bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AI & I
Authors: Charniak Eugene
Published: February 2024

A concise and illuminating history of the field of artificial intelligence from one of its earliest and most respected pioneers.

AI & I is an intellectual history of the field of artificial intelligence from the perspective of one of its first practitioners, Eugene Charniak. Charniak entered the field in 1967, roughly 12 years after AI's founding, and was involved in many of AI's formative milestones. In this book, he traces the trajectory of breakthroughs and disappointments of the discipline up to the current day, clearly and engagingly demystifying this oft revered and misunderstood technology. His argument is controversial but well supported: that classical AI has been almost uniformly unsuccessful and that the modern deep learning approach should be viewed as the foundation for all the exciting developments that are to come.

Written for the scientifically educated layperson, this book chronicles the history of the field of AI, starting with its origin in 1956, as a topic for a small academic workshop held at Dartmouth University. From there, the author covers reasoning and knowledge representation, reasoning under uncertainty, chess, computer vision, speech recognition, language acquisition, deep learning, and learning writ large. Ultimately, Charniak takes issue with the controversy of AI—the fear that its invention means the end of jobs, creativity, and potentially even humans as a species—and explains why such concerns are unfounded. Instead, he believes that we should embrace the technology and all its potential to benefit society.
A Pluralist Theory of Perception
Authors: Mehta Neil
Published: February 2024

A new theory of perception that posits that conscious perception consists not of a single kind of awareness, but of two radically different kinds deployed in concert.

Most contemporary theories of perception, including leading forms of representationalism and naive realism, are monistic: they assume that to consciously perceive is to deploy only one kind of sensory awareness. In A Pluralist Theory of Perception, Neil Mehta instead argues for pluralism, which says that to consciously perceive is to deploy two very different kinds of sensory awareness in concert. Mehta argues that pluralism can simultaneously explain what is common to all forms of consciousness and what is distinctive about conscious perception.

Mehta's preferred version of pluralism, which he calls rich pluralism, says that conscious perception is constituted by successful sensory representation and deep awareness. Successful sensory representation is a representational form of awareness whose targets include particulars. It is found in perceptions, whether conscious or unconscious, but not in hallucinations. By contrast, deep awareness is a nonrepresentational form of sensory awareness whose targets are certain universals—the sensory qualities. Deep awareness constitutes one kind of consciousness, it is common to conscious perceptions and hallucinations, and it reveals part of the essences of its targets. Mehta argues that although rich pluralism appears to be less parsimonious than monism, it is not. All monistic theories that are explanatorily adequate end up being even more complex than rich pluralism. Thus, rich pluralism is the most spartan theory that can shoulder the explanatory load.
Also Known As
Authors: Chang Michelle JaJa
Published: February 2024

An exploration of conceptual frameworks common to architecture and digital media.

Also Known As offers analogies between objects and architecture, finding shared structures in physical things and architectural ideas, to render ideas relevant to a broad design audience. In this collection of written and visual work, Michelle JaJa Chang bridges conceptual frameworks found in architectural design and contemporary representation to examine design technology's social, material, and political effects. In architectural practice, where visual representation typically precedes building, techniques like drawing and imaging do not merely structure appearances. They are schemas, or organizational theories, connecting the abstract to the real. Buildings evidence representation's abilities to show how something is (through description) and how things should be (through projection).

Also Known As is a book in fragments. Some ideas are examined in depth, in essay form, while others are explored as anecdotal discoveries. Longer essays begin with a description of an object or phenomenon outside of architecture (e.g., a surveillance blimp, ancient bowls, a cartoon) in the manner of case reports. Observations on curious objects and events are also occasions to consider more complex systems in architecture. Richly illustrated and accompanied by an afterword by architect Jesús Vassallo, Also Known As offers a unique perspective for readers interested in architecture, media, computation, design, and arts from the informed perspective of a practitioner.
Macroeconomic Modeling
Authors: Fair Ray C.
Published: February 2024

An empirical approach to constructing macroeconomic models.

Macroeconomic Modeling presents an empirically based approach to the construction of macroeconomic models—the Cowles Commission approach—as a response to the backlash that has taken place since the late 1970s to this methodology. The emphasis in the literature has been on tightly specified theoretical models, which lack realism. In this book, Ray C. Fair develops models to analyze a variety of issues and events in macroeconomics and the US economy, and he explains the econometric techniques needed to estimate those models. Many of the results are either contrary to results from the theoretical models or cannot be examined by the theoretical models because they omit many important features of the economy.

