bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosupression in IgA Nephropathy
Authors:   Department of Nephrology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania, Peride Ileana , Tiglis Mirela ,   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania, Gherghina Mihai-Emil ,   Department of Nephrology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania, Neagu Tiberiu Paul ,   Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania, Niculae Andrei ,   Department of Nephrology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania, Checherita Ionel Alexandru ,   Department of Nephrology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania
Published: May 2022

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most frequent types of glomerulonephritis encountered in adults from Western countries and Asia. IgAN is responsible for approximately 40% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) mediated by glomerular impairment. The majority of adult IgAN patients present a slowly progressive pattern towards ESRD. Current types of treatment are based mainly on supportive care: i.e., life style risk factors, measures that lower blood pressure and reduce proteinuria, weight loss, smoking cessation or glycaemia control. Because IgAN is an immune complex-mediated disease, immunosuppression therapy gains more and more attention as a modality of treatment. Despite the beneficial effects, the value of immunosuppression remains controversial due to high rates of adverse reactions. The aim of this review is to highlight the benefits and limitations of promoting immunosuppression in IgAN with mild to moderate proteinuria despite supportive antiproteinuric therapy up titrated to maximum tolerated doses.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Attenuate Renal Fibrosis and Enhance Autophagy of Renal Tubular Cells in Diabetic Mice Through the HDAC2/ULK1 Axis
Authors: Ma Xiaoying , Wang Qiong
Published: May 2022

Background: This study investigated the effect of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on diabetes in a mouse model.Methods: Autophagy in Akita mice and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice was determined by Western blots and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blots, IHC, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, and picrosirius red staining were conducted to detect whether autophagy and renal function improved in Akita mice and STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice after treatment of SCFAs. Western blots, IHC, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to determine whether SCFAs affected diabetic mice via the histone deacetylase (HDAC2)/unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) axis. Diabetic mice with kidney-specific knockout of HDAC2 were constructed, and IHC, Masson staining, and Western blots were carried out to detect whether the deletion of endogenous HDAC2 contributed to the improvement of autophagy and renal fibrosis in diabetic mice.Results: Reduced autophagy and severe fibrosis were observed in Akita mice and STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Increased autophagy and reduced renal cell fibrosis were found in SCFA-treated Akita diabetic mice and STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Diabetic mice treated with SCFAs had lower HDAC2 expression and more enriched binding of ULK1 promoter sequences to H3K27Ac. Endogenous knockout of HDAC2 caused enhanced autophagy and decreased renal fibrosis in diabetic mice treated with SCFAs.Conclusion: SCFAs enhanced autophagy of renal tubular cells and attenuated renal fibrosis in diabetic mice through the HDAC2/ULK1 axis.
Estimating somatic growth of fishes from maximum age or maturity
Authors: Froese Rainer
Published: May 2022

Growth in body size is a key life-history trait that has coevolved and is interlinked with maturation, maximum age, mortality, generation time, and the intrinsic rate of population growth. Growth parameters are therefore required inputs in the majority of assessment models used in conservation or fisheries management. However, because of the difficulties involved in the proper aging of individuals, growth parameters are unknown for the vast majority of species. Here, two new data-limited methods are presented to estimate somatic growth from maximum length combined with either length or age at maturation or with maximum age. A comparison with existing growth parameters of fishes (Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii) shows that the estimates of the new methods fall within the range of established methods. The new methods apply to species with indeterminate growth, such as fishes or invertebrates, and were used here to produce the first growth parameter estimates for 110 species of fishes.
Movement Paradigm for Hazara Torrent Frog Allopaa hazarensis and Murree Hills Frog Nanorana vicina (Anura: Dicroglossidae)
Authors: Akram Ayesha , Rais Muhammad , Saeed Muhammad , Ahmed Waseem , Gill Sumbul , Haider Jibran
Published: May 2022

Endemic anurans are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, and are susceptible to population declines because of their restricted distribution ranges. The Murree Hills Frog Nanorana vicina and Hazara Torrent Frog Allopaa hazarensis are associated with the torrential streams and nearby clear water pools in subtropical chir pine forest and other forest types, at elevations higher than 1000 m in Pakistan. In this study, we have provided data on the extent of movement of these frog species for the first time. We installed radio transmitters on a total of 13 Murree Hills Frogs and 13 Hazara Torrent Frogs during eight consecutive days in September 2017 and 2018. Our results showed that these frogs did not move long distances along the stream or away from the stream into the forest. All the radio-tracked frogs showed movement of < 3 m. We found a significant differences only in the distance moved by Murree Hills Frogs between the two years studied. Based on our findings, we propose a movement paradigm that focuses on conservation implications for these endemic frogs.
Brazil’s viewpoints on international organizations: Political aspects
Authors: da Silva Bezerra Valdir
Published: May 2022

