bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic review of the genus Lemyra Walker (Erebidae: Arctiinae) from India
Authors: SINGH HARSIMRANJEET , RAHA ANGSHUMAN , KIRTI JAGBIR SINGH , SINGH NAVNEET
Published: May 2024

In the present manuscript, we review the genus Lemyra Walker, 1856 from India by examining the specimens collected freshly from different parts of India from 2016 to 2019 and from the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India (NZCZSI). The revised status of Lemyra in India is presented by describing seven new species: Lemyra (Thyrgorina) rubripecta sp. nov., L. (T.) densimacula sp. nov., L. (T.) fortiorspina sp. nov., L. (T.) apatani sp. nov., L. (T.) adunca sp. nov., L. (T.) obsoleta sp. nov. and L. (T.) pinus sp. nov., synonymizing equal number of species: L. (T.) punctilinea (Moore, 1879), syn. nov. under L. (T.) flavalis (Moore, 1865), L. (T.) magnaproteus N. Singh & Kirti, 2016, syn. nov. under L. (T.) proteus (De Joannis, 1928), Thanatarctia costalis Kaleka, 2012: 51, syn. nov., Thanatarctia collarlis Kaleka, 2012: 53, syn. nov., L. (T.) collarlis N. Singh, Kirti & Kaleka, 2016: 15, syn. nov. (objective synonym of T. collarlis Kaleka, 2012), L. (T.) pseudocollarlis N. Singh, Kirti & Kaleka, 2016: 16, syn. nov. under L. (T.) nigrescens (Rothschild, 1910) and L. (T.) angularis (Strand, 1919) under L. (T.) spilosomata (Walker, [1865]). The status of L. (T.) aurantiaca (Fang, 1985), a new record to India, is upgraded to species level. Additionally, two species i.e., L. (T.) kaikarisi Saldaitis et al., 2019 and L. (T.) persephone Saldaitis et al., 2020 are reported for the first time from India. An updated checklist of 117 species (including the nominotypical subspecies) and 10 subspecies of Lemyra is provided with 48 species (including the new records and new species described herein) from India. Of the 48 species from India, the systematics of 42 species is provided based on their voucher specimens. We could not study the rest of the six species with their voucher specimens. The detailed diagnoses with closely similar congeners, genitalia illustrations, distributions, individual variations and sexual dimorphism, if any, and bionomics is provided.
New Names and New Combinations of the Genera of Bambusa, Dinochloa and Guadua (Bambusaceae)
Authors: Fu Da-Li
Published: May 2024

The subfamily Bambusoideae Luerss., belonging to the family Bambusaceae Burnett, is intricately intertwined with human production and daily life, exerting a profound influence on culture as well. The distinctive characteristics of the subfamily, such as culm, rhizome, branch, and culm sheath, have traditionally been employed in taxonomic classification, which requires further research to validate from a scientific perspective. Using the minimum criterion PHS (phylogenetic similarity) ≤ 0.928 (inter genera) for genus classification by CPCG (chloroplast complete genomes) of Fructophyta D.L.Fu & H.Fu, total 22 synonyms of three genera of Bambusa Schreb., Dinochloa Büse and Guadua Kunth within the subfamily, have been identified, 15 current synonyms of the genus Bambusa Schreb. including Bonia Balansa, Dendrocalamus Nees, Gigantochloa Kurz ex Munro, Holttumochloa K.M.Wong, Kinabaluchloa K.M.Wong, Maclurochloa K.M.Wong, Melocalamus Benth., Neomicrocalamus Keng f., Oreobambos K.Schum., Oxytenanthera Munro, Phuphanochloa Sungkaew & Teerawat., Soejatmia K.M.Wong, Temochloa S.Dransf., Thyrsostachys Gamble and Vietnamosasa T.Q.Nguyen, 3 current synonyms of the genus Dinochloa Büse being Cyrtochloa S.Dransf., Neololeba Widjaja and Sphaerobambos S.Dransf., and 4 current synonyms of the genus Guadua Kunth being Apoclada McClure, Eremocaulon Soderstr. & Londoño, Olmeca Soderstr. and Otatea (McClure & E.W.Sm.) C.E.Calderón & Soderstr.. Additionally, 27 new specific names such as Bambusa bifloscula D.L.Fu and Dinochloa hirta D.L.Fu, along with 184 new specific combinations like Bambusa achmadii (Widjaja) D.L.Fu, Dinochloa acutiflora (Munro) D.L.Fu and Guadua acuminata (Munro) D.L.Fu have been scientifically and validly published. These publications will scientifically address the taxonomic nomenclature confusion and establish a robust foundation for the research of evolutionary system within the family Bambusaceae Burnett.
Surface-Modified Nanoclays for Enhancing Resistance to Moisture Damage in Hot Mix Asphalt
Authors: Rahim Ashraf , Badawy Amro , Cox Travis
Published: May 2024

