Middle Sector Research Articles

Strong soil–vegetation relationship in riparian forests of the middle Rio Doce watershed, south-eastern Brazil

Phytosociological surveys and soil quality studies are relevant tools for the implementation of restoration programmes. This study aimed to characterise the vegetation of the tree and sapling strata in preserved riparian forests of the middle portion of the Rio Doce watershed in the Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil. In addition, we tested the association between edaphic factors and the vegetation community. We sampled three sites of the middle sector of the Rio Doce watershed in Itueta (two sites) and Santa Rita do Itueto (one site) municipalities in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. At each sampling site, we inventoried 15 plots of 100 m2 (10 × 10 m) for the tree stratum. Within each plot of the tree stratum we delimited a 25 m2 (5 × 5 m) plot, totalling 4 500 m2 and 1 125 m2 respectively for the tree and sapling strata. We employed co-inertia analysis to test the relationship between soil factors and the plant community and to highlight the taxon– environment relationship. We recorded 157 species belonging to 31 families, with 105 species from 24 families in the tree stratum, and 85 species from 22 families in the sapling stratum. Edaphic factors were highly heterogeneous among plots, although most of the plots presented soils with neutral pH and high fertility (base saturation > 50%). Co-inertia analyses showed highly significant associations between edaphic factors and the plant community, both for the tree (RV = 0.486, p < 0.001) and the sapling strata (RV = 0.692, p < 0.001). We highlighted the existence of a clear edaphic– floristic gradient, with a significant association of certain species with contrasting soil conditions. Knowledge about the association between environmental characteristics and floristic composition can assist in the selection of species with greater chances to establish in specific environmental conditions.

Recent environmental and morphosedimentary evolution of the mining-impacted Nalón Estuary (Asturias, N Spain): Disentangling natural and anthropogenic processes

Distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic processes in sedimentary records from estuaries with legacy pollutants is an essential task, as it provides baselines to predict future environmental trajectories of coastal areas. Here, we have addressed the recent transformation history of the mining-impacted Nalón Estuary (Asturias, N Spain). Surface and core sediment records from marshes and tidal flats were examined through a broad multidisciplinary approach, involving micropaleontological (benthic foraminifera), sedimentological (grain-size), geochemical (trace metals, major element Al and total organic carbon), physical (magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility and large microplastics) and radioisotopic (210Pb, 137Cs and 239+240Pu) proxies. Results suggest that the interplay between natural (high fluvial influence and extreme hydrological events) and anthropogenic (coal and mercury mining disposals) factors induced strong sedimentation-erosion processes, further shaping the recent evolution of the estuary. Short-time scale and intense sedimentation processes were revealed by overall high sediment accumulation rates, the dilution of some geological signatures and the rapid formation of a marsh in the lower estuary bay. The increasing mining fingerprints during the 20th century were shortly interrupted by the catastrophic riverine flooding of 1938. Conversely, current erosional processes by fluvial influence led to the remobilization of contaminated sedimentary materials and exposure of mining-legacy Hg levels in tidal flats from the middle sector. Fluvial activity, floodings and taphonomic biases exerted a major control on benthic foraminifera since the 19th century, although Hg ecotoxicological effects on modern assemblages at certain areas within the estuary cannot be discarded. These findings, along with the documented enhanced erosion of marshes with ‘trapped’ pollutants (Hg, coal microparticles and microplastics), highlight the importance of monitoring the environmental and geomorphic processes taking place in historically-contaminated estuaries.

An investigation on the mechanical and corrosion protection properties of poly(arylene ether nitrile) reinforced epoxy coating