Recent (geo)political tensions, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of nationalism worldwide have brought to the forefront processes of (de)globalization both in social, political, and economic terms. In this context, we place questions: How have Brazil’s views on international organizations changed over the years and why does it matter when it comes to understanding the country’s recent contribution to the processes of (de)globalization? To answer the aforementioned questions, this article discusses some of Brazil’s main points of view on international organizations (IOs) from a historical perspective. Therefore, we aim to analyze the criticism and political positions of Brazil regarding the most relevant IOs over time, from the League of Nations to the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions. Additionally, this paper addresses Jair Bolsonaro’s (de)globalization positions, especially in view of his peculiar foreign policy oriented towards the contestation of the system. As a concluding point, we provide sufficient evidence on Bolsonaro’s political inclination towards processes of (de)globalization based on his contempt for the so-called ‘globalism’, as well as his nationalistic rhetoric.
Determinants of FDI inflows to West Africa: Prospects for regional development and globalization
Authors: Aromasodun Ololade Mistura
Published: May 2022

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into West Africa. FDI is regarded as the central engine for growth. Such inflows are not often satisfactory, both in terms of their volume and in terms of their sectoral distribution, particularly in developing countries. The study carried out a unit root test using the Im-Pesaran-shin (IPS) method, which revealed that four out of many variables were stationary at first difference, while other variables were stationary at level. Consequently, the Kao co-integration test methodology was used to analyze the long-run relationship. Thus, the regression analysis was carried out using the Panel ARDL method in an equation with a 50-year observation period. Concerning the remaining seven equations with shorter time series observations, the Pooled OLS estimation method was used to analyze the factors determining the inflow of FDI. The results indicate that financial development has a negative effect on FDI flows (and hence on globalization processes) in West Africa, while trade openness, institutional composite index and control of corruption have positive effects on FDI and hence increase globalization tendency. Based on these findings, the study recommends, among other things, that the authorities in West African countries vigorously pursue trade liberalization policy as an effort to globalize the region through FDI inflows. The study examined the macroeconomic determinants on FDI alongside institutional and socio-political determinants that are difficult to study in the case of West Africa as a region. The use of a composite institutional quality index, which combines multiple indicators of institutional quality, is another novelty of this research. Another unique contribution of the study is the use of the Africa Infrastructure Development Index (AIDI), which serves as a composite infrastructure index, as an explanatory variable.
Impact of the EU carbon policy on the globalization and ESG agenda
Authors: Panibratov Andrei , Fedoritenko Julia , Dubova Darya , Seleznev Dmitriy
Published: May 2022

The article sheds light on the national climate policies under the influence of the EU “green” agenda towards a new wave of deglobalization. We address issues related to the main provisions of the carbon dioxide (СО2) emission trading system implemented by the EU and posit that European climate policy can enhance the process of reducing interdependence and integration between EU member states and non-EU countries. We suggest that the EU’s global climate leadership, increased use of environmental taxes and stimulation of economic growth based on low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen, energy storage and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can lead to deglobalization. Based on a case study of Finland as an EU member and China as a BRICS representative, we observe the effect of the applied carbon tax on the development of national economies and propose that similar policies across the EU and around the world minimize the risks of deglobalization.
Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Lamium album extract through caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 genes expression in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Khanaki Korosh , Fekri Adel , Abedinzade Mahmood , Mohammadi Ekram , Aghajanpour Fakhroddin
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Inflammation and apoptosis play an important role in the cascade of ischemic stroke.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pretreatment effects of Lamium album (L. album) extract on caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, infarct volume, and neurological deficit score in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Materials and methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups: 1) MCAO group (1 h after MCAO, reperfusion was allowed for 24 h by retracting the thread); 2) L. album + MCAO group [receiving L. album extract (100 mg/kg via intraperitoneal) for a week before MCAO]; 3) sham group. The expression level of caspase-3 and COX-2 in the core, penumbra, and subcortex regions was measured by real time-PCR technique. Infarct volume and neurological deficit score were also assessed.

