bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectory Optimization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in theElectromagnetic Environment
Authors: Atayev Anvarbek , Fliege Joerg , Zemkoho Alain
Published: November 2023

We consider a type of routing problems common in defence and security, in which we control a fleetof unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have to reach one or more target locations without beingdetected by an adversary. Detection can be carried out by a variety of sensors (radio receivers, cameras,personnel, etc) placed by the adversary around the target sites. We model the act of detecting a UAVfrom first principles by noting that sensors work by monitoring frequencies in the electromagneticspectrum for signals or noise emitted. By this, we are able to provide a flexible and versatile nonlinearoptimisation framework in which the problem is modeled as a novel trajectory optimisation problemwith paths of the UAVs as continuous arcs in an Euclidean space. The flexibility of our approach isexhibited by the fact that we can easily consider various relevant objectives, among them minimisingthe overall probability of detection and maximising the location error that the adversary experienceswhen trying to locate our UAVs. Our model is also versatile enough to consider the act of jamming, inwhich one or more of our UAVs intentionally send out signals to interfere with the operations of theadversary’s sensors. Numerical results show the flexibility of our framework, and that we can solverealistic instances of this problem type.
Implication of epithermal mineralization as proxy for geothermal energy potentiality in Puga, Ladakh UT, India
Authors: DUTTA ARCHISMAN
Published: November 2023

The present study area, Puga, is located along the inflexion point of Indian and Asian plates comprising of zone of anatectic melting, where thermal activity is attributed to the extensive igneous activity during Upper Cretaceous to late Tertiary age. The area is characterized by geysers, past fumaroles, steaming grounds and mud pools with vast spread of sulfur, carbonates and borax deposits with surface temperature of hot springs of 84°C, which is the boiling point of water at ~ 4500 m above mean sea level. It is the only known geothermal system where rare alkali enrichment in thermal fluids follows the sequence: Cs > Li > Rb. Our study shows for the first-time evidence of lithium containing mica mineral, polylithionite, in the thermal spring deposits. The study also shows occurrence of epithermal minerals like jarosite, thenardite, alunite, tincalconite in the hot spring deposits with reservoir temperature estimated from multiple ion exchange geothermometers of ~250°C. Therefore, this study presents a state-of-art approach demonstrating that the presence of hydrothermal minerals within surface hot spring deposits can act as a promising indicator for identifying shallow high-temperature zones in the reservoir.
A Polarity-induced Surfactant/Tertiary Amine System Evolving into Water Treatment Materials
Authors: Xie Na , Huang Yujia , Hu Menghan , Feng Min , Yu Yikai
Published: November 2023

By polarity modification and controlling a suitable hydrophobicity-hydrophily balance towards quaternary ammonium salt surfactant, it was first observed that the formed polarity-induced quaternary ammonium salt surfactant/tertiary amine system, was directly endowed with the functional characteristics of water treatment. This broke through the functional bottleneck of existing surfactants that could not be used as water treatment materials. When treating a dyeing wastewater, the polarity-induced quaternary ammonium salt surfactant/tertiary amine system achieved 95.26–99.89% of dye removal percentages in a wide range of dosages (80–150 mg/L), both the water treatment efficiency and stability were strong, and it was suitable for multi-element combination with other inorganic flocculants and coagulants to promote rapid sedimentation of flocs and achieve rapid elimination of turbidity within 30 min. Moreover, the serial kilogram-grade scale-up tests in synthesis and application were adopted to verify the practicability of products, beyond the status quo that the current developments of water treatment materials were usually carried out in small-scale experiments. The simulated scale-up tests of 50g-3kg synthesis reactions were carried out, and the results showed that all levels of scale-up reactions had given the stable reaction temperatures without any strong exothermic runaway phenomenons, and the dye removal percentages for scale-up products to treat dyeing wastewater were 92.08–99.94% in the dosage ranges of 90–200 mg/L, which were close to that of the small-scale product applied, indicating that the product was suitable for scale-up production and maintained the superior performance. In addition, the amplitude flow settling tank model was introduced to carry out the application simulation scale-up tests for treating a 90 kg dye wastewater. The results showed, after 30 min, the dye removal percentage of the outlet water was above 98.51%, and the turbidity value was below 6.9 NTU, which reached the first-class discharge standard and were superior to the small-scale beaker test results. Therefore, the scale-up application performance was also superior, confirming that it was feasible for the practical engineering application. In conclusion, this study pioneered a new route with extremely easy scale-up production and engineering application to select useful water treatment materials in water treatment field.
Physio-Morphological Traits Contributing to Genotypic Differences in Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Leafy Vegetable Species under Hydroponics
Authors: Ulas Firdes
Published: November 2023

