CPI Values Research Articles

Aliphatic hydrocarbons in urban runoff sediments: a case study from the megacity of Tehran, Iran.

Urban runoff is known as an important contributor to diffuse a wide range of pollutants to receiving environments. Hydrocarbons are common contaminants in runoff mainly transported coupled to suspended particles and sediments. The aim of the study was to investigate the distribution and sources of Aliphatics in the sediments of Tehran's runoff drainage network. Thirty surface sediment samples were collected along with three main sub-catchments of Tehran during April 2017. The concentrations of n-Alkanes (nC-11-nC-35) and isoprenoids were determined by GC-MS, and their possible emission sources were evaluated using the biomarkers and the diagnostic ratios. Total aliphatic hydrocarbon (n-alkanes + isoprenoids) concentrations were found in the range of 2.94 to114.7mg.kg-1 dw with the total mean of 25.4mg.kg-1 dw in the whole catchment. The significant concentrations of n-alkanes between n-C20 and n-C24 indicate the predominance of petrogenic origins at all stations. The CPI values range from 0.7 to 3, except the station C1S28 (CPI = 4.2). The CPI values were less than 1.6 at 70% of the stations which indicate the petrogenic nature of the aliphatic origins. Pr/Ph and LMW/HMW ratios ranged from 0.3 to 2.5 and 0.3 to 5.6 confirmed the petrogenic sources as the major origin of Aliphatics in urban runoff sediments. The ratios of n-C17/Pr and n-C18/Ph vary from 0.4 to 2.1 and 0.2 to 2.1, respectively which showed that petroleum contamination is mainly due to the degraded oil products with a lesser extent of fresh oil. Results revealed that the aliphatic hydrocarbons in the sediment samples were derived mainly from petrogenic sources such as leakage and spillage of fuels and petroleum derivatives with a relatively low contribution of biogenic sources. Vascular plants' waxes and microbial activities are identified as the most important biogenic sources of the samples. The mean concentrations of total organic carbon were 13.3,12 and14.7mg.g-1 dw in the sub-catchments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Pearson correlation test demonstrated a weak correlation between the concentrations of n-alkanes and TOC (P > 0.05) with a correlation coefficient of less than 0.54 for all the sub-catchments.

Useful autosomal STR marker sets for forensic and paternity applications in the Central Indian population

Background Many countries have developed their core set of STR loci for forensic application and database generation, which India lacks. Aim To assess the usefulness of various combinations of autosomal STR marker sets for their superior use in the central Indian population for forensic and paternity applications. Subjects and methods 19 STR marker sets were analysed on 200 central Indian populations and 20 paternity cases to assess their usefulness. Results Two marker sets each comprising 19 STR markers are found to be superior to 20 expanded CODIS loci in the studied population. These marker sets also showed their effectiveness in 20 paternity cases having CPI values of 7.62 × 1011 and 7.16 × 1011. Three non-CODIS STR markers Penta E, Penta D, and SE33 showed amplification in 50 challenging samples with >0.80 heterozygosity. Conclusion Population-specific STR marker sets are useful in forensic and paternity applications, as well as database generation, and it is envisioned that Penta E, Penta D, and SE33 markers will be included in the list of core STR loci in the central Indian population.

