bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resilient and Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Authors: Atkinson Cameron , Curnin Steven , Murphy-Gregory Hannah 
Published: April 2022

Background: Lifeline critical infrastructures are pivotal for the uninterrupted flow of goods and services that are crucial to the functioning of society (Singh, 2021). This review will be the second in a series of four systematic literature reviews examining the resilience and sustainability of critical lifeline infrastructures in Australia, with a focus on the state of Tasmania. The first SLR examined energy infrastructure. The recent passing of the 2021 Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill in Australia, coupled with the lack of a governing document at the state level in Tasmania, necessitates a review to uncover the governance settings, which will aide in increasing the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures, contributing to broader critical lifeline infrastructure resilience, in Tasmania.
Methods/Design: Following the 2015 PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols), the review focuses on scholarly sources that address the governance of water infrastructures. In addition to governance settings, secondary evidence is sought regarding interruptions to water infrastructures; policy problems and solutions; and resilience and sustainability definitions.
Discussion: Findings from this review will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures may be enhanced via deeper knowledge of their governance settings. This research is directed at Tasmanian policy-makers, practitioners, industry specialists, and researchers to inform and enhance their decision-making on this important topic.
Taxonomic revision of the Pheidole megacephala species-group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Malagasy Region
Authors: Salata Sebastian , Fisher Brian L. 
Published: April 2022

Background
The Malagasy Region, one of the top megadiversity regions, hosts one of the highest numbers of endemic and threatened organisms on earth. One of the most spectacular examples of ant radiation on the island has occurred in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole. To this date, there are 135 described Madagascan Pheidole divided into 16 species-groups, and 97% of Malagasy species are endemic to the island. This study is a taxonomic revision of the Pheidole megacephala group, one of only two species-groups comprising a combination of native, endemic taxa and widely distributed introduced species.

Methods
The diversity of the Malagasy members of the megacephala group was assessed via application of qualitative morphological and DNA sequence data. Qualitative, external morphological characteristics (e.g., head shape, gaster sculpture, body colouration) were evaluated in order to create a priori grouping hypotheses, and confirm and improve species delimitation. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene fragments were analyzed to test the putative species previously delimited by morphological analyses.

Results
We recognize three species belonging to the megacephala group: P. megacephala (Fabricius, 1793), P. megatron Fischer & Fisher, 2013 and P. spinosa Forel, 1891 stat. nov. Pheidole spinosa is redescribed and elevated to the species level. The following names are recognized as junior synonyms of P. spinosa: P. megacephala scabrior Forel, 1891 syn. nov., P. picata Forel, 1891 syn. nov., P. picata gietleni Forel, 1905 syn. nov., P. picata bernhardae Emery, 1915 syn. nov., and P. decepticon Fischer & Fisher, 2013 syn. nov. The results are supplemented with an identification key to species for major workers of the megacephala group, high-resolution images for major and minor workers, and comments on the distribution and biology of all Malagasy members of the group. Our study revealed that Pheidole megacephala, a species listed among the 100 worst invasive species worldwide, occurs in both natural and disturbed sites in the Malagasy region. The two remaining members of the megacephala group, most likely endemic to this region, are also present in anthropogenic habitats and often co-occur with P. megacephala. It appears that the Malagasy members of the group are generalists and dominant in anthropogenic habitats. Additionally, we documented the presence of supermajors in colonies of P. spinosa—a phenomenon previously not known for this group.
Impact of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises on Economic Development of Nigeria
Authors: Olaniyi Oladimeji Abeeb , Adekanmbi Adewale Mathew 
Published: April 2022

Nigeria has made it one of its primary goals in recent decades to develop its industrial base through the formation, maintenance and expansion of small and medium scale enterprises in order to achieve economic development. Fiscal incentives, grants, support and aid from bilateral and international agencies, as well as specialized institutions, have all been used to help the SME sector thrive. However, SMEs in Nigeria have not performed creditably and so have not played the crucial and lively role that they should have in the country's economic growth and development. As a result, the government, citizens, operators, practitioners, and organized private sector groups have all expressed concern about the situation. Using time series data set from 1991 to 2020, this study utilized the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) to analyze the impact of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the development of the Nigerian economy. The study found a long-run relationship between small and medium scale enterprise and economic development in Nigeria. Our findings also indicate a unidirectional relationship from gross domestic product to commercial bank loans to SMEs. However, there is no causal relationship between inflation and gross domestic product; interest rate and gross domestic product, while none of the economic growth indicators report a bi-causal relationship. The study hereby recommends that government should assist prospective entrepreneurs to have access to finance and necessary information relating to business opportunities to enable them to reduce their operating costs and be more efficient to meet the market competitions.
Reference Values of Transverse Foramina: A Quantitative Cadaveric Study of the Cervical Segment of the Nigerian Spine
Authors: Omonkheoa Oyakhire Michael , Lucky Omeh Ufuoma , Anthony Osunwoke Emeka 
Published: April 2022