Soil fertility is declining in low-input agriculture due to insufficient fertilizer application by small-scale farmers. On the other hand, the concerns are rising on environmental pollution of both air and water in high-input agriculture due to excessive use of N fertilizer in a short growing season of vegetable crops, which is directly linked with the health of human beings and environmental safety. The aim of the study was to determine genotypic differences in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of different leafy vegetable species (Arugula, Spinach, Cress, Parsley and Dill) grown hydroponically under two different N-rates (Low N: 0.3 mM and High N: 3.0 mM) and to identify the plant traits which are contributing to NUE. The nutrient solution experiment was conducted between March – April in 2020 by using an aerated Deep-Water Culture (DWC) technique in a fully automated climate room with a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications for five weeks. The results indicated that shoot growth, root morphological and leaf physiological responses were significantly (p<0.001) affected by Genotype, N-Rate and Genotype x N-Rate interaction. Shoot growth of some vegetable species (Argula, Spinach and Cress) was significantly higher under low N than high N-rate, illustrating that they have a great capability for NUE under low N stress conditions. Similar results were also recorded for the root growth of the N-efficient species under low N-rate. The NUE of these species was closely associated with leaf physiological (leaf area, SPAD, photosynthesis, leaf chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoid) and root morphological (root length, root volume and average rot diameter) characteristics. These physiological and morphological plant traits could be useful characters for the selection and breeding of ‘N-efficient’ leafy vegetable species for sustainable agriculture in the future. However, further investigation should be carried out at field level to confirm their commercial production.
Optimization of Drying Parameters for Microwave Drying Process of Pandan Using Response Surface Methodology, and Quality Analysis of Pandan Power
Authors: Zhang Yingping , Qin Xiaowei , Ji Xunzhi , Zhang Dan , Zong Ying , He Shu zhen , Yu Huang , Zhang Ang , Chu Zhong
Published: November 2023

method
microwave power 12 Kw, drying time 13.33 min, and material thickness 1.92 cm. Under this condition, the measured value of the rehydration ratio of the microwave dried leaves was 4.46 ± 0.05 g·g− 1, which was close to the predicted value of 4.44 g·g− 1. At the same time, by analyzing the color, chlorophyll content, particle size, key volatile component content and other related quality indicators of microwave dried Pandan powder, it was concluded that the color difference △L of Pandan powder processed under this drying process was 10.55 ± 1.94, △a was − 0.20 ± 0.14, △C was 5.39 ± 2.94, the total chlorophyll content was 5.11 ± 0.06 mg·g− 1, the D50 of the powder was 92.73 ± 0.49µm, and the specific surface area was 205.70 ± 0.72 m2·kg− 1. The content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was 0.07 ± 0.01 mg·g− 1, and the content of squalene was 2.28 ± 0.06 mg·g− 1. Its each index is better than oven drying powder. Compared with ordinary oven drying, the microwave drying powder optimized in this experiment had better color, emerald green, shiny, bright color, and smaller powder particles. The content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and squalene was higher, which was better than that of ordinary oven drying.
Differential Response of Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)Varieties to Mixed NPS Fertilizer Rates: An Analysis of Growth and Yield
Authors: Abrahim Abdi Hassen , Mustafa Abdulatif Ahmed , Abdulahi Jemal , Mume Aliyi Jemal
Published: November 2023

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a staple crop in Ethiopia, valued for its quick maturation and economic benefits. This study investigates the impact of varying NPS fertilizer rates on the growth, yield, and yield-related traits of three common bean varieties (Babile, Fadis, and Tinike). The experiment employed a randomized full block design with three replicates, testing five NPS fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha1).The Fadis variety, with an application of 150 kg ha-1 of NPS, demonstrated superior performance, yielding the highest number of pods per plant (25.33), grain yield (2565 kg ha-1), and yield index (41.30). This combination also resulted in the highest agronomic efficiency (5.6 kg per kg of NPS seed) and a maximum net benefit of 53,454 ETB ha-1, with a marginal efficiency of 850.5%. These findings suggest that the Fadis variety with 150 kg NPS ha1 application could enhance common bean productivity in the region. However, broader studies are recommended for a more comprehensive understanding.
Spectral Efficiency Analysis of an IRS-Assisted 6G Micro Cell
Authors: Mahbub Mobasshir , Shubair Raed M.
Published: November 2023

The primary goal of the investigation is to increase coverage, i.e. provide better transmission for Internet of Things (IoT) services, by employing IRS within micro cellular transmission over a two-tier 6G network comprised of a micro cellular tier operating beneath a macro cellular tier. As a result, using computer-based measurement methodologies, the article tested and compared the effectiveness of traditional micro cellular connectivity against IRS-enhanced micro cell connectivity in terms of downstream spectral efficiency. According to the findings, the implementation of IRS greatly improves coverage, that is, transmission performance, for 6G-IoT services.
NPRC-Social isolation and aggression training lead to escalated aggression and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis hyperfunction in mice
Authors: Oliveira Vinícius , Evrard Florence , Faure Melanie , Bakker Julie
Published: November 2023

