bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of ecolabels in the consumption of green products: a study on Durban consumers
Authors: Chauke Obed , Hawkins-Mofokeng Raymond
Published: August 2024

The purpose of the study is to ascertain the influence of ecolabels in the consumption of certified green products. It explores ecolabels in Durban, hoping to gain valuable insights into ecolabels’ role in influencing the consumption of certified green products. The study employed a quantitative and a non-probability sampling method to understand the influence of ecolabels among green consumers in Durban. To ensure that the data represents the diversity of Durban consumers, a random sampling method was adopted. The data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using the IBM SPSS Version 25. The study employed a sample of 384 customers from retail malls within selected Durban suburbs. The findings revealed that consumers generally have a positive perception of ecolabels and are likely to recommend certified green products. However, the data also revealed that there is scepticism around certified green products as they are considered expensive and can perhaps be attributed to the high cost of certification, credibility issues and the cost associated with the ecolabelling. There is a potential trend towards wider acceptance, with more respondents trusting the authenticity of ecolabels than not. The study also found that older respondents and those with higher income tend to have a more positive perception of ecolabels, potentially due to higher disposable income and greater familiarity with the concept. This suggests that addressing concerns about cost and credibility could further increase positive consumer perception of ecolabels. Businesses can use these findings to develop strategies to address consumer concerns about the cost and credibility of certified green products. They can also target marketing efforts towards older demographics and higher-income consumers who are more receptive to ecolabels. Policymakers can use the findings to evaluate the effectiveness of existing ecolabeling programs and also develop strategies to increase consumer awareness and trust in ecolabels, especially younger audiences.
Transformational leadership and organizational culture of Islamic boarding school mediated by employee engagement
Authors: Amiruddin  , Desi Tri Kurniawati
Published: August 2024

This study examines the effect of transformational leadership and organizational culture on employee performance in teachers of formal boarding schools in Bangkalan, Madura through the mediation of employee engagement. This research was conducted at three boarding schools in Bangkalan, Madura. This research uses saturated sampling. Primary data were obtained by distributing questionnaires to 89 teaching staff. Data analysis used the Least Square partial structural equation model (SEM-PLS) with the Smart-PLS 3.0 application. The results showed that transformational leadership and organizational culture have a positive and significant effect on employee performance. This study also found that employee engagement is able to partially mediate the effect of transformational leadership on employee performance. Employee engagement also acts as a partial mediation on the effect of organizational culture on employee performance. Based on these findings, it is necessary to pay attention and optimize the practice of transformational leadership style and organizational culture continuously to be able to improve employee performance.
The influence of brand equity on purchase intention toward hand-shaken beverages
Authors: Leong Han-Yee , Chao Ren-Fang
Published: August 2024

Hand-shaken beverages represent a unique business model in Taiwan. This study explores the impact of four dimensions of brand equity on consumers' word-of-mouth and purchase intention regarding hand-shaken beverages. A survey was conducted among hand-shaken beverage consumers. A total of 352 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that consumers' perceptions of brand awareness, quality, and brand association affected word-of-mouth. These dimensions had an indirect impact on purchase intention through word-of-mouth, suggesting that when consumers develop an attachment to a brand, they engage in positive behaviors concerning the brand. However, due to the high homogeneity and lack of distinctiveness of Taiwanese hand-shaken beverage products, they fail to attract consumer loyalty.
The influence of risk tolerance and brand trust on investment decision and customer engagement behavior
Authors: Rofiq Ainur , Wijayanti Evifana Santi
Published: August 2024

