Adequate Set Research Articles

Enzymatic Adaptation of Bifidobacterium bifidum to Host Glycans, Viewed from Glycoside Hydrolyases and Carbohydrate-Binding Modules.

Certain species of the genus Bifidobacterium represent human symbionts. Many studies have shown that the establishment of symbiosis with such bifidobacterial species confers various beneficial effects on human health. Among the more than ten (sub)species of human gut-associated Bifidobacterium that have significantly varied genetic characteristics at the species level, Bifidobacterium bifidum is unique in that it is found in the intestines of a wide age group, ranging from infants to adults. This species is likely to have adapted to efficiently degrade host-derived carbohydrate chains, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and mucin O-glycans, which enabled the longitudinal colonization of intestines. The ability of this species to assimilate various host glycans can be attributed to the possession of an adequate set of extracellular glycoside hydrolases (GHs). Importantly, the polypeptides of those glycosidases frequently contain carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) with deduced affinities to the target glycans, which is also a distinct characteristic of this species among members of human gut-associated bifidobacteria. This review firstly describes the prevalence and distribution of B. bifidum in the human gut and then explains the enzymatic machinery that B. bifidum has developed for host glycan degradation by referring to the functions of GHs and CBMs. Finally, we show the data of co-culture experiments using host-derived glycans as carbon sources, which underpin the interesting altruistic behavior of this species as a cross-feeder.

Intelligent User Assistance for Automated Data Mining Method Selection

In any data science and analytics project, the task of mapping a domain-specific problem to an adequate set of data mining methods by experts of the field is a crucial step. However, these experts are not always available and data mining novices may be required to perform the task. While there are several research efforts for automated method selection as a means of support, only a few approaches consider the particularities of problems expressed in the natural and domain-specific language of the novice. The study proposes the design of an intelligent assistance system that takes problem descriptions articulated in natural language as an input and offers advice regarding the most suitable class of data mining methods. Following a design science research approach, the paper (i) outlines the problem setting with an exemplary scenario from industrial practice, (ii) derives design requirements, (iii) develops design principles and proposes design features, (iv) develops and implements the IT artifact using several methods such as embeddings, keyword extractions, topic models, and text classifiers, (v) demonstrates and evaluates the implemented prototype based on different classification pipelines, and (vi) discusses the results’ practical and theoretical contributions. The best performing classification pipelines show high accuracies when applied to validation data and are capable of creating a suitable mapping that exceeds the performance of joint novice assessments and simpler means of text mining. The research provides a promising foundation for further enhancements, either as a stand-alone intelligent assistance system or as an add-on to already existing data science and analytics platforms.

Simulating the Linkages Between Economy and Armed Conflict in India With a Long Short‐Term Memory Algorithm

This article analyzes the linkages between the economy and armed conflict in India using annual frequency data for the period 1989–2016, the maximum time period for which consistent data are available for the country. An adequate set of economic indicators was established to fully reflect the economic condition. Long short‐term memory (LSTM), which is a machine‐learning algorithm for time series, was employed to simulate the relationship between the economy and armed conflict events. In addition, LSTM was applied to predict the trend of armed conflict with two strategies: multiyear predictions and yearly predictions. The results show that both strategies can adequately simulate the relationship between the economy and armed conflict, with all simulation accuracies above 90%. The accuracy of the yearly prediction is higher than that of the multiyear prediction. Theoretically, the future state and trend of armed conflict can be predicted with LSTM and future economic data if future economic data can be predicted.

