bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parliamentary Elections in Uzbekistan in the Context of the President Sh. Mirziyoyev’s Reforms
Authors: Ionova E.
Published: February 2025

The elections to the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan held in October 2024 completed the cycle of reforms of President Sh. Mirziyoyev to bring the political system in line with the tasks of the current government, pursuing a policy aimed at liberalizing domestic and foreign policy activities. These reforms included the adjustment of constitutional norms of public administration, in the discussion of which Uzbek society took an active part; a “reset” of presidential power; a change in the prerogatives of representative power at all its levels; amendments to the Electoral Code of the country, providing for a transition to a majoritarian-proportional electoral system.
Customers’ satisfaction and adaptations to service robots in a hotel environment
Authors: KWINDA Vhugala Queen , WAKELIN-THERON Nicola
Published: February 2025

Purpose - The research aimed to investigate customers’ satisfaction and adaptations to service
robots in various operational areas in a hotel. Although few hotels have introduced service
robots in Africa, their creation is still in the initial stage and present challenges. The research
objectives were to investigate customers’ satisfaction with service robots in a hotel and to
determine customers’ adaptations to service robots in various hotel operational areas.
Methodology - The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-method research
approach. An online survey was used to collect quantitative data from hotel customers, while
interviews were used to determine the customers’ adaptations and validate the quantitative
results amongst hotel management.
Findings - Customers are adapting well to service robots; however, they have mixed feelings
about the presence of these robots in hotels. While they enjoy interacting with service robots
in the hotel’s reception and additional services, amongst others, they still question the services
that these robots provide.
Originality - This study also contributes to the literature, managerial contributions, limitations,
and recommendations for future research. Results from this research may help hotel managers
to understand how the hospitality and tourism industries will have to adapt to customers’
satisfaction and adaptability towards robots in hotels.
Pendampingan Penggunaan Aplikasi Terintegrasi dalam Menilai Kinerja Keuangan UMKM Pekalongan secara Efektif
Authors: Fatah Khoirul , Purwanto Teguh
Published: February 2025

Effective financial management is essential for the sustainability and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In today’s digital era, financial technology plays a crucial role for SMEs to remain competitive in a dynamic market. However, many SMEs, such as Daster Pekalongan (Deka Collection), still rely on conventional, manual financial recording, leading to inefficiencies and delayed decision-making processes. This community service project was designed to support Deka Collection in adopting an integrated financial application to improve financial literacy and enable accurate financial management. The method included structured steps: needs analysis, training module development, hands-on application training, field support, and evaluation. Through this approach, Deka Collection gained practical skills in cash flow management, report generation, and real-time transaction monitoring across e-commerce platforms. Post-implementation evaluations revealed improved efficiency, with time spent on financial recording halving from 10 hours to 5 hours per month, and error rates dropping from 15% to 3%. These outcomes demonstrate the positive impact of technology adoption in enhancing SME financial management, enabling more effective decision-making and greater market responsiveness. This initiative highlights the role of digital tools in bolstering business sustainability and economic resilience at the local level.
On The Design of Torsion-Free Gridshells
Authors: TELLIER Xavier , DOUTHE Cyril , MESNIL Romain , BAVEREL Olivier
Published: February 2025

Connection nodes are usually the costliest elements of gridshells because of their geometrical complexity. Their fabrication might be significantly simplified if they have no geometrical torsion. Literature has therefore focused on developing geometrical structures with null torsion, such as conical and circular meshes, and on associated generation methods. The meshes are closely linked with principal curvature and therefore give limited freedom to the designer. This paper investigates two approaches which allow for the design of torsion-free or quasi torsion-free gridshells for any planar quad mesh. The first approach is based on the theory of parallel transformation to define a torsion free layout. It tries then to fit nodal axes with surface normals. The second approach accounts for fabrication tolerances and use this additional freedom to build quasi torsion-free layout aligned with surface normal. It is based on the theory of conical meshes and is aimed at helping designers quantify torsion a priori. Especially, the freedom offered by tolerances for deviating a quadrangular pattern from principal curvature nets is quantified and illustrated in two case studies.
MyPath: the roadmap to implementing patient-centred care
Authors: Urrizola Amaia , Brkic Alen , Caraceni Augusto , Hjermstad Marianne Jensen , Lundeby Tonje , Ausen Dag , Cervantes Andres , Deliens Luc , Kurita Geana Paula , Latino Nicola , Mitrea Nicoleta , Olde Damink Steven , Payne Cathy , Velikova Galina , Fallon Marie , Kaasa Stein
Published: February 2025

