bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase transitions and thermodynamic cycles in the broken PT-regime
Authors: Fring Andreas , Reboiro Marta
Published: August 2024

We propose a new type of quantum thermodynamic cycle whose efficiency is greater than the one of the classical Carnot cycle for the same conditions for a system when viewed as homogeneous. In our model, this type of cycle only exists in the low-temperature regime in the spontaneously broken parity-time-reversal (PT) symmetry regime of a non-Hermitian quantum theory and does not manifest in the PT-symmetric regime. We discuss this effect for an ensemble based on a model of a single boson coupled in a non-Hermitian way to a bath of different types of bosons with and without a time-dependent boundary. The cycle cannot be set up when considering our system as heterogeneous, i.e. undergoing a first-order phase transition. Within that interpretation, we find that the entropy is vanishing throughout the spontaneously broken PT-regime.
Beliefs Trump Facts: Effect of Frequent Corrections on Misinformation Beliefs during Extended Extreme Events
Authors: Nandakumar Archana , Rajivan Prashanth
Published: August 2024

Providing corrections to people who have engaged with false claims in Online Social Networks (OSN) is a form of cognitive intervention employed to address the spread of misinformation. Although there is a large body of work that has studied the effectiveness of corrections for promoting accurate beliefs, there is still much uncertainty around the precise effects of corrections on individuals’ behaviors in OSNs. Notably, the effect of offering frequent corrections on discerning information and identifying misinformation remains uncertain. We conducted two laboratory experiments to test whether experiencing frequent corrections to misinformation improved peoples’ ability to discriminate between true and false news claims during extended extreme events like the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants recruited for the experiments were from USA. They received corrections at varying frequencies, depending on their assigned experimental condition. Results from both experiments suggest that increasing frequency of corrections may not affect people’s ability to correctly assess information (or misinformation). Participant’s beliefs (vaccine hesitancy, belief in mask effectiveness, and trust in fact-checking organization) were found to be the most significant contributing factors to the ability to learn from corrections. We discuss the implications of the findings from these experiments.
The Key Ideas Behind Boki's Shared Logs
Authors: Jia Zhipeng , Witchel Emmett
Published: August 2024

The shared log approach has emerged as an attractive state management option for distributed systems. A shared log not only serves as persistent, strongly consistent, and faulttolerant storage, its ability to provide a total order enables fine-grained state machine replication. Boki is a recent shared log system that includes an intuitive LogBook abstraction and novel shared log design choices. Despite Boki being designed as storage for serverless functions, its design principals are applicable to other distributed systems that disaggregate storage from compute.
Towards Truly Adaptive Byzantine Fault-Tolerant Consensus
Authors: Wu Chenyuan , Qin Haoyun , Javad Amiri Mohammad , Thau Loo Boon , Malkhi Dahlia , Marcus Ryan
Published: August 2024

To acheive maximum performance, Byzantine fault-tolerant (BFT) systems must be manually tuned when hardware, network, or workload properties change. This paper presents our vision for a reinforcement learning (RL) based Byzantine fault-tolerant (BFT) system that adjusts effectively in realtime to changing fault scenarios and workloads. We identify several variables that can impact the performance of a BFT protocol, and show how these variables can serve as features in an RL engine in order to choose the context-dependent bestperforming BFT protocol in real-time. We further outline a decentralized RL approach capable of tolerating adversarial data pollution, where nodes share local metering values and reach the same learning output by consensus.
Controlling Oxygen Vacancy Content by Varying Calcination Temperature to Enhance the Gas Sensing Performance of BiVO4 Material
Authors: Jiao Si-Qi , Liu Yu-Feng , Zheng Xiao-Hong , Zhang Cheng , Wang Xiao-Rui
Published: August 2024

Compared to gas sensors based on single metal oxide, gas sensors based on binary metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) offer a rich variety of structural types and hold great potential for excellent selectivity. Inspired by this, we synthesized BiVO4 powder through a stepwise reaction combining calcination with hydrothermal bath and investigated the influence of different calcination temperatures on its gas sensitivity performance. Our study revealed that BiVO4-600 exhibited optimal TEA gas sensing behavior at 225 °C, showing high response values (Ra/Rg = 43.4) and fast response/recovery times (15 s/52 s). Additionally, the sensor displayed high stability, repeatability, and exceptional selectivity. Preliminary research indicates that calcination temperature induces changes in the oxygen vacancy content of BiVO4, thus affecting its sensing performance.
Effects of Ceria Abrasives on the Chemical Mechanical Polishing of Molybdenum Film with Alkaline H2O2 Slurries
Authors: Hu Lianfeng , Wang Yingjie , Sun Qiancheng , Hu Chun-Feng , Cheng Haijun , Qu Xin-Ping
Published: August 2024

