Displaying publications 421 - 440 of 761 in total

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  1. Chakraborty S, Goswami S, Quah CK, Pakhira B
    R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jun;5(6):180149.
    PMID: 30110468 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180149
    Single-crystal X-ray structures of dimeric quinoxaline aldehyde (QA), quinoxaline dihydrazone (DHQ) and HQNM (Goswami S et al. 2013 Tetrahedron Lett.54, 5075-5077. (doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.07.051); Goswami S et al. 2014 RSC Adv.4, 20 922-20 926. (doi:10.1039/C4RA00594E); Goswami S et al. 2014 New J. Chem.38, 6230-6235. (doi:10.1039/C4NJ01498G)) are reported along with the theoretical study. Among them, QA is not acting as an active probe, but DHQ and HQNM are serving as selective and sensitive probe for the Fe3+ cation and the Ni2+ cation, respectively. DHQ can also detect the Fe3+ in commercial fruit juices (grape and pomegranate).
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  2. Siswanto, W.A., Syiddiq, M.
    MyJurnal
    This paper presents a mathematical model of the traditional musical instrument, the kompang. In this study, a mathematical model of the kompang membrane is developed to simulate the vibration of the kompang membrane in polar coordinates by implementing the Fourier-Bessel wave function. The wave equation in polar direction is applied to provide the vibration modes of the membrane with the corresponding natural frequencies of the circular membrane. The initial and boundary conditions are determined to allow the development of numerical equation based on kompang membrane attachment. The mathematical model is coded in Smath for the numerical analysis as well as the plotting tool. Two kompang membrane cases with different membrane materials i.e. goat-skin and x-ray film are tried to test the model. The Finite Element Method (FEM) programme, Mecway, shows that the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes are comparable with those from the developed model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  3. Farh HMH, Eltamaly AM, Othman MF
    PLoS One, 2018;13(11):e0206171.
    PMID: 30388119 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206171
    Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is widely used in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. Nevertheless, this technique suffers from two main problems in the case of partial shading conditions (PSCs). The first problem is that PSO is a time invariant optimization technique that cannot follow the dynamic global peak (GP) under time variant shading patterns (SPs) and sticks to the first GP that occurs at the beginning. This problem can be solved by dispersing the PSO particles using two new techniques introduced in this paper. The two new proposed PSO re-initialization techniques are to disperse the particles upon the SP changes and the other one is upon a predefined time (PDT). The second problem is regarding the high oscillations around steady state, which can be solved by using fuzzy logic controller (FLC) to fine-tune the output power and voltage from the PV system. The new contribution of this paper is the hybrid PSO-FLC with two PSO particles dispersing techniques that is able to solve the two previous mentioned problems effectively and improve the performance of the PV system in both normal and PSCs. A detailed list of comparisons between hybrid PSO-FLC and original PSO using the two proposed methodologies are achieved. The results prove the superior performance of hybrid PSO-FLC compared to PSO in terms of efficiency, accuracy, oscillations reduction around steady state and soft tuning of the GP tracked.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  4. Andiappan V, Benjamin MFD, Tan RR, Ng DKS
    Heliyon, 2019 Oct;5(10):e02594.
    PMID: 31720447 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02594
    Designers of energy systems often face challenges in balancing the trade-off between cost and reliability. In literature, several papers have presented mathematical models for optimizing the reliability and cost of energy systems. However, the previous models only addressed reliability implicitly, i.e., based on availability and maintenance planning. Others focused on allocation of reliability based on individual equipment requirements via non-linear models that require high computational effort. This work proposes a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that combines the use of both input-output (I-O) modelling and linearized parallel system reliability expressions. The proposed MILP model can optimize the design and reliability of energy systems based on equipment function and operating capacity. The model allocates equipment with sufficient reliability to meet system functional requirements and determines the required capacity. A simple pedagogical example is presented in this work to illustrate the features of proposed MILP model. The MILP model is then applied to a polygeneration case study consisting of two scenarios. In the first scenario, the polygeneration system was optimized based on specified reliability requirements. The technologies chosen for Scenario 1 were the CHP module, reverse osmosis unit and vapour compression chiller. The total annualized cost (TAC) for Scenario 1 was 53.3 US$ million/year. In the second scenario, the minimum reliability level for heat production was increased. The corresponding results indicated that an additional auxiliary boiler must be operated to meet the new requirements. The resulting TAC for the Scenario 2 was 5.3% higher than in the first scenario.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  5. Mohamed Faris Laham, Ishtrinayagy S. Krishnarajah, Jamilah Mohd Shariff
    Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:171-177.