Previous research indicated that nanomaterials have potential in improving pavement properties, particularly moisture resistance. This study evaluated the effectiveness of nanoclays in enhancing the resistance of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) to moisture damage and compared its performance to standard modifiers. Asphalt binder modified using four additives was tested using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) before and after being aged in a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO): two surface-modified nanoclays and two liquid anti-stripping chemicals (HP+ and LOF 6500). The DSR and RTFO tests showed that the two nanoclays had a stiffening effect on the binder, while both liquid antistripping agents had the opposite effect, decreasing both the elastic and complex modulus of the binder. After RTFO aging, similar trends were observed, except the binder had become much stiffer in all cases. HMA designed employing the Superpave mix design procedure was tested for moisture sensitivity in accordance with AASHTO T-283. The dry tensile strength for the two nanoclays and LOF 6500 modified mixes were higher than the control mix. However, all modified mixes resulted in wet tensile strengths that were higher than the control. The tensile strength ratios for all modified mixes were also higher than the control and exceeded the Superpave mix design method minimum of 0.80. Evaluation of these additives in the field would further benefit asphalt pavement research.
Bioaccumulation of Organochlorine Pesticides (DDT, DDE, Heptachlor, and Aldrin) in Oysters (Pinctada nested radiata) from Soumbedioune Beach (Dakar/Senegal) by GC-MS/MS
Authors: Diouf Sitor , Dione Mame , Dione Cheikh , Ndiaye Birame , Diagne Ibrahima , Cisse Dame , Hane Maoudo , Ndiaye Momar , Diebakate Cheikhna , Ba Seydou , Diop Abdoulaye
Published: May 2024

Socio-economic activities have led to the dispersion of polluting agents in all compartments of the environment. The latter largely reach the sea by air, water or land. Thus they can alter the balance of its ecosystems due to their harmful properties. In return, these physical, chic or biological entities can reach humans through the food chain. Hence knowledge of these contaminants is necessary. Indeed, in Senegal, there is little data relating to fishery products, particularly seafood. Hence such work could contribute to good food security but also would allow us to become better aware of the consequences of the destruction of our environment. In this work the profile of the contamination of Soumbedioune beach by OCPs was studied using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The average values of 30,470; 149,983 µg/Kg respectively for heptachlor and aldrin are well above the reference 0.1 µg/Kg. And the values 4,255; 149,98 µg/Kg respectively for DDE and DD. This is greater than 50 µg/Kg for the last. This shows that there is a real environmental and health problem that exists on this Dakar coast. Faced with such a situation, it is appropriate to set up wastewater treatment plants and ensure compliance with the ban on these products dangerous to health. Consequently, awareness on the part of decision-makers, populations and industrialists could probably lead to solutions.
Multiple Consequences Related to Atmospheric Turbulence Induced by the Climate Change in the Heatwaves Emergence and in the Cooling Effect of Aerosols
Authors: Roman Petre
Published: May 2024

When dealing with the general problem of turbulence there are several theoretical and practical related problems: the generation (origin) of fluid fluctuations (real eddies and mathematical vorticity), the turbulent transfer of kinetic energy, heat and mass, drag resistance, clean-air fluctuations, hurricanes and tornadoes, atmospheric circulation and plumes, and other natural or human-induced phenomena. We are tempted by the intent to formulate a unified approach, where turbulence is the general feature of these problems. We attempt here to draw some connections between the theoretical turbulence modeling and the experimental results interpreted using such models and the reality of large-scale natural events strongly related to anthropogenic climate changes, such as heatwaves and the cooling effect of aerosols. In fact we believe that more sophisticated practical results could be drawn from connecting theoretical turbulence studies to natural real phenomena, especially those under the influence of climate change. The mathematical modeling aimed at increasing predictability did not produce yet a fundamental breakthrough in the understanding of turbulence. In dealing with real turbulent flows we constantly rely on phenomenological approaches. To date, the large-scale spatio-temporal characteristics of turbulence has yet to be fully understood, due to the lack of sufficient in situ detection instruments in the atmosphere. As such, there is much room for improvement in turbulence-related parameterizations in global weather and climate prediction models. Short presentations of the heatwaves and cooling effect of aerosols are considered from the point of view that the study of weather data and the use of statistical modeling should be coupled with the fundamental studies on the fluid dynamics features of turbulence which play the primary role in the atmospheric circulation and thus in weather and climate changes.
Prevalence and Causes of HIV/AIDs Infection Among Out-of-School Children in Ibadan
Authors: Olusegun Babatunde
Published: May 2024