The impact of ceria abrasives on the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of molybdenum (Mo) films was examined in alkaline slurries utilizing H2O2 as an oxidizer and ceria abrasives. The static etching rate (SER) decreased after the addition of ceria abrasives to the alkaline H2O2-based slurry, while the removal rate (RR) increased except for that of the slurry at pH 9. At pH 9, following the etching of the Mo film in an H2O2 solution with ceria, the surface became coated with MoO3 and Ce2Mo4O15 species. These species originated from the interaction between ceria, H2O2, and molybdic acid. The Ce2Mo4O15 particles envelop the MoO3 surface, thereby preventing the etching of loose MoO3 and hindering further oxidation of Mo to MoO3. This process effectively reduces the RR of Mo. Utilizing ceria slurries at appropriate pH values facilitates achieving a smooth surface with a reasonable RR.
Child Immunization Coverage in Urban Settings of Twelve Provinces Plus Kabul, Afghanistan, 2019
Authors: Saeed Khwaja Mir Islam , Naeemi Shoaib , Naser Ruqia , Rasooly Bahara , Hakim Mir Salamuddin , Arman Khalid , Nishat Homeira
Published: August 2024

Background: Low immunization and discrepancies in data sources have been a consistent challenge in Afghanistan. The objective of this was to estimate the coverage of immunization status among children of 12–23 months in urban settings of 12 provinces plus Kabul, Afghanistan in 2019.

Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the capital of 12 cities of polio high‐risk provinces plus Kabul during October–December 2019. A two‐stage cluster sampling was used to approach 30 clusters and interview seven households. The coverage for 13 vaccines against 10 childhood diseases prioritized by the Afghanistan Immunization program was assessed through observation of vaccine cards or by history from caregivers of children. Epi Info v.7.2.5 was used for data management and analysis.

Results: Totally, 3382 caregivers of children aged 12–23 months, of whom 50.8% were boys, were interviewed. The literacy of mothers was 35%, and 86.4% were housewives with no formal employment. The average age of children was 17.07 ± 4.05 months. In total, 1261 (37.29%) children were fully vaccinated, 833 (54.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 288 (8.52%) did not receive any dose of routine vaccine. Of total, 71.82% had vaccination cards, 17.24% had lost them, and 11% had no cards. Generally, coverage of immunization by cards and history was 91.70% for BCG, 52% for Penta, 78% for OPV‐4, 63% for PCV2, 61% for Rota2, 68.50% for measles 1, and 58% for IPV. Nangarhar and Kunar provinces have the highest and lowest immunization coverage, respectively. Lack of awareness and time was the main factor cited by partially vaccinated individuals, while misconceptions about vaccines were reported among the unvaccinated.

Conclusion: Child immunization levels, varying across cities, were suboptimal in the study population. Realistic goal‐setting and awareness campaigns are necessary to address the low immunization coverage and fight against barriers in Afghanistan.
Normal Forms for Nonautonomous Nonlinear Difference Systems Under Nonuniform Dichotomy Spectrum
Authors: Song Ning
Published: August 2024

In this paper, the normal forms of nonautonomous nonlinear systems with discrete time are investigated. We first employ the nonuniform kinematic similarity to prove the nonuniform dichotomy spectrum theorem, which is not based on linear integral manifolds in most of the previous works. Using this spectral theorem, we extend smooth normal forms from autonomous difference systems to nonautonomous ones.
Supplementary Figure 2 from Acetalax (Oxyphenisatin Acetate, NSC 59687) and Bisacodyl Cause Oncosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Poisoning the Ion Exchange Membrane Protein TRPM4
Authors: Mizunuma Makito , Redon Christophe E. , Saha Liton Kumar , Tran Andy D. , Dhall Anjali , Sebastian Robin , Taniyama Daiki , Kruhlak Michael J. , Reinhold William C. , Takebe Naoko , Pommier Yves
Published: August 2024

Morphological changes in TRPM4-KO and chronic exposure (CE) cells.
Figure 4 from Acetalax (Oxyphenisatin Acetate, NSC 59687) and Bisacodyl Cause Oncosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Poisoning the Ion Exchange Membrane Protein TRPM4
Authors: Mizunuma Makito , Redon Christophe E. , Saha Liton Kumar , Tran Andy D. , Dhall Anjali , Sebastian Robin , Taniyama Daiki , Kruhlak Michael J. , Reinhold William C. , Takebe Naoko , Pommier Yves
Published: August 2024

Role of TRPM4 in the action of Acetalax. A, Scatter plot demonstrating the correlation between Acetalax activity versus TRPM4 expression in the TNBC cell lines of the GDSC-MGH-Sanger database used in the present study (Supplementary Fig. S4 for the overall dataset with all cancer tissue types). The x-axis shows Acetalax activity. The y-axis shows the TRPM4 transcript level measured by RNA-seq (log2). Both were visualized using CellMinerCDB. Each point is a TNBC cell line. The red line is the regression line. The Acetalax-sensitive cell lines are highlighted in red, and the resistant cell lines in blue. B, Western blots of TRPM4 levels in the five TNBC cell lines. GADPH was used as the loading control. C, Western blot of TRPM4 protein expression in MDA-MB468 and BT549 parental and TRPM4-KO cells. D, Acetalax cell viability assay in parental, TRPM4-KO, and CE cells. Cells were treated with Acetalax for 72 hours. Cell viability was determined using CellTiter-Glo 2. Experiments were performed in triplicate (n = 3). E, Western blot of TRPM4 expression in MDA-MB468 and BT549 parental and Acetalax-resistant (CE) cells. GADPH was used as the loading control. F, Representative microscopy images of parental MDA-MB468 cells and their resistant (CE) and TRPM4-KO counterparts. Cells were stained in blue with DAPI (binds DNA) and green with phalloidin (stains actin). Control, without Acetalax treatment. Scale bars, 50 μm. Cells were treated with Acetalax at 10 μmol/L for 30 minutes. Control, no drug. TRPM4 was degraded in the Acetalax-sensitive MDA-MB468 cells following Acetalax treatment for 4 hours. G, Quantification of repeated experiments as in F. Each cell and each nucleus are indicated by a dot. Numbers indicate the number of cells and nuclei analyzed.
Table S1 from Clinical Efficacy of the HIV Protease Inhibitor Indinavir in Combination with Chemotherapy for Advanced Classic Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment: A Single-Arm, Phase II Trial in the Elderly
Authors: Sgadari Cecilia , Scoppio Biancamaria , Picconi Orietta , Tripiciano Antonella , Gaiani Francesca Maria , Francavilla Vittorio , Arancio Angela , Campagna Massimo , Palladino Clelia , Moretti Sonia , Monini Paolo , Brambilla Lucia , Ensoli Barbara
Published: August 2024