Globally, healthcare systems are grappling with economic and human resource struggles. The ageing of the population and the rising prevalence of cancer are some of the main drivers of healthcare expenditure. If these challenges are not properly managed, the quality of the cancer care provided can deteriorate. Moreover, people with cancer struggle with physical, psychological, and social problems that are not routinely addressed despite overwhelming evidence of the benefits of the systematic assessment and management of symptoms. Based on the evidence that the delivery of patient-centred care (PCC) with active anticancer treatment improves most clinical outcomes and satisfaction with care, international consensus and guidelines revisions recommend the delivery of PCC as an integral part of anticancer treatment. Unfortunately, PCC is not implemented routinely, and patients do not receive the care they need. Funded by the EU, the MyPath project aims to assess whether PCC can be integrated into clinical practice using patient-centred care pathways supported by health information technology. At the core of the project is implementation science. Understanding what is required to successfully implement PCC will facilitate the uptake of evidence-based medicine across the continuum of routine cancer care, from active treatment to palliative care, to ensure that patients receive the care they need, when they need it. The purpose of this article is to present the methodology to be used in the MyPath project to implement PCC routinely. This study will be performed in nine European cancer centres. After its completion, we will assess if the proposed solution is successfully implemented.
Sharia-Based Innovation Performance: The Role of Dynamic Technological Agility and Entrepreneurial Orientation
Authors: Mubarok Muhammad Husni , Martini Tina
Published: February 2025

This study aims to analyze the relationship between dynamic technological agility based on entrepreneur orientation and network resources towards sharia-based innovation performance and competitive advantage in small medium enterprises of Muslim fashion. Specifically, this study argues that dynamic technological agility moderates the relationship between entrepreneur orientation and network resources with sharia-based innovation performance and competitive advantage. Managers and owners of small medium enterprises at Muslim fashion were chosen as the primary focus of this study. 200 questionnaires were distributed managers and owners of small medium enterprises at Muslim fashion. Following the analysis of data from 163 managers and owners of small medium enterprises at Muslim fashion, empirical testing shows that the entrepreneur orientation and the network resources influences the dynamic technological agility and has a strong correlation. This research finds that  dynamic technological agility has a significant impact on sharia-based innovation performance. Meanwhile, the dynamic technological agility and the sharia-based innovation performance influences the competitive advantage. 
Integrating Local Environmental Resources into Social Studies Curriculum: A Case Study of Primary Education in Enhancing Environmental Literacy
Authors: Maulana Amri Dhimas , Sapriya Sapriya , Mansyur Alif Ilman , Utami Lingga
Published: February 2025

This study explores how integrating local environmental resources into the social studies curriculum at the primary school level enhances students' environmental literacy. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from 12 teachers, 16 students, and 4 community members through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis revealed that students' understanding of environmental issues improved through contextual and interdisciplinary learning, supported by community involvement. Despite challenges such as limited resources and teaching materials, the collaboration between teachers and the local community was crucial for successful implementation. The findings highlight the importance of contextualizing environmental education within social studies to foster a deeper connection between students and their local environment, thereby promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The study underscores the need for tailored strategies and continuous support to address challenges and ensure effective integration of local environmental resources into the curriculum.
Penerapan Metode Snowball Throwing untuk Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis dan Diskusi Peserta Didik pada Mata Pelajaran IPS
Authors: M. Nur Dany Miftah , Fiani Destina Marta , Rizqina Yusrotin Meila
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan diskusi peserta didik kelas IX A MTs Raudlatusy Syubban Margoyoso pada mata pelajaran IPS dengan topik globalisasi melalui penerapan metode Snowball Throwing. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) yang dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus, masing-masing terdiri dari empat tahapan: perencanaan, pelaksanaan, observasi, dan refleksi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa metode Snowball Throwing efektif meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan diskusi peserta didik. Pada siklus I, rata-rata nilai keterampilan berpikir kritis peserta didik adalah 65 dan keterampilan diskusi adalah 68, keduanya masih berada di bawah Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimal (KKM) sebesar 75. Setelah dilakukan perbaikan pada siklus II, nilai rata-rata meningkat menjadi 80 untuk keterampilan berpikir kritis dan 82 untuk keterampilan diskusi. Keberhasilan ini ditunjukkan dari beberapa indikator, seperti meningkatnya partisipasi aktif peserta didik, kemampuan mengidentifikasi masalah, berpikir analitis, serta kekompakan dan kolaborasi kelompok.Faktor pendukung keberhasilan meliputi antusiasme peserta didik, suasana belajar yang interaktif, dan sarana pembelajaran yang mendukung. Dengan demikian, metode Snowball Throwing dapat diterapkan sebagai strategi pembelajaran yang efektif untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan diskusi pada mata pelajaran IPS.
The 2023 Joint Airfield Damage Repair Symposium (JADRS) at Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Authors: Rushing John , Floyd Webster , Turner Stephen , Berney Ernest , Ward Andrew , Carruth William , Overstreet Franklin , Davis James , Washington Stacy
Published: February 2025

