bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employee Position Promotion Decision Support System Using Vikor Method (Case Study PT BPR Pijer Podi Kekelengen)
Authors: Rumapea Yolanda , Ginting Gerin Geraldho  Bastanta , Manurung Samuel
Published: February 2023

Promotion is a transfer from one position to another that has a higher status and responsibility. For this reason, the company always encourages employee professionalism improvement by monitoring employee performance in implementing their duties so that they can achieve predetermined competency standards. Making a decision support system is one way to assist in determining employee performance appraisals at PT BPR Pijer Podi Kekelengen and it is hoped that the system will able to determine the employees who want to be promoted based on ranking. Decision Support System (DSS) is a system that produces an alternative decision that can be used as a tool in making a decision. The VIKOR method was chosen because this method determines the weight value for each attribute, then proceeds with a ranking process that will select the best alternative from a number of alternatives, in this case the alternative in question is the employee who has the lowest score based on the criteria determined by the director
Sistem Monitoring Pasang Surut Air Laut Berbasis Web Menggunakan Fuzzy Logic Pada Kuala Langsa
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Akram Rizalul , Muttaqin Khairul
Published: February 2023

Abstract - Tides are a phenomenon of periodic and periodic ups and downs of sea level movements. The tidal period is the time between the crest of a wave to the crest of the next wave, the time of the tidal period varies from 12 hours 25 minutes to 24 hours 50 minutes. Information about tides is very useful for activities related to the marine world. In the area of ​​​​Kuala Langsa, tides often occur, fishermen and anglers in Kuala Langsa only rely on the poles of residents' houses to determine the time of the tide. The system is made useful so that fishermen and anglers can find out the time and state of the tides using smartphones, by creating a “Sea Tidal Monitoring System using Ultrasonic Sensors and nodeMCU which can provide results of monitoring the time and tidal status in Kuala Langsa and will displayed on a Web page”. Ultrasonic sensors can detect well and can provide tidal data to be displayed on a web page and can be accessed using smartphones and other devices during the testing period in Kuala Langsa village, Langsa City with 62.5% success being tested.
Synthesis A New Bis Oxazine and Thiazine Derivatives and Study Their Biological Activities
Authors: Dina Saleem M. Ameen
Published: February 2023

Oxazine and thiazine are heterocyclic organic compounds that have a wide range of pharmacological applications. In this study, some chalcone derivatives (1–5) were synthesized based on the reaction of an equal amount of p-substituted acetophenone and terephthalaldehyde in a basic medium. Oxazine derivatives (6-10) and thiazine derivatives (11–15) are synthesized from the reactions of chalcones (1-5) with urea and thiourea, respectively, in a basic medium. The newly synthesized compounds were identified using various physical techniques like 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectra, in addition to docking analysis for some of these derivatives. Finally, these compounds were tested for their biological activity, IC50, and % of PC3 cell line viability as markers of anticancer activity.
Application of the Pacts Sunt Servanda Principles in the settlement of business Disputes through Arbitration
Authors: Harjono Dhaniswara K.
Published: February 2023

Arbitration is a means of resolving business disputes that is most similar to a court body and is considered to have many advantages over other alternative dispute resolutions. Pacta Sunt Servanda is one of the main principles of Arbitration, which states that the settlement produced in a settlement is binding on the parties, like a law must be faithfully executed. Arbitration must be respected and followed by the parties in addition to their obligation to resolve conflicts through mediation. Pursuant under Article 3 of the Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Act No. 30 of 1999, if parties to a commercial dispute have engaged in an arbitration settlement, The District Court isn't entitled to make your mind up among the parties. A normative approach to legal principles is used in this work. This research is descriptive-analytical, and it collects secondary data from legal materials such as laws and regulations, literature, and legal documents relevant to arbitration law utilizing a document study data gathering tool, contract law and legal certainty theory, where the research results will be analyzed qualitatively.
THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INDIVIDUAL LIFE
Authors: Stoyanova Stanislava
Published: February 2023

Covid-19 pandemic caused many problems in human life. Estimation if different types of problems were interrelated and if some types of problems were more frequent than others revealed that the health-related problems were subjectively assessed by 524 Bulgarians as the most influential ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the diminishing order of influence of economic, psychological, family, and political problems. These different types of problems were all interrelated with each other and the presence of one type of problem was accompanied by all the other problems. This finding means that the efforts for handling some specific problems should be concentrated at the same time on a constellation of problems.
Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, economic problems, family problems, health-related problems, political problems, psychological problems
Inhibition of menin, BCL-2, and FLT3 combined with a hypomethylating agent cures NPM1/FLT3-ITD/-TKD mutant acute myeloid leukemia in a patient-derived xenograft model
Authors: Carter Bing Z. , Mak Po Yee , Tao Wenjing , Ostermann Lauren B. , Mak Duncan H. , Ke Baozhen , Ordentlich Peter , McGeehan Gerard M. , Andreeff Michael
Published: February 2023

Not available.
Alkali Modification: An Approach to Improve Surface Properties of Biochar From Easily Available Feedstocks
Authors: Siddika A , Hossain MF , Parveen Z
Published: February 2023