Supplementary Table 1 shows the active concurrent illnesses at baseline.
Claudin-1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cavalieri Stefano , Bergamini Cristiana , Lenoci Deborah , Ottini Arianna , Lucchetta Marta , Torchia Erica , Licitra Lisa , De Cecco Loris
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The objective response rate to immunotherapy is limited in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, whose prognosis is still dismal. Few prognostic factors are clinically available, mostly related to patient or disease characteristics. Gene expression signatures offer better prognostic abilities but are mainly used in research. One such GE model classifies HNSCC into 6 clusters with different prognoses. Claudin-1 (CLDN1), which influences tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration, has emerged as a potential target, especially in cancers like HNSCC with high CLDN1 expression. Methods: A single-center cohort of 100 loco-regionally advanced HNSCC patients from the BD2Decide observational study was analyzed. Patients were selected to balance long-term survivors and deceased patients, including HPV-negative and HPV-positive cases. Primary tumor specimens underwent GE analysis using Affymetrix ClariomD chips. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: The cohort comprised 100 HNSCC patients with a median age of 60 years, predominantly men (76%). Median OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were 94.24 and 42.79 months, respectively. CLDN1 expression varied significantly among primary sites, being highest in hypopharynx cancers. Differences in expression were not significant when stratified by HPV status or clinical stage. CLDN1 expression differed across the 6 transcriptomic clusters, with the highest levels in clusters associated with mesenchymal and hypoxic features. Higher CLDN1 expression correlated with shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3, p = 0.0023) and DFS (HR: 2.14, p = 0.02). Conclusion: CLDN1 expression is heterogeneous in HNSCC and carries prognostic significance. It is highest in tumors with HPV-like biology and hypoxic environments, and lowest in immune-sensitive clusters. High CLDN1 is a negative prognostic factor and a promising therapeutic target. Anti-CLDN1 treatments could improve outcomes of CLDN1+ HNSCC patients, and combination therapies with ICIs might overcome resistance in CLDN1− cases. These findings support the need for clinical studies on anti-CLDN1 therapies.
Extreme weather event causes the death of White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris (Shaw, 1796) (Aves, Apodidae) individuals in sinkholes in the State of Goiás, Brazil
Authors: Andrade Maurício Carlos Martins de , Nogueira Lauana Costa , Reino José Carlos Ribeiro , Merisse Raoni Japiassu , Vicente Mariana Canutti Mariano , De-Carvalho Mariana
Published: August 2024

The use of caves and rocky walls is common for some birds, like swifts, to shelter, sleep, nest, feed, and protect themselves from predators, wind, and rain. Several environmental and ecological factors associated with the habits and adaptations of certain species allow birds to use cave environments. The White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris (Shaw, 1796) is distributed from Mexico and the Antilles south to northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazill, being frequent in areas with waterfalls and river rapids with rocky beds and crystal-clear water. Individuals live in flocks and have the habit of roosting and nesting in damp, dark caves or behind waterfalls. Herein, we aim to report the case and identify the cause of death of S. zonaris individuals found dead in a sinkhole in the State of Goiás, Brazil, in 2020. Global warming resulting from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases can alter the natural fluctuations of atmospheric circulation systems, responsible for rainfall distribution, substantially affecting rainfall and increasing the frequency of heavy rainfall events in some locations. Due to climate change and the increasing frequency of flooding records, we have raised the hypothesis and drawn attention to our record may have been originated due to these climatic events. However, we do not dismiss the hypothesis that the flooding may be due to an extreme event. The fact that S. zonaris spends the night and nests close to water bodies makes the species more susceptible to the effects of a flash flood. Further studies will be able to show the real effects of global warming on the species.
Redescription of the male of Pelecorhynchus vulpes (Macquart) and first description of the male terminalia (Diptera: Pelecorhynchidae)
Authors: González Christian R.
Published: August 2024