Fair covers a broad range of topics, including inflation and unemployment, the size of wealth effects, the behavior of the Federal Reserve and its effects on the economy, the effects of fiscal policy, Okun's law, and contractions and expansions. Macroeconomic Modeling will appeal equally to graduate students and researchers as well as macroeconomic policy makers.
Oral supplementation of gut microbial metabolite indole-3-acetate alleviates diet-induced steatosis and inflammation in mice
Authors: Ding Yufang , Yanagi Karin , Yang Fang , Callaway Evelyn , Cheng Clint , Hensel Martha E , Menon Rani , Alaniz Robert C , Lee Kyongbum , Jayaraman Arul
Published: February 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. There is growing evidence that dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and disruption of microbiota-host interactions contribute to the pathology of NAFLD. We previously demonstrated that gut microbiota-derived tryptophan metabolite indole-3-acetate (I3A) was decreased in both cecum and liver of high-fat diet-fed mice and attenuated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages and Tnfa and fatty acid-induced inflammatory responses in an aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent manner in hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated the effect of orally administered I3A in a mouse model of diet-induced NAFLD. Western diet (WD)-fed mice given sugar water (SW) with I3A showed dramatically decreased serum ALT, hepatic triglycerides (TG), liver steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation, and hepatic production of inflammatory cytokines, compared to WD-fed mice given only SW. Metagenomic analysis show that I3A administration did not significantly modify the intestinal microbiome, suggesting that I3A’s beneficial effects likely reflect the metabolite’s direct actions on the liver. Administration of I3A partially reversed WD-induced alterations of liver metabolome and proteome, notably, decreasing expression of several enzymes in hepatic lipogenesis and β-oxidation. Mechanistically, we also show that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of I3A in macrophages. The potency of I3A in alleviating liver steatosis and inflammation clearly demonstrates its potential as a therapeutic modality for preventing the progression of steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
The genomic landscape of transposable elements in yeast hybrids is shaped by structural variation and genotype-specific modulation of transposition rate
Authors: Hénault Mathieu , Marsit Souhir , Charron Guillaume , Landry Christian R
Published: February 2024

Transposable elements (TEs) are major contributors to structural genomic variation by creating interspersed duplications of themselves. In return, structural variants (SVs) can affect the genomic distribution of TE copies and shape their load. One long-standing hypothesis states that hybridization could trigger TE mobilization and thus increase TE load in hybrids. We previously tested this hypothesis (Hénault et al., 2020) by performing a large-scale evolution experiment by mutation accumulation (MA) on multiple hybrid genotypes within and between wild populations of the yeastsSaccharomyces paradoxusandSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Using aggregate measures of TE load with short-read sequencing, we found no evidence for TE load increase in hybrid MA lines. Here, we resolve the genomes of the hybrid MA lines with long-read phasing and assembly to precisely characterize the role of SVs in shaping the TE landscape. Highly contiguous phased assemblies of 127 MA lines revealed that SV types like polyploidy, aneuploidy, and loss of heterozygosity have large impacts on the TE load. We characterized 18 de novo TE insertions, indicating that transposition only has a minor role in shaping the TE landscape in MA lines. Because the scarcity of TE mobilization in MA lines provided insufficient resolution to confidently dissect transposition rate variation in hybrids, we adapted an in vivo assay to measure transposition rates in variousS. paradoxushybrid backgrounds. We found that transposition rates are not increased by hybridization, but are modulated by many genotype-specific factors including initial TE load, TE sequence variants, and mitochondrial DNA inheritance. Our results show the multiple scales at which TE load is shaped in hybrid genomes, being highly impacted by SV dynamics and finely modulated by genotype-specific variation in transposition rates.
The mTOR pathway genes MTOR, Rheb, Depdc5, Pten, and Tsc1 have convergent and divergent impacts on cortical neuron development and function
Authors: Nguyen Lena H , Xu Youfen , Nair Maanasi , Bordey Angelique
Published: February 2024

Brain somatic mutations in various components of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway have emerged as major causes of focal malformations of cortical development and intractable epilepsy. While these distinct gene mutations converge on excessive mTORC1 signaling and lead to common clinical manifestations, it remains unclear whether they cause similar cellular and synaptic disruptions underlying cortical network hyperexcitability. Here, we show that in utero activation of the mTORC1 activator genes, Rheb or MTOR, or biallelic inactivation of the mTORC1 repressor genes, Depdc5, Tsc1, or Pten in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex leads to shared alterations in pyramidal neuron morphology, positioning, and membrane excitability but different changes in excitatory synaptic transmission. Our findings suggest that, despite converging on mTORC1 signaling, mutations in different mTORC1 pathway genes differentially impact cortical excitatory synaptic activity, which may confer gene-specific mechanisms of hyperexcitability and responses to therapeutic intervention.
Impact of COVID-19-related concerns and depression on hand-washing practice among community-dwelling older adults: a secondary analysis of the 2020 Korea Community Health Survey
Authors: Choi Suyoung , Lee Jung Jae , Lee Moonju , Park Jeong Yun , Yoon Yong Taek , Song Hyo Jeong
Published: February 2024

