bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inorganic fertilization effect on growth and yield attributes of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) as intercrop under cassia (Cinnamomum tamala)
Authors: Jamir A.R. , Bandyopadhyay A.K. , Momin M.Ch.
Published: August 2023

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual flowering plant, belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. It is predominantly grown for its seeds and oil in open condition, but with its short life cycle and low input requirements it has potential for growing as a profitable intercrop. Cassia (Cinnamomum tamala) being perennial and wide spaced crop, it makes possible for cultivation of short duration and closely spaced intercrops during its harvesting period. However, information on nutrient fertilization of black cumin as intercrop remains elusive. The present investigation was conducted at the HRS, Mondouri, BCKV, West Bengal, India with 9 different combinations of inorganic fertilizer in CRBD with 3 replications to find out the optimum combination of nutrients on growth and yield of black cumin as an intercrop with Cassia. Among the various treatments, maximum plant height (68.11 cm), number of primary (6.07) and secondary branches (9) per plant, number of capsule per plant (23.33), 1000 seed weight (2.24g), seed yield hectare-1 (3.48 q) and B:C ratio (2.20) were recorded with treatment T5 (70:40:20 kg NPK ha-1) followed by treatment T9 (70:40:30 kg NPK ha-1). Treatment combinations with higher levels of nutrients had significant effects on growth components and seed yield. From the results of this experiment, treatment T5 (70:40:20 kg NPK ha-1) can be recommended as the optimum fertilization dose for obtaining maximum growth, seed yield and profitable economic return of black cumin as an intercrop during harvesting period of cassia leaves under alluvial plains of West Bengal.
Effect of integrated weed management on weed dynamics in rose
Authors: Kaur K. , Dubey R.K. , Bhullar M.S.
Published: August 2023

An experiment was directed to assess the effect of integrated weed management practices on weed density and dry biomass in rose cv. Gruss-en-Tepltiz by using treatments paddy straw mulch 0.6 kg/m2, paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 0.6 kg/m2, oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2, hand weeding (at monthly interval) and unweeded control. The least value of weed count of diverse species was recorded in hand weeding closely followed by oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2. Dry biomass of weeds and weed control efficiency was also marked to be lowest in hand weeding followed by oxyfluorfen 0.025 g/m2 + paddy straw mulch 1.2 kg/m2. Since hand weeding is costly, tedious, laborious, and if not done legitimately, harms the plant and root system, the result of the study advocated using oxyfluorfen in combination with paddy straw mulch at a rate of 1.2 kg/m2 for effectively reducing weed growth
Effect of trellis orientation on Passiflora incarnata growth and production
Authors: Stafne Eric T. , Rezazadeh Amir
Published: August 2023

Passiflora incarnata L., often referred to commonly as ‘maypops’, has showy flowers and large fruit. This species has been identified in historical documents as being a food crop, although it is not presently grown as a commercial crop. To better facilitate harvest, Passiflora vines must be trellised to keep flowers and fruit off the ground. There are different methods to accomplish this, but there is little consensus as to the best model. Simple trellis systems made from t-posts, wire fencing, and cement blocks were erected onto a crushed rock covered nursery pad. One trellis was made horizontal to the ground roughly 0.3 m off the pad. The other trellis was vertical (perpendicular to the ground) and reached a height of 1.5 m. Three Passiflora species were used: Passiflora caerulea L. (blue passion flower), Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa O. Deg. (yellow passion fruit), and Passiflora incarnata (maypop). There were no statistically significant differences between vertical and horizontal trellised passion fruit vines in our study. Overall, trellis orientation did not appear to significantly impact vine growth, fruit growth, or fruit quality of Passiflora incarnata. We recommend employing a vertical trellis system for this species.
Growth and flowering pattern of commercial Heliconia varieties in coconut ecosystem
Authors: Nihad K. , Haris A. Abdul , Bhat Ravi
Published: August 2023

A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Plantation Crop Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayamkulam, Kerala, during 2012-2016 for identifying potential commercial heliconia varieties suitable for intercropping in the coconut ecosystem. The experiment revealed that heliconia varieties viz., Iris, Kawauchi, Sunrise and She are suitable as intercrops in coconut gardens. A combination of the varieties She and Sunrise can be planted in the ratio 1:1 for year-round production of marketable inflorescences. Variety Iris can be planted at 1.25 x 1.25 m spacing, whereas the others require spacing of 75 x 75 cm. Heliconia intercropping resulted in higher productivity of the main crop (coconut) as well. This may be due to the micro habitat’s higher moisture retention, which might have resulted in the percentage reduction of fallen nuts in coconut.
Phenological growth stages of Meconopsis aculeata Royle, an endangered medicinal plant of western Himalaya, using BBCH scale
Authors: Shukla Vandana , Singh Ankit , Nautiyal A.R. , Rani Poonam
Published: August 2023

