bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimasi K-Means Dengan Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Dalam Penentuan Titik Awal Pusat Klaster Data Telekomunikasi
Authors: Prasasti Alam Raden Gesit , Everhard Yan
Published: February 2024

Berkembangnya kebutuhan masyarakat terhadap layanan telekomunikasi telah mengakibatkan persaingan yang semakin sengit di antara perusahaan-perusahaan di industri tersebut. Oleh karena itu, perusahaan-perusahaan ini dituntut untuk mencari strategi promosi guna meningkatkan penjualan produk mereka. SiDompul adalah aplikasi yang dikembangkan XL Axiata untuk membantu RO (Retail Outlet) dalam melakukan penjualan paket data XL Axiata. Di tahun 2022 terjadinya penurunan penjualan paket data XL Axiata dilihat dari transaksi penjualan Retail Outlet melalui aplikasi SiDompul mengalami penurunan 37% dan targetnya tidak tercapai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membentuk dan menguji pemodelan klasterisasi dari data transaksi penjualan dengan metode K-Means dan metode Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). PSO untuk optimasi penentuan pusat klaster atau centroid. Pada penelitian ini, Algoritma K-Means dan PSO terbukti dapat membentuk 2 klaster yang lebih baik dimana nilai quantization errornya dan nilai SSE lebih rendah yaitu quantization 2.920 dan SSE 17.255 sedangkan pada K-Means quantization 2.939 dan SSE 17.288.
Multi-label Classification of Indonesian Al-Quran Translation based CNN, BiLSTM, and FastText
Authors: Muslikh Ahmad Rofiqul , Akbar Ismail , Setiadi De Rosal Ignatius Moses , Islam Hussain Md Mehedul
Published: February 2024

Studying the Qur'an is a pivotal act of worship in Islam, which necessitates a structured understanding of its verses to facilitate learning and referencing. Reflecting this complexity, each Quranic verse is rich with unique thematic elements and can be classified into a range of distinct categories. This study explores the enhancement of a multi-label classification model through the integration of FastText. Employing a CNN+Bi-LSTM architecture, the research undertakes the classification of Quranic translations across categories such as Tauhid, Ibadah, Akhlak, and Sejarah. Based on model evaluation using F1-Score, it shows significant differences between the CNN+Bi-LSTM model without FastText, with the highest result being 68.70% in the 80:20 testing configuration. Conversely, the CNN+Bi-LSTM+FastText model, combining embedding size and epoch parameters, achieves a result of 73.30% with an embedding size of 200, epoch of 100, and a 90:10 testing configuration. These findings underscore the significant impact of FastText on model optimization, with an enhancement margin of 4.6% over the base model.
Religious Prophetic Voices to Affect the Course of Technological Development
Authors: Baffoe Clement
Published: February 2024

In an era where advanced technologies permeate daily life, innovations like Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Automated Weapon Systems (AWS), and Chatbots such as ChatGPT are omnipresent, influencing diverse sectors from homes and schools to hospitals and military intelligence. While these technologies offer substantial benefits, simplifying various aspects of life, they also present a myriad of challenges that, if left unaddressed, could impede the creative purposes of God. This article explores the multifaceted issues arising from advanced technologies, including unemployment, discrimination, judicial injustices, military escalations, and disinformation, all of which jeopardize global peace. Ethical concerns and regulatory frameworks for these technologies remain inadequately addressed on a universal scale, particularly from a religious standpoint. The proposed solution is prophetic dialogue, advocating for proactive engagement between science and faith to confront the ethical and regulatory dilemmas associated with advanced technologies. While prophetic dialogue is not a novel theological concept, its specific application to the collaboration between technology developers and people of faith is an evolving concept. This dialogue, involving scientists, religious communities, and people of goodwill from various traditions, seeks to harness the diverse knowledge and ethics embedded in different religions to mitigate the adverse effects of advanced technologies. The article envisions that through prophetic dialogue, which incorporates the perspectives of diverse religious traditions, leaders and inventors can be influenced to address the challenges posed by advanced technologies. This collaborative effort aims to preserve global peace, stability, and justice by appealing to the collective conscience of world leaders and innovators, fostering a harmonious coexistence between technological progress and ethical considerations. Keywords: digital technology, prophetic dialogue, technological development, digital future
Between Promise and Peril: Observations on Moral Panic, Popular Culture, and Religion
Authors: Scharnick-Udemans Lee-Shae Salma
Published: February 2024