Understanding the impact of Risk Tolerance and Brand Trust on Investment Decisions and Customer Engagement Behavior is imperative in today's competitive financial environment. This study investigates the direct and mediating effects of Risk Tolerance and Brand Trust on Investment Decisions and Customer Engagement Behavior. Utilizing a quantitative approach with a survey method, data were collected from 144 private customers of Bank BRI in East Java through random sampling techniques. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis. The research reveals significant direct effects of Risk Tolerance and Brand Trust on Investment Decisions. Likewise, the direct effects of brand trust and investment decision on customer engagement behavior are significant. However, the influence of risk tolerance on customer engagement behavior is not significant. These findings underscore the intricate dynamics of consumer behavior in the financial sector. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how risk perception and trust in the brand affect investment decisions and customer engagement behavior, offering insights for strategic decision-making in the banking industry.
Navigating emotional labour: the role of deep acting in enhancing job performance and customer relations in the South African racecourse industry
Authors: Mabotja Tshepo , Ngcobo Nomonde
Published: August 2024

This study aims to examine the effects of deep acting on employees employed at the racecourse. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of deep acting, a type of emotional labour, on the well-being and job performance of service employees in the hotel industry in South Africa. Additionally, the study intends to provide effective coping strategies to minimise any negative consequences of emotional labour. This study employs a qualitative methodology, utilising purposive sampling to choose eight participants from the racecourse industry. The data was gathered using semi-structured in-depth interviews, enabling a thorough investigation of the participants' experiences and perceptions. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the data and discover significant themes and patterns pertaining to the practice of deep acting and its effects. According to the study, sales assistants reported that deep acting was less stressful than surface acting. The practice of deep acting had a positive impact on the job performance and communication abilities of the sales associates, hence contributing to their professional development. Notwithstanding these advantages, certain individuals experienced a sense of being underappreciated by their employers due to the emotional work they performed. The results indicate that engaging in deep acting promotes a heightened sense of empathy towards clients and improves the performance of sales associates as a result of their cumulative work experience. This research emphasises the necessity for organisations, especially those in the hospitality sector, to acknowledge and endorse the emotional labour carried out by their employees. By acknowledging the beneficial aspects of deep acting and providing appropriate coping mechanisms, employers can help alleviate potential negative impacts on employee well-being. Acquiring this comprehension can result in improved management techniques that foster employee contentment and productivity. This study adds to the scarce body of scholarship on emotional work in the South African setting, particularly within the racecourse business. This study presents innovative perspectives on the impact of deep acting on service employees and provides practical approaches for efficiently managing emotional labour. The research highlights the significance of maintaining a balance between employees' self-management and their regulation of client interactions, which ultimately improves the overall quality of customer service and staff satisfaction.
The effect of organizational justice and job involvement on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) with organizational commitment as mediation variable
Authors: Sari Della Restiana , Noermijati  , Juwita Himmiyatul Amanah Jiwa
Published: August 2024

A hospital is a non- profit health service organization profit oriented, and own various specifications, specifically related with human resources. In this context, hospitals are often mentioned as an organization that is intensive in human resources, this is because it is in a hospital there are various professions and types of work that have specifications and tasks different principal. Apart from that, hospitals are also known as solid organizations regulations and intensive technology and science. Technology and science intensive knowledge because there is technology and sophisticated medical equipment as well the rapid development of science as a result of education and study in in House Sick. Congested regulations because in House Sick there is Lots regulation and terms service Which must obeyed by all over element Which There is At home Sick. This research aims to investigate influencing factors OCB to nurses at Samarinda Medika Citra Hospital. This research uses OCB as a dependent variable which influences Organizational Justice, Job involvement and Organizational Commitment as mediating variables. This research is categorized as explanatory research. The respondents in this study were nurses at Samarinda Medika Citra Hospital who had worked for more than 2 years and determining the sample size in this study used a saturated sample technique with a total sample of 172 respondents. The data collection method uses a questionnaire, and the data is analyzed using SEM-PLS. The findings from this research show that organizational justice, job involvement and organizational commitment have significant effects on OCB. Organizational Commitment also plays a role in mediating the relationship between organizational justice and work engagement hope OCB.
Critical success factors for transformation of public universities into entrepreneurial universities
Authors: Letsebe Lametse , Ebewo Patrick , Nesamvuni Alufheli Edgar
Published: August 2024

