bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LINKING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY TO SUSTAINABILITY IN BANKING SECTOR: A LITERATURE SYNTHESIS
Authors: Krisciukaityte Karolina , Balezentis Tomas , Streimikiene Dalia
Published: September 2023

Efficiency generally translates to better financial performance and profitability and, thus, is often taken into account when analyzing activity of the banking sector. The sustainability approach adds social and environmental effects to the economic ones. Even though there have been studies on the different facets of the sustainable banking and its dimensions, it is important to discuss the integration of the sustainability concept with banking efficiency and financial performance measures. The objective of this research is to identify the prevailing indicators of sustainable banking in the presence of considerations on bank financial performance and efficiency. Such indicators can be used in multiple frameworks directed towards specific goals. Therefore, this paper also discusses the notions of the sustainable banking alongside the used methods used to handle the sustainability indicators. Thus, this paper presents the comprehensive review of sustainable banking linked to financial performance and efficiency, where indicators, and methods are analyzed in an integrated manner.
A New Photoionization Model of the Narrow-line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Zhu Peixin , Kewley Lisa J. , Sutherland Ralph S.
Published: September 2023

The photoionization model of narrow-line regions in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) has been investigated for decades. Many published models are restricted to simple linear scaling abundance relations, dust-free assumption, uniform AGN radiation field, and using one specific photoionization code, which restricts them from providing a satisfactory prediction on a broad range of AGN observations. Through a comprehensive investigation, here we present how the choice of abundance scaling relations, dust inclusion, AGN radiation fields, and different photoionization codes CLOUDY and MAPPINGS affect the predictions on the strength of strong UV, optical, and infrared emission lines. We find the dust-depleted radiation-pressure-dominated AGN model built with the latest nonlinear abundance sets and photoionization code MAPPINGS V are consistent with AGN observations across a broad range of wavelengths. We also assess new potential H ii-AGN separation diagrams in the optical and UV wavelengths.
Quality Control/Quality Assurance within the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
Authors: Orrell Thomas
Published: September 2023

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System*1 (ITIS) and Species 2000*2 have worked together for two decades after signing an agreement to form the Catalogue of Life*3 (COL), striving to provide current and complete Global Species Databases (GSDs) from various sources. ITIS has provided many such GSDs to the COL.

In this presentation, we will demonstrate in detail the nine aspects of ITIS’ approach to quality assurance/quality control: People, Process, Rules, Standards, Automation, Control, Assurance, Publication, and Feedback. All of these aspects are important and deserve consideration in the creation/maintenance of ITIS’ high quality GSDs.

ITIS has also developed a new web-based ‘Taxonomic Workbench’ (TWB) that allows new levels of cooperative effort beyond what ITIS has been able to attain with a desktop version of the software, which has been used for twenty-five years. Some key aspects of these tools and what they will allow are discussed in the last half of the presentation.
Ten Years and a Million Links: Building a global taxonomic library connecting persistent identifiers for names (LSIDs), publications (DOIs), and people (ORCIDs)
Authors: Page Roderic
Published: September 2023

One thing the field of biodiversity informatics has been very good at is creating databases. However, this success in creation has not been matched by equivalent success in creating deep links between records in those databases. Instead, we create an ever growing number of silos. An obvious route to “silo-breaking” is the shared use of the same persistent identifiers for the same entities across those databases. For example, we have minted millions of Life Science Identifiers (LSIDs) for taxonomic names (which can be resolved at lsid.io), and a growing number of taxonomic papers have Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), but we lack connections between these two identifiers. In this talk I describe work over the last decade to make these connections between LSIDs and DOIs across three large taxonomic databases: Index Fungorum, International Plant Names Index (IPNI), and the Index to Organism Names (ION) (Page 2023). Over a million names have been matched to DOIs or other persistent identifiers for taxonomic publications (Fig. 1 shows the coverage of publications for animal names). This represents approximately 36% of animal, plant or fungal names for which publication data is available.

The mappings between LSIDs and publication persistent identifiers (PIDs) such as DOIs and Wikidata item identifiers, are made available through ChecklistBank (datasets 129659, 164203, 128415), and also archived in Zenodo. By combining these LSID and DOI links with Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCIDs) for taxonomists, we can potentially gain insight into who is doing taxonomic research, where they work, and how they are funded. Possible applications of this data are discussed, including a tool to discover the citation for a species name (Species Cite, Fig. 2), using DOI to ORCIDs to discover who is doing taxonomic research, and creating a linked data version of the Catalogue of Life.
Le discours antifrançais en Afrique francophone
Authors: Antil Alain , Giovalucchi François , Vircoulon Thierry
Published: September 2023

La politique française est de plus en plus contestée en Afrique. Contribuent à ce désaveu les opérations militaires comme le maintien du franc CFA. Il faut aussi souligner des causes internes. Pour les classes politiques africaines, le « complot français » est le bouc émissaire parfait vers lequel orienter le mécontentement populaire. S’y ajoute la renaissance de courants panafricanistes qui trouvent un soutien à Moscou.
Je suis un mouvement. Je suis en mouvement. Extrait du journal d’un actif, à quelques pas de la fin : la retraite
Authors: Touil Ahmed Nordine
Published: September 2023