The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the 20th Engineer Brigade, 27th Engineer Battalion, executed the Joint Airfield Damage Repair Symposium from 5 to 14 June 2023. The event was a training experience for personnel executing pavement-repair tasks and a planning and coordination exercise for senior military and civilian leaders developing technologies and plans for airfield damage repair (ADR). The participants included 14 trainers, 8 staff members, 48 observers, and 145 trainees from the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The Military Occupational Specialty of most Army trainees was 12N, Horizontal Construction Engineer. The symposium also included a workshop attended by more than 20 organizations representing all branches of the US Military. Breakout sessions were used to develop strategies to address gaps in ADR materials, training, and doctrine. At the end of the symposium, the 27th Engineer Battalion identified needs for an updated joint doctrine detailing the capabilities residing within each service branch and defining their roles and responsibilities, equipment up-grades based on commercially available products that would enhance efficiency for ADR missions, positioning ADR materials in strategic locations to reduce the logistical burden of delivery, and lighter, more expeditionary ADR kits across each service.
SHARIA SUPERVISORY BOARD, BOARD ATTRIBUTES AND REAL EARNINGS MANAGEMENT IN ISLAMIC BANKS
Authors: Musa Sulaiman , Haji Masri Masairol , Haji Hamdan Mahani
Published: February 2025

This study examines how the Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) moderates the effects of Board of Directors (BOD) characteristics on real earnings management (REM) of Islamic banks. Using unbalanced data encompassing 45 Islamic banks across 15 countries from 2012 to 2023, it documents a negatively significant influence of board size, independence, and expertise on  REM. The influence of board's diligence, however, is absent. The study further notes that the SSB index moderates the effect of BOD attributes on REM in Islamic banks. The findings hold important implications for policymakers and regulators in shaping regulations on SSB and BOD oversight functions to curb REM practices. The study also contributes to the literature by offering further empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and REM in Islamic banks.
DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND BANK STABILITY IN A DUAL BANKING SYSTEM: DOES FINANCIAL LITERACY MATTER?
Authors: Banna Hasanul
Published: February 2025

This study examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), financial literacy, and stability of conventional and Islamic banks across 15 countries from 2011 to 2020. The findings show that DFI significantly enhances the stability of conventional banks, particularly through increased customer engagement with digital financial services, improving asset quality and reducing risks. In contrast, the relationship between DFI and stability of Islamic banks is either insignificant or negative, which may be attributed to Shariah compliance requirements, product mismatches, and competition from conventional banks and FinTech firms. Furthermore, while DFI boosts stability in conventional banks, it also exposes them to potential risks such as digital bank runs, as seen in the case of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2023. Additionally, high financial literacy positively interacts with DFI to boost the stability of conventional banks but has a negative impact on Islamic banks. Arguably, financially literate customers may resist digital services that do not fully meet Islamic principles. The results highlight the need for tailored strategies in Islamic banking, including the development of Shariah-compliant digital products, enhanced financial literacy programs, and more robust risk management frameworks to mitigate vulnerabilities like digital bank runs and improve stability in the sector.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Determined Tumor Contact Area to predict Pathological Extra Prostatic Extension in Clinical T2 Prostate Cancer.
Authors: Tsujimoto Masashi , Inoue Yuta , Taga Hideto , Saito Yumiko , Kaneko Masatomo , Miyashita Masatsugu , Yamada Takeshi , Yamada Yasuhiro , Ueda Takashi , Fujihara Atsuko , Shiraishi Takumi , Okumi Masayoshi , Hongo Fumiya , Konishi Eiichi , Yamada Kaori , Yamada Kei , Ukimura Osamu
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To assess the valuability of MRI-determined tumor contact area as a predictive factor of pathological extraprostatic extension in cT2N0M0 prostate cancer.
Methods: Seventy-two cT2N0M0 prostate cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed who received multiparametric MRI followed by robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy as a primary treatment between February 2014 and April 2021. Patients were excluded whose index lesion did not match between MRI and pathological specimen. MRI-determined tumor contact area was approximated as an ellipse shape, and calculated by two different formula: MRI-TCA1 was calculated using both tumor contact length in axial plane and longer tumor contact length in sagittal or coronal plane. MRI-TCA2 was calculated using tumor contact length in axial plane and tumor thickness in volume data.
Results: Sixteen patients were pathologically extraprostatic extension positive. Age, initial PSA, preoperative T classification, Gleason score and resection margin status were no significance between extraprostatic extension positive and negative. MRI-determined tumor contact length, MRI-TCA1 and MRI-TCA2 were significantly greater in extraprostatic extension positive than in negative (p<0.0001, p<0.0001 and p=0.0026, respectively).
Conclusions: MRI-determined tumor contact area was clinically available parameter to predict extraprostatic extension in cT2N0M0 prostate cancer.
Disclosure of Direct and Witnessed Police Stops Among Black Youth in Baltimore City, Maryland: Implications for Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Jackson Dylan B. , Fix Rebecca L. , Testa Alexander , Webb Lindsey , Clary Laura K. , Mendelson Tamar , Turney Kristin
Published: February 2025