Children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation are also vulnerable to HIV infection because they live on the margins of society and outside of the health system. As a result, they may be infected without knowing their HIV status and will not access the health system when they develop an opportunistic infection related to AIDS. The prevalence of HIV/AIDs in Nigeria especially in Ibadan among the out-of-school children has become a great public health concern. This study therefore mitigated prevalence and causes of HIV/AIDs infection among out-of-school children in Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria. This study is anchored on explanatory mixed method of QUAN+qual research design. A random sampling technique was employed in sampling 100 participants for the study. Three instruments: Out-of-school children HIV Risk and Infection Questionnaire (OHRIQ) and HIV/AIDs Rapid Test Kit (HARTK) were used to elicit quantitative information from participants and KII to collect qualitative data from the participants about their status. Data collected was analysed using Descriptive and Multiple Regression while ATLAS ti was used for qualitative data. Results revealed that Home and Street life has a moderate positive correlation and was significant with HIV infection among out-of-school children (r = .16; p=<0.01). Survival activities have very strong positive significant correlation with HIV infection. Sexual behaviour has low positive significant (r=.00, p<0.01) correlation and Marginalization has a low negative significant correlation (r=-.07, p<0.01). The study therefore recommends that parent should endeavor to send their children to school and take full responsibility on their wellbeing to avoid being infected with HIV.
Evaluation of Childhood Dietary Patterns and Their Impact on Nutrition Status: A Literature Review
Authors: Adhikari Bishnu , Giri Surendra , Sharma Prakash
Published: May 2024

One of the main public health issues in underdeveloped nations like Nepal is malnutrition, which is closely related to dietary practices. Child malnutrition has been one of the major public health issues of the twenty-first century in the world. A search of some electronic databases was conducted to identify research involving nutritional status of children. A total 19 studies were identified in this review. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and dietary pattern of children and its related factors. The study was conducted based on literature review. The search of literature from scholar.google.com, pubmed.com, jstor.com, nepjol.info, tucl.remotexs.co (proquest.com search.ndltd.org) were used for the study. A total of 140 full-text papers were identified from electronic sources. Among 140 full-text papers, irrelevant papers were excluded. Only English medium literature about dietary patterns and nutritional status of children were included in this study. Sixteen studies were related to nutritional status of children and three studies were related to dietary pattern of children. The results of study showed low nutritional status of children of different countries. The result of the study showed that different behaviors related to eating habits promote the nutritional status of children. Dietary behavior strongly correlates nutritional status of children. Similarly, children are facing numerous nutritional problems due to the lack of exclusive breast feeding, maternal education, disease prevalence and low socio-economic condition. Especially the children are suffered from the problem of stunting and wasting in rural area. Most of the studies have been centered in an urban area. The study suggested to conduct appropriate nutritional intervention programs regarding school children and their mothers.
The Effect of 3D Computer Animated-Content Coaching Style on Student Academic Feat in Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work in Technical Colleges
Authors: Joseph Ohwojero
Published: May 2024

The impacting of knowledge/skills in the technical college in the recent time in the modern world is by coaching students with 3D computer animated-content in the Western world. The usage of the 3D computer animated-content, makes coaching to be real to students, they see and feel the objects which they use to learn. Eighty-one (81) students was deployed for the probe, sampling of students was not done because of the population that was deployed for the probe, all the students that offers motor vehicle mechanics work in the selected technical colleges were deployed for the probe. The apparatus that was deployed for the probe was motor vehicles mechanics work feat test, was validated using fifteen students from practical college in Anambra State. Three lecturers were deployed for the validation, after the validation a reliability test was conducted and it was detected that the reliability of the apparatus was 0.73, meaning that the apparatus was reliable. Two probe question were raised to guide the probe and two hypotheses were formulated at 0.05 level of implication, to check for level of implication using (ANCOVA) to check the level of implication. Findings were made, and conclusion was also made by the investigator at the end of the probe.
Screening of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes for Waterlogged Area in Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Endashaw
Published: May 2024

Due to a serious waterlogging issue, Ethiopia's agricultural productivity has been severely limited, yielding much lower than expected results. In this study conducted on screening of 49 for first year and 60 for second year bread wheat genotypes selected from international nursery. An experiment was undertaken at two locations namely, Ginchi Agricultural Research Sub Center and Tulu Bolo farmer field in Ethiopia in 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons. The main objective of this study was to select best performed genotypes in waterlogged areas for next variety development and future breeding program. The experiment was conducted using apha lattice with three replications. Data on yield and associated traits were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.3 software. The results revealed that the separate analysis of variance over the two years conducted at Ginchi showed statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among the genotypes for all phenotypic traits except Septoria disease severity, Number of tiller and biomass yield considered in this study. The results revealed that the separate analysis of variance over the two years conducted at Tulu bolo showed statistically non-significant (P <0.01) differences among the genotypes for all phenotypic traits except days to heading, plant height, Septoria disease severity agronomic score, hectoliter weight and thousand kernel weight considered in this study. In general from the two locations the maximum and minimum were revealed 29.85qt/ha and 2.32qt/ha respectively. This indicated that almost all genotypes were showed low performed and the wheat breeder give more attentions to provide resistance genotypes for waterlogging.
Physically Explainable Deep Learning for Convective Initiation Nowcasting Using GOES-16 Satellite Observations
Authors: Fan Da , Greybush Steven J. , Clothiaux Eugene E. , Gagne David John
Published: May 2024

