bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entanglement classification – a comparative study of 𝑺𝑼(𝟐) and 𝑺𝑳(𝟐) developed operator model
Authors: Zhahir Amirul Asyraf , Mohd Siti Munirah , M. Shuhud Mohd Ilias , Idrus Bahari , Zainuddin Hishamuddin , Mohamad Jan Nurhidaya , Wahiddin Mohamed Ridza
Published: October 2024

Entanglement classification is a core aspect of quantum information theory. It ensures successful quantum information processing. This article presents a comparative study of entanglement classification using developed operator models for the special unitary group and special linear group. This study was built upon prior work in entanglement classification in a pure three-qubit quantum system environment, where the operator models for each mathematical group were independently developed. Through extensive analysis, both synthesized models are functionally effective and yield the desired results. However, the comparative analysis reveals that the operator model exhibits certain limitations, particularly in its early phase of development compared to. This study provides significant enlightenments into the practical abilities of the developed operator models in entanglement classification and underlines the theoretical distinction between and paving the path for future research in quantum information theory, specifically entanglement classification.
Serial Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Coronary Atherosclerosis and Long‐Term Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Yamaji Kyohei , Kanenawa Kenji , Morofuji Toru , Nishikawa Ryusuke , Imada Kazuaki , Kohjitani Hirohiko , Watanabe Hiroki , Tazaki Junichi , Taniwaki Masanori , Koga Seiji , Akashi Ryohei , Kubo Shunsuke , Ohya Masanobu , Kikuchi Tatsuo , Ohira Hiroshi , Numasawa Yohei , Arikawa Masaya , Iwama Makoto , Kitai Takeshi , Kobayashi Yohei , Shiomi Hiroki , Tada Tomohisa , Yamaji Yuhei , Daidoji Hyuma , Ohtani Hayato , Furukawa Yutaka , Kadota Kazushige , Toyofuku Mamoru , Ando Kenji , Ono Koh , Kimura Takeshi ,   the PREDICTOR investigators
Published: October 2024

Background

The impact of high‐risk coronary artery plaques identified using optical coherence tomography on late luminal narrowing and clinical events remains poorly understood.

Methods and Results

This multicenter prospective study included 176 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and serial optical coherence tomography at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up to investigate nontarget regions with angiographically intermediate stenosis. At 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention, the coronary artery lumen area decreased significantly from 6.06 (95% CI, 5.60–6.53) mm
2
to 5.88 (95% CI, 5.41–6.35) mm
2
(difference, −0.18; 95% CI, −0.22 to −0.14 mm
2
;
P
<0.001), particularly in thin‐cap fibroatheromas, thick‐cap fibroatheromas, mixed plaques, and fibrous plaques. The prevalence of fibroatheroma decreased from 38% to 36% (
P
<0.001), whereas calcified plaque increased from 31% to 34% (
P
<0.001), accompanied by a significant increase in calcium thickness and angle. Diabetes and current smoking habits were independently associated with increasing calcium prevalence. Patients with thin‐cap fibroatheroma had a significantly higher 3‐year risk of ischemia‐driven nontarget vessel revascularization (hazard ratio, 2.42 [95% CI, 1.03–5.71];
P
=0.04), primarily due to revascularization in the imaged region. No significant association was observed between coronary artery calcium prevalence and clinical outcomes within 3 years.

Conclusions

The coronary artery lumen area significantly decreased over a 1‐year interval, particularly in thin‐cap fibroatheromas, thick‐cap fibroatheromas, mixed plaques, and fibrous plaques. Although thin‐cap fibroatheroma prevalence was associated with higher risk of ischemia‐driven nontarget vessel revascularization, no significant association was noted between coronary artery calcium prevalence and clinical outcomes within 3 years. The interaction between calcium progression and long‐term clinical events necessitates further investigation.

Registration

URL:
https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/
; Unique Identifier: UMIN000031937.
Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Tenecteplase Before Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Multicenter, Randomized, BRIDGE‐TNK Trial Protocol
Authors: Qiu Zhongming , Li Fengli , Xie Dongjing , Yuan Guangxiong , Nguyen Thanh N. , Zhou Kai , Nogueira Raul G. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Albers Gregory W. , Sang Hongfei , Li Linyu , Tian Yan , Meng Zhaoyou , Wang Duolao , Zi Wenjie , Yang Qingwu ,   the BRIDGE‐TNK investigators
Published: October 2024

Background

Six randomized trials have not detected a difference between intravenous alteplase plus endovascular thrombectomy and endovascular thrombectomy alone in stroke. Tenecteplase, a recombinant human tenecteplase tissue‐type plasminogen activator, is a genetically modified variant of alteplase. It is unclear whether the outcomes are different if alteplase is replaced with tenecteplase. This trial aims to determine whether intravenous tenecteplase within 4.5 hours of time last known well confers benefit in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large‐vessel occlusion who undergo endovascular thrombectomy.

