bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closing the Gap on Addiction Recovery Engagement with an AI-infused Convolutional Neural Network Technology Application—A Design Vision
Authors: Jacob Benjamin , McDonald Heather , Bohn Joe
Published: March 2024

Currently, real-time detection networks elaborate the technical details of the Faster Regional Convolution Neural Network (R-CNN) recognition pipeline. Within existing R-CNN literature, the evolution exhibited by R-CNN is most profound in terms of computational efficiency integrating each training stage to reduce test time and improvement in mean average precision (mAP), which can be infused into an artificially intelligent (AI), machine learning (ML), real-time, interactive, recovery capital application (app). This article introduces a Region Proposal Network (RPN) that shares full-image convolutional features with a real-time detection AI-ML infused network in an interactive, continuously self-learning wrist-wearable real-time recovery capital app for enabling cost-free region proposals (e.g., instantaneous body physiological responses, mapped connections to emergency services, sponsor, counselor, peer support, links to local and specific recovery capital assets, etc.). A fully merged RPN and Faster R-CNN deep convolutional unified network in the app can simultaneously train to aggregate and predict object bounds and objectness scores for implementing recovery capital real-time solutions (e.g., baseball card scoring dashboards, token-based incentive programs, etc.) A continuous training scheme alternates between fine-tuning RPN tasks (e.g., logging and updating personal client information, gamification orientation) and fine-tuning the detection (e.g., real-time biometric monitoring client’s behavior for self-awareness of when to connect with an addiction specialist or family member, quick response (QR) code registration for a 12-step program, advanced security encryption, etc.) in the interactive app. The very deep VGG-16 model detection system has a frame rate of 5fps within a graphic processing unit (GPU) while accomplishing sophisticated object detection accuracy on PASCAL Visual Object Classification Challenge (PASCAL VOC) and Microsoft Common Objects in Context (MS COCO) datasets. This is achieved with only 300 proposals per real-time retrieved data capture point, information bit or image. The app has real-time, infused cartographic and statistical tracking tools to generate Python Codes, which can enable a gamified addiction recovery-oriented digital conscience. Faster R-CNN and RPN can be the foundations of an interactive real-time recovery capital app that can be adaptable to multiple recovery pathways based on participant recovery plans and actions. This paper discusses some of the critical attributes and features to include in the design of a future app to support and close current gaps in needed recovery capital to help those who are dealing with many different forms of addiction recovery.
Share Price Sensitivity Towards Dividend Announcement on Nifty Listed Companies
Authors: Mahat Tazeen Taj , Dandin Trupti
Published: March 2024

Dividend announcement is one of the key factors that influences the fluctuation in the share prices. The dividend is the cost of capital to equity shareholders. In recent years the securities and exchange board of India (SEBI) has initiated a number of reforms to make the Indian stock market at par with developed stock markets of the world. Dividend signals information to investors about the firm’s future performance. The impact of dividend announcements on share prices is likely to vary depending on the specific circumstances of each company and the overall market environment. On the one hand, dividend announcements can signal to investors that a company is financially strong and has a positive outlook for the future. The purpose of this project is to observe whether dividend announcement has impact on share prices of the Nifty listed companies. The objective of this study is to know the impact of dividend announcement on share price in Nifty Listed Companies. In order to achieve the objective of the study, the secondary data was collected through NSE Website. After the data collection, the data was analysed using Paired t-Test. The major findings from the project are few of the companies show impact of Dividend Announcement while most companies don’t show impact of Dividend Announcement. So, it can be concluded that the overall, there is no impact of Dividend Announcement on Share price of Nifty Listed Companies. Investors should carefully consider a company’s overall financial health, dividend policy and long-term growth prospects before making investment decisions based on dividend announcements.
Comparative Analysis of the Various Statistical Techniques Applied to Assess Participants' Laboratory Performance in an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) Proficiency Testing Program
Authors: Vashishtha Shwet
Published: March 2024