Macquart (1850) provided the original description of Pelecorhynchus vulpes (= Pangonia vulpes) based on a holotype male from Chile. His description is brief and lacks many morphological details. Therefore, herein we redescribe, in far greater detail, the holotype male of Pelecorhynchus vulpes (Macquart) and describe and illustrate, for the first time, the morphology of the male terminalia.
Isolation and immunological characterization of rhoptries from Neospora caninum
Authors: Martins Thais Agostinho , Barros Luiz Daniel De , Nino Beatriz De Souza Lima , Bernardes Juliana Correa , Silva Ana Clécia Dos Santos , Minutti Ana Flávia , Cardim Sergio Tosi , Rose Milena Patzer , Martinez Valentina , Garcia João Luis
Published: August 2024

Neospora caninum é um parasita que causa perdas consideráveis na pecuária bovina. Compreender os seus mecanismos de infecção é essencial para compreender o seu impacto nos rebanhos. O fracionamento celular e a caracterização das frações poderão contribuir para a seleção de proteínas e organelas com características imunogênicas. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo isolar frações roptrias e subcelulares de N. caninum utilizando gradiente de sacarose e caracterizar sua imunogenicidade em camundongos. Taquizoítos da cepa Nc-1 foram cultivados em células VERO, fracionados por esferas de vidro e ultracentrifugados em gradiente de sacarose variando de 0,25 a 1,8 M. As frações foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Cada fração foi inoculada com adjuvante Quil-A (20 μg) em camundongos para produzir anticorpos policlonais para cultura de células de imunofluorescência e western blotting. A ultracentrifugação resultou em três frações distintas (F1, F2 e F3) e um pellet. A fração um (F1) na concentração de 1,0 M continha membranas do parasita, F2 a 1,4 M continha roptria e conoide, F3 a 1,6 M continha mitocôndrias e o sedimento na fração de 1,8 M continha restos celulares. As quatro frações exibiram as mesmas bandas com pesos moleculares de 50, 51, 52 e 62 kDa. Apenas F2 apresentou estruturas de roptria e uma proteína de 54 kDa semelhante a NcROP2. Este estudo separou com sucesso frações subcelulares de N. caninum através de processamento e ultracentrifugação, identificou estruturas de roptria e determinou pesos específicos de proteínas de cada fração.
Gastrodia indica (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae), a new completely cleistogamous holomycotrophic species from India
Authors: KHANAL MADHUSUDHAN , SARKAR SHUVADIP , SARKAR KINGSUK , CHHETRI PRAKASH , RAI SANTOSH KUMAR , KUMAR DEVENDRA , RAWAT SANDEEP
Published: August 2024

Gastrodia indica sp. nov. has been described as a new species from Sikkim, India. This is the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India. It is morphologically allied to G. exilis & G.dyeriana but critical examination revealed considerable differences in floral morphological characters. A detailed taxonomical description along with photoplates, comparison with the allied species and keys for all Gastrodia species from India have been provided to aid in easy identification.
Euplassa lanata (Proteaceae), a new species from Paraná, southern Brazil
Authors: GIUFFRE PAMELA MARIA WENDLER , AUGUSTIN ANA FLÁVIA , CADDAH MAYARA KRASINSKI
Published: August 2024

Euplassa lanata is described as a new species from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. It can be distinguished from other similar species by the combination of abaxial leaflet indument lanate, rufous to gray, pedicel absent, and hairs extending from the ovary base, but not completely covering it. We provide a morphological description, illustrations, photo plates, a geographic distribution map, a preliminary evaluation of its conservation status, and taxonomic notes.
Effects of Seed Proportion on Forage Yield of Greenleaf Desmodium (Desmodium intortum) and Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) Mixture at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center
Authors: Tilahun Meseret , Husein Nabi , Abate Dawit
Published: August 2024

Establishing of grass-legume pastures is one of the recognized strategies for enhancing both quantity and quality of feed resources. Therefore, determining the impact of seed proportion on the nutritional qualities and forage yield of combinations of guinea grass and green leaf desmodium is the goal of this study. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used to arrange five seed proportions of desmodium and guinea grass. Analysis of variance revealed that variations in treatments have significant differences (p<0.05) on panicum heights, desmodium tillers, and Desmodium height. In addition, the effects of years showed significant (p<0.05) effects on panicum tiller, desmodium height, and percentage of coverages. Interaction of treatments with years showed a significant effect on tiller per plant and plant heights while the other parameters weren’t influenced. The combined mean of dry matter and percentage of coverage have showed significant differences (p<0.05) between the treatments. This result reveals that the seed proportion have effect on the dry matter and percentage of plant coverages. The aggressivity index also has significant mean differences (P<0.05) between the treatments. Legumes with the lowest proportion (25%) performed less competently than those with the highest proportions (75%) and 50% D. intortum. The crowding coefficient of P. maximum and D. intortum mixed forage showed significance differences (P<0.05). However, the value of seed proportion on crowding coefficient of panicum maximum and desmodium intortium were more than one. The LER has significant differences (P<0.05) due to ratio of P.maximum and D.intortium mixture and its value at T2, T3, and T4 showed as to be (LER>1) that revealed the yield advantages. Cobined mean results showed that there is significance difference (P<0.05) of CP, Ash, ADF, NDF and ADL due to different seed proportion mixture. In addition the CP of panicum incurred from 8.24% to 18.55% by mixing different seed proportion of D.intortium. An integration of legume forage with grasses improves the feed quality and quantity. Thus, based on the dry matter, yield advantage and nutritive values the integration of 75% and 50% desmodium is recommended for use in the study areas and similar agro-ecologies.
Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Changes and Trends in Fantalle Range Land, East Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Tilahun Meseret , Abate Dawit , Husein Nabi
Published: August 2024

