bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Every Other Furrow Irrigation Systems on Water Use Efficiency and Yield of Onion at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center
Authors: Shelemew Zelalem , Chala Abay , Ambomsa Anbese , Husen Dulo
Published: September 2024

Alternate furrow irrigation was believed to improve water use efficiency and labor without a significant tradeoff in yield. It leads to see the effect of alternate furrow irrigation versus every furrow and fixed furrow were evaluated at full crop water requirement. With the objective of to evaluate effect of alternate furrow irrigation with two irrigation intervals (5day and 3day intervals) on crop yield water productivity that might enable to save irrigation water and labor. The experiment has been under taken among AFI, FFI and CFI at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center of experimental site for onion production. A field experiment was designed as a two factor factorial experiment (3*2) in RCBD, replicated three times. The two factors were irrigation systems and irrigation interval. Irrigation was applied to furrows using Parshal flume from furrows head ditch with similar inflow rate. Results obtained revealed that alternate furrow irrigation method produced total yield of 25203kg/ha which was not significantly different with that obtained under every furrow irrigation (26469kg/ha). Total yield harvested from fixed furrow irrigation were 24024kg/ha, which showed insignificant difference between the three methods. High marketable yield of 26053kg/ha was recorded from every furrow irrigation and the marketable yield of alternate furrow irrigation were 24601kg/ha which showed insignificant difference between the two method. Water productivity of 7.6kg/m3, 7.3kg/m3 and 5.9kg/m3 were produced under alternate furrow, fixed furrow and every furrow irrigation respectively. It was found that alternate furrow irrigation method saved 26.61% of water as compared to every furrow irrigation as well as fixed furrow irrigation method saved 26.81% as compared with every furrow irrigation method. Alternate furrow irrigation method with appropriate irrigation interval that is three days of irrigation interval is suitable irrigation method; for semi arid areas where soil is dominated by loam soil and water is liming factor for crop production.
Adoption of Black Plastic Mulch as a Coping Strategy to Water Conservation Among Vegetable Farmers in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District
Authors: Nyiramutuzo Harriet , Ssemakula Edward , Kalibwani Rebecca
Published: September 2024

The study was about the adoption of black plastic mulches as a copying strategy to water conservation among smallholder vegetable farmers in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro district. Farmers in Kisoro District have increasingly adopted black plastic mulch to address these agricultural challenges. The use of black plastic mulch in this region helps in conserving soil moisture, controlling weeds, and enhancing crop yields. It was guided by three specific objectives which were to; establish the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder vegetable farmers, establish the knowledge level on the benefits of black plastic mulch among smallholder vegetable farmers and examine the factors influencing farmer’s decision to adopt black plastic mulch as a coping strategy to water conservation. The study employed a cross-sectional study design that used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used a sample size of 300. The study used questionnaires and interview guide to collect data. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The results revealed that land ownership was a positive and significant factor at (sig. 0.000**), source of income at (sig.0.001*), credit accessibility at (sig.0.002**) and knowledge on use of black plastic mulches at (sig. 0.000**) The study concluded that vegetable farmers were characterized in terms of gender, age, farm size, marital status and level of education. The study also concluded that there was adequate knowledge level on the benefits of black plastic mulch among smallholder vegetable farmers. Such as; leads to higher yields and improved quality of vegetables, increase the growth rate of vegetables, reduce the risk of root damage, weed suppression, moisture conservation and contribute to soil health and protect the soil from wind and water erosion. The study finally concluded that there were significant and non-significant factors influencing farmer’s decision to adopt black plastic mulch as a coping strategy to water conservation among smallholder vegetable farmers which included; land ownership, limited extension training, source of income, knowledge on use of black plastic mulches and credit accessibility and non-significant ones were; un-availability of labour, infrastructure development, level of education, price of black plastic mulch and farm size.
Red Resources + Green Ecology Painted a, New Picture of Rural Revitalization -- Based on the Field Investigation of Yangzhou Section of the Grand Canal
Authors: Chen Ya , Zhu Ying , Ma Rong , Li Jianlong
Published: September 2024

Promoting the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, drawing a new picture of livability and business and beauty of rural areas, is the key task of "three rural" work in the future period. In order to grasp the current situation and actual achievements of rural revitalization in the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal, this field survey was carried out in the first half of 2024. Through field visits and investigations, the "red + green" integration and rural revitalization status of the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal were carefully analyzed and studied after fully grasping the rich red cultural resources and green ecological resources in the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal. A new working idea of "red + green" integrated development in Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal to promote the overall rural revitalization of the area is given. In order to promote the common prosperity of urban and rural areas for the cities along the Grand Canal, drawing a new picture of the revitalization of the beautiful countryside to provide useful suggestions and thinking.
Social and Relationship Capital Disclosure, Business Model and Firm Value: A Comparative Study of Listed Companies in Kenya and South Africa
Authors: Bangara Samwel , Chesoli Joshua , Ngacho Christopher , Nyangau Andrew
Published: September 2024