    This paper studies the harvesting strategies for tilapia fish farming. Two logistic growth models have been used namely constant harvesting and periodic harvesting. Even though tilapia fish farming has been commercialized, the use of mathematical models in determining harvesting strategies has not been widely applied in Malaysia. Logistic growth model is appropriate for population growth of animal when overcrowding and competition resources are taken into consideration. The objectives of this study were to estimate the highest continuing yield from fish harvesting strategies implemented. Secondly, the study predicted the optimum quantity for harvesting that can ensure the tilapia fish supply is continuous. Finally, to compare the results obtained between the two strategies. The best harvesting strategy for the selected fish farm is periodic harvesting. These findings can assist fish farmers to increase the supply to meet the demand for tilapia fish.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  6. Chen WN, Yeong KY
    PMID: 32056532 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666200214104331
    Scopolamine as a drug is often used to treat motion sickness. Derivatives of scopolamine have also found applications as antispasmodic drugs among others. In neuroscience-related research, it is often used to induce cognitive disorders in experimental models as it readily permeates the bloodbrain barrier. In the context of Alzheimer's disease, its effects include causing cholinergic dysfunction and increasing amyloid-β deposition, both of which are hallmarks of the disease. Hence, the application of scopolamine in Alzheimer's disease research is proven pivotal but seldom discussed. In this review, the relationship between scopolamine and Alzheimer's disease will be delineated through an overall effect of scopolamine administration and its specific mechanisms of action, discussing mainly its influences on cholinergic function and amyloid cascade. The validity of scopolamine as a model of cognitive impairment or neurotoxin model will also be discussed in terms of advantages and limitations with future insights.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  7. Ahmed AA, Pradhan B
    Environ Monit Assess, 2019 Feb 26;191(3):190.
    PMID: 30809746 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7333-3
    This study proposes a neural network (NN) model to predict and simulate the propagation of vehicular traffic noise in a dense residential area at the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The proposed model comprises of two main simulation steps: that is, the prediction of vehicular traffic noise using NN and the simulation of the propagation of traffic noise emission using a mathematical model. First, the NN model was developed with the following selected noise predictors: the number of motorbikes, the sum of vehicles, car ratio, heavy vehicle ratio (e.g. truck, lorry and bus), highway density and a light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-derived digital surface model (DSM). Subsequently, NN and its hyperparameters were optimised by a systematic optimisation procedure based on a grid search approach. The noise propagation model was then developed in a geographic information system (GIS) using five variables, namely road geometry, barriers, distance, interaction of air particles and weather parameters. The noise measurement was conducted continuously at 15-min intervals and the data were analysed by taking the minimum, maximum and average values recorded during the day. The measurement was performed four times a day (i.e. morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight) over two days of the week (i.e. Sunday and Monday). An optimal radial basis function NN was used with 17 hidden layers. The learning rate and momentum values were 0.05 and 0.9, respectively. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed method achieved 78.4% with less than 4.02 dB (A) error in noise prediction. Overall, the proposed models were found to be promising tools for traffic noise assessment in dense urban areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  8. Mohammad AT, Abdulhameed AS, Jawad AH
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 May 15;129:98-109.
    PMID: 30735780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.02.025
    A crosslinked chitosan-glyoxal/TiO2 nanocomposite (CCG/TNC) was synthesized by loading different ratios of TiO2 nanoparticles into polymeric matrix of crosslinked chitosan-glyoxal (CCG) to be a promising biosorbent for methyl orange (MO). Box-Behnken design (BBD) in response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize various process parameters, viz., loading of TiO2 nanoparticles into CCG polymeric matrix (A: 0%-50%), adsorbent dose (B: 0.04-0.14 g/50 mL), solution pH (C: 4-10), and temperature (D: 30-50 °C). The highest MO removal efficiency of 75.9% was observed by simultaneous interactions between AB, AC, and BC. The optimum TiO2 loading, adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and temperature were (50% TiO2: 50% chitosan labeled as CCG/TNC-50), 0.09 g/50 mL, 4.0, and 40 °C. The adsorption of MO from aqueous solution by using CCG/TNC-50 in batch mode was evaluated. The kinetic results were well described by the pseudo-first order kinetic, and the equilibrium data were in agreement with Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 416.1 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism included electrostatic attractions, n-π stacking interactions, dipole-dipole hydrogen bonding interactions, and Yoshida H-bonding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  9. Sheikh Khozani Z, Sheikhi S, Mohtar WHMW, Mosavi A
    PLoS One, 2020;15(4):e0229731.