Outliers in data analysis pose both challenges and opportunities for researchers. On one hand, if not adequately addressed, outliers can distort statistical analyses and lead to flawed conclusions. Conversely, outliers can also offer valuable insights into underlying processes or factors at play. One commonly used method for identifying outliers is through the analysis of interquartile ranges (IQRs). By accurately detecting and treating these anomalies, researchers can ensure the accuracy and validity of their findings. The major causes of outliers in data analysis stem from measurement and sampling errors. These errors can arise from issues such as human errors in data collection or problems with measurement equipment. Researchers must comprehend these causes to appropriately address outliers and minimize their impact on the analysis. Treating outliers effectively can greatly enhance data analysis by providing a more precise representation of underlying patterns and relationships. Removal or adjustment of extreme values enables researchers to obtain a clearer and more reliable picture of the phenomena under investigation, leading to crucial insights and facilitating further analyses and decision-making. Addressing outliers also offers opportunities for additional research and a deeper understanding of the underlying processes or factors at play. By extensively investigating the reasons behind outliers, researchers can gain valuable insights that can guide future research efforts and contribute to more informed decision-making based on the data. An exemplary illustration of the significance of accurate assessment techniques in statistical analyses is the OPC fineness study. This study analyzed the impact of various assessment methods on scoring results by comparing data from different laboratories using z-scores. The findings of this study demonstrated that the choice of assessment technique significantly influenced the scoring outcomes. Therefore, careful consideration of assessment procedures is crucial for obtaining reliable and comparable results in statistical analyses. In conclusion, outliers in data analysis present both challenges and opportunities for researchers. Accurately detecting and addressing outliers is essential for obtaining reliable and meaningful results. A comprehensive understanding of the causes of outliers, such as measurement and sampling errors, is necessary for appropriate treatment. Effectively treating outliers enhances the accuracy and validity of analysis and provides avenues for further research and informed decision-making. The OPC fineness study exemplifies the importance of assessment techniques in statistical analyses. A nuanced understanding of outlier detection and treatment is indispensable for drawing valid statistical conclusions.
Grain Quality and Yield Response of Malt Barley Varieties to Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates in the West Arsi, Oromia Reginal State of Ethiopia
Authors: Shimelis Fasil , Bekele Debela , Mulatu Zenebe , Dobocha Dereje , Admasu Almaz , Worku Wogayehu
Published: March 2024

Grain yield and yield components of malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were investigated concerning varieties and nitrogen application rates. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate (i) the optimal fertilizer level for maximum yield and quality of malt barley varieties (ii) to determine the impacts of nitrogen fertilizer rate, vaieties and growing season on yield and yield components of malt barley. Three malt barley varieties (Ibon, Bekoji 1, and EH1847) and four fertilizer rates (RNP kg ha-1, 150% RNP kg ha-1, 200% RNP kg ha-1 and RNPS kg ha-1) were studied over two growing season (2019 and 2020) in a factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The main effects of- variety and fertilizer rate were significantly (P<0.01) variation, on grain yield, biomass yield, hectolitre weight and thousand kernel weight, while plant height, spike length and grain protein content showed significant (P<0.05) variations. The interaction effect of variety and fertilizer rate on the number of grains per spike indicated significant (P<0.001) variation. The use of a 200% RNP kg ha-1 fertilizer rate resulted in a higher (4152.9 kg ha-1) grain yield. The highest (33.1) number of grain per spike was produced from the combination of 150% RNP kg ha-1 fertilizer rate with Bekoji 1 malt barley variety, Like wise higher (48.6) thousand kernel weight was produced from RNPS. The results of this study indicated that, the importance of using appropriate malt barley variety and fertilizer rate to increase the yield of malt barley with acceptable grain quality in the study area. Hence application of 150% RNP and 200% RNP kg ha-1 gave a grain yield of (3582.81 kg ha-1) and (4152.9 kg ha-1, and economic benefit of 5.99 (ETB) and 3.65 (ETB) respectively. Among malt barley varieties highest (4110.4) and (3538.3) kg ha-1 grain yield was recorded from EH1847 and Bekoji 1 verities respectively. The production of malt barley with higher yield, optimal kernel protein concentration and higher economic benefit was obtained via EH1847 malt barley varieties along with 150% RNP and 200% kg ha-1 fertilizer rate in the study area and similar agro ecologies.
Underutilized Medicinal Plant in Ethiopia: The Case of Aloe Species
Authors: Banjaw Dejene Tadesse
Published: March 2024