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in its seemingly infinite possibilities and transmutations command the attention of contemporary popular culture, news, and social media. The landing pages of familiar streaming channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV are evidence of the continually growing collection of mediatised content wherein AI is featured as a central theme. In addition to films, tech news media sites, offering information and commentary related to AI developments are popular and accessible sources of information. Unfortunately, the contents on these sites, like the films are foreboding in tone, offering headlines that reflect issues and questions related to AI, as urgent and imminent. This article explores how mediatized representations in the form of films and tech news contribute to engendering collective public apprehension and concern about AI. It suggests that the agenda-setting function of media, especially its imperative to encourage public concern over matters that may or may not constitute threats to social order, can be more critically understood through the framework that the concept of moral panic provides. In doing so, the article conceptualises the current moment as the embryonic phase of a moral panic. It advances the idea that we are able, at this stage of the process, to acknowledge and abate growing concerns and fears about AI that may constitute a full blown moral panic. In conclusion, the paper suggests that while AI should certainly be approached with critical curiosity, the danger of a moral panic is that it may result in permanent, indiscriminate, and harsh admonishment of AI, undermining its potential to serve humanity in positive and life-affirming ways. Keywords: moral panic, AI, film, tech news, M3GAN, Wifelike
“We don’t have leaders! We’re doing it ourselves!”: Squatting, Feminism and Built Environment Activism in 1970s London
Authors: Wall Christine
Published: February 2024

The Feminist Design Collective, which later became the feminist architecture practice and discussion group Matrix, was founded by a group of women architects in London in 1978. It aimed to develop a feminist approach to all aspects of architectural production and also to wider built environment issues. A significant number of founder members were living in squats or short-life housing in response to a housing crisis, which emerged in the late 1960s, and as political statement against housing inequality. By the mid- 1970s London housed over 30,000 squatters, the majority in nineteenth century terraces owned by local authorities and earmarked either for demolition or rehabilitation, and which became vacant during prolonged planning and funding negotiations. In the 1980s squatting became regulated by a number of progressive Inner London Authorities as a way of mediating housing shortage and small grants were made available to organised groups of squatters for repairs. These large numbers of squatters were connected in what Vasudevan (2017) has termed ‘a radical urban social movement’. This paper uses oral history testimony to reveal a link between squatting, which allowed women to directly engage with and shape the physical fabric of their housing, and the emergence of feminist architectural theories and practice in late twentieth century Britain.
Of the Urban and the Ocean: Rachel Carson and the Disregard of Wet Volumes
Authors: Edwards Charity
Published: February 2024

This paper examines entanglements between the urban and the oceanic through the lens of Rachel Carson and her lesser-known ‘sea trilogy’: Under the Sea-Wind (1941), The Sea Around Us (1951), and The Edge of The Sea (1955). Although Carson’s famous publication Silent Spring (1962) is lauded in the modern environmental movement, her other writings exploring our complex relationship with the ocean have been largely disregarded. I argue for Carson as an important transdisciplinary theorist of scientific knowledge, social relations, and multi-species interdependencies; and address how the neglect of these more-than-human planetary processes mask fundamental relations between the urban, water, and spatial experience – and, ultimately, our conceptualisation of this world.
Penerapan Sanksi Pidana terhadap Kejahatan Siber: Sebuah Kajian terhadap Perkembangan Hukum
Authors: Syahriati Fakhriah  , Inayatul Mutmainnah
Published: February 2024

Cybercrime has become a serious challenge in the digital age, requiring a dynamic legal approach to respond to this threat. This study aims to investigate legal developments in the application of criminal sanctions against cybercrimes. Through a critical analysis of various cases and regulatory developments, this study will explore the effectiveness of criminal sanctions applied in tackling cybercrime.
This research method includes comparative law analysis, case studies, and interviews with criminal law experts. Research findings will include the evolution of the concept of cybercrime, the legal challenges faced in enforcing criminal sanctions, and the impact of the application of criminal law on cybersecurity levels
The results of this study are expected to provide in-depth insight into the progress of criminal law in responding to cybercrime, as well as provide a basis for further improvement and development in the relevant legal framework. The practical implications of this research are expected to help authorities, legal professionals, and academics in understanding the dynamics of criminal law related to cybercrime, so as to formulate policies that are more effective and responsive to evolving cybersecurity threats.
Doctrine de prévention et activité de service : analyse des points de dissonance entre le dispositif de prévention et l’activité de médiation sociale
Authors: Chambel Alexis , Pueyo Valérie
Published: February 2024

Les cadres de pensée et d’action qui structurent la prévention des risques professionnels forment aujourd’hui un dispositif au sens de Foucault. Ce dispositif, qualifié de « doctrine de prévention », s’est construit en référence aux classes de situations industrielles et se retrouve aujourd’hui remis en question par les activités de service. À partir d’une analyse ergonomique du travail et de la conduite de projet de prévention dans une structure de médiation sociale, cet article cible un point spécifique de la doctrine qui s’inscrit en décalage avec l’activité des médiatrices : la subordination. En effet, le lien qui s’établit entre subordination et prévention amène à penser cette dernière dans un périmètre et sur un modèle du pouvoir éloignés de l’activité réelle des travailleuses. Cet article fournit ainsi des connaissances spécifiques sur l’écart entre la doctrine de prévention et les activités de service, mais ouvre également des perspectives de recherche au travers de la conceptualisation de la prévention en tant que dispositif.
Organizing Informal Workers Globally: Comparing a Global Union Federation and a Global Informal Worker Organization Network
Authors: Tilly Chris
Published: February 2024

With economic globalization and with the precarization and informalization of work, efforts have increased to build global labour alliances among formal workers on the one hand and to organize informal workers on the other. These two endeavours overlap considerably. Global labour organizations have taken on a growing role in organizing and advocating for informal workers. I explore this overlap by comparing two global labour federations: one arising from heterogeneous networks of informal workers—the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF)—and a longstanding one of formal employees that has increasingly attempted to include informal workers—the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI).