Alpine plant species are perennial but have a shorter growing period according to prevailing habitat conditions that remain snow-covered during winter. In these areas, many of the species are important sources of valuable drugs. Phenological observations on Meconopsis aculeata were recorded at a weekly interval in Tungnath region of western Himalaya. Phenological studies in alpine plants are minimal, especially in Indian Himalayas thus, the present study was carried out to describe detailed phenological stages of M. aculeata in Tungnath region of the Indian Himalaya. The BBCH (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemische Industrie) scale was used to characterize seven primary growth stages from seed germination to senescence, as well as secondary growth stages. These stages include stage 0 (germination phase), stage 1 (leaf development), stage 5 (Inflorescence emergence), stage 6 (flowering), stage 7 (fruit development), stage 8 (Fruit ripening) and stage 9 (Senescence). Due to the high market demand of medicinal plants in local and international markets, work on the various aspects of domestication and crop improvement is a dire need, therefore the detailed phenological growth stages of M. aculeata could be helpful and complimentary for local growers, breeders and researchers.
Effect of pre-treatments on qualitative characteristics of osmotically dehydrated apple
Authors: Gupta Muskaan , Kapoor Swati , Kaur Amanpreet , Kaur Manpreet , Aggarwal Poonam , Wagh Rajesh V
Published: August 2023

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of various pre-treatments viz., potassium sorbate (T2), steam process (T3) and rose-flavored syrup (T4) compared to control (T1) on the final quality of osmo-dried apple cubes. Osmo-dried apple cubes developed from each treatment had moisture content in the range of 7.3-8.6% with 0.55-0.66 water activity. Pre-treatments proved to be effective on the product as bioactive components and antioxidant activity (%) were maximally retained in rose flavored apple cubes except ascorbic acid. Higher reducing sugars were observed in steam-treated apple cubes and lowest in rose-flavored apple cubes. In terms of colour attributes, potassium sorbate-treated apple cubes retained the most brightness, but texturally, these samples had the most hardness and the least cohesiveness. In contrast, steam-treated apple cubes had the lowest hardness and highest cohesiveness. The highest overall acceptability was noted for rose-flavored apple cubes in sensory properties. Red coloration of these apple cubes resulted in reduced L and highest a values with optimum textural properties. Overall, rose-flavored syrup as an osmotic agent produced flavoured dried apple cubes of improved quality.
A new method of controlling house sparrow damage to vineyards: Marginal planting of sunflowers
Authors: Raji Mohammad    Reza
Published: August 2023

Chemical pesticides used against house sparrows in areas where they cause significant damage to the quantity and quality of vineyard products can pollute the environment and harm the natural ecosystem. Sunflower seeds are a favourite food of house sparrows. The goal of this project, which lasted six years (2015-2020), was to see if marginal sunflower planting could reduce the amount of damage done to the vineyard crop by house sparrows. There was no marginal planting of sunflowers around the vineyard ('Red Raisin' cultivar) in the first three years of the experiment (2015-2017), and the sparrows damaged the vineyard crop by 32, 38, and 33 percent in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The vineyard had a large population of house sparrows at first. However, in the final three years of the experiment (2018-2020), when sunflowers were marginally planted (200 m2) around the vineyard at a distance of 50 m, crop damage by sparrow beaks was 2, 4 and 2 percent in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. During these three years, the vineyard's sparrow population was low, but the marginal sunflower field's population was high. As a result, planting sunflowers in the margins of vineyards is an effective way to reduce the damage caused by house sparrows.
South Africa Education Data and Visualisations
Authors: Combrink Herkulaas , Carr Elizabeth , wet Katinka de , Marivate Vukosi , Rosman Benjamin
Published: August 2023

  

The tabular and visual dataset focuses on South African basic education and provides insights into the distribution of schools and basic population statistics across the country. This tabular and visual data are stratified across different quintiles for each provincial and district boundary. The quintile system is used by the South African government to classify schools based on their level of socio-economic disadvantage, with quintile 1 being the most disadvantaged and quintile 5 being the least disadvantaged. The data was joined by extracting information from the debarment of basic education with StatsSA population census data. Thereafter, all tabular data and geo located data were transformed to maps using GIS software and the Python integrated development environment. The dataset includes information on the number of schools and students in each quintile, as well as the population density in each area. The data is displayed through a combination of charts, maps and tables, allowing for easy analysis and interpretation of the information.
The Star Formation Across Cosmic Time (SFACT) Survey. III. Spectroscopy of the Initial Catalog of Emission-line Objects
Authors: Carr David J. , Sieben Jennifer , Salzer John J. , Brunker Samantha W. , Cousins Bryce
Published: August 2023