Methods

BRIDGE‐TNK (Thrombectomy With Versus Without rhTNK‐tPA in Stroke) is an investigator‐initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open‐label trial with blinded end point evaluation conducted at 40 thrombectomy‐capable centers in China. This trial will randomize 544 patients with intravenous thrombolysis–eligible stroke (272 in each arm) with large‐vessel occlusion within 4.5 hours of last known well to receive bridging intravenous tenecteplase with endovascular thrombectomy (tenecteplase‐plus‐thrombectomy group) or endovascular thrombectomy alone (thrombectomy‐alone group). The primary outcome is the proportion of patients achieving functional independence, defined as a score of 0 to 2 on the modified Rankin Scale, at 90 days. Safety will be assessed via symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at 48 hours and death at 90 days.

Conclusions

BRIDGE‐TNK will provide important data on the role of intravenous tenecteplase before endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large‐vessel occlusion who can be treated within 4.5 hours of last known well.

Registration

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT04733742.
Consistent activation differences versus differences in consistent activation: Evaluating meta-analytic contrasts
Authors: Küppers Vincent , Cieslik Edna C. , Frahm Lennart , Hoffstaedter Felix , Eickhoff Simon B. , Langner Robert , Müller Veronika I.
Published: October 2024

Meta-analytic contrasts are a promising aspect of coordinate-based meta-analyses in neuroimaging research as they facilitate the statistical comparison of two meta-analytic results. They have been used for a multitude of comparisons, such as task conditions, cognitive processes, and groups. However, it remains to be tested how the results of meta-analytic contrasts relate to those of classic meta-analyses and vice versa. Here, we present a comprehensive empirical investigation of this issue using four datasets from different cognitive domains: working memory, working memory load, cognitive interference processing, and emotional face processing. For all four datasets, we compared the results of a standard meta-analysis across prototypical contrasts (condition A > condition B) reported in individual experiments with those of a contrast between two individual meta-analyses of the same conditions (meta-analysis condition A > meta-analysis condition B). In the meta-analytic contrasts, similar brain regions as in the standard meta-analysis were found but with relatively distinct spatial activation patterns. Additionally, fewer regions were revealed in the meta-analytic contrasts, especially in areas where the conditions spatially overlapped. This can be ascribed to the loss of information on the strength of activations in meta-analytic contrasts, across which standard meta-analysis summarize. In one dataset, additional regions were found in the meta-analytic contrast, potentially due to task effects. Our results demonstrate that meta-analytic contrasts can yield similar results to standard meta-analyses but are sparser. This confirms the overall validity, but also limited ability to capture all regions found in standard meta-analyses. Notable differences observed in some cases indicate that such contrasts cannot be taken as an easy substitute for classic meta-analyses of experiment-level contrasts, warranting further research into the boundary conditions for agreement.
Perceptual, Semantic, and Pragmatic Factors Affect the Derivation of Contrastive Inferences
Authors: Ronderos Camilo R. , Aparicio Helena , Long Madeleine , Shukla Vishakha , Jara-Ettinger Julian , Rubio-Fernandez Paula
Published: October 2024

People derive contrastive inferences when interpreting adjectives (e.g., inferring that ‘the short pencil’ is being contrasted with a longer one). However, classic eye-tracking studies revealed contrastive inferences with scalar and material adjectives, but not with color adjectives. This was explained as a difference in listeners’ informativity expectations, since color adjectives are often used descriptively (hence not warranting a contrastive interpretation). Here we hypothesized that, beyond these pragmatic factors, perceptual factors (i.e., the relative perceptibility of color, material and scalar contrast) and semantic factors (i.e., the difference between gradable and non-gradable properties) also affect the real-time derivation of contrastive inferences. We tested these predictions in three languages with prenominal modification (English, Hindi, and Hungarian) and found that people derive contrastive inferences for color and scalar adjectives, but not for material adjectives. In addition, the processing of scalar adjectives was more context dependent than that of color and material adjectives, confirming that pragmatic, perceptual and semantic factors affect the derivation of contrastive inferences.
Infants Produce Optimally Informative Points to Satisfy the Epistemic Needs of Their Communicative Partner
Authors: Tauzin Tibor , Call Josep , Gergely György
Published: October 2024

Pragmatic theories assume that during communicative exchanges humans strive to be optimally informative and spontaneously adjust their communicative signals to satisfy their addressee’s inferred epistemic needs. For instance, when necessary, adults flexibly and appropriately modify their communicative gestures to provide their partner the relevant information she lacks about the situation. To investigate this ability in infants, we designed a cooperative task in which 18-month-olds were asked to point at the target object they wanted to receive. In Experiment 1, we found that when their desired object was placed behind a distractor object, infants appropriately modified their prototypical pointing to avoid mistakenly indicating the distractor to their partner. When the objects were covered, and their cooperative partner had no information (Experiment 2) or incorrect information (Experiment 3) about the target’s location – as opposed to being knowledgeable about it – infants pointed differentially more often at the target and employed modified pointing gestures more frequently as a function of the amount of relevant information that their partner needed to retrieve their desired object from its correct location. These findings demonstrate that when responding to a verbal request in a cooperative task 18-month-old infants can take into account their communicative partner’s epistemic states and when necessary provide her with the relevant information she lacks through sufficiently informative deictic gestures. Our results indicate that infants possess an early emerging, species-unique cognitive adaptation specialized for communicative mindreading and pragmatic inferential communication which enable the efficient exchange of relevant information between communicating social partners in cooperative contexts.
The Political Economy of Energy Security in Wartime Yemen
Authors: Al-Eryani Abeer
Published: October 2024