Ethiopian aloe species are known for traditional medicine for both human and livestock as well as for the preparation of various cosmetic products such as soap and lotion. The aloe species contributed great economic and social benefits for many local communities. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of aloe species in the beauty and wellness industry. Many international companies have started to source aloe from Ethiopia, recognizing its high quality and potency. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of aloe harvesting in Ethiopia. Due to the high demand for aloe products, there has been an increase in over-harvesting without replanting and unsustainable practices. This has led to a decline in some aloe species that hastens the need for better management and conservation efforts. Government and non-government groups should pay attention in order to minimize the damage to the aloe species. Traditional medicine practitioners, research institutes, and universities as well as biodiversity conservation institutes should give attention to the valuable aloe species in the country. As the species are declining from time to time, the devotions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labor and Skill, and Biotechnology Institute are essential to ensure the sustainability and proper uses of these valuable plants for future generations.
The Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes in the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Tian Meng-Si , Yi Xi-Nan
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. Because its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, there is still a lack of understanding of its pathogenesis and effective treatment. Many studies have shown that Mesenchymal stem cells Exosomes (MSCs-Exo) can promote anti-inflammatory, regulate immune function, enhance amyloid (Aβ) degradation, and promote axon growth of nerve cells. Exosomes can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, and have better biocompatibility and biosafety than nanomaterials, and more diverse ways to carry drugs. Adipose stem cell exosomes can not only treat AD by their own characteristics, but also regulate AD and other neurological diseases as A drug carrier that can efficiently and freely cross the blood-brain barrier: they can effectively reduce Aβ42 plaques and improve the neuronal microenvironment through microglia. In AD model mice, excessive activation of microglia demonstrated the formation of an inflammatory microenvironment in the brain. The inflammatory microenvironment erodes healthy neurons to a certain extent, forcing them to overactivate inflammatory signaling pathways so that they can't function normally, Adipose stem cell exosomes can effectively clear the expression of inflammatory factors in hypoxia-induced AD neuronal model and promote synaptic repair through microRNA/ phosphatase and tensin homolog (miR-223/PTEN) and phosphatidylinositol kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathways. It can promote the polarization of microglia towards anti-inflammatory phenotype and promote neuronal repair. Adipose stem cell exosomes can also be used to improve memory and cognitive dysfunction by alleviating Tau phosphating or delaying hippocampus volume decay, targeting the core pathological mechanism of AD to achieve therapeutic effects. This article mainly introduces the role of MSC exosomes in the pathogenesis and development of AD.
Malaria Parasitaemia, Risk Perception, and Preventive Practices Among Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinics in Ogun State
Authors: Yusuff Hakeem Abiola , Ajayi Ikeoluwapo , Adebowale Stephen , Ajumobi Olufemi , Nguku Patrick , Yusuff Quudus
Published: March 2024

Malaria contributes over 10% of all deaths among pregnant women. The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria particularly in Ogun State is high. The coverage and uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with Sulphodoxine Pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) and Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in Southwest Nigeria is still very low despite their proven cost effectiveness in improving maternal and infant health. This study therefore determined the malaria parasitaemia, risk perception, preventive practices and associated factors among women attending Ante-natal Clinics (ANCs) in Ogun state. A cross-sectional study was carried out using mixed methods. An estimated sample size of 426 was computed and selected from ANCs across the state through multistage sampling technique. Pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Also, focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among women attending ANC and blood samples were taken from asymptomatic women for laboratory analysis to determine prevalence of malaria parasitaemia. Measures of association between the dependent and independent variables were tested using Chi-square. All tests of significance were done based on a ɑ-level of 0.05. Response rate was 100% for this study. The mean age of respondents was 27.9 ±5.5 years. Risk perception of malaria was observed to be good. Malaria parasitaemia was 2.7% and was 100% due to Plasmodium falciparum. Maternal age was significantly associated with malaria parasitaemia. Therefore, it is recommended that malaria elimination programmes should be sustained; access and affordability of ANC care should be ensured by the Government.
Oral Health Status and Care Needs of People with Intellectual Disability in Specialized Centers of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Gare Jocelyne Valerie , Kientega Filwende Dan , Kabore Ahmed , Ouedraogo Carole Nathalie Téné , Seydou Ouattara , Kabore Wendpoulomde Aime Desire , Meda Nicolas
Published: March 2024

People with intellectual disabilities suffer from oral pain and discomfort twice as often as the general population. Their reduced cognitive and physical abilities, regular medication, and often the lack of a strong social support system lead to difficulties coping with the daily demands of life, including proper oral hygiene and nutrition. Having data on the oral health status of children and adolescents living with disabilities is crucial to reducing oral health inequalities within the population. The objectives of this study were to describe the main oral conditions, oral health behaviors and identify the care needs of people with intellectual disabilities in specialized centers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A descriptive transversal survey was conducted in the reception centers of intellectual disabled people benefiting from the subsidy of the Ministry of Women, National Solidarity, Family and Humanitarian Action. A questionnaire adapted for oral health surveys of the World Health Organization has been used for data collection that has been analyzed with Stata MP 16.0 software (College Station, Texas 77845, USA). Were included in the study 193 people with intellectual disabilities whose average age was 12.4 years ± 7.9. Our study reported that 74.0% had never visited a dentist and 19.0% of subjects did not clean their teeth. The overall prevalence of caries was 58.6% with 95% CI [51.2 - 65.8]. The frequencies of gingival bleeding and calculus were 63.8% and 63.4% respectively. The other pathologies were divided into 25.5% sialorrhea; 15.0% dental wear; 39.1% malocclusions; 19.2% dental anomalies and 14.4% dental trauma. Subjects who needed prompt and urgent care were 51.6%. This study made it possible to report the oral health behaviors and the main oral diseases encountered in people with intellectual disabilities and the care needs. Health promotion strategies focusing on simple interventions such as appropriate oral care would improve the general well-being of these vulnerable people.
Association of Periodontitis with Ambulatory Blood Pressure, Salt Intake, and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Pinto-Ribeiro Tiago , Faria-Almeida Ricardo , Monteiro Ana , Souza Júlio César Matias , Felino António , Polónia Jorge
Published: March 2024

