scholarly journals POLLUTION OF WELL WATER WITH SOME NITROGENOUS POLLUTANTS AND TOXIC MICROPOLLUTANTS IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT OF COTONOU IN SOUTH-BENIN

2018 ◽  
pp. 110-120
Author(s):  
Espérance O. Hounsounou ◽  
Lucie Ayi-Fanou ◽  
Victorin K. Chegnimonhan ◽  
Euloge Agbossou ◽  
Agassounon Djikpo Tchibozo Micheline ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Distribution ◽  
Reduction Method ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Rapid Extraction ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Well Waters

Difficulties of access to public water distribution sources in the suburbs of the sixth district of Cotonou create more resorts to the traditional water sources (wells). To assess the degree of chemical pollution of those waters, a study was conducted during the long rainy season of 2015 on thirty (30) traditional wells. Concentration of nitrogenous pollutants (nitrates and nitrites) was analyzed by cadmium reduction method and diazotization method, respectively. Micropollutants (lead and mercury) were respectively determined by the rapid extraction method of LeadTrak ™ column and by pre-concentration at cold vapor method. The results show that waters have a high level of nitrate and mercury pollution which are respectively 26.67%, (16.38 mg/l to 349.85 mg/l) and 13.33% (0.10 mg/l to 1.50 mg/l) and a low level of nitrite (0.02 mg/l to 2.63 mg/l) and lead (1 mg/l to 5mg/l). The Principal Component analysis helped to identify four groups (I-IV) of well waters: water with high degree of nitrogen pollution (NO3-) and high toxic metal and toxic metal (I: 20%); with low degree of nitrogen and toxic metal (II: 30%);water with high mineralization (III: 20%) and water rich in nitric pollutant (NO2-) (IV: 6.67%).The water pollution may be related to the low sanitation level and the improper conditions of well installation. Consumption of well waters may expose humans to health risks.

scholarly journals L’illusion de contrôle liée au jeu auprès d’universitaires : le bénéfice du doute? / The Illusion of Control in Gambling among University Students: The Benefit of the Doubt?

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Smith ◽  
Isabelle Giroux
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Gambling Behavior ◽  
Illusion Of Control ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Individual Variables ◽  
Control Knowledge ◽  
High Level ◽  
Facteurs Sociodémographiques ◽  
High Degree

Since previous research has indicated that high levels of education might protect against gambling problems, studies have tested the hypothesis that academics have fewer erroneous thoughts related to gambling, such as the illusion of control (i.e., the overestimation of the contribution of personal skill in gambling outcomes). However, the results of these studies were equivocal. The illusion of control can, however, be fostered by various sociodemographic, dispositional, and cognitive factors that may be present in highly educated individuals, including degree of optimism, internal of the locus of control, knowledge of statistics and probabilities (SP) and, finally, the degree of conviction about gambling beliefs. Indeed, it has been shown that pathological gamblers not only have more irrational thoughts, but they also tend to be more convinced of the correctness of these thoughts. For example, an individual might think that a lucky charm might help them win, but not be too sure how right they are to hold this belief (low degree of conviction). On the contrary, a person might be convinced that lucky charms definitely help them win, or definitely do not help them win (both of which are examples of a high degree of conviction). Based on data previously collected by Smith and Giroux (2018) investigating the gambling behavior of 142 university students with and without SP knowledge, this study examines the relationships between the illusion of control in gambling and factors known to influence the illusion of control. Secondly, this article seeks to verify the predictive potential of these individual variables on the illusion of control. The results indicate that a high level of SP knowledge is associated with a higher degree of optimism (p <.01), as well as fewer superstitions (p <.01). Moreover, the less university students are convinced of the rightness of their beliefs, the more they report an illusion of control (p <.01). Within this sample, being a man, having little SP knowledge and a low degree of conviction statistically predict more illusion of control (p <.01). The discussion explores how doubt can be beneficial for educated individuals who engage in such erroneous thinking.RésuméPuisque la recherche antérieure a indiqué que de hauts niveaux d’éducation pourraient protéger contre les problèmes de jeu, des études ont testé l’hypothèse selon laquelle les universitaires entretiennent moins de pensées erronées liées aux jeux de hasard et d’argent (JHA), telle l’illusion de contrôle qui consiste à surestimer l’apport de l’habileté personnelle dans les résultats du jeu. Or, les résultats de ces études ont été équivoques. L’illusion de contrôle peut toutefois être favorisée par différents facteurs sociodémographiques, dispositionnels et cognitifs que peuvent présenter des individus fortement scolarisés, soit le degré d’optimisme, l’internalité du lieu de contrôle, les connaissances des statistiques et des probabilités (SP) et, finalement, le degré de conviction quant aux croyances liées au jeu. En effet, il a été démontré que les joueurs pathologiques ont non seulement plus de pensées erronées, mais ils tendent également à être davantage convaincus de la justesse de ces croyances. Ainsi, quelqu’un pourrait endosser un certain nombre de pensées erronées, mais exprimer du doute quant à la justesse de celles-ci. Par exemple, quelqu’un pourrait penser qu’un porte-bonheur aidera (un peu, modérément, beaucoup) à gagner, mais ne pas être certain d’avoir raison à ce sujet. Contrairement, une personne pourrait être persuadée (haut degré de conviction) que les porte-bonheurs aident ou n’aident pas. S’appuyant sur les données préalablement recueillies par Smith et Giroux (2018) pour une étude sur les comportements de jeu de 142 universitaires avec ou sans connaissances des statistiques et des probabilités (SP), la présente étude examine les relations entre l’illusion de contrôle liée aux JHA et ces facteurs connus pour influencer l’illusion de contrôle. Deuxièmement, cet article cherche à vérifier le potentiel prédictif de ces variables individuelles sur l’illusion de contrôle. Les résultats indiquent qu’un niveau élevé de connaissances des SP est associé à un degré supérieur d’optimisme (p < .01), ainsi qu’à moins de superstitions (p < .01). De plus, moins les universitaires sont convaincus quant à leurs croyances, plus ils rapportent d’illusion de contrôle (p < .01). Au sein de cet échantillon, le fait d’être un homme, d’avoir peu de connaissances des SP ainsi qu’un degré de conviction peu élevé prédisent statistiquement plus d'illusion de contrôle (p < .01). La discussion porte sur les avantages possibles de la présence de doute auprès d’individus scolarisés faisant état de ce type de pensées erronées.