This study was conducted in Fantalle Range lands in East Shewa zone of, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, to assess land use land cover changes, trends, drivers and their socioeconomics. Household surveys were conducted through simple random sampling to collect qualitative data. Qualitative data are used to investigate the causes and effects of land use and land cover changes. SPSS software (version 20) was used for data analysis, and descriptive research methods were adopted. Additionally, map processing was done using ERDAS Imagine (version 9.1) and ArcGIS (version 10.1). The land use land cover classification activity was started by obtaining Landsat images of 1972, 1990, 2000 and 2020 at different intervals from the Earth Explorer (USGS) from the Landsat 4, Landsat 5, Landsat 7 and Landsat 8, respectively. Land use land cover change (LULCC) maps are generated based on year classification. Range land, agricultural land, woody vegetation, bare land and settlement are the five main LULCC categories generated from satellite data. The findings show that in the presence of LULCC, agricultural land, settlements and bare land expand significantly, while range land and woodland show a decreasing trend. The classification results of the 1972 image show that rangeland/grazing land accounts for the largest proportion of the land in this area, accounting for 31.6%. In addition, due to various factors, the number of livestock owned in pastoral areas is also decreasing. The main cause of changes in livestock types is drought, which can cause different impacts, such as feed and water shortages and health problems. Therefore, intervention in land use manipulation is needed to maintain ecosystems and natural resources. Furthermore, rangeland policies should be developed to maintain pastoral and pastoral systems.
Research on Risks and Countermeasures of Berthing and Unberthing in Luojing Container Terminal
Authors: Mei Yingqun , Cai Bin , Zhou Binbin , Wang Jie
Published: August 2024

In order to further enhance the container throughput capacity of Shanghai Port, a total renovation of the terminal at Luojing port area is planned. The successful implementation of the renovation project not only needs to fully consider the updating of technology and facilities, but also requires an in-depth analysis and assessment of the risks of berthing and unberthing container ships. In this paper, we will collect and organize the hydrometeorological conditions around the terminal, as well as the existing conditions of the port area and the waterway. Through in-depth analysis of the traffic flow data of Luojing Container Terminal, this research will study the navigational environment in the vicinity of the terminal and explore the characteristics and changing trends of the traffic flow. These analyses will help to accurately assess the impact of traffic flow on the safety of berthing and unberthing of container ships. Eventually, this paper will combine the results of the traffic flow analysis of Luojing Container Terminal to propose corresponding risk assessment and response strategies for berthing and unberthing. These strategies will provide a scientific basis for the terminal management to make future decisions, ensure the smooth progress of the renovation project, and enhance the transportation efficiency and safety of the Shanghai port.
Mobile Money Adoption and Performance of Informal Family Enterprises During COVID-19 Lockdown in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogunjemilua Ifeoluwa , Oyebola Abiodun , Babatola Felix , Dada Pascal , Ogunjemilua Emmanuel
Published: August 2024

The study was carried out on family enterprises in Ekiti state during COVID-19 Lockdown: to identify socio-economic characteristics of the family enterprises; to determine the types of mobile money adopted; to determine the factors influencing the types of mobile money adopted; and to examine the effect of mobile money adopted on the performance of family enterprises during COVID-19 lockdown in Ekiti state. The study administered questionnaire on one hundred and fifty (150) respondents and retrieved one hundred (100) which was used for the analysis of this study using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Findings from the study shows that majorities of the respondents had Diploma and Degree as their highest certificate. The nature of the family enterprises considered are publishing and printing, metal and aluminum fabrication, poultry and fishery farming and furniture, upholstery and carpentry, leather shoe making, graphic designer, automobiles mechanic and panel beaters, Gas seller, tailoring/fashion designer, and dry cleaners. Findings from the study further shows that the enterprises were self-started, owned through inheritance and while the remaining were acquired. The study findings show the factors that are influencing the adoption of mobile money by family enterprises in Ekiti State such as: perceived electronic fraud among the family enterprises discourages mobile money adoption; perceived ease of use of mobile money among the family enterprises encourages the adoption of mobile money; perceived low cost of service of use of mobile money among the family enterprises encourages the adoption of mobile money; perceived usefulness of mobile money among the family enterprises encourages the adoption of mobile money; low level of knowledge about mobile money (high level of illiteracy) among others. Findings further shows that mobile money adopted by the family enterprises are significantly influencing their performance in Ekiti State Nigeria. The study concluded that family enterprises considered are micro scales, and mostly adopted USSD (unstructured short messages) and mobile app including online banking as mobile money adopted by the selected family enterprises. The enterprises used the mobile money adopted for different transactions such as payment of salaries, products bought from suppliers, payment received on products/services sold/rendered to their customers. The study further concluded that the index factors considered in this study are cogent factors that are really influencing the adoption of mobile money. The study also concluded that mobile money adopted are significantly influencing the performance of the selected family enterprises during COVID-19 Lockdown in Ekiti State Nigeria.
Evaluation of Physiochemical, Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Micronutrients Properties of Bangladeshi Crude and Commercial Rice Bran Oil
Authors: Afrose Sanjida , Salma Umme , Ahmmed Tanvir , Sohel Md. , Khatun Afifa
Published: August 2024