The Star Formation Across Cosmic Time (SFACT) survey is a new narrowband survey designed to detect emission-line galaxies (ELGs) and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) over a wide range of redshifts in discrete redshift windows. The survey utilizes the WIYN 3.5 m telescope and the Hydra multifiber positioner to perform efficient follow-up spectroscopy on galaxies identified in the imaging part of the survey. Because the objects in the SFACT survey are selected by their strong emission lines, it is possible to obtain useful spectra for even the faintest of our sources (r ∼ 25). Here, we present the 453 objects that have spectroscopic data from the three SFACT pilot-study fields, 415 of which are confirmed ELGs. The methodology for processing and measuring these data is outlined in this paper, and example spectra are displayed for each of the three primary emission lines used to detect objects in the survey (Hα, [O III]λ5007, and [O II]λ3727). Spectra of additional QSOs and nonprimary-emission-line detections are also shown as examples. The redshift distribution of the pilot-study sample is examined, and the ELGs are placed in different emission-line diagnostic diagrams in order to distinguish the star-forming galaxies from the active galactic nuclei.
Non-field-aligned Proton Beams and Their Roles in the Growth of Fast Magnetosonic/Whistler Waves: Solar Orbiter Observations
Authors: Zhu Xingyu , He Jiansen , Duan Die , Verscharen Daniel , Owen Christopher J. , Fedorov Andrey , Louarn Philippe , Horbury Timothy S.
Published: August 2023

The proton beam is an important population of the non-Maxwellian proton velocity distribution in the solar wind, but its role in wave activity remains unclear. In particular, the velocity vector of the proton beam and its influence on wave growth/damping have not been addressed before. Here we explore the origin and the associated particle dynamics of a kinetic wave event in the solar wind by analyzing measurements from Solar Orbiter and comparing them with theoretical predictions from linear Vlasov theory. We identify the waves as outward-propagating circularly polarized fast magnetosonic/whistler (FM/W) waves. The proton’s velocity distribution functions can destabilize FM/W waves. According to linear Vlasov theory, the velocity fluctuations of the core and the beam associated with FM/W waves render the original field-aligned background drift velocity non-field-aligned. This non-field-aligned drift velocity carrying the information of the velocity fluctuations of the core and the beam is responsible for the wave growth/damping. Specifically, for the FM/W waves we analyze, the non-field-aligned fluctuating velocity of the beam population is responsible for the growth of these unstable waves in the presence of a proton beam. In contrast, the core population plays the opposite role, partially suppressing the wave growth. Remarkably, the observed drift velocity vector between the core and the beam is not field aligned during an entire wave period. This result contrasts the traditional expectation that the proton beam is field aligned.
Theoretical Systematics in Testing the Cosmological Principle with the Kinematic Quasar Dipole
Authors: Guandalin Caroline , Piat Jade , Clarkson Chris , Maartens Roy
Published: August 2023

The Cosmological Principle (CP) is part of the foundation that underpins the standard model of the Universe. In the era of precision cosmology, when stress tests of the standard model are uncovering various tensions and possible anomalies, it is critical to check the viability of this principle. A key test is the consistency between the kinematic dipoles of the cosmic microwave background and of the large-scale matter distribution. Results using radio continuum and quasar samples indicate a rough agreement in the directions of the two dipoles, but a larger than expected amplitude of the matter dipole. The resulting tension with the radiation dipole has been estimated at ∼5σ for some cases, suggesting a potential new cosmological tension and a possible violation of the CP. However, the standard formalism for predicting the dipole in the two-dimensional projection of sources overlooks possible evolution effects in the luminosity function. In fact, radial information from the luminosity function is necessary for a correct projection of the three-dimensional source distribution. Using a variety of current models of the quasar luminosity function, we show that neglecting redshift evolution can significantly overestimate the relative velocity amplitude. While the models we investigate are consistent with each other and with current data, the dipole derived from these, which depends on derivatives of the luminosity function, can disagree by more than 3σ. This theoretical systematic bias needs to be resolved before robust conclusions can be made about a new cosmic tension.
The Metal-weak Milky Way Stellar Disk Hidden in the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus Debris: The APOGEE DR17 View
Authors: Feltzing Sofia , Feuillet Diane
Published: August 2023

We have for the first time identified the early stellar disk in the Milky Way by using a combination of elemental abundances and kinematics. Using data from APOGEE DR17 and Gaia we select stars in the Mg–Mn–Al–Fe plane with elemental abundances indicative of an accreted origin and find stars with both halo-like and disk-like kinematics. The stars with halo-like kinematics lie along a lower sequence in [Mg/Fe], while the stars with disk-like kinematics lie along a higher sequence. Combined with astroseismic observations, we determine that the stars with halo-like kinematics are old, 9–11 Gyr, and that the more evolved stellar disk is about 1–2 Gyr younger. We show that the in situ fraction of stars on deeply bound orbits is not small, in fact the inner Galaxy likely harbors a genuine in situ population together with an accreted one. In addition, we show that the selection of the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus in the E
n−L
z plane is not very robust. In fact, radically different selection criteria give almost identical elemental abundance signatures for the accreted stars.
The LSST AGN Data Challenge: Selection Methods
Authors: Savić Đorđe V. , Jankov Isidora , Yu Weixiang , Petrecca Vincenzo , Temple Matthew J. , Ni Qingling , Shirley Raphael , Kovačević Andjelka B. , Nikolić Mladen , Ilić Dragana , Popović Luka Č. , Paolillo Maurizio , Panda Swayamtrupta , Ćiprijanović Aleksandra , Richards Gordon T.
Published: August 2023