Objective: Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease are prevalent entities that often coexist, with a common pro-inflammatory pathway. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular pro-inflammatory parameters rarely considered within risk factors. Methods: Forty-three participants aged between 38-82 years were examined. An association between mean probing depth (MPD), mean attachment loss (MAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was correlated with the following cardiovascular disease factors and inflammatory promoters: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), 24h ambulatory blood pressure, global cardiovascular risk, daily salt intake, night-time systolic blood pressure (nSBP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV). A two-way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests were performed using SPSS statistics software. Results: A highly significant correlation (p<0.05) was found between BOP, MPD, and MAL with high salt intake, global cardiovascular risk estimation, nSBP, and PISA. Also, significantly statistical correlation (p<0.05) was found between BOP, NLR, and PWV while PISA was only associated with NLR. Logistic regression analysis identified absolute values of nSBP, salt intake and NLR as possible independent contributors to the increase in the log odds of developing BOP. Conclusions: Several periodontal disease parameters are linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, daily salt intake and night-time systolic blood pressure.
Comparative Analysis of Mass Media in Nigeria and Ghana
Authors: Adams Emmanuel Jibb , Elisha Jemima Deynum , Ofordi Simeon Gift Onyinyechi Joy Amarachi
Published: March 2024

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the mass media landscapes in Nigeria and Ghana, focusing on their historical development, regulatory frameworks, and content focus. Drawing on a diverse array of sources, including books, journal articles, and government reports, the research evaluates the trajectory of media evolution in both countries from their colonial past to the present day. The study employs a theoretical framework that combines the political economy of communication and the cultural studies perspective. The political economy of communication approach highlights the economic, political, and social factors that shape media content and structure, while the cultural studies perspective emphasizes the role of media in shaping cultural values and identities. The findings reveal that both countries have shared priorities in promoting national unity, addressing social and economic development issues, and preserving cultural values. The study concludes that while both countries share some commonalities, such as the emergence of indigenous broadcasters and the growth of online news, there are also notable differences. The study recommends that both Nigeria and Ghana should work to foster international collaboration in the mass media industry.
University Education in a Time of Perpetually Wicked Problems
Authors: Corlett John
Published: March 2024

Wicked problems differ from tame ones in important ways that define significant challenges in resolving them. Among these differences are their lack of a prescriptive definition, their absence of a clear stopping rule, their emphasis on better or worse outcomes rather than right or wrong solutions, their uniqueness, and their demand that resolutions not make the problem worse. University graduates will take on central roles and leadership responsibilities for addressing the world’s wicked problems such as those identified as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Those roles and responsibilities require advanced critical, systems, design, and ethical thinking skills and not just the disciplinary tactics and tame problem-solving abilities that largely comprise a university educational experience. This paper challenges the ways in which universities fail to equip their graduates with sufficient understanding of wicked problems and the approaches that offer the best chance to address them. The increasingly-granular structure of the academic year, the curricular emphasis on disciplinary rather than inter- or multi-disciplinary learning experiences, the lack of collaborative opportunities with those of other theoretical and practical perspectives, and the lack of intentional learning for critical, design, systems, and ethical thinking are discussed.
Morphometry, Growth, and Condition of Hatchery-Reared Cisco (Coregonus artedi) and Bloater (Coregonus hoyi)
Authors: Chalupnicki Marc , Mackey Gregg , McKenna James , Johnson James , Ketola George
Published: March 2024