A Robust Adiabatic Model for a Quasi-Steady Prediction of Far-Off Non-Measured Performance in Vaneless Twin-Entry or Dual-Volute Radial Turbines

The current investigation describes in detail a mass flow oriented model for extrapolation of reduced mass flow and adiabatic efficiency of double entry radial inflow turbines under any unequal and partial flow admission conditions. The model is based on a novel approach, which proposes assimilating double entry turbines to two variable geometry turbines (VGTs) using the mass flow ratio ( MFR ) between the two entries as the discriminating parameter. With such an innovative approach, the model can extrapolate performance parameters to non-measured MFR s, blade-to-jet speed ratios, and reduced speeds. Therefore, the model can be used in a quasi-steady method for predicting double entry turbines performance instantaneously. The model was validated against a dataset from two different double entry turbine types: a twin-entry symmetrical turbine and a dual-volute asymmetrical turbine. Both were tested under steady flow conditions. The proposed model showed accurate results and a coherent set of fitting parameters with physical meaning, as discussed in this paper. The obtained parameters showed very similar figures for the aforementioned turbine types, which allows concluding that they are an adequate set of values for initializing the fitting procedure of any type of double entry radial turbine.

Existence and Stability of Periodic Orbits for a Hamiltonian System with Homogeneous Potential of Degree Five

In this paper we consider the autonomous Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom associated to the function $$H=\dfrac{1}{2} (x^2+y^2)+ \frac{1}{2}(p_x^2+ p_y^2)+ V_5(x, y)$$, where $$V_5(x,y)=\Big (\dfrac{A}{5}x^5+Bx^3y^2+\dfrac{C}{5}xy^4\Big )$$ which is related to a homogeneous potential of degree five. We prove the existence of different families of periodic orbits and the type of stability is analyzed through the averaging theory which guarantee the existence of such orbits on adequate sets defined by the parameters A, B, C.

Flow regime and volume fraction identification using nuclear techniques, artificial neural networks and computational fluid dynamics

Knowledge of the flow regime and the volume fraction in multiphase flow is of fundamental importance in predicting the performance of many systems and processes. This study is based on gamma-ray pulse height distribution pattern recognition by means of an artificial neural network. The detection system uses appropriate one narrow beam geometry, comprising a gamma-ray source and a NaI(Tl) detector. The models for annular and stratified flow regimes were developed using MCNPX code, in order to obtain adequate data sets for training and testing of the artificial neural network. Several experiments were carried out in the stratified flow regime to validate the simulated results. Finally, Ansys-CFX was used as computational fluid dynamics software to simulate two different volume fractions, which were modeled and transformed in voxels and transferred to MCNPX code. The use of computational fluid dynamics is of great importance, because it brings the studies closer to the reality. All flow regimes were correctly recognized and the volume fractions were appropriately predicted with relative errors less than 1.1%.

Automated Test Cases and Test Data Generation for Dynamic Structural Testing in Automatic Programming Assessment Using MC/DC

Automatic Programming Assessment (or APA) is known as a method to assist educators in executing automated assessment and grading on students’ programming exercises and assignments. Having to execute dynamic testing in APA, providing an adequate set of test data via a systematic process of test data generation is necessarily essential. Though researches respecting to software testing have proposed various significant methods to realize automated test data generation, it occurs that recent studies of APA rarely utilized these methods. Merely some of the limited studies appeared to resolve this circumstance, yet the focus on realizing test set and test data covering more thorough dynamic-structural testing are still deficient. Thus, we propose a method that utilizes MC/DC coverage criteria to support more thorough automated test data generation for dynamic-structural testing in APA (or is called DyStruc-TDG). In this paper, we reveal the means of deriving and generating test cases and test data for the DyStruc-TDG method and its verification concerning the reliability criteria (or called positive testing) of test data adequacy in programming assessments. This method offers a significant impact on assisting educators dealing with introductory programming courses to derive and generate test cases and test data via APA regardless of having knowledge of designing test cases mainly to execute structural testing. As regards to this, it can effectively reduce the educators’ workload as the process of manual assessments is typically prone to errors and promoting inconsistency in marking and grading.

Genetic Dissection of Bloom Time in Low Chilling Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Using a Multi-Family QTL Approach.