To follow the current industrial demand, epoxy coatings which feature extraordinary comprehensive properties have been considered as a versatile and promising thermosetting resin for application in various middle and high-end sectors of multitudinous industries. Regrettably, epoxy coatings possess the inherent shortcoming of poor durability to external force and deformation, severely restricting further introjection in various fields. Herein, this study employs poly(arylene ether nitrile) with bisphenol A structure (PENBA) as superior intensifying agent to ameliorate the toughness and corrosion resistance of brittle epoxy coatings. As a linear thermoplastic polymer with satisfying mechanical performances, PENBA serves as epoxy's energy-dissipating medium and forms a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) with epoxy matrix, efficiently impeding epoxy's fracture and crack propagation. As a result, the tensile strength, elongation at break, impact strength, and flexural strength of PENBA-modified epoxy possess considerable increments of 214 %, 360 %, 148 %, and 295 % in sequence by contrast with the pristine epoxy. Meanwhile, according to the potentiodynamic polarization analysis, the PENBA with outstanding chemical resistance also significantly promoted the epoxy's corrosion resistance, endowing the epoxy coating with the most positive Ecorr and icorr of −0.453 V and 9.439 × 10−10 A/cm2 when PENBA reached 15 % (mass percent) at the end of entire soaking process.

Natural draft direct dry cooling system performance at various application scales under windless and windy conditions

The natural draft direct dry cooling system (NDDDCS) presents a promising alternative to conventional forced draft air-cooled condensers (ACCs) and indirect natural draft dry cooling systems, overcoming their limitations by efficiently condensing process steam directly and passively. The NDDDCS achieves superior thermal efficiencies while reducing system complexities, operational costs, and auxiliary power consumption. Potential reductions in operational expenses for the system may offset initial capital investments, resulting in lower lifetime costs. While research to date has focused on large-scale NDDDCS performance under varying wind conditions, this work addresses a critical gap by investigating the system’s scalability for various applications, including a large-scale coal-fired power plant (900 MWt, 165 m total height), a medium-scale concentrated solar power plant (CSP) (100 MWt, 65 m total height), and a small-scale water desalination plant (1 MWt, 11.5 m total height) under both windless and windy conditions. To achieve this, a steady-state 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed, validated and scaled, incorporating innovative features such as an atmospheric pressure gradient and the ability to capture reversed flows through the system’s heat exchangers. Additionally, the model assesses inlet air temperature data at a per-cell resolution, enabling the ability to predict non-uniform temperature distributions in the heat exchangers, including hot-spots caused by airflow recirculation. Analysis of velocity and temperature fields across all scales reveals that recirculation effects negatively impact NDDDCS performance, particularly at the middle circumferential heat exchanger sector. The hyperbolic shape of the tower shell induces internal recirculation zones and reduces the effective flow volume. Under windy conditions, performance losses of 44%, 40%, and 40% are observed at crosswind speeds of 3 m/s, 6 m/s, and 9 m/s for small, medium, and large-scale towers, respectively. Beyond these speeds, the relationship between system performance and draft driving potential becomes non-linear due to crosswind effects dominating. Furthermore, a novel effect is identified at wind speeds of 9 m/s, 15 m/s, and 18 m/s for small, medium, and large-scale systems, respectively, where an inflection point allows for system performance recovery. This study underscores the NDDDCS’s potential as a cooling solution for modern power cycles across various scales, while highlighting the implications of scaling the system for medium- and small-scale thermal applications.

CBR Mapping Prediction from 2D Resistivity Imaging Using Regression Following Archie’s Formula

Indirect geophysical methods are increasingly associated with direct underground methods in investigating the subsurface to address environmental and geotechnical problems and reduce the cost of underground studies. These methods make it possible to explore large areas with acceptable precision, time, and cost. The present study combines the electrical resistivity method with the California Bearing Ratio for exploring an area located west of the Nouakchott port in Mauritania. The study aims firstly to verify that the thickness of the backfill layer must be less than 2 m throughout the entire study area and secondly to map areas with low California Bearing Ratio values (&lt;80%) indicating substandard backfill compaction using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography imaging survey and regression. The measured Electrical Resistivity values exhibit a good nonlinear regression with California Bearing Ratio, following Archie's equation. A map of California Bearing Ratio variation was derived from the Electrical Resistivity values, indicating the distribution and variation of soil strength in the study area. The results revealed that the backfill layer did not meet the standards, with approximately 35% of the total area having a California Bearing Ratio value below 80%. The areas with poor compaction requiring treatment were primarily located in the southern sector, followed by the middle and eastern sectors.

