bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy Framework and Financial Corporate Compliance in Public Universities in Kenya
Authors: Chokaa Vincent , Baimwera (PhD) Dr. Bernard , Mugambi (PhD) Dr. Ken , Senaji (PhD) Prof. Thomas A.
Published: October 2024

One of the important components of corporate governance that improves accountability and transparency in an institution's financial management is financial corporate compliance. The emergence of alarming cases of financial impropriety in Kenya's public universities has intensified the demand for financial accountability in the public sector and exposed the boards and management to increasing scrutiny. Public organizations have reported cases of inadequate or absence of financial compliance, and public universities have also cited comparable circumstances in audit reports. It is unclear, however, what the causes of this compliance are or what function corporate governance plays in it. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of policy framework on financial corporate compliance at Kenya's public universities. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study's target population was 40 accredited public universities in Kenya. The data were gathered through the use of extensive, quasi-structured questionnaires. The study used descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables, percentages, and measures of central tendency such as the mean. Chi-square and correlation analysis were used to establish the relationship between the study variables. The study reached a finding that policy framework has a positive impact on prudential corporate compliance during the period of study. The study found that most universities have adopted ethics and a code of conduct that the universities operate under a specific code of conduct and ethics which enables the university to actualize financial corporate compliance. The study recommends all public universities to be keeping track of all activities required to be adhered to by the public institution finance department more regularly to ensure the smooth running of the institutions. It is also recommended the university management facilitate regular training for the officers in the finance department to equip them with the relevant information of the newly amended policies by the government to govern the finances used to run public universities.
Influence of Ownership Concentration on Financial Performance of Listed Firms in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
Authors: Kiruga Abraham Mutitu , Ombok (PhD) Dr. Benjamin O. , Adoyo (PhD) Dr. Philip
Published: October 2024

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of ownership concentration on the financial performance of listed firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. For this study, the target population is represented by several companies from different sectors listed on the NSE in Kenya from 2016-2020. The study used data from firms that were consistently listed in NSE from 2016 – 2020 the ones that were delisted and or suspended and that were listed after 2016 was not included, creating a sample size of 55 firms yielding a panel of 275 data points. The study adopted a purposive sampling approach since it satisfied the criteria of my study. The study used secondary data obtained from annual audited financial statements of listed firms using data collection sheets. The results showed that local ownership concentration had a negative and insignificant effect on financial performance using ROA. However, local ownership concentration had a negative and little impact on financial performance using ROE (r=-0.055, p=0.334). Further results showed that government ownership concentration had a negative and significant impact on financial performance using ROA (r=-0.107, p=0.008). However, government ownership concentration had a positive and insignificant influence on financial performance using ROE. In addition, results further showed that foreign ownership concentration negatively and significantly influenced financial performance using ROA (r=-0.072, p=0.205). However, foreign ownership concentration had a positive and insignificant impact on financial performance using ROE. The study also concluded that ownership concentration has a significant influence on the financial performance of listed firms in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya using ROA {F=35.88, p=0.000)} with overall R Square of 0.250 but had no significant influence on the financial performance of listed firms in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya using ROE {F=4.910, p=0.437)} with overall R Square of 0.105. The study recommends that there should be a substantial shareholding with a sizable number of shares to take control of the company's performance with passion and interest.
Assessment of Debt Securities on Performance of Commercial Banks in Nyeri County, Kenya
Authors: Gathua Lee Ng’ang’a , Rintari Nancy , Muema Wilson
Published: October 2024

The study investigated the effect of debt securities on performance of commercial banks in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study used quantitative descriptive research design and target population comprised 16 commercial banks in Nyeri County, Kenya. The respondents comprised 194 respondents in various departments. The study analyzed descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages and mean. Inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis were also used. The result of secondary data on financial performance pointed the gross profit had the highest average mean of 3.2 while net profit had the lowest mean. An observation of the years indicated that the gross and net profits for the banks were highest in 2019, followed by 2022 while 2020 recorded the lowest annual profits. Debt securities had a Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.312** at α < 0.000 and a 99% significance level. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected since the R-value was less than 1. The study concluded that performance was positively impacted but some products such as commercial papers were unattractive to clients due to high risks of poor performance in wealth generation. This situation was fueled further by the low training on its applicability towards boosting the income levels of both the bank and client’s portfolio. The study recommends that the branch managers should develop policy structure that requires mandatory frequent training on staff to understand how not only main stream banking products operate but also securities such as commercial papers. Further, the board of management should assess the risk-return aspect of selected debt securities like the types of commercial papers to ascertain the ones which are riskier than the rest.
Liquidity Adequacy and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in South Sudan
Authors: Odongo Gabriel Nyongesa , Irungu Anthony Mugetha
Published: October 2024