Results: The mRNA expression of caspase-3 in the core, penumbra, and subcortex regions in L. album group was significantly reduced compared to MCAO group (p<0.05). Expression level of COX-2 in the subcortex of the rats exposed to L. album was statistically decreased relative to MCAO group (p<0.05). Infarct volume in the core, penumbra, and subcortex was significantly reduced in the L. album group compared with MCAO group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). Neurological deficit score was remarkably decreased in the L. album group in comparison with the MCAO group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: It appears that pretreatment with L. album extract may attenuate brain tissue damage after ischemic stroke. The potential protective effects of this plant extract against this condition might be in part attributed to its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.
Seminal plasma visfatin levels negatively correlate with sperm concentration
Authors: Anagnostopoulou Kalliopi , Tzanakaki Despina , Gryparis Alexandros , Demeridou Stella , Baka Stavroula
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Visfatin is involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis, with a possible role in spermatogenesis. We investigated seminal plasma visfatin levels and its possible correlations with sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology) and BMI.

Materials and methods: We included 79 semen samples obtained from men from infertile couples presenting for sperm analysis. The samples were divided into 2 groups: a group of 35 samples with normal sperm parameters and another group of 44 samples with at least one abnormal sperm parameter. Seminal plasma visfatin levels were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results: Demographic data and body mass index (BMI) were similar in our subjects. As expected, the sperm parameters were significantly different between the 2 groups we studied. Visfatin levels did not differ between groups (66.6 ng/ml in normal samples and 72.7 ng/ml in abnormal samples, p=0.114) and did not correlate with sperm motility, sperm morphology, and BMI. However, a negative correlation between visfatin levels and sperm concentration (r=−0.28; p=0.014) and sperm count (r=−0.3; p=0.009), respectively, was detected.

Conclusions: Visfatin was detected in all human seminal plasma samples. Although its levels were similar in subjects with and without normal sperm parameters, a role for visfatin in sperm physiology cannot be ruled out at this point and further research is required.
Interaction effects of desiccation and temperature stress resistance across Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) developmental stages
Authors: Keosentse Onalethata , Mutamiswa Reyard , Nyamukondiwa Casper
Published: May 2022

Insects encounter multiple overlapping physiologically challenging environmental stressors in their habitats. As such, the ability of insects to withstand these stressors singly or interactively is fundamental in population persistence. Following its invasion in Africa, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has successfully established and spread in most parts of the continent. However, the mechanisms behind its successful survival across arid and semi-arid African environments are relatively unknown. Here, we investigated the water balance of S. frugiperda across its developmental stages. Given the relationships between desiccation stress, temperature stress and other life history traits in arid ecosystems, we also measured interaction effects across metrics of these traits. Specifically, we measured basal body water content (BWC), water loss rates (WLRs) and the effects of desiccation pre-treatment on critical thermal minimum (CTmin), critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and fecundity. Body water content and WLR increased with age across larval instars. However, the effects of desiccation environments on WLRs were more dramatic for 5th and 6th larval instars. The 5th and 6th instars exhibited highest BWC and magnitude of WLRs plastic responses following desiccation treatment. The effects of desiccation pre-treatment on temperature tolerance were less apparent, only significantly improving CTmin in 2nd and 3rd larval instars and reducing CTmax in 5th instars. In addition, desiccation pre-treatment showed no significant effects on fecundity. These results show that water balance traits differ with developmental stage, while the effects of desiccation pre-treatment were more dramatic and inconclusive. The differential desiccation resistance, high proportional BWC and no desiccation pre-treatment effects on fecundity may help the species survive in arid and semi-arid environments. This information provides insights into understanding S. frugiperda survival under desiccating arid and semi-arid tropical environments and is significant in predicting pest outbreaks.
Rhynchospio aciliata sp. nov., a new spionid species (Annelida, Spionidae) from the Korea Strait
Authors: Lee Geon Hyeok , Min Gi-Sik
Published: May 2022

A new spionid polychaete, Rhynchospio aciliatasp. nov., was discovered in the fine sandy sediments of an intertidal habitat from Korean waters. The new species is considered a simultaneous hermaphrodite, but no brooding embryos were found in any of the specimens collected in this study. This species is unique in the absence of ciliation in the anteriormost chaetigers. Rhynchospio aciliatasp. nov. is morphologically most similar to Rhynchospio foliosa Imajima, 1991 from Japan in having an elevation on the prostomium, conspicuously large and foliaceous branchiae, and intersegmental lateral pouches. However, the new species differs from the latter by the following characteristics: (1) large and lanceolate notopodial postchaetal lamellae of chaetiger 1, (2) transverse ciliated bands and ciliation on the inner branchiae absent in anteriormost chaetigers, and (3) pygidium with one pair of ventral cirri and numerous elongated dorsolateral cirri. Detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided with molecular information on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), nuclear 18S rDNA, and 28S rDNA.
Fuzzy adaptive asymptotic tracking of fractional order nonlinear systems with uncertain disturbances
Authors: Yang Jin-Zi , Li Yuan-Xin , Wei Ming
Published: May 2022