The increased volatility and decline in firm value has been observed for companies listed in the Nairobi Securities exchange, Kenya as evidenced by substantial variations between market-to-book values. Company disclosures in integrated reports have long been linked with firm value. However, integration of non-financial information disclosures with financial information in a single report and its worth to the company and its distinctive stakeholders has not been accorded a proper assessment in the African context. While, preceding studies in other settings have shown mixed results, emphasis has been on establishing the total effects. This comparative study was intended to determine the effect of  capitals disclosure on value of listed companies in Kenya and South Africa, focusing on the role of the business model. Specifically, the role of the business model on the relationship between social and relationship capital disclosure and value of listed companies was examined in this research comparing Kenya and south Africa from 2018 to 2020. Positivist research philosophy was applied, while the research design encompassed both exploratory and confirmatory. The study was grounded on the Legitimacy theory. Firm value in this study was proxied by Tobin’s Q ratio, while, social and relationship capital was measured using an unweighted disclosure index. The study population contained 209 listed companies from which a sample of 137 was identified using purposeful sampling technique, comprising of 19 firms listed in the NSE, Kenya and 118 companies listed in the JSE, South Africa. Secondary data was collected from annual integrated reports and financial statements of the targeted firms. Preliminary analyses were conducted, such as descriptive statistics and correlation matrix. On the other hand, mediation effect was analysed by using stepwise regression method. The results depict that social and relationship capital disclosure has a statistically significant positive effect on firm values for both Kenya and South Africa. Further, business model mediates this relationship, with Kenyan listed firms manifesting inconsistent mediation while South African companies reported full/complete mediation. The study therefore recommends that social and relationship capital aspect of integrated reporting in Kenya should be made mandatory because this will improve shareholder understanding of financial statements and appropriate valuation of the firm.
Effectiveness and Tolerability of Topical Curcumin for Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Ruke Milind , Ruke Iffat , Maurya Arun , Bhise Avinash , Jose Jyolsna , Purushothaman Kesavalu
Published: September 2024

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect 9.1 to 26.1 million individuals globally each year, with 15-25% of those with diabetes mellitus (DM) experiencing them during their lives. DFUs are a major cause of amputations, accounting for 85% of such cases in diabetic patients. Curcumin, a compound from Curcuma longa, shows potential in wound healing through mechanisms such as inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, promoting autophagy, and regulating microRNA expression. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of C3-DiagardTM Cream in treating DFUs. Methods: This open-label, prospective clinical study assessed the efficacy and safety of C3-DiagardTM cream, containing 0.05mg of Harida (Curcuma longa) extract, in treating and preventing DFUs. The cream was applied twice daily for 12 weeks. Key outcomes were assessed through wound size reduction, pain (VAS score), and any adverse reactions during the treatment. Results: Fifty DM patients (36 males, 14 females; mean age 57.58±12.67 years) were enrolled. Among the patients, 75% (38 individuals) showed a wound healing response between 70% and 99%. The average wound size decreased significantly from 6.63 cm2 at baseline to 1.83 cm2 after 12 weeks, with a mean reduction of 4.8 cm2 (p < 0.05). Pain levels, measured by VAS score, significantly dropped from an average of 8 to 3 (p < 0.05). No adverse reactions were reported, highlighting the cream’s safety. Conclusion: C3-DiagardTM cream is effective in reducing the size of diabetic foot ulcers and alleviating pain, with a favourable safety profile. This study supports the clinical use of C3-DiagardTM as a well-tolerated treatment option for patients with DFUs.
The Process of Constructing an Inter-Korean Identity Reflective of the Two Koreas: North Korean Refugee Students’ Hybrid Identity in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hagyun
Published: September 2024