Even with the urgent need for public universities to transform into entrepreneurial universities in Botswana, very little is known especially in developing countries such as Botswana on what it takes to transform. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the critical success factors for the creation of entrepreneurial universities in Botswana. Our core research question asks: What are the critical success factors for the transformation of public universities into entrepreneurial universities? The study used a descriptive literature review methodology to collect secondary data. A data set of 150 articles were reviewed which dated from 1987 to 2024. Data sources identified were books, academic journals, academic papers, technical reports, theses, articles, and working papers from reputable academic databases such as Scopus, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ProQuest, Research Gate, Scientific Research Publishing and Wiley. The study revealed four main success factors in creating entrepreneurial universities - strategic, internal, environmental and external. The study underscored the need for resources, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial leadership and entrepreneurial culture in the creation of an entrepreneurial university. Moreover, flexible governance structure, enterprise support policies, role model and reward system, entrepreneurial architecture and collaborations with stakeholders were also highlighted as crucial for a successful transformation of public universities into entrepreneurial universities. The study further revealed that the transformation requires external support mechanisms from government, industry, and regional interventions. Consequently, creating an entrepreneurial university requires a collective effort between the university itself, government, industry and regional interventions. The implication is that public universities should forge partnerships and synergies with external stakeholders to transform into entrepreneurial universities. In light of the above, the study recommends the adoption of a quadruple helix model in creating entrepreneurial universities. Future research is recommended to fully evaluate the efficacy of the quadruple helix model in the development of an entrepreneurial university. The study contributes to the body of knowledge and global debates surrounding the creation of entrepreneurial universities.
Improved urban road network and small and medium enterprises’ financial performance: Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Maziku Petro , Fungo Ibrahim
Published: August 2024

This study assessed the impact of improved urban road network on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises focusing in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study employed a cross sectional research design where by a sample of 89 SMEs from the selected three wards in Dodoma city was used to draw the conclusion. Qualitative data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The key findings from the study include: i) accessible roads to customers toward SME were having positive influence to SMEs performance ii) market accessibility by customers and consumers was the key factor in improving SMEs financial performance in Dodoma city and lastly, an effective time management and improved transportation of goods and services were positive related to the amount of sales revenue generated by SMEs. The conclusion is drawn to improve the urban road networks as among of the key factors in improving the performance of SMEs in Dodoma city by increasing sales and profit. It is therefore recommended that, the government and other stakeholders in the construction sector should continue to improve urban road networks and start offering basic business and financial management skills which would enable SMEs owners to make informed investment decisions as well as enhance their entrepreneurial skills which will facilitate in recognizing and exploiting the available business opportunities.
E-service quality in m-Health applications: The moderating effect of gender and domicile area
Authors: Mayori Cindy , Radityo Putro Handrito
Published: August 2024

This study aims to investigate the effect of e-service quality (ESQ) in m-Health application on loyalty (LOY), focusing on the mediating customer satisfaction (SAT) and the moderating role of gender and domicile area on user loyalty. The study used quantitative research and the population of this study was m-Health application users with 260 respondents using the purposive sampling method. The analysis method used is PROCESS Macro Mediated Moderation Model 14 by SPSS 29. The results indicate that e-service quality positively and significantly affects user loyalty. Additionally, e-service quality has a positive and significant impact on consumer satisfaction and also the quality of consumer satisfaction has a positive and significant impact on loyalty. The study also found that customer satisfaction mediates the relationship of e-service quality on user loyalty. However, the demographic variables, gender, and domicile area were found have no impact on the relationship between consumer satisfaction and loyalty.
Determinant factors that impact Islamic social reporting: a study on Islamic Banking
Authors: Permatasari Dinda , Naelati Tubastuvi
Published: August 2024

