fir stands in this region has been diminishing in the last two centuries. Only in the period from 1947 to 1956, the area of fir stands in Ukrainian Carpathians decreased by 38.8%. Currently, the restoration of fir stands in these areas are crucial for Ukrainian forestry. Therefore, the natural as well as artificial regeneration using seeds obtained from seed orchards are currently used. Thus, improving the forest stands’ conditions mostly composed of single-spruce plantations need to be improved through changing the species compositions. However, the restoration of fir stands is time and labour-intensive, and require a long-term strategy.
Empathy or Empathies? Uncertainties in the Interdisciplinary Discussion
Authors: Pinotti Andrea , Salgaro Massimo 
Published: July 2019

Summary
The term empathy has become a linguistic commonplace in everyday communication as well as in interdisciplinary research. The results of the research questions, raised in the last hundred (and more) years, coming from different areas, such as aesthetics, psychology, neurosciences and literary theory, lack in fact a clear concept of empathy. Not surprisingly, a recent paper has identified up to 43 distinct definitions of empathy in academic publications. By reconstructing the main research lines on empathy, our paper highlights the reasons for this conceptual inadequacy and the deficiencies in the theorization of empathy that create misleading interpretations thereof. Along the line connecting Plato’s insights on empathic experiences to the present neuroscientific experiments, a broad spectrum of issues is deployed for which “empathy” functions as an umbrella term covering a net of categorical relationships – projection, transfer, association, expression, animation, anthropomorphization, vivification, fusion, and sympathy – that only partially overlap. Our paper therefore recommends that “empathy” should not be assumed as a self-evident notion but instead preliminarily clarified in its definition every time we decide to have recourse to it.
Analysis and Modeling of Energy Demand System in Iran’s Buildings and the Industry
Authors: Emami Seyed Morteza , Ravanshadnia Mehdi , Rahimi Mahmood 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In this study, the demand of the Iran’s energy carriers is analyzed and modeled for the country’s largest consumer, buildings and related industries, in the status quo and future perspective. To this objective, the building sector is divided into two sections: household section (residential buildings) and services (business-office and service buildings) according to the ISIC classification that each of these sections is divided into sub-sections. In addition, building-related industries include some non-metallic minerals and basic metals industries. Regarding to scenario-based energy planning helps to increase the understanding of different probabilities in the future. The future outlook for the system is modeled with the horizon of 2035 with the LEAP modeling tool in the “reference” scenario, indicating the sustainability of the existing energy system in the future. The results of modeling indicate an increasing demand for energy as expected that energy demand carriers in buildings and related industries from 559.8 million barrels in 2014 reach up to 1040.6 million barrels of crude oil equivalents in 2035. Therefore, in order to reduce energy consumption, solutions are modeled and analyzed according to the scenarios for “Improvement of energy consumption in buildings and related industries”, then the greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental effects are investigated.
Assessment of physicochemical and bacteriological groundwater quality in irrigated Triffa Plain, North-East of Morocco
Authors: Kadaoui Mohammed , Bouali Abderrahime , Arabi Mourad 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The physicochemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater was assessed to show the impact of the agriculture and human activities in the Triffa Plain located in North-East of Morocco. The current levels of contamination of the groundwater were estimated by analysing electrical conductivity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, orthophosphate, and indicators of faecal pollution content.
Water samples from 55 locations were collected during two period of time, the wet and the dry season of the year 2016. Result obtained indicated that most samples are highly contaminated. The electrical conductivity varied from 800 to 9 100 μS∙cm−1. Nitrate levels ranged from 25 to 216 mg·dm−3, with 78% of samples exceeding the critical level value set at 50 mg·dm−3. Nitrate concentrations are slightly higher during the wet period in 73% of studied cases. Nitrite rarely exceeded the normal rate fixed by World Health Organization and reached 0.90 mg·dm−3. Ammonia and orthophosphate contents do not exceed these norms.
The study revealed a wide contamination of groundwater by microbial agents such as, total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci, with content ranged from 0 to 14 000, 0 to 5 000 and 0 to 5 000 CFU·(100 cm3)−1 respectively, confirming the impact of septic tanks, wastewater discharge into rivers without treatment, and the use of animal waste on the ground water vulnerability.
Samplings and measurements were carried out according to the international standard ISO 13395, ISO 11732 and ISO 15681-2 for chemical compounds and ISO 9308-1 and ISO 7899-2 for microbiological numerations.