scholarly journals Features of changes in physiological and psychophysiological indices, as well as of the physical efficiency of the heart, depending on the degree of neurotism in hypoxic conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
A A Blaginin ◽  
S N Sinelnikov ◽  
R A Dzankisov ◽  
V B Dergachev
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Background Level ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Physiological Reaction ◽  
Hypoxic Conditions ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Different Levels

Features of hypoxia tolerability by persons with different levels of neurotism are presented. It was found that changes on physiological parameters such as heart rate, arterial pressure and saturation of arterial blood in persons with a high level of neurotism are more pronounced in conditions of hypoxia. In particular, to the 25-30th min. when they stay in altitude chamber, heart rate is enlarged by 38% (p0,01) from initial. The persons with the low level of a neyrotizm, the augmentation of heart rate doesn’t exceed 28% (p0,01). This compensatory physiological reaction helps maintain arterial blood saturation in people with high neurotism by 5,3% (p0,05) more, at people with a low degree of neurotism. However, at the same time at examinees with a high level of neurotism, in comparison with persons with the low level of a neyrotizm more expressed decrease of working capacity of a myocardium on 23,4%. In addition, in persons with a high degree of neurotism, there is a more pronounced negative dynamics of an increase in the time of a complex sensomotorny reaction to 41,57 ms (p0,05) from background level, while in persons with low neurotism only by 26,19 ms (p0,05). Thus, at assessment of an acceptability of a hypoxia, it is necessary to take into account the dependence of changes physiological and psychophysiological indicators and also physical effeciency of heart from degree neyrotizm.

ANTICYTOKINE ACTIVITY OF THE PROTOZOA BLASTOCYSTIS SPP

2020 ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
Bugero N.V. ◽  
Ilyina N.A. ◽  
Aleksandrova S.M.
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Cytokine Balance ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Blastocystis Spp ◽  
High Level ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
High Degree

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.

A psychologically-inspired fuzzy-based approach for user personality prediction in rumor propagation across social networks

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
V. Indu ◽  
Sabu M. Thampi
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Common People ◽  
Rumor Propagation ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
User Personality ◽  
Personality Prediction ◽  
High Degree

Social networks have emerged as a fertile ground for the spread of rumors and misinformation in recent times. The increased rate of social networking owes to the popularity of social networks among the common people and user personality has been considered as a principal component in predicting individuals’ social media usage patterns. Several studies have been conducted to study the psychological factors influencing the social network usage of people but only a few works have explored the relationship between the user’s personality and their orientation to spread rumors. This research aims to investigate the effect of personality on rumor spread on social networks. In this work, we propose a psychologically-inspired fuzzy-based approach grounded on the Five-Factor Model of behavioral theory to analyze the behavior of people who are highly involved in rumor diffusion and categorize users into the susceptible and resistant group, based on their inclination towards rumor sharing. We conducted our experiments in almost 825 individuals who shared rumor tweets on Twitter related to five different events. Our study ratifies the truth that the personality traits of individuals play a significant role in rumor dissemination and the experimental results prove that users exhibiting a high degree of agreeableness trait are more engaged in rumor sharing activities and the users high in extraversion and openness trait restrain themselves from rumor propagation.

