bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Status of Land Degradation Induced by Soil Erosion and Management Options in Duna District, Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Dakeso Tesfahun
Published: January 2025

Land resource degradation is a significant environmental issue that adversely impacts economic development and the livelihoods of farming communities. Therefore, the study aimed to explore land degradation by soil erosion and its management options in study area. To evaluate the causes and status of land degradation and for explore management practices against land degradation in the research area. To meet the established objectives, relevant data was gathered from samples area which was chosen using a stratified sampling method based on their agro-ecological conditions. The study's findings show that the livelihoods of all sampled household heads rely on mixed farming activities, with 90.3% of respondents engaged in both crop production and livestock rearing. The study indicates that crop and livestock productivity among household heads has been declining over time due to land degradation. In addition to land degradation, land shortage and limited access to farm inputs are significant challenges for crop production, leading to the expansion of farmland into grazing areas to compensate for crop losses caused by land degradation. The extent of land degradation in the study area continues to increase over time, as indicated by findings from the four selected kebeles are highly degraded; High population pressure, the area's topography, and frequent changes in farming and land use are the primary factors exacerbating land degradation in the study area, leading to a decline in the quality of farmland productivity. In response to the impacts of land degradation on their livelihoods, the community has implemented various strategies. Common approaches in the study area include cultivating cereal crops, engaging in daily labor, practicing handcrafts, planting perennial crops like buckthorn for sale, participating in irrigation activities, and clearing vegetation and forests to expand farmland.
Determinants of Youth Participation in Agriculture: A Case of Polder Farming Practices in Southwest Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Haque Sadika , Mondal Manoranjan , Hassan Fuad , Parvin Tania , Bhandari Humnath , Jagadish Krishna , Puskur Ranjitha , Yadav Sudhir , Rahman Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Revitalizing the agricultural sector through youth participation is essential to better adapt to changing climate and support sustainable development. However, youth participation in agriculture has been declining in developing countries, including Bangladesh. Only a limited number of scientific studies have been conducted to address this concern. This study aimed to examine the factors affecting the perception and participation of youths (18-35 years of age) in agriculture, considering the polder agricultural practices in the coastal zones. A simple random sampling technique was followed in this study. The quantitative data were randomly collected from 270 young men (64%) and women (36%) from Polder 30 located in Khulna district of Bangladesh. The determinants of participation choice were identified using the logit regression model. The empirical findings reveal that factors such as gender, farming experience, agricultural and youth development training, and access to credit positively affected youths’ decision to participate in agricultural practices. On the other hand, their age, education level, and plan to migrate to cities inversely influenced their decision. Moreover, the nature of the work, restricted access to land, and fewer work opportunities often contributed to such negative attitudes of youths toward agriculture. It is recommended that the government and policymakers should adopt appropriate measures through inclusion of practical agricultural education in curriculum, availability of extension services, and training programs on modern agricultural technology, a significant social recognition of agriculture in society and provide access to new technologies and adequate credit facilities to change the attitude of youths toward agriculture that will contribute to achieving agricultural sustainability and food security in Bangladesh.
Rotation, Convectivity and Hurricane State Determined by Entropic Forces: Relevance to AI Methodology
Authors: Kerman Bryan
Published: January 2025

The concept of entropic forces is introduced to demonstrate a new method to calculate the convective state of a cluster in rain clouds, associated with hurricanes and tornados. A derivation of these internal cloud forces, involving the ratio of the angular speed and terminal velocity of rotating clouds, compared to convectivity, which characterizes the ratio of latent heating and dissipation rates, has been shown to adequately characterize a hurricane’s state. The existence and properties of the entropic forces driving the associated dynamics are shown to reveal the interactive conditioning of the individual clouds by the ratio of rotational momentum, and that of the release of heat upon condensation, to that by turbulent dissipation. The method requires a microwave/millimeter radar to locally compute the foundational properties before derivation of the overall hurricane state. Statement of Importance: A potential link between AI and entropic forces has been suggested by others. By the definition, offered by IBM ‘Artificial intelligence, or AI, is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities’. In this paper, it is demonstrated that there is a computational algorithm which translates remotely sensed, strongly convectivity imagery into a numerical statement of ‘hurricane state’, and one which further uses simple mathematical statements of deduced forces in radar imagery. It is further deduced that the current AI computation of hurricane state from a GOES satellite should be extended to isolate radial flow in such rotating areas. It may also be that such areas have a locally different radiational temperature associated with local overshooting within a cluster.
A Neural Network-Based Ionospheric Electron Density Model over an African Equatorial Region Centered in Kano, Nigeria, Using COSMIC Mission Data
Authors: Abubakar Sani , Okoh Daniel , Tijjani Bello , Said Rabia , Gbenro Benjamin , Elemo Enoch
Published: January 2025