Development of the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) includes a series of Data Challenges (DCs) arranged by various LSST Scientific Collaborations that are taking place during the project's preoperational phase. The AGN Science Collaboration Data Challenge (AGNSC-DC) is a partial prototype of the expected LSST data on active galactic nuclei (AGNs), aimed at validating machine learning approaches for AGN selection and characterization in large surveys like LSST. The AGNSC-DC took place in 2021, focusing on accuracy, robustness, and scalability. The training and the blinded data sets were constructed to mimic the future LSST release catalogs using the data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82 region and the XMM-Newton Large Scale Structure Survey region. Data features were divided into astrometry, photometry, color, morphology, redshift, and class label with the addition of variability features and images. We present the results of four submitted solutions to DCs using both classical and machine learning methods. We systematically test the performance of supervised models (support vector machine, random forest, extreme gradient boosting, artificial neural network, convolutional neural network) and unsupervised ones (deep embedding clustering) when applied to the problem of classifying/clustering sources as stars, galaxies, or AGNs. We obtained classification accuracy of 97.5% for supervised models and clustering accuracy of 96.0% for unsupervised ones and 95.0% with a classic approach for a blinded data set. We find that variability features significantly improve the accuracy of the trained models, and correlation analysis among different bands enables a fast and inexpensive first-order selection of quasar candidates.
Information-theoretic Analysis of Longitude Distribution of Photospheric Magnetic Fields from MDI/HMI Synoptic Maps: Evidence for Rossby Waves
Authors: Raphaldini Breno , Dikpati Mausumi , McIntosh Scott W.
Published: August 2023

Much of the research on the magnetic activity of the Sun has been focused on its axisymmetric component. However, the longitudinal complexity plays a fundamental role in the solar magnetic activity. Rossby waves have recently been proposed as a fundamental mechanism regarding the nonaxisymmetric nature of the solar magnetic fields. Here, we use HMI and MDI magnetic field synoptic maps to evaluate the magnetic field structures’ (mainly active regions) organization and propagation as a function of time and latitude. We demonstrate, using information theory, that the organization of longitudinal structures observed on synoptic maps is proportional to the level of activity at a given latitude. We further show that this organization on the longitudinal structures is persistent and due to long-lived features. The drift velocity of these long-lived photospheric features is inferred and is shown to significantly vary with latitude, and is compatible with the phase speed of tachocline magnetic Rossby waves with a toroidal field in the range of 5–10 kG. Our results suggest that Rossby waves contribute to the organization and propagation of photospheric magnetic features on the timescale of several months and beyond.
Continuum Reverberation Mapping of Mrk 876 over Three Years with Remote Robotic Observatories
Authors: Miller Jake A. , Cackett Edward M. , Goad Michael R. , Horne Keith , Barth Aaron J. , Romero-Colmenero Encarni , Fausnaugh Michael , Gelbord Jonathan , Korista Kirk T. , Landt Hermine , Treu Tommaso , Winkler Hartmut
Published: August 2023

Continuum reverberation mapping probes the size scale of the optical continuum-emitting region in active galactic nuclei (AGN). Through 3 yr of multiwavelength photometric monitoring in the optical with robotic observatories, we perform continuum reverberation mapping on Mrk 876. All wave bands show large-amplitude variability and are well correlated. Slow variations in the light curves broaden the cross-correlation function (CCF) significantly, requiring detrending in order to robustly recover interband lags. We measure consistent interband lags using three techniques (CCF, JAVELIN, and PyROA), with a lag of around 13 days from u to z. These lags are longer than the expected radius of 12 days for the self-gravitating radius of the disk. The lags increase with wavelength roughly following λ
4/3, as would be expected from thin disk theory, but the lag normalization is approximately a factor of 3 longer than expected, as has also been observed in other AGN. The lag in the i band shows an excess that we attribute to variable Hα broad-line emission. A flux–flux analysis shows a variable spectrum that follows f

ν
∝ λ
−1/3, as expected for a disk, and an excess in the i band that also points to strong variable Hα emission in that band.
The Impact of Beam Variations on Power Spectrum Estimation for 21 cm Cosmology. II. Mitigation of Foreground Systematics for HERA
Authors: Kim Honggeun , Kern Nicholas S. , Hewitt Jacqueline N. , Nhan Bang D. , Dillon Joshua S. , de Lera Acedo Eloy , Dynes Scott B. C. , Mahesh Nivedita , Fagnoni Nicolas , DeBoer David R.
Published: August 2023