Plus que quelques semaines avant la fin : l’auteur encore actif s’apprête à passer du monde du travail à celui de la retraite. Du désir d’en finir avec le labeur à l’angoisse du vide, cet article se propose de partager cette mise en tension entre aspiration et crainte. Quelques chansons, un fil rouge et une question en soulignent le cœur : De quoi la retraite est-elle la fin ?
Civilité : un concept en dialogue
Authors: Merlin-Kajman Hélène
Published: September 2023

Il s’agit ici de faire le va-et-vient entre différents sens du mot « civilité », et les différents ancrages culturels de la réflexion (Europe, Asie). Dans les sociétés occidentales, l’opinion s’accorde pour diagnostiquer une crise de la civilité. Il semble que rien de tel n’existe à Taïwan et les chercheurs invités à observer la littérature et les productions artistiques voire politiques de l’île à la lumière de ce concept se heurtent à plusieurs difficultés. Or, leurs difficultés et leurs analyses se révèlent très instructives pour repenser l’émergence de la civilité en Europe. D’un côté, l’importance de la référence confucéenne, avec ses « Cinq Relations », peut aider à repérer l’importance de la sociabilité régie par le respect 82 et la déférence, encore très prégnante en France sous l’Ancien régime, et à la distinguer tant de la sociabilité régie par la civilité d’origine érasmienne étudiée par Norbert Elias que de la civilité politique définie par Jurgen Habermas pour le XVIII e siècle. A l’inverse, l’intérêt repéré pour les formes transgressant cette « civilité de façade » confucéenne (par exemple, le succès du roman Moderato Cantabile de M. Duras) permet de circonscrire, sur le long terme de l’histoire occidentale et peut-être sur un plan anthropologique, la valeur de la « familiarité » : franchise ou impolitesse contestatrice, mais aussi menace d’anomie sociale si elle phagocyte la civilité et la déférence. On en conclut qu’ici comme ailleurs, le sens final d’une civilité démocratique consiste à maintenir plusieurs références à la fois et à assurer leur traductibilité.
De la loi au choix : l’information aux parents, point nodal pour un développement équilibré des parcours de scolarisation des élèves sourds français
Authors: Perini Marie
Published: September 2023

En France, depuis la loi du 11 février 2005, les parents peuvent choisir pour leur enfant sourd entre une scolarisation bilingue LSF-français écrit et une scolarisation monolingue, français oral-français écrit. Cette loi s’est vue accompagnée ces 15 dernières années de la création progressive des dispositifs permettant la mise en place concrète d’une scolarisation bilingue. Comment expliquer alors la part toujours aussi faible de ce mode de scolarisation sur le territoire (5 % des élèves sourds environ à la rentrée 2019 selon la Dgesco) ? Il semble que, malgré l’avènement du modèle inclusif dans les textes, le regard défectologique sur la surdité reste très prégnant, empêchant les professionnels de la surdité comme les parents d’enfants sourds d’envisager l’enseignement en LSF comme une option éducative sérieuse. Pour en rendre compte, nous analyserons tour à tour les discours professionnels adressés aux parents d’enfants sourds, les discours scientifiques et les discours institutionnels. Nous exposerons ensuite certains des préjugés les plus fréquents à l’encontre de l’enseignement en LSF et tenterons d’y répondre à l’aide des données issues de la littérature scientifique récente, espérant ainsi contribuer à poser les jalons d’un choix éclairé entre deux options éducatives légitimes.
Faire la ville sans , ou l’exclusion par le motif environnemental. Étude des manières de faire la ville dans le Quartier Nord de Bruxelles
Authors: Trossat Marie
Published: September 2023

Questionnant les définitions théoriques et appliquées de l’écologie notamment par celle de l’« écologie humaine » des premièr·e·s sociologues de l’École de Chicago, cet article propose d’étudier les dynamiques à l’œuvre dans le Quartier Nord de Bruxelles. Plus spécifiquement, l’article se base sur le récit de la transformation du Parc Maximilien : parc dédié depuis 2015 à l’accueil de nouveaux·elles arrivant·e·s en situation de précarité et destiné à se transformer en une ferme urbaine. Par le récit saisissant les intentions des différent·e·s acteur·rice·s de la production urbaine, le sort et les problèmes des publics habitant et occupant , l’article met en lumière l’exclusion dont ces publics font l’objet par le discours, le programme et l’enquête. Si l’ethnographie menée révèle les failles de l’instrumentalisation du discours écologique, participatif et consensuel de la pensée urbanistique contemporaine, elle ouvre cependant sur une autre perspective de l’écologie : à la fois, urbaine, plurielle et prometteuse d’une conception hospitalière de la ville.
Addressing Impaired Sleep Among Adults in the Psychiatric Care Setting
Authors: Kverno Karan
Published: September 2023