As of March 2024, 34,121 North Korean refugees reside in South Korea, with 12% enrolled in schools. Despite being automatically granted South Korean citizenship upon arrival, these refugees face social exclusion and marginalization, effectively forming a second class within South Korean society. The 70-year division between the two Koreans has resulted in vastly different lifestyle, making it challenging for North Korean refugees to adapt. This difficulty is compounded by a prejudiced social reception and discrimination toward their North Korean identity. The study aims to explore the daily experiences of North Korean refugees with their newfound South Korean citizenship, employing Straussian grounded theory and semi-structured interviews. The study recruited 17 North Korean refugees, including five with experience in elementary, middle and high schools, and five parents with school-going children. The findings reveal that academic deficits, exacerbated by discrimination and stereotypes linked to their North Korean identity, result in a disparity between their legal citizenship and school participation. In response, North Korean refugee students adopt a strategy of ‘being one of them,’ leveraging ethnic homogeneity to facilitate interactions with their South Korean peers. These interactions enable the formation of supportive networks and foster the development of an inter-Korean identity reflective of both Koreas. The study underscores the critical role of multicultural education in achieving educational equality for North Korean refugee students and advocates for social bridging programs that acknowledge and embrace the differences of refugees. Despite being granted citizenship, they continue to be treated as outsiders within South Korean society.
A Soft Voting Ensemble Model for Hotel Revenue Prediction
Authors: Jiang Yuxin , Ni Chengjie , Chen Mingjing
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the hotel industry has faced unprecedented opportunities and challenges due to the increasing demand for travel and business trips. This growth not only presents significant opportunities but also brings challenges to resource management and price setting. Accurate hotel revenue prediction is crucial for the hotel industry as it influences pricing strategies and resource allocation. However, traditional hotel revenue prediction models fail to capture the diversity and complexity of hotel revenue data, resulting in inefficient and inaccurate predictions. Then, with the development of the ensemble learning, its application to hotel revenue prediction has emerged as an influential research direction. This study proposes a soft voting ensemble model for hotel revenue prediction, which includes six base models: Convolutional Neural Network, K-nearest Neighbors, Linear Regression, Long Short-term Memory, Multi-layer Perceptron, and Recurrent Neural Network. Firstly, the hyper-parameters of the base models are optimized with Bayesian optimization. Subsequently, a soft voting ensemble method is used to aggregate the predictions of each base model. Finally, experimental results on the hotel revenue dataset demonstrate that the soft voting ensemble model outperforms base models across six key performance metrics, providing hotel managers with more accurate revenue prediction tools to aid in scientific management decisions and resource allocation strategies. This study confirms the effectiveness of the soft voting ensemble model in enhancing the accuracy of hotel revenue forecasts, demonstrating its significant potential for application in strategic planning within the modern hotel industry.
Factors Influencing Peri-Urban Land Development in Ethiopia: Evidences from Assosa City
Authors: Yeneneh Mihret , Semahagne Habtamu , Birhanu Tadesse , Benti Teha
Published: September 2024

Like other developing countries, Ethiopia has adopted its land administration system (LAS) based on socio-economic, environmental, and administrative circumstances to allocate and use the land. However, the two ineffective lines of urban and rural land tenure guidelines and legal frameworks play a surprising strategic role in access to land and peri-urban land development. Comprehensive land policies are prospects for today's peri-urban areas to become tomorrow's huge cities. This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing peri-urban land development in Assosa Town and indicate the design of effective LAS. A mixed research approach was employed, and data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The sample respondents were selected using purposive sampling techniques and descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis methods were employed. The findings revealed that bifurcated and ineffective legal and institutional frameworks, limited public-private participation, and technical constraints adversely affect peri-urban land development. The dichotomized land use development has neglected urban fringe areas and contributed to the prevailing negative peri-urban land developments. Development resulted with limited access to serviced land and deprived of land development permit. Following this, peri-urban landholders became a crucial contributor to the development of peri-urban land in a negative manner. Almost all sampled households developed their land contrary to the legal frameworks and standards. The estimated results of the binary logit model indicate that several factors influence peri-urban land development, including sex, monthly household income, access to official land and land information, land disputes, the alternative land development tool, and institutional integration. It is recommended to have an all-in-one land policy and administration strategy to promote sustainable development in the study area and beyond.
Development of an Expert System for Diagnosing Musculoskeletal Disease
Authors: Egereonu Sunny , Ekedebe Nnanna , Otuonye Anthony , Etus Chukwuemeka , Amadi Emmanuel , Egereonu Ubaezue
Published: September 2024