The re-introduction of native species that have been extirpated or in low abundance in the Great Lakes has been a binational initiative between the United States and Canadian governments. Recently, new management programs have been underway that use current hatchery facilities for the restoration of native forage fishes in Lake Ontario. These species include Bloater (Coregonus hoyi), which has been extirpated from Lake Ontario for approximately four decades, and Cisco (C. artedi), which exists at a fraction of its former abundance. We assessed morphometrics, length-weight relationships, and condition factors during early life development for eight cohorts of Cisco and Bloater reared from 2012-2019. Weekly samples for Cisco and Bloater were measured from hatch until release (29-45 weeks, 133-1,002 samples annually). Head width, gape, mandible length, and mouth height metrics were all larger for Cisco than Bloater at any given size but increased at similar rates for both species. Average condition factors for Cisco and Bloater were 0.54317 and 0.55892, respectively. This information may also improve field identification of these species, helping managers evaluate the relative success of different release strategies for rehabilitation of populations of these native species.
Critical Analysis of the Concept of “Human Adaptations” to Discuss Its Adequacy with Socio-cultural Dynamics in Light with Ethnographic Observations and Archaeological Evidence
Authors: Patrice Medjo Protais Pamphile
Published: March 2024

The idea of defending the thesis of the ruin of purposes comes from an observation. It is that of recurrence to adaptation to infer cultural dynamics. The idea of “human adaptations” often serves as an alibi to explain the entire activity of human organizations. Thus, the formation of social institutions, the material equipment of human groups and their transformations are generally thought of as finalized processes. The object of this contribution then lies in the finalist character of the functionalist conception of the group. The problem therefore consists of establishing proof of the latent conflictuality in the notions of function and adaptation inseparable from the group. This is to operationalize, in the demonstration of the ruin of finalities, the conflictual character congenital to each of the two concepts. All operate paradoxically thanks to the uninterrupted cohesion of the group, however questionable. Conceptual tools such as dysfunction, perverse effect, due to functionalism, will serve as a theoretical foundation for this work. They are reinforced with theoretical references acquired from the idea of the contradiction of the social as well as concepts borrowed from human ecology. These tools will help highlight contradictions between intentional ends and their necessary conditions. The existence of such resistance would therefore be sufficient to explain the ruin of the purposes to which the idea of “human adaptations” subscribes. An analysis of ethnographic observations in northern Pakistan and southern Cameroon, compared with the results of archaeological excavations in the Near East and forested Central Africa, allows us to discuss the accomplishment of the purposes assumed in the explanation. functionalist of cultural dynamics.
An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Farmers’ Access to Fertilizer Markets in Some Selected Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Maina Mohammed
Published: March 2024

The study assessed the factors influencing farmers access to fertilizer markets in selected local government areas in Kaduna State. A multinomial regression analysis was used to assess whether the factors have significant effect on the odds of observing certain market categories. The model was assessed based on an alpha value of 0.05 and the result of the multinomial regression model were significant, χ2 (20) = 278.21, p < .001 suggesting that education, cooperative association, credit, distance, ease of use, availability, comparative cost, accessibility, affordability and quality had a significant effect on the odds of observing at least one of the response categories of the market relative the retailer outlet. The significant variables' influence on the odds of choosing specific market outlets is indicative of the multifaceted nature of farmers' decision-making processes. Education, cooperative membership, distance, and product availability emerged as key determinants of selecting retailers. Meanwhile, credit, quality, and availability of the product were found to influence the choice of wholesaler outlets. Understanding the interplay of these factors can guide policymakers, extension services, and market stakeholders in designing targeted interventions. Enhancing access to credit, improving product quality, and addressing distance-related challenges can facilitate better market access, promote value chain efficiency, and potentially lead to increased market participation and improved livelihoods for farmers
Influence of Conservation Agriculture on Certain Soil Qualities Both Physical and Chemical in Relation to Sustainable Agriculture Practices a Review
Authors: Mulatu Getachew
Published: March 2024

Conventional tillage raises the possibility of soil erosion and degrades crucial physical characteristics of the soil, such as soil organic carbon (SOC) reduction. Additionally, ineffective management techniques result in a decrease in soil organic matter, a breakdown of the soil's structure, and more erosion. As a result, crop yields have decreased. Conservation agriculture (CA) is being considered as a potential system having the capability of improving soil quality and providing stable yields. This review's primary goal is to demonstrate how conservation agricultural practices affect certain physical and chemical characteristics of soil in order to support sustainable agriculture. So as to produce production system that are sustainable, conservation agriculture refers to cropping system management approaches that support permanent soil cover, low soil disturbance, and appropriate crop rotation. With the use of conservation agriculture techniques, it is possible to enhance the physical and structural health of the soil (by reducing bulk density and improving soil aggregation), in addition to increase soil water infiltration, decrease water runoff and soil loss, decrease evaporation loss, decrease soil organic carbon, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. These factors are crucial for maintaining soil health and sustainable crop production. In general, applying the conservation agriculture concepts of limited tillage, soil cover, and legume integration would promote the development of soil microorganisms and organic matter by decreasing erosion. Conservation agriculture is therefore regarded as one of the agricultural systems that have the ability to favorably contribute to soil physical and chemical improvement as well as techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Calculation of Urban Green Competitiveness and Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Evolution Characteristics in China
Authors: Tao Song , Yu Wang , Pengyan Wang , Yuxiao Lei , Nuo Wang
Published: March 2024