Insomnia is highly comorbid with mental disorders and commonly treated by mental health care clinicians. A review of literature provides evidence for shared pathophysiology in systems regulating arousal and sleep–wake cycles in insomnia, anxiety, and mood disorders. Evidence-based pharmacological treatment rationales, based on patterns of dysregulation, are presented. Sleep quality is essential to mental health, and early identification and treatment of insomnia can aid in recovery. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61
(9), 6–9.]
The circular economy model in the agri-food sector: A new strategy for the regional development
Authors: Chiaraluce Giulia , Bentivoglio Deborah , Finco Adele
Published: September 2023

It is undeniable that the agri-food system is one of the greatest waste-producing sectors, with the inevitable generation of a certain quantity of scraps due to processing at an industrial level. Circular economy may offer a valid solution to overcome this problem, but the application of the model requires the availability of reliable data about quality and quantity of waste, which are currently missing. For this purpose, the objective of this paper is to address the issue of waste generation in the agri-food industry using a survey questionnaire. In-depth interviews were conducted with the owners or the technicians of selected case studies from the Marche region agri-food sector. Then, mass balance was applied based on primary data collected during the interviews. Moreover, to explore the potentiality of the circular model for the development of a regional agri-food sector, barriers, opportunities and services were also investigated. Results identified the vegetable and olive oil transformation as the most impacting in terms of quantities of waste produced. Food business operators currently find it difficult to give a proper definition of circular economy and envision the implementation of the model soon. However, they are also very enthusiastic and positive in finding alternative solutions to recover the waste. A great support could be provided by establishing a regional database for waste qualification and quantification. This work could be useful for policy makers, helping to understand the hurdles that agribusiness entrepreneurs shall face in this economic transition.
A rational resource allocation method for multimedia network teaching reform based on Bayesian partition data mining
Authors: Li Juan , Sun Geng
Published: September 2023

In order to improve the application of teaching resources and reduce delays in the integration process of multimedia network, a rational resource allocation method for multimedia network teaching reform based on Bayesian partition data mining is proposed. Bayesian partition is used to preprocess the multimedia network teaching resources (MNTR), adjusting the recognition probability of MNTR in each partition based on its attributes. By performing Bayesian quantitative classification using samples of MNTR, the prior probability is adjusted through maximization analysis. The partitioned resources undergo sample data mining to obtain the data category collection of all MNTR. A prediction model is then built to forecast the demand for teaching resources at specific times in the future. MNTR can be rationally allocated based on the prediction results. Experimental results demonstrate that this method reduces delays in MNTR application and improves the accuracy and utilization of teaching resources.
Influenza trend prediction method combining Baidu index and support vector regression based on an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Xue Hongxin , Zhang Lingling , Liang Haijian , Kuang Liqun , Han Huiyan , Yang Xiaowen , Guo Lei
Published: September 2023

Web-based search query data have been recognized as valuable data sources for discovering new influenza epidemics. However, selecting search and query keywords and adopting prediction methods pose key challenges to improving the effectiveness of influenza prediction. In this study, web search data were analyzed and excavated using big data and machine learning methods. The flu prediction model for the southern region of China, considering the impact of influenza transmission across regions and based on various keywords and historical influenza-like illness percentage (ILI%) data, was built (models 1–4) to verify the factors affecting the spread of the flu. To improve the accuracy of the influenza trend prediction, a support vector regression method based on an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm was proposed (IPSO-SVR), which was applied to the influenza prediction model to forecast ILI% in southern China. By comparing and analyzing the prediction results of each model, model 4, using the IPSO-SVR algorithm, exhibited higher prediction precision and more effective results, with its prediction indexes including the mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) being 0.0596, 0.2441 and 0.1884, respectively. The experimental results show that the prediction precision significantly increased when the IPSO-SVR method was applied to the constructed ILI% model. A new theoretical basis and implementation strategy were provided for achieving more accurate influenza prevention and control in southern China.
Interpretation on nonlocal neutral functional differential equations with delay
Authors: Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Munusamy Kasilingam , Ravichandran Chokkalingam , Sabarinathan Sriramulu
Published: September 2023

This work deals with the existence and continuous dependence of an integral solution for neutral integro-differential equations with a nonlocal condition. This result is established by using an integrated resolvent operator under conditions of Lipschitz continuity and uniqueness via the Banach fixed point technique. We also study the existence of a strict solution on reflexive and general Banach spaces. In the last section, an example is provided related to this theory.
QSPR/QSAR analysis of some eccentricity based topological descriptors of antiviral drugs used in COVID-19 treatment via $ \mathscr{D}\varepsilon $- polynomials
Authors: Sarkarai Deepalakshmi , Desikan Kalyani
Published: September 2023