Biochar is a stable carbon-rich material whose potentials can be greatly enhanced by modification with simple treatments. Easily available two different biochars such as rice stubble biochar (RSB) and saw dust biochar (SDB) were slowly pyrolyzed (450±50°C) and modified with KOH as RSB-M and SDB-M respectively. Represented biochars were analyzed to know their physicochemical characteristics and nutrient contents. Results revealed that nutrient contents such as total N, P and S of RSB and SDB were found maximum whereas RSB-M and SDB-M showed the lowest nutrient contents. All the biochars possessed pH value higher than 7. In case of organic C, the values of RSB-M (19.97%) and SDBM (17.83%) were the highest and RSB (17.32%) and SDB (14.80%) were the lowest. All the biochars showed very low concentration of heavy metals (such as Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni). Water holding capacity, average particle size and surface area were higher in the RSB-M and SDB-M compared to unmodified RSB and SDB. These findings showed that alkali-modified biochars had better surface properties than unmodified biochars.
Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 213-223, 2022 (July)
Examining Comparative Effect of Reading Methods On Reading Comprehension
Authors: Shahnaz Ishrat , Kabir Sanjida
Published: February 2023

The present experiment investigated whether different reading methods would have any effect on reading comprehension performance. It was hypothesized that reading comprehensive performance would be better with subvocalization than other reading methods. The independent variable was reading methods and the dependent variable was performance (speed and accuracy). To conduct this experiment, 60 school students were taken with age ranges from 8 to 10 years. The Latin Square design was used to conduct this experiment. Recall scores were obtained for each participant in terms of four reading methods: silent reading, subvocalization, reading aloud and listening music while reading. Results of the One-way ANOVA and Post Hoc test showed that only reading time vary among four reading methods. Multiple comparisons showed that there is a significant difference in reading time between silent reading and reading aloud. So, the result did not support the hypothesis of subvocalization as a better reading method.
Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 225-230, 2022 (July)
Frequency, Abundance and Distribution of Lichen In National Botanical Garden, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Kaium Abdullah Al , Hosen Sarowar , Shamsi Shamim
Published: February 2023

An investigation was carried out to study lichen flora of National Botanical Garden, Dhaka, during the tenure of May 2018 to April 2019. Seven genera of lichens namely Chrysothrix, Cladonia, Cryptothecia, Herpothallon, Parmelia, Pertusaria and Usnea were recorded from 15 blocks of the Garden. Lichens were abundantly grown and their number increased from June to October, whereas from November to April the number of lichens gradually decreased. The maximum frequency percentage (36.52) of the association found in Parmelia while minimum frequency percentage was recorded 2.48 in Usnea. Among three different heights, the highest number of lichens was recorded within 2 to 4 feet. Most exclusively, Parmelia was found in all the studied blocks, whereas other identified lichens were observed randomly. The present investigation will be helpful to enrich the knowledge on lichen biota of Bangladesh.
Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 273-280, 2022 (July)
In Vitro Screening of Fungicides And Plant Extracts Against Two Pathogenic Fungi of Chrysanthemum Morifolium Ramat
Authors: Johora Fatema Tuj , Hosen Sarowar , Shamsi Shamim
Published: February 2023

Chrysanthemum morifolium is one of the most famous cut flowers with a high ornamental value, occupying an irreplaceable position in international flower commerce. But most frequently occurred fungal diseases limit the production of this ornamental plant. A total of five fungicides viz., CM-75 WP, Dithane M 45, Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WG, Rovral 50 WP and Score 250 EC were selected to evaluate in vitro efficacy at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm concentrations against two pathogenic fungi of Chrysanthemum morifolium namely, Curvularia lunata and Fusarium moniliforme. Rovral 50 WP showed complete growth inhibition of C. lunata and CM 75 WP showed complete growth inhibition of F. moniliforme at all concentrations used. Five plant extracts viz., Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon, Datura metel, Psidium guajava and Vitex negundo were selected to evaluate in vitro efficacy at 5, 10, 15 and 20% concentrations against the test pathogens. Out of the five plant extracts, A. indica showed complete growth inhibition of C. lunata at 15 and 20% concentrations. On the other hand, P. guajava showed complete growth inhibition of F. moniliforme at 20% concentrations.
Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 281-288, 2022 (July)
Comparative Study of Topical Terbinafine 1% Cream versus Butenafine 1% Cream in the Treatment of Tinea Cruris
Authors: Afsun Meher , Ahmed Iftekhar
Published: February 2023

Background: Tinea cruris constitutes a major health problem worldwide. Although not lifethreatening, it can cause significant discomfort in daily activities. So, search for better therapeutic options in terms of clinical efficacy and safety profile is ongoing.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical terbinafine 1% and butenafine 1% cream in the treatment of tinea cruris.
Materials and Methods: This Comparative interventional study was carried out in the Dermatology & Venereology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University between October 2014 and March 2015. A total of 50 patients of tinea cruris who met the inclusion criteria and provided consent were enrolled in the study. They were then divided into two groups as Group A (terbinafine group) and Group B (butenafine group) in a 1:1 ratio following a simple randomization method. Patients were advised to apply the medication once daily for 2 weeks and evaluated on the basis of clinical assessment score at the end of 1 and 2 weeks.
Results: The baseline socio-demographic characteristics of the two groups were not statistically significantly different. Higher clinical cure was observed in butenafine recipients as compared with terbinafine recipients on the basis of mean clinical assessment score at the end of 7 days (5.72±0.7 vs 4.12±0.7) and 14 days (3.04±0.5 vs 1.44±0.9). The difference was statistically significant at both the time points. Both the drugs were well-tolerated except one patient of terbinafine group complained of transient burning.
Conclusion: Treatment with butenafine 1% cream can be considered superior to terbinafine 1% cream in case of tinea cruris.
J Enam Med Col 2021; 11(1): 39-46
Cenário do acesso ao tratamento fisioterapêutico de indivíduos acometidos por Acidente Vascular Cerebral: Uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Sá Antonia Juliana de Souza , Carvalho Antonia Dávila Fontenele de , Costa Ana Virgínia Marques Costa , Araújo Júnior David Gomes , Carvalho Francisco José Oliveira de Vasconcelos , Araújo Francisco Walisson de , Silva Michele Santos da
Published: February 2023