Youth-police contact is increasingly acknowledged as a stressor and a racialized adverse childhood experience that can undermine youths' mental health. There is limited empirical research, however, on youths' disclosure of police stops to trusted others and how disclosure might mitigate adverse mental health responses to police stops. The present study examines patterns of disclosure following direct and witnessed police stops and their implications for post-traumatic stress among a diverse sample of Black youth. Data come from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), a cross-sectional survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12–21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 341), administered from August 2022 to July 2023. Logistic and negative binomial regression methods were employed to examine key predictors of disclosure and associations between disclosure to recipients (e.g., family members, friends, non-familial adults) and police-initiated post-traumatic stress symptoms (PI-PTSS) following memorable stops. Results reveal most youth disclosed direct (65.18%) and witnessed (53.59%) stops. Still, in multivariable models, older youth, lesbian/gay and bisexual youth, and children of immigrant parents were less likely to disclose direct (but not witnessed) stops. Disclosure to a wider range of individuals—and to family members specifically—was associated with reduced PI-PTSS stemming from direct stops, whereas disclosure to non-familial adults (e.g., teachers, counselors) was associated with reduced PI-PTSS stemming from witnessed stops. Overall, our findings suggest inequities in Black youths’ disclosure of police stops (e.g., lower odds among LGBQ youth experiencing direct stops), and that disclosure is generally associated with fewer trauma symptoms.
Microbial Succession During Box and Heap Fermentation of Cocoa Beans (Theobroma Cocoa)-impacts on Nutrients and Chocolate Quality
Authors: Ojimelukwe Philippa C
Published: February 2025

Cocoa beans (a mixture of 3 varieties) were subjected to heap and box fermentation processes, sun-dried and used to produce chocolate which was compared with chocolate from unfermented cocoa beans. The succession of microorganisms was determined during fermentation. Proximate composition, and phenolic content of samples and the sensory properties of produced chocolate samples were also determined. Bacterial count in both box and heap fermentations decreased with fermentation period. The temperature of the fermenting cocoa beans increased with fermentation period. pH reduced by the 4th day and later increased until day 8.Yeasts and Bacillus species dominated the fermenting mass initially. After 24 h Lactic Acid bacteria emerged, reached their peak at 72 h and decreased significantly after 96 h. Fermentation decreased the fat content by 16.5%, carbohydrate (20.5%), ash (9.3%) and crude fibre content (by 37.4%) but increased the protein content of the samples by 60.3%. Total increase in temperature was 6oC during the 8-day fermentation period. Yeasts, acetic acid bacteria, Bacillus species and lactic acid bacteria were the most predominant organisms responsible for the fermentations. Acetic acid bacteria played a greater role in heap fermentation, than in box fermentation. The fungal count in the box fermentation reduced from the 2nd day to the 4th day (1.47 for day 2, 0.47 for day 4). Fermented cocoa beans dried faster than the unfermented ones. Fermentation decreased the total phenol content (4.59-2.68 mg/g) and increased pH towards alkalinity (pH 5-33- 6.68). Chocolate produced from fermented cocoa beans was more acceptable to consumers than the unfermented sample in terms of sensory properties. Chocolate samples from heap fermentation were more astringent than samples from box fermentation.
Hyper-Range Amorphization Unlocks Superior Damage Tolerance in Alloys
Authors: Li Ying , Du Jinliang , Guo Shukuan , Feng Hangqi , Changhong Changhong , Li Weijie , Wang Pei
Published: February 2025

Shear bands dictate the failure mechanisms of alloys across various strain rates and limits the damage tolerance of the alloy. While localized amorphization has the potential to mitigate shear effects, it has thus far been confined to the nanoscale. Here, we extend amorphization to the micrometer scale, fundamentally replacing shear-dominated failure in multi-principal element alloy micropillars. Instead of applying a single strain rate, we implement continuous compression strain training from low to high strain rates, generating a top-down high-density dislocation gradient that drives the formation of a topological lattice disorder network, extending over one-third of the micropillar height (hyper-range amorphization). Within the amorphous bands, atoms exhibit dynamic disorder, and the lattice rearranges and recovers dissipating shear stress. The alloy achieves an ultimate compressive strength of ceramic level (~6.5 GPa), while maintaining ~59.1% plasticity. This work reveals a strain engineering-based mechanical mechanism for extending amorphization, establishing it as a viable pathway to enhancing the structural stability and energy dissipation capacity of alloys.
Study of the phytochemical diversity of segregated Rhus coriaria pericarp and seeds oil and their antifungal and antibacterial activity
Authors: Dotsha Jaleel Raheem  , Sabah Rahman Hero , Qadr FaqeAbdulla Nareen , Ahmed Ahmed Akhter
Published: February 2025