In the field of chemical and medical sciences, topological indices are used to study the chemical, biological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of pharmaceuticals. The COVID-19 pandemic is largely recognized as the most life-threatening crisis confronting medical advances. Scientists have tested various antiviral drugs and discovered that they help people recover from viral infections like COVID-19. Antiviral medications, such as Arbidol, Chloroquine, Hydroxy-Chloroquine, Lopinavir, Remdesivir, Ritonavir, Thalidomide and Theaflavin, are often used to treat COVID-19. In this paper, we define Diameter Eccentricity Based vertex degree and employ it to introduce a new polynomial called $ D\varepsilon- $ Polynomial. Using the newly introduced polynomial, we derive new topological indices, namely, diameter eccentricity based and hyper diameter eccentricity based indices. In order to check the efficacy of our indices, we derive the $ D\varepsilon- $ polynomials for the eight COVID-19 drugs mentioned above. Using these polynomials, we compute our proposed topological descriptors for the eight COVID-19 drugs. We perform quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) analysis by identifying the best fit curvilinear/multilinear regression models based on our topological descriptors for 8 physico- chemical properties of the COVID-19 drugs. We also perform quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis by identifying the best fit multilinear regression model for predicting the $ IC_{50} $ values for the eight COVID-19 drugs. Our findings and models may be useful in the development of new COVID-19 medication.
Long-time prediction of nonlinear parametrized dynamical systems by deep learning-based reduced order models
Authors: Fresca Stefania , Fatone Federico , Manzoni Andrea
Published: September 2023

Deep learning-based reduced order models (DL-ROMs) have been recently proposed to overcome common limitations shared by conventional ROMs–built, e.g., through proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)–when applied to nonlinear time-dependent parametrized PDEs. In particular, POD-DL-ROMs can achieve an extremely good efficiency in the training stage and faster than real-time performances at testing, thanks to a prior dimensionality reduction through POD and a DL-based prediction framework. Nonetheless, they share with conventional ROMs unsatisfactory performances regarding time extrapolation tasks. This work aims at taking a further step towards the use of DL algorithms for the efficient approximation of parametrized PDEs by introducing the $ \mu t $-POD-LSTM-ROM framework. This latter extends the POD-DL-ROMs by adding a two-fold architecture taking advantage of long short-term memory (LSTM) cells, ultimately allowing long-term prediction of complex systems' evolution, with respect to the training window, for unseen input parameter values. Numerical results show that $ \mu t $-POD-LSTM-ROMs enable the extrapolation for time windows up to 15 times larger than the training time interval, also achieving better performances at testing than POD-DL-ROMs.
Characteristics and Health Care Spending of Persistently and Transiently High-cost Older Adults in Korea
Authors: Park Sungchul , Bae Giryeon
Published: September 2023

Objectives: This study examined differences in health care spending and characteristics among older adults in Korea by high-cost status (persistently, transiently, and never high-cost).Methods: We identified 1 364 119 older adults using data from the Korean National Insurance Claims Database for 2017-2019. Outcomes included average annual total health care spending and high-cost status for 2017-2019. Linear regression was used to estimate differences in the outcomes while adjusting for individual-level characteristics.Results: Persistently and transiently high-cost older adults had higher health care spending than never high-cost older adults, but the difference in health care spending was greater among persistently high-cost older adults than among transiently high-cost older adults (US$20 437 vs. 5486). Despite demographic and socioeconomic differences between transiently high-cost and never high-cost older adults, the presence of comorbid conditions remained the most significant factor. However, there were no or small differences in the prevalence of comorbid conditions between persistently high-cost and transiently high-cost older adults. Rather, notable differences were observed in socioeconomic status, including disability and receipt of Medical Aid.Conclusions: Medical risk factors contribute to high health care spending to some extent, but social risk factors may be a source of persistent high-cost status among older adults in Korea.
La Fazienda de Ultramar y las contribuciones de la Vulgata
Authors: McDougall Dave
Published: September 2023

El primer editor de la Fazienda de Ultramar, Moshé Lazar, fue el primero en establecer que el material bíblico de la obra provenía de un original hebreo. Para demostrar su hipótesis incluyó en su pionera edición de 1965 numerosas notas a pie estableciendo correspondencias entre determinados pasajes o palabras de la Fazienda y de la Biblia hebrea. Sin embargo, Lazar a menudo obvió aquellas partes donde la obra sigue la Vulgata, ocultando así las correspondencias entre ambas obras. En el presente artículo se demostrará que las contribuciones de la Vulgata a la Fazienda son mucho mayores de lo que se ha aceptado, sugiriendo que los pasajes del Viejo Testamento de la Fazienda provienen de dos fuentes distintas: la Biblia hebrea y la Vulgata latina.
O Fragmento ANTT cx. 13, mç. 10, n.º 30 (T2) e a tradução da General Estoria em Portugal
Authors: Leite Mariana
Published: September 2023