In this article, an adaptive asymptotic tracking control scheme is proposed for fractional order nonlinear systems (FONSs) with time-varying disturbance. By introducing some well defined smooth functions and the bounded estimation approach, the effects caused by the unknown virtual control coefficients (UVCC) and unknown nonlinear functions are counteracted. For the UVCC, we only need to assume that their lower bounds are positive constants. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are applied to approximate unknown nonlinear functions. Moreover, the fractional directed Lyapunov method is used to prove that the tracking error asymptotically converges to zero. Finally, an illustrative simulation example is applied to verify the superior performance of the presented control algorithms.
An investment strategy based on the first derivative of the moving averages difference with parameters adapted by machine learning
Authors: Wilinski Antoni , Sochanowski Mateusz , Nowicki Wojciech
Published: May 2022

The article presents a certain investment strategy based on the difference between two moving averages, modified to allow the extraction of patterns. The strategy concept dropped the traditionally considered intersections of two averages and opening positions just after those intersections. Based on the observation of changes happening in the moving averages difference, it has been noticed that for some values of this difference and some values of additional strategy parameters, an interesting pattern appears that allows short-term prediction. These patterns also depended on the first derivative of the moving averages difference and the location of the current price relative to certain thresholds of the difference. Therefore, the strategy uses five parameters, including Stop Loss, adapted to the properties of the time series through machine learning. The importance of machine learning is highlighted by comparing simulation results with and without it. The strategy effectiveness was tested in the Matlab environment on the time series of the WIG20 (primary index of the Warsaw Stock Exchange) historical data. Satisfactory results were obtained considered in terms of minimizing investment risk measured by the Calmar indicator.
Chaotic oscillations of 1D wave equation with or without energy-injections
Authors: Li Liangliang
Published: May 2022

It is interesting and challenging to study chaotic phenomena in partial differential equations. In this paper, we mainly study the problems for oscillations governed by 1D wave equation with general nonlinear feedback control law and energy-conserving or energy-injecting effects at the boundaries. We show that i) energy-injecting effect at the boundary is the necessary condition for the onset of chaos when the nonlinear feedback law is an odd function; ii) chaos never occurs if the nonlinear feedback law is an even function; iii) when one of the two ends is fixed, only the effect of self-regulation at the other end can still cause the onset of chaos; whereas if one of the two ends is free, there will never be chaos for any feedback control law at the other end. In addition, we give a sufficient condition about the general feedback law at one of two ends to ensure the occurrence of chaos. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical outcomes.
A moment closure based on a projection on the boundary of the realizability domain: Extension and analysis
Authors: Pichard Teddy
Published: May 2022

A closure relation for moments equations in kinetic theory was recently introduced in [38], based on the study of the geometry of the set of moments. This relation was constructed from a projection of a moment vector toward the boundary of the set of moments and corresponds to approximating the underlying kinetic distribution as a sum of a chosen equilibrium distribution plus a sum of purely anisotropic Dirac distributions.

The present work generalizes this construction for kinetic equations involving unbounded velocities, i.e. to the Hamburger problem, and provides a deeper analysis of the resulting moment system. Especially, we provide representation results for moment vectors along the boundary of the moment set that implies the well-definition of the model. And the resulting moment model is shown to be weakly hyperbolic with peculiar properties of hyperbolicity and entropy of two subsystems, corresponding respectively to the equilibrium and to the purely anisotropic parts of the underlying kinetic distribution.
The Role of CYP2B6*6 Gene Polymorphisms in 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol Levels as a Biomarker of Chlorpyrifos Toxicity Among Indonesian Farmers
Authors: Liem Jen Fuk , Suryandari Dwi A. , Malik Safarina G. , Mansyur Muchtaruddin , Soemarko Dewi S. , Kekalih Aria , Subekti Imam , Suyatna Franciscus D. , Pangaribuan Bertha
Published: May 2022