Sumac fruits are used in food and as a remedy, but their seeds are often discarded as waste despite making up a large proportion of the fruit’s weight. This research therefore examines the chemical composition and biological activities of oils from sumac pericarp and seeds in an attempt to find potential uses for the seeds in comparison to the long-used pericarp. Both oils were found to contain alkanes and fatty acids. The pericarp oil also contained caryophyllenes. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids as major components in both parts. Pericarp oil contained more saturated fatty acids, while seed oil showed higher content of unsaturated fatty acids. The pericarp oil also contained greater amounts of total phenols, β-carotene and exhibited higher radical scavenging activity. Elemental analysis found K, P, Si, Cl, S, and Ca as major elements in both pericarp and seeds oil. Both oils showed moderate inhibition against Candida albicans. The pericarp oil strongly inhibited Escherichia coli and seed oil inhibited Acinetobacter baumannii. Moderate activity was observed against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus by both pericarp and seeds oil. The findings suggest both oils have potential as nutritional and antimicrobial agents.
Effect of Oat β- glucan as a Fat Replacer on Physicochemical, Rheological and Sensory Properties of low-fat Sheep Milk Yoghurt
Authors: Shno S. Mohammed  , Jasim M. S. Al-Saadi  , Rahela S. Qader  , Hanan F. Khalil
Published: February 2025

The notion of yoghurt's positive impact on human health and nutrition has been widely held throughout several civilizations for a considerable duration. The aim of this study is to examine the benefits of adding oat beta glucan to skim milk in order to enhance the production of yogurt. An investigation was conducted on yogurt samples to analyze their physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, water-holding capacity (WHC), and hardness) as well as their sensory qualities. The samples were stored at a temperature of 4±1 °C for 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. The analysis revealed that the average pH value of both types of sheep milk samples was within the range of 6.6 to 6.5, indicating that the acidity level was within the usual range for all milk compositions. The yoghurt samples had the maximum acidity at beta glucan concentrations of 0.75% and 1%. The study is shown that the addition of oat β-glucan, particularly at a concentration of 0.25%, enhances the qualitative characteristics of low-fat yogurt and increases sensory evaluation ratings when compared to control treatments.
On-Site Investigation and Diagnosis of Hazardous Street Section in Erbil Street Network
Authors: Abdulhakim Othman Salih kozapanky
Published: February 2025

Accidents place a significant burden on the national economy due to their potential to cause disability, death, health issues, property damage, social distress, and environmental harm.
        The current study seeks to investigate an accident prone location in Erbil Street Network "in Kurdistan region- Iraq" and implement the procedures outlined in the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The process involves characterizing the accidents, diagnosing the issues, and assessing field conditions to identify the contributing factors. Based on this, countermeasures are suggested to significantly improve safety.
      Factor analysis was employed to determine and rank the most influential factors contributing to the accidents. By addressing these significant factors with targeted measures, future accidents can be reduced.
      Data analysis was conducted focusing on micro-level factors such as traffic characteristics, road user behavior, collision types, road and geometric features, street furniture, and environmental conditions.
      The study involved characterizing accidents, diagnosing field conditions, identifying contributory factors, and recommending countermeasures to substantially enhance safety.
      Through the analysis of the collected accident data, it is shown that run over (pedestrian accidents) is the dominant type and happened at morning and afternoon peak hours. It contribute to vehicles speed which generally exceeded the average speed for the link.
      The output of the diagnosis phase is a set of applicable countermeasures for the accident prone location and the degree of confidence in each countermeasure.
      This research will assist transportation designers in understanding accident causes and implementing appropriate measures during road construction planning and for existing conditions. It provides a framework for reducing accidents both in the short term and over the long term.
The Effect of the Density of Square-Free ωp-numbers on the Bounds of Beurling Counting Function
Authors: Al-Ebrahimy Sarah , F. Mohommed Eman
Published: February 2025

Primitive weird numbers are weird numbers which are not a multiple of any smaller weird numbers. The goal of this work is to use a square-free primitive weird number x=ab where  b be an increasing sequence of prime numbers such that q1  is greater than ∏_(j=1)^r▒〖(q ̅_j+1)〗 and a=∏_(j=1)^r▒q ̅_j  and a is deficient number with n greater than 1, to enhancing the classic bounds of Beurling counting function on Riemann Hypothesis.
Gas-Sensing Performance of TiO2 Nanorod Arrays Synthesized by Solvothermal Method
Authors: Hersh Ahmed Khizir
Published: February 2025