It is particularly important to analyze the influencing factors of urban green competitiveness and the spatial distribution characteristics under the constraint of carbon emissions. The research ideas of this paper: firstly, this paper selects the carbon emission intensity and urban green competitiveness data in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2020 for panel data regression; secondly, this paper applies a variety of methods to carry out the robustness test, and the results show that the regression model is better, and analyzes the development of urban green competitiveness for the heterogeneity of large cities and small cities; subsequently, the use of inverse geographic matrix to analyze the spatial correlation between the global Moran index and local Moran index for urban green competitiveness, and to analyze the spatial and temporal pattern evolution of urban green competitiveness. The conclusions of the study show that, from the viewpoint of influencing factors, carbon emission intensity presents a significant negative effect on the development of urban green competitiveness, and has a greater impact on the green competitiveness of large cities than that of small cities. From the perspective of spatial correlation, urban green competitiveness presents positive spatial correlation and shows a growing trend over time. Finally, this paper puts forward relevant policy recommendations based on the findings of the study.
The Impact of the Weak Magnetic Field on Hydromagnetic Nanofluid Flow Via Divergent and Convergent Channels
Authors: Habiyaremye Felicien , Wainaina Mary
Published: March 2024

This paper has studied the effect of a low-intensity of magnetism acting on hydromagnetics of nanoparticles (Silver-water) via divergent-convergent channels. The study aimed at determining the effect of Hartmann and Reynolds numbers, the distribution of energy in the system, and the volume fraction of nanofluid particles on the movement of nanofluid particles, the distribution of temperature, and the distribution of concentration of nanofluid particles. The governing equations were transformed to a linear system of the differential equations and numerical solutions were found using the collocation technique and MATLAB was used to generate the results. It is discovered, varying the Reynolds values decreases the distribution of temperature for divergent medium. Variation in Reynolds values augments the distribution of temperature for the shrinking walls. The observation shows that increasing Hartmann values reduces the velocity profile in both channels which are diverging –converging channels. This is because Lorentz intensity is generated by the magnetism that alters the movement of nanofluid flow hence reduction in the velocity distribution. The concentration of nanofluid reduces in both channels when the distribution of energy in the system is augmented. The distribution of temperature increases in both channels when the energy in the system is augmented. Variation in the distribution of energy facilitates the transferring of heat to nanoparticles hence the temperature profile of nanofluid is increased. The distribution of the velocity is constant when varying the energy intensity. The heat generation resulted in a variation of temperature and had minimum impact on the movement of the nanoparticles for both channels. The concentration of nanofluid is increased in the divergent channel when Reynolds values are increased. The reduction occurs in the concentration of nanofluid when Reynolds values are increased. As the distance between molecules becomes wider due to augmenting the energy, this results in a reduction of concentration distribution of the nanofluid in both channels. These research findings are applied in medical sciences, engineering, geophysics, and astrophysics.
Epidemio-Clinical Profile and Determinants of Paediatric ENT Pathologies in Rural Hospitals: Case of Kimpese Evangelical Medical Institute
Authors: Mpengani Thierry , Ngale Mireille , Nkodila Aliocha , Lema Gabriel , Lumbu Damien , Mvitu Moïse , Ekulu Pepe , Matanda Richard , Sokolo Jérôme
Published: March 2024