The politics of energy provision and the governance of the electricity sector are well-studied topics. However, there is a gap in information when it comes to comprehending how violent conflict interacts with the political economy of the electricity and energy sector. This paper examines the relationship between energy provision and conflict within the context of the ongoing war in Yemen. It illustrates how developments in the conflict trajectory since the war’s onset in 2015 have shaped new forms of energy politics. These developments are reflected in fragmented institutional arrangements, transformed subsidy politics, adaptive grassroots solutions, and emergent war economies, all of which highlight the changing nature of energy security beyond conventional state-centric paradigms. The Yemeni case thus demonstrates an emerging energy landscape in which the sector and war dynamics are deeply intertwined and evolving simultaneously.
Hymenochaete ametzii sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), an endangered bark-dwelling species inhabiting old Quercus pyrenaica trees from the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: OLARIAGA IBAI , MÁRQUEZ-SANZ RODRIGO , GORJÓN SERGIO PÉREZ , ZAMORA JUAN CARLOS , SALCEDO ISABEL
Published: October 2024

Bark-dwelling fungi represent a group of ecologically highly specialized organisms. This study deals with an undescribed species of Hymenochaete characterized by specifically inhabiting the bark of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica), and producing effuse-reflexed basidiomata and mainly globose to subglobose basidiospores. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the nuclear ITS-LSU regions revealed that the sequences of H. ametzii form a monophyletic group with a low intraspecific variation and substantially different from closest taxa, further supporting its recognition as a species. The seven localities H. ametzii is known from are old forests with a long ecological continuity, containing large old Q. pyrenaica trees, and are located in the supramediterranean belt of the Mediterranean biogeographical region. Based on habitat availability and field counts of colonized trees, the global population of H. ametzii is estimated at 8,670 mature individuals. Considering that the traditional use of old Q. pyrenaica stands ceased several decades ago in the Iberian Peninsula, with a consequent decline in habitat quality and availability, it is concluded that H. ametzii is Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN criteria.
Nomenclatural revision of Celtis (Cannabaceae) described for northern South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the southern United States
Authors: ZAMENGO HENRIQUE BORGES , GAGLIOTI ANDRÉ LUIZ , PEDERNEIRAS LEANDRO CARDOSO
Published: October 2024

In preparation for a taxonomic review and a global phylogeny focusing on the Neotropical lineages of Celtis, the names described to northern South America, the Caribbean, Central America and southern United States were revised. For the northern axis, 87 names were identified, 60 of which have been reviewed in this contribution. Lectotypes are designated for Celtis berlandieri, C. dichotoma, C. jamaicensis, C. litoralis, C. pavonii, C. pubescens, C. riparia, C. rufescens, C. schiedeana, C. swartzii, C. tikalana, C. triflora, C. velutina and Sponia chichilea. Neotypes were assigned to C. berteroana and C. lamarckiana. Thirty-three names did not undergo changes in their typological status and five were excluded. Among the results, we highlight the (unpublished) location of the holotype of Celtis laevigata, as well as the designation of an epitype for this same species.
Nigrospora solani (Amphisphaeriales, Apiosporaceae) a new endophytic species from Brazil
Authors: SILVA REJANE M.F. , MÉLO MAYARA A.C. DE , OLIVEIRA THAYS G.L. , OLIVEIRA RAFAEL J.V. DE , SOUZA-MOTTA CRISTINA M. , SILVA GLADSTONE A.
Published: October 2024

Nigrospora species are found in various substrates as saprobes and are associated with plants as pathogens and endophytes. In this study, we describe N. solani from healthy Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme leaves in an organic farming system in Brazil. Based on morphological data and multi-locus phylogeny using internal transcribed spacer, beta-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1, N. solani can be recognized as a new species for further research. This anamorphic species is characterized by conidiogenous cells discrete, globose, subglobose, and or ampulliform, solitary, initially hyaline becoming pale brown with age and by conidia solitary, globose to subglobose, black, smooth, and aseptate.
Aiouea ombrophila (Lauraceae), a new large tree from the wet mountains of the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil
Authors: BROTTO MARCELO LEANDRO , VÖLTZ RAFAEL ROSENSTOCK
Published: October 2024