This study focuses on modeling the ionospheric electron density over a 5 degree rectangular African equatorial region centered in Kano, Nigeria, using artificial neural network. The electron density measurements data used in this research were obtained from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) team covering the period of 16 years ranging from 2006 to 2021 through the method of radio occultation. The data is in ionPrf file format provided by the COSMIC team. The profiles are in netCDF format containing ionospheric information including electron density profiles. The data were collected from a 5-degree rectangular African equatorial region centered in Kano, Nigeria (geographic coordinates: 12.00oN, 8.59oE; geomagnetic coordinates: 0.47oN). Computer neural network was used in training the data using the Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algorithm. Results for 22 trained networks demonstrated that the network with nineteen hidden layer neurons gave the most accurate result with root-mean square error (RMSE) of 86 𝗑 103 electrons per cubic centimeter. The criteria was that the best network is the one that gives the highest minimization of RMSE. The nineteenth network was therefore finally used as the neural network (NN) electron density model. The NN model’s hourly binned electron density predictions was compared with those of the NeQuick and International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) models. The result of the comparison illustrated that out of the 423 investigated ionosonde profiles, the NN model performed best in 200 profiles (approximately 47%) followed by the IRI which performed best in 114 profiles (approximately 27%) while the NeQuick performed best in 109 profiles (approximately 26%). The developed NN model was demonstrated to be able to reproduce the different ionospheric features (diurnal variations, seasonal variations, and the long-term changes).
Exploring the Role of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) in Forensic Biotechnology: Challenges and Innovations
Authors: Abebe Betelhem , Mitiku Temesgen , Birhane Nega
Published: January 2025

Short tandem repeat (STR) typing remains a crucial tool in forensic DNA profiling worldwide. This technology not only helps in convicting criminals and proving wrongful convictions but also establishes essential links to actual perpetrators of crimes and can act as a deterrent to potential offenders. DNA profiling has also allowed forensic scientists to re-examine closed cases due to insufficient evidence. To conduct this review, an extensive electronic literature search was performed using databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Google Search. All relevant works, including reviews, retrospective studies, observational studies, and original articles, were thoroughly reviewed. This paper explores the challenges and perspectives associated with using STRs in forensic investigations. STRs have high polymorphism, Mendelian inheritance, and the ability to analyze multiple loci in one reaction, making them essential tools in forensic science. Additionally, their suitability for analyzing degraded or traces DNA samples enhances their usefulness in criminal investigations and paternity testing. This abstract summarizes the current landscape of STR applications in forensic biotechnology, highlighting the challenges researchers face and the promising features that drive innovation in this field.
Clinicopathological and Histopathological Patterns of Colorectal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital
Authors: Md. Atiquzzaman , Sheherin Toma , Saikat Biswas , Kabir Shahriar
Published: January 2025

