bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Changes in Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Compared to Healthy Controls Using Advanced [18F] FDG PET SPM Analysis Techniques
Authors:   Department of Science, Texas A & M University at Qatar, Education City, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar, R Al Sadi , O Bouhali ,   Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar, M Djekidel ,   Senior Author, Northwell, New York, USA
Published: April 2024

Objectives: [18F] FDG PET imaging has emerged as an established modality in the evaluation of medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Advanced techniques improve the sensitivity and detection of abnormalities. We sought to measure changes in metabolic activity using [18F] FDG PET in Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) patients compared to healthy controls and evaluate changes in the Seizure Onset Zone (SOZ) and remote areas. Methods: We evaluated a cohort of 14 MTLE patients. Following a standard brain [18F] FDG PET acquisition, images were co-registered to a healthy control database using the Neuro-MIM software. Z scores were generated for different temporal and extra-temporal lobe structures for significant p values <0.05. Seizure laterality was determined by experienced epileptologists (>10 years) using intracranial or surface depth electrodes. Results: The mean age of our patient cohort was 33.9 years (range: 9-52 years). We evaluated 7 left MTLE, 1 bilateral MTLE, and 6 right MTLE patients. Significant hypometabolic changes were seen in the amygdala, the hippocampus, and overall, the medial temporal lobe region (Z score of -2.2, -2.3, and -2.1 respectively). There was a smaller decrease in metabolic activity observed in the parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and the lateral temporal lobe (Z score of -1.4, -1.2, and -1.1 respectively). There were no significant differences in the basal ganglia, thalamus, prefrontal cortex, or cingulate gyrus. Conclusions: Measurable significant differences in FDG brain metabolic activity exist in medial temporal lobe epilepsy patients compared to healthy controls. Our study shows the most significant changes are hypometabolism in the amygdala, hippocampus, and overall, the medial temporal lobe region compared to the lateral temporal lobe.
Anti-Arthritic Activity of Annona Reticulata Leaves Methanolic Extract on Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Rats
Authors:   Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, India, Akunuru Suneel Kumar , Vakita Venkatarathanamma ,   Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh, India, Kommajosyula Varsha ,   SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: April 2024

The research is expected to assess the effect of Annona Reticulata Methanolic leaves Extract (ARME) on progression of adjuvant induced arthritis in Wistar rats. ARME was obtained through bioactivity guided fraction by 5-Lipooxygenase inhibitory activity. ARME was administrated at 100 and 200mg/kg body weight via oral route for a period of 35 days to the experimental models. On day 8, via a single intra-plantar injection of 0.1mL suspension of heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (100μg/animal) Arthritis was induced, in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant of left foot pads of Wistar rats (female). The paw volume was observed by recording the hematological and biochemical parameters, hind limb paw volume, pathological and radiography changes to evaluate the effect of the extract. On day 35, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1Β) and inflammatory mediators (PGE2, LTB4) was measured in serum samples. On the day of sacrifice, the liver was collected to record the stabilizing ability of lipid peroxide, activities of enzymatic antioxidants catalase, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidants reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. ARME treated groups; 100 and 200mg/kg and prednisolone 10mg/kg significantly decreased hind paw volume, reduced serum levels of TNF-a, IL-1Β, PGE2 and LTB4, reduced MDA levels and increased levels of catalase, SOD and GSH in the liver. The promising results of serum biochemistry, haematology, histopathology and radiographic changes suggest that the administration of ARME was able to effectively modulate the inflammatory response and conquer the advancement of arthritis in the experimental animal model. Results obtained from the acute oral toxicity limit test establish that ARME (LD50>2000mg/kg) was safe in accordance to the OECD guideline 423. These findings may help to overcome some hurdles in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Eradication of Porphyromonas Gingivalis and Prevotella Intermedia Biofilms using the Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Matrica Mouthwash (Chamomile Extract)
Authors:   Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran, Jalili Mahsa , Abolhasani Fatemeh Sadat ,   Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran, Bazin Parisa ,   Dental Branch, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Sharifi Somayeh ,   Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran, Shafiei Morvarid ,   Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Published: April 2024