O objetivo desta revisão foi identificar na literatura os fatores que limitam o acesso de indivíduos pós AVC ao tratamento fisioterapêutico nos sistemas de saúde. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados: PubMed, Scopus, BVS, Cochrane, Embase, Pedro e Scielo e com intuito de complementar a busca foi utilizada a literatura cinzenta (Google Acadêmico). Foram usados os seguintes termos de busca: “strokes”, “therapeutic”, "publichealth", "accesshealthservices", “physiotherapy” presentes no Mesh e DeCS. A busca incluiu artigos dos últimos 6 anos, nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola. Foram encontrados 1991 artigos, após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e eliminação de duplicatas foram analisados 13 artigos,no qual 10 responderam a questão da pesquisa. Os estudos analisados apontaram dificuldades no acesso à reabilitação fisioterapêutica, as barreiras que impedem a admissão foram semelhantes, sendo falta de encaminhamento, dificuldade de deslocamento para os Centros de reabilitação, indisponibilidade de vaga, burocracias no agendamento e longo tempo de espera. De maneira geral, foi visto que aindahá dificuldades para conseguir tratamento, no qual, de acordo com os estudos, o acesso ao tratamento fisioterapêutico foi visto de difícil alcance e insuficiente, estando relacionado a questões financeiras, físicas e burocráticas. Dessa forma, os estudos realizados permitiram conhecer a situação do acesso de pacientes pós AVC aos atendimentos fisioterapêuticos, onde possibilita o desenvolvimento de estratégias que visem melhorar a acessibilidade aos serviços de reabilitação.
Tratamento cirúrgico de carcinomas cutâneos: perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes em um centro de referência no sudoeste do Paraná
Authors: Alves Maria Luísa De Bortoli , Marcolina Vanessa , Pissaia Isabelli Francio , Hauagge Matheus Sousa , Dal'Bosco Andréia
Published: February 2023

Objetivo: realizar o delineamento epidemiológico acerca dos carcinomas cutâneos do tipo não melanoma, no que tange a avaliação do sexo mais acometido, faixa etária, raça, classificação, sítio anatômico e principais reconstruções realizadas. Método: Estudo descritivo sobre o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes portadores de neoplasia de pele não melanoma, entre os anos de 2019 a 2021, no centro cirúrgico do Instituto Policlínica de Pato Branco - PR. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da análise de prontuários. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística utilizando o software STATA MP 14.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, EUA). Resultados: Foram analisados 390 pacientes, dos quais 54,8% eram do sexo masculino e 94,6% de cor de pele branca. Com relação ao sítio anatômico, a maioria dos casos foram localizados na face (37,7%), seguido pelo nariz (20,8%) e membros superiores (10,1%). Houve predomínio de CBC, correspondendo a 70% dos casos, seguido de CEC, com 28%. Com relação ao tipo de reconstrução, a sutura primária foi o procedimento predominante com 46,2%, seguida pela reconstrução tipo retalho, com 44,2%. Conclusões: As maiores taxas de prevalência foram entre homens brancos, com idade média acima de 65 anos, com lesões predominantemente em cabeça e pescoço, e retalho como principal mecanismo de reconstrução. Apesar da baixa mortalidade das neoplasias de pele não melanoma, esta possui alta morbidade. Dessa forma, é importante que medidas de prevenção, relacionadas diretamente aos fatores de risco já conhecidos, bem como o controle destes, sejam ações prioritárias no contexto de atenção a saúde no Brasil.
Tratamento de fisioterapia dermatofuncional na lipodistrofia localizada: revisão
Authors: Simionato Natália de Azevedo Faccio
Published: February 2023