Convective initiation (CI) nowcasting remains a challenging problem for both numerical weather prediction models and existing nowcasting algorithms. In this study, an object-based probabilistic deep learning model is developed to predict CI based on multichannel infrared GOES-16 satellite observations. The data come from patches surrounding potential CI events identified in Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Doppler weather radar products over the Great Plains region from June and July 2020 and June 2021. An objective radar-based approach is used to identify these events. The deep learning model significantly outperforms the classical logistic model at lead times up to 1 h, especially on the false alarm ratio. Through case studies, the deep learning model exhibits dependence on the characteristics of clouds and moisture at multiple altitudes. Model explanation further reveals that the contribution of features to model predictions is significantly dependent on the baseline, a reference point against which the prediction is compared. Under a moist baseline, moisture gradients in the lower and middle troposphere contribute most to correct CI forecasts. In contrast, under a clear-sky baseline, correct CI forecasts are dominated by cloud-top features, including cloud-top glaciation, height, and cloud coverage. Our study demonstrates the advantage of using different baselines in further understanding model behavior and gaining scientific insights.
Association Between Congenital Heart Disease-Related Diagnosis Codes and Trauma Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Babatunde Titilola , Wolf Seth , Tumin Dmitry , Sarno Lauren , Greene Erika , Longshore Shannon
Published: May 2024

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one the most common congenital anomalies, with a prevalence of 8-10 cases per 1000 live births in the United States. Congenital heart disease has been recognized as a risk factor for poor perioperative and postoperative outcomes in non-cardiac surgery. We aimed to determine if documentation of CHD-related diagnosis codes was associated with similar risks for trauma surgery.

Methods

Data were acquired from the 2010-2019 American College of Surgeons’ Trauma Quality Programs Participant Use Files. This study included trauma patients of all ages with one or more surgical procedures and at least one documented non-trauma (comorbidity) International Classification of Diseases code. Patients were stratified based on presence of CHD-related comorbidity codes vs any other comorbidity. Outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and in-hospital complications.

Results

Using 1:1 propensity score matching, we matched 215 cases with CHD-related comorbid diagnoses to non-CHD controls. Compared to patients with other comorbidities, patients with CHD-related comorbidites were less likely to be discharged home to self-care (odds ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25, 078 P = .005) and tended to have prolonged hospital LOS (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.13, P = .046).

Conclusions

We present the first quantitative multicenter analysis correlating documentation of comorbid CHD-related diagnoses with higher risk of adverse outcomes after trauma surgery. These results support the need to routinely acknowledge and document CHD as comorbidity in trauma admissions that could lead to surgical intervention and for trauma centers to prepare for patients with a possible CHD comorbidity.
A Spectroscopic Method for Distinguishing Two Novel Sandwich-Type Tungsten Oxide Cluster Compounds
Authors: Mi Wen-Jun , Bi Wen-Chao , Meng Ming-Ze , Chen Yi-Ping , Sun Yan-Qiong
Published: May 2024

This study introduces two novel sandwich-type tungsten–oxygen cluster compounds synthesized by hydrothermal methods, H4(C6H12N2H2)3{Na(H2O)2[Mn2(H2O)(GeW9O34)]}2 (Compound 1) and H2(C6H12N2H2)3.5{Na3(H2O)4[Co2(H2O)(GeW9O34)]2}·17H2O (Compound 2). The two compounds comprise cluster anions [GeW9O34]10– coordinated with transition metal atoms, either Mn or Co, and are stabilized by organic ligands. These compounds are crystallized in the hexagonal crystal system and P63/m space group. The two compounds were characterized through various techniques. Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy showed absorption peaks of anionic backbone vibrations of the Keggin cluster at 500–1000 cm–1, IR spectral peaks of δ(N–H) and νas(C–N) of the ligand triethylenediamine at 1000–2000 cm–1, and IR spectral peaks of the ligand νas(N–H) and νas(O–H) of water at 3000–3500 cm–1. Despite similar one-dimensional (1D) IR spectra due to the same cluster anions and similar molecular structures, the two compounds exhibited distinct responses in two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy with IR under magnetic and thermal perturbations. Under magnetic perturbation, Compound 1 showed a strong response peak for νas(W–Ob–W), while Compound 2 exhibited a strong response peak for νas(W=Od), possibly linked to differing magnetic particles. Similarly, Compound 1 displayed a strong response peak under thermal perturbation for νas(W–Oc–W). In contrast, Compound 2 showed a strong response peak for νas(W=Od); these results may be attributed to the different hydrogen bonding connections between the two compounds, which affect the groups in distinct ways through vibration and transmit these vibrations to the W–O bonds. The research presented in this paper expands the theoretical and experimental data of 2D correlation IR spectroscopy.
L’eco del fossile: La poesia in napoletano di Antonio Calabrese
Authors: Iacolare Salvatore
Published: May 2024