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), encompasses various conditions affecting muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints, resulting to pain, inflammation, and limited mobility, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life. Diagnosing these diseases poses a challenge for healthcare professionals due to symptom similarities with other conditions. To address this, the development of expert systems tailored for musculoskeletal diagnosis has emerged as a promising approach to enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. This study aims at developing and evaluating an expert system for musculoskeletal disease diagnosis, by leveraging a knowledge base containing information on common musculoskeletal diseases and symptoms. The system utilized a combination of rule-based and machine learning techniques to provide diagnostic recommendations to physicians. Comparative analysis with experienced physicians, using a dataset of patients with known musculoskeletal diseases, revealed the expert system’s diagnostic accuracy of 92%, recall of 98%, Precision of 91%, F1-Score of 94% and a quicker diagnosis compared to physicians. Additionally, the system demonstrated ease of use and user-friendliness. This project focuses on predictive algorithms, leveraging expert systems dating back to the 1970s, emulating human expert decision-making, particularly in disease diagnosis. The development of an expert system for musculoskeletal disease diagnosis symbolizes the convergence of medical expertise, computer science, and artificial intelligence. By integrating machine learning, natural language processing, and decision support systems, these expert systems have the potential to revolutionize musculoskeletal healthcare delivery. In conclusion, our results show that expert systems hold promise in transforming clinical practice and improving patient outcomes in musculoskeletal healthcare through interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous innovation.
Design and Modeling of a Long Range Motion Compliant Nanopositioning Stage Driven by a Normal Stressed Electromagnetic Actuator
Authors: Chogugudza Chido , Fang Yan-Ning , Zhu Zi-Hui
Published: September 2024

Compliant nanopositioning stages with built-in ultra-precision actuators are frequently integrated into production and analysis instruments comprising ultra-high precision motion generation systems. These stages are essential nanotechnology and advanced material analysis components, providing precise positioning capabilities for various applications. However, in the practical engineering field, there is a lack of compliant nanopositioning stages that can achieve a long-range motion while maintaining accuracy, reliability, and compact size, which is the inspiration for this research. This paper investigates the design, modeling, and experimental testing of a long-range motion-compliant nanopositioning stage driven by a normal stressed electromagnetic actuator (NSEA). The nanopositioning stage components’ structural framework and working principle, including NSEA, bridge type distributed compliant (BTDC) mechanism, and the guiding mechanism, are fully examined to derive an analytical model. The analytical model is utilized in the sections that follow. Factors affecting the stroke and natural frequency of the nanopositioning stage are also illustrated. The optimization process of the nanopositioning stage is conducted in pursuit of a high-precision stage by specifically looking into the electromagnetic, BTDC mechanism, and guiding mechanism parameters. This optimization procedure also takes into account various design constraints, including stiffness, saturation flux density, and stress. Furthermore, the finite element analysis is used to verify the analytical model, and the results are discussed. The prototype is fabricated with reference to the analytical and finite element analysis results, and the experimental tests are conducted, including motion and natural frequency tests. In addition, a control system, which adopts both a proportional-integral-derivative controller and a damping controller, is designed to create a closed-loop system. Finally, the tracking performance of the stage was investigated, and a very minimal tracking error was observed. Overall, the comprehensive models and experimental tests proved the stage to be a good model which achieved the objective of the research.
Productive Competitiveness and Regional Development: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tavares Waldemar
Published: September 2024

This article aims to, essentially, analyse the perspective of different scientific works on the influence of productive competitiveness on the development of regions in their different scales. This systematic literature review study was based on around 103 works published on themes about the competitiveness and productivity of the regions present in the Scopus database. Zotero and VOSViewer software were used to manage the database of this investigation, allowing not only the qualitative organization of key contents, but also the mapping of existing authors and linkages in terms of co-occurrences. The methodology used allowed exploring the different conceptual establishments that seek to relate productivity with the competitiveness of the regions and vice versa. As a criterion for the inclusion of works and consequent analysis, conceptual review studies on territorial competitiveness with a geographic economic focus were chosen, extracted from the Scopus database. This review also made it possible to extract the main accessible meanings in the keywords of seminal authors in studies of this nature, research trends in terms of interests in the development of studies that seek to explore competitive capacity of regions in recent years, as well as studies on the capabilities of regions tending to specialization, innovation, valuation of intellectual (human) and territorial capital and sustainability.
About Some Socio-economic Problems and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Alguliyev Rasim , Mahmudov Rasim
Published: September 2024