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with early detection and prevention playing critical roles in improving prognosis and survival rates. This study aimed to evaluate the histopathological patterns and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 12 months at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Department of Medical Oncology, including 61 diagnosed CRC patients. Ethical considerations were ensured, and written informed consent was obtained. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The mean age of patients was 52.18±14.33 years, with a majority over 60 years. A male predominance was observed (60.7% male vs. 39.3% female). The most common clinical features were changes in bowel habits (52.45%), per rectal bleeding (42.62%), and generalized weakness (40.98%). The rectum and anal canal were the most frequent tumor sites (39.3%), followed by the sigmoid colon (31.1%). Morphologically, 40.98% of lesions were ulcerative, 32.78% proliferative, 19.67% infiltrative, and 6.57% ulcero-infiltrative. Histologically, adenocarcinoma was the predominant type (85.2%), followed by mucinous carcinoma (9.8%) and undifferentiated carcinoma (4.9%). Significant differences were noted between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients and between tumor grading in younger versus older patients (p<0.05). Changes in bowel habits, per rectal bleeding, and generalized weakness were the most commonly reported symptoms, with the rectum and anal canal being the most common tumor sites. Adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent histological type, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and targeted interventions for better outcomes.
Cervico-Thoraco-Brachial Crossing Syndrome: Results of Surgery in 5 Cases Operated on in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department in Senegal
Authors: Bignandi Kondo , Diatta Souleymane , Diop Moussa , Diagne Pape , Ba Pape , Ciss Gabriel
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Cervico-thoraco-brachial outlet syndrome is a rare condition, affecting 1% of the population. It results from the compression of the vasculo-nervous structures, most often by the presence of a cervical rib or fibrous tissue. The place and importance of surgery remains debated by these authors who advocate conservative treatment. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of five patients with cervico-thoraco-brachial crossing syndrome treated in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department of National University Hospital Center of Fann in Senegal from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2020, over a period of 15 years. Results: Five patients, aged on average 33 years (extreme 18 and 50 years), were operated on. The predominance was female (1 man and 4 women). The symptoms were neurological in all patients, with upper limb claudication (3 cases), cervico-brachialgia and paresthesias (5 cases). The right side was the most affected with 3 patients. Right supraclavicular swelling was noted in two patients. The Adson test was positive in 4 patients. No vascular manifestations were observed. The average duration of symptoms before the intervention was 4 years (Extremes: 1 and 5 years). Imaging revealed: a cervical rib in 3 patients. This was bilateral in 2 patients; and right unilateral in 1 patient. In the two other cases, it was an apophysomegaly of the 7th cervical vertebra and a fibrous dysplasia of the first left rib. The electromyogram performed in the 3 patients confirmed a C6 C7 C8 (1 case) and C6 C7 (2 cases) plexopathy. The preferred surgical approach was supraclavicular. For fibrous dysplasia of the first rib, a double sus and subclavicular approach was made. Compression was due to a cervical rib (3 cases), dysplasia of the first rib (1 case) and apophysomegaly (1 case). There was fibrous tissue (2 cases) and the anterior scalene muscle (1 case). Medical treatment and physiotherapy were instituted in all patients. This allowed us to have generally satisfactory results after an average follow-up of 8 years (2 – 15 years). Conclusion: cervico-thoraco-brachial crossing syndrome is rare. The most common anatomical modifications are the presence of a cervical rib or fibrous tissue. Surgery combined with physiotherapy improves the quality of life of patients. A more exhaustive multicenter study would allow a better evaluation of the syndrome.
Climate-smart Agriculture and Agricultural Diversification Effects on Productivity and Resilience of Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia
Authors: Bekuma Getu
Published: January 2025

Climate-smart agriculture is the term for adaptations aimed at boosting agricultural production to support higher incomes and food security while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing farmers' resilience to climate change. Mulching, intercropping, conservation agriculture, crop rotation, integrated crop-livestock management, agroforestry, better grazing, and enhanced water management are examples of effective CSA techniques used in Ethiopia. To minimize vulnerability, marketing risks, income, and biological instability, farmers grow multiple crops on a given plot of land each year. This practice is known as agricultural diversification, and it is an important part of the decision-making process a farmer uses to minimize the risk of agricultural production. This review analysis was based on a thorough examination of published works that were retrieved from Google Scholar and several online resources. Numerous studies have demonstrated that age, gender, family size, wealth, membership in agricultural organizations, land ownership, and educational attainment all have a common impact on smallholder farmers' adoption of climate-smart farming techniques. Conversely, impediments or contributing elements that hinder the implementation of climate-smart agriculture have been noted. These obstacles might be either non-physical (software) or tangible (hardware). Infrastructure, funds, equipment, land, and people resources are some of the physical impediments. In addition, the institutional, cultural, policy, and regulatory contexts; information, knowledge, and skills; technologies and innovations; and governance are some of the non-physical or software impediments. Lastly, it was strongly advised to promote CSA techniques that are affordable cost and easily implement for larger smallholder farmers. The policy supportive strategies ought to focus on design in Climate Smart practices that are environmental and economically easily implemented at smallholder farmers conditions.
Assessing the Dynamic Innovations of Sele Monetary Policy Measures on General Investment in Nigeria: A VAR Approach
Authors: Dominic Iortyer , Muhammed Muhammed
Published: January 2025

The paper focused on appraising the dynamic innovations of sele monetary policy measures on general investment in Nigeria. Monetary policy measures remain central in promoting general economic stability. Thus, the paper has primarily investigated the dynamic innovations of selected monetary policy measures (real interest rate and money supply) on investment growth in Nigeria. The variables employed are money supply as dependent variable, interest rate and investment as independent variables. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Test result reveals that all the variables tested were not stationary at level I(0) but stationary at first difference I(1). Time series data from 1980-2022 period was used to estimate the relationship, using the VAR approach. Forecast error variance decomposition and impulse response functions were estimated to examine the dynamic effects of various innovations (shocks) on investment growth. The data used were sourced directly from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. Inverse of roots of VAR characteristic Polynomial shows that the model is stable. The results reveal that fundamental shocks of investment variable are associated with its own innovation and that of real interest rate and money supply. The study thus recommends appropriate interest rate policies and periodic increase in money supply to stimulate and sustain investment growth in Nigeria.
Study on a New Double-layer Electromagnetic Shield Structure of a Magnetic Coupler
Authors: Zheng Jianfen , Shan Lin , Yun Lu , Fei Zhao
Published: January 2025