    PMID: 32271780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229731
    Shear stress comprises basic information for predicting the average depth velocity and discharge in channels. With knowledge of the percentage of shear force carried by walls (%SFw) it is possible to more accurately estimate shear stress values. The %SFw, non-dimension wall shear stress ([Formula: see text]) and non-dimension bed shear stress ([Formula: see text]) in smooth rectangular channels were predicted by a three methods, the Bayesian Regularized Neural Network (BRNN), the Radial Basis Function (RBF), and the Modified Structure-Radial Basis Function (MS-RBF). For this aim, eight data series of research experimental results in smooth rectangular channels were used. The results of the new method of MS-RBF were compared with those of a simple RBF and BRNN methods and the best model was selected for modeling each predicted parameters. The MS-RBF model with RMSE of 3.073, 0.0366 and 0.0354 for %SFw, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] respectively, demonstrated better performance than those of the RBF and BRNN models. The results of MS-RBF model were compared with three other proposed equations by researchers for trapezoidal channels and rectangular ducts. The results showed that the MS-RBF model performance in estimating %SFw, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is superior than those of presented equations by researchers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  10. Ansari M, Othman F, El-Shafie A
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 20;722:137878.
    PMID: 32199382 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137878
    Sewage treatment plants (STPs) keep sewage contamination within safe levels and minimize the risk of environmental disasters. To achieve optimum operation of an STP, it is necessary for influent parameters to be measured or estimated precisely. In this research, six well-known influent chemical and biological characteristics, i.e., biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N), pH, oil and grease (OG) and suspended solids (SS), were modeled and predicted using the Sugeno fuzzy logic model. The membership function range of the fuzzy model was optimized by ANFIS, the integrated Genetic algorithms (GA), and the integrated particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The results were evaluated by different indices to find the accuracy of each algorithm. To ensure prediction accuracy, outliers in the predicted data were found and replaced with reasonable values. The results showed that both integrated GA-FIS and PSO-FIS algorithms performed at almost the same level and both had fewer errors than ANFIS. As the GA-FIS algorithm predicts BOD with fewer errors than PSO-FIS and the aim of this study is to provide an accurate prediction of missing data, GA-FIS was only used to predict the BOD parameter; the other parameters were predicted by PSO-FIS algorithm. As a result, the model successfully could provide outstanding performance for predicting the BOD, COD, NH3-N, OG, pH and SS with MAE equal to 3.79, 5.14, 0.4, 0.27, 0.02, and 3.16, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  11. Mohammed M, Omar N
    PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0230442.
    PMID: 32191738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230442
    The assessment of examination questions is crucial in educational institutes since examination is one of the most common methods to evaluate students' achievement in specific course. Therefore, there is a crucial need to construct a balanced and high-quality exam, which satisfies different cognitive levels. Thus, many lecturers rely on Bloom's taxonomy cognitive domain, which is a popular framework developed for the purpose of assessing students' intellectual abilities and skills. Several works have been proposed to automatically handle the classification of questions in accordance with Bloom's taxonomy. Most of these works classify questions according to specific domain. As a result, there is a lack of technique of classifying questions that belong to the multi-domain areas. The aim of this paper is to present a classification model to classify exam questions based on Bloom's taxonomy that belong to several areas. This study proposes a method for classifying questions automatically, by extracting two features, TFPOS-IDF and word2vec. The purpose of the first feature was to calculate the term frequency-inverse document frequency based on part of speech, in order to assign a suitable weight for essential words in the question. The second feature, pre-trained word2vec, was used to boost the classification process. Then, the combination of these features was fed into three different classifiers; K-Nearest Neighbour, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machine, in order to classify the questions. The experiments used two datasets. The first dataset contained 141 questions, while the other dataset contained 600 questions. The classification result for the first dataset achieved an average of 71.1%, 82.3% and 83.7% weighted F1-measure respectively. The classification result for the second dataset achieved an average of 85.4%, 89.4% and 89.7% weighted F1-measure respectively. The finding from this study showed that the proposed method is significant in classifying questions from multiple domains based on Bloom's taxonomy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  12. Wun FML, Muhd Hafizi Zainal, Syahidah Mohd Tahir, Ishak B. Ahmad, Mohammad B. Kassim
    Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:923-929.