Purpose: This study investigated hand-washing practice among community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and aimed to identify the impact of COVID-19-related concerns and depression on hand-washing practice. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2020 Community Health Survey. The primary data were collected through self-reporting from August 10 to September 8, 2020 in a cross-sectional study. The subjects consisted of 1,350 adults aged 65 or older living in J Province who participated in the 2020 Community Health Survey. Results: The factors affecting hand-washing practice among older adults were male gender (β = –.18, p < .001), age (β = –.07, p = .001), no education (β = –.20, p < .001) and elementary, middle, and high school graduation (β = –.15, p < .001) compared to a college or higher education, poor health perception (β = –.13, p < .001), COVID-19-related concerns (β = .08, p = .005), and depression (β = –.07, p = .001). To summarize, the factors negatively affecting hand-washing practice included male gender, lower education level, poor health perception, and depression, while the factors positively associated with hand-washing practice included COVID-19-related concerns. Conclusion: These findings show the importance of considering these multifaceted determinants when designing targeted interventions and educational programs aimed at promoting hand-washing among older adults. Additionally, based on the relationship between hand-washing practice and COVID-19-related concerns and depression, interventions that can alleviate mental problems along with providing proper education are required.
Retrospective study and implementation of a low-cost LAMP-turbidimetric assay for screening α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion): preventing and controlling Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis syndrome in Thailand
Authors: Jomoui Wittaya , Saknava Kanokkorn , Prechatrammaruch Kanokpron , Ondee Yanticha
Published: February 2024

Homozygous α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion) or Hb Bart’s hydrops fetalis syndrome is a significant public health issue in Thailand and Southeast Asia. A prevention and control program has been implemented in this region. This study focuses on retrospective laboratory data collected between January 2021 and April 2023 at a single center. Additionally, we developed a low-cost LAMP-turbidimetric assay to propose in the screening strategy. A total of 3,623 samples underwent screening tests (MCV, MCH, and DCIP), including 1,658 couple screenings (84.25%) and 310 single pregnant screenings (15.75%). Negative screenings, which did not require further investigation, were found in 75.51% for couple screenings and 46.58% for single pregnant screenings. At hemoglobin (Hb) analysis identified 129 couples which had fetuses at risk of severe thalassemia, whereas molecular analysis during the retrospective period revealed 210 samples with different genotypes. These remaining samples were validated using the low-cost LAMP-turbidimetric assay to detect α0-thalassemia (SEA deletion). The developed LAMP turbidimetric assay demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 100% (36/36 × 100) and 97.7% (170/174 × 100), respectively, when compared with gap-PCR. Furthermore, we propose a strategy involving the addition of the low-cost LAMP-turbidimetric assay before performing the gold standard. This strategy represents a cost-saving of USD 2,608 based on 210 samples that required DNA analysis. Finally, the developed LAMP turbidimetric assays offer advantages such as reduced time, workload, cost savings, no need for highly developed instruments, and a straightforward interpreting process. Therefore, implementation of LAMP assays into routine settings would be improve the efficiency of prevention and control program for severe thalassemia disease in this region.
Vestibulospinal reflexes elicited with a tone burst method are dependent on spatial orientation
Authors: Jecko Vincent , Garcia Léa , Doat Emilie , Leconte Vincent , Liguoro Dominique , Cazalets Jean-René , Guillaud Etienne
Published: February 2024

Balance involves several sensory modalities including vision, proprioception and the vestibular system. This study aims to investigate vestibulospinal activation elicited by tone burst stimulation in various muscles and how head position influences these responses. We recorded electromyogram (EMG) responses in different muscles (sternocleidomastoid-SCM, cervical erector spinae-ES-C, lumbar erector spinae-ES-L, gastrocnemius-G, and tibialis anterior-TA) of healthy participants using tone burst stimulation applied to the vestibular system. We also evaluated how head position affected the responses. Tone burst stimulation elicited reproducible vestibulospinal reflexes in the SCM and ES-C muscles, while responses in the distal muscles (ES-L, G, and TA) were less consistent among participants. The magnitude and polarity of the responses were influenced by the head position relative to the cervical spine. When the head was rotated or tilted, the polarity of the vestibulospinal responses changed, indicating the integration of vestibular and proprioceptive inputs in generating these reflexes. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the complexity of vestibulospinal reflexes and their modulation by head position. However, the high variability in responses in some muscles limits their clinical application. These findings may have implications for future research in understanding vestibular function and its role in posture and movement control.
Mineração de dados educacionais aplicada na identificação do perfil dos egressos de escola técnica pública para apoiar a gestão educacional
Authors: Andrelo Pamela Ferreira Alves , Gatto Dacyr Dante de Oliveira , Evangelista João Rafael Gonçalves , Sassi Renato José , Gaspar Marcos Antônio , Ferreira Ricardo Pinto
Published: February 2024