Article analyses some socio-economic risks related to application of artificial intelligence (AI) in several fields of activity. Also, existing gaps in legal regulation of activities related to artificial intelligence are investigated. Article clarifies issues related to determining the division of liability for certain legal consequences resulting from artificial intelligence activity. Also, norms and principles to be adhered to in order to protect personal data during application of AI are demonstrated. As one of the concerns among people regarding artificial intelligence, article notes the importance of provision of transparence and accountability of this technology. Simultaneously, article interprets problems arising from relations of artificial intelligence and intellectual property, as well as recognition of property rights for intellectual products created via AI. Also, macro and micro-level impact of artificial intelligence on economy is analyzed. Attention is paid to issues such as productivity, competition, changes in the nature of the labor market, the increase in unemployment, and the deepening of social and digital inequality as a result of the application of this technology. Moreover, advantages and risks of human-robot collaboration are evaluated. Article demonstrates the biggest threats of artificial intelligence – creation of fake content, misinformation and hence, creation of significant problems. Prevention methods of those threats are interpreted on technological and legal planes. Also, risks of application of artificial intelligence in critical fields such as military and health are characterized.
Reigniting the Flame: Moving from Burnout Toward Resiliency at an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Gallagher Amy , Glaser Kathryn , Faller Julia , Wasiura Jillianna , Crabtree-Ide Christina , Case Amy
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Resilience and burnout are current healthcare buzzwords. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to create programming to improve healthcare worker resilience while minimizing burnout symptoms in the workplace environment have increased exponentially. Informal, grassroots effort gave rise to a robust resiliency committee and the development of a Division of Employee Resiliency entirely dedicated to building employee resilience and preventing burnout at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Buffalo, NY. Methods: Qualitative data was obtained through conversations with multidisciplinary staff members to understand organizational strengths and growth areas. The Mini-Z 2.0 survey was offered to all employees to understand the experience of joy at work, supportive environment, and pace and stress. Results: Qualitative findings indicated that while serving patients and focusing on the mission are consistently identified strengths, concerns about workload, recognition, work relationships, fairness, autonomy, and values conflicts exist. Quantitatively, scores on the Mini-Z suggests that employees do not experience a joyful workplace, working in a under supportive environments, do not have manageable stress and pace, and experience burnout symptoms. Discussion: A strategic approach combines individual interventions with programmatic and organizational initiatives designed to support systemic change. As burnout and moral distress remain high due to evolving stressors and challenges, tracking burnout, and implementing system-level change, based upon quantitative data and qualitative accounts, may improve workplace culture, promote individual resilience, and improve patient outcomes.
Determinants of Private Investment in Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Mekuanint , Dibu Mekonnen
Published: September 2024

The pillar for ensuring economic development is private investment. So that, the primary aim for this paper was to investigate key determinants of private investment in Ethiopia. The author used a quantitative research approach with an explanatory research design to realize the objective. The paper practically investigates whether Real GDP, inflation rate, real interest rate, foreign direct investment, tax rate, exchange rate, population growth rate, unemployment rate, international trade openness, education affect the growth of private investment in Ethiopia or not. The study mainly concentrated on thirty years of secondary data (i.e. from 1991 to 2020) on key variables. The data was obtained from a variety of sources including the NBE, IMF, WDA, CSA, and WB. Multiple regressions using the ARDL model with appropriate software E-views 9 was applied. The ECM is 110.6 percent that depicts the speed of adjustment from short run towards long run. The study also tests unit root (non-stationary), model stability, bounce, Johansson co integration, and diagnostic test. The main finding of the study showed that in real GDP, population growth rate, interest rate, trade openness, and unemployment rate were statistically significant at 5% level of significance in the long run and short-run and also exchange rate was a positive and statistically significant effect on private investment in short-run. And tax rate was insignificant in the short run. While FDI, Education, and inflation were statically insignificant both in short run and long run in this study. Finally, unemployment has a negative effect on private investment, the policy choice on the matter needs a cautious decision. To achieve the great short run and long run goals, it is advisable to employ integrated principle of action tools.
Factors Influencing the Practices and Adherence of Isoniazid Prophylactic Therapy Among Under 5 Years Children in Tb Referral Units, Peshawar
Authors: Beland Bakht , Bahadur Sher , Bahadur Inayatullah , Khan Aqsa , Khan Munawar
Published: September 2024