Comparison Four Kernels of SVR to Predict Consumer Price Index

The economy of a region is affected by the stability of food supplies. If the market price of the food supply is stable, the purchasing power level will increase. The price stability of food supplies can be anticipated by using the Support Vector Regression Method, to predict the Consumer Price Index, known as CPI. In the Consumer Price Index assessment, using data based on recording, measurement and calculation of the goods and services average price which consumed by households in a certain period of time. Goods and services that are deemed to represent household expenses are then averaged. The CPI in this study is a type of food supply issued by the Indonesian Central Statistics, and the input variable is taken from the prices of staple commodities in the city of Surabaya, Malang and Kediri based on data from the Siskaperbapo website. To get the supported vector data, the hyperplane maximized by the SVR concept. This concept is able to overcome the overfitting, in order to obtain more accurate prediction results. In predicting the Consumer Price Index, reference data is divided as training data 2016-2019 and testing data 2017-2020. All four kernels were used in the test, namely Spline kernel, Gaussian-RBF kernel, Linear kernel and Polynomial kernel. All four kernels are compared to see their MAPE, this can be shown by the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of less than three, if by using Gaussian RBF kernel. The smallest MAPE value showed by Malang CPI value, which is 1.8242 with C = 50, followed by Kediri with the MAPE value of 2.251 with C = 50 and MAPE value of Surabaya which is 2.5279 with C = 50.

Cost and Time Performance Analysis with Concept of Earned Value (Case Study Jakarta - Cikampek II Elevated Project)

The research procedure starts with conducting a literature study, collecting data, and summarizing the results of gathering existing data. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the deviation of costs and time, calculate the estimated cost and time needed to complete the project work, calculate the estimated profit or loss that may occur in the completion of the project. Variants emphasized here are to investigate deviations in costs or planned schedules that have been planned or determined. The results of the analysis in Jakarta-Cikampek II Elevated Project stated that in July 2019 the SPI value was 0.96 <1 which could be interpreted that the project progress had been delayed and the CPI value was 1.44> 1 which could be interpreted that the actual the project cost is still smaller than the total budget cost. Estimated total costs up to the end of the project in the amount of Rp.2,694,413,965,781 of the total budget cost of Rp. 3,872,143,387,752 can save Rp.1,177,729,421,971. As for the estimated time to finish until the end of the project which is for 918 days from the time of the 915 day contract, there will be a delay of 3 days.

Propylene Polymerization over Titanium-Magnesium Catalyst: Effect of Hydrogen on the Content of Active Centers with Different Stereospecificity and Their Reactivity in Propagation Reaction

This paper presents data on the number of active centers (CPi) with different stereospecificity and the values of propagation rate constant (kPi) for these centers in the propylene polymerization over supported titanium-magnesium catalyst in the presence or absence of hydrogen. The indicated data were obtained by quenching the polymerization with radioactive carbon monoxide (14CO) with subsequent fractionation of the produced polymers by the TREF method into separate fractions differing in stereospecificity and estimation of the CPi and kPi values, which determine the formation of these fractions. The propagation rate constants calculated for active centers with different stereospecificity increase in the following order: kP(aspecific) ≈ kP(low isospecific) < kP(isospecific) < kP(highly isospecific).

Modified Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale updated for the year 2020

Socioeconomic status (SES) is one among important indicators to evaluate the health status and nutritional status of a family. It is a position attained by any individual within a system of hierarchical social structure. Various attempts have been done in past by eminent scholars and medical scientists to formulate a group of composite indexes to determine SES of an individual or a family living in urban or rural areas. The scales have included various composite indexes to take into account details pertaining to an individual or any family. Among all the available SES, the most widely used and popular scale in our country is “Modified Kuppuswamy SES” which is mostly used for urban areas. In this paper, we have aimed at revising and providing an “Updated Modified Kuppuswamy SES” for the year 2020.The scale was initially developed by Kuppuswamy in the year 1976 including index parameters like education, occupation, and total income which was further modified in later years to include head of families educational status, occupational status and overall aggregate income of the whole family, pooled from all sources. The Kuppuswamy SES has included 3 parameters and each parameter is further classified into subgroups and scores have been allotted to each subgroup which have been defined later in this paper. The total score of Kuppuswamy SES ranges from 3-29 and it classifies families into 5 groups, “upper class, upper middle class, lower middle class, upper lower and lower socio-economic class.” Due to limitations, the Kuppuswamy SES needs regular update for income levels which is based on changing CPI values which makes the scale vulnerable to fluctuations over time. Keywords: Socioeconomic scale, Kuppuswamy scale, 2019 Update, Economic status.

A Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) Analysis of West Texas Intermediate Oil Prices and the DOW JONES Index

The paper features an examination of the link between the behaviour of oil prices and DowJones Index in a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) framework. The attraction of NARDL is that it represents the simplest method available of modelling combined short- and long-run asymmetries. The bounds testing framework adopted means that it can be applied to stationary and non-stationary time series vectors, or combinations of both. The data comprise a monthly West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil series from Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis (FRED), commencing in January 2000 and terminating in February 2019, and a corresponding monthly DOW JONES index adjusted-price series obtained from Yahoo Finance. Both series are adjusted for monthly USA CPI values to create real series. The results of the analysis suggest that movements in the lagged real levels of monthly WTI crude oil prices have very significant effects on the behaviour of the DOW JONES Index. They also suggest that negative movements have larger impacts than positive movements in WTI prices, and that long-term multiplier effects take about 9 to 12 months to take effect.

Sterane biomarker analysis of Sargelu Formation, Miran West Field, MW-2 well, Kurdistan Region, NE Iraq: Implications for origin of organic matter, palaeoenvironment and maturity

Sargelu Formation (Middle Jurassic) is well known to be one of the most important and wide distributed source rocks in the Middle East. In this study, nineteen cuttings samples from Sargelu Formation were studied from one subsurface section within Miran West Field (well MW-2) in Zagros Folded Belt, Kurdistan region of Iraq. The Formation was penetrated from the interval 2375m to 2475m, which is mainly composed of argillaceous limestone and shale. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC wt %) for all samples were calculated from the sonic and resistivity logs using Passey et al., method for TOC estimation from wireline logs. The range of TOC percentage in the selected interval is between 0.654 and 6.53%. In addition, all samples have been analyzed by Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to identify and study the biomarkers distribution in the selected rocks. The short chain n-alkanes between C15-C18, with isoprenoids pristane (Pr) and phytane (Ph) are dominants in the Sargelu formation. The average of Pr/Ph ratio in the samples was 0.95. Furthermore, most of the studied samples show unimodal envelope chromatograms, maximum peak carbon n-C15- n-C20, and low CPI values (0.89-1.17). The calculated odd over even predominance (OEP) for the studied samples show near value 1.0 (av. 0.94). The TOC values reflecting well preservation and high productivity of organic matter in reducing/anoxic depositional environment. Moreover, ratios of Pr/Ph indicating to anoxic and commonly marine carbonate environments; and also unimodal envelope of n-C15- n-C20 shows a predominance of marine input, and the organisms derived from phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic bacteria with minor photosynthetic and terrestrial plants. The studied samples have C29 20S/(20S+20R) and ββ/ (ββ+αα) isomerization values ranging from 0.39 - 0.58 and 0.48 - 0.65 respectively, indicating high mature source rocks of Sargelu Formation in this well. In most studied samples, the C27 and C29 steranes predominate over the C28 steranes, reflecting a high contribution of aquatic planktonic-bacterial organic matter with a minor terrigenous organic matter input.

Biogeochemical Analyses of Four Crude Oil Samples to Confirm the Presence of Terrestrial-organic Matter, Collected from the Murzuq Basin- Libya

The Murzuq Basin, in Southwestern Libya, is one of Libyan’s most productive petroleum basins, with reserves estimated at 23 billion barrels recoverable of hydrocarbon equivalent within giant oil fields. Four crude oil samples collected from A1-NC186, E1-NC101, E2-NC101, H10-NC115 wells from Murzuq Basin, Libya, were suggested for bulk analysis and physical proprieties, alkane distribution and isoprenoids and the hopane, tricyclic terpane and sterane distributions of the oils, to confirm the presence of non-marine organic matter sources and/or any evidence of its existence. The oils show no significant variation in the ratios of the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur content (CHNS) composition. All samples recorded high to very high API° gravity, ranges 33.8 to 40.3; the sulfur values ranged from 0.31 to 0.45%, the wax ratio in crude oils is showing a great variety, E1-NC101and E2-NC101 oils show higher wax content, ranging from 6.1 to 6.7%. Pristine to Phytane ratios (Pr/Ph) range from 1.61 to 2.22 and the Pr/n-C17, Ph/n-C18, n-C17/n-C27 and CPI values determined as indicators of the depositional environment of the crude oils. The data of search confirmed that the crude oils were derived from marine, mixed and terrestrial sediments.