For both cases, I draw on five sources: secondary literature; archival material from the two federations; seven semi-structured interviews with experts on and members of these federations, plus a meeting with a small group of BWI leaders; and observations of several IDWF and BWI events.

This comparison yields two striking findings. First, despite contrasting environments and historical legacies, the two federations show much convergence in strategy. Second, they clearly differ in their degree of adherence to the standard trade union model, as a result of differences in assets and challenges. The BWI is strongly wedded to the conventional model and struggles to reach informal workers, while enjoying a robust inflow of membership dues. The IDWF is committed to welcoming a variety of organizations and readily mobilizes informal workers, while suffering from an anemic inflow of membership dues. These challenges must be met not just for the survival of the BWI and the IDWF but also for the prospect of organizing globally to defend informal and precarious workers.

Abstract

With economic globalization and with the precarization and informalization of work, efforts have increased to build global labour alliances among formal workers on the one hand and to organize informal workers on the other. These two endeavours overlap considerably. Global labor organizations have taken on a growing role in organizing and advocating for informal workers. I explore this overlap by comparing two global labour federations: one arising from heterogeneous networks of informal workers—the International Domestic Workers Federation—and a longstanding one of formal employees that has increasingly attempted to include informal workers—the Building and Wood Workers International. The contrast reveals similarities, divergences and trade-offs, with important implications for the future potential for building global organizations of informal workers.
Un plan inédito de fortificación para Castellón de la Plana durante el siglo XVII
Authors: Salom Marco Enrique
Published: February 2024

Resumen:
 
Durante la guerra de Cataluña (1640-1652) a la amenaza del corso berberisco se añade la amenaza de una invasión francocatalana al ahora expuesto Reino de Valencia. Contando con una estructura defensiva inadecuada, con Peñíscola como única fortificacion moderna, se elaborarán planes de refuerzo de las fortificaciones existentes, la mayor parte de ellas de tipo medieval. Este plan se enmarca en el momento en el que las operaciones militares se están llevando a cabo en el frente occidental, desde y contra el Reino de Aragón, y consistirá en el refuerzo de las mencionadas estructuras preexistentes, terraplenando y recuperando el foso y empleando como mano de obra a los propios habitantes de la ciudad. Como tantos otros planes, en su mayor parte no se llevarán a cabo, pero revelan el interés de las ciudades y de la monarquía por su protección. 
 
Abstract:
 
During the War of Catalonia (1640-1652) to the threat of the piracy was added the threat of a Franco-Catalan invasion of the now exposed Kingdom of Valencia. With an inadequate defensive structure, with Peñíscola as the only modern fortification, plans will be drawn up to reinforce the existing fortifications, most of them medieval. This plan is framed at a time when military operations are being carried out on the western front, from and against the Kingdom of Aragon, and will consist of reinforcing the aforementioned pre-existing structures, terracing and recovering the moat and using as workforce to the inhabitants of the city. Like so many other plans, for the most part they will not be carried out, but they reveal the interest of the cities and the monarchy for their protection.
Metabolic and neurobehavioral disturbances induced by purine recycling deficiency in Drosophila
Authors: Petitgas Céline , Seugnet Laurent , Dulac Amina , Matassi Giorgio , Mteyrek Ali , Fima Rebecca , Strehaiano Marion , Dagorret Joana , Chérif-Zahar Baya , Marie Sandrine , Ceballos-Picot Irène , Birman Serge
Published: February 2024

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) are two structurally related enzymes involved in purine recycling in humans. Inherited mutations that suppress HGPRT activity are associated with Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND), a rare X-linked metabolic and neurological disorder in children, characterized by hyperuricemia, dystonia and compulsive self-injury. To date, no treatment is available for these neurological defects and no animal model recapitulates all symptoms of LND patients. Here we studied LND-related mechanisms in the fruit fly. By combining enzymatic assays and phylogenetic analysis, we confirm that no HGPRT activity is expressed in
Drosophila melanogaster
, making the APRT homologue (Aprt) the only purine-recycling enzyme in this organism. Whereas APRT deficiency does not trigger neurological defects in humans, we observed that
Drosophila Aprt
mutants show both metabolic and neurobehavioral disturbances, including increased uric acid levels, locomotor impairments, sleep alterations, seizure-like behavior, reduced lifespan, and reduction of adenosine signaling and content. Locomotor defects could be rescued by Aprt re-expression in neurons and reproduced by knocking down
Aprt
selectively in the protocerebral anterior medial (PAM) dopaminergic neurons, the mushroom bodies or glia subsets. Ingestion of allopurinol rescued uric acid levels in
Aprt
-deficient mutants but not neurological defects, as is the case in LND patients, while feeding adenosine or
N
6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) during development fully rescued the epileptic behavior. Intriguingly, pan-neuronal expression of an LND-associated mutant form of human HGPRT (I42T), but not the wild-type enzyme, resulted in early locomotor defects and seizure in flies, similar to
Aprt
deficiency. Overall, our results suggest that
Drosophila
could be used in different ways to better understand LND and seek a cure for this dramatic disease.
Categorization of Alzheimer’s disease stages using deep learning approaches with McNemar’s test
Authors: Şener Begüm , Acici Koray , Sümer Emre
Published: February 2024