Il saggio, che propone una lettura dell’opera poetica in dialetto napoletano di Antonio Calabrese (1932–2024), si articola in tre parti, tenute insieme da un focus principale sulla consistenza dell’universo marino nella poesia dell’autore. La prima ripercorre i luoghi testuali nei quali il valore evocativo e terapeutico della parola è messo esplicitamente a tema, evidenziando il rapporto tra poesia, memoria e oralità; la seconda si concentra sulle varie declinazioni dell’uso metaforico del linguaggio marittimo nel percorso del poeta; la terza analizza infine alcune modalità di rielaborazione d’autore di nuclei testuali e tematici appartenenti alla grande poesia del Novecento.
Repoliticizing spirituality: A collaborative autoethnography on Indigenous identity dynamics during an environmental conflict in a Mapuche community in Chile
Authors: Maher Rajiv , Loncopán Simón
Published: May 2024

Through a collaborative ethnography told through narratives and a counter-map drawn from Mapuche ontology, we determine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) simultaneously fractures and strengthens the collective identity of an Indigenous community through the mechanism of community benefit sharing. This study reveals how a young Mapuche Indigenous leader, Simón, and his allies underwent the re-rooting and resurgence of their ancestral identity while resisting the construction of a hydropower project and the company’s CSR, as well as their neighbours who supported the project. This study also discusses the emergence of repoliticized spirituality because of the collective identity work dynamics. We propose that this form of spirituality is particularly salient within groups whose ancestors endured colonization. This phenomenon unfolds through a sequence of mechanisms, including collectively reaching breaking points catalysed by external threats (e.g. large-scale projects) that prompt group self-reflection regarding their identity and history. Subsequently, Indigenous communities mobilize to safeguard their ancestral ontologies and spirituality. This, we assert, is a political act. We conclude by reflecting on the social responsibilities of businesses when interacting with Indigenous communities and territories. Managers and policymakers need to comprehend the potential impact of CSR initiatives on the intricate fabric of Indigenous identities.
Nexus Between Citizens’ Trust and Good Governance in Public Institutions of South Asia
Authors: Ferdous Jannatul
Published: May 2024

Public institutions are essential for executing government policies. Citizens’ trust in public institutions is a crucial factor to consider when assessing the state of democracy. Working processes, trends, organisational principles, neutrality, approaches and impartiality are also used to assess an institution’s trustworthiness. Failing to satisfy any of these indicators can create distrust. Good governance is essential for every country to move forward and attain its development goals. For most countries in South Asia, governance is not in a good condition, with government institutions struggling to perform satisfactorily. In this situation, distrust may be fostered among citizens with limited conviction in democracy and diminish the reliability of public institutions. By taking these issues into account, this article uses secondary literature to evaluate the level of trust in the public institutions of South Asian States with a distinct emphasis on good governance.
Optical sensing for real-time detection of food-borne pathogens in fresh produce using machine learning
Authors: Sharma Sunil , Tharani Lokesh
Published: May 2024

Contaminated fresh produce remains a prominent catalyst for food-borne illnesses, prompting the need for swift and precise pathogen detection to mitigate health risks. This paper introduces an innovative strategy for identifying food-borne pathogens in fresh produce samples from local markets and grocery stores, utilizing optical sensing and machine learning. The core of our approach is a photonics-based sensor system, which instantaneously generates optical signals to detect pathogen presence. Machine learning algorithms process the copious sensor data to predict contamination probabilities in real time. Our study reveals compelling results, affirming the efficacy of our method in identifying prevalent food-borne pathogens, including Escherichia coli ( E. coli) and Salmonella enteric, across diverse fresh produce samples. The outcomes underline our approach's precision, achieving detection accuracies of up to 95%, surpassing traditional, time-consuming, and less accurate methods. Our method's key advantages encompass real-time capabilities, heightened accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, facilitating its adoption by both food industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies for quality assurance and safety oversight. Implementation holds the potential to elevate food safety and reduce wastage. Our research signifies a substantial stride toward the development of a dependable, real-time food safety monitoring system for fresh produce. Future research endeavors will be dedicated to optimizing system performance, crafting portable field sensors, and broadening pathogen detection capabilities. This novel approach promises substantial enhancements in food safety and public health.
On Epistemic Extractivism and the Ethics of Data-Sharing
Authors: Landström Karl
Published: May 2024

In this article I argue that data-sharing risks becoming epistemically extractivist and is a practice sensitive to Linda Martín Alcoff´s challenges for extractivist epistemologies. I situate data-sharing as a socio-epistemic practice that gives rise to ethical and epistemic challenges. I draw on the findings of an institutional ethnography of an international social science research project to identify several ethical and epistemic concerns, including epistemic extractivism. I identify Alcoff’s first and second challenge for extractivist epistemologies in the findings of the empirical investigation and argue that they are important considerations for the ethics and socio-epistemological functioning of data-sharing in social science.
The effect of digitalization and green technology innovation on energy efficiency in the European Union
Authors: Alofaysan Hind , Radulescu Magdalena , Dembińska Izabela , Si Mohammed Kamel
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to scrutinize the effect of Green technology innovation, digitalization, renewable energy use, environmental taxes, GDP, energy prices, and population on energy efficiency in a panel comprising 22 member nations of the European Union. Using the generalized least squares and the panel-corrected standard error, we found (1) the positive effect of digitalization, green patterns, and renewable sources on energy efficiency. (2) The environmental tax has a limited and insignificant effect. (3) On the contrary, the population, GDP, and energy prices negatively affect energy efficiency. Based on the findings, relevant economic and environmental policies have been proposed for energy, technology stakeholders, and policy decision-makers, including substantial investment in digital infrastructure to facilitate the adoption of smart grids, Internet of Things devices, and advanced data analytics for energy management
Exploring Behavioural Complexity as the Link Between Leader Attributes and Leader Effectiveness
Authors: Alat Priya , Suar Damodar
Published: May 2024