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanorods formed through by solvothermal growth on a glass substrate coated with FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) are synthesized in order to fabricate an Al/TiO₂-based gas sensor. This is valuable due to the morphology and nanostructure of the sensing film have an important effect on gas sensors' abilities for operation. Investigation using XRD and FESEM demonstrated the synthesized TiO2 nanorods' crystal nanostructure. Perfectly ordered and uniform TiO2 nanorods synthesized in an aqueous solution by varying the volumetric ratio of HCl to Ethanol and the acidity. At room temperature, the current–voltage (I–V) characteristic and the sensor's sensitivity to various reducing (ethanol and methanol) and oxidizing (oxygen, and carbon monoxide) gases were studied. For O2, CO, methanol, and ethanol gases, the corresponding relative sensitivity (Response) to a bias voltage (V) of 0.5 V is 53.758, 91.248, 108.298 and 144.689 %. While the gas sensor was in the dark and at room temperature, it was more sensitive to ethanol than other gases with good response and stability by the relative deviation of the gas response sensitivity was less than 2%. As a result, when compared to oxygen, carbon monoxide, and methanol gases, which have strong response sensitivity and stability, the study shows that TiO2 nanorods are a suitable method of enhancing ethanol sensing abilities.
Genetic Association Between A Parents And Its Grandparents In Performance Traits Of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Hurea Saber Abdulrazaq
Published: February 2025

This study aims to estimate the heredity and genetic correlations of some productive performance traits that geneticists are interested in, well as to investigate the genetic relationship between parents and grandparents of broiler chickens. Blood samples were collected from in tubes containing EDTA anticoagulant. From 240 Ross-308 birds, which were transferred directly laboratory to conduct the process of extracting DNA from blood samples. As for polymorphism, it was highest in OPA-9, where it was recorded as 13, and the percentage of polymorphism was 39.39 for the same primer. Coefficient of genetic similarity was between 0.81 - 1.00. , these characteristics were taken to compare between parents and grandparents at the age of 30 weeks in order to identify the characteristics studied when they are at the best productive age for comparison between them. It was found that there were significant differences between parents and grandparents in Egg/bird/week, Hatching, egg production, hatching all eggs (%), Chicks/Hen, where the parents recorded the highest significant difference in all of these characteristics, which was (5.90 , 5.70, 87.1 , 87.1 , 5.10 ).  respectively. Grandparents recorded a significant superiority in body weight and egg weight, which were (4064.33 and 58.5), respectively.
Diversity responses to precipitation gradients differ between older and younger islands of Hawai‘i
Authors: Barajas Barbosa Martha Paola , Knight Tiffany M. , Onstein Renske E. , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: February 2025

Studying the interaction between macroevolutionary and ecological factors is critical for understanding the principles of diversity regulation and predicting the effects of human activities. Here, we use the geological chronology of the Hawaiian archipelago as a testbed to examine the interaction between island age and climatic factors (i.e., precipitation) on contemporary patterns of tree taxonomic diversity. To this end, we estimated patterns of tree species diversity from 375 forest plots spread across steep precipitation gradients and different substrate ages on a younger island (Hawai‘i; ~ 0.5 million years old), an intermediate-aged island (Maui Nui complex; ~ 2 million years old), and an older island (O‘ahu; ~ 3 million years old). We found a clear positive relationship between precipitation and diversity on the oldest island (O‘ahu), but no such relationship on the two younger islands (islands in the Maui Nui complex and Hawai‘i). We also found high species turnover between drier and wetter environments on the oldest island, which suggests ecological specialization on these habitat types, but not on the younger islands. However, when we included plots that were highly invaded by alien species, the effect varied and precipitation had a larger effect on diversity and turnover on the younger islands. This could be because the younger islands may be more vulnerable to invasions. Our results suggest that the response of diversity to climate variation differs substantially across the Hawaiian Islands, possibly because of differences in the age of the islands; however, biological invasions are degrading this signature.

Local diversity responses to a steep precipitation gradient are stronger on older Hawaiian Islands, likely due to longer timescales for macroevolutionary processes.

Species turnover to distinct precipitation conditions varies across islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, with older islands exhibiting greater precipitation-driven ecological specialization.

Alien species alter local diversity responses to precipitation, particularly on the youngest island of the archipelago.

The presence of alien species is modifying the pattern of species turnover across distinct precipitation conditions, with dry and mesic habitats on intermediate-age islands showing higher species turnover.

Biological invasions are currently reshaping plant diversity patterns in the Hawaiian archipelago.
Soliton gas of the integrable Boussinesq equation and its generalised hydrodynamics
Authors: Bonnemain Thibault , Doyon Benjamin
Published: February 2025

Generalised hydrodynamics (GHD) is a recent and powerful framework to study many-body integrable systems, quantum or classical, out of equilibrium. It has been applied to several models, from the delta Bose gas to the XXZ spin chain, the KdV soliton gas and many more. Yet it has only been applied to (1+1)-dimensional systems and generalisation to higher dimensions of space is non-trivial. We study the Boussinesq equation which, while generally considered to be less physically relevant than the KdV equation, is interesting as a stationary reduction of the (boosted) Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equation, a prototypical and universal example of a nonlinear integrable PDE in (2+1) dimensions. We follow a heuristic approach inspired by the Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz in order to construct the GHD of the Boussinesq soliton gas. Such approach allows for a statistical mechanics interpretation of the Boussinesq soliton gas that comes naturally with the GHD picture. This is to be seen as a first step in the construction of the KP soliton gas, yielding insight on some classes of solutions from which we may be able to build an intuition on how to devise a more general theory. This also offers another perspective on the construction of anisotropic bidirectional soliton gases previously introduced phenomenologically by Congy et al (2021).
The impact of perceived organizational cronyism on decision-making: The moderating role of ethical organizational culture
Authors: Khraim Hamza
Published: February 2025