Early diagnosis is crucial in Alzheimer’s disease both clinically and for preventing the rapid progression of the disease. Early diagnosis with awareness studies of the disease is of great importance in terms of controlling the disease at an early stage. Additionally, early detection can reduce treatment costs associated with the disease. A study has been carried out on this subject to have the great importance of detecting Alzheimer’s disease at a mild stage and being able to grade the disease correctly. This study’s dataset consisting of MRI images from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) was split into training and testing sets, and deep learning-based approaches were used to obtain results. The dataset consists of three classes: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Cognitive Normal (CN), and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The achieved results showed an accuracy of 98.94% for CN vs AD in the one vs one (1 vs 1) classification with the EfficientNetB0 model and 99.58% for AD vs CNMCI in the one vs All (1 vs All) classification with AlexNet model. In addition, in the study, an accuracy of 98.42% was obtained with the EfficientNet121 model in MCI vs CN classification. These results indicate the significant potential for mild stage Alzheimer’s disease detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Early detection of the disease in the mild stage is a critical factor in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, a variant of the non-parametric statistical McNemar’s Test was applied to determine the statistical significance of the results obtained in the study. Statistical significance of 1 vs 1 and 1 vs all classifications were obtained for EfficientNetB0, DenseNet, and AlexNet models.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) in a scattered city: applied study in Brasília, Federal District
Authors: Brandão Lívia Silva , Pantoja João da Costa , Medeiros José Marcelo Martins , Pazos Valmor Cerqueira
Published: February 2024