As Escolas Técnicas Públicas do Estado de São Paulo (ETECs) têm buscado melhorias direcionadas à formação do seu discente, por meio da análise de dados de seus egressos aprovados em exames vestibulares, para apoiar a gestão educacional no desenvolvimento de estratégias educacionais. Pode-se analisar o desempenho destes egressos com a aplicação da Mineração de Dados Educacionais (MDE). O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e analisar o perfil dos egressos de escola técnica pública aprovados em vestibulares, com o uso da Mineração de Dados Educacionais, para implementar mudanças, que apoiem a gestão educacional no desenvolvimento de estratégias educacionais. A ETEC Paulistano, objeto de estudo deste trabalho, conta com um corpo discente composto por 95% de alunos da região da Vila Brasilândia, sendo que 70% deles vêm da escola pública. Foi aplicado um questionário para os egressos das turmas dos anos de 2016 a 2018. Cinco etapas adaptadas das fases do processo de Descoberta de Conhecimento em Bases de Dados (Knowledge Discovery in Databases - KDD) foram aplicadas: Seleção e Coleta dos Dados; Pré-Processamento dos Dados; Mineração de Dados Educacionais; Interpretação e Análise do Conhecimento Descoberto e Implementação de Mudanças. A identificação do perfil do egresso possibilitou implementar mudanças com base na análise dos resultados do questionário, resultando na criação de dois novos cursos e na redução da carga horária diária dos cursos de 8 para 6 horas, completada com a realização de estágio. Concluiu-se então que, a MDE possibilitou implementar mudanças, que apoiaram a gestão educacional no desenvolvimento de estratégias educacionais.
Clima organizacional em escritórios de contabilidade de pequeno porte
Authors: Pellizzon Dirceu Aparecido , Kubo Edson Keyso de Miranda , Minciotti Silvio Augusto , Cohen Eric David
Published: February 2024

O ambiente de trabalho nas organizações tende a influenciar as práticas gerenciais e o comportamento de seus membros. O objetivo deste artigo foi realizar um estudo exploratório em escritórios de contabilidade de pequeno porte, buscando identificar o clima organizacional e a sua influência sobre o comportamento dos empregados. Nesta pesquisa, foram efetuadas 37 entrevistas envolvendo empregados assim como com os empregadores desses pequenos escritórios de contabilidade na região do ABC em São Paulo. Esta pesquisa de campo foi realizada com base em quatro categorias de análise intitulados de resistência às mudanças, estresse, liderança e motivação. As entrevistas foram transcritas e esse material subsidiou a análise de conteúdo com o apoio do Iramuteq versão 0.7 alpha 2.  Os resultados apresentaram implicações significativas oriundas da rotina diária de trabalho. De um lado, observaram-se empregados frustrados pela falta de perspectivas de crescimento profissional e de outro, constataram-se empregadores que não parecem vislumbrar um futuro promissor para seus respectivos negócios.
Análise das estratégias de marketing frente aos desafios do marketing digital: estudo de caso em uma instituição de ensino superior
Authors: Lara Íneke Lopes , Pakes Paulo Renato , Botelho João Pedro Machado , Da Rocha Tiago Soares
Published: February 2024

Este estudo teve como objetivo explorar a aplicação do marketing e de suas técnicas em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES). Além de promover cursos, o Marketing Educacional busca compreender as necessidades dos estudantes e fornecer uma proposta de valor que vá além da sala de aula. Como método, foi elaborado um referencial teórico, auxiliando a construção das proposições do estudo de caso, e em seguida, foi realizada a coleta de dados primários com a instituição objeto de estudo. Os dados foram analisados, conforme as proposições elaboradas. Verificou-se que a instituição possui práticas eficazes, como a utilização de dados, presença em diversas plataformas e treinamento profissional. Foram apontadas oportunidades de melhoria, como a personalização de cursos profissionalizantes e a criação de meios acessíveis para o público idoso, práticas que podem alavancar a inclusão e o valor da marca.
The Impact Assessment of Front Line Demonstrations on Sesame: A Case Study in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Chaturvedi Abhimanyu , Tripathi A. N. , Mishra N. K. , Pandey V. K.
Published: February 2024

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crops. The sesam’s productivity in the Tirap district is low and attempts were made to increase the area and improve the productivity by adopting high yielding variety along with integrated crop management (ICM) practices. The ICM practices including sowing of improved variety (Kaliabar), seed treatment with mancozeb @ 3 g/kg seed + neem oil application at 25-30 days after sowing + spraying of carbendazim for control of leaf spot (caused by Cersospora sesame) was demonstrated in farmer’s field. Similarly farmers were also sown at same time but they could not follow the scientific method of its cultivation. The results revealed that increase in seed yield over farmers’ practice was 30.96 and 31.26 per cent during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. In terms of economics, it was observed that demo practices recorded higher net returns/ha compared to farmer’s practice during the both years. The benefit cost ratio of demo plots; during both years was 2.20 and 2.36, respectively. The technology index varied between from 42.25 per cent to 36.50 per cent; which depicting that farmers has to educate for adoption of economically viable technologies of oilseed crops in Tirap district.
Financial Empowerment of Tribal Women: An Inquiry into Sustainable Economic Justice Initiatives and Pathways towards Inclusive Development
Authors: Sahu Vijay Kumar , Baral Sukanta Kumar , Singh Ravi
Published: February 2024