Wireless energy transmission (WPT) technology is a technology that utilizes space media to achieve electrical energy transmission. The WPT can effectively solve some problems of traditional power transmission, such as unsafety, unreliability, inconvenience and so on. The magnetic couple is a key component of the WPT system, and its performance has a significant impact on the further improvement of the WPT technology. In order to improve coupling performance and reduce magnetic leakage, ferrite cores and aluminum materials are widely used in the magnetic shielding layers, which will lead to the increase of volume, weight and cost of the magnetic couplers. In this paper, a new double-layer shield structure applicable to a magnetic coupler is presented. The proposed design is based on bar ferrite cores and nanocrystalline ribbons, modeled with electromagnetic simulation of a 3D finite element method. It is analyzed that the magnetic field distribution and the coupling characteristics of a DD coil in a new double-layer shielding structure. Simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed design. Compared to those of a conventional double-layer shielding structure, the amount of ferrite core is reduced by 71.2%, and the coupling coefficient is increased by 1.12%, respectively. The simulation and experimental results proved the correctness and practicability of the design of the composite shielding structure.
Effects of Parboiling on Improving the Proximate Compositions of “Selam” Green Super Rice, Grown in Ethiopia
Authors: Mihretu Melese , Habtegebriel Solomon , Tolesa Getachew
Published: January 2025

In addition to treducing the broken rice due to the increase in hardness of the kernel through gelatinization, the parboiling process enhances the concentration of nutrients in rice grain. The husk and bran contain various nutrients, and during the soaking and steaming processes, soluble materials from these layers dissolve and migrate into the grain's endosperm, enriching its nutritional content. In this study, the Super Green 'Selam' rice variety was used with three factors evaluated having three levels. Soaking temperatures of 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C; soaking durations of 6, 12, and 24 hours; and steaming times of 15, 25, and 35 minutes were used, with non-parboiled rice acted as as the control group. For this study, a completely factorial design with a CRD configuration was applied. The parboiling process significantly improved the proximate components of the rice (P < 0.05). After 12 hours of soaking at 80°C followed by 35 minutes of steaming, the starch content increased to 60.53%. Crude protein, fat, and ash levels ranged from 5.25% to 6.62%, 1.56% to 2.67%, and 0.74% to 1.28%, respectively. Additionally, the combinations of pre-heat treatment, soaking, and steaming treatments led to crude fiber levels of 1.04% to 1.48% and carbohydrate content ranging from 74.97% to 78.47%. The trend generally showed that increasing the factors levels also improved the proximate components proportionally.
Homotopy Perturbation Method for Analyzing the Effect of Viscous Dissipation on Steady Natural Convection Couette Flow with Convective Boundary Conditions
Authors: Kabir Tafida , Abdulganiyu Tajuddeen
Published: January 2025

This research article presents an analytical study of convective flow in a vertical channel with convective boundary conditions. Because of the nonlinear nature of the governing energy and momentum equations, the homotopy perturbation method was employed. The effects of various physical parameters on temperature and velocity profiles are illustrated in Figures 2 to 9, and a comparison table is provided to validate the results. Notably, both temperature and velocity distributions increased with higher viscous dissipation. Furthermore, the velocity profile decreased with an increase in the Biot number, while the temperature profile adjacent to the plate increased as the Biot number grew. Shear stress also exhibited an upward trend with rising viscous dissipation. Finally, an increase in the Grashof number and Biot number is found to elevate the skin friction on both plates. The mean temperature is higher when air is used as the working fluid compared to mercury. To validate this study, the temperature and velocity results were compared with previously published work, showing excellent agreement. This confirms the efficiency of the Homotopy Perturbation Method in solving coupled and nonlinear system of differential equations. Additionally, it was observed that both temperature and velocity increase with a rise in the Prandtl number, attributed to the dominance of momentum diffusivity over thermal diffusivity.
Practical Results for General Models of Temporal, Spatial and Semantic Text Processing
Authors: Paul Boghiu
Published: January 2025