[pt] A tradução portuguesa da General Estoria de Afonso X, história universal profundamente devedora do texto bíblico, sobrevive apenas em breves fragmentos: um da segunda parte, e dois conjuntos de fragmentos da primeira, os mais recentes dos quais descobertos em 2012 (T2). Após uma breve reflexão sobre a recepção portuguesa de crónicas universais, e da avaliação das traduções portuguesas da General Estoria, comparam-se os fragmentos de 2012 com os manuscritos castelhanos correspondentes, permitindo estabelecer uma relação estemática dos fragmentos com o arquétipo castelhano.
Sobre l’antiguitat de la Bíblia del segle XIV
Authors: Casanellas i Bassols Pere
Published: September 2023

[ca] De les diverses traduccions medievals de la Bíblia al català que coneixem només ens ha arribat una traducció de la Bíblia sencera. Aquesta versió es conserva completa en un manuscrit de la segona meitat del segle XV; dos manuscrits més, també de la segona meitat del segle XV, contenen gran part de l’Antic Testament (del llibre del Gènesi fins al llibre dels Salms) i un altre, del segle XIV, conté el Nou Testament. Diversos altres manuscrits contenen fragments de la mateixa versió. En aquest article intentem demostrar que no sols el Nou Testament va ser traduït en el segle XIV, i a més a la primera meitat del segle, sinó que també l’Antic Testament data d’aquesta mateixa època, motiu pel qual aquesta Bíblia pot ser anomenada amb propietat Bíblia del segle XIV.
“Disinclined to Politicize”? Music and Canadian Politics 2.0
Authors: Draisey-Collishaw Rebecca , Pegley Kip
Published: September 2023

Musicians, scholars, and even reference materials are surprisingly united in the contention that music and politics occupy separate spheres in Canada. However, we suggest that denying the intersection of music and politics in Canada potentially blinds us to the complex ways in which artists, mediators, and audiences—that is, produsers—participate in projects that are undeniably ideological. Indeed, we suggest that appreciating the entwined relationship of music, politics, people, and contexts for circulation is particularly important at a moment when the participatory culture that prevails on social media platforms is increasingly normalised and the authority of established knowledge sources breaks down in the face of “controlless” circulations of content that radically challenge our capacities to communicate across partisan lines. Our analysis takes the form of three case studies: Tony Turner’s “Harperman” (2015), Adrian Sutherland’s “Politician Man” (2019), and Brock Tyler’s “Speaking Moistly” (2020). Our analysis interprets each example according to musical form, lyrics, creator intentions, and genre affiliations but, critically, also addresses how contexts for circulation, curation by produsers, and the affect of musicking illuminates kaleidoscopic meanings that accrue through the complex interactions of music and politics—meanings, notably, that cannot be discerned through a focus on the musical object or political landscape alone.
Blockchain and IoT in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains
Authors: Nafchi Mohsen Aghabozorgi , Shahraki Zahra Alidousti , Nafchi Abolghasem Aghabozorgi
Published: September 2023

Pharmaceutical drugs can be considered as one of the most important needs of human societies. The spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has dramatically increased the volume of drug exchanges and the role of pharmaceutical supply chains in society for providing drugs has become recognized, but one of the most important concerns in this area is trust and confidence to the authenticity of drugs. Developing an accurate system for tracking productions in pharmaceutical supply chains is necessary. These advances can be used for improving the quality of pharmaceutical supply chains. Using IoT, it is possible to track the status of productions in supply chains. Also, blockchain technology can be used for recording and sharing data transparently. So, this integration of IoT and blockchain technology can reduce concerns about the authenticity of drugs and prevent their distribution. Given the important role of medicine for improving the health of society, this chapter explores the role of IoT devices and blockchain in the successful development of pharmaceutical supply chains.
Harnessing the Power of Blockchain Technology in Modern China
Authors: Zreik Mohamad
Published: September 2023

This chapter looks beyond cryptocurrencies to examine the wider usage and ramifications of blockchain technology in China. After introducing blockchain concepts, it examines China's regulatory environment and its efforts to promote confidence in digital exchanges. The chapter then delves into the specifics of China's technical implementations, dissecting enabling tools, new architectural frameworks, and emergent movements like the internet of things and big data. It examines the effects on businesses, communities, and individuals, paying special attention to the ethical and regulatory settings in which these shifts occur. The dialogue is backed up by real-world case studies that show how blockchain can revolutionize many different industries. This chapter is an effort to educate interested parties about the blockchain scene in China and its worldwide implications.
The Effects of Metaverse and Blockchain-Based Cryptocurrencies on Social Life
Authors: Tepe Tansel
Published: September 2023

Due to the necessity of living conditions and the desire to seek alternative living environments, people have recently focused on virtual worlds. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about what kind of activities people can do in Metaverse virtual worlds without being dependent on mediator platforms in a decentralized way. Moreover, information is given about the advantages of blockchain-based Web 3.0 technology in virtual environments. The advantages of integrating virtual reality technology into Metaverse virtual worlds and properties of non-fungible tokens are explained. In addition, the most popular Metaverse projects in the crypto coin markets are mentioned with the effects of these projects on society discussed.
The Use of Blockchain Mediation in Resolving Smart Contract Disputes
Authors: Shivakumar Meghana
Published: September 2023