One key challenge in detecting a 21 cm cosmological signal at z > 6 is to separate the cosmological signal from foreground emission. This can be studied in a power spectrum space where the foreground is confined to low delay (or, equivalently, k
∥) modes, whereas the cosmological signal can spread out to high delay modes. When there is a calibration error, however, the chromaticity of the gain errors propagates to the power spectrum estimate and contaminates the modes for cosmological detection. The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) employs a high-precision calibration scheme using redundancy in measurements. In this study, we focus on the gain errors induced by nonredundancies arising from a feed offset relative to HERA’s 14 m parabolic dish element and investigate how to mitigate the chromatic gain errors using three different methods: restricting baseline lengths for calibration, smoothing the antenna gains, and applying a temporal filter prior to calibration. With 2 cm/2° perturbations for translation/tilting motions, a level achievable under normal HERA operating conditions, the combination of the baseline cut and temporal filtering indicates that the spurious gain feature due to nonredundancies is significantly reduced, and the power spectrum recovers the clean foreground-free region. We found that the mitigation technique works even for large feed motions, but in order to keep a stable calibration process, the feed positions need to be constrained to 2 cm for translation motions and 2° for tilting offset relative to the dish’s vertex.
Diffuse Neutrino Flux Based on the Rates of Core-collapse Supernovae and Black Hole Formation Deduced from a Novel Galactic Chemical Evolution Model
Authors: Ashida Yosuke , Nakazato Ken’ichiro , Tsujimoto Takuji
Published: August 2023

Fluxes of the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) are calculated based on a new modeling of galactic chemical evolution, where a variable stellar initial mass function (IMF), depending on the galaxy type, is introduced and black hole (BH) formation from the failed supernova is considered for progenitors heavier than 18M
⊙. The flux calculations are performed for different combinations of the star formation rate, nuclear equation of state, and neutrino mass hierarchy, to examine the systematic effects from these factors. In any case, our new model predicts the enhanced DSNB

ν

¯

e

flux at E

ν
≳ 30 MeV and E

ν
≲ 10 MeV, due to more frequent BH formation and a larger core-collapse rate at high redshifts in early-type galaxies, respectively. Event rate spectra of the DSNB

ν

¯

e

at a detector from the new model are shown, and the detectability at water-based Cherenkov detectors, Super-Kamiokande with a gadolinium dissolution and Hyper-Kamiokande, is discussed. In order to investigate the impacts of the assumptions in the new model, we prepare alternative models, based on different IMF forms and treatments of BH formation, and estimate the discrimination capabilities between the new and alternative models at these detectors.
Observation of Two Splitting Processes in a Partial Filament Eruption on the Sun: The Role of Breakout Reconnection
Authors: Sun Zheng , Li Ting , Tian Hui , Hou Yijun , Hou Zhenyong , Chen Hechao , Bai Xianyong , Deng Yuanyong
Published: August 2023

Partial filament eruptions have often been observed; however, the physical mechanisms that lead to filament splitting are not yet fully understood. In this study, we present a unique event of a partial filament eruption that undergoes two distinct splitting processes. The first process involves vertical splitting and is accompanied by brightenings inside the filament, which may result from internal magnetic reconnection within the filament. Following the first splitting process, the filament is separated into an upper part and a lower part. Subsequently, the upper part undergoes a second splitting, which is accompanied by a coronal blowout jet. An extrapolation of the coronal magnetic field reveals a hyperbolic flux tube structure above the filament, indicating the occurrence of breakout reconnection that reduces the constraining field above. Consequently, the filament is lifted up, but at a nonuniform speed. The high-speed part reaches the breakout current sheet to generate the blowout jet, while the low-speed part falls back to the solar surface, resulting in the second splitting. In addition, continuous brightenings are observed along the flare ribbons, suggesting the occurrence of a slipping reconnection process. This study presents, for the first time, the unambiguous observation of a two-stage filament-splitting process, advancing our understanding of the complex dynamics of solar eruptions.
A new cryptic species of Tylototriton (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from mysterious mountain lakes in Manipur, north-eastern India
Authors: Decemson Ht. , Lalremsanga Hmar Tlawmte , Elangbam Premjit Singh , Vabeiryureilai Mathipi , Shinde Parag , Purkayastha Jayaditya , Arkhipov Dmitriy V. , Bragin Andrey M. , Poyarkov Nikolay A.
Published: August 2023

An integrative taxonomic analysis combining molecular and morphological lines of evidence revealed a new cryptic species in the Tylototriton verrucosus species group from Manipur, north-eastern India. The new species was previously confused with T. himalayanus and T. verrucosus. Tylototriton zaimengsp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by medium body size, head massive and wide with rounded snout and very wide and protruding supratemporal bony ridges and a well-developed sagittal ridge, short limbs not overlapping when adpressed along body, wide and not segmented vertebral ridge distinct, 13–14 pairs of rib nodules, brown colouration with dull orange to yellowish-brown markings on head, vertebral ridge, rib nodules, palms, soles, vent and ventral tail ridge and by vomerine teeth organised in two distinctly curved bell-shaped series. Phylogenetic analysis of the ND2 and 16S rRNA mtDNA genes confirmed the placement of the new species to the Clade I of the subgenus Tylototriton and suggested it is a sister species of T. panwaensis and T. houi (p-distance 3.0% in ND2 gene). The range of the new species is restricted to the Khongtheng Mountain Range and is isolated from the range of T. panwaensis and T. houi in northern Myanmar and southern China, respectively. We suggest the new species to be considered as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List.
Comparison of Visual Outcomes of Two Trifocal IOLs
Authors: Kılıç Aylin , Özpınar Ayse , Tanrıverdi Cafer
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

To compare the visual outcomes of bilateral implantation of two commercially available trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) (AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL; Alcon Laboratories, Inc and AcrivaUD Trinova IOL; VSY Biotechnology).