Although the participation of sex hormones and sex hormone-responsive neurons in aggressive behavior has been extensively studied, the role of other systems within the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis remains elusive. Here we assessed how the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and kisspeptin systems are impacted by escalated aggression in male mice. We used a combination of social isolation and aggression training (IST) to exacerbate mice’s aggressive behavior. Next, low-aggressive (group-housed, GH) and highly aggressive (IST) mice were compared regarding neuronal activity in the target populations and hormonal levels, using immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. Finally, we used pharmacological and viral approaches to manipulate neuropeptide signaling and expression, subsequently evaluating its effects on behavior. IST mice exhibited enhanced aggressive behavior compared to GH controls, which was accompanied by elevated neuronal activity in GnRH neurons and arcuate nucleus kisspeptin neurons. Remarkably, IST mice presented an increased number of kisspeptin neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). In addition, IST mice exhibited elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum. Accordingly, activation and blockade of GnRH receptors exacerbated and reduced aggression, respectively. Surprisingly, kisspeptin had intricate effects on aggression, i.e., viral ablation of AVPV-kisspeptin neurons impaired the training-induced rise in aggressive behavior whereas kisspeptin itself strongly reduced aggression in IST mice. Our results indicate that IST enhances aggressive behavior in male mice by exacerbating HPG-axis function. Particularly, increased GnRH neuron activity and peptide signaling were found to underlie aggression whereas the relationship with kisspeptin remains puzzling.
A pluralistic view on the evolutionary forces shaping genome size diversity in sharks
Authors: Sáez Mario Torralba , Hofreiter Michael , Straube Nicolas
Published: November 2023

Among vertebrates, sharks exhibit both large and heterogeneous genome sizes ranging from 2.86 to 17.05 pg. Aiming for a better understanding of the patterns and causalities of shark genome size evolution, we applied phylogenetic comparative methods to published genome-size estimates for 66 species representing the main phylogenetic lineages, life-histories and ecological traits. The 6-fold range of genome size variation was strongly traceable throughout the phylogeny, with a major expansion preceding shark diversification during the late Paleozoic and an ancestral state (6.37 pg) close to the present-day average (6.74 pg). Subsequent deviations from this average occurred at higher rates in squalomorph than in galeomorph sharks and were unconnected to evolutionary changes in the karyotype architecture, which were dominated by ascending disploidy events. Genome size was positively correlated with cell and nucleus sizes and negatively with metabolic rate. The metabolic constraints on increasing genome size also manifested at higher phenotypic scales, with large genomes associated with slow lifestyles, boreal latitudes, and purely marine waters. Moreover, large genome sizes were also linked to non-placental reproductive modes, which may entail metabolically less demanding embryological developments. Contrary to ray-finned fishes, genome size was associated neither with the taxonomic diversity of affected clades nor low genetic diversity.
Entomotherapy: An alternative treatment for diseases due to Gram-negative bacteria in Burkina Faso
Authors: OUANGO Mamadou , CISSE Hama , ROMBA Rahim , DRABO Samuel F. , SEMDE Rasmané , SAVADOGO Aly , GNANKINE Olivier
Published: November 2023

Insects are known for their harmful effects. However, they also have beneficial effects on humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Its beneficial uses include entomophagy and entomotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of insect extracts against Gram-negative bacteria. Antibacterial activities of thirteen crude extracts of medicinal insects were tested against twelve Gram-negative bacteria by diffusion on agar. Imipenem was used as antibiotic for positive control. Extract yields varied among the insect species. All 13 extracts acted differently against certain Gram-negative bacteria. Largest inhibition diameter was 30.0 ± 0.0 mm for extracts of Cirina butyrospermi and Mylabris variabilis against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 and Salmonella enteritidis ATCC13076, respectively. Diameters of inhibition obtained using imipenem against these same bacterial strains were 13.0 ± 0.0mm and 22 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The smallest inhibition diameter was 7.5 ± 0.0mm obtained using Anopheles gambiae extract against Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC14028. Imipenem used as a positive control was active on all strains tested. The highest multi-resistance index (0.85) was reported for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027 and Serratia odorifera 652411. Results of this study confirmed the antibacterial activities of insects used by traditional health practitioners to treat different pathologies. Entomotherapy could be an alternative treatment for certain pathologies caused by gram-negative bacteria.
Geo-spatial mapping of Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide within the University of Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Animashaun Musa B. , Alademomi Alfred , Okolie Chukwuma , Abolaji Oluwatimileyin , Ojegbile Babatunde , Daramola Olagoke , Alozie Nehemiah , Tella Abdulwaheed
Published: November 2023

The air quality within academic institutions in Nigeria with highly vulnerable student populations has not received adequate attention. The University of Lagos is located within the highly populated and industrialised state of Lagos, Nigeria. To assess the university’s air quality, the concentrations of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) were mapped and evaluated. Data was collected through direct field measurements using handheld gas sensors. The analysis of ambient air quality was done by applying the Exceedance Factor (EF) method where the presence of CO and CO2 average concentrations are classified into different categories. In addition, the USEPA Air Quality Index rating scale was used to evaluate the ambient air quality with respect to ASHRAE standards, and the pollutant concentration levels in different land use types were assessed. Regarding CO2, five air quality monitoring stations were found to be in the “high” category while others were in the “moderate” emission class. For CO, two stations were categorized as “moderate”, and others as “low”. The results show that CO2 emission is substantial along road corridors in the campus. These findings are valuable to inform researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders on mitigative measures for air quality management in academic institutions.
Using Partial Budgeting Analyses to Analyze Profitability of Commercial Pumpkin Production, Standardize Bin Size Categories, and Understand Bin Sorting Accuracy
Authors: Heagy Kimberly , Knuth Melinda , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Birdsell Travis , Ward Jason
Published: November 2023