Performance analysis in WEDM of titanium grade 6 through process capability index

Purpose The purpose of this study aims to obtain excellent products, consistent investigation and manufacturing process control which are the preconditions that organizations have to consider. Nowadays, manufacturing industry apprise process capability index (Cpi) to evaluate the nature of their things with an expect to enhance quality and also to improve the productivity by cutting down the operating cost. In this paper, process capability analysis was applied during wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) of titanium grade 6, to study the process performance within specific limits. Design/methodology/approach Four machine input parameters, namely, pulse ON time, pulse OFF time, wire feed and wire tension, were chosen for process capability study. Experiments were carried out according to Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array. The value of Cpi was evaluated for two machining attributes, namely, average surface roughness and material removal rate (MRR). For these two machining qualities, single response optimization was executed to explore the input settings, which could optimize WEDM process ability. Findings Optimum parameter settings for average surface roughness and MRR were found to be TON: 115 µs, TOFF: 55 µs, WF: 4 m/min and WT: 6 kg−F and TON: 105 µs, TOFF: 60 µs, WF: 4 m/min and WT: 5 kg−F. Originality/value Process capability analysis constantly checks the process quality through the capability index keep in mind the end goal to guarantee that the items made are complying with the particulars, providing data for product plan and process quality enhancement for designer and engineers, giving the support to decrease the cost of item failures.

Post-fire ecological consequences within the drained site of the Great Vasyugan Mire: retrospective water-thermal regime and pyrogenic disturbance estimation

The aim of this research is to carry out an assessment of pyrogenic load after the fire event in 2016 within the drained site of Great Vasyugan mire (Bakchar bog, North-East part of The Great Vasyugan mire). Specifically, the objectives of this study were to: 1) perform a retrospective analysis of the water-thermal regime of the area under study according to monitoring data on the nearby site for estimation of development emergence of a fire-dangerous situation conditions; 2) determine the quantitative characteristics of vegetation and microtopography fire transformation based on field data; 3) estimate zone of contamination by combustion products and 4) estimate the hydrocarbons composition of mire and river water, peat and typical plants of the pyrogenic disturbed bog. The water-thermal retrospective analysis confirmed that in August 2016, the most favourable conditions for the emergence of a fire-dangerous situation were developed. The area of fire spread was 5.54 km2, including within the mire of 4.44 km2. The area of Zn and Pb pollution covers an area of 8 km, which is consistent with the prevailing wind direction and atmospheric deposition data for 2016. The zone of extreme pollution of heavy metal peat deposits is limited mainly by the zone of intensive burning of the surface, however, and beyond it, there was also a significant (2 times) Zn, Cd and Pb concentration (except Cu) increase, mainly due to the migration of elements with water flow. Carbon losses for the burned area of 1 square metre to a depth of 30 cm were about 3,800 gC/m2. Against the background of a decrease in the content of n-alkanes, their share in the composition of peat lipids of the burnt area increases slightly, and among them the content of homologues C23–C25 increases, C29–C33 decreases and the CPI value decreases.