Methods:

This comparative, investigator-initiated, single-center randomized trial was conducted by the Department of Ophthalmology of the Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Adult patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a block randomization program to undergo cataract surgery and receive the implantation of either the PanOptix or Trinova IOL in both eyes. Outcome measures including binocular uncorrected and corrected visual acuities at distance, intermediate (66 cm), and near (40 cm), defocus curve, refractive outcomes, contrast sensitivity, glare and halos, and patient satisfaction were assessed at a minimum of 3 months following bilateral IOL implantation.

Results:

A total of 71 patients (142 eyes) were included, with 35 patients (70 eyes) in the PanOptix IOL group and 36 patients (72 eyes) in the Trinova IOL group. At the 3-month follow-up examination, mean distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (primary endpoint) was significantly better for the PanOptix IOL group (0.0 ± 0.09 logMAR) compared with the Trinova IOL group (0.01 ± 0.10 logMAR) (
P
= .0304). Mean logMAR uncorrected intermediate acuity (UIVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuity were also significantly better for the PanOptix IOL group (UIVA = 0.1 ± 0.10 logMAR; UNVA= 0.0 ± 0.09 logMAR) compared with the Trinova IOL group (UIVA = 0.2 ± 0.10 logMAR; UNVA = 0.2 ± 0.11 logMAR) (both
P
< .001). There were no statistically significant differences in all other outcomes between groups. No adverse events were reported in both groups.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that the PanOptix IOL provides better intermediate and near visual outcomes compared to the Trinova IOL and represents a good choice for patients seeking to achieve spectacle independence.

[
J Refract Surg.
2023;39(8):524–530.]
Option pricing using deep learning approach based on LSTM-GRU neural networks: Case of London stock exchange
Authors: Zouaoui Habib , Naas Meryem-Nadjat
Published: August 2023

This study is a review of literature on machine learning to examine the potential of deep learning (DL) techniques in improving the accuracy of option pricing models versus the Black-Scholes model and capturingcomplex features in financial data.

Neural networks and other machine learning models have been proposed for option pricing and have improved accuracy compared withtraditional models. However, such use of machine learning also presents practical challenges such as data availability and quality, computational resources, model selection and validation, interpretability and overfitting. This study discusses several of these challenges and highlights the need for careful evaluation and validation of machine learning models in London option pricing during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Moreover, to investigate the quality of the models used, we compare the performances of these algorithms in option pricing through the application of significance statistical tests.
Continuous Tsallis and Renyi extropy with pharmaceutical market application
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed Said , Alsadat Najwan , Balogun Oluwafemi Samson
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the Tsallis and Renyi extropy is presented as a continuous measure of information under the continuous distribution. Furthermore, the features and their connection to other information measures are introduced. Some stochastic comparisons and results on the order statistics and upper records are given. Moreover, some theorems about the maximum Tsallis and Renyi extropy are discussed. On the other hand, numerical results of the non-parametric estimation of Tsallis extropy are calculated for simulated and real data with application to time series model and its forecasting.
Modified Newton-EHS method for solving nonlinear problems with complex symmetric Jacobian matrices
Authors: Zhang Lv , Wu Qingbiao
Published: August 2023

This manuscript is devoted to the study of numerical methods for a class of nonlinear problems. Instead of the standard Newton method, an efficient nonlinear solver is suggested to be used, and it is referred to as the Newton-EHS method, where "EHS" stands for Euler-extrapolated Hermitian-skew-Hermitian splitting. We construct this modified Newton-EHS method by utilizing a modified Newton method as the outer iteration and the EHS method as the inner iteration. Furthermore, we give the derivations of the local and semilocal convergence properties of the proposed method under the Hölder condition. Finally, in order to show the feasibility and validity of our new method, we compare it with some other iterative methods in two numerical examples.
Congruences involving generalized Catalan numbers and Bernoulli numbers
Authors: Yang Jizhen , Wang Yunpeng
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we establish some congruences mod $ p^3 $ involving the sums $ \sum_{k = 1}^{p-1}k^mB_{p, k}^{2l} $, where $ p > 3 $ is a prime number and $ B_{p, k} $ are generalized Catalan numbers. We also establish some congruences mod $ p^2 $ involving the sums $ \sum_{k = 1}^{p-1}k^mB_{p, k}^{2l_1}B_{p, k-d}^{2l_2} $, where $ m, l_1, l_2, d $ are positive integers and $ 1\leq d\leq p-1 $.
Trust in Influencer Marketing
Authors: Randers Maria , Correia Ricardo Fontes , Venciute Dominyka , Fontes Ruta
Published: August 2023