Pumpkins (Cucurbita sp.) are currently sold in retail commercial bins categorized based on fruit size. There are no standards for these fruit sizes, thus creating discrepancies across the industry. Furthermore, there is not a published partial budget analysis for pumpkin fruit yield based on plant area. An observational study was conducted to quantify and standardize the fruit sizes of pumpkins packed into commercial bins. These proposed standardized fruit sizes were then correlated to the expected fruit size and quantity of different plant areas to estimate the total commercial bin yield. Additionally, a partial budget analysis was conducted to calculate the greatest profit per hectare with the varying plant areas. Pumpkins from bins labeled medium, large, extra-large, and jumbo were hand-measured to determine the diameter, length, and weight. Based on a discriminate analysis, 20% of pumpkins were incorrectly sorted based on current practices. The proposed standard fruit diameters for each bin size are as follows: medium, 23.5 to 26.8 cm; large, 26.9 to 29.9 cm; extra-large, 30.0 to 33.6 cm; and jumbo, 33.7 to 35.5 cm. The results of a partial budget analysis showed that the most profitable plant spacing area is 0.9 m2 with a 1.5-m row width, which will earn $37,163/ha. Profit for pumpkin production is contingent on both fruit quantity and fruit size because these factors dictate the quantity and category of commercial bins. Growers should consider both metrics to optimize their operation.
Functional renormalisation group approach to shell models of turbulence
Authors: Fontaine Côme , Tarpin Malo , Bouchet Freddy , Canet Léonie
Published: November 2023

Shell models are simplified models of hydrodynamic turbulence, retaining only some essential features of the original equations, such as the non-linearity, symmetries and quadratic invariants. Yet, they were shown to reproduce the most salient properties of developed turbulence, in particular universal statistics and multi-scaling. We set up the functional renormalisation group (FRG) formalism to study generic shell models. In particular, we formulate an inverse RG flow, which consists in integrating out fluctuation modes from the large scales (small wavenumbers) to the small scales (large wavenumbers), which is physically grounded and has long been advocated in the context of turbulence. Focusing on the Sabra shell model, we study the effect of both a large-scale forcing, and a power-law forcing exerted at all scales. We show that these two types of forcing yield different fixed points, and thus correspond to distinct universality classes, characterised by different scaling exponents. We find that the power-law forcing leads to dimensional (K41-like) scaling, while the large-scale forcing entails anomalous scaling.
Interplay between chiral media and perfect electromagnetic conductor plates: Repulsive vs. attractive Casimir force transitions
Authors: Oosthuyse Thomas , Dudal David
Published: November 2023

We determine the Casimir energies and forces in a variety of potentially experimentally viable setups, consisting of parallel plates made of perfect electromagnetic conductors (PEMCs), which generalize perfect electric conductors (PECs) and perfect magnetic conductors (PMCs), and Weyl semimetals (WSMs). Where comparison is possible, our results agree with the Casimir forces calculated elsewhere in the literature, albeit with different methods. We find a multitude of known but also new cases where repulsive Casimir forces are in principle possible, but restricting the setup to PECs combined with the aforementioned WSM geometry, results in purely attractive Casimir forces.
Dipole symmetry breaking and fractonic Nambu-Goldstone mode
Authors: Afxonidis Evangelos , Caddeo Alessio , Hoyos Carlos , Musso Daniele
Published: November 2023

We introduce a family of quantum field theories for fields carrying monopole and dipole charges. In contrast to previous realizations, fields have quadratic two-derivative kinetic terms. The dipole symmetry algebra is realized in a discretized internal space and connected to the physical space through a background gauge field. We study spontaneous symmetry breaking of dipole symmetry in 1+1 dimensions in a large-NN limit. The trivial classical vacuum is lifted by quantum corrections into a vacuum which breaks dipole symmetry while preserving monopole charge. By means of a Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation, heat-kernel and large-NN techniques, we compute the effective action for the low-energy modes. We encounter a fractonic immobile Nambu-Goldstone mode whose dispersion characteristics avoid Coleman-Hohenberg-Mermin-Wagner theorem independently of the large-NN limit.
Digital Transaction: A Catalyst for Financial Inclusion and Job Creation
Authors: Maigari Muhammad Abdullahi , Yelwa Mohammed Muson
Published: November 2023