Importance: The under 5 years children of house hold contact with active tuberculosis cases is one of the main cause for the transmission of TB in pediatrics population, responsible for many complications and childhood mortality. Objective: To determine the factors influencing the practice and adherence of Isoniazid Prophylactic Therapy (IPT) among under 5 years children of house hold with cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis. Design: The study’s design was cross sectional. Setting: This study was conducted in TB referral units of the National Tuberculosis Control Program in Peshawar City. Participants: The study participants included patients with sputum-positive pulmonary TB having at least one under-5 years’ child in their household. Secondly, the doctors who were directly dealing with TB patients for diagnosis and treatments in referral units of the respective hospitals. Results: Most of the patients reported that doctors neither got some information about the under-5 years' children at their family nor to bring them for TB screening. Just 13.2% patients (36 out of 273) conceded that doctors mentioned them for prophylactic treatment with Isoniazid (INH) medication for their contact positive under-5years children. But only 4 of these 36 patients [(11.11%) 1.46%of the aggregate] completed the IPT course for their under-5 year children for 6 months duration. (Table 2) All the doctors claimed that they got information about the presence of under five years household contact in the family of TB patients. While the majority of the doctors/physicians (80%) had recognized that they neither requested the patients for screening from their family contact nor to give INH medication for their prophylaxis. This study showed that the practice of IPT was 13.2% and the adherence rate was just 11.11%, and the main factors for this poor result were poor healthcare system, lack of awareness, financial constraint and attitude of the patients. Conclusion: This study concludes that the extremely poor practice and adherence to isoniazid prophylactic therapy by doctors and patients in TB referral units in Peshawar city for under-5-year-old children of households with active tuberculosis patients was primarily caused by a lack of awareness, financial constraints, patient attitudes, and an inefficient healthcare system.
The Role of the Law in Protecting Individuals from Electronic Blackmail
Authors: Eid Khaled
Published: September 2024

The main idea centers on describing the role of the law in defending people against the phenomenon of electronic blackmail by defining the term, outlining its types and characteristics, and outlining the role of the law in combating this phenomenon. This is because laws will inevitably be created to address the enormous advancements in technology and human behavior that have coincided with these advancements. The real problem, which is the incapacity to prosecute those who commit these electronic crimes, has emerged because of the tremendous scientific advancement in the field of technology. This has led to the emergence of new patterns and a new class of criminals who have taken advantage of these sciences and modified them to serve their criminal goals. Crime has gone up, as it has in every nation on the planet. Recent years have seen instances of electronic extortion in Egypt, and judges find it challenging to prosecute these contemporary crimes—especially the offense of electronic extortion. The Egyptian lawmaker demanded prompt action to update the legislation against information technology crimes, include provisions for electronic blackmail, and impose harsh punishments on anyone who engage in such behavior. The psychological and social effects to which individuals are exposed to electronic blackmail were also discussed, and we touch on the impact of these effects on the psychological health and social relationships of individuals. In conclusion, the importance of legal safeguards for victims of cyber extortion in Egypt cannot be overstated, given the ever-changing landscape of cybercrime and the inherent challenges it poses to traditional legal systems. It is necessary to review Egypt's current legal framework. Strict protocols must be established for reporting cases of blackmail against members of society to ensure their protection under Egyptian law.
Political and Legal Disarrays of Separation of Powers in the Oromia Regional State Structure
Authors: Kelbessa Sibhat
Published: September 2024

In principle, a functional division of powers is a prerequisite for limited government. Oromia Regional State, the largest sub-national state in the Ethiopian federation, can exercise upward influence if it develops a limited government with a strong separation of power within its borders. The purpose of this paper is to make an effort to look into the political and legal difficulties that threatened separation of power among the major participants in the region's power dispersion structure. In order to achieve this, the study employed interviews with a few specifically chosen experts and officials from the three arms of regional government, as well as a pertinent literature analysis and personal observation. This led to the discovery that several political and legal constraints significantly restrict the power structure in the region. Ultimately, it was proposed that in order for the region to ensure genuine separation of powers, political players would need to work together to create a political culture that supports constitutionalism and maintain their commitment to the rule of law.
Policy Windows and Protests: Black Lives Matter Protests and Calls to Defund the Police in the United States
Authors: DeShazo Jessica
Published: September 2024

The murder of George Floyd fueled local level protests calling to defund the police. The study examines if a policy window was opened for decreased allocations to police department funding after the murder of George Floyd and the protests. The study focuses on 26 politically left-leaning cities with a population of 100,000 or more that had protests with at least 500 people in the United States. Budget allocation to each city’s police department were examined using descriptive statistics to determine if the budget allocation to police departments changed following the protests. The results show that 19% of cities in the study decreased funding to police departments in 2021, and 50% cities decreased funding to police departments in 2022. The results support the argument that a national focusing event can open a policy window for changes to local level budget allocation by connecting the concept of policy windows to the open systems theory of budgeting. However, cities remain constrained by circumstances in their external environment, meaning some cities were not able to reduce resource allocations to police departments. These constraints include counter actions by state governments to prevent reducing the allocation of funds to police departments and increasing crime rates. This research presents insights into local government budgetary decision-making in response to a national focusing event.
Pests, Diseases, Growth and Yield of Tomato as Influenced by Variety and Cultivation Technology
Authors: Samura Alusaine , Watson Pricellia , Amara Vandi , Norman Prince , Saffa Musa
Published: September 2024