Bloom time in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a highly heritable trait that varies between genotypes and depends on the environmental conditions. Bud-break occurs after chill and heat requirements of each genotype are fulfilled, and dormancy is released. Bloom time is a critical trait for fruit production as matching cultivar adaptation to the growing area is essential for adequate fruit set. Additionally, low chilling cultivars are of interest to extend sweet cherry production to warmer regions, and for the crop adaptation to increasing winter and spring temperatures. The aim of this work is to investigate the genetic control of this trait by analyzing multiple families derived from the low chilling and extra-early flowering local Spanish cultivar ‘Cristobalina’ and other cultivars with higher chilling requirements and medium to late bloom times. Bloom time evaluation in six related sweet cherry populations confirmed a high heritability of this trait, and skewed distribution toward late flowering, revealing possible dominance of the late bloom alleles. SNP genotyping of the six populations (n = 406) resulted in a consensus map of 1269 SNPs. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using the Bayesian approach implemented by FlexQTL™ software revealed two major QTLs on linkage groups 1 and 2 (qP-BT1.1m and qP-BT2.1m) that explained 47.6% of the phenotypic variation. The QTL on linkage group 1 was mapped to a 0.26 Mbp region that overlaps with the DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM) genes. This finding is consistent with peach results that indicate that these genes are major determinants of chilling requirement in Prunus. Haplotype analysis of the linkage group 1 and 2 QTL regions showed that ‘Cristobalina’ was the only cultivar tested that contributed early bloom time alleles for these two QTLs. This work contributes to knowledge of the genetic control of chilling requirement and bloom date and will enable marker-assisted selection for low chilling in sweet cherry breeding programs.

Integrated Assessment of Bioconcentration, Toxicity, and Hazards of Chlorobenzenes in the Aquatic Environment.

The evaluation of bioconcentration, toxicity, and hazard (BTH) of persistent lipophilic organic compounds (LOCs) are generally performed as separate rather than integrated assessments. There are adequate data sets in the literature for chlorobenzenes (CBs) consisting of (a) concentrations in aquatic biota (CB) and water (Cw) in the natural environment, (b) laboratory-derived bioconcentration factors (KB) and field concentration ratios (CR), the field equivalent factor of KB, (c) measured internal lethal concentrations (ILC50) and model estimated ILC50 calculated from KB and lethal concentrations (LC50), and (d) calculated hazard quotients in aquatic biota (HQB) and in water (HQW). However, there have been no integrated studies of those parameter values based on the respective lipid-based parameters (CBL, KBL, CRL, ILC50L, HQBL) performed. This study utilized the lipid-based parameters for CBs; a group of widely occuring, bioaccumulative, and toxic LOCs, and integrated those parameters into a bioconcentration-toxicity-hazard (BTHL) index. The values of the parameters were obtained from selected literature with known lipid contents of the aquatic biota. The results showed that the laboratory derived bioconcentration factors, KBLs, were comparable to the corresponding field based factors, CRLs, and the measured internal lethal concentrations, ILC50L, showed comparable values with the estimated ones. The integrated BTHL index was less than an order of magnitude or moderately acceptable for the assessment of variability, uncertainty, and predictive power of the index. This integrated assessment can be used to support decision making dealing with CBs in specific and LOCs in general, both in regional and global aquatic environments.

Cultural Competency: Integrating an Evidence-Based Course for Increasing Inclusive Practices

PURPOSE: The United States is rapidly becoming more culturally diverse; thus, therapists need to be equipped with an adequate skill set to provide culturally inclusive services. Although educational institutions and continuing education courses provide some form of cultural competency training, there is no standardized approach currently for occupational therapists. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which was used to develop cultural competence among 11 occupational therapy practitioners. The online components included activities to increase knowledge, skills, comfort, awareness, and resources for practice settings. A pre-test/post-test format using the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) was used to gather quantitative information. RESULTS: The outcomes of this study indicate that completion of evidence-based educational modules on cultural competency can increase knowledge, skills, comfort, and awareness for occupational therapy practitioners, providing an impetus for further exploration. The highest percent of change from pre to post survey was in knowledge (150%) related to cultural competence following the completion of the intervention. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Because health care professionals have an ethical responsibility to be culturally competent, this article highlights how advantageous it is for healthcare professionals to complete an online, evidence-based course to increase their self-awareness and awareness of other cultures.