Introduction: One of the critical pathogenic agents in oral and dental bacteria is biofilm formation. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) biofilms critically contribute to the unsuccessful treatment of oral and dental illnesses, and their permanent presence in dental canals harms the recovery process after treatment. Today, dentists are seeking superior and more beneficial choices with less toxicity as appropriate disinfectants for the mouth and teeth. Objective: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of Chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate and matrica mouthwash on one-, three-, and five-day-old P. gingivalis and P. intermedia biofilms. Method: The biofilm formation capabilities of P.gingivalis and P.intermedia were assessed using the microtiter plate method. Subsequently, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of CHX gluconate and matrica mouthwash at various concentrations against biofilm formation in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia was specified using the microdilution method. Results: The biofilm formation capabilities of P. gingivalis and P. intermedia were approved on a quantitative scale. Both CHX gluconate and matrica mouthwash were effective in eradicating biofilm formation in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia strains. Notably, according to the results, CHX mouthwash exhibited a greater efficacy in eradicating P. gingivalis biofilm. Furthermore, the matrica mouthwash capability to eradicate biofilms in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia was equivalent, with no significant difference observed. Conclusion: The CHX mouthwash is recommended as a novel approach for controlling biofilm infections stemming from oral and dental bacteria, including P. gingivalis and P. intermedia
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery and COVID-19 Vaccination: Literature Review with a Case Report
Authors:   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, AZ, USA, MJ Cavagnaro , JM Orenday-Barraza ,   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, AZ, USA, J Georges ,   Department of Neurosurgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, AA Baaj ,   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, AZ, USA
Published: April 2024

Coronavirus Disease 2019 became a pandemic in March 2020 and vaccines were developed as the most efficient and effective means to control the disease. However, during the early vaccination period, side effects were reported. The following presents a case of GBS with a temporal relationship to COVID-19 vaccination occurring in a patient who recently underwent spinal surgery. In addition, a literature review was performed to draw attention to this neurological complication in association with COVID-19 vaccination and/or spinal surgery.
Augmented Glycemic Gap is a Marker for Predicting the Early Neurological Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis
Authors:   Department of Neurology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China, Wang Ling , Wang Nuo ,   Department of Neurology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China, Hu Ting ,   Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China, Liu Haiyan ,   Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China, Wu Tao ,   Center of Cerebrovascular Disorders, Department of Neurology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China, Cheng Qiantao ,   Department of Neurology, Huai’an 82 hospital, Jiangsu, China
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose: Glycemic Gap (GG) as an index reflecting the acute fluctuation of glycemia, has been proved to be associated with poor functional outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) patients. However, it predictive value on post-thrombolysis Early Neurological Outcomes (ENOs) are still controversial. This study aimed to use GG to evaluate the influence of pretreatment relative glucose changes on post-thrombolysis ENOs, and we further explored the predictive value of GG in different glycemic control status. Methods: Early Neurological Deterioration (END) was defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS) =4, Early Neurological Improvement (ENI) was defined as a =4-point decrease in NIHSS score or a complete resolution of neurological deficits, between the time of admission and 24 hours after intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA). GG was calculated as Admission Blood Glucose level (ABG)- estimated average blood glucose level (eAG), eAG could be derived from HbAlc according to the equation eAG=28.7*HbAlc-46.7 Results: Increased GG was significantly associated with post-thrombolysis END and poor functional outcome at discharge (OR, 1.982; 95% CI, 1.213-3.238; P=0.006) (OR, 2.079; 95% CI, 1.305-3.312; P=0.002). Its predictive value on END was more pronounce in diabetic patients (OR, 2.434; 95% CI, 1.079-5.491; P=0.032), after dichotomizing glycemic control status, its significance was only maintained in diabetic patients with good previous glucose control (OR, 6.946; 95% CI, 1.217-39.636; P=0.029). Conclusion: An evaluated GG was associated with high risk of post-thrombolysis END and poor functional outcome at discharge in AIS patients, and the previous glucose control should be considered when predicting ENOs.
Multivalent Inhibition of the Aspergillus fumigatus KDNase
Authors: Scalabrini Mathieu , Loquet Denis , Rochard Camille , Baudin-Marie Mélyne , Assailly Coralie , Brissonnet Yoan , Daligault Franck , Saumonneau Amélie , Lambert Annie , grandjean cyrille , Deniaud david , lottin Paul , Pascual sagrario , Fontaine Laurent , Balloy Viviane , gouin sebastien
Published: April 2024

Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic fungus and opportunistic pathogen often causing fatal infections in immunocompromised patients. Recently AfKDNAse, an exoglycosidase hydrolyzing 2-keto-3-deoxynononic acid (KDN), a rare sugar from the sialic acid familly, was identified and characterized. The principal function of AfKDNAse is still unclear, but a study suggest a critical role in fungal cell wall morphology and virulence. Potent AfKDNAse inhibitors are required to better probe the enzyme’s biological role and as potential antivirulence factors. In this work, we developed a set of AfKDNAse inhibitors based on enzymatically stable thio-KDN motifs. C2, C9-linked heterodi-KDN were designed to fit into unusually close KDN sugar binding pockets in the protein. A polymeric compound with an average of 54 KDN motifs was also designed by click chemistry. Inhibitory assays performed on recombinant AfKDNAse showed a moderate and strong enzymatic inhibition for the two classes of compounds, respectively. The Poly-KDN showed more than a nine hundred fold improved inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.52 ± 0.37µM, 17-fold in a KDN molar basis) compared to a monovalent KDN reference, and is to our knowledge, the best synthetic inhibitor described for a KDNase. Multivalency appears to be a relevant strategy for the design of potent KDNase inhibitors. Importantly, poly-KDN was shown to strongly decrease filamentation when co-cultured with A. fumigatus at micromolar concentrations, opening interesting perspectives in the development of antivirulence factors.
Digitally Enabled Generic Analytical Framework Accelerating the Pace of Liquid Chromatography Method Development for Vaccine Adjuvant Formulations
Authors: Hemida Mohamed , Barrientos Rodell , Kinsey Caleb , Kuster Nathan , Bhavsar Mayank , Beck Armen , Wang Heather , Singh Andrew , Aggarwal Pankaj , Arcinas Arthur , Mukherjee Malini , Appiah-Amponsah Emmanuel , Regalado Erik
Published: April 2024

The growing use of adjuvants in the fast-paced formulation of new vaccines has created an unprecedented need for meaningful analytical assays that deliver reliable quantitative data from complex adjuvant and adjuvant-antigen mixtures. Due to their complex chemical and physical properties, method development for the separation of vaccine adjuvants is considered a highly challenging and laborious task. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is among the most important tests in the (bio)pharmaceutical industry for release and stability indicating measurements including adjuvant content, identity, and purity profile. However, the time constraints of developing “on-demand” robust quantitative methods prior to each change in formulation can easily lead to sample analysis becoming a bottleneck in vaccine development. Herein a simple and efficient generic analytical framework capable of chromatographically resolving the most commonly used non-aluminum based adjuvants across academic and industrial sectors is introduced. This was designed to seek a more proactive approach for fast-paced assay development endeavors that evolved from extensive stationary phase screening in conjunction with multifactorial in silico simulations of adjuvant retention time (RT) as a function of gradient time, temperature, organic modifier blending, and buffer concentration. The multifactorial retention models yield 3D resolution maps with excellent baseline separation of all adjuvants in a single run, which was found to be very accurate, with differences between experimental and simulated retention times of less than 1%. The analytical framework described here also includes the introduction of a more versatile approach to method development by introducing a dynamic RT database for adjuvants covering the entire library of adjuvants with broad mechanisms of action across numerous vaccine formulations with excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. The power of this framework was also demonstrated with numerous analytical assays that can be generated rapidly from simulations guiding vaccine processes in the development of new adjuvant formulations. Analytical assay in this work covers content, purity profile by RPLC-UV-CAD, and component identification (RPLC-MS) across complex vaccine formulations, including the use of surfactants (e.g., polysorbates), as well as their separation from adjuvant targets.
Sensitive Fluorometric Detection of Fentanyl-Class Agents by Competition-Mediated Supramolecular Displacement and Graphene Nanoparticle Quenching
Authors: Gao Yanjing , Shirinchi Farbod , Hansrisuk Audrey , Zhu Runyao , Lieberman Marya , Webber Matthew , Wang Yichun
Published: April 2024

The emergence of synthetic opioids, and especially fentanyl and its analogues, has resulted in an epidemic of opioid abuse leading to a significant increase in overdose deaths in the United States, thus posing a threat to public health and safety. Current methods employed for the detection of fentanyl and its analogues have significant drawbacks in their sensitivity, scalability, and portability that limit use on a broader scale or in field-based application. The need to detect trace amounts of fentanyl in complex mixtures, and the continued emergence of new fentanyl analogues, further complicates these detection efforts. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to develop convenient, rapid, and reliable sensors for fentanyl detection. In this study, we have developed a fluorescent sensor based on the competitive displacement of a fluorophore (Hoechst 33342) from the cavity of a supramolecular macrocycle (cucurbit[7]uril), with subsequent fluorescence quenching from graphene quantum dots. This sensor can detect and quantify small quantities of fentanyl along with 58 fentanyl analogues, including detection of highly potent agents like carfentanil that are of increasing concern. Furthermore, the sensor achieves selective detection of these agents even when at 0.01 mol% in the presence of common interferents. In addition, the sensor provides results within seconds and offers stable performance over time. This simple, rapid, reliable, sensitive, and cost-effective sensor thus offers a valuable tool for detecting drugs in the fentanyl class, especially in the context of improving the effectiveness of field-based detection for law enforcement and military personnel in promoting public safety.
Structural Studies of Alloyed and Nanoparticle Transition Metal Dichalcogenides by Selenium-77 Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Scott Carnahan , Gi Eunbyeol , Molly Wagner , Santhiran Anuluxan , Amerongen Elise , Hlova Ihor , Dolotko Oleksander , Balema Viktor , Yin Hang , Geisenhoff Jessica , Schimpf Alina , Vela Javier , Rossini Aaron
Published: April 2024