Leader flexibility is considered necessary for leader effectiveness. However, there is limited research on antecedents of leader flexibility and its effect on leader effectiveness. This study, based on the leaderplex model, examines how multiple leader attributes influence leader effectiveness and subordinates’ work behaviour and attitudes through leader behavioural complexity, an indicator of leader flexibility and ability to manage complexity. A total of 134 senior-level executives and their subordinates from 12 manufacturing organizations participated. Executives and their subordinates filled separate questionnaires. The executives provided data for their sociodemographics along with their cognitive complexity, cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, personality traits and subordinates’ job performance. The subordinates provided data for their sociodemographics, commitment and work engagement, and leaders’ behavioural complexity, overall effectiveness and performance. Results show leaders’ cognitive flexibility, cognitive complexity, extraversion, emotional stability and agreeableness via behavioural complexity positively relate to leader effectiveness and subordinates’ job performance. Except for the competitive mediation of extraversion, all other mediations were indirect. The indirect effects of cognitive flexibility and emotional stability on leader effectiveness and subordinates’ job performance via behavioural complexity were medium. The other effects were low. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of the association of different cognitive, social and personality attributes with leader effectiveness and subordinates’ job behaviour and the role of behavioural complexity as a mediating mechanism in these relationships.
Human-AI interaction: Augmenting decision-making for IT leader's project selection
Authors: Judkins Jarrett T. , Hwang Yujong , Kim Soyean
Published: May 2024

This research seeks to determine whether IT leaders are willing to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) recommendations to augment their decision-making when considering which IT projects to select based on the projects’ contribution towards organizational goals and objectives and the IT leaders’ level of knowledge and trust in AI. The research design utilized a quantitative survey of 113 IT leaders to understand their willingness to accept AI recommendations that augment their own decision-making while considering organizational criteria for selecting the best IT projects to invest in. AI recommendations were measured based on factors contained within a conceptual AI-driven online recommendation system, while decision-making was measured based on factors such as uncertainty, consequences of decisions, information & goals, motivation, and self-regulation that were designed and validated to examine certain aspects that influence decision-making. IT project contributions were measured based on relevance, risk, reasonableness, basis research return, and business return associated with the project. The research results showed the relationship between IT Project Contributions and IT leader decision was significant in that the leader's perception of IT project contributions towards organizational goals and objectives has a positive influence on the IT project selection decision. Unfortunately, the remaining hypothesized relationships showed no significant outcomes. The research results did not show that IT Leader Decisions may be influenced by AI recommendations, nor the greater knowledge of AI an IT Leader has, the stronger the relationship will be in support of or against AI recommendations, nor that the greater trust in AI an IT Leader has, the stronger the relationship will be in support of or against AI recommendations. This research will provide important insights to understand IT project selection and human-AI collaboration by IT leaders in organizations.
Factors affecting the students’ knowledge sharing through social media technologies: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Asad , Qaisar Nasim , Arif Muhammad , Kanwal Saima
Published: May 2024

This study investigates factors affecting students’ knowledge sharing over social media platforms. An online survey was conducted on 1470 distance education students, enrolled in an online Master of Library and Information Science program in a public sector university, Islamabad, Pakistan. Using the theory of reasoned action and factors, namely, trust, facilitation conditions, perceived reciprocal benefits, and individual creativity, a comprehensive research model was developed. Following the positivist paradigm, a quantitative survey research design was employed to conduct this study. Using IBM-SPSS and AMOS (version 21.0), structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the data, testing hypotheses, and research model. The research findings disclosed that the students used different social media platforms for knowledge sharing. Subjective norms and trust positively influenced students’ knowledge sharing behaviour intention. Facilitation conditions and behaviour intention were found to be key factors in students’ knowledge sharing through social media. Among the factors, student behavioural intention was found to be the most influential factor. However, attitude, perceived reciprocal benefits, and individual creativity did not influence knowledge sharing. Overall, the research model measured significant students’ knowledge sharing over social media platforms. There is a dearth of literature about the factors influencing knowledge sharing over social media from the Pakistani perspective. This study addressed the hitherto under-researched issue and developed a theoretical framework by extending the theory of reasoned action for social media-driven knowledge sharing from the Pakistani distance education students’ perspective.
Coaching Caregivers to Teach Responding to Joint Attention for Toddlers with Autism
Authors: Kim Gospel Y. , Tuck Kathleen N. , J. Malone Elisabeth , Bigelow Kathryn M.
Published: May 2024