10-year level, trends and socio-demographic disparities of obesity among Ghanaian adults-A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

The double burden of malnutrition has assumed severer forms in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) arising from sharper increases in prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in these countries compared to higher income countries. Considering that LMICs already have fragile health systems, the rising obesity levels may just be a ticking time bomb requiring expeditious implementation of priority actions by all global and national actors to prevent an explosion of cardiovascular disease related deaths. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a current estimate of obesity and overweight prevalence among Ghanaian adults and assess socio-demographic disparities following the PRISMA guidelines. We searched Pubmed with Medline, Embase, Science direct and African Journals Online (AJOL) for studies on overweight and obesity published between 2013 and January 2023. Applying a quality effects model, pooled mean Body Mass Index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity were obtained from 42 studies conducted across all three geographical locations of Ghana with a combined sample size of 29137. From the analysis, the mean BMI of adults in Ghana was 24.7 kgm-2 while overweight and obesity prevalence was estimated as 23.1% and 13.3% respectively. Temporal analysis showed sharper increases in overweight and obesity prevalence from 2017/2018. Mean BMI (Females: 25.3kgm-2 vrs Males: 23.1 kgm-2), overweight (Females: 25.9% vrs Males: 16.5%) and obesity (Females: 17.4% vrs Males: 5.5%) prevalence were higher among females than males. Gender differences in mean BMI and obesity prevalence were both significant at p<0.001. Urban dwellers had higher mean BMI than their rural counterparts (24.9kgm-2 vrs 24.4kgm-2). Overweight (27.6% vrs 18.2%) and obesity (17.3% vrs 11.0%) prevalence were also higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Body weight indicators for the various geographical areas of Ghana were; southern sector: 25.4kgm-2, 28.9% and 15.4%, middle sector: 24.8kgm-2, 26.4% and 16.2% and northern sector: 24.2kgm-2, 15.4% and 8.5% for mean BMI, overweight and obesity prevalence respectively. The southern part of Ghana was similar to the middle part in terms of mean BMI, overweight and obesity but higher than the northern part. We conclude that overweight and obesity prevalence in Ghana has risen to high levels in recent years with women and urban dwellers disproportionately more affected. There is a possible implication for increased cardiovascular diseases and a generally poor quality of life for the people. Evidence-based public health interventions are needed to reverse the current situation.

The ganglion cell complex thickness and visual function in leber hereditary optic neuropathy

Purpose: To evaluate the ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness using the Iowa Reference Segmentation Algorithm in individuals with chronic Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and to assess its relation to visual acuity, visual field sensitivity, and Estermann score.Methods: In this study, a total of 17 patients (34 eyes) aged 16–72 with chronic LHON were enrolled. Visual acuity, visual fields, and Optic coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. Visual fields was evaluated with Estermann and a custom central 30‐degree test, both performed monocularly with the Octopus 900 Haag‐Streit Diagnostics. OCT imaging was performed using a Canon OCT HS‐100 to measure the retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness. The raw OCT images were exported to IOWA Reference Algorithm and the GCC segmentation was rechecked and manually recorrected if needed. The thickness obtained from the Iowa Reference Algorithms was analysed and compared against the automated segmentation provided by the OCT's inbuilt segmentation algorithm. The correlation between the GCC thickness from 9 ETDRS sectors and the visual function were analysed.Results: On average the automated segmentation overestimated GCC thickness by 23.8 μm for all sectors. Macular central GCC correlated significantly with both visual field sensitivity and Estermann points missed (r = −0.486 and −0.396 respectively). Macular middle sector GCC thickness correlated significantly with visual acuity and visual field sensitivity (r = −0.586 and −0.396 respectively). GCC thickness in outer macular sector correlated significantly only with visual acuity (r = −0.471).Conclusions: In patients with chronic LHON, GCC thickness in central and middle sectors of macula correlates well with the visual function. OCT imaging and precise ganglion cell thickness evaluations in the macula can provide useful information about the structural damage and level of visual impairment in chronic LHON patients.