This research aims to analyze the territorial urban strategy entitled transit-oriented development (TOD), a methodology originated in the United States, which for at least 30 years has been little discussed and applied in Brazil. Faced with the challenges imposed in the 21st century in terms of sustainability and the projection of upward population growth of Brazilian cities, DOT planning is a viable concrete alternative for the transformation of today's dispersed, distant, and disconnected (3D) cities into future compact, connected and coordinated urban complexes (3C). Thus, based on the characterization of the DOT, it has led to the conclusion that this methodology is suitable for application in Brasília, Federal District, so that mass transport planning in the city would integrate with urban planning, in a fairer and more equitable way.
Cystatin C as an Early Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Bhuyan Bidyut , Das Jayanta , Das Monigopa , Bhattacharya DK , Nath Chandan
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Serum cystatin C has been proposed as a sensitive marker for detecting renal impairment. Renal impairment can often co-exist with liver cirrhosis, as decreased blood flow through the cirrhotic liver can lead to kidney dysfunction. However, its role in patients with liver cirrhosis has not been extensively studied, especially in the detection of early renal impairment. Aim: To investigate whether serum cystatin C could serve as a potential marker for detecting early renal dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients with liver cirrhosis at Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India, from June 2019 to May 2020. All patients were assessed for clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters, focusing on renal function tests, measurement of serum cystatin C levels, and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). A two-tailed p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant in all calculations. Results: In total, 60 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated during the study period, 85% of whom were males. The mean age was 47.4±9.3 years. The mean values of GFR calculated from the mean values of serum creatinine and serum cystatin C were 59.57±31.48 and 31.25±18.32, respectively, both showing a negative correlation (r=-0.802 and r=-0.817, respectively), indicating that cystatin C has a superior correlation with GFR when compared to serum creatinine. Regression analysis showed a tighter distribution of results around the regression line for cystatin C, as indicated by an R2 value of 0.67, compared to 0.64 for creatinine. It was also observed that for every unit rise in serum creatinine and cystatin C value, GFR decreased by 29.89 and 14.67, respectively. Conclusion: Serum cystatin C is a better predictor of GFR than serum creatinine and can therefore be used as an early marker of renal dysfunction in the course of liver cirrhosis
Association between Iron Indices and Dyslipidemia among Patients with Iron Deficiency Anaemia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Patel Mukti J , Priya Nivedita
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is a major public health problem in India. Iron plays a role in hepatic lipogenesis, being an integral part of some enzymes and transporters involved in lipid metabolism. Since information on the association between iron metabolism and dyslipidemia in adults is limited, it is important to assess the lipid status in iron-deficient patients. Aim: To study the association of iron indices with the lipid profile among patients with iron deficiency anaemia. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Paramedical and Health Sciences, Parul Institute of Paramedical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, from December 2022 to May 2023. In the present study, 100 IDA patients aged between 25-45 years were included. All the participants underwent different tests including Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C), and Low Density LipoproteinCholesterol (LDL-C). Furthermore, the association between IDA patients and lipid levels was analysed. The data were statistically analysed using Pearson’s correlation test and Chi-square test. Results: In the present study, out of a total of 100 patients, 38 were males and 62 were females. The majority of IDA patients had lower levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C. Low levels of TC and LDL were found in 52 (83.87%) of females and 30 (78.94%) of males. A total of 28 (73.68%) of males and 52 (83.87%) of females had lower values for TG levels. In contrast to TC and TG, a substantial correlation between Haemoglobin (Hb) levels and HDL-C and LDL-C was found. However, Hb had a positive association with TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C and a negative correlation with TC. These results also suggest a substantial correlation between Serum Iron (SI) and TC, TG, and HDL-C, but not a significant correlation with LDL-C. Conclusion: When observed for dyslipidemia, IDA patients showed significantly lower levels of TC, TG, and HDL-C with respect to their SI levels.
Listening Effort for Speech in Noise Perception Using Pupil Dilation: A Comparison Among Percussionists, Non-Percussionists, and Non-Musicians
Authors: Lavanya Vallampati , Rajaram Ramaprasad , Vaidyanath Ramya , Uppunda Ajith Kumar
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: Most studies in literature attribute the benefits of musical training on speech in noise (SIN) perception to “experience-based” plasticity, which assists in the activation of speech-processing networks. However, whether musicianship provides an advantage for the listening effort (LE) required to comprehend speech in degraded environments has received less attention. The current study aimed to understand the influence of Indian classical music training on SIN perception and its related LE across percussionists, non-percussionists, and non-musicians.Subjects and Methods: A quasi-experiment was conducted on 16 percussionists, 17 non-percussionists, and 26 non-musicians aged 18-35 years with normal hearing. In phase 1, musical abilities were assessed using Mini-Profile of Music Perception Skills (Mini-PROMS). Phase 2 examined SIN using Tamil Phonemically-Balanced Words and Tamil Matrix Sentence Test at +5 dB, 0 dB, and -5 dB SNR and LE using pupillometry, measuring pupil dilations with an eye-tracker.Results: Fractional Logit and Linear Regression models demonstrated that percussionists outperformed non-percussionists in Tuning and Speed subsets of Mini-PROMS. Percussionists outperformed non-percussionists and non-musicians in SIN and LE at -5 dB SNR for words and at 0 dB and -5 dB SNR for sentences.Conclusions: Percussionists have the greatest advantage in decoding SIN with reduced LE followed by non-percussionists and non-musicians, demonstrating musician-advantage in most challenging listening conditions.
Effect of Mulching as a Weed Management Strategy in Field Production of French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in Western Kenya
Authors: Atieno Corazon , Auma Elmada , Ngode Lucas
Published: February 2024

There has been a 2% decrease on French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) production in Kenya due to factors such as weeds, pests and diseases and the challenge of controlling them using chemicals that result in high rejection rate or interception in the export market because of chemical residues. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different mulching materials on the growth and yield of French bean cultivars and to determine the effect of different mulching materials on weed density. Field experiments were carried out at KALRO Kitale, Trans Nzoia county Kenya. Season 1 was carried out during long rains of April and June 2021 and season two during the short rains of August and October 2021. Black polythene and grass mulch were compared with two hand weedings and no weeding in a Randomized Complete Block Design experiment with three replications. Data on growth and yield of French Beans were collected and subjected to ANOVA using GenStat to determine the significant differences between the treatments. The means were separated using Fisher’s Unprotected LSD at 5% significance level. Growth and yield of French Beans was significantly influenced by the treatments (p≤0.05). Plants grown under black polythene and grass mulch had the tallest height and the highest  number of leaves and branches as well as number of pods and cumulative pod yield  as compared to those that were hand weeded and unweeded. The highest yield of 2138 and 2597 kg/ ha was obtained under black polythene mulch in season 1 and 2 respectively. This was significantly higher than that obtained from grass mulch, hand weeding and unweeding. In conclusion polythene and grass mulch improved growth and yield of French beans and reduced weed density. It is therefore recommended that farmers should adapt mulching as a cultural weed management strategy.
A Novel Approach to Text Summarization Using Machine Learning
Authors: Dhanda Namrata , Gupta Kapil Kumar
Published: February 2024