We examined the effectiveness of coaching on caregiver implementation of responding to joint attention (RJA) intervention for toddlers with autism. We used a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline across participants single-case research design to examine the relation between coaching practices and caregivers’ RJA intervention implementation behaviors. Results indicated caregiver coaching that incorporated a behavioral skills training model was an effective approach for coaching caregivers on RJA intervention and resulted in caregivers’ improved use of intervention procedures. All three toddlers with autism demonstrated an increased number of correct RJA behaviors; however, the level of behavioral change varies across children.
Aerodynamic design optimization of a NACA 0012 airfoil: An introductory adjoint discrete tool for educational purposes
Authors: Ntantis Efstratios L. , Xezonakis Vasileios
Published: May 2024

The adjoint method is a powerful tool in high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization, providing an efficient means to compute derivatives of a target function with respect to various design variables. This paper delves into the discrete adjoint method. It offers a theoretical exploration of its implementation as an innovative tool for calculating partial derivatives (sensitivities) related to objective functions and design variables, specifically applied to a subsonic NACA0012 airfoil. The study conducts a qualitative evaluation using a designated test case, considering specified Mach number and Reynolds number values of 0.297 and 6,667 million, respectively. The Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model is employed to enhance computational cost efficiency. The results affirm the efficacy of the introduced tool, DAFoam, showcasing its ability to generate optimal geometries. The achieved performance optimization is evidenced by minimizing the drag coefficient value (CD) to an impressive 0.0131. While this research does not delve into the post-processing of sensitivity calculations, it acknowledges the potential for future investigations. The primary objective and novelty of this study is to provide the elementary background of the state of the art test case (NACA0012) within the subsonic regime, introducing the pioneer discrete adjoint aerodynamic optimization methodology (DAFoam) with the potential to explore its higher order capabilities in other aerodynamic related studies. Furthermore, it caters the educational needs of both graduate students and engineers in this exciting field. By presenting this cutting-edge methodology, it contributes to future advancements for the aerodynamicists in terms of optimal solutions.
Healthcare innovations: Enhancing patient privacy and security in the digital era
Authors: Lo Patrick
Published: May 2024

Technology integration in the healthcare industry has resulted in unparalleled efficiency and accessibility to healthcare services. However, this digital transformation has also created new vulnerabilities, particularly in cyberattacks, which pose significant patient safety and privacy threats. To address this issue, healthcare providers must proactively safeguard patient data and mitigate cybersecurity risks. This includes implementing robust security protocols, adhering to established privacy regulations, and selecting digital health solutions from vendors prioritizing privacy and security. By doing so, the healthcare industry can ensure that patients’ personal and personal health information remains private and secure while maintaining the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services.
Enhanced optical, dielectric, and mechanical properties of starch-based nanocomposite films reinforced with layered double hydroxide
Authors: Rhalmi Othmane , Lahkale Redouane , Ben Zarouala Khadija , Chouni Khadija , Garmim Taoufik , Sabbar Elmouloudi
Published: May 2024

In this study, we present the optical, electrical, dielectric, and mechanical properties of nanocomposite films containing different inorganic filler content. Starch is used as the biopolymer while the carbonate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) is used as the inorganic filler. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) are used to characterize and evaluate the dispersion of LDH in the biopolymer matrix. Increasing the filler content was found to improve the optical properties by increasing the light absorption coefficients, reducing the optical gap energy and increasing the refractive index. Improved dielectric properties were demonstrated by the significant decrease in the dielectric energy dissipation with increasing filler content. In addition, mechanical properties were enhanced by increasing the Young’s modulus when the filler content reached 5 wt %.
Evaluation of ChatGPT as a Tool for Answering Clinical Questions in Pharmacy Practice
Authors: Munir Faria , Gehres Anna , Wai David , Song Leah
Published: May 2024

Background: In the healthcare field, there has been a growing interest in using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to assist healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, in their daily tasks. Objectives: To provide commentary and insight into the potential for generative AI language models such as ChatGPT as a tool for answering practice-based, clinical questions and the challenges that need to be addressed before implementation in pharmacy practice settings. Methods: To assess ChatGPT, pharmacy-based questions were prompted to ChatGPT (Version 3.5; free version) and responses were recorded. Question types included 6 drug information questions, 6 enhanced prompt drug information questions, 5 patient case questions, 5 calculations questions, and 10 drug knowledge questions (e.g., top 200 drugs). After all responses were collected, ChatGPT responses were assessed for appropriateness. Results: ChatGPT responses were generated from 32 questions in 5 categories and evaluated on a total of 44 possible points. Among all ChatGPT responses and categories, the overall score was 21 of 44 points (47.73%). ChatGPT scored higher in pharmacy calculation (100%), drug information (83%), and top 200 drugs (80%) categories and lower in drug information enhanced prompt (33%) and patient case (20%) categories. Conclusion: This study suggests that ChatGPT has limited success as a tool to answer pharmacy-based questions. ChatGPT scored higher in calculation and multiple-choice questions but scored lower in drug information and patient case questions, generating misleading or fictional answers and citations.
A novel intelligent fault diagnosis method for commercial vehicle pneumatic braking system
Authors: Ma Shidian , Zhou Xuan , Jiang Haobin , Li Aoxue , Han Mu , Tao Tao , Xu Guolin
Published: May 2024