Commercial banks in South Sudan have shown deteriorating financial performance in the period 2017 to 2021. This has been shown by the substantial number of commercial banks making losses and with the profit-making ones exhibiting fluctuating performance as well as reducing financial performance levels. For example, only 25% of the commercial banks made a profit in the year 2021 with the majority making losses. Further, the sector has made losses for the last five years. For example, Liberty Commercial Bank recorded a decline in ROA from 0.58 in 2018 to 0.53 in 2019 and a further decline to 0.51 in the year 2020. If nothing is done to improve South Sudan's commercial banks' financial performance, then the contribution of the banks to the country’s welfare will be watered down. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of liquidity adequacy and the financial performance of commercial banks in South Sudan. An explanatory research design was used in the study. The target populace was commercial banks in South Sudan. 29 commercial banks existed in South Sudan between 2017 and 2021. The study used purposive sampling to sample 23 banks that were in operation between 2017 and 2021. Secondary information was used in the study. For analysis, the obtained information was cleaned and imported into STATA 17. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were conducted. The inferential statistics used were correlation and regression. The outcomes further showed that the mean of liquidity adequacy from 2017 to 2021 for the commercial banks in South Sudan was 3.178, with the least liquidity adequacy being -0.068 and the most being 64.297. Trend outcomes were clear that liquidity adequacy was increasing amongst South Sudan commercial banks. Regression outcomes were clear that operational adequacy was positive and significantly impacted by the performance. The study notes that though liquid assets attract some returns to commercial banks, too much of it depletes the profitability level of banks. Because highly liquid assets are linked to lower returns than riskier assets, the study advises banks to avoid keeping excessive amounts of liquid assets. Therefore, owning too many liquid assets has a greater opportunity cost than benefit. Consequently, it is advised to have the ideal ratio of liquid assets to total assets. Furthermore, during times of weak economic conditions, the report advises banks to keep a greater proportion of liquid assets. Therefore, it is advised that bank management provide liquidity management with the necessary consideration.
Microcredit Risk Management Strategies and Loan Portfolio Quality of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya
Authors: Muindi Cellinah Wanza , Ambrose Jagongo
Published: October 2024

The study investigated the effects of Microcredit risk strategies on the loan portfolio quality of microfinance institutions in Kenya. The analysis is based on a panel dataset of 14 microfinance institutions in the period 2017 to 2021. The study was guided by the following theories the institutional theory, the theory of information asymmetry, the theory of delegated monitoring and the modern portfolio. The study will be useful to the MFIs managers and will help them devise good policies to ensure borrowers are well screened to improve portfolio quality while improving the cases of loan defaults. The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data that which can be collected without fieldwork.  The quality of loan portfolio has been affected most by nonperforming loans and has affected largely the microfinance institution’s profitability and their financial performances, there have not been adequately featured in any of the studies reviewed. To the academicians and researchers, they will be furnished with relevant information regarding microcredit risk management and loan portfolio quality of the Microfinance institutions in Kenya. This will also contribute to the general body of banking sector and form a basis for further research. The regulators of Bank Sector will use it to formulate stringent policies to tame the rising cases of non-performing loans, evaluating how successive their approach has been identifying the gaps and adjust.
Politisk Kronik
Authors: Instituttet for Historie og Samfundsøkonomi
Published: October 2024

JANUAR 1927
A multidimensional node importance evaluation method based on graph convolutional networks
Authors: Wang Bo-Ya , Yang Xiao-Chun , Lu Sheng-Rong , Tang Yong-Ping , Hong Shu-Quan , Jiang Hui-Yuan ,   School of Transportation and Logistics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China,   School of Business Administration, Wuhan Business University, Wuhan 430056, China
Published: October 2024

This paper deals with the problem of identifying, evaluating, and ranking key nodes in complex networks by introducing a novel multi-parameter control graph convolutional network (MPC-GCN) for assessing node importance. Drawing inspiration from the multidimensional and hierarchical interactions between nodes in physical systems, this method integrates the automatic feature learning capabilities of graph convolutional networks (GCNs) with a comprehensive analysis of intrinsic properties of nodes, their interactions with neighbors, and their roles in the broader network. The MPC-GCN model provides an innovative framework for identifying key node by using GCNs to iteratively aggregate node and neighbor features across layers. This process captures and combines local, global, and positional characteristics, enabling a more nuanced, multidimensional assessment of node importance. Moreover, the model also includes a flexible parameter adjustment mechanism that allows for adjusting the relative weights of different dimensions, thereby adapting the evaluation process to various network structures. To validate the effectiveness of the model, we first test the influence of model parameters on randomly generated small networks. We then conduct extensive simulations on eight large-scale networks by using the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model. Evaluation metrics, including the M(R) score, Kendall’s tau correlation, the proportion of infected nodes, and the relative size of the largest connected component, are used to assess the model’s performance. The results demonstrate that MPC-GCN outperforms existing methods in terms of monotonicity, accuracy, applicability, and robustness, providing more precise differentiation of node importance. By addressing the limitations of current methods, such as their reliance on single-dimensional perspectives and lack of adaptability, the MPC-GCN provides a more comprehensive and flexible approach to node importance assessment. This method significantly improves the breadth and applicability of node ranking in complex networks.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of adapting pathogens and host immunity
Authors: Barrat-Charlaix Pierre , Neher Richard A
Published: October 2024