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as MoS2, MoSe2 and WSe2 are under intense investigation because they are atomically thin semiconductors with photophysical properties can be tuned by changing their composition or morphology. Mechanochemical processing has been proposed as a method to obtain alloyed TMDCs in the series Mo1-xWxSySe2-y (x = 0, 1; y = 0, 1, 2). However, elucidating the chemical transformations occurring at the atomic scale following mechanochemical processing is challenging because the products are usually fine powders. To address this challenge, we probe TMDC mixing and alloying by using a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), optical spectroscopy, 77Se solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy and planewave density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The nature of the milling material and reaction atmosphere are shown to be essential factors in limiting the formation of undesired oxide byproducts. We demonstrate acquisition of 77Se SSNMR spectra using different combinations of Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill acquisition (CPMG) pulse sequences, magic angle spinning (MAS), and MAS dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). The combination of SSNMR with the other characterization methods demonstrates that ball milling induces molecular level alloying of Mo, W and chalcogen atoms in the family Mo1-xWxSySe2-y. GIPAW DFT calculations yield accurate values of 77Se chemical shift tensor components. 77Se SSNMR spectroscopy was also applied to study the structure of WSe2 nanocrystals intercalated with ethylenediamine. The WSe2 nanocrystals exhibited a more positive isotropic 77Se chemical shift as compared to bulk WSe2, however, the 77Se chemical shift anisotropy was the same, confirming the WSe2 layers have a similar structure as in their bulk counterparts.
Mechanism of Polariton Decoherence in the Collective Light-Matter Couplings Regime
Authors: Chng Benjamin X. K. , Ying Wenxiang , Lai Yifan , Vamivakas A. Nickolas , Cundiff Steven T. , Krauss Todd , Huo Pengfei
Published: April 2024

Molecular polaritons, the hybridization of electronic states in molecules with photonic excitation inside a cavity, play an important role in fundamental quantum science and technology. Understanding the de-coherence mechanism of molecular polaritons is among the most significant fundamental questions. We theoretically demonstrate that hybridizing many molecular excitons in a cavity protects the overall quantum coherence of phonon-induced decoherence originating from the collective light-matter couplings. The polariton co- coherence time can be prolonged up to 100 fs with a realistic Rabi splitting and quality factor at room temperature, compared to the typical electronic coherence time which is around 15 fs. Our numerically exact simulations and analytic theory suggest that the dominant decoherence mechanism is the population transfer from the upper polariton state to the dark state manifold. Increasing the collective coupling strength will increase the energy gap between these two sets of states, and thus prolong the coherence lifetime. We further derived valuable scaling relations of how polariton coherence depends on the number of molecules, Rabi splittings, and light-matter detunings.
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SMEs IN ANAMBRA STATE
Authors: Okoye Chinwe Chinazo , Nwankwo Daniel Ogochukwu , Okeke Njideka Maryann , Nwankwo Ekene Ezinwa , Eze Solomon Uchechukwu
Published: April 2024

The study examined the relationship between electronic commerce and the sustainability of SMEs in Anambra state. The objective of the study was to ascertain the relationship between electronic commerce and sustainability of SMEs in Anambra State. Three specific objectives, research questions, and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design which sought to ascertain the effect of online customer service on service quality; between e-payment services on business accountability; between multi-channel marketing strategy on competitive advantage and order delivery on business competency of SMEs in Anambra state. The total population of the study was 260 and also served as the sample size. The purposive random sampling technique was used in selecting the SMEs currently operating in Anambra State. The structured questionnaire was used to elicit vital information from the respondents, and this was structured on a five-point Likert scale. The data collected were analyzed using tabular presentations based on cumulative frequencies, mean and standard deviations analysis for each research question. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ver.23) was used in testing the various hypotheses. Based on the findings, the study showed that customer service affected service quality of SMEs in Anambra State. The second hypothesis revealed that e-payment services affected business accountability of SMEs in Anambra state. The third hypothesis also revealed that multi-channel marketing strategy affected competitive advantage and also order delivery influenced business competency of SMEs in Anambra state. The study concluded that electronic commerce had a significant relationship on the sustainability SMEs in Anambra State. The study recommended among others, that SMEs in Anambra state should embrace various forms of e-commerce to ensure better survival and sustainability in the industry. State governmental agencies, policymakers, e-marketing experts, supply chain specialists should make necessary arrangements to assist SMEs who desire to deploy e-commerce systems especially online customer service so as to strengthen their ability to render quality service. Also, operators and staff of various SMEs within the state and the country at large were advised to engage more effective multichannel marketing strategies to further enhance their competitive performance within the industry. They should embrace dynamism in their operations both in serving their customers and also in strengthening their business capabilities.
INTERNAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS AND EARNINGS QUALITY OF LISTED INDUSTRIAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA
Authors: Andrew Onokebhagbe Ekata
Published: April 2024