A lipodistrofia localizada corresponde ao acúmulo de gordura em regiões específicas do corpo, não relacionados à obesidade. Diversos são os tratamentos de fisioterapia dermatofuncional para a lipodistrofia localizada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão da literatura mais atual sobre os tratamentos de fisioterapia dermatofuncional para a lipodistrofia localizada em região abdominal. Foi realizada revisão de literatura selecionando artigos nas bases de dados Bireme, Lilacs, Scielo e Google Acadêmico, na língua portuguesa, entre 2020 e 2023, através da intersecção das palavras “gordura localizada”, “lipodistrofia localizada”, ou “adiposidade localizada”, com a expressão “fisioterapia dermatofuncional”. Dentre os 284 artigos encontrados, foram selecionados 10, de acordo com os critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os trabalhos encontrados abordaram os recursos eletroterápicos usados frequentemente no tratamento da lipodistrofia localizada, como: radiofrequência, eletrolipólise, criolipólise, carboxiterapia, corrente excitomotora, ultrassom, dentre outros. Concluiu-se que são diversos os tratamentos atuais na área de fisioterapia dermatofuncional, todos com efeitos positivos sobre a lipodistrofia, potencializados quando associados entre si. A associação com dieta dirigida, mudança de hábitos de vida e prática de exercícios físicos, é indispensável para resultados mais rápidos e eficazes.
Политика России в отношении США в период третьего президентства В. В. Путина: от «перезагрузки» к новой конфронтации
Authors: Косов Александр
Published: February 2023

В статье рассматриваются особенности политики России в отношении США в период третьего президентства В. В. Путина (2012—2018 гг.). Их комплексный анализ позволяет объяснить принятие российским руководством ключевых решений, касавшихся отношений с Соединенными Штатами в условиях нарастания напряженности между Москвой и Вашингтоном. В частности, обращается внимание на российскую реакцию на американское вмешательство во внутренние дела Российской Федерации и иные действия США, приведшие к ухудшению двусторонних отношений; анализируются расхождения сторон по поводу урегулирования сирийского и украинского кризисов. Подчеркивается, что действия России носили вынужденный, ответный характер на недружественные шаги Соединенных Штатов. Делается вывод о том, что для российско-американских отношений соперничество, переросшее в конфронтацию, стало неотъемлемым элементом трансформации современной системы международных отношений.
Политика США в отношении постсоветской интеграции в контексте трансформации президентских внешнеполитических доктрин в 1991—2022 гг.
Authors: Мацулевич Евгения
Published: February 2023

В статье рассмотрены основные принципы внешнеполитических доктрин администраций президентов США с 1991 по 2022 г., выявлена преемственность их основополагающих пунктов. В контексте сменяемости президентских внешнеполитических доктрин определено, как этот процесс влиял на политику Вашингтона на постсоветском пространстве и позицию в отношении интеграционных процессов в регионе. Сделан вывод, что в основу внешнеполитических доктрин США рассматриваемого периода положено стремление к глобальному лидерству, что влияло на политику США в отношении постсоветской интеграции. Определена эволюция позиции Вашингтона в отношении неамериканских интеграционных проектов в регионе: от нейтральной при Дж. Буше-ст. до негативной реакции на политическую и экономическую интеграцию, начиная с Дж. Буша-мл.
Дипломатия «воина-волка» и общественное мнение: китайско-американские отношения в 2020—2022 гг.
Authors: Варивончик Иван
Published: February 2023

Статья посвящена анализу общественного мнения в Китае и США по вопросам двусторонних отношений в 2020—2022 г., его влияния на внешнюю политику двух стран. Социологические опросы показали ухудшение отношения американцев к Китаю, аналогичная тенденция развивалась в китайском общественном мнении. Большинство респондентов считали свою страну наиболее передовой, крупнейшей и ведущей экономикой мира. Имевшие место ожидания китайской стороны на улучшение двусторонних отношений в связи с приходом Дж. Байдена не оправдались. Инициатором обострения отношений неизменно выступали США, которым удавалось получить поддержку отечественной и зарубежной общественности. Ответом китайской стороны стало ужесточение собственной позиции, что явилось результатом нового взгляда руководства страны во главе с Си Цзиньпином на место и роль Китая в мире и реакцией на недружественные выпады администрации Д. Трампа. Риторика дипломатии «воина-волка» получила решительную поддержку в Китае. Политика США в отношении Китая и американское общественное мнение вполне соответствовали друг другу. Не заинтересованное в конфронтации китайское руководство столкнулось с необходимостью модификации дипломатии «воина-волка» и решения задачи сохранения поддержки внешнеполитического курса китайской общественностью.
Реализация интересов Китая в ходе проведения миротворческих операций ООН в Африке
Authors: Юймэн Цзян
Published: February 2023

Участие Китая в инициативах ООН по обеспечению мира и безопасности в Африке обозначило собой значительный сдвиг в его внешней политике. Сложная и нестабильная обстановка на Африканском континенте привела к пересмотру Пекином своих подходов к взаимодействию не только с ООН, но и с конкретными африканскими странами. Помимо коммерческих задач, которые составляли основу политики Пекина в этом регионе, приоритетными стали и военные цели. В статье предпринята попытка проанализировать причины и следствия изменений прагматического характера, произошедших в позиционировании Китая как важнейшего субъекта обеспечения мира и безопасности в Африке. Сделан вывод, что по мере роста национальной мощи Китая его участие в миротворческой деятельности в Африке становится все более активным. Преследуя экономические, военные и политические интересы, Китай будет и далее уделять большое внимание осуществлению миростроительства в Африке путем китайской модели миротворчества.
Торгово-экономическое сотрудничество между Республикой Корея и Республикой Беларусь в 1992—2012 гг.
Authors: Хва Хван Джон
Published: February 2023