Effectiveness of nanocrystalline cerium dioxide for secondary prevention of inflammatory periodontal diseases in young individuals with obesity

Obesity is a non-infectious pandemic, largely associated with oral diseases development. Oxidative stress is one of the crucial mechanisms in the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases in obesity. Nanomedicine is a highly promising to alleviate pbesity and associated conditions. The aim was to study the influence of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on periodontal tissues of patients with diverse values of BMI and assess changes of periodontal tissues. We included 125 young Ukrainian individuals of both sexes (18-22 years old), divided into four groups according to Body mass index (BMI). Initial oral status was detected with index assessment that include the determination of caries intensity by DMFT index, oral hygiene determination (Green-Vermillion index), periodontal tissues (Rateitchak index), PMA (Parma), CPI (Leus), PBI (Saxer and Muhlemann). The periodontograma was completed for all patients. After the initial checkup all examined patients with generalized catarrhal gingivitis were randomly divided into two groups: treated with «Cerera» (the active substance is nanoparticles of cerium dioxide 2-7 nm in concentration of 140 mcg/ml that were stabilized with sodium citrate) per os for 10 drops every day in the morning diluted in 50 ml of water for 10 days and controls. Patients with 1st and 2nd degree obesity have a significantly higher grade of periodontal alteration compared with normal BMI and overweight (values of CPI 1.7±0.9 and 1.66±0.12 vs 1.33±0.11 and 1.42±0.11 respectively). The intensity and the prevalence of gingiva inflammation assessed by PMA and PBI index were significantly higher in obese individuals. In all overweight patients the level of catalase activity was significantly lower than in patients with normal values of BMI. The administration of «Cerera» significantly increased the activity of catalase regardless of BMI, significantly changed the values of gingival inflammation indexes; the severity of inflammatory process became less intensive vs baseline (determined by PBI values before 17.6%±2.1 and 7.8%±2.1 after treatment; in the 4th group the values of PBI had declined significantly by 1.6 times). After the 10 days administration of «Cerera» the content of GAG and fucose in oral liquid of all obese individuals significantly decreased; lipid oxidation parameters decreased in excessive obesity: TBA-active products levels in patients with BMI 35.00-39.99 kg/сm2 dropped down from 53.9±2.11 μmol/L to 47.43±2.29 μmol/L. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles demonstrate high effectiveness against inflammatory changes in periodontal tissues in obese patients. The mechanisms of action of cerium dioxide nanoparticles in the periodontal structures are needed to be precisely determined in further studies.

Chemical composition of waste burning organic aerosols at landfill and urban sites in Delhi

Organic composition of total suspended particles collected from an open waste burning landfill site and an urban site of Delhi, one of the most populated cities of Asia was studied. Among the organic compounds detected, fatty acids were found to be the most abundant class of compounds at both the sites, urban (16823 ng m−3) as well as landfill site (1218120 ng m−3). As a single compound detected (on average), levoglucosan (2925 ng m−3) was found to be most abundant at urban site, whereas C18:0 fatty acid (76090 ng m−3) dominated at the landfill site. Levoglucosan contributed up to 87% of total identified sugars at urban and 86% at landfill site, suggesting biomass burning to be one of the major contributors of sugar compounds, and a possible influence of landfill waste burning on urban aerosols. CPI value for n-alkanes was close to unity at both sites (0.81 at landfill and 1.27 at urban site) indicating the anthropogenic nature of the aerosols. A predominance of tere-phthalic acid (42555 ng m−3) was found in aerosol samples collected at landfill site because of plastic enriched waste burning activity. Except 4- hydroxybenzoic acid, all other lignin and resin products are first time reported to be released by open waste burning activities in the present study. We also found a strong positive correlation between di-isobutyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate at both urban (r2 = 0.94) and landfill site (r2 = 0.86), suggesting them to be the commonly used plasticizers, and plastics to be a main constituent of municipal waste. Since, the waste burning at landfill sites is a common practice either to reduce waste heaps or be it a self-ignited burning leading to significant emissions, we report the chemical composition of organic aerosols originating from such emissions. The information presented in this paper may further be useful in estimating the contribution of municipal waste burning aerosols on urban burden of particulate matter.