Rice bran oil was extracted by product of milling of Oryza sativa seeds. The focus of the study was to determine the physiochemical, phytochemicals, micronutrients and antioxidant potentiality of rice bran oil and effect of refining process. The oil is extracted from bran of three popular rice varieties (BRRI-28, BRRI-29, Rajvogh) of Bangladesh. The acid value, peroxide value, iodine value and saponification value of extracted oils were observed in the range of 14.03-16.82 mgKOH/g, 26.68-34.50 meqO2/kg, 71.61-84.70 gI2/100g and 175.13-180.26 mgKOH/g respectively. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was used for determination of micronutrients. The concentrations for copper, zinc, iron and chromium were found to comprise between 0.03-0.25, 0.25-0.39, 17.97-64.47 and 0.96-4.87 ppm respectively. It was observed that BRRI-29 showed the greatest DPPH radical scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 187.55µg/ml, followed by BRRI-28 (IC50- 284.04), Rajvogh (IC50- 325.56) and refined oil (IC50- 465.12). All the samples acted upon nitric oxide free radical according to following order- BRRI-29 (IC50- 286.4)> BRRI-28 (IC50 -416.81) >Rajvogh (IC50 -453.95)> refined oil (IC50- 557.86).All the extracted and refined oils were found to have considerably good antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The extracted oils were found to contain more phenolic and flavonoid content than refined oil that serve as antioxidants. Some literatures show that, RBO contains tocotrienol and oryzanol which absent in soybean oil which regarded to be the best in perspective of antioxidant potentiality and categorize rice bran oil as promising edible oil. Comparative to crude bran oil commercial refined oil were lower in these parameters which shows the effect of refining process. Further investigation should be conducted on animal model (in vivo study) for safe human consumption. The knowledge would be useful in recommending various ways of using the oil in food industry, as well as in households.
Research on the Working Path of Adolescent Psychological Health Education Under the Background of China's New Education Reform
Authors: He Shuyi
Published: August 2024

Adolescence is a critical period for rapid development in behavior, personality, and intelligence. Currently, the frequent occurrence of psychological crises among Chinese adolescents is detrimental to the comprehensive development of talents, the implementation of quality-oriented education, and the harmonious development of society. Based on multi-level questionnaire surveys and interview studies, this paper finds that China's education sector is increasingly emphasizing psychological health education for adolescents, continuously improving supporting mechanisms. The initial system of psychological health services in schools has taken shape, with psychological health training benefiting both schools and families, and autonomous attention from adolescents groups has increased. However, issues persist, including inadequate psychological health curricula, incomplete linkage mechanisms, imperfect family support, insufficient teacher staffing and re-education training, and inadequate identification and rescue of students' psychological crises. Therefore, this paper argues that systematically and deeply promoting the multi-faceted psychological health education model of "family-school-society," adopting multiple measures to collaboratively build and optimize coordination mechanisms, and establishing a more robust and effective approach to adolescent psychological health work, aligns with the direction of educational evaluation reform in the new era, fosters a favorable social atmosphere, and is the inevitable path to better promote the healthy growth and talent development of adolescents.
Registration of Newly Released Hull Less Food Barley (HondiumVulgare L.) Variety, ‘Sena’, for High Potential Barley Growing Areas in Ethiopia
Authors: Sebsibe Hiwot , Tadesse Endeshaw , Teshome Ermias
Published: August 2024

Twenty hull less barley genotypes from the local crossing program and germplasms introduced from ICARDA were evaluated in a multi-location variety trial to identify stable genotypes with high grain yield, desirable agronomic characters and good level of disease resistance. Results of combined analysis showed that genotype (G5 and G19) with pedigree name TOCTE/M112/6/VMORALESCBSS04M00436T-11M-0Y-0M-3M-0AP and PENCO/CHEVRON-BAR/3/LEGACYU//PENCO/CHEVRON=BAR CBSS04Y00048S-23Y2M-0Y-0M-0Y-0AP--0TR-0TR exhibited the highest mean grain yield with good agronomic performance and good level of disease resistance across the testing environments, while genotype. Accordingly, the two varieties were promoted to variety verification trial in 2022, and genotype G5 released in 2023; this genotype was named Sena. The variety showed good physical grain quality, coupled with high grain yield of 5.2 t/ha. Sena variety is suitable to the high potential barley growing areas. This variety is characterized by early maturity, white seed color, has good physical grain quality, resistance to leaf rust and scald, moderate resistance to net blotch, moderate tolerance to barley shoot fly, lodging tolerance and good biomass yield. The variety’s demonstration and seed multiplication is underway. Therefore, cultivation of the new variety in the higher altitude areas of major barley growing environments of the country is highly recommended. Six-rowed semi hulled barley Sena was developed by Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), Southeastern Oromia region, Ethiopia. If the variety is sufficiently demonstrated, scaled up and adopted by farmers, it can play significant role in increasing hull less barley production and productivity thereby increasing the income of farmers and can also be source of raw material for local market engaged in the kolo production.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Multi-Factor Authentication in Cloud-Based Big Data Environments
Authors: Mali Saroj
Published: August 2024