What informed the rationale for developing this topic was the growing number of Point of Sale (POS) Agents in Katsina Metropolis and their clients/customers. The central focus of this article is to examine the role of Agent Banking which is part of financial inclusion in poverty reduction in Katsina metropolis. The researchers adopted a survey research design where data were elicited using quantitative research techniques from the targeted respondents. The data collected were analyzed and presented which revealed that there are at least twenty Post of Sale (POS) outlets located in each major street of Katsina Metropolis. The study also found that the POS has become a veritable source of livelihood for those who are into Agency Banking in the area. Additionally, the availability of POS Agents has influenced a significant population of the metropolis to adopt the use of digital systems of payment in their businesses and other financial transactions. It has revealed that the cashless policy has facilitated or accelerated the growth of digital marketing in the Katsina metropolis, entrepreneurs in the area are now selling their wares online and receiving payment via the same system which has eliminated the barriers created by time and space. The theoretical implication of the cashless policy was the unintended consequences it generated. It is referred to as the Cobra Effect during the 2033 Generation Elections in Nigeria. The decision to redesign the currency and reduce the amount of money in circulation has created more demands for cash hence luring some voters to exchange their votes for cash on election day. The practical implications of the findings of this study are twofold: The cashless policy has encouraged some of the people who are financially excluded were able to open bank accounts. It has enabled marketers to carry out financial transactions online without physical contact between the buyer and seller with the aid of electronic money payment systems.
The Effects of Stand Development Stages on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Black Pine, Scots Pine and Fir Stands in Türkiye
Authors: SAVACI Gamze , DOĞAN Yunus
Published: November 2023

The influence of stand development stages on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks was examined in black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojanı (Aschers. & Sint. ex Boiss) Coode et Cullen), differing in the mean tree diameters in which reproduction stages (RS)=<8 cm, sapling or pole stages (SPS)= 8-19.9 cm, large pole stages (LPS)= 20-35.9 cm, and medium wood stages (MWS)=36-51.9 cm in three tree species located in northwestern Turkey. A total of 216 soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, organic matter, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, carbon, and nitrogen concentrations, and the SOC and TN stocks were calculated. SOC and TN stocks varied significantly among the four stand development stage classes. The SOC stock at 0-30 cm increased significantly due to an increase in the diameter of black stands (BPLPS and BPMWS). SOC stocks in all stand development stages peaked in the large pole (44.94 Mg/ha) and declined as the sapling or pole (37.71 Mg/ha) was replaced by medium wood stands (30.17 Mg/ha), and a low point (27.94 Mg/ha) was found in the reproduction stages of stand development for Scots pine. The TN stock at a soil depth of 0-30 cm ranged from 1.66 to 6.46 Mg/ha. The highest TN stock was observed in the SPSPS (6.46 Mg/ha) and FirRS (5.48 Mg/ha), and the lowest was observed in the BPLPS (1.66 Mg/ha) stands. The results illustrate that soil was the main storage of C and N in all different stand development stages of tree species.
Farklı Mikrobiyal Gübre Dozları ve Köklendirme Ortamlarının Biberiye (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Çelikleri Üzerine Etkileri
Authors: ARABACI Olcay , TAN Uğur
Published: November 2023

Tohumla üretimde genellikle gelişme yavaş olmakta, tohum çimlenme sorunları oluşabilmektedir. Çelikle çoğaltım güçlü fideler oluşturması ve hızlı üretimi nedeniyle uygulanan bir yöntemdir. Kökün oluşumunda büyüme düzenleyici oksinler olumlu etki yapmaktadır. Oksinin görevi kök oluşumu ve köklenmenin başlamasını sağlamaktadır. Bitki gelişmesinde düzenleyici maddelerin, çeliklere muamele etmenin amacı; çeliklerde kök oluşumunu sağlamak, köklenmeyi hızlandırmak ve çelik başına düşen kök kalitesini artırmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın hedefi farklı köklendirme ortamları ve farklı mikrobiyal gübre dozlarının biberiye çeliklerinin köklenmesi üzerine etkilerini inceleyerek uygun ortam ve dozları belirlemektir. Deneme 24’lü viyollere 4 farklı ortam (perlit, torf, perlit-torf (1:1) ve perlit-torf-vermikülit (1:1:1)) olarak ve 5 farklı mikrobiyal gübre dozu uygulanıp 4 tekrarlı olacak şekilde kurulmuştur. Mikrobiyal gübre EM Agrition marka olup 5 farklı dozda önerilen doz üzerinden 0 kat, 0.5 kat, 1 kat, 1.5 kat ve 2 kat doz olacak şekilde dikim öncesi çeliklere uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada, köklenme oranı (%), kök uzunluğu (cm), sürgün sayısı(adet), sürgün uzunluğu(cm), sürgün çapı(mm), yaprak sayısı (adet), yaş kök ağırlığı (g) ve kuru kök ağırlığı (g) fide özellikleri ölçülmüştür. Elde edilen değerler sırasıyla %16.67-100, 13.22-25.30, 3.69-5.64 adet, 4.53-9.16 cm, 1.996-2.618 mm, 7.20-20.80 adet, 1.52-4.64 g ve 0.26-0.92 g arasındadır. Çalışmada, elde ettiğimiz değerlere göre ortamlar bakımında perlit-torf ortamı ve mikrobiyal gübre tavsiye edilen dozun 1-2 kat arasında dozların kullanılması iyi bir köklenme ve fide kalitesi oluşumu için tavsiye edilebilir.
Enzyme Inhibitory Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Geranium tuberosum Methanol Extract
Authors: ALMAZ Züleyha
Published: November 2023