This study examined the effects of corporate governance mechanism on earnings quality in Nigeria. To achieve the aims of this study, a total of 23 listed industrial firms in the Nigerian stock exchange market were selected and analyzed for this study using the census sampling technique. Also, the corporate annual reports for the period 2006-2016 were used for the study. The regression analysis method was used as a statistical technique for analyzing the data collected from the annual report and accounts of the selected firms. Findings from the study revealed that board independence, board gender, board size and CEO duality have a significant negative effect on earnings quality (proxied by discretionary accruals) for the sampled industrial firms in Nigeria. The study recommends that corporate governance mechanisms in Nigeria industrial firms should enable the individual companies to organise its governance optimally in accordance with the principles.
PANDEMIC MARKETING STRATEGIES OF SELECTED RESTAURANTS: EVIDENCE FROM THE PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES
Authors: I. Nonato Randolph , P. Banayo Dinah Evangeline , Cadano, D.B.A Reynaldo D.
Published: April 2024

All restaurant businesses, most especially the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), struggled to survive during and after the pandemic. Business lessons and success patterns can be drawn from those who survived the pandemic. This descriptive research aims to find the specific challenges encountered by selected MSME restaurant owners and managers in the Province of Laguna during the pandemic and the strategies they used to maintain business profitability. An in-depth interview was conducted among seven selected MSME restaurant business owners and managers. Results showed that their challenges include price hike of food ingredients, stiff competition, marketing, delay in supplies deliveries and employee resignations. Respondents focused on food delivery and take-out services and took advantage of limited dine-in services once this was allowed. They relied heavily on online marketing in combination with other promotional activities. Effective use of marketing mix and sound management decisions in the proper allocation of resources partially met the marketing challenges brought by the pandemic. This study recommends that MSME restaurant owners and managers carefully examine other marketing strategies to directly respond to market challenges and ensure that their products and services are positioned to meet their customers’ specific needs.
PERCEPTION OF CONSUMERS’ RIGHT IN BHUTAN: A CASE OF THIMPHU CONSUMERS
Authors: Wangpo Kinga , Wangmo Lecturer, Sonam , Dorji Tenzin
Published: April 2024

Consumer protection means safeguarding the economic interests, rights, and safety of the consumers to avoid economic harm and health hazards while consuming goods and services in the market. In other words, it refers to the measures adopted to protect the consumers from unfair and deceptive practices by the business entities and to provide appropriate redresses, remedies, or compensations to aggrieved consumers. Four major consumer rights (Right to Safety, Right to be Informed, Right to Choose, and Right to be Heard) were investigated in this study from the consumer’s perspective whether marketers’ practices are safeguarding these rights or not. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to measure consumer perception regarding the four basic consumer rights, utilizing a five-point Likert scale measure. A total of 400 samples were collected from different zones of Thimphu Thromde and researchers achieved a 100 % response rate. An almost equal number of male and female respondents have participated in this survey where the majority of them fall in the age group of 21-30 years. Interestingly, 72% of respondents are aware of the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) and 82% of respondents know that they can practice certain rights as a consumer in the market. All four hypotheses were statistically significant and the Right to safety and the Right to Choose were perceived as high favorableness (m=3.67 for both) whereas, the Right to be Informed and the Right to be Heard were perceived as medium favorableness (m=3.63 and m=3.29 respectively). According to these findings, Bhutanese consumers and relevant consumer protection agencies should feel proud that marketers in Bhutan are safeguarding consumers’ rights and further improvements in certain aspects which had low mean scores would definitely make the Bhutanese market free of fraudulent and unfair trade practices.
A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF E-COMMERCE ADOPTION FOR ENHANCING SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY IN BANGLADESH SMES
Authors: Abtahi Ahanaf Tahmid , Farhana Nazia , Hasan Md Mehedi
Published: April 2024