There is increasing popularity of Big data and cloud computing in recent years, and it is offering both individuals and businesses a number of advantages. But as data volume and complexity rise, data security and privacy have become a serious problem. In order to safeguard sensitive data stored in the cloud from sophisticated cyberattacks, it is crucial to have strong security measures in place. Although multi-factor authentication (MFA) has gained popularity as a security mechanism, Because of the lack of in depth analysis of its efficacy in large data systems based in the cloud is not fully known. In order to determine if MFA is effective in large data environments based on the cloud, this study will examine how well it can defend against different types of cyberattacks. The study will analyze the benefits and drawbacks of MFA in this situation as well as the trade-offs that must be made between security and usability when putting this security measure into place. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of MFA in cloud-based big data environments in order to offer insightful recommendations for the most effective ways to secure sensitive data in the cloud.
Direct Entrainment as a Measure of Dilution
Authors: Oh Gunho (Loren) , Austin Philip H.
Published: August 2024

The turbulent transport of mass, energy, moisture, and momentum between the clouds and the surrounding environment plays a central role in determining the vertical structure of the troposphere. This article investigates the connection between net entrainment, defined here as the net transport of air into individual clouds, and net dilution, defined as the tendencies of passive tracers such as static energy or total water mixing ratio. Entrainment and detrainment rates for 2.6 × 106 individual cloud samples are obtained from a large-eddy simulation of shallow convective boundary layer atmosphere that explicitly calculates the turbulent fluxes across the cloud boundaries. The equations describing the tendencies of cloud mass and tracer concentrations are derived as a function of directly calculated entrainment and detrainment rates of the individual clouds, and used to calculate net entrainment and dilution rates. Directly calculated net entrainment and dilution rates agree well with cloud mass and tracer tendencies and give a dilution time scale of 13 min. In contrast, the traditional bulk-plume approximation overestimates the effect of entrainment and detrainment on the dilution of cloud field properties due to the differential tracer transport through the moist shell surrounding the cloud. Using direct measures of entrainment and detrainment for individual clouds separates different processes that influence the turbulent mass transport between the clouds and their environment.
Thinking beyond the stomach: Fixing social work’s food aid provision in displaced environments
Authors: Collado Zaldy C
Published: August 2024

This brief note underscores the negative consequences of food aid monotony to mealtime dynamics among war-affected internally displaced families. The article argues that this is rooted in an unethical food aid practice in which social work agencies naively dole out the same food items over a period of time. Caused by monotonic diets, the meal table witnesses poor family commensal activities. Social welfare services have to think ‘beyond the stomach’ and reinvent their food assistance. The article therefore contributes by addressing food aid issues within social work practice and social care policy and urges those responsible to do better.
Ulinastatin shortens the length of ICU stay in critical patients with organ failure: A 7-year real-world study
Authors: Wu Lixue , Xu Deduo , Liu Yanru , Li Wenfang , Jiang Weiwei , Tao Xia , Zhang Jinyuan , Yu Ze , Gao Fei , Chen Wansheng , Lin Zhaofen , Shan Yi
Published: August 2024

Background:

Ulinastatin has been applied in a series of diseases associated with inflammation but its clinical effects remain somewhat elusive.

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the potential effects of ulinastatin on organ failure patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods:

This is a single-center retrospective study on organ failure patients from 2013 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to using ulinastatin or not during hospitalization. Propensity score matching was applied to reduce bias. The outcomes of interest were 28-day all-cause mortality, length of ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation duration.

Results:

Of the 841 patients who fulfilled the entry criteria, 247 received ulinastatin. A propensity-matched cohort of 608 patients was created. No significant differences in 28-day mortality between the two groups. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) was identified as the independent risk factor associated with mortality. In the subgroup with SOFA ≤ 10, patients received ulinastatin experienced significantly shorter time in ICU (10.0 d [interquartile range, IQR: 7.0∼20.0] vs 15.0 d [IQR: 7.0∼25.0]; p = .004) and on mechanical ventilation (222 h [IQR:114∼349] vs 251 h [IQR: 123∼499]; P = .01), but the 28-day mortality revealed no obvious difference (10.5% vs 9.4%; p = .74).

Conclusion:

Ulinastatin was beneficial in treating patients in ICU with organ failure, mainly by reducing the length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation.
Book review: Rajiv Ranjan and Guo Changgang (Eds), China and South Asia: Changing Regional Dynamics, Development and Power Play
Authors: Kalyani V.
Published: August 2024

Rajiv Ranjan and Guo Changgang (Eds), China and South Asia: Changing Regional Dynamics, Development and Power Play (New Delhi: Routledge, 2023), xxi + 283 pp.
Enhancing firm information competencies: Impacts on information sharing and logistics performance
Authors: Ha Young-Kyou , Lee Changjoon
Published: August 2024