The current discussion on development emphasises the importance of empowering marginalised people in order to alleviate socioeconomic inequities and promote inclusive growth. This study aims to explore the financial empowerment of indigenous women, evaluating the complex relationship between economic justice programmes and sustainable approaches to achieve inclusive development. In this context, the research aims to explore the many aspects of financial empowerment programmes specifically designed for tribal women. Its goal is to contribute to the continuing discussion on promoting economic equality and long-term social change. This inquiry aims to examine the complex processes of financial inclusion and highlight the possibility for enabling indigenous women to achieve economic justice. By doing so, it envisions a future that is more egalitarian and resilient for these communities. In the backdrop of India's developmental discourse, this study delves into the imperative realm of financial empowerment for tribal women. Focused on unravelling the intricate relationship between economic justice initiatives and sustainable pathways toward inclusive development, our research aims to shed light on the challenges hindering the financial autonomy of indigenous women. Our investigation centers on the nuanced landscape of financial empowerment programs tailored specifically for tribal women, seeking to contribute substantively to the ongoing dialogue on economic equality and enduring societal transformation. By navigating the complexities of financial inclusion processes, our inquiry envisions a future where indigenous women not only achieve economic justice but also actively participate in reshaping a more equitable and resilient society. It is identified that to demolish patriarchal systems, there are need to expand educational possibilities, close income gaps, promote financial literacy, and combat prejudiced cultural viewpoints. Further, targeted interventions include microfinance programs, village savings and loans, direct cash transfers, and government schemes. Collective efforts from governmental, non-governmental, and community stakeholders are needed to create a more egalitarian society that empowers tribal women economically, socially, psychologically, and politically
Risk Assessment and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediments along Ibelebiri Axis of Kolo Creek, Ogbia Local Government Area, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Onwudiegwu Chinwe A. , Ezekwe Chimere , Uzoekwe Stephen A.
Published: February 2024

Pollution arising from uncontrollable combustion processes, including artisanal refineries are common in communities through which Kolo Creek traverses. Previous studies have centered on the effect of oil and gas production on Kolo Creek at shell flow station at Imiringi. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the risk and distribution of heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Co, and Cd) in water and sediments along Ibelebiri axis of Kolo creek in Ogbia L.G.A., Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Water and sediment samples were collected at locations upstream, within and downstream at Ibelebiri community, and also from a control site.  Generally, heavy metal concentrations showed a decreasing trend of Cu˃Zn˃Pb˃Cr˃Cd˃Co˃Ni for water samples. The mean concentration of these metals: Ni, Cr, Zn and Cu  recorded in this study was below international recommended limits.  But, Pb, Cd levels in locations LC1, LC3 and LC4 are above the international recommended limits. The heavy metals in the sediments showed a decreasing trend of Zn˃Pb˃Cu˃Co˃Cr˃Ni˃Cd. The concentrations of these metals Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn are below the permissible limit set by Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). However, Co values at locations LC3 and LC4 are slightly above the DPR target value of 20 mg/kg for sediments. Using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) classification, the sediments across the four locations are uncontaminated with Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Co and Ni. But, the sediments in locations LC1, LC3 and LC4 are moderately contaminated with Pb. Similarly, the contamination factor (CF) classification, revealed low contamination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co across the four locations;  moderate contamination of Pb in the four locations. Finally, principal component analysis  (PCA) identified two major factors.
Quality of Cold Chain Equipment, a Guarantee of Carbon Footprint Reduction from Food Waste to a Sustainable Environment
Authors: Eric Kasamba Ilunga , Mulaj Brigel Tshilombo Mwan A.
Published: February 2024

The objective of this work was to evaluate the current status of commercial cold chain equipment primarily, and secondarily to determine elements associated with the management of cold chain equipment.

To achieve this, a cross-sectional descriptive study began on August 7 to September 23 of 2023, covering 84 commercial establishments including supermarkets, delicatessens and butchers, food, and butchers in the city of Lubumbashi. The data were collected by interview and direct cross-sectional observation on the evaluation of the conservation of frozen products (fish, meat, and cold meats) on the market in the city of Lubumbashi.