The study of tree species in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest continues to reveal new discoveries. Herbarium collections often harbor specimens that do not fit into known taxa. During our research, we encountered an unidentified Lauraceae specimen, prompting us to conduct fieldwork in the forest to investigate further. This study describes Aiouea ombrophila Brotto & Völtz, a large tree from the rainiest parts of the mountainous slopes of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, Brazil, at elevations between 950 and 2000 m. We provide a comprehensive description of the new species, including illustrations, a distribution map, an extinction risk assessment, and a comparative table distinguishing it from other species.
Description of a new species of Anomala Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) from the Nanling Mountains (China) and remarks on three related species
Authors: HUANG ZI-HAN , LI XIAO-XUAN , BAI MING , LU YUAN-YUAN
Published: October 2024

Anomala calceuiformis Huang & Lu, sp. nov. is described as a new species based on specimens collected from Mangshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, China. Anomala calceuiformis sp. nov., which has an elongate, red-brown body, a strongly reflected clypeus, and convex elytral intervals, is similar to Anomala fukiensis Machatschke, 1955, Anomala longicarcarata Lin, 2002, and Anomala spatuliformis Lin, 2002. Here we provide a key to these species, describe and diagnose each of them, and compile a distribution map. In addition, the Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) DNA sequence of Anomala calceuiformis sp. nov. is provided. The morphological features that distinguish Anomala calceuiformis sp. nov. from related species are discussed.
Natural history of Protaetia (Vietnamoprotaetia) sericophora (Seillière) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) with notes on collecting flower beetles in karst areas
Authors: ZHANG XIN-YUAN , WEN HUI , XIONG TING , XU HAO
Published: October 2024

The natural history of the little-known Protaetia (Vietnamoprotaetia) sericophora (Seillière, 1910) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in China is documented. Records from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan have significantly extended the distribution range of this species. The female is illustrated for the first time and sexual dimorphism is presented. Photographs of the habitus, parameres, and type materials of this beetle are also provided. The observations on the natural habitat of its larvae provided new insights for capturing the flower beetles occurring in limestone areas and similar habitats.
Two new species and a new country record of Pselaphitae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from the Nanling Mountains, China
Authors: ZHANG YONG-QIN , YIN ZI-WEI
Published: October 2024

The Pselaphitae fauna of the Nanling Mountains is sporadically documented. In this paper, two new species of the tribe Tyrini are described and characterized: Linan maoermontis sp. nov. (Guangxi), and Pselaphodes nanlingensis sp. nov. (Guangdong). Poroderus longicornis Raffray (type locality: Laos) is newly recorded from China (Jiangxi). Illustrations of the habitus and taxonomically informative characters of these three species are provided to aid in their identification.
Two new species of the genus Pseudotritoma Gorham, 1888 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) from China
Authors: LIU JING , ZHANG BING-QIAN , LI JING
Published: October 2024

Two new species of the genus Pseudotritoma Gorham, P. bicolorata Liu & Li, sp. nov. and P. rufobrunnea Liu & Li, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. A key to all known species of Pseudotritoma from China is presented.
Notes on Aulaconotus Thomson, 1864 from China, with description of one new species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Agapanthiini)
Authors: BI WEN-XUAN , ZHAO MING-SHUI , LIN MEI-YING
Published: October 2024

The male of the little-known species Aulaconotus incorrugatus Gressitt, 1939 is reported for the first time, and its male genitalia compared with the most similar congener, A. semiaulaconotus (Hayashi, 1974). A few new provincial records for A. incorrugatus are given. A new species closely related to the above taxa, A. yangi Bi & Lin sp. nov., is described from southeastern China. Illustrations of the habitus and major diagnostic characters, including endophallic structure, of these three species are provided.
One new genus and one new subgenus of the tribe Lamiini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) from Asia
Authors: BI WEN-XUAN , CHEN CHANG-CHIN , LIN MEI-YING
Published: October 2024

The genus Mecynippus Bates, 1884 is investigated and considered a monotypic genus. Falsomecynippus Bi, Chen & Lin, gen. nov., is established for Monohammus ciliatus Gahan, 1888 which was previously placed in Mecynippus. One new subgenus is described based on Falsomecynippus (Tuberculhammus) superbus Bi, Chen & Lin, subgen. nov. & sp. nov. from China and Laos. Illustrations of the habitus, endophallic structures, and major diagnostic features for all involved taxa are provided.
Exploring the Diagnostic Challenges of Pseudotumoral Peritoneal Tuberculosis That Mimics Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Women: The Role of Laparoscopy in a Case Study
Authors: Ndour Jean , Diallo Bachir , Ndiaye Yanidou , Faye Fulgence , Nana Mamoudou , Faye Atoumane , Berthé Adama , Touré Papa , Diop Madoky , Ka Mamadou
Published: October 2024