В статье рассматриваются динамика торгово-экономического сотрудничества Южной Кореи и Беларуси, мероприятия, осуществляемые в этой области в 1992—2012 гг. Выделяются этапы и особенности развития корейско-белорусских экономических отношений. Приводятся причины недостаточности сотрудничества между странами. Автор приходит к выводу, что, несмотря на географическую удаленность Республики Корея от Беларуси, страны смогли наладить взаимовыгодное торгово-экономическое сотрудничество, используя сильные стороны друг друга. В 1992—2012 гг. торгово-экономическое сотрудничество между Кореей и Беларусью постепенно развивалось по нарастающей.
МУСУЛЬМАНСКАЯ ДИАСПОРА ИРЛАНДИИ: ПОИСК НОВОЙ ИДЕНТИЧНОСТИ
Authors: Котляров Игорь Васильевич , Потапейко Павел Олегович
Published: February 2023

В статье рассматриваются возникновение и развитие мусульманской диаспоры в Ирландии, ее состав и структура, анализируются ее особенности, характеризуется политика, проводимая государством в ее отношении. Анализ показывает, что мусульманская диаспора Ирландии по ряду параметров существенно отличается от таких диаспор в ряде государств Западной Европы. Это обусловило относительно успешное сосуществование мусульман и коренного населения, несмотря на наличие трений между ними. В последние десятилетия ирландское общество под влиянием внутренних и внешних проблем находится в условиях новой идентичности, уменьшается количество убежденных католиков, однако определенное место отводится мусульманам.
Life-Changing Conversations: A Look at How One Civil Discourse Program at a Midwestern State University Impacts the Transformative Learning of its’ Participants
Authors: Horton, III, EdD Leonard B. , MacGregor, EdD Cynthia J. , Anderson, Ph. D Angela L. , Glaessgen, EdD Tracey A. , Ongaga, Ph. D Kennedy O.
Published: February 2023

Adopting the first five phases of Mezirow’s transformative learning theory (Mezirow, 1978; 1990; 1994; 1997; 1998; 2009; 2018) as a framework, this study examined the impact of a Midwestern university civil discourse program on participants’ transformative learning. The study sample included participants who attended the Talk Together program over multiple sessions since its inception in the fall of 2015. The participants were surveyed or interviewed. Findings revealed survey participants at least agree or slightly agree with experiencing the first five phases of transformative learning, evidenced by responses to items connected to the transformative learning framework. Most interview participants also experienced the first five phases of transformative learning. While transformative learning was undetermined from the observation data, findings led to recommendations that impact the facilitation of the Talk Together program, which, subsequently, impacts potential transformative learning for future participants.
Bandgap Reduction and Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Electrolysis of Sulfur-doped CuBi2O4 Photocathode
Authors: Kim Eunhwa , Lee Sanghan , Ryu Sangwoo
Published: February 2023

As interest in hydrogen energy grows, eco-friendly methods of producing hydrogen are being explored. CuBi2O4 is one of the p-type semiconductor cathode materials that can be used for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production via environment-friendly water electrolysis. CuBi2O4 has a bandgap of 1.5 – 1.8 eV which allows it to photogenerate electrons and holes from the absorption of visible light. This study investigated the effect of sulfur doping on the bandgap and photoelectrochemical water reduction properties of CuBi2O4. Sulfur-doped CuBi2O4 thin films were electrochemically synthesized using a nitrate-based precursor solution with thiourea. This was followed by two-step annealing in an Ar atmosphere, which effectively prevented the oxidation of sulfur. Sulfur doping up to 0.1 at% led to the expansion of the lattice volume of the CuBi2O4. The bandgap was reduced from 1.9 eV to 1.5 eV with increasing doping concentration, which resulted in the enhancement of photoelectrochemical current density by ~240%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that sulfur-doping reduced oxygen vacancies with increasing doping concentration, confirming that the enhanced photoelectrochemical properties resulted from the reduction in bandgap, not from any extrinsic factor such as oxygen vacancies. Further studies of sulfur-doped CuBi2O4 to improve surface coverage are expected to lead to a more promising photoelectrochemical cathode material.
Determinants of Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Rainfed Agriculture: A Case Study in Pothohar Region, Pakistan
Authors: Ejaz Raza , Chaudhary Khalid Mahmood , Ashraf Ijaz , Tahir Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Of the total thirteen rain-fed districts in the Pothohar region, Punjab province of Pakistan, four (Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock) are completely rain-fed. Erratic rainfall, moisture, soil degradation, soil erosion and droughts are prominent issues in the Pothohar region, augmenting the dire need for soil and water conservation.; to explore the determinants of the adoption of soil and water conservation practices, this study was conducted in Rawalpindi district because it receives maximum rainfall; which is most of the time lost due to absence of sufficient storage reservoirs exuberating the soil erosion and natural resource degradation. A total of 381 respondents participated in the study respondents were interviewed face-to-face on a structured, validated and reliable questionnaire. The Chi-square test of statistics and a binary logistic model were applied to the collected data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results demonstrated a statistically significant (P0.05) association between age, farm size, farming experience, and annual income, with awareness and adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Both awareness and adoption of conservation practices were insignificant (P0.05) with the educational level of respondents. Regression analysis confirmed that awareness and adoption of conservation measures were influenced significantly by the predictors' lack of motivation, reliance on off-farming income sources, and inadequate demonstrations. This study complements the adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the environment of the Pothohar region. To meet this objective, institutional services need to be mainstreamed. Public sector agricultural extension should emphasize awareness campaigns, advisory services, and training programs for farmers and the establishment of demonstration plots specifying the adoption of soil and water conservation techniques.
Indonesia's Role in Digital Diplomacy Through the Regional Conference on Digital Diplomacy (RCDD)
Authors: Untari Narulita Madyar Dewi ipit Listyowati, Christy Damayanti,
Published: February 2023