One of the primary responsibilities of managers is to make informed decisions that promote company progress and enhance performance. Unfortunately, not all managers adhere to appropriate decision-making standards. Some managers may resort to subjective criteria instead of relying on objective performance metrics. The purpose of this study is to investigate employees’ perceptions of cronyism and how organizational cronyism influences decision-making in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Jordan. A quantitative approach was employed, using a structured questionnaire to gather employee responses. The questionnaires were collected from employees of the top five pharmaceutical companies, which are considered the most dynamic and competitive in the Jordanian market. A total of 452 usable questionnaires were included in the analysis. The results indicate that all three dimensions of organizational cronyism, including paternal cronyism (β = 0.295, t = 5.382, p > 0.000), in-group bias (β = 0.277, t = 3.514, p > 0.000), and reciprocal exchange of favor (β = 0.321, t = 3.866, p > 0.000), have a significant impact on decision-making. Regarding the moderating impact of ethical organizational culture, the results reveal a weak impact on the relationship between the dimensions of organizational cronyism and organizational culture. Unprejudiced decision-making can be a crucial factor in fostering an ethical culture and reducing organizational cronyism.
Natural radionuclides in drinking water and annual effective dose to infant, child, and adult
Authors: Hodolli Gezim , Dizman Serdar , Kadiri Sehad , Makolli Sami , Kastrati Labinot
Published: February 2025

This study assessed the annual effective dose from drinking water across different age categories, considering various sources of water. The water samples were collected from different locations, with the samples categorized into public drinking water systems, private wells, and bottled water. In the drinking water samples, no radionuclides other than Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and H-3 were detected. The average tritium concentration in drinking water was measured at 1.84 Bq L−1, significantly below the permissible safety standards. The study indicated that infants received the highest annual effective dose from drinking water, averaging 0.88 mSv year−1, compared to 0.11 mSv*year−1 for children and 0.08 mSv*year−1 for adults. Among the different water sources, well water from Stublla village showed significantly elevated levels at 0.49 mSv*year−1. The highest contribution to the annual effective dose from the ingestion of drinking water comes from Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40, with average values of 1.72, 0.42, and 0.161 mSv*year−1, respectively. Despite these variations, the average annual effective doses from drinking water for infants, children, and adults were 0.81, 0.098, and 0.076 mSv year−1, respectively. Based on drinking water sources, the Stublla region had the highest yearly effective dosage, with an average value of 0.49 mSv year−1.
Synthesis of magnetic nanocomposite (Fe3O4/acerola seed) for cationic dye removal
Authors: Gadelha Antonio José Ferreira , Rocha Clarice Oliveira , Guedes Matheus Ferreira , Lima Evelin Ferreira
Published: February 2025

The removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by NaOH-treated acerola seeds impregnated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MAS) was investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles were obtained through chemical precipitation of a Fe2+/Fe3+ mixture by ammonia, in the presence of treated acerola seed (AS) powder. The nanocomposite obtained was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and nitrogen physisorption. MAS characterization results indicated the successful incorporation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the AS. The influence of adsorbent mass (0.2–0.8 g), pH (4.0–10.0), and agitation (80–120 rpm) on the adsorption of MB on MAS were investigated through a 23 full factorial design. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetics studies suggested that the Sips isotherm model (R2 = 0.989), with a qmax of 73.07 mg·g−1, adequately explains the adsorption process and the pseudo-first-order model (R2 = 0.997) could be regressed well with experimental data. The Weber–Morris model indicates that diffusion in the boundary layer is the limiting step of the process. The statistical analysis of the factorial design suggests that from the first-order regression model (R2 = 0.9972), the optimum effective remotion was: pH at 10.0, adsorbent mass at 0.8 g, and an agitation speed at 120 rpm, resulting in a removal of 99.32%. Results revealed that the MAS is a promising potential adsorbent for dye removal.
The Use of Force and Self-determination: Parsing Indeterminacy
Authors: Forcese Craig
Published: February 2025