This case involves a 63-year-old multiparous woman with no significant medical history and no known exposure to tuberculosis. She presented with chronic abdominal pain and weight loss, anorexia, and subjective fevers. During the clinical examination, the patient was found to have ascites, bilateral pleural effusion, fever, and a general deterioration in her condition. Blood tests revealed normochromic normocytic anemia. The C-reactive protein was elevated, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was accelerated. Ferritin levels were raised. Her blood sugar, hepatic and renal functions were normals. The electrolyte panel showed no abnormalities. Serologies for hepatitis B, C, and HIV were negative, and the immunological profile was normal. The ascitic tap yielded a citrine-yellow fluid, and the cytochemical analysis indicated that the ascites were exudative. Analysis of the ascitic fluid revealed that the DNA test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative, but the adenosine deaminase (ADA) level was elevated. Additionally, the CA125 level was significantly elevated, exceeding 600 UI/ml. A pelvic ultrasound identified a cystic pelvic mass with thick septations but without any solid tissue component, measuring 92x69 mm. The complementary CT (Computed Tomography) scan revealed enlarged ovaries, heterogeneous on the left, associated with a moderately abundant peritoneal effusion. The laparoscopic exploration revealed inflammatory peritoneal nodules, parietal adhesions, and serous ascites. Anatomopathology confirmed peritoneal tuberculosis. The peritoneal form, particularly in its pseudotumoral manifestation, can mimic ovarian cancer. Definitive diagnosis often requires invasive procedures.
Project GOALS: Enhancing Student Learning Using Improved Monitoring Tool in Modular Distance Learning
Authors: Taza Edwin , Jesus Haileen , Zaragoza Yehlen
Published: October 2024

This study purposefully focused on the use of improved monitoring tool to enhance students learning in modular distance education. The researchers used quantitative methods to compare the level of student learning in the third quarter and fourth quarter using academic grades, such as descriptive statistics, and the paired t-test to determine the significant difference of the performances. The one hundred ninety-two (192) students were chosen using the purposive sampling technique. The results showed that the learners' scores after using the enhanced monitoring tool were higher than their scores prior to the program's implementation, with the learners the learners obtained an average grade of 86.31 (SD = 5.640) while in in the fourth quarter, learners obtained an average of 87.92 (SD = 5.619). The difference was found to be significant with a P-value of 0.0001, which is significant at p > 0.05. In this sense, the improvement in scores was tested significant, and there was enough evidence to claim that the enhanced monitoring tool had a significant influence on students' performance. The study was confined to evaluating the effectiveness of an improved monitoring tool of grade 12 students' learning through modular distance learning at Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo - Bailen Integrated School during the academic year 2021-2022. This study would help teachers better understand the importance of monitoring tools for students’ progress. It can be a good reference in school to monitor a modular distance learning environment, where students may not have the same opportunities for in-person interaction with their teachers.
Suicidal Ideation, Psychological Distress and Depression in Medical Students of Pakistan: Surviving or Thriving
Authors: Sarwar Anum , Waris Hira , Khan Hina , Umar Muhammad , Ashraf Muhammad , Khan Rimsha , Ahmadi Leeda , Mahmood Muhammad , Karmani Vikash
Published: October 2024

Background: In recent years, psychological stress has lead to increase in suicide cases readily among medical students of many countries. This study aims determine the prevalence of psychological stress, major depressive disorder, and suicidal ideation in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students of a government setup medical university in Pakistan. Methods: The data was gathered using a valid questionnaire containing 10 items Kessler psychological distress scale. The scale consists of the severity of the psychological distress from well, mild, moderate, and severe. Physical health questionnaire 2(PHQ2) was used for identifying the students with major depressive illness. Suicidal ideation was assessed using item no. 9 from PHQ9 questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation, distress and major depression among 353 students of MBBS was 22.9%, 63.1%, 27.8% respectively. The students with major depression and moderate/severe distress are more probable to think about suicide. Moreover, Students who choose medicine under the family influence are more likely to have suicidal ideation. Besides this, we found that particularly females experience higher psychological distress as compared to males. Conclusion: In the overall study, it is identified that suicidal ideation is strongly correlated to depression and distress. However, controlling these factors at an early stage can prevent the suicidal thoughts, which inevitably can reduce the suicide attempts not only in medical students but could also be valuable for students of different fields.
Examining the Effects of Ailing Ajaokuta Steel Plant on Industrialization and Technological Growth in Nigeria
Authors: Obianagwa Christopher , Onyechi Tochukwu , Ifem Louiemarie , Ugwuozor Samuel , Okeke Augustine
Published: October 2024

Nigeria, out of the exigency to feed her bulging population established a mega iron and steel complex in Ajaokuta, Kogi state to drive technological innovation for productive activities in the country. The steel project was designed to serve as a catalyst for growth and development of industries as well as other sectors of the Nigerian economy. While the existing literature is replete with studies focusing on the factors undermining the operations of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, the effects of underutilized Ajaokuta Steel Plant on the Nigerian economy has received less academic attention. It is against this backdrop that the study examined the effects of ailing Ajaokuta Steel Plant on industrialization and development of technology in Nigeria. The study relied on documentary method of data collection and qualitative descriptive method of data analysis. The study revealed among others that the ailing state of Ajaokuta Steel Plant has adversely affected the growth of indigenous technologies and industries in Nigeria. The failure of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant to produce iron and steel products for the creation of indigenous means of labour has made the Nigerian economy an outrageous consumer of foreign techs and manufactured products. This has not only halted country’s quest for industrialization but has truncated its ability to manufacture what it consumes.
From Census to Commission to Life Narratives: Tracing the Nat Community's Socio-Economic Status
Authors: Jangir Hemraj , Budharam Ramesh
Published: October 2024