Large-scale language models (LLMs) dominate tasks such as natural language processing and computer vision, but using their spatial and temporal predictive power still needs to be improved. The main focus of the task described in this paper is to offer a technical solution that implements the Time Yards Model (TYM), which means putting in evidence time events and their evolution in a novel book or large text in an unsupervised manner. This article has a ground foundation and uses a manually annotated novel to train multiple state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to divide time segments. The aim is to identify specific text chunks based on several features (part-of-speech and part-of-sentence) to branch off the temporal tracks. This manuscript uses TimeML specification language to mark relevant words in time and space to achieve tempo-spatial investigation. Based on the observations, the proposed algorithm extensively analyses various novels presented for comparison, underlining their main strengths and weaknesses. Comprehensive experiments on diversified datasets show that our proposed solution successfully unlocks the potential for spatial and temporal forecasting with reasonable accuracy. Remarkably, our approach has achieved competitive performance compared to relevant papers from this field. Various text-processing methods are described, and different natural language processing frameworks and libraries are compared.
Predictive Hiring and AI: Elevating Recruitment with Optimized Neural Networks and Gradient Descent
Authors: Yassine Temsamani , Said Achchab
Published: January 2025

Efficient and accurate hiring processes are critical for organizational success, yet traditional recruitment methods often face challenges such as inefficiencies and delays. This study explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to enhance predictive hiring models. A hybrid framework is proposed, integrating neural networks with Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) optimization and feature selection methods, including Logistic Regression (LR) and Discriminant Analysis (DA). The approach demonstrates a marked improvement in prediction accuracy and efficiency, with Logistic Regression emerging as a more effective feature selection method for neural networks in this context. By leveraging these techniques, human resource teams can streamline candidate evaluations, enhance decision-making processes, and modernize recruitment workflows. This research underscores the transformative potential of AI in addressing the limitations of traditional hiring practices.
Irrigation Performance of a Water Distribution System: The Case of Kigugu Irrigation Scheme-Mvomero District Morogoro Region-Tanzania
Authors: Chogohe Mnega , Silungwe Festo , Tarimo Andrew
Published: January 2025

This study assessed the performance of the Kigugu Irrigation Scheme's water distribution system in Tanzania with an emphasis on its impact on crop yields. We used a combination of participatory tools and direct observation to gather comprehensive data, including weather patterns, water discharge rates, and farmer input levels. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed significant variations in water distribution across canals, with Relative Water Supply (RWS) values ranging from 0.7 to 5.9, indicating instances of both over- and under-supply. Despite these variations, satisfactory performance was demonstrated by the irrigation system, with high Water Delivery Performance Ratio (WDPR) values consistently recorded above 0.65, indicating that water demands were largely met across the system. Furthermore, the study found that equity in water distribution improved significantly during the growing season, with the equity index dropping from 0.2 to 0.1. This underscores the critical need for fair water allocation practices, particularly during low-flow periods, to ensure that all farmers receive an adequate supply. Based on these findings, several recommendations for irrigation system modifications were proposed to further improve water distribution and equity. In terms of productivity, a notable correlation between water distribution and crop yield was observed. A canal with a design discharge of 0.0228 m2/s produced a yield of 552.18 metric tonnes, demonstrating efficient water utilization. In contrast, canal SC.4-2, with a lower discharge of 0.0185 m2/s, achieved a smaller yield of 274.31 metric tonnes, further highlighting the importance of optimal water distribution for enhancing agricultural productivity. Overall, the Kigugu Irrigation Scheme maintains a reliable water supply, contributing positively to sustainable water resource management and agricultural productivity. This, in turn, supports local economic growth, enhances food security, and improves community well-being. The study’s findings provide critical insights for future improvements in irrigation management and resource allocation.
Identity and Affiliation: The Discursive Identity Construction of New Media Entrepreneurs in Contemporary China
Authors: Yang Huahua , Liu Chengyu
Published: January 2025

Given the increasingly significant role of the new media industry in China’s socio-economic development and the pivotal position of new media entrepreneurs (NMEs) within this industry, the current study explores how three NMEs construct their identities through shared values, drawing on affiliation framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). Semi-structured interviews conducted with NMEs are qualitatively analyzed by Nvivo 15. Findings suggest that value bonds related to industry, time, stress, growth, and family construct the identity network of NMEs. Specifically, NMEs place a high value on personal development and families. The constant changes in the new media industry lead to intense competition, necessitating continuous learning for NMEs. This makes NMEs face great stress and be burdened with highly intensive work, which leads to limited personal time and an unbalanced work and life. Nonetheless, constant changes constitute the core bond of NMEs’ identity, as these changes are deeply rooted in the rapid development of the new media industry in China, which simultaneously engender substantial opportunities. NMEs must strive to successfully address the arduous challenges posed by these changes, since those who fail to do so would be weeded out by the intense industry competition and could no longer retain their identity as NMEs.
A Case of Chronic Pityriasis Lichenoides Treated with Fire Needle Combined with Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Irradiation
Authors: Changchun Lu , Jianping Shi
Published: January 2025