Impact of wildfire ash on bacterioplankton abundance and community composition in a coastal embayment (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain)

Wildfire ash can have an impact on coastal prokaryotic plankton. To understand the extent to which community composition and abundance of coastal prokaryotes are affected by ash, two ash addition experiments were performed. Ash from a massive wildfire that took place in the Ría de Vigo watershed in October 2017 was added to natural surface water samples collected in the middle sector of the ría during the summer of 2019 and winter of 2020, and incubated for 72 h, under natural water temperature and irradiance conditions. Plankton responses were assessed through chlorophyll a and bacterial abundance measurements. Prokaryotic DNA was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing. In summer, when nutrient concentrations were low in the ría, the addition of ash led to an increase in phytoplankton and bacterial abundance, increasing the proportions of Alteromonadales, Flavobacteriales, and the potentially pathogenic Vibrio, among other taxa. After the winter runoff events, nutrient concentrations in the Ría de Vigo were high, and only minor changes in bacterial abundance were detected. Our findings suggest that the compounds associated with wildfire ash can alter the composition of bacterioplanktonic communities, which is relevant information for the management of coastal ecosystems in fire-prone areas.

Response of the ionosphere to equatorial electrojet at latitudes near the northern EIA crest in the East African longitudinal sector

Equatorial Electrojet (EEJ) and Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) are two distinct ionospheric phenomena which are caused by the horizontal configuration of the geomagnetic field at the equator. On the day side of the earth, these activities are controlled by a common zonal electric field, and their interactions must be researched for a number of scientific reasons. In this study, we used multiple Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations at Al Wajh, Sola village, Nama, and Sheba in 2012 to investigate the correlations between the instantaneous and integrated equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and the variations of vertical total electron content (vTEC) at the northern crest of EIA in the East Africa and Middle East longitudinal sector. The equinoctial and solstitial months have the highest and lowest values of the monthly mean EEJ and vTEC, respectively, and as a result, both parameters show a semi-annual variability. The monthly mean vTEC also demonstrates equinoctial and solstitial asymmetries, resulting in vTEC values that are higher at the September equinox and the December solstice than at the March equinox and the June solstice, respectively. These asymmetries have been also observed in the composition of [O]/[N2] ratio. On days with strong counter electrojet (CEJ), EEJ peaks are smaller and occur later than on days with weak CEJ. Additionally, when CEJ is high, EIA is suppressed and vTEC exhibits low values at all crest points. In the early hours (10:00–12:00 Lt), Nama and Sheb showed higher correlation coefficient values with significant levels than Alwj and Sola. According to the correlation analysis, the anomaly crest develops at the lower latitude stations between 10:00 and 12:00 Lt and then moves to the higher latitude stations later. Generally, the correlations are higher and more significant in the equinoxes than the solstices. The correlations between integrated EEJ (IEEJ) and vTEC were also found to be strong and significant at the lower latitude stations throughout all seasons. These findings suggest that both the instantaneous and integrated EEJ can be used as a proxy for the eastward zonal equatorial electric field and must be considered in regional and global models of total electron content of equatorial and low latitude ionosphere.

The ABJM Amplituhedron

In this paper, we take a major step towards the construction and applications of an all-loop, all-multiplicity amplituhedron for three-dimensional planar N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 6 Chern-Simons matter theory, or the ABJM amplituhedron. We show that by simply changing the overall sign of the positive region of the original amplituhedron for four-dimensional planar N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 4 super-Yang-Mills (sYM) and performing a symplectic reduction, only three-dimensional kinematics in the middle sector of even-multiplicity survive. The resulting form of the geometry, combined with its parity images, gives the full loop integrand. This simple modification geometrically enforces the vanishing of odd-multiplicity cuts, and manifests the correct soft cuts as well as two-particle unitarity cuts. Furthermore, the so-called “bipartite structures” of four-point all-loop negative geometries also directly generalize to all multiplicities. We introduce a novel approach for triangulating loop amplituhedra based on the kinematics of the tree region, resulting in local integrands tailored to “prescriptive unitarity”. This construction sheds fascinating new light on the interplay between loop and tree amplituhedra for both ABJM and N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 4 sYM: the loop geometry demands that the tree region must be dissected into chambers, defined by the simultaneous positivity of maximal cuts. The loop geometry is then the “fibration” of the tree region. Using the new construction, we give explicit results of one-loop integrands up to ten points and two-loop integrands up to eight points by computing the canonical form of ABJM loop amplituhedron.