Ear-Nose-Throat disorders in children are one of the leading causes of consultations in paediatrics, with a variety of aetiologies. The study aimed to investigate the epidemiological-clinical profile, treatment and determinants of Ear-Nose-Throat disorders in children attending the paediatric department of the KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute (EMI) hospital. This was a prospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical approach, which took place between October 2022 and March 2023. The KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute (KIMPESE/EMI/) was the setting for this study. The study included all children aged 0-16 years who had been consulted or admitted for any sign of Ear-Nose-Throat disease, whose parents had given their consent. The data collected was encoded an Excel 2016 database. They were transferred to SPSS for Windows version 21 for processing and analysis. Out of a total of 205 children cared for at the EMI, 139 had presented with at least one ENT pathology, i.e. a frequency of 67.8%. The median age of the children was 5 (2-10) years, and more than half were under 5 years of age. They were predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 1,13. The ENT pathologies presented by these children were distributed as follows: 28.8% suffered from otological pathologies, 25.4% from rhinological pathologies and 17.1% from pharyngological pathologies. The most common otological pathologies were cerumen impaction and congestive AOM, while rhinitis was the most common rhinological pathology and rhinopharyngitis was the most common pharyngological pathology. The factors associated with ENT pathologies in children, in multivariate analysis, were determined by passive smoking, a history of rhinopharyngitis, household size ≥6 people, and living in a polluted environment. This study has shown that oral diseases in children are also common in rural areas, the case of KIMPESE Evangelical Medical Institute, especially in our African countries where the population is very young. The results obtained provide ample evidence of the existence of certain factors determining the genesis of certain oral diseases in children in the town of Kimpese.
Level of Satisfaction Among National Voluntary Community Development Service Program Trainees’ at Wachemo University, Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alemu Abebe , Lukas Kaleegziabher , Assefa Biruk , Tamrat Habtamu , Abebe Habtamu , Ermias Dejene , Gopalan Natarajan
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Training is a means to an end, not an end by itself. Training improves the trainees' knowledge, skills, and attitude and should prepare them to engage in governmental and non-governmental economic activities. Knowing the level of national voluntary community development service program trainees' satisfaction can help identify the strength and area that needs improvement. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of national voluntary community development service program trainee satisfaction at Wachemo University in 2021. Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 29 to September 20, 2021. A total of 442 study participants were enrolled using simple random sampling methods. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into Epi-data and then exported to SPSS for statistical analysis, and to summarize the findings, descriptive statistics were applied. The level of satisfaction was assessed after training, and the satisfaction level was dichotomized as good vs. poor. Result: From the total study participants, 303 (75.7%) responded were satisfied with the training approach, and 285 (71.2%) were satisfied with the peace, stability, and services provided at Wachemo University. Three hundred twenty (80%) participants cultured good knowledge from the volunteer service training. The knowledge gained from training had a strong statistical correlation between satisfaction with services provided, training approach, and training materials Pearson’s r=0.937) (p<0.0001). Two hundred seventy-six (69%) of trainees self-reported that the acquired knowledge from training could prepare the trainees for entrepreneurship or employability. Conclusion: In this study, higher proportions of national voluntary community development service program trainees were satisfied with the training approach, training materials, and service provided at Wachemo University. We recommend that all stockholders undertake a tracing study to find how much the knowledge gained in training improves the employability or entrepreneurism of the national voluntary community development service program trainees at Wachemo University.
Co-Creation in Health: A Scoping Review on Engagement Platform for Innovation
Authors: Teixeira Alessandra Cananéa de Sá , Oliveira Thais de Figueiredo , Esteves Fabius Abrahão Torreão , Cohen Mirian Miranda
Published: March 2024

In order to meet the health needs of the population, with its complexities and diversities, it is necessary to search for new instruments and methodologies capable of providing answers to rapid changes in scenarios, as recently seen in the COVID-19 Pandemic, where the actors involved (society, government, companies, Science, Technology and Innovation institutes - ST&I institutes) joined forces towards a common objective: the solution to a global health problem. In view of this challenging scenario and the search for new management solutions in health, the objective of this article was to explore the world academic literature on the themes Platform of Engagement and Co-creation, in the period from 2012 to 2022, in order to know existing models and requirements of platforms that may be applicable for Co-creation in Health, as a tool and methodology capable of promoting the development of solutions that meet the needs of the Single Health System (SUS) and the Science, Technology and Innovation System (ST&I System). The methodology applied for this study was the review of the scope of the literature, in the area of health, in six scientific databases. Nineteen articles were selected that met the inclusion criteria in the research. The research results present practical models of engagement platforms used for co-creation, reinforcing the importance of applying the tool as a formalized space for value generation, through the integration of resources and interaction between people, enabling user engagement and encouraging engagement. innovation ecosystem. Among the essential requirements for a platform for co-creation, we highlight the necessary understanding of the engagement capacity of the actors involved in the innovation ecosystem. This study represents an investigation of the literature on the topics addressed, which, in addition to its expressive results, contributes to fostering new research in order to elucidate contemporary models that favor the constitution of Engagement Platforms for Co-creation in Health.
In vitro and in situ Activity of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil Against Alternaria alternata and Phomopsis carica-papayae, Causal Agents of Papaya Leaf Diseases
Authors: Victor Davy Moussango , Priscille Ebong , Steve Voundi , Bedine Ampère , Fabiola Dikongue , Moise Ntah , Olivier Youassi , Patience Mekemzeu , Severin Tchameni , Modeste Sameza
Published: March 2024