Objectives: One of the most widely used pesticides today is chlorpyrifos (CPF). Cytochrome P450 (CYP)2B6, the most prominent catalyst in CPF bioactivation, is highly polymorphic. The objective of our study was to evaluate the role of CYP2B6*6, which contains both 516G>T and 785A>G polymorphisms, in CPF toxicity, as represented by the concentration of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), among vegetable farmers in Central Java, Indonesia, where CPF has been commonly used.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 vegetable farmers. Individual socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, as determinants of TCPy levels, were obtained using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and subsequently used to estimate the cumulative exposure level (CEL). TCPy levels were detected with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. CYP2B6*6 gene polymorphisms were analyzed using a TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay and Sanger sequencing. Linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between TCPy, as a biomarker of CPF exposure, and its determinants.Results: The prevalence of CYP2B6*6 polymorphisms was 31% for *1/*1, 51% for *1/*6, and 18% for *6/*6. TCPy concentrations were higher among participants with CYP2B6*1/*1 than among those with *1/*6 or *6/*6 genotypes. CYP2B6*6 gene polymorphisms, smoking, CEL, body mass index, and spraying time were retained in the final linear regression model as determinants of TCPy.Conclusions: The results suggest that CYP2B6*6 gene polymorphisms may play an important role in influencing susceptibility to CPF exposure. CYP2B6*6 gene polymorphisms together with CEL, smoking habits, body mass index, and spraying time were the determinants of urinary TCPy concentrations, as a biomarker of CPF toxicity.
Analysis of Cardiovascular Disease Prediction Using Model-Agnostic Explainable Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Kavila Selvani Deepthi , Bandaru Rajesh , Gali Tanishk Venkat Mahesh Babu , Shafi Jana
Published: May 2022

The heart is mainly responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients and pumping blood to the entire body. The diseases that affect the heart or capillaries are known as cardiovascular diseases. In predicting cardiovascular diseases, machine learning and neural network models play a vital role and help in reducing human effort. Though the complex algorithms in machine learning and neural networks help in giving accurate results, the interpretability behind the prediction has become difficult. To understand the reason behind the prediction, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is introduced. This chapter aims to perform different machine learning and neural network models for predicting cardiovascular diseases. For the interpretation behind the prediction, the authors used explainable artificial intelligence model-agnostic approaches. Based on experimentation results, the artificial neural network (ANN) with multi-level model gives an accuracy of 87%, which is best compared to other models.
Analyzing and Forecasting of COVID-19 Situation Using FbProphet Model Algorithms
Authors: Geetha S. , Begam M. Farida , Dubey Ayush , Sengar Ayush , Raj Joshua Samuel
Published: May 2022

SARS-CoV-2 (n-coronavirus) is a global pandemic that has killed millions of people all over the world. In severe situations, it can induce pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which can lead to death. It's an asymptomatic sickness that makes life and work more difficult for us. This research focused on the current state of the coronavirus pandemic and forecasted the global situation, as well as its impacts and future status. The authors used the FbProphet model to forecast new covid cases and deaths for the month of August utilizing various information representation and machine learning algorithms. They hope the findings will aid scientists, researchers, and laypeople in predicting and analyzing the effects of the epidemic. Finally, they conclude that the virus's second wave was around four times stronger than the first. They also looked at the trajectory of COVID-19 instances (monthly and weekly) and discovered that the number of cases rises more during the weekdays, which could be due to the weekend lockout.
Role of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in Prediction of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Authors: Shafi Jana , Basu Shamayita , Kavila Selvani Deepthi
Published: May 2022

Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) concentrated on methods and models that simplify the comprehending and analysis of the ML models operation. Using XAI, systems deliver the essential facts to defend outcomes, mostly when unpredicted conclusions are made. It also certifies that there is an auditable and demonstrable way to guard algorithmic judgments including the factors of unbiased and being principled, which lead to building trust. Swift upsurge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) turns out to be one of the severe health matters and one of the leading origins of death globally. In this chapter, the authors discussed XAI in healthcare, its benefits, and the deep Shapley additive explanations (DeepSHAP)-based deep neural network (DeepNN) framework provided with a feature selection method for prediction and explanation of non-communicable diseases followed by case study discussion about detection and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with the help of XAI-based predictive models.
An Efficient Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network-Based Breast Cancer Prediction
Authors: Saravana Kumar N. M.  , Tamilselvi S.  , Hariprasath K.  , Kaviyavarshini N.  , Kavinya A.
Published: May 2022

Cancer is the most deadly disease for human beings across the world due to the adoption of new food habits and pollution. Breast cancer is becoming a common disease for women. After years of research a better analysis and possessing a higher prediction of any kind of cancer, it is still a very imperative contribution in healthcare. In the literature, several attempts were made deploying machine learning methods yielding a significant prediction of cancer. The goal of this study is on machine learning techniques that can enable prediction of breast cancer from the attributes with more accuracy. In this study, Wisconsin Breast Cancer (WBC) dataset has been used to compute machine and deep learning algorithm. This research focuses on logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest and a novel deep learning adoption, multi-layer perceptron. The performances of these algorithms have been correlated with each other using accuracy percentage. Also, sensitivity and specificity are computed as evaluation metrics. The multi-layer perceptron (MLP) gives 97% accuracy.
Machine Learning Models in Detecting Cyber Crimes and Cyber Terrorism in India
Authors: Jaladanki Ravindrababu , Patel Syed Imran , Khan Imran , Mohammed Karim Ishtiaque Ahmed , Thenmozhi M.  , Tripathi Arun Kumar
Published: May 2022