This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of the macro-level socio-economic landscape characterizing the Nat community, a de-notified tribe categorized as a scheduled caste in the state of Rajasthan, India. The primary aim is to furnish a nuanced understanding of the life and livelihood dynamics and the contemporary circumstances of the Nat community both at a national level and, more specifically, within the confines of Rajasthan. Historically, the Nat community is a nomadic group of entertainers who performed for Rajput kings and their subjects through dance and acrobatic skills. Drawing upon an amalgamation of existing scholarly works, the most recent datasets, and pertinent information from sources such as the 2011 census and reports issued by the National Commission on Nomadic, Semi-nomadic, and De-Notified Tribes, the paper unfolds across various thematic sections. These segments include an examination of the historical trajectory of the Nat community, an assessment of their social standing across different states, an exploration of the diversities, divisions, and deprivations experienced by the Nat community in Rajasthan, and a macro-level reflection on their demographic, educational, and economic profiles. Through this multi-faceted approach, the paper aspires to contribute valuable insights into the intricate socio-economic fabric that encapsulates the Nat community in the Indian context.
Examining Stakeholders’ Prospects on the Implementation of Equity-Based Strategies in Public Secondary Schools in Tanzania
Authors: Matowo Faith , Msoroka Mohamed , Kiwonde Flora
Published: October 2024

The desire to address equity issues in the education sector is a shared philosophy by a number of countries, including Tanzania. As a result, Tanzania as a country is striving to address the issue of equity in its education system through the implementation of various equity strategies. This paper therefore sought to examine stakeholders’ prospects on the implementation of equity-based strategies in public secondary schools in Tanzania. Precisely, the interest of the researchers was to explore what was being done in the selected public secondary schools to implement equity-based strategies. A mixed-methods research approach combining both qualitative and quantitative analysis approaches was employed. The study also used a multiple case study design, which allowed the selection of two case study areas i.e. Dodoma City representing the urban setting, and Kondoa district representing the rural setting. A total of One Hundred Forty-Four (144) participants from seven (7) public secondary schools were involved in the study. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive analysis and presented in numerical and graphical form while qualitative data were analyzed through inductive content analysis and presented in thematic form and narratives. Study findings revealed that the selected study schools were indeed implementing a number of activities towards the realization of equity and thus the prospects for implementing equity based strategies in these schools was found to be positive. For instance, activities such as the use of common and understandable language i.e., English and Kiswahili; ensuring that schools have qualified teaching staff, ensuring a supportive learning environment as well as strengthening and supporting school leadership were being implemented. Nevertheless, the study also noted that the implementation of some key factors critical for realization of equity in the schools such as incentive provision to teachers, use of appropriate technology and use of different learning styles was still weak and thus needed improvement.
Physicochemical and Structural Validation of Myxovirus Resistance 1 (Mx1) Protein of Three Strains of the Nigerian Indigenous (Gallus Gallus domesticus) and Exotic Chickens
Authors: Japhet Yeigba , Samuel Toipre , Bolouzimo Kai
Published: October 2024

This research was conducted on three strains of Nigerian Indigenous (gallus gallus domesticus) and Noiler (exotic) chickens. It examined the physicochemical and structural validation of Myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) protein on the three strains of Nigerian indigenous (naked neck, frizzle feather, normal feather) and noiler (exotic) chickens and also the prediction of the Physicochemical Analysis of protein. Nucleotide sequence were retrieved from National Center for Bio-Technology Information (NCBI) database and subjected to multiple sequence alignment, prediction of the physicochemical analysis of protein was done in the ProtParam web server. Modeling of 3D structural validation, Swiss modeling and Statistical analysis were all carried out. Software was used to align the sequences to find any Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPS). The result of physicochemical analysis showed that the properties of the Mx1 protein fell within accepted threshold and predicted that the proteins were generally related. To validate the structure obtained from modeling, the obtained PDB files were ran on the Pro-check validation server and obtained Errat and Ramachandran plots. The study elucidates the unique features and potential functional implications of Mx1 protein across different strains of Nigerian indigenous and exotic chickens. This knowledge can inform the development of strategies to improve disease resistance in local chicken populations through selective breeding or genetic manipulation. Comparing the Mx1 protein among different strains of Nigerian indigenous chickens can reveal evolutionary adaptations and provide valuable information for understanding the molecular basis of immune defense mechanisms in poultry. Understanding the physicochemical properties and structural dynamics of Mx1 protein contributes to the broader understanding of innate immune responses in indigenous chicken breeds, offering insights into their disease resistance and adaptation mechanisms.
Status and Integrated Management of White Mango Scale on Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Ethiopia: A Review
Authors: Birhanie Zemed
Published: October 2024