scholarly journals Study of Well Waters from High-Level Natural Radiation Areas in Northern Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Van-Hao Duong ◽  
Thanh-Duong Nguyen ◽  
Miklos Hegedus ◽  
Erika Kocsis ◽  
Tibor Kovacs
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radionuclide ◽  
World Health ◽  
Natural Radiation ◽  
Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽  
Northern Vietnam ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Level ◽  
Radiological Hazard Indices ◽  
Well Waters

The determination of natural radionuclide concentrations plays an important role for assuring public health and in the estimation of the radiological hazards. This is especially true for high level radiation areas. In this study, 226Ra, 228Ra and 238U concentrations were measured in well waters surrounding eight of the high-level natural radiation areas in northern Vietnam. The 226Ra, 228Ra and 238U activity concentrations vary from <1.2 × 10−3–2.7 (0.46), <2.6 × 10−3–0.43 (0.07) and <38 × 10−3–5.32 Bq/L (0.50 of median), respectively. 226Ra and 238U isotopes in most areas are in equilibrium, except for the DT-Thai Nguyen area. The calculated radiological hazard indices are generally higher than WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations. Average annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk values due to drinking well water range from to 130 to 540 μSv/year and 7.4 × 10−6 to 3.1 × 10−5, respectively.

scholarly journals A model for spectroscopic food sample analysis using data sonification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsein Kew
Keyword(s):  
Dimensionality Reduction ◽  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Reduction Method ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Audio Output ◽  
Dimensionality Reduction Method

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a method to generate an audio output based on spectroscopy data in order to discriminate two classes of data, based on the features of our spectral dataset. To do this, we first perform spectral pre-processing, and then extract features, followed by machine learning, for dimensionality reduction. The features are then mapped to the parameters of a sound synthesiser, as part of the audio processing, so as to generate audio samples in order to compute statistical results and identify important descriptors for the classification of the dataset. To optimise the process, we compare Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM) synthesis, as applied to two real-life datasets to evaluate the performance of sonification as a method for discriminating data. FM synthesis provides a higher subjective classification accuracy as compared with to AM synthesis. We then further compare the dimensionality reduction method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis in order to optimise our sonification algorithm. The results of classification accuracy using FM synthesis as the sound synthesiser and PCA as the dimensionality reduction method yields a mean classification accuracies of 93.81% and 88.57% for the coffee dataset and the fruit puree dataset respectively, and indicate that this spectroscopic analysis model is able to provide relevant information on the spectral data, and most importantly, is able to discriminate accurately between the two spectra and thus provides a complementary tool to supplement current methods.

CSim 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
David Sanan ◽  
Yongwang Zhao ◽  
Shang-Wei Lin ◽  
Liu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Programming Languages ◽  
Concurrent Systems ◽  
Theorem Prover ◽  
Compositional Techniques ◽  
Machine Code ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Hol Theorem Prover ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Degree

To make feasible and scalable the verification of large and complex concurrent systems, it is necessary the use of compositional techniques even at the highest abstraction layers. When focusing on the lowest software abstraction layers, such as the implementation or the machine code, the high level of detail of those layers makes the direct verification of properties very difficult and expensive. It is therefore essential to use techniques allowing to simplify the verification on these layers. One technique to tackle this challenge is top-down verification where by means of simulation properties verified on top layers (representing abstract specifications of a system) are propagated down to the lowest layers (that are an implementation of the top layers). There is no need to say that simulation of concurrent systems implies a greater level of complexity, and having compositional techniques to check simulation between layers is also desirable when seeking for both feasibility and scalability of the refinement verification. In this article, we present CSim 2 a (compositional) rely-guarantee-based framework for the top-down verification of complex concurrent systems in the Isabelle/HOL theorem prover. CSim 2 uses CSimpl, a language with a high degree of expressiveness designed for the specification of concurrent programs. Thanks to its expressibility, CSimpl is able to model many of the features found in real world programming languages like exceptions, assertions, and procedures. CSim 2 provides a framework for the verification of rely-guarantee properties to compositionally reason on CSimpl specifications. Focusing on top-down verification, CSim 2 provides a simulation-based framework for the preservation of CSimpl rely-guarantee properties from specifications to implementations. By using the simulation framework, properties proven on the top layers (abstract specifications) are compositionally propagated down to the lowest layers (source or machine code) in each concurrent component of the system. Finally, we show the usability of CSim 2 by running a case study over two CSimpl specifications of an Arinc-653 communication service. In this case study, we prove a complex property on a specification, and we use CSim 2 to preserve the property on lower abstraction layers.