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs), which are more susceptible to a range of cyber-attacks, play an increasingly crucial role in power system security today. Digital communication has become a global phenomenon in the last decade. Sadly, cyber terrorism is on the rise, and abusers are able to hide behind the anonymity of the internet. A hybrid model for detecting instances of cyber terrorism in Twitter datasets was proposed in this study after a survey of prominent classification algorithms. Logistic regression, linear support vector classifier, and naive bayes are the methods utilised for evaluation. Four metrics were used to evaluate the performance of the classifiers in experiments: precision, F1, accuracy, and recall. The findings show how well each of the algorithms worked, along with the metrics that went along with them. Linear support vector classifier (SVC) was the least effective, while hybrid model (EM) was the most successful.
Ranking for Better Indexing in the Hidden Web
Authors: Gupta Sonali
Published: May 2022

WWW is a repository of hyperlinked data sources that contains heterogeneous data in the form of text, audio, video, and metadata. Search engines play an important role in searching information from these data sources. They offer the users an interface to retrieve the data from these resources. The search engines gather, analyze, organize, and handle the data available in these data sources and return thousands of results in the form of web pages. Often the returned web pages include a mixture of relevant and irrelevant information. To return more significant and relevant response pages, a mechanism to rank the returned pages is desirable. Page ranking algorithms play an important role in ranking web pages so that the user could get the relevant result according to the user query. The proposed technique is used to rank the hidden web pages based on the meta information of the pages downloaded by crawler and the calculated value for the chosen parameters.
Optimization of Job Boards and the Graduate Recruitment Process
Authors: Donald William E. , Pychtin Peter
Published: May 2022

This chapter aims to enable organizations to optimize their use of job boards and the graduate recruitment process based on feedback from university students and recent graduates of their lived experiences. A theoretical framework of signaling theory is applied. A sample of 321 university students and recent graduates in Australia completed an online survey incorporating quantitative and qualitative elements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities for job board optimization include increasing the relevance of search results, providing metrics about the company, and increasing integration between applicants and organizations to facilitate communication. Opportunities for optimization of the recruitment process include the removal of unnecessary stages to reduce time investment of applicants, increasing clarity of requirements and providing timely and constructive feedback. Implications come from informing the human resource strategy for early careers talent acquisition. Optimization of the process can offer competitive advantage, cost savings, and organizational sustainability.
Librarianship Through Every Occasion
Authors: Harris Brennan M. , Rayford Christyn
Published: May 2022

This chapter examines how a public library in the Midwestern USA adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff employed the research skills learned in their library science education to explore minimal-contact programming, through virtual and hybrid formats, and continued to provide library services to the community with minimal disruption. Following naturalistic observation of the library in its hybrid state and semi-structured interviews with its staff, the experiences of the librarians and community are considered through the theoretical lenses of social connectedness, the technology adoption model, and learning theory. Unique benefits of the public library, as a physical space, as a virtual destination, and as a hybrid between them are discussed.
A Review of Personal Response Systems in Higher Education
Authors: Chan Simon C. H. , Ko Stephen
Published: May 2022

Personal response systems (PRSs) are still prevalent in a wide range of educational settings, and this increasing importance has prompted many researchers to examine their various aspects. PRS effects on student learning performance are generally divided into three main categories of factors: (1) learner characteristics (learner interface and learner interactions), (2) instructor characteristics (instructors' technical skills and attitudes toward students), and (3) other contextual factors (content and types of questions). This chapter discusses the characteristics of PRSs, reviews their advantages and disadvantages, and proposes a theoretical model of the factors affecting student engagement and performance in learning. The chapter concludes by exploring the research implications of the findings and directions for future PRS research.
The Media and Development in an Era of Digitalized Economy
Authors: Okon Bassey
Published: May 2022