Hersch Lauterpacht observed in 1952 that “if international law is, in some ways, at the vanishing point of law, the law of war is, perhaps even more conspicuously, at the vanishing point of international law.”[1] More than 70 years later, Lauterpatch’s observation overstates the indefiniteness of modern international humanitarian law – the jus in bello or law of armed conflict governing the means and methods of armed conflict. However, it remains a fair critique of the jus ad bellum – the law that addresses the “rightness” of a recourse to force. Even more pointed would be a codicil, addressing the relationship between this jus ad bellum and the right of self-determination: The vanishing point at the vanishing point of international law is the relationship between the regulation of force and the right to self-determination. At this convergence point, two challenging questions of high politics intertwine to compound the indeterminacy of the law. The result is an area fertilized with opinions but hobbled with uncertainty. This fact is not accidental. States have little incentive to lay a roadmap for their lawful forcible dismemberment. Still, it may be possible to tease from the accrual of state practice answers to some questions in this area if factual scenarios are carefully parsed.
The Right to Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the Proposed Nordic Sámi Convention: From Hopes Raised To Hopes Dashed?
Authors: Malaihollo Medes
Published: February 2025

During the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the right to self-determination of peoples in international law spread its wings. This is particularly true in the context of indigenous peoples. While much has already been written about the right to self-determination in international law, most of the legal literature has not reflected on the right to self-determination in the context of the legal developments of a Nordic Sámi Convention. In 2005, a first text was drafted which ambitiously presented a progressive self-determination model for the Sámi in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. However, in 2017 a new draft was proposed which reflected a different model. This article discusses how the right to self-determination of the Sámi operates under these two drafts. By comparing the self-determination models under the 2005 Draft and the 2017 Draft, it will become clear that much of the former has been streamlined under the latter, up to the point that the self-determination model under this new draft has been downgraded. At the same time, it becomes evident that the self-determination model under the 2005 Draft has serious value. Therefore, this article argues that the text of the 2005 Draft could still be used as a template for legal scholars and legal practitioners. Moreover, it could serve as a benchmark to inform and guide future policies and laws of any state that has an indigenous people residing in its territory.
Narrativas entre a classe hospitalar e domiciliar e a escola de origem no contexto do RN: uma interface necessária
Authors:   , Modesto Karen Rodrigues Shirahama
Published: February 2025

Este estudo se trata de uma pesquisa que parte dos princípios epistemológicos da Pesquisa (auto)biográfica em educação, apresentando como objetivo geral investigar, a partir das narrativas autobiográficas de professores de Classe Hospitalar e Domiciliar (CHD) e gestores das Escolas de Origem, as estratégias utilizadas para a continuidade da escolarização dos estudantes em tratamento de saúde prolongado e impossibilitados de frequentar a escola por tempo indeterminado. Situamo-nos, também, nos estudos sobre a organização do ensino no Brasil, do período da colonização ao final do Governo Michel Temer e, ainda, em pesquisas sobre o ensino colaborativo e a escolarização em contexto hospitalar, em especial, aquelas produzidas no contexto do Rio Grande do Norte, ancorados nos estudos de Freire (1991, 2013, 2019), Jovchelovitch e Bauer (2002), Nóvoa (2011, 2019), Passeggi (2011, 2014, 2016), Saviani (2019), dentre outros. Tomamos como objeto de estudo os sentidos que os participantes dão quanto à interlocução entre o Atendimento Educacional Hospitalar e Domiciliar (AEHD) em Classe Hospitalar e Domiciliar e a Escola de Origem (EO). Participaram da pesquisa 2 (dois) professores que atuam em Classe Hospitalar e Domiciliar (CHD), 1 (um) coordenador pedagógico da CHD em Instituição Conveniada à SEEC/RN e 2 (dois) gestores da EO da rede pública de ensino do RN. O corpus da pesquisa foi composto por transcrições das entrevistas narrativas de 5 (cinco) profissionais da educação – sendo 2 (dois) gestores da EO, 2 (dois) professores da CHD e 1 (um) coordenador da CHD – realizadas por meio da plataforma de videoconferência Google Meet, imersão no campo de estudo, dados que constituíram as fontes autobiográficas e formulário elaborado com o auxílio do aplicativo Google Forms. As análises das narrativas revelam a necessidade de maior disseminação do AEHD na formação inicial e continuada dos professores, apontando também para a importância da interlocução entre a CHD, a EO e a família, não só por intermédio de documentos, mas também de maneira dialogada. As relações dialógicas, dinâmicas e contínuas entre os sujeitos que compõem o contexto da CHD, em especial a escuta ao estudante, surgem como primordiais para a continuidade da escolarização dos estudantes em AEHD, devendo se estender à EO. Nesse sentido, o ensino, na perspectiva colaborativa apresentada nas CHD, emerge como fomentador de ações que viabilizem maior aproximação com os professores da EO, oportunizando a efetivação da garantia do direito à educação ao estudante em tratamento de saúde prolongado. Tais achados permitem compreender a importância da interlocução entre as Escolas de Origem e a Classe Hospitalar e Domiciliar, ofertando pistas quanto aos caminhos para maior efetividade da garantia do direito à educação, da continuidade da escolarização e da futura reinserção escolar do estudante em tratamento de saúde prolongado e impedido de frequentar a escola