This report presents a case treated with fire needle therapy combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) for chronic pityriasis lichenoides. The patient was a 44-year-old female who exhibited recurrent erythema, scaling, and pruritus on the limbs and trunk for a duration of five months. Dermatological examination revealed patchy bright red rashes on the chest with indistinct borders and no significant desquamation; scattered papules ranging from rice to soybean size, pale red to reddish-brown in color, were observed on the limbs, trunk, and buttocks, some of which were covered with fine, thin scales that shed easily. Additionally, patchy erythematous papules were noted on both palms, soles, and the dorsal aspects of the toes, accompanied by scattered vesicles and papules of similar size, some exhibiting minimal exudate and others covered with crusts. Nikolsky's sign was negative, and there was no thickening or deformation of the nails or toenails, nor were there palpable superficial lymph nodes. Dermatopathological findings revealed focal incomplete keratinization, neutrophilic exudate beneath the epidermis, mild epidermal hyperplasia, intercellular edema in the spinous layer, and liquefactive degeneration of the basal cells. A small number of lymphocytes were observed migrating into the epidermis, with lymphocyte-dominated inflammatory cell infiltration surrounding the blood vessels in the superficial to middle dermis, along with visible nuclear dust. The diagnosis was confirmed as chronic pityriasis lichenoides. Following one month of treatment with fire needle therapy in conjunction with NB-UVB irradiation, there was notable improvement in almost all clinical manifestations; the lesions on the chest completely resolved, and those on the dorsal feet became dry and convergent, with ongoing follow-up.
Fabrication of Burner Rig and Testing of Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Shrestha Bibhum , Subramaiah Sreenivas
Published: January 2025

This research explores the design and fabrication of burner rig to test Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) aimed at enhancing the longevity and performance of gas turbines. Gas turbines, commonly used in aviation and power generation, face extreme operating conditions with high temperatures and thermal gradients that can lead to significant component damage. TBCs, ceramic coatings applied to engine components, play a crucial role in providing thermal insulation and mitigating thermal fatigue, oxidation, and thermal shock. The study involved designing a burner rig, modeled in Solid Works and fabricated from mild steel, to replicate the high temperature environment of gas turbines. The experimental setup was enhanced by the precise machining of components like the aluminum alloy 6061 substrate, achieved through EDM wire cutting. The study demonstrates how factors such as material selection, bond coat and topcoat thickness, porosity, and thermal cycling significantly influence TBC performance. Testing with the burner rig showed that TBCs can greatly enhance engine efficiency and lifespan by providing robust thermal insulation. Advanced monitoring techniques, including infrared thermography and acoustic emission testing, were employed to evaluate the behavior of TBCs under thermal cycling. The findings underscore the need for balancing thermal insulation with thermal stress resistance to maximize coating performance. This research serves as a foundation for further advancements in TBC materials and testing methodologies, with the goal of enhancing the operational efficiency, longevity, and environmental sustainability of gas turbine engines.
Digital Transformation in Supply Chain Management: Leveraging AI and Big Data for Enhanced Efficiency in the Nigerian Oil Sector
Authors: Eteyen Oboho
Published: January 2025

The paper analyzed the impact of digital transformation, specifically through artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, on enhancing supply chain efficiency in the Nigerian oil sector. The research aimed to evaluate how these technologies improve operational performance and identify the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation. Using a systematic content analysis in reviewing recent related studies, the findings revealed that AI and big data significantly enhance decision-making, predictive maintenance, inventory management, and risk mitigation, contributing to overall supply chain efficiency. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of skilled personnel, and organizational resistance to change. Despite these barriers, the opportunities for optimizing operations and improving supply chain resilience are considerable. The paper concluded that, with targeted investments in technology and workforce development, the Nigerian oil sector can fully leverage AI and big data to achieve sustained operational excellence and competitive advantage in a dynamic global market.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Revealing a Fistula Point Venous Aneurysm in a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Craniocervical Junction: A Case Report
Authors: Thioub Mbaye , Atakla Hugues , Mbaye Maguette , Wague Daouda , Djigo Richard , Camara Coumba , Sy El , Bah Mamadou , Diallo Moustapha , Thiam Alioune , Ba Momar
Published: January 2025