Mango is attacked by many insect pests which reduce the quality and productivity of the crop. Among the insect pests attacking mango plant, white mango scale is the most devastating insect pest. White mango scale is a new insect pest and a major problem of mango production in Ethiopia. It has been determined that the white mango scale is a new, quickly increasing, and devastating insect pest of mango. It emerged as an upsetting insect pest that now harms mango output, resulting in 50 to 100% losses and forcing the plant out of production in the majority of Ethiopian mango-growing regions. Because there are fewer quarantine restrictions and easier applicability through transport agents, the insect has spread quickly across the country since it was first discovered in 2010. In a short period of time, the insect invaded nearly all of Ethiopia's mango-growing regions, and the country was placed on the list of countries affected with the new white mango scale. Its polyphagous behavior and sucking the plant sap, the insect pest severely harms mango shoots, twigs, leaves, branches, and fruits, which results in significant fruit quality and quantity losses. The insect's hard white scales make it difficult to control with chemical pesticides, in addition to other uncontrolled activities. Although no recognized chemical control methods for the white mango scale are successful, other management strategies for the pest include cultural, biological, chemical, and integrated pest management. White mango scale damage had an impact on the economy, society, environment, and other factors. Therefore, urgently coordinated actions against this uncontrolled white-scale dissemination and the harm it causes in Ethiopia are required.
Beliefs and Practices in Teaching Grammar Instruction: Babile Primary School in Focus
Authors: Shumiye Ashenafi
Published: October 2024

The researcher conducted this study to seek and to illuminate the methodologies and strategies employed by English language teachers in grammar instruction at Babile Primary School. By engaging in a comparative analysis of the pedagogical beliefs and practical approaches of two seasoned English as a foreign language teachers, the study investigated the subtleties of their teaching methodologies and the various factors that shape their classroom decisions. This examination of the congruence or divergence between their beliefs and instructional methods reveals significant insights into the intricate belief systems of these English as a foreign language teachers and their implications for teaching practices. The analysis indicates that the English as a foreign language teachers at Babile Primary School maintain complex belief frameworks regarding grammar instruction; however, these beliefs do not consistently align with their actual teaching methods. The research identified numerous factors influencing the teachers' classroom decisions, many of which are intricately tied to the specific educational context of Babile Primary School. These results underscore the multifaceted nature of teaching English as a foreign language, highlighting the necessity of understanding and addressing the underlying influences that affect instructional practices. The findings sought to illuminate the nuanced ways in which educators navigate their roles and adapt their approaches to meet the needs of their students in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
Navigating Inflationary Tides: An In-Depth Exploration of Inflation’s Impact on the Indian Economy and Strategic Approaches for Mitigation
Authors: Sahani Tanwangini
Published: October 2024

Inflation occurs when the value of a currency diminishes over time, making it more expensive to buy the same goods and services than it was in the past. Imagine you're shopping for your daily essentials like groceries, fuel, or even clothing. Over time, you might notice that the prices of these items have gone up, meaning your money doesn't stretch as far as it used to. This rise in prices across a broad range of products is what we call inflation. At its core, inflation is driven by an imbalance where the money supply grows faster than the goods and services available. When there's more money floating around but the same amount of goods, people are willing to pay more for these goods, leading to higher prices. It's like an auction where more bidders show up, driving up the price of the item being sold. For India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed out that even though the economy is bouncing back after the impact of COVID-19, there's a risk of rising inflation. The IMF suggests that as the recovery strengthens, India should slowly reduce the monetary policies that were supporting the economy during the downturn. One of the most effective tools central banks have to control inflation is adjusting interest rates. By raising interest rates, it becomes more expensive to borrow money, which slows down spending and investment, helping to cool off inflation.
Open Trauma to the Larynx by a Stab Wound: A Case Report
Authors: Haidara Abdoul , Traore Bagouma , Dembele Moussa , Fofana Aminata , Dembele Ali , Elansari Mohamed , Sangare Mariam , Sanogo Harouna , Doumbia Mahamadou , Sanogo Boubacar , Traoré Abdoulaye , Coulibaly Demba , Coulibaly Oumou , Samake Djibril , Dao Sidiki , Sidibe Youssouf , Coulibaly Kalifa , Guindo Boubacary , Soumaoro Siaka , Sacko Hamidou , Singare Kadiatou , Keita Mohamed , Kone Fatogoma
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Open laryngeal trauma is rare. Only early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment can preserve or restore the respiratory and phonatory functions of the larynx and prevent the appearance of disabling functional sequelae. Material and method: This was a 50-year-old patient with a history of psychiatric illness, admitted for treatment of a penetrating wound to the neck following an attempted self-lysis with a bladed weapon (knife). On examination, we objectified a conscious patient with a makeshift bandage soiled with blood at the neck. A respiratory murmur was also perceived. Given this picture, the patient was immediately taken in a lying position to the operating room for surgical management. The postoperative course was marked on D13 by a decannulation process and a complete decanution on D15 postoperatively. We proceeded to remove the nasogastric tube on D21. A cure without respiratory or vocal sequelae was obtained on D28 postoperatively. Conclusion: Open trauma is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. If unrecognized or poorly managed, it can be life-threatening in the immediate term or cause serious long-term after-effects.
A Mathematical Model for Estimating the Area of a Large Leaf
Authors: Oluwadusi Ajayi , David Abajingin , Margret Asere
Published: October 2024