This research aims to find out how sharia reporting is disclosed by sharia commercial banking using variable indicators such as liquidity, leverage, size of the sharia supervisory board, awards, and company size. This research was conducted on sharia banks registered with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Indonesia from 2017 to 2022. The method used in data collection was a purposive sampling method and a sample of 14 sharia banks registered with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) was obtained. The results show that the variables liquidity, rewards and company size have a positive and significant impact on the disclosure of Islamic Social Reporting, while the variables leverage and size of the sharia supervisory board have no effect on Islamic Social Reporting disclosure. The research concludes that to increase the impact of Islamic Social Reporting, companies need to increase current assets to maintain liquidity, obtain awards, and increase total assets as a company size. Therefore, disclosing Islamic Social Reporting at each institution is very important to attract public attention regarding the company's excellence and performance, and this disclosure can be beneficial for the company's future.
Chronostratigraphy of the Late Glacial Żabinko site (western Poland) and investigation
of the dose rate variability
Authors: Szymak Agnieszka , Moska Piotr , Sokołowski Robert Jan , Poręba Grzegorz , Tudyka Konrad
Published: August 2024

The Żabinko exposure (western Poland) reveals the classic fluvio-aeolian succession
known from studies in the European Sand Belt. Previous chronostratigraphic studies
were mainly based on uncalibrated radiocarbon dates from organic sediments and
thermoluminescence dating. The picture visible from these studies indicated a number
of discrepancies between these methods. The new research in this exposure was
based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and calibrated radiocarbon
dates. The results obtained indicate a general discrepancy between the results
achieved by these two methods. While the radiocarbon dates provide some meaningful
picture and allow correlation with previous studies, the results of OSL dating do not
allow for a chronological model of sedimentary processes. The OSL dates show large
inversions of the results and are clearly younger than the other dating results. Detailed
analysis of OSL measurements shows radioactive disequilibrium and variability linked
to differential stratification of sediments, significantly impacting the assessment of
environmental dose rates. We believe that this atypical variability is presumably the
result of postdepositional processes, such as changes in groundwater levels, chemical
weathering and radionuclide migration.
An Information System Design Development “OKE ANIMAL” for Animal Clinic DISNAKKAN Kabupaten Ciamis Using The Prototype Method
Authors: Silvia Ayu , Safitri Sisilia Thya
Published: August 2024

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the development and evaluation of an information system designed to streamline administrative record-keeping within the veterinary clinic of DISNAKKAN Ciamis. The observation phase, involving in-depth discussions with veterinary clinic staff, underscored the imperative need for an information system to enhance the management of patient data, medical records, and cirobis records. Significantly, this system is custom-tailored to accommodate the unique background of veterinary clinic officers, ensuring user-friendliness and swift adoption. The literature study buttressed the case for digital record-keeping, offering a compelling argument for minimizing data discrepancies through digital database recording. The prototype method was employed to guide the development process, commencing with extensive communication and quick planning. UML diagrams provided a roadmap for system functionality. The resulting prototype system, featuring login mechanisms, data entry forms, and data display components, was designed to elevate administrative efficiency. The deployment of the system and its usability assessment using the SUS method shed light on the user experience. This research marks a significant stride in enhancing administrative record management at the veterinary clinic of DISNAKKAN Ciamis, improved data management and record-keeping, while setting a valuable precedent for future system development in similar contexts.
Development of Science Education Game Base on Computer Vision for Primary School Student
Authors: Budiman Saiful Nur , Lestanti Sri , Rahmat Mohammad Farried , Nafis Mohamad
Published: August 2024