It is vital for the world to keep up with and evolve at the same rate as technology. One such technological innovation is blockchain. Despite the fact that something has been on the spectrum for quite some time, only recently has it gained any attraction. This chapter begins by introducing the concept of blockchain and how it operates on the internet. A summary of the extensive coding and math needed is provided in plain text and simple terms. The chapter further discusses smart contracts, which are seen as a critical component of any transaction that takes place in blockchain. However, just like any other formal contract, there is a possibility of disagreement. Most smart contract disputes are settled using the same contractual laws. It is also essential to note that the method of resolving disputes is an important consideration. The author in this paper aims to analyse the procedural aspect of resolving disputes, more into the use of blockchain mediation. Lastly the author concludes by urging the fact the alternative dispute is the need of the hour.
Paradigm Shift in Corporate Responsibility to the New Era of ESG and Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Gigauri Iza , Vasilev Valentin Penchev
Published: September 2023

Since the business purpose to serve shareholders' interests changed to a more balanced view of serving all stakeholders, companies' focus shifted towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) to meet the expectations of society. Corporations recognize that a profit-driven mission is not making them the best companies as information about unethical behavior spreads rapidly. Digital resources can be used in corporate strategy to create value for consumers and shareholders. Digital transformation impacts CSR while paving the way for digital CSR. Increasingly, companies admit the need for sustainability and proactive steps to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, ESG—environmental, social, and governance—issues aim to connect financial value to social responsibility. Furthermore, social entrepreneurship has received special attention worldwide as pressing social and environmental problems requiring complex solutions. Therefore, the research trends regarding CSR, ESG, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and digitalization have been growing.
Disrupting FinTech
Authors: Gupta Swati , Rastogi Ruchika , Alam Md Shabbir
Published: September 2023

In the evolving technology landscape, chatbots have become integral, especially in fintech. This study delves into chatbot interactions within fintech, investigating their impact on user engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. The study's framework examines challenges during interactions, user trust, problem-solving efficacy, reliability perception, and interaction preference. Four hypotheses are formulated: challenges negatively affect satisfaction, trust encourages sharing sensitive information, effective problem-solving enhances satisfaction, and reliability perception influences interaction preference. These hypotheses align with research objectives to address fintech's gaps. Anticipated results can contribute to academia and industry, yielding insights into chatbot dynamics and their effects on customer experiences. Ultimately, this research aims to enrich fintech's landscape, guiding optimal chatbot integration.
Exploring the Predictive Power of Machine Learning Algorithms on Daily Gold Prices
Authors: Elhishi Sara , Rabea Zeinab , El-Metwally Sara
Published: September 2023

Gold, a highly valued and significant investment asset, is subject to various influences including global economic conditions and geopolitical events. Recent advancements in machine learning have shown promising results in predicting financial time series, including gold prices. This study evaluates machine learning algorithms (Linear/Ridge/LASSO Regression, Decision Trees, Random Forest, XGBoost, SVM) for gold price forecasting. A comparative analysis of these algorithms reveals that tree-based machine learning techniques, specifically decision trees, random forest, and XGBoost, outperform other algorithms. Among them, random forest exhibits the highest R2 value (R2 = 0.99) and the lowest values for RMSE (1.38), MSE (1.89), and MAE (0.95). XGBoost and decision trees both achieve an R2 of 0.99 and obtain RMSE values of 1.51 and 1.76, MSE values of 2.28 and 3.09, and MAE values of 1.08 and 1.14, respectively. These findings suggest that tree-based machine learning models may be more suitable for predicting gold prices compared to traditional approaches.
Ernst Cassirer e a objetividade das Ciências Culturais
Authors: Azevedo Júnior Ivânio
Published: September 2023

O presente artigo consiste na apresentação e na análise de elementos da filosofia de Ernst Cassirer a partir dos quais o problema da objetividade das Ciências Culturais pode ser formulado e, em certa medida, respondido. Tais elementos são encontrados nos estudos que compõem a Lógica das Ciências Culturais, de 1942, obra da fase final da produção intelectual do autor, a saber: i) a fenomenologia pré-conceitual, que está na base da diferença entre as ciências naturais e as ciências da cultura; ii) as distinções entre o conceito natural e o conceito cultural, bem como a importância das noções de ‘forma’ e ‘estilo’ para as ciências culturais e iii) a centralidade da noção de forma e como isto reconfigura a noção de causa no interior das ciências não naturais.
Análise do Instagram como mecanismo de divulgação de periódicos científicos da área de biotecnologia
Authors: Fernandes Gabriel Oliveira , Thomé Ralph Gruppi
Published: September 2023