Обліково-аналітичні аспекти формування нефінансової звітності українськими компаніями

Today non-financial reporting is the main tool for managing and informing stakeholders about the level of responsibility. Proper preparation of non-financial statements requires adequate information support and sets particular requirements for the system. The purpose of the article is to investigate the content and structure of non-financial reporting as a tool of as well as to substantiate the importance and directions of forming a system of and environmental in companies to ensure proper preparation of non-financial reporting. Non-financial reports of the six largest companies in Ukraine were selected as the object of study. The content of key standards for non-financial reporting was considered. The analysis of non-financial reports of well-known domestic companies prepared according to GRI standards was performed. Also, advantages and disadvantages in the preparation of the investigated reporting were identified. The performance targets of the responsible activity of the companies were grouped into the following areas: personnel management, interaction with consumers, interaction with society, environmental management, and economy. The economic essence of the concepts of corporate responsibility, socially responsible business, social accounting was disclosed. As an information base for the preparation of non-financial statements, authors propose the system of and environmental which includes and environmental financial accounting, and environmental management accounting, and environmental controlling and and environmental audit. The characteristics of these components were presented and the objects of and environmental were defined. The necessity of using additional subaccounts in the working Accounting chart of accounts and the importance of standardizing non-financial reporting at the national level were emphasized.

Frequency Response-Based Initial Parameter Estimation for SOC of Lithium-Ion Battery

In this paper, we propose a novel parameter initial value estimation method of Lithium-ion battery for state of charge (SOC) estimation by using Local Regression Modeling (LRM) and Vector Fitting (VF). To estimate SOC accurately using nonlinear Extended Kalman Filter(EKF), an adequate set of initial parameters of the battery model are required. Therefore, we apply LRM and VF method to derive the initial parameters and the battery model from a constructed database of frequency response data. In addition, we demonstrate the SOC estimation method using EKF by the determined initial value and model. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is shown via several experimental results.

Korobov's controllability function method applied to finite-time stabilization of the Rössler system via bounded controls

Rössler system has become one of the reference chaotic systems. Its novelty when introduced, being that exhibits a chaotic attractor generated by a simpler set of nonlinear differential equations than Lorenz system. It develops chaotic behaviour for certain values of its parameter triplet. The issue of controlling Rössler system by stabilizing one of its unstable equilibrium points has been previously dealt with in the literature. In this work, control of the Rössler system is stated by considering the synthesis problem. Given a system and one of its equilibrium points, the synthesis problem consists in constructing a bounded positional control such that for any x⁰ belonging to a certain neighborhood of the equilibrium point, the trajectory x(t) initiated in x⁰ arrives at this equilibrium point in finite time. Namely, by using V. I. Korobov’s method, also called the controllability function method, a family of bounded positional controls that solve the synthesis problem for the Rössler system is proposed. We mainly use two ingredients. The first one concerns the general theory of the controllability function The second ingredient is a family of bounded positional controls that was obtained in. Different from previous works on finite-time stabilization we propose an explicit family of bounded controls constructed by taking into account the only nonlinearity of the Rössler system, which is a quadratic function. By using the controllability function method, which is a Lyapunov-type function, the finite time to reach the desired equilibrium point is estimated. This is obtained for an arbitrary given control bound and an adequate set of initial conditions to achieve the control objective is computed. This proposal may also be developed for any controlled system for which its linear part is completely controllable and its corresponding nonlinear part is a lipschitzian function in a neighborhood of the equilibrium point. In turn, this technique may be implemented as a tool for control chaos.