In this research, a discussion was carried out regarding the use of computer vision in educational games developed using the Python programming language and the Mediapipe library. Game applications must be able to capture hand movements and create hand landmark models. These landmarks are used to move the snake's head in the Snake Game and answer questions in the Virtual Quiz. The aim of this research is to develop interest and increase focus in elementary school students with educational games. An analysis was carried out on the results of the respondent's questionnaire to determine the impact of using educational games on students' interest in learning. It was found that 80% of these educational games helped students understand learning concepts. The games developed are also appropriate to the level and knowledge of skills, especially for grade 2 and 3 students with a percentage score of 60%. There are obstacles to the development of this educational game, namely 30% of respondents experiencing difficulties in using it. Sometimes hand movements cannot be captured properly, if the distance of the hand from the camera is too close or far.
Design of Monitoring System Gryllus Mitratus Cricket Cultivation Based Internet of Things
Authors: Nur Utomo Aulia Desy Aulia , Fajaruloh Wahyu
Published: August 2024

Crickets have various types, one of which is Gryllus Mitratus. Gryllus Mitratus crickets in Penolih village are cultivated by 16 cricket breeders, with individuals having at least 6 boxes with a size of 200 x 120 x 65 cm and a cage foot height of 25 cm. Cricket cultivation in Penolih village, Kaligondang sub-district, Purbalingga district, is still not optimal due to several factors, such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity, which are not suitable for crickets and cause stress and death. The temperature that crickets can accept is 20 o C to 32 o C, humidity is 65% to 80%, and light intensity is 0 lux. A tool is needed to monitor temperature conditions using DHT11, humidity using BME280, and light intensity using BH1750, which is installed in the cricket cage to determine its value and be followed up by cricket breeders. These sensors will send the input data to NodeMCU to be sent to the cloud so that it can be displayed in the Android application. The research method used is waterfall, namely the development of a systematic and sequential information system. Based on testing for 7 days, the average temperature of the cricket cage was 28.26 o C, the humidity of the cricket cage was 74.72%, and the light intensity of the cricket cage was 5.1 lux.
Analysis of User Satisfaction with the Cards Application Using the End User Computing Satisfaction Method
Authors: Eldita Xenaya Hawa , Safitri Sisilia Thya , Setyadi Resad
Published: August 2024

The rapid development of technology has significantly facilitated daily activities and brought about numerous changes in society. This swift technological advancement has had a profound impact on the development of payment systems in transactions. Various applications like CARDS have become well-known and widely utilized by many individuals to streamline their day-to-day transactions. CARDS application is also popular within school environments, making it easier for students and cooperative employees to conduct transactions for purchasing food, beverages, and other school necessities. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed regarding the use of the CARDS application. One of them is the lack of understanding among some parents in operating the application and loading credits. End User Computing Satisfaction can be used as a method to measure the level of satisfaction of a system application's users. This method compares user expectations with the reality provided by the application, thereby identifying how well the application meets user expectations. The research results will provide recommendations for improving the application, taking into account the End User Computing Satisfaction method.
Analysis of NSL-KDD for the Implementation of Machine Learning in Network Intrusion Detection System
Authors: Yuliana Yuliana , Supriyadi Dhoni Hanif , Fahlevi Mohammad Reza , Arisagas Muhamad Rifki
Published: August 2024

In the world of network data communication, anomaly detection is a crucial element in identifying abnormal behavior among the flowing data packets. Research in the field of intrusion detection often focuses on the search and analysis of anomalous patterns and the misuse of communication data. The research methodology in this study adopts CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) as the framework. The primary goal of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of classification techniques to identify normal and anomaly records within network data. For this purpose, a publicly available standard dataset, NSL-KDD, is used. The NSL-KDD dataset consists of 41 attributes with relevance, and the 42nd attribute is used to identify normal class and four attack classes. The results of the analysis using the NSL-KDD dataset, applying the CRISP-DM methodology and machine learning techniques in the Network Intrusion Detection System, reveal that the Decision Tree model has the highest accuracy, achieving 100% on the training data and 80% on the testing data. These findings are compared with the results of using other models such as Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and K-Nearest Neighbor. This discovery has significant implications for enhancing NIDS's ability to recognize network threats and improve network system security.
Constructing an Effective Field Theory to Recover MONDian Behaviour at Large Distances
Authors: Kumar Naman
Published: August 2024