Text summarization is a key strategy in the domains of information retrieval and natural language processing (NLP). Its objective is to reduce a lengthy written document into a clearer, more succinct summary of the information it contains. When a text document is too lengthy or intricate to analyse completely, as in news stories, academic papers, or legal documents, this approach is extremely helpful. The major challenge of text summarising is to take the most important and relevant information from the original text and convey it in an understandable and concise way. In this study, extractive and abstractive summarising techniques are the two primary categories of text summary methods. The paper also presents several algorithms that have been proposed for text summarization, including TextRank, Seq2Seq, and BART. TextRank is a simple and fast algorithm that works well for short documents, Seq2Seq is a deep learning-based approach that generates high-quality summaries, and BART is a transformer-based algorithm that provides the best results on benchmark datasets. The obtained ROUGE Score after passing TextRank, BART, and Seq2SEq algorithm significant also.
Development of Submergence Tolerant Rice Variety BRRI dhan79 for Flash Flood Ecosystem of Bangladesh
Authors: Shalahuddin A K M , Iftekharuddaula K M , Ghosal S , Khan M Y , Rahman A , Sarker M R A
Published: February 2024

Tolerance to submergence stress is an important breeding objective for the areas where rice cultivars are subjected to complete inundation for a week or more. Submergence tolerance is an important trait for rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the flash flood-prone ecosystem. The trait is largely controlled by a major gene designated as Sub1 located on chromosome 9. Submergence of rice (Oryza sativa) by flash flooding is a major constraint to rice production in Bangladesh. Quantitative trait loci analyses have revealed that a large portion of this variation in submergence tolerance can be explained by Sub1. A newly released submergence tolerant rice variety namely BRRI dhan79 was developed by hybridization between BRRI dhan49*6/BRRI dhan52 through Marker Assisted Backcrossing and selection method where BRRI dhan52 (submergence tolerant mega variety in Bangladesh) used as Sub1 donor. It can tolerate upto three weeks complete submergence at vegetative stage whereas Sub1 donor mega variety BRRI dhan52 can tolerate on an average two weeks complete submergence condition. It can also tolerate 50-60 cm water stagnation for 15-20 days after de-submergence. The variety has satisfactorily been passed in the proposed variety trial conducted in flash flood prone farmers' field in Bangladesh. As a result, the National Seed Board (NSB) of Bangladesh approved this rice variety for commercial cultivation for the flash flood affected rainfed lowland ecosystem (Transplanted Aman season) in 2017. It meet up all the trait of modern plant likely medium plant heihght (112 cm), strong and stature culm structure, erect flag leaf with stay green leaf at maturity stage and high yield potential with 140 days growth duration (in case of three weeks submergence mature by 160 days). It can produce 5.5 t/ha grain yield under non-stress condition and 4.0-4.5 t/ha yield under three weeks submergence condition. The grain shape of the variety is medium bold. The rice production scenario in flash flood affected region of Bangladesh has been remarkably improved after releasing this rice variety. It has not only change the socio-economic status of farmers but also sustaining food security.
Effect of High Temperature Stress on Photosynthetic Pigments, Dry Matter Partitioning and Yield of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) Genotypes at Pod Formation Stage
Authors: Pavithra N. , Jayalalitha K. , Sujatha T. , Harisatyanarayana N. , Lakshmi N. Jyothi , Roja V.
Published: February 2024

A field experiment was conducted at College farm, Agricultural College, Bapatla, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University during summer, 2022 and 2023 to study the impact of high temperature stress on photosynthetic pigments, dry matter partitioning and yield of blackgram genotypes at pod formation stage. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with two replications. Among the thirty blackgram genotypes screened for their tolerance to high temperature stress at pod formation stage, the genotype, TBG-129, LBG-1015 and PU-1804 were found to withstand high temperature stress and maintain higher total chlorophyll content, carotenoids content, dry matter partitioning and higher seed yield per plant indicating tolerance to high temperature stress. These blackgram genotypes can be further used as donors in the pulse breeding program for development of heat resilent varieties.
Exploitation of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Grains for Physical and Functional Properties
Authors: Kotibagar Bhagyajyothi C. , Kulkarni Uma N. , Karakannavar Sarojani , Hulihalli U. K. , Ashwini M.
Published: February 2024

Buckwheat is neither a nut nor a cereal but is included in a separate group called “pseudocereals”. Buckwheat grains contain high levels of protein, starch, dietary fibre, some minerals, vitamins, flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. The main aim of the study is to analyse physical and functional properties of buckwheat grains. The results showed that bread wheat (control) had significantly higher length (5.91 mm), length to width ratio (2.06) and lower width (2.86 mm) compared to other buckwheat varieties. In the present study, higher thousand grain weight and volume were recorded for bread wheat compared to buckwheat varieties indicating bolder grains of former. Significantly higher bulk (0.70 g/ml) for and true densities (2.08 g/ml) for Dharwad Selection-1 may be regarded as a consequence of volumes and shape of grains. Buckwheat varieties showed higher greenness (-0.80 to -1.14) lower brightness (78.12 to 82.36) and yellowness (6.30 to 8.09) compared to bread wheat. Chroma being higher for bread wheat (10.06) indicates having high brightness and saturation compared to buckwheat varieties (6.40-8.13). Hydration capacity and swelling index were higher for buckwheat varieties compared to bread wheat. where, in case of hydration index and swelling capacity it was vice versa. The overall information on physical properties plays an important role in food processing and its knowledge is essential to design the equipment for handling, aeration, storing and processing of food grains.
Substance Abuse among Male Adolescents in Dhaka North City: A Comparative Study on Causes, Consequences, Knowledge, and Attitudes
Authors: Mahmud Anik
Published: February 2024

Aims: This study aimed to assess the causes, consequences, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of substance abuse among male adolescents in Dhaka North City and compare the knowledge between male adolescents attending schools and colleges who do not use drugs and substance abusers from rehabilitation centers.