As pathogens spread in a population of hosts, immunity is built up and the pool of susceptible individuals is depleted. This generates selective pressure, to which many human RNA viruses, such as influenza virus or SARS-CoV-2, respond with rapid antigenic evolution and frequent emergence of immune evasive variants. However, the host’s immune systems adapt and older immune responses wane, such that escape variants only enjoy a growth advantage for a limited time. If variant growth dynamics and reshaping of host-immunity operate on comparable time scales, viral adaptation is determined by eco-evolutionary interactions that are not captured by models of rapid evolution in a fixed environment. Here, we use a Susceptible/Infected model to describe the interaction between an evolving viral population in a dynamic but immunologically diverse host population. We show that depending on strain cross-immunity, heterogeneity of the host population, and durability of immune responses, escape variants initially grow exponentially, but lose their growth advantage before reaching high frequencies. Their subsequent dynamics follows an anomalous random walk determined by future escape variants and results in variant trajectories that are unpredictable. This model can explain the apparent contradiction between the clearly adaptive nature of antigenic evolution and the quasi-neutral dynamics of high frequency variants observed for influenza viruses.
Autumn School “Protection of The Sea: Adopting Co-Created Methods Of (Public) Participation”
Authors: Poto Margherita Paola , Vita Laura , Lohse Eva Julia , Bonomo Annamaria , Panieri Giuliana
Published: October 2024

This report details a 4-day Autumn School held at the University of Bari, Sede di Taranto, a joint project endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade and funded by DAAD. The event involved academic collaborations with the University of Bayreuth and the University of Turin (Department of Management). The school’s focus was on the protection of human rights at sea, sea rights, and living by the sea. It included an experiential learning day in partnership with the Jonian Dolphin Conservation in Taranto, followed by a three-day workshop. During these sessions, students from Germany and Italy engaged in building co-created projects that addressed challenges connected to Agenda 2030 and SDG 14 (and 3, 5, 15, 16, 17).
Offspring of the Soviet System
Authors: Knight Amy
Published: October 2024

This chapter presents a background of Vladimir Putin and Boris Berezovsky. Berezovsky had just turned six when Joseph Stalin died in March 1953, so he had scant experience of life under the Soviet dictator. Putin was not even a year old at the time of Stalin's death. However, Stalin's legacy cast a dark shadow on the lives of Soviet citizens for years to come. Nevertheless, for Berezovsky's parents and other members of Moscow's Jewish intelligentsia, Stalin's sudden death came as a relief. By the grim Soviet standards at the time, the Berezovsky family lived reasonably well. Unlike the Berezovskys, Putin's parents were of humble origin, with scant education. In 1975, following his graduation from law school, Putin was formally admitted to the KGB, reportedly because of his good grades. After completing six months' training at a KGB counterintelligence school, he became a full-fledged officer in Leningrad. Meanwhile, the changes under Mikhail Gorbachev paved the way for Berezovsky to become a businessman.
Putin’s Path to Victory
Authors: Knight Amy
Published: October 2024

This chapter begins by assessing Vladimir Putin's response to terrorist bombings in Russia: the first invasion of Chechnya in 1995. This response was well received among the Russian people, who had been thrown into a panic by the possibility of further devastating attacks. However, there were allegations of Federal Security Service (FSB) involvement in the bombings. Although he would eventually accuse Putin publicly of orchestrating the attacks, while still in Russia, Boris Berezovsky did not question the official narrative. Thanks to Berezovsky's initiative, a new, pro-Kremlin political movement, Unity, was formed by thirty-nine provincial governors on September 22, 1999. It would be the forerunner of what today is Putin's United Russia party. Although not led by Putin, Unity's message was clear: support the prime minister because he is leading the struggle against Chechen terrorists. The chapter then considers how Putin summoned top media executives to urge their support for the invasion of Chechnya.
Evaluation model design of project construction safety level based on bidirectional recurrent neural network (BiRNN) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM)
Authors: Ge Ming , Yuan Yongbo
Published: October 2024