Comparison of Canopy Architecture of Five Olive Cultivars in a High-Density Planting System in Sicily

In a young super-high-density (SHD) olive orchard located in Aidone (EN), in the Sicily Region, Italy, the architectural features of five olive cultivars were studied, specifically Arbequina, Arbosana, Oliana®, Giulia®, and FS-17®. Surveys were conducted in November 2019 considering biometric measurements for the whole tree, the canopy, and the primary and secondary branches. The “total branching frequency”, the “sectorial branching frequency”, the “total branching efficiency”, the “sectorial branching efficiency”, and the “total relative vigour” indexes were also calculated from the previous measurements. In addition, olive yield recorded for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 (respectively, the third, fourth, and fifth years from planting) are shown in order to provide a more exhaustive description of the features of the cultivars. Giulia® and Oliana® resulted in being more similar to Arbequina and Arbosana, presenting a compact shape of the canopy and high and regular ramification of primary and secondary branches. FS-17® showed a higher expansion in canopy volume and higher vigour than the other cultivars, features that suggest it can be more susceptible to damage during mechanical harvest. Regarding the elaborated indexes, “total branching frequency” resulted in being not statistically different among the cultivars. “Sectorial branching frequency” resulted in being higher in the middle sector of the trunk height (51–100 cm) for all the tested cultivars. This study supplies helpful information about the different canopy and branch architectural characteristics of the five studied olive cultivars with respect to their suitability to high-density plantations.

Unbundling the complexity of performance management of healthcare providers in the Middle East

Purpose Previous research provides adequate evidence on performance management (PM) for hospitals and healthcare providers; however, less is known about their individual and PM appraisal process. Additionally, there is limited research exploring PM in the Middle Eastern context. This study investigates PM practices in the Middle Eastern healthcare industry.Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the qualitative research methodology through semi-structured interviews of healthcare professionals in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Thematic analysis was adopted for analyzing this qualitative data.Findings The main findings have uncovered different facets of appraisal challenges for both the appraiser (i.e. manager) and the appraisee (i.e. employee). These challenges include communication deficits, lack of goal setting standards and regular meeting updates in order to ensure employee satisfaction and motivation in the workplace.Research limitations/implications This study has significant implications for policymakers in Middle Eastern hospitals in terms of implementing PM for their staff. Moreover, future studies can conduct in-depth analysis and provide comparison between public and private sectors in the Gulf countries.Originality/value This study is one of the first to portray challenges involved in conducting PM in the Middle East healthcare sector specifically in the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), both from the perspectives of the appraiser and appraisee.

A geophysical investigation of the urban-expanding area over the seismologically active Dahshour region, Egypt

Western Desert region between Cairo and Fayoum in Egypt is a geologically interesting area due to its active seismicity status and the continuous bidirectional urban expansions ongoing northward and southward growth. This work aims to develop a geological model of the region by combining magnetic intensity data (aeromagnetic) and potential field data (airborne gravity) with magnetotelluric (MT) data to offer decision-makers an additional evaluation tool for long-term future planning. Applying a number of filters to aerial gravity and magnetic data allowed us to calculate the subsurface density distribution and structure of the area between Cairo and Fayoum. In addition, the surface of the crust was imaged down to a depth of 6 km using a 3-D inversion of gravity data. Magnetotelluric data were gathered at eight locations over the NS-extended Cairo-Fayoum Road profile. MT data were inverted in 2-D to generate a resistivity model that defines the subsurface structure of the researched region. The subsurface geometry in the MT-derived resistivity model agrees with the results of airborne potential measurements, and no consideration was given to any faults that may have been undetected from the potential maps. Long-term seismological observations indicated that the likely active sources of earthquakes are limited to the recognized main faults and that the ongoing “1185 buildings” construction project did not and will not cause unanticipated seismicity. The paper concludes that urban growth is secure so long as the earthquake codes are rigorously considered while planning civil projects. The northern study region must be regularly monitored for induced seismicity. On the Cairo-Fayoum Road's western side, the middle sector of the study area is the safest place for future civil developments.