Concept of a System Using a Dynamic SWOT Analysis Network for Fuzzy Control of Risk in Complex Environments

The paper advocates a new concept for risk control that makes up one organic closed loop feedback system, with the following stages: 1) the evaluation of the positive and negative features of situation under investigation through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, 2) the determination of the level of fuzzy risk concealed in this situation (using RISK evaluation), and 3) the proposal of leverage, recommendations, or actions (through LEVERAGE aggregation) enabling the improvement of target performance. Useful fundamental approaches, definitions, and particularities of this concept concerning SWOT, RISK and LEVERAGES are examined, and for the first time the network type called here the fuzzy SWOT map (FSM) is introduced. This newly proposed instrument appeared as a result of a natural extension of fuzzy cognitive maps paradigm enhanced by dynamic computing with words (CWW) elements and possibilities to use the explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in the form of fuzzy inference rules. The concept serves for development of functional organization of control systems of complex and dynamically interacting projects or situations and for implementation of adequate set of tools satisfying the concrete system’s requirements. The results of conceptual modeling and the confirmation of the vitality of the approach are presented based on the simplified example of a risk-control system case covering three interacting projects in a complex environment of city development.

Anisotropic quark stars with an interacting quark equation of state

A deep exploration of the parameter space that relates the interacting equation of state with the bag constant B, and the interaction parameter a, is fundamental for the construction of diverse models of quark stars. In particular, the anisotropy of quark stars with a well-motivated quantum chromodynamics (QCD) equation of state is presented here. The contribution of the fourth order corrections parameter ($\mathrm{a}$) of the QCD perturbation on the radial and tangential pressure generate significant effects on the mass-radius relation and the stability of the quark star. An adequate set of solutions for several values of the bag factor and the interaction parameter are used in order to calculate the relation between the mass, radius, density, compactness, and consequently the maximum masses and the stability. Therefore, while the more interactive quark solution leads to higher masses, the weak interaction among quarks give solutions similar to the widely known MIT bag model.

Assessment of in-service training programme attended by secondary school agricultural science teachers in Kwara Central Senatorial District, Nigeria

The paper training programmes attended by Agricultural Science Teachers in Secondary School in Kwara Central Senatorial District, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the demographic characteristics of the respondents, the in-service training programmes attended by the respondents, the organisers or sponsors of the in-service programme, areas where agricultural science teachers obtained training, constraints to agricultural science teachers’ in-service training programmes and strategies for improving in-service training programmes. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. One hundred and twenty (120) agricultural science teachers were randomly selected from a population of 200 Agricultural Science teachers in 94 senior secondary schools in the study area. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics namely: frequency, percentage and mean. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents were male aged between 29-35 years, had B.Ed. degree and teaching experience between 1—5 years. The in-service programmes attended by agricultural science teachers include seminars and workshops. Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Universities were major organisers of in-service training programmes. Based on the findings, the study recommended that school administrators and relevant government agencies should provide adequate funding or set aside special fund for periodical training and retraining of agricultural science teachers.

Assessment of In-Service Training Programme Attended by Secondary School Agricultural Science Teachers in Kwara Central Senatorial District, Nigeria

The paper examined the in-service training programmes attended by Agricultural Science Teachers in Secondary School in Kwara Central Senatorial District, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the demographic characteristics of the respondents, the in-service training programmes attended by the respondents, the organisers or sponsors of the in-service programme, areas where agricultural science teachers obtained training, constraints to agricultural science teachers ’ in-service training programmes and strategies for improving in-service training programmes. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. One hundred and twenty (120) agricultural science teachers were randomly selected from a population of 200 Agricultural Science teachers in 94 senior secondary schools in the study area. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics namely: frequency, percentage and mean. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents were male aged between 29-35 years, had B.Ed. degree and teaching experience between 1—5 years. The in-service programmes attended by agricultural science teachers include seminars and workshops. Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Universities were major organisers of in-service training programmes. Based on the findings, the study recommended that school administrators and relevant government agencies should provide adequate funding or set aside special fund for periodical training and retraining of agricultural science teachers.