Integrating deep learning methods for multi-element regression analysis poses a challenge in constructing safety evaluations for building construction. To address this challenge, this paper evaluates the integration of construction safety by quantitatively analyzing practitioners’ information and on-site construction conditions. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method quantifies construction safety capabilities, considering four key aspects: operators’ primary conditions, organizational personnel’s working conditions, on-site management conditions, and analysis of unsafe behaviors. A comprehensive set of 19 secondary causal factors is constructed. Furthermore, a hybrid model based on bidirectional recurrent neural network (BiRNN) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) is developed for construction safety evaluation, enhancing the model’s generalization ability by introducing the Dropout mechanism. Experimental results demonstrate that the fusion of BiRNN and BiLSTM methods outperforms traditional methods in construction safety evaluation, yielding mean squared error (MSE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) values of 0.48 and 0.69 and mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 0.54 and 3.36%, respectively. The case study affirms that BiRNN-BiLSTM can accurately identify potential safety risks, providing reliable decision support for project management.
Ability of clinical data to predict readmission in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Authors: Koochakpour Kaban , Pant Dipendra , Westbye Odd Sverre , Røst Thomas Brox , Leventhal Bennett , Koposov Roman , Clausen Carolyn , Skokauskas Norbert , Nytrø Øystein
Published: October 2024

This study addresses the challenge of predicting readmissions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) by analyzing the predictability of readmissions over short, medium, and long term periods. Using health records spanning 35 years, which included 22,643 patients and 30,938 episodes of care, we focused on the episode of care as a central unit, defined as a referral-discharge cycle that incorporates assessments and interventions. Data pre-processing involved handling missing values, normalizing, and transforming data, while resolving issues related to overlapping episodes and correcting registration errors where possible. Readmission prediction was inferred from electronic health records (EHR), as this variable was not directly recorded. A binary classifier distinguished between readmitted and non-readmitted patients, followed by a multi-class classifier to categorize readmissions based on timeframes: short (within 6 months), medium (6 months - 2 years), and long (more than 2 years). Several predictive models were evaluated based on metrics like AUC, F1-score, precision, and recall, and the K-prototype algorithm was employed to explore similarities between episodes through clustering. The optimal binary classifier (Oversampled Gradient Boosting) achieved an AUC of 0.7005, while the multi-class classifier (Oversampled Random Forest) reached an AUC of 0.6368. The K-prototype resulted in three clusters as optimal (SI: 0.256, CI: 4473.64). Despite identifying relationships between care intensity, case complexity, and readmission risk, generalizing these findings proved difficult, partly because clinicians often avoid discharging patients likely to be readmitted. Overall, while this dataset offers insights into patient care and service patterns, predicting readmissions remains challenging, suggesting a need for improved analytical models that consider patient development, disease progression, and intervention effects.
Automated lesion detection in cotton leaf visuals using deep learning
Authors: Akbar Frnaz , Aribi Yassine , Muhammad Usman Syed , Faraj Hamzah , Murayr Ahmed , Alasmari Fawaz , Khalid Shehzad
Published: October 2024

Cotton is one of the major cash crop in the agriculture led economies across the world. Cotton leaf diseases affects its yield globally. Determining cotton lesions on leaves is difficult when the area is big and the size of lesions is varied. Automated cotton lesion detection is quite useful; however, it is challenging due to fewer disease class, limited size datasets, class imbalance problems, and need of comprehensive evaluation metrics. We propose a novel deep learning based method that augments the data using generative adversarial networks (GANs) to reduce the class imbalance issue and an ensemble-based method that combines the feature vector obtained from the three deep learning architectures including VGG16, Inception V3, and ResNet50. The proposed method offers a more precise, efficient and scalable method for automated detection of diseases of cotton crops. We have implemented the proposed method on publicly available dataset with seven disease and one health classes and have achieved highest accuracy of 95% and F-1 score of 98%. The proposed method performs better than existing state of the art methods.
Sequence characteristics, expression and subcellular localization of PtCYP721A57 gene from cytochrome P450 family in Polygala tenuifolia willd
Authors: Luo Yao , Hu Benxiang , Ji Haiyue , Jing Yiyao , Zhang Gang , Yan Yonggang , Yang Bingyue , Peng Liang
Published: October 2024

The Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) family is the largest enzyme protein family in plants, distributed across various organs and involved in significant catalytic activities in primary and secondary metabolic processes. In this study, we cloned the PtCYP721A57 gene, characterized its open reading frame (ORF), and conducted comprehensive analyses including physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, subcellular localization, prokaryotic expression, and correlation between the relative expression of different parts and the content of tenuifolin, hormones, and abiotic stress response associated with the encoded protein. The ORF of PtCYP721A57 was 1,521 bp, with a secondary structure predominantly composed of α-helices and random coils. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed the presence of PtCYP721A57 in the endoplasmic reticulum. For prokaryotic expression, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pET28a-PtCYP721A57 using pET28a as the vector, which was then transformed into BL21(DE3). Induction with Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) at temperatures of 16 and 25 °C and varying concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) resulted in the formation of inclusion bodies, with higher expression observed at 25 °C. Our qPCR analyses revealed that PtCYP721A57 exhibited the highest expression in the cortex of Polygala tenuifolia, followed by roots and xylem, correlating with the observed tenuifolin content distribution. Induction with abscisic acid (ABA) and chitosan (CHT) initially decreased PtCYP721A57 expression followed by a subsequent increase, peaking at 48 h. Similarly, drought stress induced a gradual increase in PtCYP721A57 expression, also peaking at 48 h. NaCl treatment for 6 h significantly upregulated PtCYP721A57 expression. In conclusion, our study provides foundational insights into the PtCYP721A57 gene in Polygala tenuifolia, laying the groundwork for further exploration of its role in the biosynthesis pathway of triterpenoid saponins.
Kinematic characterization of backhand stroke accuracy in squash based on kinematic variables between two different skill levels—a preliminary cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Rui , Li Haojie , Jiang Jian , Zhou Zhitao , Xiu Chen
Published: October 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to compare differences in shot placement and accuracy between national and international level squash players. Squash is a technically demanding sport and understanding the biomechanical characteristics of athletes at different levels is important for developing effective training strategies.

Methods

The study used a three-dimensional motion analysis system, a high-speed video camera, and a professional tee for biomechanical testing. Participants included national and international level squash players. The kinematic characteristics of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints of the upper extremity for backhand strokes, as well as the accuracy of the strokes, were analyzed to compare the differences between the two groups of athletes in terms of stroke posture and accuracy.

Results

The kinematic analysis of the backward backhand stroke revealed that national squash players showed significant differences compared to international players in several key parameters. Specifically, national players had significantly greater trunk flexion (P = 0.018) and less shoulder medial rotation (P = 0.027). They also had lower racket velocity in the X-direction (P = 0.043). However, there were no significant differences in trunk lateral flexion (P = 0.487), trunk rotation (P = 0.293), shoulder extension/flexion (P = 0.396), elbow flexion/extension (P = 0.818), wrist flexion/extension (P = 0.177), wrist rotation (P = 0.476), racket pitch (P = 0.112), racket velocity in the Y-direction (P = 0.587), or racket velocity in the Z-direction (P = 0.327). Additionally, data for racket yaw, racket roll, and racket Vx were not provided with significant values, indicating that these parameters do not show significant differences.

Conclusion

International level players outperformed national level players in squash stroke accuracy and control. Key kinematic factors influencing accuracy include trunk forward flexion, shoulder abduction, shoulder internal rotation, and racket angles. The study recommends that coaches design training to enhance technical details and positional control to improve squash performance.
Impact of Anti-M on Grouping and Cross Matching: The Challenges Faced in Three Cases
Authors: Jonahs Betsy , Krishnamoorthy R , Ashwin . , Rathan Niranj , Kumar Sampat
Published: October 2024