    The presence of two different chromophores in benzothiazole molecule namely benzothiazole and aromatic rings lead to
    interesting chemical and biological properties that attract more researches on the compounds. Three new benzothiazolylbenzoythiourea
    compounds namely 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(benzoylthiourea) (BBT), 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-
    (4-chlorobenzoylthiourea) (BBT-4Cl) and 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxybenzoylthiourea) (BBT-4OCH3
    ) with
    different electron withdrawing substituents (R) at the para positions on the benzene ring of benzoylthiourea ring have
    been synthesized from the reaction of R-benzoyl isothiocyanate (R= H, Cl, and OCH3
    ) and 2-aminobenzothiazole. The
    compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (infrared, 1
    H proton NMR and UV-Vis). The IR spectra showed
    the frequency signals of n (C=O), n (C=S), n (N-H) at 1664-1673, 1238-1249 and 3031-3055 cm-1, respectively. The 1
    H
    proton NMR spectra showed the presence of N-H amine and amide signals in the region of (12.14-12.35) and (14.17-14.43)
    ppm, respectively. The proton signals of the two benzothiazole and benzoylthiourea moieties appear at 7.08-8.16 ppm.
    A theoretical study based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent (TD) DFT was conducted to optimize
    the geometrical structure and investigate the electronic properties of title compounds. The highest occupied molecular
    orbital (HOMO) was found on the benzothiazole moiety; while, the lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was
    located at the benzoylthiourea fragment. The DFT optimized structures possessed an intramolecular hydrogen bonding
    and the types of para substituents used influenced the properties of hydrogen bonding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  13. Mat Daud NI, Viswanathan KK
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0219089.
    PMID: 31269073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219089
    Vibrational behaviour of symmetric angle-ply layered circular cylindrical shell filled with quiescent fluid is presented. The equations of motion of cylindrical shell in terms of stress and moment resultants are derived from the first order shear deformation theory. Irrotational of inviscid fluid are expressed as the wave equation. These two equations are coupled. Strain-displacement relations and stress-strain relations are adopted into the equations of motion to obtain the differential equations with displacements and rotational functions. A system of ordinary differential equation is obtained in one variable by assuming the functions in separable form. Spline of order three is applied to approximate the displacement and rotational functions, together with boundary conditions, to get a generalised eigenvalue problem. The eigenvalue problem is solved for eigen frequency parameter and associate eigenvectors of spline coefficients. The study of frequency parameters are analysed using the parameters the thickness ratio, length ratio, angle-ply, properties of material and number of layers under different boundary conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  14. Karim MZ, Chowdhury ZZ, Hamid SBA, Ali ME
    Materials (Basel), 2014 Oct 13;7(10):6982-6999.
    PMID: 28788226 DOI: 10.3390/ma7106982
    Hydrolyzing the amorphous region while keeping the crystalline region unaltered is the key technology for producing nanocellulose. This study investigated if the dissolution properties of the amorphous region of microcrystalline cellulose can be enhanced in the presence of Fe(3+) salt in acidic medium. The process parameters, including temperature, time and the concentration of metal chloride catalyst (FeCl₃), were optimized by using the response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental observation demonstrated that temperature and time play vital roles in hydrolyzing the amorphous sections of cellulose. This would yield hydrocellulose with higher crystallinity. The factors that were varied for the production of hydrocellulose were the temperature (x₁), time (x₂) and FeCl₃ catalyst concentration (x₃). Responses were measured in terms of percentage of crystallinity (y₁) and the yield (y₂) of the prepared hydrocellulose. Relevant mathematical models were developed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to obtain the most significant factors influencing the responses of the percentage of crystallinity and yield. Under optimum conditions, the percentage of crystallinity and yield were 83.46% and 86.98% respectively, at 90.95 °C, 6 h, with a catalyst concentration of 1 M. The physiochemical characteristics of the prepared hydrocellulose were determined in terms of XRD, SEM, TGA and FTIR analyses. The addition of FeCl₃ salt in acid hydrolyzing medium is a novel technique for substantially increasing crystallinity with a significant morphological change.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  15. Ebshish A, Yaakob Z, Taufiq-Yap YH, Bshish A
    Materials (Basel), 2014 Mar 19;7(3):2257-2272.