Impacts of Climate Change on Residents of Eti-Osa West and East Local Government Areas, Lagos, Nigeria

Against the background of incessant climate change, this paper examines the causes, impacts, as well as residents’ measures of adaptation to climate change in Etiosa West and East Local Government Lagos State. The study utilizes both primary and secondary sources of data. A total of 222 questionnaires were administered to the respondents using random sampling techniques. Data collected were analyzed using both parametric and non-parametric statistical analytical tools. Likhert scale was used to examine the causes, evidence/impact and mitigation against the impacts of climate change. Also, ANOVA was used to determine the variation of climate change impact across wards in the study area while Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to determine the dependability of residents’ awareness on their level of education. Climate records of Lagos from NIMET were also utilized to examine change in climatic parameters. The study reveals that the most prominent cause of climate change is deforestation (RAI 3.60), while the major impacts of climate change are high rise in sea level (RAI 3.87), fluctuation in the period of rain fall (3.22) and increase in temperature (RAI 3.22). The result of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) reveals fluctuation in rainfall, disappearing of water bodies, temperature increase, extinctions of plants and animals and water scarcity have a coefficient of 0.00, 0.015, 0.034, 0.022 and 0.00 respectively. This implies that the stated effects above are significant and vary across the wards in the study area, . The result of correlation analysis reveals negative correlation with r= -0.135, which implies that residents awareness is not determined by their level of education. It also showed positive low correlation between average annual temperature and years when r=0.342 and between annual Rain rainfall and year r=0.22. The study recommends that residents should provide green space around their building premises, maintain adequate set back and relocate from water fronts before overflow of bank. Government should discourage developments towards the coastline and also embark on planting of trees to serve as buffer zones at coast line region. Keywords: Climate change, measures of adaptation, green space DOI : 10.7176/JEES/9-9-08 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Thoracoscopy in stage 3 empyema thoracis in children – A safe and feasible alternative to thoracotomy

BackgroundEven though the role of thoracoscopy is well defined in Stage 2 empyema thoracis and is very popular, its role in the management of advanced empyema is still unclear. The technical difficulties and the potential complications are the principal reasons for the hesitancy in attempting video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in advanced stages. MethodsWe prospectively studied the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of VATS for decortication in Stage 3 empyema. ResultsIn the 61 cases that we attempted VATS over the last 7 years, we could complete the procedure in 45 patients (73.77%). Four children among them required re-do procedure later for persistent problems. Conversion to thoracotomy was needed in 16 patients (26.23%). The post-operative hospital stay of patients who underwent primary VATS decortication was significantly less when compared to patients requiring conversion (p < 0.0001). ConclusionThoracoscopy is a safe, feasible and effective option even in advanced empyema thoracis and should be offered in centers with adequate expertise and set up. Level of evidenceLevel II.

Providing Innovative Processes in the Economic Development of the Russian Regions

One of the most important demonstrations of the modern economy is the growing importance of innovation. The innovative process, or the process of technological change is a complex concept encompassing the improvement of products, production processes, raw materials as well as management methods. Therefore, the central&nbsp; aim of the research is to analyse the innovative processes that contribute to the development of the state economy. To accomplish the objectives, we carried out the calculations to examine the relations between the cost indicators, modelling, correlation and regression analyses. The particularities of business processes in innovative activities of organisations leads to uneven distribution, specific cost structure in the crisis and the traditional situation of an insignificant share of innovation in the financing process. The study presents mathematic model of innovation activities of an enterprise, based on economic indicators of current operations. The object of the research are industrial enterprises. Since an important segment of business processes in innovation is small innovative companies, our task is to develop a methodology for forecasting the number that would be suitable for them. From the findings of our research, we concluded that the models that had been previously developed were more effective at the micro level. Based on the analysis of the distribution of costs between technological, marketing, organisational innovations by types of innovation and economic activities by building an adequate set of statistical models, we have identified the following particularities: the basic internal (directly dependent) and external (indirectly affecting) factors that affect the selected performance characteristics.