Developed countries and developing countries have now implemented digital diplomacy for the benefit of their foreign policy. Digital diplomacy is very important considering the massive development of technology. Indonesia as a developing country initiated the holding of the Regional Conference on Digital Diplomacy forum for 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Where it is located regionally or regionally adjacent and has similar interests. In this study, researchers focused more on Indonesia's digital diplomacy through the Regional Conference on Digital Diplomacy. The author's analysis uses qualitative research methods by prioritizing literature studies or library research and is aligned with the theory of digital diplomacy and the theory of regionalism. The results of this study indicate that 1) Digital diplomacy is carried out by Indonesia to follow world digital technology; 2) Regional Conference on Digital Diplomacy is an effort made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in building national forces through digital diplomacy meetings and the Asia Pacific region is a top priority in Indonesian regionalism politics; 3) Indonesian Digital Diplomacy through the Regional Conference on Digital Diplomacy is held as a follow-up to the International Seminar and International Conference on Digital Diplomacy. So that RCDD is in accordance with the objectives in the use of digital technology and increasing the contribution of Indonesia's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Production and evaluation of extruded products from decorticated maize (Zea mays L.) flour supplemented with decorticated selected legume flour
Authors: Awad Shereen Mohammed , Mustafa Abdelmoneim Ibrahim , Kabbashi Esameldin B. M.
Published: February 2023

Maize (Zea mays L) is an important staple food in Africa where in Sudan it's a prospective crop. The nutritional value of this crop needs some fortification to compensate for some nutritional deficiencies. The results obtained from decorticated maize flour supplemented with different ratios of decorticated faba bean (Vicia faba L.)  (dfb) and decorticated cow pea (Vigna unguiculata)   (dcp) on extrusion products indicated an increase in protein content of 2.1 % ( from 13.86 to 15.96%) in dfb and (from 12.77 to 14.87%) in dcp. The results indicate that tannins and phytic acid content in extruded products were lower than in blend. Tannins content for extruded products range is 222 – 230.24 mg/100g in dfb products, and 227.68 – 233 mg/100g in dcp products compared to a range of 393.34 – 415.32 in dfb blends, and 355.74 – 379.71 mg/100g in dcp blends. Phytic acid content for extruded products range was 174.30 – 196.01 in dfb products, and 167.20 – 188.01 mg/100g in dcp products compared to 202.47 – 229.35 mg/100g in dfb blends and 198.47 – 212.88 mg/100g in dcp blends. This means that the extrusion cooking reduced antinutritional factors. Heedless, a significant (P≤0.05) increase in minerals content (Ca, K, P, Na, Fe and Mg) was noticed because of adding dfb and dcp to the products compared to control. Essential amino acids in test products were increased compared to the control ones. The protein quality in dfb and dcp products was improved and the lysine score increased from 15.40 to 38.42 and from 16.20 to 49.33 for in these products, respectively. Extruded samples supplemented with 5% dfb and dcp, separately, had significant (P≤0.05) increase in volume by 10 and 20 cm3, respectively. Sensory evaluation of extruded products showed that supplementation with 5% dfb and dcp resulted in superior products in color, taste, crispness and general acceptability. However, extruded products of dfb reflected superior quality than those of dcp. Nevertheless, the study showed that the extruded products of dfb and dcp are better than the control. Eventually, these results recommend producing extruded products from decorticated maize flour supplemented with 5% dfb or dcp in order
Mopho-molecuar identification of Fusarium oxysporum as the causal agent of dry rot of carrot in Pakistan
Authors: Ghuffar Salman , Saeed Muhammad Sajjad , Abbas Waseem , Iqbal Muhammad , Mehmood Nasir , Sabtain Umar , Yasin Muhammad Ussama , Qayyum Abdul , Rauf Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Fusarium  rot or dry rot  is an emerging threat to carrot field, which is responsible for significant economic losses worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify Fusarium species associated with  dry rot of carrot (Daucus carota).For this porpuse, ten isolates of Fusarium sp. were collected from symptomatic carrot roots at Vegetable Research Station Sahiwal (VRSS). During morphological studies, fungal colonies were observed whitish, cottony with abundunt arial mycelium. In microscopic observations, macroconidia was falciform and measured 12.1 to 30.7 (L) × 3.6 to 5.8 (W) μm with 2 to 3 septations, while elliptic microconidia of 5.8 to 8.6 (L) × 2.9 to 3.6 (W) μm with none or one septate. For molecular characterization, three isolates (ON955520, ON955053 & ON955054) were amplified using ITS1 & ITS4 primers. Sequence comparison revealed 99-100% genetic homology with previously reported isolates of F.oxysporum. To our knowledge, the occurrence of fusarium rot caused by F.oxysporum on carrot field is the first time reported in Pakistan which can cause reduction in crop yield.
A toy model of food production in a connected landscape
Authors: O'Hare Anthony
Published: February 2023