O uso de redes sociais tornou-se rotina para a maioria da população mundial, abordando praticamente todos os tipos de assuntos. Apesar da relevância das redes sociais na sociedade, o uso desses meios para comunicar e divulgar ciência ainda precisa ser melhor entendido e explorado. Compreender os benefícios que o uso das redes sociais pelos periódicos pode trazer para todos os envolvidos pode reforçar a utilização desses espaços para a divulgação e comunicação científica. Neste contexto, o presente artigo propõe analisar a presença dos periódicos da área de biotecnologia no Instagram. Foram selecionados os dez periódicos com maior pontuação no site Scopus (2023), verificando quais tinham perfil no Instagram seguidos pela análise do comportamento e taxas de engajamento. Três desses periódicos possuem perfis, sendo que dois apresentam bons resultados de engajamento em suas postagens. Mesmo que os periódicos ainda tenham uma presença tímida nas redes sociais, como o Instagram, observam-se bons resultados ao utilizar essa plataforma para comunicar e divulgar ciência. Portanto, é evidente o interesse do público em consumir conteúdo científico nessas redes, fortalecendo o trabalho dos periódicos, pesquisadores e contribuindo para a disseminação de informações.
Olhando de longe e pensando de perto: a produção de Casa-grande & senzala e Raízes do Brasil em terras estrangeiras
Authors: Oliveira Amurabi
Published: September 2023

O sociólogo e antropólogo Gilberto Freyre (1900-1987), autor de Casa-grande & senzala (1933), e o historiador Sérgio Buarque de Holanda (1902-1982), autor de Raízes do Brasil, são considerados alguns dos principais intérpretes da sociedade brasileira, tendo produzido obras que continuam a impactar a compreensão do Brasil. Segundo alguns pesquisadores, estas foram as obras que ‘inventaram o Brasil’. Neste ensaio, busco analisar o impacto das experiências que esses autores tiveram no exterior durante o processo de produção de seus trabalhos mais conhecidos. No caso de Gilberto Freyre destaco sua formação acadêmica nos Estados Unidos, e no caso de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, sua formação livre na Alemanha. Considero que devido às diferentes experiências acadêmicas e culturais no exterior, Gilberto Freyre e Sérgio Buarque de Holanda desenvolveram distintas interpretações do Brasil. Partindo da análise de suas biografias, assim como de seus trabalhos mais conhecidos, busco destacar como que algumas das principais interpretações da sociedade brasileira só foram possíveis devido à ‘diáspora intelectual’ da qual participaram esses autores, tentando compreender as influências que incidiram em seus trabalhos.
On Vibration Responses of Advanced Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Composite Nanobeams
Authors: Ladmek Miloud , Belkacem Abdelkader , Houari Mohammed Sid Ahmed , Daikh Ahmed Amine , Bessaim Aicha , Belarbi Mohamed Ouejdi , Tounsi Abdelouahed , Khdair Adnan I. , Eltaher Mohamed A.
Published: September 2023

This article presents an analytical approach to explore the free vibration behaviour of new functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite beams (FG-CNTRC) based on a two-variable higher-order shear deformation theory and nonlocal strain gradient theory. The beams resting on the Pasternak elastic foundation, including a shear layer and Winkler spring, are considered. The kinematic relations of the shaft are proposed according to novel trigonometric functions. The vibrated nanobeam’s motion equations are obtained via the classical Hamilton’s principle and solved using Navier’s steps. A comparative evaluation of results against predictions from literature demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed analytical model. Moreover, a detailed parametric analysis checks for the sensitivity of the vibration response of FG nanobeams to nonlocal length scale, strain gradient microstructure scale, material distribution, constant spring factors, and geometry. The current work presents the free vibration problem of supported (FG-CNTRC) beams reinforced by different patterns of carbon nanotube (CNT) distributions in the polymeric matrix.
Responce of European Wheat to Weed Competitiveness as Affected by Potassium Fertilizer Levels
Authors: Khalaf H. S. M. , Idan W. J. , Khashan A. A. , Hassan A. A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose: The significance of potassium has been well documented as one of the major macronutrients for many crops, particularly wheat. Herbicide resistance in weeds and other environmental issues in the wheat crop has encouraged researchers to find alternative methods for weed management.Research methods: A field experiment was conducted during the winter season 2021-2022 at a private farm in North Samawah city, Iraq to examine the competitive ability of two European wheat cultivars against weeds as affected by potassium (K) levels. Treatments included two wheat cultivars (Milano and Pick-row), and three K fertiliser levels (0, 200 and 400 Kg K2O/ha).Findings: The results showed that Pick-row was a superior cultivar in terms of crop competitive ability with weeds compared with Milano. Pick-row was taller, produced the largest number of spikes, had the greatest grain yield, greatest crop biomass and least weed biomass about 61.5 cm, 70 spike/m2, 0.66 t/ha, 2.29 t/ha, and 52.5 g/m2 respectively. The increased K fertiliser level has a positive effect on crop production and weed biomass reduction, especially with Pick-row cultivar.Originality/ Value: It is implicated that Pick-row can be useful as a competitive cultivar under Al-Muthanna Province environments. Potassium K fertiliser is better to be increased and split into a number of equal doses and applied at different growth stages of wheat to avoid critical competitive timing risks.
A diagnostic dilemma and how it turned out to be ocular toxocariasis
Authors: Samarasekara S. M. A. S. M. , Jayawardene A. J. , Weerasinghe Chathuri , Prarshana Reethanchana
Published: September 2023