Geranium tuberosum roots are consumed fresh in some areas of the countryside of Turkey. This study was conducted to scientifically validate the traditional use of the species. The enzyme inhibition effect and antimicrobial activity of the root and leaf parts of Geranium tuberosum were investigated using a methanol extract. The leaf extract had higher acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity than the root extract, while the root extract showed a stronger inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase enzyme.. Also, the antifungal and antibacterial activities of the extracts were investigated using the hollow agar technique. It was observed that both extracts gave high antimicrobial activity on different bacterial strains. These results confirmed that Geranium tuberosum is a natural antibacterial, and has enzyme inhibitory potential.
Improvement of Hole Qualities and Optimization of Machining Parameters Through Experimental and Finite Element Analysis in Drilling Of AISI D2 Cold Work Steel
Authors: YAKA Harun , ENGİN Kaan
Published: November 2023

Increasing supply chain problems in recent years have a negative impact on costs in many areas. Due to the global crisis, raw material prices increased and the manufacturing sector was seriously affected. Production planning and material saving should be done correctly in order to minimize the losses in the manufacturing sector. The most efficient way to reduce production costs is to use suitable cutting tools and choose the right machining parameters. In this study, the drilling of AISI D2 steel, which is widely used in the mold industry, was examined and optimum machining parameters were determined. TiN coated drills are used for drilling operations. The effects of machining parameters on Surface Roughness (Ra) and Thrust Force (Fz) were investigated by Taguchi and ANOVA. Surface roughness and thrust force values during drilling were measured. Thrust force values were also analyzed numerically by the Finite Element (FE) method. Ra and Fz were also low at low feed rate and low cutting speeds. While the feed rate affected Ra the most, the Fz affected the cutting speed the most. The lowest Ra and Fz were at 30 mm/min feed rate and 25 m/min cutting speed. According to the ANOVA, it was determined that the machining parameters were effective on both Ra and Fz. R2 values for Ra and Fz are calculated over 95%.
Performance evaluation of surrogate models for simulating multiphase NAPL transport in heterogeneous aquifers
Authors: Hu Litang , Zhang Menglin , Tian Lei , Huang Shiqi
Published: November 2023

A better understanding of the distribution of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) plumes is of great importance to groundwater pollution remediation and control. However, the efficiency of surrogate models in simulating the transport is still not well addressed. Selecting a leakage problem as an example, 50 sets of random permeability distributions are generated using the Monte Carlo method, and a numerical model is used to obtain benchmark data of NAPL transport. Four machine learning methods are employed to simulate dense NAPL transport under point leakage sources across spatiotemporal scales. The validation of the models demonstrate that the random forest model can also effectively capture the spatial-temporal distribution of the plume in heterogeneous aquifers, with a maximum mean absolute error and root mean square error smaller than 5.55 × 10−4 and 5.88 × 10−5, respectively. Meanwhile, the multiple phase outcome from the random forest model fits well with the numerical results under the scenarios of linear leakage sources and light NAPL transport. The total time consumed in the computation is reduced by over 150 times after using the surrogate models. The results suggest that surrogate models can provide a promising way to understand NAPL transport in heterogeneous aquifers.
Unleashing Breast Cancer Progression: miR-455-5p's Targeting of SOCS3
Drives Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion
Authors: Li Xin , Peng Bing , Li Jian , Tian Mi , He Lili
Published: November 2023

Objective:

We aim to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of miR-455-5p/SOCS3
pathway that underlie the proliferation, migration, and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer
(TNBC) cells.

Methods:

Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect miR-455-5p expression
in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. CCK8 and Transwell assays were conducted to assess
the effects of miR-455-5p on breast cancer line proliferation, migration, and invasion. SOCS3
expression level in breast cancer tissues and cell lines was determined by qPCR and western blotting.
The targeting relationship between miR-455-5p and SOCS3 was determined by dual luciferase
reporter gene assay in different breast cancer cell lines. Finally, the upstream and downstream
regulatory association between miR-455-5p and SOCS3 was confirmed in breast cancer
cells by CCK8, western blot, and Transwell assays.

Results:

MiR-455-5p expression was up-regulated in breast cancer tissues; miR-455-5p regulates
TNBC proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC. SOCS3 was the direct target of
miR-455-5p and was down-regulated in breast cancer. Interference with SOCS3 reversed the inhibitory
effect of the miR-455-5p inhibitor on breast cancer cells' malignant potential.

Conclusion:

MiR-455-5p promotes breast cancer progression by targeting the SOCS3 pathway
and may be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Phytochemical Evaluation of Selected Ayurvedic Formulations and
Evaluate their Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Kumar Awadhesh , Ved Akash , Shukla Karuna S. , Nigam Amit Kumar
Published: November 2023