The chapter looks at the media and development in an era of digitalized economy and how this impacts on the growth of developing countries. It considers the growth in technology and how this has brought the world together as visualized by Herbert Marshall McLuhan in his academic coinage of the expressions ‘the global village' and ‘the medium is the message'. The chapter posits that embedded in McLuhan's concepts are recurring issues relating to the nature of modern media, media concentration or congregation, media efficiency or power, media control in relation to who keeps the media gate. The unfolding consequences of media concentration, media power patterns, rising power of digital media platforms with challenging implications for world economy in the face of growing ‘paperlessness' of money raises concerns over digital money. The chapter posits that money is theoretically returning back to its 'barter era' due to the concentration and growing 'media power' as money mutates from paper to paperless digital reality.
Indian Television and the Ideologies of Social Development in India
Authors: Sinha Subir
Published: May 2022

In India, the purpose of television broadcasting is to clearly depict an ideology that reflects social development. In the chapter, the analysis of various case studies shows that the main objective of television broadcasting in India focuses on the social development of the youth and the society at large. From the initial days, television is mainly used to disseminate information. Along with this, it performs several other roles that are related to social development such as propagation of education, support in the development of knowledge society and in the progress of cultural promotion, creation of health awareness, etc. In contrast to the essential roles of television, the chapter also highlights the media contents that signify cultural imperialism and the growth of Indianisation in the media content. The chapter overall signifies how television is playing a significant role in the social development of the nation.
Participatory Communication and Digital Media in Africa
Authors: Okocha Desmond Onyemechi , Ola-Akuma Roxie Ojoma
Published: May 2022

Digital media has had an unquestionable impact on participatory communication. The use of digital media has become a part of the community development framework for inclusive participation. Premised on the foregoing, this chapter sought to examine how digital media, an emerging development in Africa, has changed the status of participatory communication across the continent. Furthermore, it reviewed how this new phenomenon has paved the way for empowerment journalism and digital participation, thereby making participatory communication a community development tool in the 21st century that heightens collaborations. The study was anchored on theories of new media and development communication. The methodology employed a desk review. Findings showed that aside from vitalizing participatory communication for rural development, community journalists needed to be conscious that they create a new twist that clashes with what the mainstream media professionals do from a community's viewpoint, which can impede participation.
Post-Truth Politics as a Threat to Democracy
Authors: Sabastine Kingsley Mbamara
Published: May 2022

Politics for long has been associated with mendacity, disinformation, manipulation, and at odds with the truth. In recent times, the term post-truth is used to further characterise politics, which implies a fresh phenomenon in the conflict between truth and politics. The chapter examines the concept of post-truth and post-truth politics. The chapter argues that the application of post-truth rhetoric in politics implies a novelty in politics and in the relationship between truth and politics which undermines democracy. It is arguable that post-truth condition negatively impacts individual ability to discriminate between what is true or false taking into consideration the volume of disinformation on the one hand and on the other hand the need to make informed decisions and choices without having to consult experts at the critical time that the stakes involved in such decisions and choices are urgent and crucial.
Social Media Activism
Authors: Achor Princewell Nwanganga
Published: May 2022

This chapter focuses on social media activism and the factors that trigger activism in developing countries. It philosophically reexamines the aftermath of the EndSARS protest via the lens of social media ecology. The epistemological and ontological underpinnings of EndSARS media ecology anchor on social media affordances. It evaluates social movements such as #EndSARS to identify their impact on addressing ills that have retarded development in Africa, particularly the Nigerian state. The chapter combines extant literature with empirical data to discuss socio-politico-environmental realities and issues contributing to social and political disorder in Nigeria. It also proposes solutions on how people can utilize lessons learned from the ‘EndSARS' debacle to advance cause-oriented activities and value reorientation. Finally, the chapter suggests a paradigm shift from a violent mass movement to a peaceful one, using the public relations perspective of crisis management.The chapter focuses on social media activism and the factors that trigger activism in developing countries. The EndSARS protest and its aftermath were philosophically reexamined via the lens of social media ecology. The epistemological and ontological underpinnings of EndSARS media ecology were traced to social media affordances. The chapter also evaluates social movements such as #EndSARS for the purpose of identifying its impact in addressing ills that have retarded growth and development in Africa, particularly the Nigerian state. The chapter combines extant literature positions with empirical data to discuss socio-politico-environmental realities and issues contributing to the growing phenomenon of social and political disorder in Nigeria. The chapter also proposes solutions on how to utilize lessons learned from the ‘EndSARS' debacle to advance cause-oriented activities and value reorientation. Finally, the chapter proposes a paradigm shift from a violent mass movement to a peaceful one, using public relations perspective of crisis management.
Global Partnership in Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Authors: Edokpolor James Edomwonyi , Otache Innocent
Published: May 2022