The application of convolutional neural network (CNN) has greatly broaden the application range of intelligent fault diagnosis, which is beneficial to the stability of industrial production. However, traditional CNN based fault diagnosis methods cannot capture the global features. To address the problem, this paper proposed a method called PSO-Conformer to extract features integrating global and local information. First, convolutional layers are uesd for local feature extraction, and then using Encode module of Transformer to extract global features. The diagnostic performance of the model can be significantly improved and the model hyperparameters are optimized using the PSO algorithm. The proposed method is applied to the fault diagnosis of pneumatic brake systems of commercial vehicles and compared with several methods based on deep learning. And this paper use the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embdedding (TSNE) to visualize the output features of models in two dimensional plane and four evaluation indexes based on confusion matrix are used to evaluate the model. The results show that the diagnostic performance of the proposed method is better than the existing method.
Biogas as a sustainable and viable alternative fuel for diesel engines: A comprehensive review of production, purification, economic analysis and performance evaluation
Authors: Ahmad Aqueel , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Hasan Shifa
Published: May 2024

Economic and environmental concerns have propelled alternative fuel research in the last few decades. Numerous research initiatives have been undertaken to optimize energy demand by exploring alternative fuels. This comprehensive review presents an in-depth analysis of the current and future prospects of biogas production, filtration and engine applications. To evaluate the performance and emission characteristics of biogas in compression ignition engines, its impact has been extensively analyzed. The study finds that using biogas as an alternate fuel in a dual-fuel mode engine leads to a degradation of 5–27% in performance parameters such as brake thermal efficiency, while brake-specific fuel consumption increases by up to 33%. A subsequent study of emissions reveals a 25–65% reduction in nitrogen oxides and smoke emissions. In contrast, the dual-fuel engine showed a 31% increase in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions when compared to a conventional diesel engine. In conclusion, biogas has emerged as a promising alternative fuel for diesel engines due to its sustainable nature and potential for reducing emissions. While there are certain trades-offs in terms of performance parameters, the reduction in harmful emissions makes it a viable option for future research and development.
Intermittent fault diagnosis in connector components based on arc wave characteristics
Authors: Cheng Xianzhe , Lv Kehong , Zhang Yong , Yang Wenxiang , Wang Lei , Zhao Weihu , Liu Guanjun , Qiu Jing
Published: May 2024

Intermittent faults are widely present in aviation electronic devices, especially in various electrical connectors. It is usually hard to diagnose the source of the intermittent faults, which brings a huge challenge to the repair and maintenance of equipment. This paper focuses on the intermittent faults in typical aviation electrical connectors activated by shock test. The transient arc wave is observed on a nanosecond scale during the occurrence of the intermittent faults. An arc signal model is constructed to analyze the impact factors of the signal. Based on the arc wave characteristics, further intermittent fault diagnostic analyses are conducted on four types of connector components: damaged solder joints, cracked pin connections, loose wire connections and worn electrical connectors. The effective arc wave components of the raw signals are extracted using Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), and a comparison is made between traditional diagnostic method and CNN-based deep learning method. The results show that the combination of VMD-CNN-SVM achieves the optimal diagnostic effect. The diagnostic results reflect that the proposed arc signal features are suitable for diagnosing intermittent faults in connector components.
Teaching Ancient Indian Jurisprudence in Our Time A Heterodox Approach to Orthodoxies
Authors: Sreejith S.G.
Published: May 2024

Ancient allures the postmodern social subject trapped in the strangeness of time—the time after the end of history. For that time-beaten subject ancient is the unconscious of coherence, predictability, and certainty. Or perhaps that ancient is a glory fled. Whatsoever, ancient is generally sacralized—irrespective of the type of socialization that happened in the past—and journey to the ancient is often deemed to be a pilgrimage. When ideas of the ancient in their individuality and totality inter alia become the natural intellectual resource for rebuilding postmodern societies, discriminative ingenuity becomes an essential faculty. Any uncritical reverence of the ancient becomes antithetical to modern social and political values, inviting the risk of reproducing inequities of the past. This article problematizes such uncritical dependence on the ancient using Ancient Indian Jurisprudence, which has been looked up on as a repository of moral and legal values, as a case in point. It meditates from the experiences and perspectives of an imaginary ‘teaching subject’ on the many pitfalls and possibilities of the ancient as it builds a framework of teaching and learning, and a representative scheme of evaluation for Ancient Indian Jurisprudence.