The Ayurvedic formulations' evaluation is very wide and deep. The project's goal was to
evaluate the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of Ayurvedic formulations used to treat digestive
disorders. Herbal formulations are typically available as single or mixed formulations of multiple
plant constituents, and it is critical to quantify the number of markers present in such formulations
to ensure the product's high quality. The extract of formulations (Ajmodadi churna, Avipattikar
churna, and Sanjivani vati) was subjected to physicochemical screening, phytochemical screening,
HPTLC, and antioxidant activity was observed in the current study. Three ayurvedic formulations
(Sanjivini vati, Ajmodadi Churna, and Avipattikar Churna) were studied physicochemically in this
study. The extraction process determined the total phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidant
capacity of the selected formulation was calculated by three methods; total antioxidant capacity, ferric-
reducing power, and DPPH scavenging activity. The active constituent was isolated using the
HPTLC method. This study shows that the formulations Ajmodai churna, Avipattikar churna, and
Sanjivani vati are important sources of antioxidant compounds. The active constituent was isolated
using the HPTLC method. The HPTLC technique showed the presence of phenolics and terpenoids
that are responsible for antioxidant activity. Phenolics and Terpenoids, due to their antioxidant activity,
are used as an important source for digestive disorders.
Child Survival Status and its Drivers in Kenya and Other Three East-African Countries: A Literature Review
Authors: Dlamini Welcome J. , Melesse Sileshi F. , Mwambi Henry G.
Published: November 2023

Child mortality continues to be a significant public health concern, particularly in the East African region. Understanding the factors associated with child mortality is crucial for developing effective interventions. This literature review aims to explore the relationship between various factors such as breastfeeding, sex of a child, type of place of residence, education level, and family size influencing child mortality in Africa, particularly the East African region. This article also assesses the level and trends of child mortality in East African Countries. Search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant institutional repositories were utilised to harvest literature between 2000 and 2021. The study adopts a conceptual framework by Mosley and Chen and focuses on factors viewed as an important driver of child survival beyond the fifth birthday amongst the four countries. The study sees the need to look at the difference in child mortality in the countries and look at the combined estimates, which have been limited in studies of factors associated with under-five mortality through frequentist meta-analysis, Bayesian meta-analysis and space and time regarding child mortality. In doing so, this allows better improvement of existing and implementing policies related to reducing child mortality in regards to child improving child survival and further identifies regions with less progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 by policymakers, governments, and relevant parties involved in developing policies focusing on improving under-five child survival.
Assessment of Reliability and Validity of a Nursing Tool Used to Examine Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Professional Nurses in Writing Nursing Care Plans at a Teaching Hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa
Authors: Lodi Louisa M. , Randa Moreoagae B. , Ntuli Samuel T. , Matlala Sogo F.
Published: November 2023

Background:

A nursing care plan is a guideline developed for a patient's needs. A well-documented care plan provides holistic patient-centred care and includes assessing, evaluating, and administering a variety of interventions as well as teaching patients and families. There are existing tools to measure nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practices in writing nursing care plans in many countries. However, cultural differences and most of the tools do not cover region-specific aspects of diseases, making it challenging to be used between countries.

Objective:

Thisstudy aimed to develop and validate a tool for determining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses in writing nursing care plans at a teaching hospital in Gauteng province, South Africa.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 registered nurses in selected hospital wards. Reliability was examined using Cronbach alpha and item-total correlation, while validity was assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA EFA) and convergent validity. SPSS for Windows (version 10.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze data.

Results

Cronbach's alpha was 0.75 for knowledge, 0.74 for attitude, and 0.77 for practices. The item-total correlation values ranged from -0.203 to 0.742. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin was 0.877, 0.793, and 0.797 for the three dimensions, respectively and the Bartlett test was significant (p< 0.0001). The EFA showed that all the items had loadings ≥0.5 except for item A1. Knowledge and practice had a good convergent validity.

Implications for Nursing

Efforts to develop, validate and implement a new instrument to assess nursing knowledge, attitudes, and practice in writing nursing care plans improve communication between nursing staff, and involve patients more in their care, resulting in fewer medical errors and improving the quality of patient care.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that the tool has satisfactory reliability, and the use of EFA for the investigation of validity is adequate, but one item in the attitude dimension has a lower threshold value. Further confirmatory factor analysis studies with a larger sample size are needed to support construct validity.
Caregivers’ Perception on Adolescents’ Access on, Use of, and Support Required to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies in Lesotho
Authors: Cecilia Motšelisi Khachane , Rabie Tinda , Froneman Kathleen
Published: November 2023

Background:

Usage of hormonal or barrier contraception by adolescents is challenging for most adolescents. The study revealed new evidence of caregivers’ support to adolescents on access and effective contraception use to prevent unwanted pregnancies in k.w. There is a need for adolescents’ user-friendly services, supportive supervision, accommodative cultural and religious practices, and the promotion of independent decisions.

Objectives:

To explore and describe caregivers’ perceptions of access (1) and the use of (2) contraception for adolescents in Lesotho and to explore and describe caregivers’ perception of types of support needed for adolescents to prevent unwanted pregnancies in Lesotho (3).

Methods:

A qualitative explorative, descriptive, and contextual design. Purposive sampling caregivers of adolescents in a government primary health care facility with the highest outpatient number in Maseru district, Lesotho. Five focus groups with six participants each, which included (N=30) participants, were conducted using an interview schedule. Data were analysed using Creswell’s six steps of data analysis with the assistance of a co-coder.

Results:

Three categories emerged, namely (1) access to contraception by adolescents, (2) use of contraception by adolescents, (3) and support to prevent unwanted pregnancies with respective themes and sub-themes emerged.