    PMID: 28788567 DOI: 10.3390/ma7032257
    In this work; a response surface methodology (RSM) was implemented to investigate the process variables in a hydrogen production system. The effects of five independent variables; namely the temperature (X₁); the flow rate (X₂); the catalyst weight (X₃); the catalyst loading (X₄) and the glycerol-water molar ratio (X₅) on the H₂ yield (Y₁) and the conversion of glycerol to gaseous products (Y₂) were explored. Using multiple regression analysis; the experimental results of the H₂ yield and the glycerol conversion to gases were fit to quadratic polynomial models. The proposed mathematical models have correlated the dependent factors well within the limits that were being examined. The best values of the process variables were a temperature of approximately 600 °C; a feed flow rate of 0.05 mL/min; a catalyst weight of 0.2 g; a catalyst loading of 20% and a glycerol-water molar ratio of approximately 12; where the H₂ yield was predicted to be 57.6% and the conversion of glycerol was predicted to be 75%. To validate the proposed models; statistical analysis using a two-sample t-test was performed; and the results showed that the models could predict the responses satisfactorily within the limits of the variables that were studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  16. Khan I, Ali Shah N, Tassaddiq A, Mustapha N, Kechil SA
    PLoS One, 2018;13(1):e0188656.
    PMID: 29304161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188656
    This paper studies the heat transfer analysis caused due to free convection in a vertically oscillating cylinder. Exact solutions are determined by applying the Laplace and finite Hankel transforms. Expressions for temperature distribution and velocity field corresponding to cosine and sine oscillations are obtained. The solutions that have been obtained for velocity are presented in the forms of transient and post-transient solutions. Moreover, these solutions satisfy both the governing differential equation and all imposed initial and boundary conditions. Numerical computations and graphical illustrations are used in order to study the effects of Prandtl and Grashof numbers on velocity and temperature for various times. The transient solutions for both cosine and sine oscillations are also computed in tables. It is found that, the transient solutions are of considerable interest up to the times t = 15 for cosine oscillations and t = 1.75 for sine oscillations. After these moments, the transient solutions can be neglected and, the fluid moves according with the post-transient solutions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  17. Al-Faqheri W, Ibrahim F, Thio TH, Bahari N, Arof H, Rothan HA, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2015 Feb 25;15(3):4658-76.
    PMID: 25723143 DOI: 10.3390/s150304658
    In this paper, we propose an easy-to-implement passive liquid valve (PLV) for the microfluidic compact-disc (CD). This valve can be implemented by introducing venting chambers to control the air flow of the source and destination chambers. The PLV mechanism is based on equalizing the main forces acting on the microfluidic CD (i.e., the centrifugal and capillary forces) to control the burst frequency of the source chamber liquid. For a better understanding of the physics behind the proposed PLV, an analytical model is described. Moreover, three parameters that control the effectiveness of the proposed valve, i.e., the liquid height, liquid density, and venting chamber position with respect to the CD center, are tested experimentally. To demonstrate the ability of the proposed PLV valve, microfluidic liquid switching and liquid metering are performed. In addition, a Bradford assay is performed to measure the protein concentration and evaluated in comparison to the benchtop procedure. The result shows that the proposed valve can be implemented in any microfluidic process that requires simplicity and accuracy. Moreover, the developed valve increases the flexibility of the centrifugal CD platform for passive control of the liquid flow without the need for an external force or trigger.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  18. Alam Khan N, Abdul Razzaq O, Riaz F, Ahmadian A, Senu N
    J Adv Res, 2021 09;32:109-118.