The results show us that the structures using cold chains are food stores, butchers, delicatessens, and supermarkets and sometimes in a certain combination. All these structures mainly use freezing and sometimes refrigeration and freezing to guarantee this Cold chain freezers, quick freezers, refrigerated cabinets and refrigerators and finally insulated boxes are all the equipment used for this purpose and using the supply of electric current throughout and often using generators and rarely solar panels in the event of an outage electric current. Thus, these structures operate in an environment rich in temperature fluctuations leading to rapid deterioration of food, waste, responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions GHG, the equivalent of the contribution of the entire African continent to climate change.

This work demonstrated the importance of the quality of cold chain equipment on food quality and its impact on the carbon footprint, a situation observable from the production, transport, storage, and elimination of food. the use of solar energy would be a solution in this process because it produces less greenhouse gases.
The Mediating Effect of Problem-based Learning on the Relationship between Technology Integration and Student Engagement in Mathematics
Authors: Llorente Hazel Mae C. , Tado Paulino P.
Published: February 2024

This research aimed to determine whether problem-based learning significantly mediates the relationship between technology integration and the engagement of first-year college students. A quantitative approach with descriptive and correlational designs was employed. The respondents of the study were 133 first-year college students in three state colleges in the Division of Davao del Norte. They were chosen through stratified random sampling. Mean, Pearson-r, regression, and mediation analysis were used to analyze the data, which were obtained through the use of three adapted questionnaires. The findings revealed that technology integration is manifested in the students’ learning. In mathematics, student engagement is observed, and problem- based learning is evident among the students. It is also found out that there is a significant relationship among technology integration, problem-based learning, and student engagement. Additionally, problem-based learning partially mediated the relationship between technology integration and student engagement. The findings suggested that CHED officials should encourage and support the integration of technology into the mathematics curriculum to foster increased student engagement. School administrators can work to maximize student engagement by focusing on the integration of technology and employing problem-based learning methods. Teachers may integrate technology into their lessons and incorporate problem-based learning, and college students may consider integrating technology into their learning environment. Future researchers should explore the effects of technology integration and problem-based learning on student engagement in mathematics.
Study on Correlation and Path Analysis in Forage Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]
Authors: Tiwari Mayank , Singh S.K. , Kumar Shubham , Chauhan Rahul Singh , Tiwari Utkarsh , Pushpendra  , Singh Aditi
Published: February 2024

This investigation is conducted to determine character association and path coefficient analysis using 35 genotypes of forage sorghum at the Crop Research Centre of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Meerut. In Kharif 2022, testing of all 35 genotypes of forage sorghum was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded for days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), leaf breadth (cm), leaf length (cm), number of leaves per plant, total soluble solids (%), leaf area (cm2), stem girth (mm), leaf stem ratio and green fodder yield per plant (g). Correlation coefficient studies indicated that green fodder yield per plant was found highly significant positive association with leaf breadth, stem girth, leaf area, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, plant height and leaf stem ratio at both genotypic and phenotypic level, indicated that selection of these attributes may be helpful to increase fodder yield in sorghum. The results of genotypic and phenotypic path analysis indicated that stem girth had a strong positive direct effect on green fodder yield per plant, followed by leaf breadth and number of leaves per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Improving these attributes can increase fodder yield. The character showing indirect effect like Leaf breadth, leaf length, leaf area, and leaf stem ratio via another component trait, indirect selection through such trait can lead to improvement in green fodder yield.
Kinetic Studies of Effects of Heat on PET Plastics: TGA, DTA, XRD and DSC Analysis
Authors: Nurudeen A. , Nwosu F. O. , Soliu M.
Published: February 2024

In this work, the effects of heat on plastic waste (PET plastic bottles) were investigated. During thermogravimetric analysis, the kinetics of the PET pyrolysis was studied using a combination of model-fitting and model-free methods. About 12mg of the grinded PET sample was weighed into the ceramic crucible and then heated from temperature of 30 °C to 950 °C at two heating rates of 10°C/min and 20°C /min.  Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the decomposition of plastic waste in a Nitrogen atmosphere can be divided into three stages: the minor loss stage (100°C), the major loss stage (450–520°C) and the stable loss stage (500–900°C). The corresponding weight loss at two different heating rates of 10°C/min and 20°C /min were determined to of 70% and 77.7% respectively. Based on R2 (regression coefficient) values, heating rate of 20oC/min gave the values (0.9279) for the model free method employed (KAS model). When compared to the model fitting, 0.75th order of reaction gave the closest  R2 value (0.9643) which also translated to a very close Activation energies of 264 KJ/mol and 255 KJ/mol respectively. All in all, it can be deduced that the activation energy of PET pyrolysis falls within 250 – 280 KJ/mol based on this study. Also, X-Ray Diffraction and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis were carried out. The narrow and high nature of the XRD peaks depicted that the sample is crystalline. And lastly, DSC analysis investigated the heat flowing in and out of the PET sample. The exodermal (where cold re-crystallization occurred) and endothermal (where melting occur) peaks were recorded as 165oC and 138oC respectively. It is recommended that other model-free and model-fitting methods should be invested in further research in order to generate a wide range of data for kinetics of PET.
Analytical Chemistry of the Transition ElementsBased in part on the article Analytical Chemistry of the Transition Elements by Harry M. N. H. Irving & Alan T. Hutton which appeared in theEncyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition.
Authors: Hutton Alan T.
Published: March 2006