Aim: To evaluate dimensions and provide reference values of transverse foramina of Nigerian Spines.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria between April 2021 and August 2021.
Methodology: Measurements were taken on 57 cervical vertebrae ranging from C2 to C7. The bones were prepared by soil and water maceration. Only fully ossified bones of Nigerian origin were selected and were all free from deformities, evidence of trauma, fractures, osteoporosis.
Results: Mean values of the transverse diameter were as follow; C2=4.76±0.50mm for left and 5.50±0.44mm for right, C3=4.20±0.58mm for left and 5.10±0.69mm for right, C4=5.28±1.07mm for left and 5.38±0.67mm for right, C5= 5.29±0.81mm for left and 5.77±0.76mm for right, C6= are 6.02±0.87mm for left and 6.12±1.36mm for right, C7=14.09±1.73mm for male and 13.81±1.93mm for females
Conclusion: The result of the present work will further the understanding of morphological parameters of cervical spine region of Nigerian population. It will further be important in designing country specific anatomical screw plates, spinal implants.
Investigation of Mathematics Self-report Levels of Secondary School Students in Terms of Various Variables
Authors: Ocak Gürbüz , Zerdali Emine , Boyraz Serkan 
Published: April 2022

Aims: In this study, mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students were examined in terms of gender, grade level and participation in Support and Training Courses (STC) were and the findings and suggestions were provided. For this purpose, the problem of the research consists of the question "Do the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students show a significant difference in terms of some variables?"
Study Design: In the study, since a study was conducted to determine the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students, the general survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was preferred.
Place and Duration of Study: The study population of the research consists of 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade secondary school students in Afyonkarahisar in the 1st semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. While 298 participants were reached, in the preliminary examination of the data obtained from the reached sample, it was seen that 281 data sets were suitable for use.
Methodology: "Personal Information Form" was used to obtain information about the demographic characteristics of secondary school students, and "Mathematics Self-Report Inventory" developed by [5] to determine the levels of mathematics self-report. The descriptive analysis was used to determine self report levels of the participants; and the comparisons in terms of grade, gender and STC participation were made through t-test and ANOVA.
Results: In terms of interest value sub-dimension, it is seen that the general level of the participants is "high" (X=27.66). In terms of usability sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is "high" (X=19.97). In terms of success value sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is in the "high" category (X=24.04). In terms of personal-value sub-dimension, the general level of the participants is in the "medium" category (X=13,73). The scale general score averages of the participants, on the other hand, are at a “high” level (X=85,41).
Conclusion: When the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students and the scores obtained from the whole self-report scale were examined, it was determined that there was no significant difference in terms of the gender variable. There was a significant difference in the mathematics self-report levels of secondary school students in terms of grade levels. It has been determined that this difference is in favor of 5th and 6th grade students.
Comparative Studies on the Physicochemical Characteristics and Lipid Contents of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del) Kernel and Pulp Oils
Authors: Aremu Matthew Olaleke , Andrew Chrysanthus , Oko Odiba John , Odoh Raphael , Zando Caleb , Usman Abdullahi , Akpomie Timothy 
Published: April 2022