This study explores the factors that influence followers' trust in influencer marketing in the Baltic countries and provides practical recommendations for agencies and influencers. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study emphasizes the significance of influencer credibility, encompassing elements such as expertise, image congruence, branded content labeling, and the influencer-follower relationship. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collection through a survey targeting social media users and qualitative data collection through interviews with influencer marketing experts. The findings reveal that followers are more likely to trust influencers who exhibit expertise in the specific field being advertised, while incoherence between regular content and advertisements decreases credibility. The outcomes provide valuable insights, offering practical recommendations for agencies and influencers to establish trust and credibility in their advertising efforts.
Factors Influencing the Level of Trust in Vaccines
Authors: Borges Ana Pinto , Vieira Elvira , Rodrigues Paula , Canavarro Ana Isabel
Published: August 2023

The authors explore the degree of consumer trust regarding the various brands of Covid-19 vaccines made available by laboratories in Portugal. This chapter aims to fill a gap in the literature, since brands of COVID-19 vaccines have never been analysed from a brand trust perspective. The results show that the level of trust differs significantly between vaccine brands, with BioNtech - Pfizer, Moderna - National Institute of Health and Oxford -AstraZeneca inspiring the highest levels of trust among respondents. Other vaccine brands - Sanofi GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, and CureVac - showed lower levels of trust or respondents had no opinion whatsoever. Gender, age, family net monthly income, educational qualifications, and being a health professional were also found to influence the level of trust towards vaccine brands differently. The results may serve as strategic orientations for the pharmaceutical industry brands, but they may also be the object of reflection for public organisms when making purchasing and implementation decisions in the country.
Creating a Culture of Innovation
Authors: Queiros Ricardo Alexandre Peixoto de , Cruz Mário , Pinto Carla , Mascarenhas Daniela
Published: August 2023

In this chapter, we describe the design and implementation of a Pedagogical Innovation Center (PIC) at the Polytechnic of Porto. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our day to day lives, our businesses, the world trade and movements. Education was not spared. In fact, it was one of the sectors most heavily affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers were forced, from night to day, to adjust a purely face-to-face teaching style, to a 100\% online set. This is known as emergency remote teaching. Several difficulties have arisen both for teachers and students. The first had to structure all their teaching materials from scratch, had to design and apply new assessment methods, and struggled to get their students' motivation. On their side, the students lacked engagement, social interaction with peers and teachers, the ability to have a more autonomous learning style.
Approaches and Tools for Experiential Learning of Abstract Concepts
Authors: Velázquez-Iturbide J. Ángel
Published: August 2023

Some students prefer a concrete approach to learning whereas others prefer an abstract one. Algorithms perform transformations of information, thus they have an abstract nature. Consequently, many students have difficulties in their study. We present two computer-supported approaches to experiential learning of algorithms. On the one hand, program visualization automatically generates graphical representations of the behavior of algorithms, making visible the virtual. On the other hand, algorithm benchmarking gathers and compares data of the performance of several algorithms, making visible their properties with respect to given criteria. The chapter includes a brief motivation and introduction to these issues, followed by a treatment of each educational approach. For each approach, we present an introduction to its foundations, relevant features of educational systems intended to support them, and ways of using them in algorithm courses. We also deal with the successful instructional integration of program visualization and algorithm benchmarking systems into algorithm courses.
Enhancing Learning Experiences Through Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Coelho Luis , Reis Sara Seabra
Published: August 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved rapidly since its inception in the 1950s, from simple rule-based systems to today's advanced deep learning models. AI has impacted society in many ways, ranging from revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact with technology, to creating new job opportunities, improving decision-making and automating tasks, and solving complex problems in fields like healthcare, finance, and transportation. However, it has also raised concerns about job displacement, privacy and security, and ethical considerations. The evolution of AI is ongoing, and it is expected to continue to shape and transform society in new and profound ways. The impact of AI in education has also been substantial, offering new and innovative ways to personalize learning, enhance educational resources, and improve educational outcomes. In this chapter we will cover the most important aspects related with the teaching-learning process, from a physiological perspective to the different strategies.
Using Web Tools in Lecture
Authors: Alkan Fatma , Mustafaoğlu Fatma Merve
Published: August 2023

New technologies have been widely used in educational environments, as in every field. Web tools attract attention to make learning processes more efficient and to make students active. The microteaching method offers pre-service teachers the opportunity to apply new teaching. The purpose of this research is to determine the pre-service teachers' perception of web tools in micro-teaching and to analyze them according to various variables. The research was designed in a quasi-experimental design model. 75 pre-service teachers studying at the faculty of education participated in the research. Teachers' perceptions towards using web 2.0 tools in lectures scale was used as a data collection tool. As a result of the research, it was determined that micro teaching applications had a significant effect on the pre-service teachers' perception of web tools competence. Pre-service teachers stated that the use of web tools while teaching is beneficial in terms of drawing attention to the lesson and attracting the attention of the students.
Inattention and Forewarning on Individuals' Smart Apps Permissions-Consenting Behavior
Authors: Negash Solomon , Meso Peter , Musa Philip F.
Published: August 2023