Dural arteriovenous fistulas represent approximately 10% of all intracranial vascular malformations, of which 1 to 2% are located at the craniocervical junction. Their location at the craniocervical junction is uncommon but potentially significant, given its proximity to and relationship with vital anatomical structures in this region. The association of a dural arteriovenous fistula with a venous aneurysm is rare. In this report, we present the case of a 49-year-old patient with no particular pathological history who was admitted for acute headaches. The neurological examination revealed a patient with grade I WFNS, intracranial hypertension syndrome. Radiological investigations including CT, CT angio and MRI revealed a fisher IV subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured venous aneurysm associated to an arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction. He underwent clipping of the veinous aneurysm and microsurgical obliteration of the fistula. The postoperative course was uneventful. The clinical examination at 1-year post-op was unremarkable, and the follow-up MRI at 1-year post-op showed complete obliteration of the malformation. This report showed ruptured dural arteriovenous fistula should be considered in the etiology workup for posterior fossa subarachnoid hemorrhage. Effective and safe obliteration is possible without angiography.
Clinical Therapy Dose Optimization of Sublingual Buprenorphine in Poorly Adherent Pregnant Patients: A PBPK Translational Modelling Study
Authors: Nnanna Tobechi
Published: January 2025

Plasma levels of sublingual buprenorphine utilized in the therapy of opioid use disorder, has been demonstrated to undergo gestation-associated decline in vivo, to an extent influenced by upheavals physiologically across gestational trimesters. However, based on extant literature, a dearth of knowledge exists in the optimization of buprenorphine therapeutic modalities, pharmacokinetic interactions and posological scrutiny, necessary for successful regimen adherence. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modelling methodology in a virtual clinical trial premise was utilized to investigate gestational upheavals in peak plasma buprenorphine concentrations, followed by a pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction investigation and dose optimization strategy, to maintain buprenorphine levels above proposed thresholds of 1ng/ml and below 22.2ng/ml adjudicated as a fatality limit. A fold decline (> 1.3fold) in buprenorphine mean peak plasma concentration (92% - 74%) was evident for the model predicted buprenorphine metrics across selected gestational weeks to term in line with the model predicted increases in physiological upheavals occurring across gestation which may influence the changes. The rifampicin mediated drug-drug interaction on buprenorphine levels initially resulted in fold decreases (>1.5 fold) over a twenty-four hour duration, in concert with escalating physiological metrics across gestational trimesters. The interaction perpetrated with Clarithromycin dosing resulted in fold increases (> 2-fold) in the plasma concentration as well as an increase in other metrics associated with buprenorphine kinetics. The dose optimization approach maintained majority of subjects (>90%) with the extensive metabolizer (EM) phenotype above 1ng/ml and below 22.2ng/ml in the 8mg – 24mg dose ranges albeit with 1% and 3% in the 28mg and 32mg doses above the fatality limit respectively. This study demonstrates the utility of physiologically based pharmacokinetic methods to predict the time course of administered buprenorphine in plasma during gestation which could aid clinician decisions in a translational manner, in order to optimize therapeutic modalities in the therapy of opioid use disorder.
Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Invasive Pest of Agriculture and Their Biological Control: A Review
Authors: Alam Shah , Iqbal Sabir , Shehzad Muhammad , Tahir Ahmad , Hamza Ameer , Ullah Shifa
Published: January 2025

Spodoptera frugiperda is also known as fall armyworm, one of the important pests of agronomic and horticulture crops, and spread throughout the tropics and subtropics areas, threatening food security, economic advancement, and the lives of millions of cereal farmers. FAW is the world's major migratory pest, mainly damaging jade Rice, paddy rice, sorghum, sugarcane, cotton, pasture, and sugar beet more than 80 kinds of plants Although FAW has received extensive scientific attention in its home range in the Pakistan, chemical inputs play a key role in its mitigation, and biological control adoption is behind globally. Here, a quantitative review of the first report in Pakistan and different countries, potential risks of fall armyworm, collected and organized based on the monitoring, morphological, bio ecology, and geographical distribution of S. frugiperda invasive sites, further, the natural enemies of S. frugiperda, such as parasitic wasps, nematodes, pathogenic fungi, virus; Pheromones traps supporting technologies, Monitoring methods and suggestions, to study the potentially suitable areas of S. frugiperda. A risk assessment was carried out, the occurrence of this insect in Pakistan will affect my country's production industry Therefore, further develop relevant new technology research, strengthen the protection and utilization of natural enemies, and prevent the spread and disaster of S. frugiperda should be paid attention to in disaster-prone areas through the organic combination of biological control and chemical control.
Interactive Effects of Location and N- Fertilizer Rates on Grain Quality Traits of Bread Wheat Varieties at Arsi Zone, South-Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Dobocha Dereje , Negasa Gobena , Abera Girma
Published: January 2025