Aims: This work is aimed at investigating physicochemical parameters and compositions of fatty acid, phospholipid and sterol of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) kernel and pulp.
Study Design: Balanites aegyptiaca fruit is one of the oldest feed-stocks in Africa of which little or no attention has been given to it. The plant plays a diverse cultural and traditional role in different societies. Therefore, it is very important to explore more about the chemical composition of the kernel and pulp oils of Balanites aegyptiaca; since it is currently attracting considerable research interest as a result of its diverse beneficial properties.
Methodology: The physicochemical parameters, fatty acids, phospholipids and phytosterols of B. aegyptiaca seed and pulp oils have been analyzed and compared with the standards and that of conventional oil for easy assessment of their suitability for nutritional and industrial applications.
Results: The results of some physicochemical parameters of kernel and pulp oils were acid value (26.35 and 15.60 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.82 and 5.90 meq/kg), saponification value (162.40 and 198.60 mg KOH/g), iodine value (55.20 and 142.50 mg of I/100 g), specific gravity (0.93 and 0.92), kinematic viscosity (2.12 and 1.65 St) and refractive index (1.41 and 1.39), respectively. The most concentrated fatty acids were palmitic acid (14.53%) < linoleic acid (35.65%) < oleic acid (38.27%) for the kernel oil while that of pulp oil were linolenic acid (8.21%) < oleic acid (16.80%) < palmitic acid (32.70%) < linoleic acid (33.56%). Arachidic, behenic, lignoceric and myristic acids were all present in small quantities with none of them recording up to 1.0% in either of the samples. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were determined but not detected in both oils. The fatty acid composition of kernel and pulp oils contained a healthy mixture of all the types of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The value of polyunsaturated/saturated index (P/S) which is associated to the impact on human health was higher in the pulp oil (2.47). Phosphatidylcholine had the highest content in both oils that is 75.99 and 25.88 mg/100 g, respectively. The total values of phytosterols for kernel and pulp oils were 85.00 and 9.87 mg/100 g, respectively.
Conclusion: Balanites aegytiaca kernel and pulp oils have the potential to substitute several materials used in manufacturing oil in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, in order to extend usage, these oils should be refined in order to improve the colour and taste.
Determination of Vitamin Contents of Maize (Zea mays L) Produced and Stocked from Rural Conditions in Cote D’ivoire
Authors: Désiré Kouamé , H. M. Biego Godi , Gilles Léonce Niamketchi , Ysidor Konan , Daouda Sidibé 
Published: April 2022

Aims: Maize is prized for its richness in nutrient compounds. Despite its socio-economic importance, maize faces a quality problem that is sometimes very delicate. Indeed, maize during different production, post-harvest processing, storage and transport conditions is exposed to bio-aggressors that can alter the quality of this cereal. With this in mind, this study was conducted to determinate the vitamins contents of maize produced and stored in five maize-producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire.
Study Design: A total of 1 500 samples of maize as grains, epis and spathes were collected at rate of 500 samples by region (Gbêkê, Poro, Hambol, Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo) and sent to the laboratory for analysis of the vitamin contents.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out during March 2016 to January 2017. Then, the analyses of the collected sample took place at the Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Ressources Laboratory of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny’s University, Abidjan.
Methodology: Vitamins determination was carried by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. A total of twelve vitamins were evaluated namely 9 water-soluble vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, choline, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin) and 3 fat-soluble vitamins (β-carotene, vitamin E and K).
Results: Results show a significant difference between vitamins contents of the different maize forms and regions. The mean values ranged from 0.09 ± 0.04 to 557.24 ± 10.97 mg / kg for water-soluble vitamins and from 0.31±0.25 to 4.20±1.00 mg / kg for fat-soluble vitamins. Choline was the most abundant of the water-soluble vitamins while β-carotene and vitamin E were the most abundant of the fat-soluble vitamins. Maize grains and epis had the highest levels of these vitamins all of the regions. Maize spathes samples, especially those from Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo, showed the lowest concentrations.
Conclusion: A significant variability from one region to another can be noticed at level of vitamins regardless the type of maize. Maize vitamin contents seem to be related to maize form (grains, epis, spathes), maize variety, agronomic practices, post-harvest treatments and storage structure.
First Trimester Placental Volume and Uterine Artery Doppler in Pregestational Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Pregnant Women
Authors: Mahmoud Eman Taher , Hagras Ahmed Mahmoud , Zaiton Hossam Abd El-Hafiz , Soliman Ahmed Tawfik Morsi 
Published: April 2022