Model Pengembangan Usaha Wisata Kuliner Oepoi Dalam Masa Pandemi Covid-19 Di Kota Kupang

Covid 19 caused economic instability of society. In this case is small and middle business sector. It was dealing with the decline of people’s purchasing power because of social distancing and large-scale social restriction policy. The results are happened the termination of employment, the decrease in sale turnover and even close the business. For small and middle business pertaining culinary tour, naturally it encountered the problem because of being empty buyers for their culinary products.&#x0D; The goal of this study is to explore business delineation of culinary tour in Oepoi Kupang and such business strategy in responding Covid 19.&#x0D; While the method used for gaining the goal are qualitative one, such as interview, participant observation, and literature review.&#x0D; The results of study denoted that culinary business are dominated by settler or Javanese entrepreneur, and take charge of the stall at fee IDR 1.500.000 per mounth. Business delineation was dealing with income declining because of government large-scale restriction policy. Even so, the entrepreneurs steady to survive in running the business. The strategi they make to maintain the busniss is selling by E-commerse and digital marketing. It is importan strategic choice to the income improvement and give the easiness to consumer in shoping. Moreover as entrepreneurs they need to improve for the good service through products quality, hygiene guarantee, products safety, and service quality improvement.

Hybrid approach of using bi-objective genetic programming in well control optimization of waterflood management

A new hybrid optimization approach is proposed by applying bi-objective genetic programming (BioGP) algorithm along with NSGA-II algorithm to expand the diversity of the Pareto solutions and speed up the convergence. The novel methodology is used in two distinct cases: the benchmark model for the Brugge field and a Middle Eastern oil-field sector model. The Brugge field includes twenty producing wells and ten injecting wells, but the real sector model has three injectors and four producers. The two primary objectives applied are to optimize the total volume of produced oil and reduce cumulative produced water. In the optimization process, the injection rate (qwi) and the bottom-hole pressure (BHP) are the control parameters for injection and producing wells, respectively. The hybrid technique of applying BioGP guided NSGA-II in the Brugge field model demonstrated a 50% acceleration in the convergence speed when compared to the NSGA-II solution. The calculated Pareto solutions for the Middle-Eastern sector model by the proposed methodology at various generations exhibited better diversity and convergence in comparison to the NSGA-II solutions. The highest cumulative produced oil of 550.45 × 103 m3 is obtained by the proposed hybrid methodology in comparison to the NSGA-II's highest cumulative of 522 × 103 m3. The two solution points A′ and B′ achieved using the BioGP guided NSGA-II have lower WOR by 17% and 15%, respectively, than A and B solutions established by NSGA-II alone. Pareto solution ranking is performed using the net flow method (NFM) and the best optimum solution determined for BioGP guided NSGA-II is 532.38 × 103 m3 oil using equal-based weight compared to 505.44 × 103 m3 using the entropy-based weights of 41% oil & 59% water. Overall, the optimal Pareto solutions achieved by the proposed methodology of using BioGP guided NSGA-II algorithm has better diversity with improvement in convergence speed in comparison to the NSGA-II.

Journalism and literature remodeled: study of a group of intellectuals of the middle sectors

RESUMO Neste artigo, analiso as trajetórias dos jornalistas-escritores Nelson Rodrigues, Carlos Heitor Cony, Antonio Callado, Clarice Lispector, Fernando Sabino e Otto Lara Resende. Oriundos dos setores médios, esses intelectuais se lançaram na profissão de escritor em contexto de maior autonomização dos campos teatral e literário em relação à imprensa, entre as décadas de 1940 e 1960. Nesse quadro, é possível que a produção ficcional deles esteja relacionada às estratégias de seu grupo social, compostas por relações tanto modernas quanto tradicionais, para evitar rebaixamentos sociais e impulsionar sua ascensão no âmbito do jornalismo e das letras em geral.