EVALUASI BIAYA DAN WAKTU PADA PROYEK PENGGANTIAN JEMBATAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE KONSEP NILAI HASIL

On the implementation of project, there could have been problem in performance of time and cost that caused project that had been completed not to go according to plan. Therefore, performance evaluation is needed so that project can be carried out as planned and can also evaluate of project performance. In this research, time and cost performance will be evaluate using the earned value concept method in the Project for Replacement of the Nanga Tepuai-Nanga Semangut Section Bridge. Earned Value Concept can provide information about progress position of project time and cost performance in a certain period of time. The stages of this research begin with data collection of S-Curves, RAB, Weekly Progress Report and Financial Report. Next, determine three indicators, that is BCWS, BCWP and ACWP, which is then used to analyze the Schedule Variance, Schedule Performance Index, Cost Variance, Cost Performance Index, Estimation at Schedule, and Estimation at Completion. The result of this research showed, from time performance, in month-1 until month-6, value of SV is postitive and the value of SPI is more than 1, which means that the project is implemented faster than plan, and in month-7 the value of SV is 0 and the value of SPI is 1, which means that the project is implemented according to the plan. About cost performance, in month-1 the value of CV is negative and the value of CPI is less than 1, which means the costs incurred for implementating more than the plan, and in month-2 until month-7 the value CV is positive and the value of CPI is more than 1, which means the costs incurred for implementating less than the plan. The best EAS value is obtained in reporting month-2, it’s 3,63 months. The best EAC value is obtained in reporting month-4, it’s Rp. 7.239.951.844,01.

Characterization and Correlation of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Oil Polluted Waters of Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State

Forensic chemical analyses was used to characterize, determine the source and correlate aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) in water samples collected from Bonny L.G.A, Rivers State. AHCs were extracted from the water samples with n-hexane in a separatory funnel, clean-up achieved by column chromatography using n-hexane and analysis by Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The GC chromatogram showed well resolved AHC peaks which distributed from nC9 –nC40. The GC chromatograms of AHCs, with a wide range of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, indicate minimal biodegradation of the oil hydrocarbons in the samples. CPI values from 0.68 to 0.78 for BY-A1, BY-A3, BY-A4 and 0.97 for BY-A2 suggest two sources of oil hydrocarbons. Calculated Pr/Ph ratios showed BY-A1 (2.08), BY-A3 (2.00) and BY-A4 (2.20) were derived from mixed marine and terrestrial source deposited in suboxic environment, while BY-A2 (3.70) was mainly terrigenous source in an oxic environment. A cross-plot of Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios also showed a tight cluster for samples BY-A1, BY-A3 and BY-A4 which were degraded with sample BY-A2 separate and slightly degraded. Results from this study revealed that the spilled oil was derived from mixed organic sources deposited in an oxic environment with different oil input from external sources showing more terrestrial contribution.

Organic Matter Type, Maturity, Depositional Environmental Characteristics, and Liquid Hydrocarbon Potential of Late Carboniferous Kozlu Bituminous Coal and Coaly Shale Beds (Zonguldak-Amasra Basin, NW Anatolia, Turkey): An Application of Biomarker Geochemistry