This study redefines information power and informational justice as information competencies drawing upon information-related theories. Furthermore, it investigates their impact on information sharing and logistics performance within inter-firm relationships in the supply chain context. To analyze their correlations and causal relationships, a survey was conducted with employees working in departments associated with supply chain management (SCM) in South Korea. A total of 300 copies of the questionnaire were used in statistical analysis, and a structural equation model was used for hypothesis testing. The findings indicate that both information power and informational justice exert a significant positive influence on information sharing. Moreover, information sharing significantly enhances logistics performance, serving as an outcome variable. This study integrates concepts related to information into a single framework called information competencies, while also redefining the role of information sharing. Inputs for academic scalability and practical implications for supply chain participants are discussed.
Kinetics of Ag-coated Cu particles prepared by liquid phase reduction
Authors: Wen Qihui , Yang Liuyimei , Zhang Xuehui , Liu Baixiong , Zeng Longfei , Yang Bin
Published: August 2024

Ag-coated Cu particles prepared by electroless deposition are highly anticipated bimetallic materials with wide electronic applications. However, only limited progress has been made in the kinetics and mechanism of chemical silver deposition on copper particles. A series of Ag-coated copper particles with uniform and continuous silver coverings were successfully prepared by varying the reaction temperature. The study used the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami model to conduct kinetic analyses, revealed the nucleation and growth mechanisms and yielded corresponding kinetic parameters. The temperature was found to have a proportional correlation with the reaction rate constant ( k), with an activation energy of approximately 10.01 kJ/mol. These particles exhibit exceptional oxidation resistance. Moreover, the particles were used to develop a new conductive paste with high electrical conductivity.
Comparative erosion performance of HVOF and LVOF sprayed NiCrSiBCFe-WC-Co coating
Authors: Yadav Abhay Shankar , Mishra S. B.
Published: August 2024

Thermal spray coatings enhance one or more surface properties of engineering components. In this work, NiCrSiBCFe-WC-Co composite coating powder is deposited over SA213-T12 boiler steel using the high velocity oxy fuel spraying (HVOF) and low velocity oxy fuel spraying (LVOF) thermal spray methods to improve erosion performance. XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to examine the surfaces and constituents of as-deposited specimens, whereas SEM was used to investigate the eroded specimens. The erosion behaviours of developed coatings were investigated at 30° and 90° impact angles, 53 m/s and 400°C. XRD analysis of the HVOF coating showed an additional peaks of NiCo2O4, SiC and Ni2B with common peaks Ni, WC, W2C, Cr23C6 and C6(Cr,Co,Ni)23 to that of LVOF coating. HVOF-sprayed coating demonstrated higher microhardness and adhesion strength with lower porosity than LVOF-sprayed coating. The HVOF-sprayed NiCrSiBCFe-WC-Co coating demonstrated comparatively better erosion resistance than LVOF-sprayed NiCrSiBCFe-WC-Co coating, attributed to its superior properties. The mechanism of erosion, concerning the different characteristics of the coatings, is discussed.
The impact of stent protrusion into the inferior vena cava or jailing of the contralateral iliac vein on the incidence of contralateral deep vein thrombosis following venous stenting
Authors: Nguyen Duy , Pappas Karl , Mahadevan Shreya , Sulakvelidze Levan , Kennedy Richard , Lakhanpal Gaurav , Lakhanpal Sanjiv , Pappas Peter J
Published: August 2024

Objective

Iliac vein stenting is the standard of care for patients with pelvic venous disorders secondary to symptomatic iliac vein outflow obstruction. Venous stents are often extended proximally into the inferior vena cava (IVC) which may result in partial or complete coverage of the contralateral iliac vein. The purpose of this investigation is to determine if extension of iliac vein stents into the IVC results in increased risk of contralateral deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from 409 patients who underwent iliac vein stenting at the Center for Vascular Medicine (CVM) from 2019 to 2020. Stent type, covered territories, initial and follow-up consults, ultrasound and operative reports were reviewed to assess for incidence of post-implantation DVT. Patients were stratified into three groups: Iliac vein stents which protruded into the IVC, stents that completely covered the orifice of the contralateral iliac vein and those with no stent protrusion into the IVC.

Results

Out of 409 patients, the average age was 53.96 ± 13.40 years with 94 males and 315 females. All stents placed were Venovo stents and all iliac vein lesions were non-thrombotic stenoses. The average follow-up period was 14.35 ± 10.09 months. The most common territories stented were the IVC-LCIV-LEIV ( n = , 74%) and the IVC-RCIV-REIV ( n = , 26%). Stent protrusion and distance into the IVC in millimeters (mm) was the following: Partial protrusion ( n = 314, 77%, 27.6 ± 19.1), jailing of the contralateral iliac vein ( n = 78, 19%, 45.9 ± 18.6), no protrusion ( n = 16, 4%). The overall DVT rate post-implantation was 0.49% ( n = 2). No DVTs ipsilateral to the index stent were identified and both DVTs were contralateral DVTs. A hypercoaguable disorder was reported in 6 patients (1.5%). There were no significant differences in prevalence of contralateral DVT between the three groups. ( p = .35).

Conclusion

The rate of contralateral DVTs post iliac vein stenting with Nitonol based stents is extremely low. Partial or complete coverage of the contralateral iliac vein via stenting does not result in an increased incidence of contralateral DVT in the short-term. Longer follow up is needed to determine if contralateral DVTs occur after long-term implantation.