Papaya cultivation is considered to be one of the most important fruit-growing activities in Cameroon, and plays a vital role in improving the livelihoods of local producers. However, leaf diseases caused by devastating fungi are a real obstacle to the development of this crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil against Alternaria alternata and Phomopsis carica-papayae, fungal agents associated with the deterioration of papaya leaves in the Moungo region of Cameroon. The essential oil of fresh C. citratus leaves was extracted by hydrodistillation. Analysis of the chemical composition by GC then GC/MS revealed Geranial (45.24%), Neral (35.57%) and Myrcene (7.21%) as the majority compounds. In vitro antifungal tests on mycelial growth by incorporation into agar gave MICs of 900 ppm and 700 ppm against A. alternata and P. carica-papayae respectively. The MIC of 700 ppm proved fungicidal on P. carica papayae, while for A. alternata the fungicidal effect was obtained at a concentration of 900 ppm. In situ, the essential oil proved significantly active in inhibiting necrosis caused by the conidial complex of the two pathogens on papaya leaves, with a percentage inhibition of 85.93% at a concentration of 6000 ppm. C. citratus EO could therefore be used as an alternative to chemical fungicides in the fight against papaya leaf disease pathogens.
Predicting Ghana’s Daily Natural Gas Consumption Using Time Series Models
Authors: Broni-Bediako Eric , Buabeng Albert , Allotey Philip
Published: March 2024

In recent years, natural gas utilisation has seen a considerable increase because, it presents an alternative energy source that is reliable, economical and environmentally friendly for consumers. In Ghana, natural gas consumption has over the years increased due to mainly the rise in industrial and residential demands. Accurate prediction of natural gas consumption will provide stakeholders with vital information needed for planning and making informed policy decisions. This paper explores the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) to predict Ghana's daily natural gas consumption. The data employed for the study is daily natural gas consumption in Ghana from 2020 to 2022. The results show that both ARIMA and SARIMA models can predict the consumption of natural gas in Ghana with a good degree of accuracy. The SARIMA model slightly outperforms the ARIMA model, with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 22.25 and a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 6.96%, compared to an RMSE of 23.27 and a MAPE of 7.29% for the ARIMA model. The model forecast suggests a steady natural gas consumption in Ghana but with some intermittent fluctuations.
Heterogenous Association Between Mortality and Environmental Factors
Authors: Ju Andrew
Published: March 2024

The global environment has changed rapidly since the Industrial Revolution. Human emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases have warmed our earth, leading to more climate extremes. Human activities have also caused air pollution and, thus, worse air quality. Warmer climates and polluted air pose severe risks to human health. This paper focuses on temperature and air pollution as the primary environmental factors and studies their relationship with mortality across different ethnicity and age groups in the U.S. from 2001 to 2021. The main research methods employed in this paper are correlation analysis and least-square regressions. This paper finds that, on average, environmental factors are moderately and positively related to total deaths at a statistically significant level. Such a positive relationship still holds when I further investigate how the environment is associated with mortality by each individual cause. Moreover, heterogeneity in the relationship is identified among different races. In particular, temperature seems to have a larger impact on the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Black populations. At the same time, air pollution is observed to have a very strong association with the mortality of the Asian population, Pacific Islanders, and Hawaiian Natives. Finally, age disparities are not that significant. One finding worth pointing out is that children and teenagers (Age 1-14) appear to be more susceptible to air pollution than other age groups.
Characterization of Cattle Production System in East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Worku Bainesagn , Getnet Mezgebu , Assaye Anduamlak
Published: March 2024

Survey was conducted in four Districts of East Gojjam Zone Amhara Regional state of Ethiopia (Sinan, Dejen, Gozamen and Machakel). The objectives of the survey were to characterize cattle production systems, asses feed resources of cattle in eastern Gojjam and identify major constraint of cattle production in the zone. A total of 160 household heads were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the average cattle herd size was 7.55 ± 0.31 heads per household and were significantly different (P<0.01) among districts. In the study districts, cattle are primarily kept for draught power followed by income source and milk production. According to the respondents, crop residue, hay and local brewery by-products are the main feed resources ranked in order of importance as first, second and third, respectively in dry season. Similarly, crop residue, cut and curry system and communal grazing are important feed sources in wet season (ranked as first, second and third, respectively). The study also shows that feed shortage was the main constraint affecting livestock production and productivity across the districts. In availability of appropriate cattle genotype and disease were identified as second and third important constraints. Due to shrinkage of grazing areas, farmers are shifting cattle rearing from permanent free grazing into tethering and semi-grazing systems. The total livestock number in the zone was estimated to be 7.55 TLU unit which is directly related to carrying capacity of the grazing feed resources in the area. Thus, the study implies that there is a need to improve fodder production, crop residue utilization, efficiency and utilization of artificial insemination to increase the number of improved cattle genotype and improve delivery of veterinary services in a smallholder cattle production system of the zone.