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in the world. However, dearth of knowledge exists on cultivation technology that contributes to increased production of the crop. Meanwhile, low yielding varieties, high pests and diseases attacks, climate variability and poor soil fertility are among key production constraints that limit the increased production and productivity of tomato in Sierra Leone. A two-year field experiment was conducted at the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences experimental site during 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the effects of variety and cultivation technology (CT) on pests, diseases, growth, yield and productivity of tomato. The experiment was laid in a 2 × 4 factorial (i.e. two varieties of tomato, and four treatments: CT 1, CT 2, CT 3 and CT 4 known as control) arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that organic (CT 1 and CT 2) and inorganic (CT 3) treatments had a positive impact on growth parameters of tomato. The CT 1 (chicken dung, mulching, and neem extract biopesticide) was most effective in promoting vegetative growth and higher fruit yield, while CT 2 (NPK 15:15:15, urea, promethrin herbicide, and chlorpyrifos pesticide) exhibited highest potency in reducing population and damage caused by diseases and pests. Findings demonstrate that improved variety and cultivation technology boost tomato tolerance to pests and diseases, as well as its growth and yield performances that could be exploited for increased production and fruit quality of the crop. The CT1 was the most effective, followed by CT 2, while CT 4 or control plots had the lowest performance. The outperformance of the organic treatments relative to the inorganic and control is suggested to be attributable to its nitrogen-rich components. Weed control was also established to be effective in both inorganic and CT 2 treatments. The findings suggest that the CT 1 should be promoted for sustainable tomato cultivation, prioritizing environmentally friendly methods for long-term success.
Quantitative Structure Photovoltaic Properties Relationship of Coumarin Dyes Derived
Authors: N’guessan Nobel , Richard Mamadou , Patrice Ouattara , Stéphane Dembélé , Bamba Kafoumba , Ziao Nahossé
Published: September 2024

The performance of an organic solar cell is strongly influenced by the structure of the photosensitizer. In this work, the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and conversion efficiency (η) of a series of coumarin dyes are quantitatively related to the structure of nine coumarin derivatives. The Quantitative Structure Property Relationship (QSPR) is performed using the statistical method of multiple linear regression. In addition, descriptors determined from the ground state at the Cam_B3lyp/6-31G(d, p) level of theory and from the 2D structure of the molecules are mathematically related to the photovoltaic properties. These VOC and η models are accredited with very good statistical indicators (R2 = 0.906 and 0.918; Qcv2= 0.845 and 0.849; S= 0.045 and 0.112; F = 14.524 and 16.846). These statistical indicators confirm the robustness and performance of the models developed. The results show that Voc improves with decreasing surface tension (ts) and increasing number of cycles (cycle). As for the conversion efficiency of light radiation into electrical energy, it is optimal when the light harvesting efficiency (LHEth) and the excited state lifetime (τth) are high. In conclusion, these models have good predictive capabilities and can be used to predict and explain the open-circuit voltage and efficiency of coumarin derivatives that belong to the same field of application.
Returns, Marches and Countermarches: The Agony for Truth and Justice
Authors: Nesta Fiorella
Published: September 2024

The present research aims to describe and characterize the actions in the reparation processes of Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, and Mothers and Relatives of Disappeared Detainees, in Argentina and Uruguay respectively, in the period from 2005 to 2015, in the face of the effects of political violence and state terrorism. It is proposed to make visible what the organizations' actions have been to influence advances in reparations, with special emphasis on concrete actions in contexts of self-styled "progressive" governments. A qualitative research is proposed, with the substantive use of the technique of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews for data collection, and for the analysis of said data we proceeded through discourse analysis. The results indicate that the central axes linked to comprehensive reparation in each organization are oriented towards: psychosocial reparation, accompaniment in the search process, progress at the legal level, recognition by the State of its responsibility before the crimes committed, the clarification of the truth, especially in the awareness of young people, with an educational paradigm that encourages education for memory. Reparatory mechanisms have manifested themselves in a similar way in the contexts of political progressivism, both in Argentina and Uruguay. However, the Argentine context has established a greater deployment of policies, with a special focus on the restitution of rights, and guarantees of non-repetition, developing an instituting policy promoted by the human rights movement. In the Uruguayan case, although progressivism enabled the creation of new institutions, providing new spaces and a budget to respond to the citizenship and mainly to the victims' relatives, for truth, justice and reparation, these have been poorly satisfactory measures, in where there is still a consolidation of policies, demanded by the human rights movement.
Research on the Compounding Scheme of High-Efficiency and Environmentally Friendly Water-Based Well Cleaning Fluid and Analysis of Its Application Effect
Authors: Dong Yang , Yongqiang Ren , Zhihong Wei , Binbin He , Al-farzai Adnan , Huajie Liu
Published: September 2024