The drive to maximize food production in a sustainable manner is a paramount concern for farmers and governments. The aim of food producers is to maximize their production yield employing actions such as application of fertilizer or pesticide they believe help to achieve this aim. However, farms do not exist in isolation, but rather share a landscape with neighbors forming networks where any action taken by any one farmer affects their neighbors who are forced to take mitigating actions creating a complicated set of interactions. Understanding these [non-]cooperative interactions and their effect on the shared ecosystem is important to develop food security strategies while protecting the environment and allowing farmers to make a living. We introduce a simple competitive agent based model in which agents produce food that is sold at a fixed price (we ignore market dynamics and do not include explicit punishment on any agent). We analyzed agent's profits in several simple scenarios allowing us to identify the most advantageous set of actions for maximizing the yield (and thus profit) for each farmer. We show that the effect of the structure of the network on each farm has implications on the actions taken by agents. These results have implications for the understanding of the effects of farming practices on the environment and how different levels of cooperation between farmers, taking into account the local terrain, can be used to incentivise producers to minimise the effects on the environment while maximizing yields.
Assessment of slaughterhouse-based measures as animal welfare indicators in fattening pigs
Authors: Hernandez Rick Obrian , Romero Marlyn H. , Sanchez Jorge A.
Published: February 2023

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the assessment of animal welfare in slaughterhouses. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of slaughter-based measures as animal welfare indicators and evaluate the relationships between these indicators and the sociodemographic characteristics of livestock drivers and transport conditions for fattening pigs in a commercial slaughterhouse. A total of 1,161 heavy pigs (105.6 ± 14.15 kg), from 22 commercial farms, were evaluated. Pigs were assessed ante mortem, during lairaging, by evaluating the number, location, and color of skin lesions, tail length, and the presence or absence of biting lesions, lameness, cough, rectal or vaginal prolapse, and umbilical hernia. Pulmonary lesions, pleuritis, pericarditis, and liver lesions were also recorded postmortem. A descriptive analysis was performed on antemortem and postmortem indicators to estimate their prevalence, and the relationships among antemortem and postmortem indicators were analyzed using two multilevel mixed-effects models—a linear regression and a logistic regression analysis— with the farm of origin as a fixed effect. Cough was present in 18.9% (n = 219) of pigs, whereas the prevalence of tail biting lesions (4.6%, n = 53), rectal prolapse (0.1%, n = 11), and vaginal prolapse (0.1%, n = 11) was low. As regards lesion shape, linear lesions accounted for the majority of skin lesions (55.8%, n = 648), followed by comma-shaped (34.7%, n = 403), diffuse (6.9%, n = 80), and rectangular lesions (2.5%, n = 29). Only 25.2% (n = 512) of lesions were bright red. At postmortem, pulmonary lesions were noted in 34.2 ± 13.5 (mean ± SEM) pigs, and were more prevalent in the cranial (11.9 ± 4.9) and medium lobes (12.2 ± 5.2); the caudal (5.3 ± 2.7) and accessory lobes (1.6 ± 1.6) were less affected. The number of skin lesions was significantly associated with drivers’ age, job experience (years), and marital status (p ≤ 0.001). The presence or absence of tail lesions was strongly associated with the number of skin lesions, scoring of pulmonary lesions, and animal live weight (p ≤ 0.001). Antemortem and postmortem indicators at slaughterhouses with low annual slaughter volumes can provide key information for disease monitoring and animal welfare.
PAC-Net: Multi-pathway FPN with position attention guided connections and vertex distance IoU for 3D medical image detection
Authors: Xu Zhenghua , Li Tianrun , Liu Yunxin , Zhan Yuefu , Chen Junyang , Lukasiewicz Thomas
Published: February 2023

Automatic medical image detection aims to utilize artificial intelligence techniques to detect lesions in medical images accurately and efficiently, which is one of the most important tasks in computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems, and can be embedded into portable imaging devices for intelligent Point of Care (PoC) Diagnostics. The Feature Pyramid Networks (FPN) based models are widely used deep-learning-based solutions for automatic medical image detection. However, FPN-based medical lesion detection models have two shortcomings: the object position offset problem and the degradation problem of IoU-based loss. Therefore, in this work, we propose a novel FPN-based backbone model, i.e., Multi-Pathway Feature Pyramid Networks with Position Attention Guided Connections and Vertex Distance IoU (abbreviated as PAC-Net), to replace vanilla FPN for more accurate lesion detection, where two innovative improvements, a position attention guided connection (PAC) module and Vertex Distance IoU Vertex Distance Intersection over Union loss, are proposed to address the above-mentioned shortcomings of vanilla FPN, respectively. Extensive experiments are conducted on a public medical image detection dataset, i.e., Deeplesion, and the results showed that i) PAC-Net outperforms all state-of-the-art FPN-based depth models in both evaluation metrics of lesion detection on the DeepLesion dataset, ii) the proposed PAC module and VDIoU loss are both effective and important for PAC-Net to achieve a superior performance in automatic medical image detection tasks, and iii) the proposed VDIoU loss converges more quickly than the existing IoU-based losses, making PAC-Net an accurate and also highly efficient 3D medical image detection model.
3D multicellular systems in disease modelling: From organoids to organ-on-chip
Authors: Goldrick Caoimhe , Guri Ina , Herrera-Oropeza Gabriel , O’Brien-Gore Charlotte , Roy Errin , Wojtynska Maja , Spagnoli Francesca M.
Published: February 2023