Conclusion:

Contraception use among adolescents is challenging. Adolescents’ caregivers disclosed being unskilled to discuss sexuality due to their cultural and religious background. Basic sexuality education has been included in the school curriculum. Service providers’ attitudes and rigid health services contribute to the limited access to contraception for adolescents.
Theoretical Analysis and Design of Microphotodiodes Material for Artificial Retina Implant
Authors: Tiwari Ashish , Talwekar R.H. , Kumar Ravi
Published: November 2023

As a typical member of two-dimensional TMDs, molybdenum disulfide
(MoS2
) has excellent carrier mobility, a sizable surface area, thermal stability, and
optoelectronic features. Due to its tunable bandgap, strong valence–conduction band
bonding, and use in optoelectronic sensors, photodiodes, and phototransistors, MoS2
has emerged as a possible substitute for graphene. For better optoelectronic properties,
MoS2
-based monolayers and crystals have recently been investigated using a variety of
heterostructures, including MoS2
/graphene, MoS2
/CNT and MoS2
/WS2
. It was also
mentioned that MoS2
phototransistors and sensors had poor light sensitivity because of
their insufficient ability to absorb light. The right choice of material is essential for
biomedical implants, including retinal implants, neuroprosthetic implants, and others
where photodiodes are used to generate electrical currents in reaction to incident light
Au-based nanoparticles and nanoarrays have been added to the MoS2
monolayer to
address the low absorption problem.
For increased quantum efficiency, MoS2
monolayers based on solar cells and light-emitting diodes have also recently been created. In some of the other research, other
transition metal (TM) atoms, such as Au, Ag, Cu, Nb, Tc, Ta, Re, Co, Ni, Fe, and Mn,
were substituted into the monolayer of MoS2
, enhancing the material's electrical,
magnetic, electrocatalytic, and gas adsorption capabilities. The combined electrical and
optical properties of TM-doped and alkaline metal (AM) doped MoS2
bulk layers
haven't received much attention, though. In this study, the effects of doping MoS2
bulk
layers with TM atoms (Au, Ag, and Cu) and AM atoms (Na, Li) were investigated
using first-principles DFT calculations. We investigated the density of states (DOS),
band structures, structural features, optical conductivity, absorption, and reflectivity of
five different doped MoS2
bulk layers. The results show that AM atom doping narrows
the MoS2
bulk layer's bandgap more than TM doping. Bandgap values ranged from 1.42 eV for the undoped MoS2
layer to 0.609 eV for the Li-MoS2
layer. Additionally, it was discovered that bulk layers of MoS2
doped with AM had higher optical
conductivity and absorption qualities and lower reflectivity. In applications of MoS2
-
based photodiode/phototransistor sensors, doping of AM atoms may show to be a
successful substitute for conventionally used TM (Au) doped arrays.
Comparison of Xenograft and Alloplast Bone Grafts for Infrabony Bone Defect: Literature Review
Authors: Nurcahyanti Hesty , Amalia Martina
Published: November 2023

Restoring supporting tissues to a healthy state is a critical area that provides a much more appealing beside prevention, initial therapy, and corrective procedure. Infrabony defects can be found in the interalveolar and marginal bone caused by periodontal disease as a result of local factors. Nowadays, various surgical therapies are available for treating infrabony defects such as bone graft. However, many considerations in selecting the best option of bone graft materials. To compare the effectiveness of Xenograft and Alloplast bonegraft in infrabony defect therapy. The allograft presented a significantly higher amount of newly formed bone than the xenograft. There were no differences in the percentage of newly formed bone between the allograft and the alloplastic graft, and between the alloplastic graft and the xenograft. Between the three types of grafts, there were no discernible changes in the percentage of remaining particles. All bone substitute materials shown favorable properties for use in bone regeneration treatments. Local factors such as oral hygiene and controlled chronic disease are the main point of successful bone graft therapy. The present study concludes that both Alloplast and Xenograft have equal potential in infrabony bone defect therapy.
Integrating LCA, BIM, and Surrounding Trees for Carbon Neutrality in Steel and Concrete Frame Public Structures: A Case Study in Hangzhou
Authors: Chingaipe N’tani , Wen Rikun , Lungu Brian , Banda Emmanuel
Published: November 2023

The construction industry is actively working to improve its operations’ sustainability and reduce buildings’ ecological impact on climate change. One approach involves integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to streamline data input, calculate environmental impacts, and optimize output data. This case study focuses on using the One-Click LCA plugin to explore LCA-BIM integration for sustainable construction.The study examines the carbon emissions of steel and concrete frame public structures and assesses the role of surrounding trees in achieving carbon neutrality. Two innovative public buildings in China’s Zhejiang province serve as the case study’s subject. The One-Click LCA plugin in Revit is a quick and user-friendly tool, providing concrete and steel structure results and generating informative graphs for easy comparison.The findings reveal that the A1-A3 material stage during the design phase contributes the most to emissions and biogenic carbon storage. By demonstrating the practical implementation of LCA-BIM integration using the One-Click LCA plugin, this case study contributes to the knowledge base on sustainable construction practices. The results can guide decision-making for architects, engineers, and construction professionals, empowering them to make informed choices that minimize carbon emissions and promote environmentally-friendly design strategies.