This study examines the impact of e-commerce adoption on supply chain efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh. The research aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of e-commerce in SMEs’ supply chain operations, understand the challenges and barriers faced by SMEs in adopting e-commerce, and analyze the impact of e-commerce adoption on supply chain efficiency. A qualitative research design is employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with SME owners and managers who have adopted e-commerce for their supply chain operations. The study highlights the importance of SMEs in Bangladesh’s economy and the growing significance of e-commerce in supply chain operations. Despite the rapid growth of Bangladesh’s e-commerce industry, the integration of e-commerce into SMEs’ supply chain operations is still in its early stages. Factors such as technological readiness, infrastructure availability, organizational culture, and external influences affect the pace of e-commerce adoption. The findings reveal that increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved customer experience are the primary drivers for e-commerce adoption. However, resistance to change, lack of technical skills, and security concerns pose challenges to adoption. Participants recommend training programs to enhance technical skills and foster a culture of change. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough market research, seek customer feedback, and engage in discussions with supply chain partners to make informed decisions regarding e-commerce adoption. Investing in cybersecurity measures is crucial to address security risks. The study contributes to the existing literature on e-commerce adoption in supply chain operations, particularly in the context of developing nations like Bangladesh. It provides valuable insights for SMEs, policymakers, and researchers, emphasizing the need to carefully evaluate the benefits, costs, and risks associated with e-commerce adoption. Enhancing supply chain efficiency through e-commerce adoption can lead to improved competitiveness, cost reduction, and increased profitability for SMEs in Bangladesh.
LEVEL OF CONCESSIONAIRES’ SATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICE DELIVERY OF WATER SUPPLY PROVIDERS (WSPS) IN LAGUNA
Authors: B. Ramos Mat Wilson , A. Ramos Adoree
Published: April 2024

This study explores the level of concessionaires’ satisfaction with the service delivery of Water Supply Providers (WSPs) in Laguna in terms of water quality and supply, inspection, maintenance, leak repair, billing service, communication, and front-line services. The study employed a quantitative research method. Weighted mean was the statistical treatment applied. The participants of the study were 400 concessionaires, selected based on stratified random sampling. Findings show that the concessionaires are generally satisfied with the service delivery of Water Supply Providers (WSPs) in Laguna in terms of water quality and supply, inspection, maintenance and leak repair, billing service, communication, and front-line services. The recommendation includes the following: WSPs with lower satisfaction ratings should take steps to improve their service delivery, WSPs should take into consideration the feedback and complaints of their concessionaires to identify areas of improvement, WSPs should benchmark with high-performing WSPs in terms of concessionaire satisfaction to learn from their best practices, WSPs should continuously monitor and improve their service delivery and WSPs should aim to provide excellent service that meets the highest standards possible to achieve the highest level of concessionaire overall satisfaction.
IMPACT Of LEATHER & LEATHER PRODUCTS IN NIGERIAN ECONOMIC GROWH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Authors: C.G. Gimba , J.A. Alogala , O. Okeoma , D.A. Ejila , A.O. Salawu , W.G Afuwai,
Published: April 2024

The production and sale of leather products have played a significant role in Nigeria’s economic growth and business development. However, the industry faces challenges such as inconsistent policies, infrastructure deficiencies, and the need for technological upgrades also the study is designed to access the importance roles of leather products to economic growth and development. The results of the research findings showed that availabilities of tanneries should be discouraged foreign products and encourage patronizing made in Nigeria leather products, and diversification of the leather products and leather goods which is the second command revenue to Nigeria economy. Use of locally available materials for income generation, and solving unemployment among the teeming youths aim of the study, hides and skin conversion into leather product will lead to economy development of Nigeria. There’re needs for both public and private partnership in order to encourage leather and leather product improvement, technical and extension support to development an effective system in leather processing and to finishing stage. Generally, the leather and leather products industry play a prominent role in the world’s economy. UNIDO estimated that world leather export is dominated by developing countries while developed countries dominate export of Finished Leather Products. Global estimate of leather production is about 23 billion square foot annually. Asia accounts for about 57 percent of heavy leather production and 44 percent of light leather production. Europe accounts for 17 percent and 24 percent of global heavy leather and light leather production, respectively while Africa contributes the least accounting for one per cent of heavy leather and 4 percent of light leather production.
THE GROWTH OF NIGERIA'S ECONOMY FROM 1981 TO 2019 IN RELATION TO THE FINANCING OF AGRICULTURE
Authors: Jacob Augustine Okon
Published: April 2024

The analysis of various economic variables in Nigeria from 1981 to 2019 shows that the country’s economy has been heavily reliant on oil exports, which has left it vulnerable to external shocks and hindered economic growth. This over-reliance on oil exports has led to neglect of the agricultural sector, which was once the main source of foreign currency earnings for Nigeria. As a result, there has been a decline in food production and an increase in imports. However, a study investigating the impact of government spending on agriculture on Nigeria’s economic growth using secondary data covering the same period shows that investing in agriculture is essential for Nigeria to achieve a diversified economy and sustainable economic growth. The study uses the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) approach and the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test to analyze the data and concludes that diversifying the economy into non-oil industries, such as agriculture, is likely to have a significant impact on economic growth. The regression analysis showed that government agricultural spending has a positive impact on economic growth. The findings suggest that RGDP, AO, AL, AE, and IFR had an up-down tendency, while INT had an up-down-up trend. The skewness statistic indicates that the variables’ frequency distributions were positively skewed, while the Kurtosis statistic indicates that they were normally distributed. The unit root tests indicate that all variables were stationary at 5%. The regression analysis showed that AO had a positive association with RGDP, while AL had a negative association with it. The study also provides additional information, such as the contribution of agriculture to Nigeria’s GDP and the statistical reliability of the variables.
REMITTANCE IN NEPAL: STATUS, TREND AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Authors: Dhakal Shiva Chandra , Paudel Amrita
Published: April 2024