Anti-M, a frequently encountered antibody of the MNS blood group system, is commonly regarded as a naturally occurring saline agglutinin that can occasionally exhibit clinically significant behaviour. Particularly when reactive at 37°C or during the antiglobulin phase, it can complicate pretransfusion testing and patient management in the blood bank. Three distinct cases (2 males. 1 female) in varying clinical scenarios, ranging from surgery to acute coronary syndrome, are described. The present cases presented discrepancies in blood grouping and compatibility testing, highlighting the challenges posed by the presence of Anti-M antibodies that react at or above room temperature and during the antiglobulin phase, thus defying the usual expectations. It is imperative to provide antigen-negative red cells and those that are compatible by an Indirect Antiglobulin Test (IAT) when Anti-M is reactive at 37°C to ensure safe transfusion. Hence, there is a need to underscore the potential clinical implications in transfusion medicine, as well as the nuances of detecting, identifying, and managing the presence of Anti-M antibodies in patients requiring transfusion.
Role of Immunohistochemistry in Categorisation of Metastatic Tumours of Liver: A Cross-sectional Observational Study
Authors: Nathani Pooja , Varma Amit , Ali Syed Sarfaraz , Garg Prakhar , Malpani Garima
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The liver is the body’s largest solid organ and receives a dual blood supply, making it an easy target for metastases from both extra-abdominal and abdominal lesions. In adults, the most common sites of primary lesions are the breast, colon, lung and pancreas. Liver biopsies are pivotal for managing patients with metastatic diseases, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. When primary cancer sites are undetectable, the diagnosis often falls under Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUP), which carries a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is critical in such cases, using antibodies to identify the cancer’s origin when other methods fail. This technique is vital for confirming known malignancies and diagnosing elusive ones, thus informing treatment and improving patient outcomes. Aim: To study the role of IHC in the categorisation of metastatic tumours of the liver. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Postgraduate (PG) Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, between March 2021 and April 2024. Core needle biopsy samples of 65 cases were processed and analysed for Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain and IHC markers. Data on demographics and lesion characteristics were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed with a trial version of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Significance was assessed using Pearson’s Chi-square test, with a p-value<0.05 considered statistically significant, and IHC findings were compared with radiological data. Results: The mean±Standard Deviation (SD) age of the study participants was 54.26±11.858 years. During the study period, 65 cases were recorded, with a slight female preponderance (n=34) over males. Hepatomegaly (n=23) was the most common clinical finding noted. All cases were grouped according to the radiological findings with reference to whether the primary site of the lesion was known or unknown. Twenty-seven cases had a known primary lesion, while 38 cases were classified as unknown. Accordingly, an IHC marker panel of Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) was initially applied, followed by the respective organ specific markers. With respect to all 65 cases, a concordance of 98.46% was recorded with the radiological findings, while a discordance of 1.54% was noted. A p-value<0.05 suggested that both IHC and the radiological findings regarding the nature of the primary lesion, whether known or unknown, were significant. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry is paramount in ascertaining the origin of the primary lesion in hepatic metastatic tumours, which is crucial for prompt therapeutic intervention and favourable patient outcomes. The integration of IHC with radiological data is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment plans.
A Summative Review of Advances in Sensor Technology for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Ranwa Manisha , Sri Katuri Ramya , Khare Akarsh , Kumar Vijai , Kumar Kapil , Rajeshwar J. R. , M.Niharika
Published: October 2024

Sensor technology has become a cornerstone of precision agriculture, offering a wide array of applications that enhance farming efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. By providing real-time data on soil health, crop growth, and environmental conditions, sensors enable farmers to optimize inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, reducing waste and improving yields. The development of advanced sensors, such as multi-spectral and hyper-spectral imaging, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, has revolutionized crop monitoring and disease detection, allowing for timely interventions that prevent significant losses. Additionally, the integration of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) facilitates the seamless collection and transmission of data, enabling remote and automated farm management. This technology has proven instrumental in addressing the challenges of food security by increasing agricultural productivity and reducing input costs. Sensor technologies also promote sustainable land and water management by improving irrigation efficiency and reducing chemical runoff, thus minimizing environmental impact. Economic benefits are substantial, with farmers experiencing cost savings, increased yields, and higher profitability. Moreover, sensor technology contributes to climate-smart agriculture by improving resource use efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, challenges remain, including the high cost of sensor installation and maintenance, limited accessibility in remote regions, data privacy concerns, and the lack of interoperability between different sensor platforms. The future of sensor technology lies in the development of low-cost, biodegradable sensors, the increased use of autonomous and robotic platforms, and enhanced AI integration for more accurate data interpretation. Expanding the use of sensors in smallholder and developing world agriculture will be crucial for global food security and environmental sustainability, offering a promising path toward a more resilient and efficient agricultural system.
Seasonal Behaviour of Arrivals and Prices of Major Crops in Krishi Upaj Mandis of Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Sonvanee O. P. , Bhargav Pankaj , Kurrey Devendra
Published: October 2024

Chhattisgarh state is famous for its forest wealth and mineral resources and there is abundant production of crops. According to total area of crops, Paddy (77.47 percent) and Chickpea (5.43 percent) are major crops of Chhattisgarh state.  Arrivals and price data (Year 2014-15 to 2023-24) of major crops were collected from website of Chhattisgarh state Mandi Board. The study was observed that the peak arrivals & price of paddy were started in the same months November to January in both market (KUM, Bemetra & KUM, Bhatapara) except peak price season starts in August to October with narrow difference in KUM, Bhatapara. In case of Chickpea, the peak arrivals and price started in the month of March to May & September to November, respectively. The Price stability of both crops (paddy & Chickpea) was higher in KUM, Bhatapara as compared to KUM, Bemetra. The less price fluctuation of paddy as compared to chickpea in Chhattisgarh state due to purchasing directly to farmers by the Government with Minimum Support Price (MSP) and also provided the Bonus.  The study was suggested that the economic development of farmers in state, the government should purchase agricultural products other than paddy and cooperate in setting up dal mills & processing units. Necessary steps should be taken to increase of marketable surplus and development of community level threshing area. The study was importance in knowing the market behaviour and price fluctuation during the peak season and the major reason behind. The studies also throw light on the aspect how to enrich the economic condition of the farmers.
From Tamponade to Triumph: LA Rupture Resulting in Cardiac Tamponade during BMV Successfully Managed with Device Closure, Followed by Successful BMV
Authors: Munde Kalyan , Kolapkar Hariom , Munde Anant , Jain Prasad , Paliwal Mohan , T S Anagh
Published: October 2024