A mathematical model for estimating the area of large leaves was developed and validated with the leaves of plantain (Musa paradisiaca). The length of each plantain leaf was characterized by the mid-rib length which was divided into a certain number of equal parts of length. By this divisions, two major geometrical shapes were obtained, viz; trapezoidal shapes bounded by half elliptical shapes at the two ends of the leaf. In this work, the mathematical expression for the surface area of a plantain leaf was obtained by summing the areas of the trapeziums and the two half ellipses. The values of leaf areas as generated from this model for various seizes of plantain leaves converged reasonably well with true values obtained by the weighing method of same plantain leaf seizes. The correlation between these two values was carried out to ascertain the fitness of the mathematical model as developed here showed a linear relationship for the various mid-rib divisions tested in this study. It is thus concluded here that once the calculated area of the large leaf is known for a specific number of divisions with this model, the true area can be estimated. The main advantages of the new method are precision, accuracy, and applicability to determine the area of large leaves far out in the field where electrical weighing balance and large graph papers are not available.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Participation of Smallholder Farmers in Wheat Cluster Farming: The Case of Gasera District, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Sultan Obsitu
Published: October 2024

Agriculture is the main means of livelihood in Africa. Wheat is one of the globally produced and marketed cereal crops which cover 15% of the total sowing areas of cereal crops in the world. This study focused on the analysis of factors affecting smallholder farmer’s participation in wheat cluster farming in Gasera District of Bale zone. A multi-stage sampling method was employed for this study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 259 sample respondents in three selected Kebeles out of 24 total kebeles in the woreda. Primary data sources were generated using an interview schedule, five Focus Group Discussions, and eight key informant interviews. Besides, secondary data were obtained from literature and the Woreda Agricultural Office. Both descriptive statistics and econometric models were employed to analyze the collected data. The descriptive statistics results showed that from the total sampled households, 169 (65.3%) were participant and, 90 (34.7%) were non-participant smallholder farmers of wheat cluster farming technology. According to the probit regression model, education status, wheat land, livestock size, frequency of extension contact, credit access, availability of fair price, market information, agricultural input access, training access and membership in a cooperative had a positive influence on farmers’ decisions to participate in wheat cluster farming. Therefore, the local community, Woreda Agriculture Office and research institutes need to expand cluster farming technology to increase wheat production and policies aiming at increasing farmers’ awareness of producing wheat in cluster to increase yield of farmers.
Comparative Analysis of ARIMA, SARIMA and Prophet Model in Forecasting
Authors: Kwarteng Samuel , Andreevich Poguda
Published: October 2024

Machine learning has become a powerful tool in forecasting, offering greater accuracy than traditional human predictions in today’s data-driven world. The capability of machine learning to predict future trends has significant implications for key sectors such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain management. In this study, ARIMA/SARIMA (AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average/Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average), alongside Prophet, a scalable forecasting tool developed by Facebook based on a generalized additive model, are considered. These models are applied to predict the demand for antidiabetic drugs. The records were collected by the Australian Health Insurance Commission. This dataset was sourced from Medicare Australia. The study evaluates the performance of these models based on their Mean Absolute Error (MAE), a key metric for assessing forecast accuracy. Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) are also considered. The outcome of the comparative analysis shows that the Prophet model outperformed both ARIMA and SARIMA models, achieving an MAE of 0.74, which is significantly lower than the MAE values of 2.18 and 3.02 obtained by SARIMA and ARIMA, respectively. Prophet's superior performance shows its effectiveness in handling complex, non-linear trends and seasonal patterns often observed in real-world time series data. This research contributes to the growing knowledge of machine learning-based forecasting and shows the importance of advanced models like Prophet in optimizing business operations and driving innovation. The findings from this research offer valuable guidance for data experts, analysts, and researchers in selecting the best forecasting methods for reliable predictions.
The Implication, Challenges, and Pathways of College Students' Ideal Education in the New Era
Authors: Zhongyuan Zhu
Published: October 2024

College students' ideal education in the new era is different from the ideal education of any period in the past. It has a unique times implication, including three aspects of political implication, innovation implication and actual effect implication. At the same time, there is also a gap between the expected state and the actual situation. It has fallen into the realistic dilemma of "weak political attributes", "insufficient reform and innovation", and "insufficient practical results". Only with a direction in heart can a person walk steadily and far. College students' ideal education in the new era must adhere to the correct reform path. Firstly, we need to optimize educational concepts and adhere to political attributes. Secondly, we need to activate educational motivation and innovate teaching paradigms. Finally, we must adhere to the "San Quan" education and consolidate educational effectiveness.