Study Design:  This was a comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Dhaka North City, Bangladesh, from January to December 2023.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional design was used to study substance abuse among male adolescents in Dhaka North City. Data were collected from two groups, drug addicts and non-addicts, using a pretested questionnaire. A two-stage sampling method was applied. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 365 and IBM SPSS Statistics 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05.

Results: The findings revealed the strong influence of peer relationships, family dynamics, parental education and occupation, and misconceptions and attitudes toward substance abuse among male adolescents. Drug addicts reported higher frequencies of parental conflict, secrecy, and hiding information from their parents, indicating a breakdown in communication and trust within the parent-child relationship. Drug addicts also had significantly higher monthly family income and higher education levels of their parents compared to non-addicts, suggesting that higher financial resources and education may play a role in the increased risk of substance abuse. Additionally, drug addicts had a higher proportion of deceased mothers compared to non-addicts, indicating a potential influence of maternal status on substance abuse. Preventive measures, such as counselling, treatment, religious education, and engagement in productive activities, were highly endorsed by both drug addicts and non-addicts.

Conclusion: This study contributes valuable insights into drug addiction among male adolescents in Dhaka North City. The findings underscore the importance of addressing peer influence, strengthening family dynamics, dispelling misconceptions, providing accurate knowledge, and implementing evidence-based preventive measures. By adopting a comprehensive approach, stakeholders can work towards reducing the prevalence and impact of drug addiction among adolescents.
Use and Efficacy of Insulin Eye Drops in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcers: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Amorim Ryan Jorge , Filho Jose Jesu Sisnando D'Araújo , Júnior Cantidio João Silva da trindade , Xavier Tássio Cruz , Nascimento Kelly Cristina Costa Guedes , Guimarães Glenda Figueira , Moraes Evelly Christinne da Silva , Sousa Daniele Salgado de , Alencar Patrick Souza de , Virgolino Rodrigo Rodrigues , Cardim Janaína Moraes , Lima Vitor Hugo Auzier
Published: February 2024

This research aimed to analyse the use and efficacy of insulin eye drops in the treatment of neurotrophic corneal ulcers by means of a systematic literature review. To this end, relevant studies found in various databases were analysed, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Scielo, Bireme, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The selected studies were assessed in terms of their objectives, methodology, results and conclusions, with the aim of providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state of evidence on the subject. From the articles by Serrano-Giménez et al. [1], Wang et al. [2] Jaworski et al ([3],  Tong et al. [4], Khilji et al. [5], Moreker et al. [6], Soares et al. [7], CUARTERO-MARTINEZ et al. [8], Lorente-Pascua et al. [9], Erin et al. [10], Diaz-Valle et al [11], Dana et al. [12] and Ruiz-Lozano et al. [13], trends, knowledge gaps and recommendations for clinical practice and future research were identified. As a result, the studies analysed showed a variety of outcomes in relation to the efficacy and safety of insulin eye drops in the treatment of neurotrophic corneal ulcers. There was also a lack of standardisation in the methods used and the evaluation measures, highlighting the need for a more uniform approach in subsequent studies. The main trends identified indicate that insulin eye drops can be effective in treating corneal neurotrophic ulcers, especially in refractory stages. However, there is a need for further research to define more precise diagnostic criteria and more standardised assessment measures. In conclusion, this systematic review has provided a solid basis for future research into the use of insulin eye drops in the treatment of corneal neurotrophic ulcers. The recommendations resulting from this study have the potential to inform clinical practice and guide future research in this field, with the aim of improving these procedures for patients with this specific ophthalmological condition.
In silico Toxicity and Pharmaceutical Properties to Get Candidates for Antitumor Drug
Authors: Adnyaswari Dewa Ayu Made , Indrayani Agung Wiwiek , Artini I. Gusti Ayu
Published: February 2024

Background: Drug metabolism is a crucial aspect of medical practice and pharmacology, involving the transformation of drugs by various bodily systems to create compounds that are more easily eliminated from the body. Sorafenib was reported as a useful adjuvant treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent surgical resection. However, poor pharmacokinetic properties such as limited water solubility, rapid elimination and metabolism lead to low bioavailability, restricting its further clinical application. Rosmarinic acid, soluble in ethanol and found in Rosemary leaves, has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in conditions such as cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and liver disease. 