This chapter aims to examine the impact of global partnership in TVET (GPTVET), optimization of resources (OR), development of higher-order skills (DHOS), and equitable access to lifelong learning (EALLL) on core values of sustainable development (CVSD). A correlational design was adopted, and data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 520 TVET lecturers using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, bivariate correlational matrix, and hierarchical regression with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The results showed that GPTVET, OR, DHOS, and EALLL significantly and positively influence the accomplishment of CVSD. These findings suggest that the implementation and integration of quality TVET programme through global partnership would predict the accomplishment of CVSD.
Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Socioeconomic Development
Authors: Udenkwo Jude Thaddeus Chibuzo
Published: May 2022

The chapter explores the challenges and prospects in the role of artificial intelligence in development. Using a qualitative method of analysis, it examines evidence from crucial literature on artificial intelligence from diverse scholars and experts in the field. The research began with a conceptual review of AI and then made a foray into the ethical and epistemological basis of AI. It further highlighted the qualities of AI and the threat that AI poses to the digital divide between North and South. It also examines the importance of Ai to development, the latest advancements in AI, the importance of AI in the bid by Third World countries to catch up with development, and qualities and regulatory frameworks for harnessing and consolidating AI. Finally, it makes recommendations on the best approach to using AI to influence socioeconomic development.
Africa in the Face of the AI Wave and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Ezeani Cyril Chibuzo
Published: May 2022

The major concern of the chapter is with the prospects of AI and the generality of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the light of Africa's development and with Africa's readiness to embrace the new technology. Using the method of hermeneutics, the work discovers that efforts made in some African countries to embrace the opportunities offered by the new revolution notwithstanding, Africa seems to be at the lower rung of the new technological ladder. The chapter discusses the impeding factors and more while proffering a way out in order to catch into the opportunities created by artificial intelligence. The chapter further recognizes that AI within the context of contemporary African situation presents a dilemma given the teeming unemployed demography. Without taking light of this dilemma, the chapter tends to view AI emergence in terms of what has been described as a critical juncture, and an adequate response would ultimately lead to increased prosperity.
A Critical Evaluation of Social Media and Human Development in Nigeria
Authors: Dyikuk Justine John , Rotshak Joshua Yilhikka
Published: May 2022

Recent fraudulent online activities have drawn the attention of a sleeping nation to the alarming nature of the increasing rate of hate speech, fake news, and other sharp practices in Nigeria. The corrosion of values is blamed on the explosion of information and communications technologies (ICT). This chapter employed theories of legitimacy and dialogic communication to investigate the menacing effects of unwholesome online practices. It found overemphasis on the negative use of social media and slowness to acknowledge the significant changes in ICT as factors why people have not taken advantage of social networks. It recommended ongoing media-education through campaigns and further research on internet penetration in the country as veritable ways of measuring successes in human development. It concluded that if educationists and policy makers take advantage of social media platforms, they would remain a huge resource for human development and national integration.
Nigerian Media's Poor Representation and Negligence of Minorities as a Breach of Ethical Journalism
Authors: Besong Eric Ndoma
Published: May 2022

The plights of Nigerian ethnic minorities, arising from marginalisation, account for various national issues, such as ethno-religious intolerance and crisis, ethnic militia, civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, among others. The study reveals that Nigerian media play crucial roles in the marginalisation, dehumanisation, and plights suffered by peoples branded ‘ethnic minorities'. The poor representation and negligence of the minorities aggravate the plights of the minorities. The study argues that by breaching media ethics, the Nigerian press violates African indigenous ethical principles. Also, media's misdeeds against the minorities amount to breach of ethical journalism. The chapter concludes that besides paying little or no attention to matters concerning ethnic minorities, Nigerian media aggravate the plights of ethnic minorities by continuously exhibiting misdeeds against them.
Radio Programmes for Youth Empowerment and National Development
Authors: Olumuji Emmanuel Olukunle , Onabajo Olufemi Sunday
Published: May 2022

Radio as a mass medium remains the most accessible, affordable, and flexible medium of mass communication in developing countries. Radio can persuade and effectively influence large audiences, thereby contributing substantially to nation building. Over the years, radio programmes have largely focused on entertainment, religious, and political matters. There is also a paucity of programmes on youth empowerment and national development. This chapter examined the availability of youth programmes on radio through assessment of selected programme formats to ascertain the shortfalls (if any) of these programmes in mobilising youths for youth empowerment and national development. The study has as its theoretical springboard development media theory and agenda setting theory. The chapter adopted survey method to assess programme formats of radio stations in Abeokuta, Ogun State and discovered the inadequacy of programmes on youth empowerment. It recommended strategies on how to improve and use the media for youth empowerment and national development.