Nowadays it is not only the amount of yield that is important, but also the quality of the grain produced, because the quality of the grain determines the direction of use. In view of this, the current work was conducted in 2017/2018 cropping season with factorial combinations of two bread wheat varieties (Lemu and Wane), five N-rates (0, 46, 92,138 and 184 kg N ha-1) and two different locations (Lemu-Bilbilo and Tiyo). The experiment was laid down using a RCBD with three replications. The results explained that, with the exception of 1000 grain weight (TGW) and hectoliter weight (HLW), the remaining parameters included in this study are significantly influenced by the interactions of location x N-rate x variety, while the two-way interactions of location x variety and N-rate x variety were affected all studied parameters except HLW which didn’t affected by the interaction effects of location x variety. The maximum grain yield (7721 and 7481 kg ha-1) was achieved from Wane and Lemu at Lemu-Bilbilo and Tiyo at N-rates of 184 and 92 kg ha-1, respectively. The peak value of gluten index (GI) (87.9 and 87.4%) was determined in Wane and Lemu varieties, respectively, in unfertilized plot and at N rate of 138 kg ha-1, sequentially and at par with 138 and 184 kg ha-1 for wane and at par with N rate of 46 kg ha-1 plus with unfertilized plot for Lemu variety in Lemu-Bilbilo. The value of GI recorded at unfertilized plots and N-rate of 46 kg ha-1 was significantly at par for Lemu variety, while for wane significantly the same as the GI obtained at N-rate of 46 and 92 kg ha-1 at Tiyo. The effects of N rates at Lemu-Bilbilo was significantly on the same level, but the peak value of wet gluten (55.1%) and dry gluten (20.7%) were gained at 184 kg N ha-1 in Tiyo and significantly the level of 46, 92 & 138 kg N ha-1 for dry gluten and 138 kg N ha-1 for wet gluten. In Lemu-Bilbilo the HLW was increased with an increased N-rate, while in Tiyo it had increased to 92 kg N ha-1. Based on parameters examined, the N rates of 92 and 138 kg ha-1 for both varieties at the Tiyo and Lemu-Bilbilo study sites were therefore economically justifiable.
Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Aloe Vera Leaf Extracts Across Different Leaf Ages
Authors: Robert Alule , Isaac Isabirye
Published: January 2025

The increasing reliance on plant-based healthcare products, including herbal medicines and dietary supplements, emphasizes the global significance of traditional remedies. Aloe Vera with 400 reported species, has been widely used herbal remedy for health practices worldwide. Despite its extensive historical use and therapeutic reputation, recent studies have raised concerns about potential adverse effects, challenging the notion of Aloe Vera as a universally safe functional food material. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical composition of whole leaf extracts at various maturation stages of Aloe Vera and assess their antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus. The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed a concentration gradient, with older leaves exhibiting higher concentrations compared to medium and young leaves, suggesting a dynamic maturation-related variation. The antibacterial assay demonstrated age-dependent inhibitory activities, with older leaves displaying the highest, medium leaves following, and young leaves exhibiting the least inhibition. A consistent minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 mg/ml was observed across all leaf ages. These findings stress the need for cautious Aloe Vera consumption, especially in rural communities where whole-leaf extraction is prevalent, as recent studies have reported adverse effects and potential health risks associated with certain compounds. Safer alternatives, and regulating consumption practices are recommended, emphasizing sustainable practices to maximize plant benefits and minimize waste.
Practice of Transparency and Accountability Principles in Land Administration Office in Borena Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Kassa Muhammed , Mussa Getachew
Published: January 2025

In this study, the principle of accountability and transparency in land administration office were assessed. For this study, primary and secondary sources provided all the data that was needed. For this research, the primary sources of data were observations, questionnaires, key informant interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). A systematic sampling procedure was used to choose the samples, and important informants were chosen on purposive sampling technique. Out of the entire target population, 184 sample customers and rural landowners were chosen, and 15 key informants were specifically chosen. Descriptive and inferential statistics, along with a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, were utilized. The research findings indicated that the main obstacles to the implementation of transparency and accountability principles in land administration office were rent-seeking behavior, corruption, shortage of skilled labor, a lack of dedicated land administration officials, and inadequate monitoring and evaluation frameworks. 165 (91.7%) of sample respondents confirmed that the office was not open to its decisions on land allocation, registration and land acquisition especially through inheritance. The other findings also confirmed that Borena Woreda RLAU office has weak accountability system to maintain good governance due to the absence of periodic monitoring and evaluation system of officials and employees. “Naming and Shaming” of those involved in corruption in front of the public like in the religious and public institutions is recommended to reduce corruption and rent seeking behaviour in land sector. Finally, there should be a clear and praticable system developed by district land administration office to monitor and evaluate the performance of employers to take corrective measures on gaps identified.