This article is concerned with the determination of what transition elements are present in a sample and their concentration. After considering the general nature of the problems confronting the analyst, a historical overview is given describing the development of the analytical chemistry of the transition elements from biblical times through to the nascent technologies of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After a brief consideration of the treatment required by materials to get them in a form suitable for analysis, for example, sampling and digestion, the classical methods of gravimetry and titrimetry are discussed, with special emphasis on the use of organic reagents and on complexometric determinations using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The role of organic reagents is also seen to be important in spectrophotometric analysis or absorptiometry. Consideration is next given to the various modern instrumental techniques available for analysis of the transition elements, starting with various forms of atomic emission spectroscopy but giving emphasis to the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources. The widely used technique of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is next described, along with its many applications for the determination of transition elements in many diverse materials, from body fluids to engine oils. The modern day importance of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) is highlighted in a discussion of X‐ray methods, while the technique of neutron activation analysis dominates the section on activation methods, this approach being of particular importance where a nondestructive analysis is essential, for example, of a museum artifact. Finally, brief consideration is given to the importance of the platinum group metals (PGMs) and the special analytical problems that they present.
Asymmetric Synthesis by Homogeneous CatalysisBased in part on the article Asymmetric Synthesis by Homogeneous Catalysis by Brice Bosnich which appeared in the
Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition
.
Authors: Walsh Patrick J.
Published: March 2006

This section describes new approaches to asymmetric catalysis including screening mixtures of chiral ligands, applications of normally unresolvable ligands, chiral poisoning, asymmetric activation of racemic catalysts, asymmetric activation of enantioenriched catalysts, optimization of enantioselective catalysts using achiral and
meso
ligands, and combinatorial methods for catalyst generation.
Bismuth: Inorganic Chemistry
Authors: Whitmire Kenton H.
Published: March 2006

Solid state and molecular compounds of bismuth have many interesting and useful properties. In addition to bismuth alloys, this article describes simple binary compounds such as the bismuthine, bismuth halides, carboxylates, alkoxides, thiolates, dithiocarbamates and oxides are described in addition to coordination compounds based upon them. Some of these compounds have antibacterial and/or antifungal properties. They have also been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Also described are reduced bismuth cluster compounds and transition metal cluster compounds incorporating.
Borides: Solid‐State Chemistry
Authors: Lundström Torsten
Published: March 2006

Boron forms compounds with most other elements. In addition to numerous binary and ternary compounds with metals – the true borides – boron forms related compounds with carbon, silicon, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, oxygen, sulfur, and selenium. These related compounds are formed by elements more electronegative than boron and cannot therefore be denoted as borides. They display, however, similar properties and structures as borides, and are, therefore, included in the present article.

Borides are to some extent related to carbides and nitrides. All three groups of compounds are compounds between small nonmetal and larger metal atoms. They are occasionally denoted interstitial compounds, since the small nonmetal atoms often occupy the interstices between the metal atoms in metal‐rich compounds. In boron‐rich compounds, however, boron octahedra or icosahedra form a continuous three‐dimensional network. Most borides are characterized by high melting points, extreme hardness, brittleness, high chemical stability, and high inertness toward reactive metals.

The borides are nonmolecular compounds and knowledge of the crystal structure is consequently of very high importance to characterize a boride phase. The structural principles of mainly the binary and ternary borides are described in the article. There are a total number of at least 950 binary and ternary borides known at present.

The chemical bonding in borides has evident contributions from covalent, ionic as well as metallic bonding, which explains some of the unique properties of the borides. As a rule, phases containing a large proportion of boron are semiconductors, while those with a lower proportion of boron are metallic conductors. TiB2and MgB2are good metallic conductors while MeB6phases are either semiconductors or metallic conductors depending on the metal. Many theoretical calculations are available, in particular of diborides, including the recently discovered superconductor MgB2.