Rational Choice Theory and Taste of Japanese Popular Culture in Motivation of PMI to Enter Japan's Global Labor Market

&lt;em&gt;Developed countries as the axis of world industrialization attract developing countries with young demographic conditions to participate in the global labor market. According to the ILO's World Employment and Social Outlook-Trends 2019, the participation of the youth workforce has decreased. Besides being faced with an aging population, Japan also has a shortage of workers in the middle and low-skilled sectors. Meanwhile, Indonesia has the potential to experience a demographic bonus. The TITP / Kenshusei scheme is a realization of the labor demand and supply relationship. Rational Choice Theory by Coleman focuses on the rational actions of individuals in making decisions to achieve goals, with the calculation of benefits. According to Sonja Haug, indicators of capital and cultural capital influence the decision-making of migrant workers to migrate. In Futaba, workers from developing countries in Japan describe a relationship of mutual need. The state rationally forms a labor mobility policy in the era of the global labor market. Futaba then found that most participants drive-by economic needs and limited employment opportunities in their home countries. Based on the three indicators, career orientation and financial adequacy are the main factors besides the popularity of Japanese culture. Institutionally, the role of the family is the motivation for migration to meet financial needs at the beginning of a career. There is a process of adopting a lifestyle to the way of interaction and cultural habits of Japanese society. Herewith Japanese popular culture such as; the film, anime, manga, and game industries have contributed to the motivation of migrant workers to Japan.&lt;/em&gt;

Effect of photodynamic therapy on choroid of the medial area from optic disc in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy.

To explore the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the choroid of medial area from optic disc and factors correlated with treatment outcomes, we evaluated choroidal changes using ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography (UWF-OCT) after PDT for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). In this retrospective case-series, we included CSC patients who received a standard-dose of full-fluence PDT. UWF-OCT were examined at baseline and 3 months after treatment. We measured choroidal thickness (CT), classified into central, middle, and peripheral sectors. We examined CT changes after PDT by sectors and treatment outcome. Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients (20 males; mean age 58.7 ± 12.3 years) were included. CT reduction after PDT was significant in all sectors, including peripheral areas: supratemporal, 330.5 ± 90.6 μm vs. 237.0 ± 53.2 μm; infratemporal, 240.0 ± 89.4 μm vs. 209.9 ± 55.1 μm; supranasal, 237.7 ± 59.8 vs 209.3 ± 69.3 μm; infranasal, 172.6 ± 47.2 μm vs. 155.1 ± 38.2 μm (P < 0.001, for all). In patients with retinal fluid resolution, despite no apparent difference in baseline CT, there was more significant reduction after PDT in supratemporal and supranasal peripheral sectors, compared with patients without resolution: supratemporal, 41.9 ± 30.3 μm vs. -1.6 ± 22.7 μm; supranasal, 24.7 ± 15.3 μm vs. 8.5 ± 3.6 μm (P < 0.019, for both). Whole CT decreased after PDT, including in medial areas from optic disc. This may be associated with the treatment response of PDT for CSC.

Entre la salud y el placer de comer en casa. Cambios y continuidades en las prácticas alimentarias de sectores medios del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires en contexto del confinamiento por COVID-19.

Objectives: Eating practices of middle sectors from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires during lockdown are described and analyzed, identifying changes, continuities and reasons regarding representations of healthy eating which have structured these practices before pandemic. Methods: As regards methodology, qualitative and quantitative data from primary sources were used within exploratory/descriptive design frameworks. Results and conclusions: Results show the central role acquired by everyday eating during lockdown; guided by a preexistent pattern of practices and representations associated to the tension between health and pleasure leading to body weight control.

The Potential of Sukuk for Financing Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria

Nigeria has promising investment opportunities in the up and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry that need financing. In the upstream, there are an estimated 37.2 Billion proven oil reserves and 182 Trillion cubic feet of natural gas. New investment opportunities are being developed, and individual and organizational investors need to finance their activities by purchasing drilling equipment and financing their infrastructures and storage facilities. Sukuk financing became a potential investment opportunity that could significantly address the upstream and downstream oil and gas sector and restore the glory of refineries in the country. There are currently three petroleum refineries in Nigeria with a stated capacity of 438 750. Perhaps the refineries are obsolete and bedeviled by poor management and turnaround maintenance due to the lack of funding. The study examines the potential of Sukuk financing oil and gas in the sector in Nigeria. The study employed Structural Equation Modeling to test the respondents' perspectives on the proposed model. Findings predict that the government may diversify and look for an alternative for funding that attracts more investors to participate in Sukuk financing. Future research is encouraged to use quantitative assessment methods to assess funding priorities between the Upstream, middle and downstream petroleum sectors.