The main objective of Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty (BMV) is to relieve the symptoms of Mitral stenosis (MS) by percutaneous approach and avoiding valve replacement surgery. However, complications like rupture of the Aortic root or heart chamber can lead to hemopericardium and eventually increase morbidity and mortality associated with emergency surgery. In this case report, we discussed a case in which the rupture of the left atrium was managed by device closure, BMV was done successfully by percutaneous route, and valve replacement surgery was avoided.
Biochemical Characterization of Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) Varieties
Authors: Jyothika A , Bindu B , Simi S , Renjan B , Pratheesh Gopinath P
Published: October 2024

A study was conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, to perform a biochemical analysis of Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora). Native to Brazil and belonging to the Myrtaceae family, this fruit tree has been introduced to Kerala, where several varieties were identified through a survey. No systematic study has been undertaken regarding the evaluation and morphological characterization of jabuticaba under Kerala conditions. So here an attempt is being made to locate the types of jabuticaba, which give high fruit quality under Kerala conditions. The evaluation of selected elite types will also help in the further crop improvement of jabuticaba and it is also a boon to the farmers. Hence , the present study is proposed for the characterization and evaluation of jabuticaba under Kerala conditions. The research focused on key biochemical parameters of the fruit, including total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugars, total sugars, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. The Percoce variety had a high TSS of 18.8° Brix, indicating its natural sweetness. The Red Pouch and Aureana varieties recorded an acidity level of 1.9%. The Percoce variety also had notable levels of ascorbic acid (167.10 mg/100g), reducing sugars (8.4%), and total sugars (10%). The Escarlate variety showed the highest anthocyanin content in its skin (281.6 mg/100g), while the Red Crystal variety had the greatest flavonoid content (4.1 mg/100g). These results underline Jabuticaba's high nutritional value and provide useful information for farmers when choosing the best varieties for cultivation.
From Waste to Best: Biotechnological Approaches for Sustainable Developments
Authors: Kalaria Rishee K. , Patel Hiren K. , Patel Hiren V. , Chawda Shehul K. , Patel Prakash S. , Radadiya Nirav V.
Published: October 2024

An essential element required for the existence of man and other biotic species is the environment. The survival and well-being of all its constituent parts are measured by the physical environment's degree of sustainability. Furthermore, using any recognized way to dispose of poisonous or harmful compounds is insufficient. Increasing demand of human population results in utilization of many chemical based products like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. But, these processes harm ecosystem and environment with increasing toxicity and pollutant. Excess mining with acids to recover metals also cause pH imbalance and change of natural microbial community. Waste is generated from routine life which comprising food wastes, animal wastes or agricultural wastes. These waste material contain cellulose, lignin and starch components. Waste material can be decomposed by microorganisms for their own growth. Microorganisms can synthesize different type of bioplastics by decomposing waste material. They can also fix nutrition in soil and can be used as a biofertilizers. Antagonistic nature of microbes can be used as a pesticide to kill pests in agricultural sector. Besides these enormous benefits of microbes, they can even recover metals from raw ore. Biobased products can even be degraded easily without any posing any toxicity. The greatest way to manage the environment is to recycle all of its constituent parts, or wastes, making them usable and assisting the biotic and abiotic relationships in maintaining the aesthetically pleasing and physiologically sound balance that distinguishes an ideal environment. Thus, this review comprises screening of utilization of microbes to produce bio based products from waste material to sustain the environment from chemical based products. Cooperation between nations and organizations is essential for knowledge exchange and for giving developing countries financial and technical support.
Variation in Renal Parameters in Dengue and Non-dengue Patients
Authors: K Anuja. , V P Riya , Valsaraj Sona , C P Bineesh
Published: October 2024