Background: Pregestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy comprises approximately 13 % of all diabetes in pregnancy, while gestational diabetes i.e. diabetes with onset or first recognition in pregnancy comprises the remaining 87%. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of pregestational diabetes mellitus on placental volume and uterine artery Doppler during the late first trimester of pregnancy compared to non-diabetic pregnant women during the same period of gestation.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 pregnant females from 11 weeks to thirteen 13 weeks gestation. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups: group A included pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus and group B: included non-diabetic pregnant women as a control group. All cases were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations (fasting blood sugar, 2Hrs post-prandial blood sugar, HbA1c and creatinine clearance test) and specific investigations (Mindray DC30 ultrasound and Transabdominal examination).
Results: HbA1c was a positive significant correlation with PI, RI, creatinine clearance and fasting blood sugar, there was a positive significant correlation between fasting blood sugar and PI and RI, there was a positive significant correlation between RI and PI (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Pre-gestational DM does not induce demonstrable alterations in first trimester placental volume, while it induces demonstrable alterations in the first trimester placental development as regards to uterine artery velocimetry Especially PI and RI are significantly increased.
Determinants of Market Channel Choices by Vegetable Farmers in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wanasinghe Piumi , Sachitra Vilani 
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The traditional vegetable supply chain in Sri Lanka is that the majority of farmers are small-scale farmers who have not had the ability or capacity to meet the final customer directly. As a result, more than 90% of the supply and distribution of vegetables is managed by a limited number of private intermediaries. It causes to distribute low profitability for producers and higher prices for consumers. The main aim of the study is to investigate factors that concurrently underpin Sri Lankan vegetable farmers' decision-making and influence their market channel choice.
Methods: Drawing on the prior studies socio-economic, institutional, and marketing factors were selected. The primary data was collected from 150 vegetable farmers in Central province through a structured questionnaire. The cross-tabulation and ordinal regression analysis were utilized to identify the significant factors.
Findings: The cross-tabulation analysis results indicated that there are significant differences in the farmers’ market channel choices in relation to various socio-economic, institutional, and marketing factors. The ordinal regression analysis revealed that socio-economic factors like age, gender, education level, number of family members; institutional factors such as distance to the nearest marketplace, access to market information, farm size; and marketing factors like price offer, network build significantly affect the market channel choices of the farmers.
Implications: This study is useful to identify relationships between these variables and marketing channel choices can be further researched and these relationships can be utilized to enhance the knowledge and practices of farmers about selecting effective market channels.
Originality: The study makes a unique and substantive contribution to the knowledge of vegetable farmers' decision-making about market channel choice in Sri Lanka and theoretically contributes to the role of socio-economic, institutional, and marketing aspects in predicting potential market choices.
Organ‐at‐risk dose prediction using a machine learning algorithm: Clinical validation and treatment planning benefit for lung SBRT
Authors: Brodin N. Patrik , Schulte Leslie , Velten Christian , Martin William , Shen Sydney , Shen Jin , Basavatia Amar , Ohri Nitin , Garg Madhur K. , Carpenter Colin , Tomé Wolfgang A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify the clinical performance of a machine learning (ML) algorithm for organ‐at‐risk (OAR) dose prediction for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and estimate the treatment planning benefit from having upfront access to these dose predictions.MethodsML models were trained using multi‐center data consisting of 209 patients previously treated with lung SBRT. Two prescription levels were investigated, 50 Gy in five fractions and 54 Gy in three fractions. Models were generated using a gradient‐boosted regression tree algorithm using grid searching with fivefold cross‐validation. Twenty patients not included in the training set were used to test OAR dose prediction performance, ten for each prescription. We also performed blinded re‐planning based on OAR dose predictions but without access to clinically delivered plans. Differences between predicted and delivered doses were assessed by root‐mean square deviation (RMSD), and statistical differences between predicted, delivered, and re‐planned doses were evaluated with one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests.ResultsANOVA tests showed no significant differences between predicted, delivered, and replanned OAR doses (all p ≥ 0.36). The RMSD was 2.9, 3.9, 4.3, and 1.7Gy for max dose to the spinal cord, great vessels, heart, and trachea, respectively, for 50 Gy in five fractions. Average improvements of 1.0, 1.4, and 2.0 Gy were seen for spinal cord, esophagus, and trachea max doses in blinded replans compared to clinically delivered plans with 54 Gy in three fractions, and 1.8, 0.7, and 1.5 Gy, respectively, for the esophagus, heart and bronchus max doses with 50 Gy in five fractions. Target coverage was similar with an average PTV V100% of 94.7% for delivered plans compared to 97.3% for blinded re‐plans for 50 Gy in five fractions, and respectively 98.4% versus 99.2% for 54 Gy in three fractions.ConclusionThis study validated ML‐based OAR dose prediction for lung SBRT, showing potential for improved OAR dose sparing and more consistent plan quality using dose predictions for patient‐specific planning guidance.
Passive state estimation for Markov jumping inertial neural networks under fading channels
Authors: Wang Xuelian , Qin Yuqing , Fang Tian , Shi Kaibo , Shen Hao 
Published: April 2022

SummaryThis article studies the issue of passive state estimation for inertial neural networks with Markov jumping parameters and fading channels. To facilitate the state estimator design, inertial neural networks which is initially described by the second‐order form, is converted into a first‐order one via a suitable variable substitution. Additionally, the channel fading problem, which is caused by the long‐distance propagation of the signal in the network environment, is described by Bernoulli sequences. Then, some sufficient criteria are established in view of the Lyapunov theory, which can guarantee that the estimation error system is stochastically stable and achieves the desired passive performance. A solution of the state estimator design problem for Markov jumping inertial neural networks with fading channels is obtained with the help of the criteria. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the effectiveness and validity of the obtained method.