In the era of bring-your-own-device and general data protection regulation, corporate network managers have limited control over the non-corporate-owned devices connected onto their corporation's network. However, they are principally responsible for the consequent liabilities that may accrue from breaches of individual consumers' privacy traceable to the network. Hence, this study revisits the notion of information-privacy at the point of contact between an individual end user and the smart-apps that the end user employs. The authors examine the impacts of inattention on consumers' behavioral reactions to perceived smart-app privacy concerns. The authors find that inattention's effects on consumers' behavioral reactions, especially pertaining to re-examination and modification of an app's default permissions settings, is significant. Forewarning has significant impacts on mitigating inattention and altering consumers' behavioral reactions pertaining to re-examination and modification of an app's default permissions settings. Implications of these findings on corporate privacy management are discussed.
Digitalization of the Business Environment and Innovation Efficiency of Chinese ICT Firms
Authors: Ding Jian , Liu Baoliu , Wang Jiaxin , Qiao Ping , Zhu Zhaowei
Published: August 2023

This study investigates how the digital business environment affects firms' innovation input variables. It was discovered that digitization leads to ongoing corporate environment optimization, which improves the effectiveness of innovation. One of the institutional environment factors, digitalization, increases the redundancy of government subsidies on businesses' investments in innovation. It also helps to eliminate duplication in innovation investment through the financial environment and the protection of legal rights. With increasing marketization in the informal institutional framework, the degree of R&D investment redundancy lowers while R&D human resource investment redundancy grows. Digitization not only lowers the grade of innovation, but it also has a negative association with the duplicate nature of commercial R&D investments. The authors' research combines institutional environment theory and digital development to establish a new empirical foundation for corporate development in order to boost innovation efficiency.
A small-sized tube versus traditional closed thoracic drainage in uniportal thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Tian Zhoujunyi , Qiang Guangliang , Xiao Fei , Feng Hongxiang , Zhang Zhenrong , Wen Huanshun , Liang Chaoyang
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

To assess the feasibility and safety of placing a small-sized tube as drainage in patients after uniportal thoracoscopic lung resection.

Patients and Methods:

Patients who received uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) lung resection were identified in our database. Patients placed small-sized tube drainage were compared with those placed conventional chest tube in terms of characteristics, operation modality, post-operative pulmonary complications, post-operative pain, chest tube duration and post-operative hospital stay. Propensity score matching was performed.

Results:

Of the 217 enrolled patients, 173 were assigned to the conventional tube group and 44 were assigned to the small-sized tube group. Rates of post-operative pulmonary complications were relatively low and similar between the two groups. After propensity score matching, operation duration was shorter (1 h vs. 1.21 h, P = 0.01) was shorter, and the maximum value of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after operation (1 vs. 1.5, P = 0.02) and the overall average value of VAS score after operation (0.33 vs. 0.88, P = 0.006) was lower in small-sized tube group. No significant difference was observed in chest tube duration (2 vs. 2, P = 0.34) and post-operative hospital stay (3 vs. 3, P = 0.34).

Conclusions:

Compared to conventional chest tubes, small-sized tubes for post-operative drainage after U-VATS lung resection may be a safe and promising approach for reducing post-operative pain.
Advancements in Iris Recognition: WAHET-CNN Framework for Accurate Segmentation and Pattern Classification
Authors: Kim Quoc Nguyen , Minh Tan Ha , Nhu Phu Dang , Xuan Chi Vuong , Cong Vinh Phan
Published: August 2023

Biometric and identification patterns have gained extensive research and application, particularly in iris recognition. The iris harbors a wealth of individual-specific information, making it a vital element in biometric authentication. This article presents a comprehensive study encompassing iris segmentation and identification. We introduce the Weighted Adaptive Hough Ellipsopolar Transform Convolutional Neural Network (WAHET-CNN) as a novel approach for classifying pattern images. Our experimental outcomes demonstrate a commendable 90% accuracy achieved by the proposed WAHET-CNN on the CASIA dataset Version 4.
Reflections on Participation in a Trial on Hydroxychloroquine as Prevention for COVID-19 among Health Workers in Niger
Authors: Kabore Youssouf , Vatrinet Renaud , Guindo Ousmane , Moussa Souleymane H. , Schilling William H. K. , Grais Rebecca F.
Published: August 2023

In 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a rapidly emerging virus causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, had no known effective prophylaxis and no widely available proven effective antiviral treatment. Hydroxychloroquine/Chloroquine was identified as an early potential therapeutic candidate drawing on evidence from reports of both in vitro and in vivo testing. A multicountry placebo-controlled randomized trial was set to evaluate the use of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine to prevent infection in healthcare workers and staff working in a health facility involved in COVID-19 management. One of the sites of this trial was in Niger. In Niger, of the 240 persons who were provided information about the study and with whom participation was discussed, only five participants provided their informed consent. In this article, we describe the key difficulties encountered in the conduct of this trial from the perspective of the site study team. Among the difficulties, we recognize that the epidemic context, controversy surrounding hydroxychloroquine, vaccine rollout, participants’ perspectives, and trial design had a major impact on participation.