The uses of borides and related compounds are mainly based on the their hardness, chemical inertness, and magnetic and electrical properties. A few examples may be mentioned. B4C and cubic BN are used as abrasives, B4C and hexaborides as surface coatings, and CaB6as deoxidation agent in some metallurgical processes. TiB2is used in the production of vaporization boats for aluminum. It is also used in the industrial production process for aluminum owing to its high electrical conductivity and inertness toward liquid aluminum. Nd2Fe14B is the strongest permanent magnetic material known. Large single crystals of YB66are used for monochromating synchrotron radiation.
Boron HydridesBased in part on the article Boron Hydrides by James T. Spencer which appeared in the
Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition
.
Authors: Hosmane Narayan S. , Maguire John A.
Published: March 2006

Boranes are hydrides of boron in which BH groups occupy the apices of electron‐deficient clusters. The term ‘electron deficient’ arises from the fact that boron has more valence orbitals than it does valence electrons. The consequence of this imbalance is that the clusters are stabilized by extensive multicentered bondings. The relationships between cage structures and the number of cage electrons are discussed for boranes and their extension to heteroboranes, where one or more BH units are replaced by isolobal main group or transition metal moieties. General synthetic methods and reactivities of the heteroboranes are also discussed.
Boron: Organoboranes
Authors: Jäkle Frieder
Published: March 2006

This chapter provides an overview of recent developments in the highly interdisciplinary field of organoboron chemistry. The most important routes for the synthesis of organoboranes via transmetallation, hydroboration and other boration reactions, as well as CH activation are outlined. The various classes of organoboranes thus accessible are presented according to the nature of the organic substituents. Special emphasis is given to applications of organoboranes. For example, the development of new chiral organoboranes that are commonly used in enantioselective synthesis is shown. Moreover, the importance of fluorinated arylboranes as highly efficient Lewis acid catalysts and cocatalysts for organic transformations and polymerization reactions is discussed. The use of triarylboranes and related compounds as electronic and optical materials for device applications, and as sensors for the recognition of anions and neutral Lewis bases is also described in detail.
Calcium‐Binding ProteinsBased in part on the article Calcium‐Binding Proteins by Natalie C. J. Strynadka & Michael N. G. James which appeared in theEncyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition.
Authors: Yang Jenny J. , Yang Wei
Published: March 2006

Ca2+is an important second messenger in the regulation of cell life cycle in addition to being an essential component in biomineralization. Ca2+mediates its action in regulation by binding to Ca2+receptors/proteins that in turn regulate signal transduction, enzymatic activity, and protein stability. During the past few years, owing to the fast progress in genomic information and structural biological studies, our understanding of calcium‐binding proteins has been greatly expanded. Since 1991, the structures of calcium‐binding proteins have been extended to more than 1000 today and calcium‐binding proteins are found in every cellular compartment. In this article, we will first summarize the current knowledge about the common properties of calcium‐binding proteins. We then will highlight recent developments in structural biology and biological functions of calcium‐binding proteins.
Carbonylation Processes by Homogeneous CatalysisBased in part on the article Carbonylation Processes by Homogeneous Catalysis by George G. Stanley which appeared in the
Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition
.
Authors: Parr M. L.
Published: March 2006

This article reviews homogeneously catalyzed carbonylation reactions with particular emphasis on catalytic hydroformylation using cobalt, rhodium, platinum, and palladium complexes. The carbonylation of methanol based on rhodium and iridium complexes (Monsanto and Cativa
™
processes, respectively) is also discussed. Examples of the utility of carbonylation in the synthesis of complex molecules are given.
Copper: Inorganic & Coordination ChemistryBased in part on the article Copper: Inorganic & Coordination Chemistry by Rebecca R. Conry & Kenneth D. Karlin which appeared in the
Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, First Edition
.
Authors: Conry Rebecca R.
Published: March 2006

Copper was one of the first metals used widely because the metal is fairly plentiful (among the 25 most abundant elements in the earth's crust) and can be found in its metallic state. In addition, the metal and its alloys have a number of beneficial qualities including ductility, malleability, strength, corrosion resistance, and high thermal and electrical conductivity, combined with an attractive appearance. Copper is also an essential trace nutrient for organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals.

Copper exhibits a rich coordination chemistry with complexes known in oxidation states ranging from 0 to +4, although the +2 (cupric) and the +1 (cuprous) oxidation states are by far the most common, with +2 predominating. Compounds of copper have found extensive practical usage, including as catalysts in both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, as fungicides, pesticides, and wood preservatives, as pigments for paints and glasses, and in the so‐called high‐temperature superconductors.

The coordination numbers and geometries of copper complexes vary with oxidation state. For the spherically symmetric d
10
Cu
I
ion, the common geometries are two‐coordinate linear, three‐coordinate trigonal planar, and four‐coordinate tetrahedral. Cu
I
compounds are diamagnetic and colorless, except where color results from charge‐transfer bands or a counterion; these complexes are often fairly readily oxidized to Cu
II
compounds. The d
9
Cu
II
ion is usually found in a tetragonal coordination environment, with four short equatorial bonds and another one or two longer axial bonds although complexes with other structures are known, including tetrahedral, square planar, and trigonal bipyramidal geometries. Most of the Cu
II
compounds are blue or green because of d–d absorptions in the 600 to 900‐nm region; exceptions generally also have charge‐transfer bands tailing into the visible, causing a red or brown appearance. Cu
III
complexes are typically square planar and diamagnetic.