The Upper Carboniferous (Westphalian A) Kozlu Formation consisting chiefly of sandstone, thick coal layers, shale, and conglomerate levels crops out in the Zonguldak-Amasra Basin, NW Anatolia. The Kozlu Formation contains a total of 20 mineable coal layers with the thickness varying from 0.5 to 6 m. The lower level of formation is represented by lacustrine deposits, whereas the upper part is made up of thick flood plain sediments and meandering river deposits bearing laterally continuous coal levels. In this study, coal samples taken from coal layers within the Kozlu Formation at the Kozlu Underground Coal Mining site were evaluated using the data obtained from pyrolysis/total organic matter (TOC), gas chromatography, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The average total organic matter (TOC) value of Kozlu coals is 40.28%. The coals are characterized by relatively high hydrogen index (HI) value (average 262 mg HC/gTOC) and very low oxygen index value (2 mg CO2/gTOC). Pyrolysis data indicate that coals contain dominantly type II and less amount of type III kerogen, and Tmax values range from 454 to 468 °C. In gas chromatographs, the recorded distribution consists predominantly of low-carbon-numbered n-alkanes and subordinately of high-carbon-numbered n-alkanes and the terrigenous/aquatic ratio value is very low (0.05–0.09). Pristane abundance is greater than that of phytane, and Pr/Ph ratios are in the range of 1.11–1.60. The sterane abundances in the Kozlu coals are in the following order: C29 > C28 > C27. Coals have high C19 and C20 tricyclic terpane concentrations and high (C19 + C20)/C30 ratio, high C30* (diahopane) and C29Ts concentrations, and high C30*/C29Ts ratio and low C31R/C30 and C29/C30 hopane ratios. The dibenzothiophene-to-phenanthrene ratio of Kozlu coals is found to be very low (0.04–0.14). Based on the pyrolysis and biomarker data, the Kozlu coals are interpreted as being deposited in a suboxic–oxic continental environment in which there is effective input of clay and dominantly terrestrial (with significant lipid-rich components) and bacterial organic matter. High Tmax values, CPI values close to 1, low moretane/hopane (0.23–0.12), equilibrated 22S/(22S + 22R) homopane (for C32), 20S/(20S + 20R) C29 sterane (0.52–0.54) and TA(I)/TA(I + II) steroid ratios, high ββ/(ββ + αα) sterane (0.51–0.55), C30*/C29Ts, C30*/(C30* + C30H), MPI-3(α/β) (1.24–1.41), and MDR and MA(I)/MA(I + II) steroid are indicative of mature–late mature organic matter. Ro values between 0.9 and 1.25% determined from Tmax (454–468 °C) values indicate “high-volatile bituminous B–medium-volatile bituminous” rank for Kozlu coals. Kozlu coals having HI values (up to 331 mg HC/gTOC) extremely higher than those of classical coals indicates that these coals have significant oil and gas generation potential, and high S1 (average 6.04 mg HC/g rock) and S2 (110.08 mg HC/g rock) values imply that they generate notably high amount of liquid hydrocarbons and still have generation potential.

Analysis of Control of Costs and Time with Earned Value Method on Road Maintenance Projects in Palmerah District, West Jakarta

Control in a construction project generally involves three main aspects, namely: cost, time and human resources. This study uses Network Planning analysis as a control function with the Critical Path Method (CPM) method in calculating the difference in cost and time needed to complete the work with a planned budget and schedule. This study also tried to implement an integrated control function, namely the Earned Value Method for a construction project. Based on the analysis and calculation in the 8th week (eight) of the total duration of the project, the analysis produces CPI value = 1.06 which shows that the performance of contractor's expenditure costs is more efficient than the planned budget. The description of the final condition of the project also shows that there is a residual budget value of Rp 321,642,608.01 or 5.55% of the total value of the overall project cost budget or Budgeted At Completion (BAC) which is an advantage for the contractor. The analysis also produces SPI value = 0.94 which means that the time performance index is of good value but the execution of the work is a little slower than the overall planned schedule.

Modified Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scale updated for the year 2019