Cell-cell interactions underlay organ formation and function during homeostasis. Changes in communication between cells and their surrounding microenvironment are a feature of numerous human diseases, including metabolic disease and neurological disorders. In the past decade, cross-disciplinary research has been conducted to engineer novel synthetic multicellular organ systems in 3D, including organoids, assembloids, and organ-on-chip models. These model systems, composed of distinct cell types, satisfy the need for a better understanding of complex biological interactions and mechanisms underpinning diseases. In this review, we discuss the emerging field of building 3D multicellular systems and their application for modelling the cellular interactions at play in diseases. We report recent experimental and computational approaches for capturing cell-cell interactions as well as progress in bioengineering approaches for recapitulating these complexities ex vivo. Finally, we explore the value of developing such multicellular systems for modelling metabolic, intestinal, and neurological disorders as major examples of multisystemic diseases, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and provide some recommendations for further advancing the field.
Acquired disorders of mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Breault Nolan M. , Wu Danchen , Dasgupta Asish , Chen Kuang-Hueih , Archer Stephen L.
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an orphan disease of the cardiopulmonary unit that reflects an obstructive pulmonary vasculopathy and presents with hypertrophy, inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately failure of the right ventricle (RVF). Despite treatment using pulmonary hypertension (PH)-targeted therapies, persistent functional impairment reduces the quality of life for people with PAH and death from RVF occurs in approximately 40% of patients within 5 years of diagnosis. PH-targeted therapeutics are primarily vasodilators and none, alone or in combination, are curative. This highlights a need to therapeutically explore molecular targets in other pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of PAH. Several candidate pathways in PAH involve acquired mitochondrial dysfunction. These mitochondrial disorders include: 1) a shift in metabolism related to increased expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase and pyruvate kinase, which together increase uncoupled glycolysis (Warburg metabolism); 2) disruption of oxygen-sensing related to increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, resulting in a state of pseudohypoxia; 3) altered mitochondrial calcium homeostasis related to impaired function of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex, which elevates cytosolic calcium and reduces intramitochondrial calcium; and 4) abnormal mitochondrial dynamics related to increased expression of dynamin-related protein 1 and its binding partners, such as mitochondrial dynamics proteins of 49 kDa and 51 kDa, and depressed expression of mitofusin 2, resulting in increased mitotic fission. These acquired mitochondrial abnormalities increase proliferation and impair apoptosis in most pulmonary vascular cells (including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts). In the RV, Warburg metabolism and induction of glutaminolysis impairs bioenergetics and promotes hypokinesis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis. This review will explore our current knowledge of the causes and consequences of disordered mitochondrial function in PAH.
Cation functional group effect on SO2 absorption in amino acid ionic liquids
Authors: Siami Hasan , Razmkhah Mohammad , Moosavi Fatemeh
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The effect of the functional group of the cation on SO2 acidic gas absorption by some designed amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) was studied.

Methods: An isolated pair of glycinate anion and pristine imidazolium-based cation, as well as decorated cation functionalized by hydroxyl (OH), amine (NH2), carboxylic acid (COOH), methoxy (OCH3), and acetate (CH3COO) groups, were structurally optimized by density functional theory (DFT) using split-valence triple-zeta Pople basis set.

Results and Discussion: The binding and Gibbs free energy (ΔGint) values of SO2 absorption show the AAIL functionalized by the COOH group is the most thermodynamically favorable green solvent and this functional group experiences the closest distance between anion and captured SO2 and vice versa in the case of cation … SO2 which may be the main reason for being the best absorbent; in addition, the highest net charge-transfer amount of SO2 is observed. Comparing the non-covalent interaction of the systems demonstrates that the strongest hydrogen bond between captured gas and anion, as well as π-hole, and van der Waals (vdW) interaction play critical roles in gas absorption; besides, the COOH functional group decreases the steric effect while the CH3COO functional group significantly increases steric effect after absorption that declines the hydrogen bond.
How climate scientists and communication professionals view public engagement with science: Perspectives, practices and constraints
Authors: Oliveira Liliana , Carvalho Anabela
Published: February 2023

Introduction

This article examines understandings of public engagement in science by scientists and communicators in four universities in Portugal and Spain.

Methods

Based on mixed-methods research, we present an integrative analysis of practices and perceptions of climate change scientists and communication professionals, and identify critical barriers for them to further public engagement.

Results

More similarities than differences are found between the four universities and the two countries but there are important differences between the two professional groups. Universities and the scientific community at large tend to privilege forms of science communication that are focused on dissemination of information and on self-promotion. Over the last decade there are signs of positive developments, even though some aspects of science communication practice appear to have worsened.

Discussion

Despite the advancements presented this article Portuguese and Spanish universities are not yet making the most of the potential inherent to public engagement. This raises important questions for research and practice. Although several interviewees acknowledge a normative requirement of having citizens participate more deeply in science, they stay short of fulfilling such commitment. This may be partly due to implementation barriers but also because scientists and especially communication professionals make a relatively narrow reading of the potential benefits of engaging the public in science.