Background: Dengue virus infection (DVI) is a vector-transmitted illness that is widespread in tropical and subtropical locales. Dengue infection has been linked to numerous renal completely such as proteinuria, glomerulonephritis, and acute kidney injury (AKI), which have been documented to occur concurrently with or immediately following acute dengue infection. The purpose of the study was the variation in renal parameters in dengue and non-dengue patients.
Methods: The retrospective study conducted at cooperative hospital in Vadakara, Kerala in India. Total 100 samples collected (50 dengue patients and 50 Non dengue patients). All dengue patients were identified by registration number using hospital record management system. Patients admitted with primary and confirmed diagnosis of DVI, irrespective of severity were included in this study. The investigation of the study was to compare urea, uric acid, creatinine, and serum electrolyte levels in dengue patients and non-dengue patients. The analysis was performed within 24 hours after collection with the help of ABBOTT ARCHITECT 4100 Analyzer.
Results: In this study 100samples were taken; 50were selected as dengue patients and 50 were selected as non-dengue patients. It has drastically expanded urea and creatinine in dengue patients compared with non-dengue sufferers. Serum electrolytes showed slightly decreased in dengue patients compared with non-dengue sufferers.
Conclusion: The observed change in creatinine and urea increases in dengue patients compared to non-dengue patients. Sodium, potassium and chloride are almost reduced in dengue patients compared to non-dengue patients. Therefore, we can predict acute kidney injury by evaluating the kidney characteristics of dengue patients.
Impact of Protective Measures on Mealybug and Red Cotton Bug Incidence in Bt Cotton Hybrids
Authors: Prasanna Malireddi , Patel R D , Jarpla Mounika , Bonkuri Krishna Kumar , Desai H R , Bhanderi G R
Published: October 2024

The study investigated the influence of mealybug and red cotton bug populations on different cotton hybrids under protected and unprotected conditions. The results revealed that under protected conditions, the mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis population was significantly lower (0.23/plant) compared to unprotected conditions (1.14/plant). Among the hybrids, G. Cot. Hy. 10 BG II (0.35/plant) and Ajeet 155 BG II (0.40/plant) showed the lowest mealybug populations, while RCH 2 BG II recorded the highest (1.19/plant). Significant differences were observed in the interaction between protection levels and hybrids with lower pest populations recorded under protected conditions. Similarly, for the red cotton bug, the population was significantly lower under protected conditions (0.23/plant) compared to unprotected (0.87/plant). G.Cot.Hy.10 BG II showed the lowest red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus population (0.24/plant), while RCH 2 BG II had the highest population under unprotected conditions (1.24/plant). Significant differences were found in the interaction of protection levels, hybrids, and periods with protected conditions consistently showing lower pest incidences.
Removal of Tetracycline Using Tungsten Disulfide/Graphene Oxide as Photocatalyst: Effect of Light Irradiation and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Zolekafeli Zulhatiqah , Sateria Syafarina Farisa , Mohamed Ahmad Husaini , Alias Siti Hajar , Sambasevam Kavirajaa Pandian , Baharin Siti Nor Atika
Published: October 2024

Once widely utilised in both human and veterinary medicine, tetracycline antibiotics are now recognised as major environmental pollutants with detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Concerns regarding allergic responses, gastrointestinal problems, and diseases resistant to antibiotics are raised by their persistence in soil, groundwater, and surface water. The production of a tungsten disulfide-graphene oxide nanocomposite for tetracycline degradation under varied light sources is presented in this work. The successful incorporation of tungsten disulfide on graphene oxide structures was confirmed by characterization using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). This revealed characteristic peaks for hydroxyl (3328 cm–1), carbonyl (1732 cm–1), alkene (1583 cm–1), and ether (1044 cm–1) bonds, as well as sulphur bonding (500 to 739 cm–1). With a d-spacing of 2.24 nm, the tungsten disulphide-graphene oxide nanocomposite had a strong peak at 2θ = 15.5˚corresponds to the (002) plane, as shown by X-ray diffraction. A distinctive GO peak was found at 2θ = 10.1˚, which corresponds to the plane (002). With light emitting diodes (95.67%), fluorescent lights (81.28%), and ultraviolet-visible light (88.09%), the nanocomposite in a photoreactor showed excellent photocatalytic efficiency. The better performance of the tungsten disulfide-graphene oxide nanocomposite under varying illumination circumstances, as determined by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) model, presents a viable and sustainable option for tetracycline degradation in water purification. This technique tackles a long-term strategy for tetracycline photocatalytic degradation in water purification under different illumination scenarios. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
A Paradigm Shift In The Treatment Of Dental Caries And Periodontitis - A Mini Review
Authors: Bose Dr Surajit , Chandra Dr Dyotak , Chattopadhyay Dr Jayanta , Shetty Dr Rakshith , Sen Dr Subhalakshmi , Bhattacharya Dr Maumita
Published: October 2024

Oral cavity harbours millions of bacteria which interact to form biofilm and thereby helps to maintain homeostasis. Dysbiosis in the normal flora leads to various oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis. Dental caries is the most common oral disease where acids are produced by fermentation of carbohydrate molecules by various bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus sp, leading to demineralization of the tooth structure. Another disease of interest is Periodontitis where subgingival plaque is associated with the progression of gingivitis to periodontitis. After the success of Fecal Microbial transplant, researchers has been inspired to find out whether Oral Microbial transplant can be used in the treatment of oral diseases.