This study assesses the trend, status, and economic impact of remittance in Nepal by using twenty years of data from 2002 to 2021. Remittance is the part of household income sent by individuals through their earnings from the foreign economy. Remittances are one of the major international financial resources in developing countries contributing significantly to national Gross Domestic Product. The data required for the study were obtained from secondary sources such as official reports of many organizations, research papers published in various journals, and other scientific documents. The data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics and correlation through MS-EXCEL. The trend of remittance inflow in Nepal is increasing. In terms of the amount of remittance received and share of remittance to Gross Domestic Product Nepal is in 19th rank in the world. Remittance shows a strong positive association with the national gross domestic product (r=0.9817), trade deficit (r=0.96), final consumption expenditure (r=0.985), and gross capital formation (r=0.954). Remittance and agricultural gross domestic product were negatively correlated (r=-0.7715) and with inflation, remittance showed a positive but low association (r=0.315). Though remittance is becoming an important source of income and is increasing household consumption levels, less use of remittance in the productive sector shows negative impacts on long-run economic welfare and sustainability. So, the government needs to formulate the plan, policies, and programs to encourage the use of remittance in long-term investment in productive sectors to promote the long-run economic growth of the country.
THE EFFECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATION (GOCC) HOME FINANCING ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HOUSING LOAN BORROWERS
Authors: I. Comendador Ma. Lourdes
Published: April 2024

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effects of GOCC home financing on the quality of life of their housing loan borrowers. The study assessed the level of quality of life of the housing loan borrowers of a GOCC in Calamba City, Laguna by comparing their present housing living conditions after they borrowed and their housing living conditions before they borrowed from the GOCC home financing. The results were evaluated using the five dimensions of quality of life. It also identified the factors influencing members to apply for GOCC housing loans. The study utilized the descriptive research design using a quantitative method of data gathering and analysis. A total of 80 housing loan borrowers participated in this study. The researcher designed a self-made survey questionnaire. Percentages, weighted mean, and ANOVA were used as statistical tools to analyse the results. Using the five-dimension levels, the study shows that the level of quality of life of the respondent loan borrowers is higher when they moved into their new houses as compared to their quality of life when they were occupying their previous houses. It also identified that the main factors that influenced the borrowers to apply for the GOCC housing loans are affordable monthly amortization, the motivation to own a house, a longer loan repayment period, and lower interest rates. Finally, the researcher determined that there is a significant difference between the quality of life of the housing loan borrowers living conditions in their previous house and their present house. The study recommends to housing loan borrowers to have an updated loan payment and in case of arrears, it is encouraged to utilize the available remediation programs of the GOCC.
IMPACT OF INCENTIVES TO THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES ON SELECTED PRIVATE COMPANIES IN SAN PABLO CITY, LAGUNA
Authors: A. Carandang Roxaine Lourrest
Published: April 2024

Motivation plays a significant role in every worker’s job performance. In this study, monetary and non-monetary motivational factors were considered. The research focused on how this motivation, specifically working incentives, affects the job performance of employees of selected private companies in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines. Fifty-three (53) employees from private companies participated in the study. A quantitative research design was employed using an adopted survey questionnaire to measure the effects of incentives on job performance in terms of four dimensions: task, contextual, adaptive, and counterproductive work behavior. Average weighted mean and one-way ANOVA statistics analysis were utilized to determine the effects of incentives and the significant difference on the job performance of the employees. Based on the findings, it was concluded that giving incentives, especially monetary incentives significantly improved employees’ performances. Furthermore, it was found that there was a significant difference between the impacts of incentives to the employees’ job performance when employees were grouped to their preferred type of incentive. Thus, giving incentives to the employees is highly recommended, because the higher the financial incentives, the higher the motivation. As a result, worker morale will be greater and companies will profit better.
O papel da tecnologia blockchain e do conceito de redes P2P na descentralização de acervos de Arte:
Authors: Mucelli Tadeus , Moura Maria Aparecida
Published: April 2024