No abstract available
Double magnet ingestion in a child 
Authors: Mahapatra Anuspandana , Bongu Ramkrishna , Narayan Jimmy , Pradhan Antaryami , Anuhya Velaga
Published: September 2023

No abstract available
Electronic media device usage and screen time among children in a tertiary care hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Karia Sakshi , Gaur Bablu Kumar , Singh Rupa R.
Published: September 2023

Background: Increased use of electronic media devices has become a significant health problem in the paediatric population worldwide. Excessive use of these devices in children is associated with several health-related hazards.  Objectives: To describe the media device usage, screen time, and factors associated with their uses among children in a tertiary care hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India.  Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital, in Moradabad, Western Uttar Pradesh, India. All children aged 6 months to 8 years were recruited. A questionnaire in English that was converted into Hindi was used to collect data. Exposure to electronic device usage, average time spent on each device, and factors associated with device usage were analysed.  Results: Exposure to audio-visual media devices among 6 months to 8-year-old children was 92.5%; 27 (7.5%) children had no screen exposure; 62.5% had a daily screen time more than two hours, whereas 57 (17.4%) had screen time less than 1 hour. Children from nuclear families (67.3%) and those born with first order of birth were found to be more media-indulgent. Most popular audio-visual media device was the smartphone, which was used by 162 (45.6%) children, followed by television (22.8%), laptop (19.7%), tablet (11.3%), and desktop (8.4%). There was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between screen time and different age groups, as well as between age group and types of shows watched. Screen time of more than one hour per day was independently associated with male gender and children living in urban areas. Conclusions: Majority of children were exposed to daily screen time that exceeds recommended limits as per AAP and Indian guidelines. Smartphones were the most commonly used audio-visual media devices. Screen time of more than one hour per day was independently associated with male gender and children living in urban areas
Artificial intelligence and scholarly scientific publications
Authors: Perera B. J. C.
Published: September 2023

No absteact available
A comprehensive review of phytochemical components as potential antidepressants
Authors: Pratap Veeresh Babu , Padamatinti Anvesh Nag , Mudunuri Ganga Raju , Gotika Vishnu Priya
Published: September 2023

Depression is a heterogeneous mood disorder that has been classified and treated in a variety of ways. Despite the fact that a variety of synthetic medications are utilized as conventional treatment for clinically depressed patients, these drugs have side effects that can jeopardize the therapeutic outcome. In recent decades, there has been a rise in research and interest in the psychopharmacology of natural treatments. Thus, it’s worthwhile researching for antidepressants derived from plants that have a demonstrated effect and a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. By virtue of their medicinal constituents, a variety of medicinal plants and medicines produced from these plants have exhibited antidepressant properties. As a result, major pharmaceutical companies are currently researching plant materials extensively for their possible medical benefit. Depression is caused by low levels of monoamines such as noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, treatments that restore lowered levels of these monoamines in the brain by blocking monoamine oxidase or decreasing reuptake of these neurotransmitters could be beneficial in the treatment of depression. The current review focuses on medicinal plants and plant-based formulations that have been shown to have antidepressant effect in both animal and human studies.
Monitoring and Quality Evaluation Method of English Teaching in Machine Manufacturing Based on Machine Learning and Internet of Things
Authors: Xie Fang
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: With the continuous development of society, education is getting more and more attention, and all stages of education, such as elementary school, middle school, high school, Etc., are the fundamental objects of attention, while English in the university, as a critical foreign language, is also given considerable attention. Among the various majors in the university, different majors pay different attention to English, among which in the mechanical engineering major, the importance of English is still relatively front and centre, which is helpful for the improvement of students' mechanical engineering level. However, in the current teaching, there are still a series of problems in the English teaching of mechanical majors, which have certain obstacles to improving students' English level. OBJECTIVES: To give university English teachers more feedback and opinions through a reasonable and perfect teaching monitoring and quality evaluation method; combining their English reading teaching with relevant rules and regulations can better promote the educational quality level of university English and help students improve their English more reasonably. METHODS: To study and analyze the monitoring and quality evaluation of English teaching in mechanical majors to get the relevant optimization suggestions of teaching mode, and to solve the correlation problem based on multiple linear regression through the calculation of SPSS software, to analyze the final impact mechanism of each item on the quality of teaching. RESULTS: The results of the sample survey indicate that, firstly, five factors, namely, research direction, disciplinary ladder, scientific research, talent cultivation and management, will have a significant impact on the monitoring and quality evaluation of English teaching in the mechanical program. Secondly, further research on the influence mechanism suggests that the monitoring and quality evaluation of English language teaching in mechanical majors needs some improvement, affecting the English language proficiency of students in this field. CONCLUSION: After summarizing several factors that impact the evaluation of the quality of English teaching, it is clear that such English classroom teaching has a positive effect on the training of mechanical students.