Method: In silico is a term for experiments or tests carried out using computer simulation methods. In silico testing has emerged as a valuable approach for initiating the exploration of novel drug compounds or enhancing the efficacy of existing ones. This method involves predicting, generating hypotheses, and uncovering potential breakthroughs in medicine and therapy through virtual simulations.

Results: Caco2 value of Sorafenib ligand as a comparison, namely 0.762. The highest Caco2 value is owned by Betulinic Acid and the value The lowest Caco2 is owned by Rosmarinic Acid. The highest sample HIA value was owned by Ursolic Acid and the lowest was owned by Rosmarinic Acid. Meanwhile, Sorafenib's HIA value is 85,494. ligands such as Carnosol and rosmanol have a high distribution volume, while the Sama carnosic league, ursolic acid and betulinic acid have a low distribution volume. The Rosmarinic acid ligand has a good distribution volume of 0.393, while the distribution volume value of Sorafenib is -0.009. The highest BBB sample value was owned by Carnosol and the lowest was owned by Rosmarinic acid. Meanwhile, the comparison ligand has a value of -1.473 and is considered less distributed in the brain. all ligands such as Carnosic Acid, Carnosol, Rosmanol, Ursolic Acid, Betulinic Acid, Rosmarinic acid do not have mutagenicity and Cytotoxic effects, but have an effect on immunity. The comparison ligand Sorafenib turned out to have effects on hepatotoxicity, immunity and cytotoxicity.

Conclusion: In pharmacokinetic research, the six phenolic acid compounds in Rosemary exhibited superior properties compared to the reference ligand Sorafenib.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Poultry in Umuahia, Nigeria
Authors: Chidinma Nwachukwu , Nwachukwu N. C.  , Nwankwo E. O.  , Nwachukwu E.
Published: February 2024

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among poultry was investigated. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) poses serious public health issues worldwide and infections resulting from these organisms present difficult therapeutic challenges. A total of 250 swab samples were collected from the skin, cloaca, and egg shells of chickens as well as from feeds, droppings and environment of poultry farms located in rural communities of Umuahia, Nigeria. The respective specimens were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar using the streak plate technique. Inoculated plates were incubated at 35–37 °C for 18 to 24 hours aerobically. Bacterial colonies showing typical characteristics of S. aureus (i.e., golden yellow pigmentation on mannitol salt agar resulting from the fermentation of mannitol) were subcultured onto freshly prepared nutrient agar plates to obtain pure colonies. The pure isolates were characterized by Gram staining, biochemical testing and molecular identification. Antimicrobial assays of the isolates were performed using various antibiotics. Out of 250 samples, 66 isolates of S. aureus were obtained. The antibiotic resistant pattern of S. aureus varied. The isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and cefuroxime. The multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) profile of S. aureus showed that 20(30.3%) exhibited MAR to nine antibiotics while 19(28.8%) isolates exhibited MAR to ten antibiotics. Out of the 66 isolates, 24(36.3%) isolates were Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The highest prevalence of MRSA was obtained from skin and cloaca samples. This study has confirmed the existence of MRSA in poultry farms within the study area. The presence of S. aureus and MRSA in poultry poses a great challenge to food security, because most of the poultry where samples were collected in this study are small holder farms that supply chickens to the public for human consumption as a source of protein.
Perfil de internações por doenças endócrinas, nutricionais e metabólicas em residentes da capital da Bahia antes e durante a pandemia COVID-19
Authors: Lopes Arthur , Lima Helena
Published: February 2024

Introdução: tem-se observado que as Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT) aumentam a vulnerabilidade da população em relação aos riscos de adoecimento e morte pela COVID-19, ao mesmo tempo em que sua relação com esta doença é sindêmica. Contudo, trabalhos anteriores não analisaram o período pandêmico e não levaram em conta a variável raça/cor e faixas etárias diferentes das de adultos nos estudos. Objetivo: destarte, objetivou-se compreender melhor as diferenças no perfil de morbidade hospitalar das doenças e condições endócrinas, nutricionais e metabólicas da população residente do município de Salvador-BA antes e depois da pandemia. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico ecológico descritivo, retrospectivo (2018-2021) e baseado em dados secundários provenientes do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS para o cálculo do Indicador de Morbidade Hospitalar (IMH). Resultados: identificou-se aumento na frequência de internações em todas as causas específicas, entre 2018 e 2019, e diminuição, exceto no caso do diabetes mellitus, em 2020. Em 2021, destacou-se o aumento no número de internações por obesidade, o maior dos últimos 8 anos. As maiores variações do IMH (aumento) foram observadas na população negra para todas as causas específicas. Os indivíduos do sexo biológico masculino foram mais afetados na ocorrência de desnutrição e diabetes mellitus e, no caso do sexo feminino, de obesidade. Conclusão: destaca-se o aumento considerável do IMH na população infantil para desnutrição e sublinha-se a necessidade de garantir a implementação da Política Nacional de Saúde da População Negra.