Este artigo deriva da pesquisa de tese de doutorado que busca compreender os modos, processos, regimes e usos da informação na implementação, organização e recuperação de arquivos de arte e patrimônio digital por meio de agentes autônomos aprendizado de máquina e uso de novas tecnologias como Blockchain com base em modelos teóricos científicos transdisciplinares no campo da ciência da informação em interface com as humanidades digitais. Oferece uma revisão atual dessas tecnologias e problematiza a centralização dos sistemas de acervos e coleções na sociedade pós-digital. O estudo conclui apresentando potenciais aplicações destas tecnologias para a descentralização desses sistemas a longo prazo.
What’s Missing in Introductory Family Science Textbooks? Where is the Theory, Methods, and Application?
Authors: Hughes Jr. Robert , Young Emily , Baymon Brianna
Published: April 2024

One of the central purposes of an introductory family science textbook is to introduce students to the theory and research methods that are commonly used in the discipline and to the applications of research to practical issues confronting families. We examined seventeen textbooks published between 2012-2019 regarding the amount of content devoted to theory, research methods, and application. The authors systematically coded content in the textbooks based on an examination of the Tables of Contents and the Subject Index. The results indicate that most introductory textbooks include limited content about theory and research methods. Also, despite the emphasis of the profession on the translation of research, introductory textbooks did not include much information about family life education or family therapy. There was more coverage of family policy, but the authors rarely included a discussion of the policy process or how research can inform policy. These results can assist instructors in selecting textbooks for courses and assist authors in the development of future textbooks.
MUPUS insertion device for the Rosetta mission
Authors: Grygorczuk Jerzy , Banaszkiewicz Marek , Seweryn Karol , Spohn Tilman
Published: April 2024

An original mechanical device designed to insert a penetrator into a cometary nucleus in an almost gravityfree environment is described. The device comprises a hammer and a power supply system that stores electrical energy in a capacitor. The accumulated energy is discharged through a coil forming a part of electromagnetic circuit that accelerates the hammer. The efficiency of converting the electrical energy to kinetic energy of the hammer is not very high (amounts to about 25%), but the system is very reliable. Additionally, the hammer energy can be chosen from four power settings, hence adjustment of the stroke’s strength to nucleus hard- ness is possible. The device passed many mechanical, func- tional, thermal and vibration tests and was improved from one model to another. The final, flight model was integrated with the lander Philae and started its space journey to comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in March 2004.
A High Capacity Energy Efficient Approach for Traffic Transmission in Cellular Networks
Authors: Esmaeilifard Maryam , Rahbar Akbar Ghaffarpour
Published: April 2024

The efficiency of cellular networks can be improved in various aspects such as energy consumption, network capacity and interference between neighboring cells. This paper proposes a high capacity energy efficient scheme (HCEE) for data transmission in cellular networks in a country area. In this paper, the authors obtain a new equation to characterize the minimal required output power for traffic transmission between a base station (BS) and a mobile user (MU) based on the MU distance from the BS. Also, the cells boundaries (the boundary of overlapping areas of neighboring cells) by two static and dynamic approaches are specified. This work helps for better frequency allocation to MUs and allows increasing network capacity. In this paper, the analytical modeling in order to formulate the HCEE algorithm and evaluate its performance is used. The performance evaluation results show the simplicity of the HCEE algorithm and its effect on energy consumption decline, network capacity enhancement and the interference reduction.
Intrusion Detection in Software Dened Networks with Self-organized Maps
Authors: Jankowski Damian , Amanowicz Marek
Published: April 2024

The Software Defined Network (SDN) architecture provides new opportunities to implement security mechanisms in terms of unauthorized activities detection. At the same time, there are certain risks associated with this technology. The presented approach covers a conception of the measurement method, virtual testbed and classification mechanism for SDNs. The paper presents a measurement method which allows collecting network traffic flow parameters, generated by a virtual SDN environment. The collected dataset can be used in machine learning methods to detect unauthorized activities.
Study of No-Reference Video Quality Metrics for HEVC Compression
Authors: Leszczuk Mikołaj , Janowski Lucjan , Rouis Kais , Papir Zdzisław , Tahar Jamal Bel Hadj
Published: April 2024

The paper proposes a No-Reference (NR) quality assessment measurement originally developed for H.264, used for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). In particular, authors present an investigation of NR metrics to objectively estimate the perceptual quality of a set of processed video sequences. The authors take into account typical distortions introduced by the block-based coding approaches like HEVC codec. The underlying processing used for the quality assessment considers the blockiness caused by the boundaries of each coded block and the blurring as a lack of spatial details. The correlation between the NR quality metrics and the well-known and most widely used objective metric, the Video Quality Model (VQM), is performed to validate the quality prediction accuracy based on the provided scores. The Pearson correlation coefficients obtained stand for promising results for different types of videos.