In the process of oil well production, the deposition and enrichment of heavy oil and wax are common phenomena. The deposition of these high-viscosity organic substances will not only seriously affect the normal production of oil wells but also cause certain pollution to the environment. Traditional well-washing operations usually rely on high temperatures and strong cleaning chemicals, which have the problems of low cleaning efficiency at low temperatures and poor environmental protection. Therefore, it is particularly important to study a more efficient and environmentally friendly water-based well-washing fluid. At present, most oilfields in China use diesel or organic cleaning agents to clean oil wells, which not only increases the cost of well-washing operations but also may cause pollution to the environment. In response to this problem, the core of this study lies in its innovative compounding scheme. The scheme includes preferred alkaline components, surfactants, emulsifiers, and solubilizers, and introduces glass fiber cutting and erosion technology. This well-washing fluid can effectively remove wax and heavy oil attached to the well wall at a lower temperature, which not only improves cleaning ability but also greatly reduces the dependence on high temperature. The water-based well-washing fluid provided in this study is composed of water, alkaline substances, surfactants, emulsifiers, and glass fibers. Emulsifiers such as Tween 80, OP-20, and polyethers form a stable emulsification system to help disperse and encapsulate oil and grease particles.
Equity in Public Facilities Provision in an Urban Area: A Spatial Analysis of Rajshahi City Corporation
Authors: Chakrabarty Arnob , Rahman Mohammad
Published: September 2024

In the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC)area, spatial sizeis not proportionate to the placement of public facilities due to rapid urbanization and population growth. This raises the question ofwhat is the level of equity present inthe provision of public facilities in the city corporation area. For this research, primary schools, high schools, colleges, health facilities, and markets were selected from the available types of public facilities.Location Quotient (LQ) method and Gini Coefficientwere used to analyze locational concentration and spatial disparity in the provision of public facilities in 30 wards of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC). Service area analysiswas done to show how much of the city corporation area falls under afavorable distance from the public facilities.The number of the wards having LQ value > 1 range from 9 – 15 based on different public facilities; showing locational concentration is present for all public facilities. The Gini coefficient (GC) values range from 0.41 to 0.67, showing a high level of spatial inequity. The service area analysis also shows the service area of the public facilities fail to cover all of the wards.In the future, inequity in provision of public facilities can compound with the increase in population and urban sprawl if not met with regulatory and inclusive planning policies.
The Role of Mindfulness Meditation for the Management of Hypertension in African American Adults in the US - A Scoping Review
Authors: Woldeamanuel Ermiyas , Johnson Lamar , Patterson Freda
Published: September 2024

The prevalence of hypertension is more significant among African American adults than among individuals in other ethnic groups. Mindfulness, an ancient technique used for thousands of years, is acknowledged as a valuable tool for improving health in various ways. However, despite its traditional wisdom, there remains a gap in understanding the standalone effects of MM on hypertension control. This review aimed to discuss the role of mindfulness in managing hypertension within the African American adult population in the U. S. PubMed and Scopus were the chosen databases for this exploration. The inclusion criteria comprised papers presenting primary data studies conducted on hypertensive African American patients, specifically reporting on the independent association between mindfulness and hypertension. The exclusion criteria included nonprimary data studies and studies not primarily focused on hypertension or mindfulness. Following our search strategy, we identified a total of 32 studies. Our review incorporated five randomized controlled trials, excluding manuscripts lacking primary data, nonrandomized clinical trials, and duplicates. Within these studies, mindfulness was administered to participants through either prerecorded MP3s or guidance from trained personnel. The observed reduction in blood pressure ranged from 7.2 mmHg to 21.92 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and from null to 7.2 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure across the five studies. Notably, one study showed no change in diastolic blood pressure. The outcomes of this review can contribute to clinical practice by offering an evidence-based approach for effective hypertension control through MM. The key findings highlight the positive impact of mindfulness on blood pressure regulation and emphasize using prerecorded MP3s or trained guidance as effective mindfulness delivery methods. These insights underscore the potential significance of MM as a cost-efficient and side-effect-free approach to hypertension management.