Socioeconomic status (SES) is one among important indicators to evaluate the health status and nutritional status of a family. It is a position attained by any individual within a system of hierarchical social structure. Various attempts have been done in past by eminent scholars and medical scientists to formulate a group of composite indexes to determine SES of an individual or a family living in urban or rural areas. The scales have included various composite indexes to take into account details pertaining to an individual or any family. Among all the available SES, the most widely used and popular scale in our country is “Modified Kuppuswamy SES” which is mostly used for urban areas. In this paper, we have aimed at revising and providing an “Updated Modified Kuppuswamy SES” for the year 2019. The scale was initially developed by Kuppuswamy in the year 1976 including index parameters like education, occupation, and total income which was further modified in later years to include head of families educational status, occupational status and overall aggregate income of the whole family, pooled from all sources. The Kuppuswamy SES has included 3 parameters and each parameter is further classified into subgroups and scores have been allotted to each subgroup which have been defined later in this paper. The total score of Kuppuswamy SES ranges from 3-29 and it classifies families into 5 groups, “upper class, upper middle class, lower middle class, upper lower and lower socio-economic class.” Due to limitations, the Kuppuswamy SES needs regular update for income levels which is based on changing CPI values which makes the scale vulnerable to fluctuations over time. Keywords: Socioeconomic scale, Kuppuswamy scale, 2019 Update, Economic status.

FORECASTING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF GHANA USING EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING METHODS

Consumer price index is a social and economic indicator that measures changes over time in the general level of prices of consumer goods and services that households acquire, use or pay for consumption. Rising CPI also often leads to the central bank to raise interest rates, tightening money supply, reduce the money supply and other measures to tighten monetary policy, which flow into reduction of capital stock funds for greater returns, often accompanied by high inflation. The study seeks to determine a time series exponential smoothing method which fit the CPI and use it forecast the future values of CPI. Minitab software is used to analyze the CPI from March 2013 to November 2018. Out three exponential smoothing methods, it is realized that the method which best fit the series is the Winters’ additive method with exponential smoothing constants for the level, trend and seasonal variation as , and respectively. This method is chosen on the basis that it has the lowest MAPE, MAD and MSD. The validity of the model is further checked by comparing the fitted values with the actual values. The errors in prediction were very minimal. The model is therefore recommended for forecasting CPI of Ghana in the next twelve months. Key words : Consumer price index, exponential smoothing , ARIMA DOI : 10.7176/MTM/9-3-01 Publication date : March 31 st 2019

Lipid Biomarkers and Their Stable Carbon Isotopes in Ancient Seep Carbonates from SW Taiwan, China

AbstractFour massive brecciated, chimney‐like, and slender pipe network carbonate samples (JA‐4, JA‐5, JX‐8 and BG‐12) were collected from southwestern Taiwan, which were suggested to have formed as a result of anaerobic oxidization of methane (AOM). Considering that the environmental conditions of the carbonates precipitation and the sources of carbon and organic matter need to be further declared, molecular fossils and compound‐specific carbon isotopic investigations of the carbonates were conducted in this study. According to lipid biomarkers of 2,6,10,15,19‐pentamethyleicosane (PMI) and squalane diagnostic to methanotrophic archaea, as well as the extremely low δ13C values (as low as –113.4‰) detected in samples JA‐4, JA‐5 and JX‐8, these carbonates were revealed to be a result of AOM. Based on the varied δ13C values of characteristic archaea biomarkers in specific samples, biogenic methane was proposed to be responsible for the formation of samples JA‐4 and JA‐5, whereas a mixed carbon source of 13C‐depleted methane and 13C‐enriched residual CO2 from methanogenesis was suggested for the carbonate of JX‐8 due to the co‐occurrence of a highly positive δ13Ccarb value (+8‰) and a moderate 13C depletion of PMI. The low content of AOM‐related biomarkers and the absence of indicators for ANME‐2 suggested that these carbonates were formed in weak seep settings. By comparison, no typical lipid biomarkers for methanotrophic archaea was detected in carbonate BG‐12. The short‐chain and long‐chain n‐alkanes accounted for 30% and 45% of all hydrocarbons, respectively, with a CPI value of 1.2, suggesting that the n‐alkanes were derived from both marine organisms and terrestrial inputs. A low thermal maturity could be revealed by the incomplete equilibrium value of the C31αβ 22S/(22S+22R) ratio (0.5), and the carbonate BG‐12 was probably deposited in a suboxic condition indicated by a value of Pr/Ph ratio (2.5).