    PMID: 34484830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.11.015
    Introduction: The fusion of fractional order differential equations and fuzzy numbers has been widely used in modelling different engineering and applied sciences problems. In addition to these, the Allee effect, which is of high importance in field of biology and ecology, has also shown great contribution among other fields of sciences to study the correlation between density and the mean fitness of the subject.

    Objectives: The present paper is intended to measure uncertain dynamics of an economy by restructuring the Cobb-Douglas paradigm of the renowned Solow-Swan model. The purpose of study is further boosted innovatively by subsuming the perception of logistic growth with Allee effect in the dynamics of physical capital and labor force.

    Methods: Fractional order derivative and neutrosophic fuzzy (NF) theory are applied on the parameters of the Cobb-Douglas equation. Distinctively, cogitating fractional order derivative to study the change at each fractional stage; single-valued triangular neutrosophic fuzzy numbers (SVTNFN) to cope the uncertain situations; logistic growth function with Allee effect to analyze the factors in natural way, are the significant and novel features of this endeavor.

    Results: The incorporation of the aforementioned theories and effects in the Cobb-Douglas equation, resulted in producing maximum sustainable capital investment and maximum capacity of labor force. The solutions in intervals located different possible solutions for different membership degrees, which accumulated the uncertain circumstances of a country.

    Conclusion: Explicitly, these notions add new facts and figures not only in the dynamical study of capital and labor, which has been overlooked in classical models, but also left the door open for discussion and implementation on classical models of different fields.

    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  19. Venkataraman VV, Kraft TS, Dominy NJ, Endicott KM
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2017 03 21;114(12):3097-3102.
    PMID: 28265058 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1617542114
    The residential mobility patterns of modern hunter-gatherers broadly reflect local resource availability, but the proximate ecological and social forces that determine the timing of camp movements are poorly known. We tested the hypothesis that the timing of such moves maximizes foraging efficiency as hunter-gatherers move across the landscape. The marginal value theorem predicts when a group should depart a camp and its associated foraging area and move to another based on declining marginal return rates. This influential model has yet to be directly applied in a population of hunter-gatherers, primarily because the shape of gain curves (cumulative resource acquisition through time) and travel times between patches have been difficult to estimate in ethnographic settings. We tested the predictions of the marginal value theorem in the context of hunter-gatherer residential mobility using historical foraging data from nomadic, socially egalitarian Batek hunter-gatherers (n = 93 d across 11 residential camps) living in the tropical rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia. We characterized the gain functions for all resources acquired by the Batek at daily timescales and examined how patterns of individual foraging related to the emergent property of residential movements. Patterns of camp residence times conformed well with the predictions of the marginal value theorem, indicating that communal perceptions of resource depletion are closely linked to collective movement decisions. Despite (and perhaps because of) a protracted process of deliberation and argument about when to depart camps, Batek residential mobility seems to maximize group-level foraging efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
  20. Henriksson PJG, Belton B, Jahan KM, Rico A
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2018 03 20;115(12):2958-2963.
    PMID: 29507224 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716530115
    Food production is a major driver of global environmental change and the overshoot of planetary sustainability boundaries. Greater affluence in developing nations and human population growth are also increasing demand for all foods, and for animal proteins in particular. Consequently, a growing body of literature calls for the sustainable intensification of food production, broadly defined as "producing more using less". Most assessments of the potential for sustainable intensification rely on only one or two indicators, meaning that ecological trade-offs among impact categories that occur as production intensifies may remain unaccounted for. The present study addresses this limitation using life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify six local and global environmental consequences of intensifying aquaculture production in Bangladesh. Production data are from a unique survey of 2,678 farms, and results show multidirectional associations between the intensification of aquaculture production and its environmental impacts. Intensification (measured in material and economic output per unit primary area farmed) is positively correlated with acidification, eutrophication, and ecotoxicological impacts in aquatic ecosystems; negatively correlated with freshwater consumption; and indifferent with regard to global warming and land occupation. As production intensifies, the geographical locations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, acidifying emissions, freshwater consumption, and land occupation shift from the immediate vicinity of the farm to more geographically dispersed telecoupled locations across the globe. Simple changes in fish farming technology and management practices that could help make the global transition to more intensive forms of aquaculture be more sustainable are identified.
    Matched MeSH terms: Models, Theoretical
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