scholarly journals Simple Sequence Repeat and S-Locus Genotyping to Assist the Genetic Characterization and Breeding of Polyploid Prunus Species, P. spinosa and P. domestica subsp. insititia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Halász ◽  
Noémi Makovics-Zsohár ◽  
Ferenc Szőke ◽  
Sezai Ercisli ◽  
Attila Hegedűs
Keyword(s):  
Simple Sequence Repeat ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sequence Repeat ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Allele Number ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Ssr Loci ◽  
High Level ◽  
Diversity Studies ◽  
Simple Sequence

AbstractPolyploid Prunus spinosa (2n = 4 ×) and P. domestica subsp. insititia (2n = 6 ×) represent enormous genetic potential in Central Europe, which can be exploited in breeding programs. In Hungary, 16 cultivar candidates and a recognized cultivar ‘Zempléni’ were selected from wild-growing populations including ten P. spinosa, four P. domestica subsp. insititia and three P. spinosa × P. domestica hybrids (2n = 5 ×) were also created. Genotyping in eleven simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and the multiallelic S-locus was used to characterize genetic variability and achieve a reliable identification of tested accessions. Nine SSR loci proved to be polymorphic and eight of those were highly informative (PIC values ˃ 0.7). A total of 129 SSR alleles were identified, which means 14.3 average allele number per locus and all accessions but two clones could be discriminated based on unique SSR fingerprints. A total of 23 S-RNase alleles were identified and the complete and partial S-genotype was determined for 10 and 7 accessions, respectively. The DNA sequence was determined for a total of 17 fragments representing 11 S-RNase alleles. ‘Zempléni’ was confirmed to be self-compatible carrying at least one non-functional S-RNase allele (SJ). Our results indicate that the S-allele pools of wild-growing P. spinosa and P. domestica subsp. insititia are overlapping in Hungary. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses confirmed the high level of diversity and genetic differentiation present within the analysed accessions and indicated putative ancestor–descendant relationships. Our data confirm that S-locus genotyping is suitable for diversity studies in polyploid Prunus species but non-related accessions sharing common S-alleles may distort phylogenetic inferences.

scholarly journals A Principal Component Analysis of Acoustic Emission Signals from a Landing Gear Component

2008 ◽  
Vol 13-14 ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Pullin ◽  
Mark J. Eaton ◽  
James J. Hensman ◽  
Karen M. Holford ◽  
Keith Worden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Landing Gear ◽  
Fracture Detection ◽  
Artificial Fracture ◽  
High Level ◽  
Ae Signals

This work forms part of a larger investigation into fracture detection using acoustic emission (AE) during landing gear airworthiness testing. It focuses on the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to differentiate between fracture signals and high levels of background noise. An artificial acoustic emission (AE) fracture source was developed and additionally five sources were used to generate differing AE signals. Signals were recorded from all six artificial sources in a real landing gear component subject to no load. Further to this, artificial fracture signals were recorded in the same component under airworthiness test load conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to automatically differentiate between AE signals from different source types. Furthermore, successful separation of artificial fracture signals from a very high level of background noise was achieved. The presence of a load was observed to affect the ultrasonic propagation of AE signals.

Addiction and schizophrenia

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Batel
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Dependency Type ◽  
Active Research ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
High Level ◽  
Environmental Hypothesis ◽  
High Degree

SummaryEpidemiologic studies in the general population and those based on the clinical assessment of schizophrenic populations have revealed a high degree of overlap between schizophrenia and addictive disorders. The abuse of psychoactive substances (including alcohol) throughout life is so frequent (50%) that the possibility of a specific link inevitably arises. Various hypotheses have been suggested to explain the high co-morbidity between schizophrenia and addiction: 1) The social-environmental hypothesis has been developed but studies have provided poor evidence to validate it. 2) The possible shared biological vulnerability between schizophrenia and addictions led researchers to explore common genetic determinants and study the involvement of the dopaminergic and opioid systems in the aetiology of both schizophrenia and the abuse of and dependence on psychoactive drugs. 3) Finally, the theory of self-medication suggests that schizophrenics may be attempting to counter the deficit linked to their disorders by using the substances they take or their dependency-type behaviour to cope with their emotional problems. The clinical profile of schizophrenic addicts does seem to display some distinctive features, such as the high level of depressive co-morbidity, very high nicotine and alcohol dependence, with a very poor prognosis. These patients are difficult to manage; the possibility of pharmacologic interactions between the substances they are taking and neuroleptic medication calls for prudence, and their compliance is also poor. Addictive disorders in schizophrenics are currently a topic of active research intended to lead to identifying specific treatments. The early identification of addictive disorders in schizophrenics should make it possible to limit their development and improve the prognosis.

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