In this letter, we construct an effective field theory of gravity at large distances. We obtain to the leading order for large distances: a cosmological constant term and a logarithmic term in addition to the usual General Relativistic terms. The novel logarithmic term has important implications in explaining phenomena such as flat galactic rotation curves and stronger gravitational lensing than predicted that are generally attributed to the presence of dark matter.
The Collatz Conjecture: A Resolution through Inverse Function Generative Completeness
Authors: Diedrich Eduardo
Published: August 2024

This article presents a novel resolution of the Collatz Conjecture, centered on the concept of Generative Completeness of the inverse Collatz function. We introduce and rigorously prove that for all N ∈ ℕ+, there exists a minimal generator mN = 1 such that all positive integers up to N can be generated through successive applications of the inverse Collatz function G. This key property, which we term "Generative Completeness", forms the cornerstone of our proof. Building upon this foundation, we establish several crucial results: The boundedness of all Collatz sequences The existence and uniqueness of cycles in Collatz sequences The nature of the unique cycle as {1, 4, 2} We then present three distinct approaches to resolving the Collatz Conjecture, all fundamentally rooted in the Generative Completeness property. These diverse methods not only prove the conjecture but also provide deep insights into the structure of Collatz sequences.
Comparative Analysis of the Health Status of Heart Transplant Patients with Different Levels of Physical Activity
Authors: Reguera Itziar Salas , Rodriguez Barbosa José-Ignacio , Federolf Peter A. , Santos Luis
Published: August 2024

The study´s goals were to determine the health status of a group of heart transplant recipients (HTR) and their level of physical activity and to compare the health status among them and with a group of healthy sedentary individuals. Fifty-four HTR and eighteen S were assigned to four groups, according to their level of physical activity (determined with The International Physical Activity Questionnaire); patients with a low, a moderate and a high level of physical activity (HTRL, HTRM and HTRH, respectively) and sedentary individuals (S). Participants underwent a basic blood analysis and several tests to assess their cardiovascular, neuromuscular, functional mobility condition and their quality of life. The S and HTRH were very similar in terms of BP, HR and blood analysis while HTRM and HTRL differed from both S and HTRH in these parameters. Regarding the cardiovascular, neuromuscular, functional mobility, and quality of life variables assessed in this study, HTRH showed the best results across all of them, followed by S, HTRM, and HTRL. It is suggested that the weekly level of physical activity of HTR should be high, what might help them to enhance their health and quality of life.
Evaluating Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks for Scientific Discovery: A Simple Yet Effective Approach
Authors: Sun Josh
Published: August 2024

Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (KAN) is an emerging interpretable neural network compared to fully black-box MLPs. Recently, emerging works focus on comprehensive and fair comparisons between KAN and MLP in various tasks. However, these works didn't focus on the strongest advantage of KAN: generating symbolic outputs. The ability of KAN to provide scientific insights or even discover new science is under-examined. In this work, we propose several novel metrics to measure how well a KAN performs on symbolic function fitting: R^2-Mean, weighted R^2-complexity loss, and ranking metrics. We also propose a metric to determine mathematical complexity of a target function and evaluate KAN with several functions of different mathematical complexity. Additionally, we also tried inputs with different ranges to find the effect of normalization.
Implementing AI-Driven Bed Sensors: Perspectives from Interdisciplinary Teams in Geriatric Care
Authors: Acosta Cromwell G. , Ye Yayan , Wong Karen Lok Yi , Zhao Yong , Lawrence Joanna , Towell Michelle , D'Oyley Heather , Mackay-Dunn Marion , Chow Bryan , Hung Lillian
Published: August 2024

Sleep is a crucial aspect of geriatric assessment for hospitalized older adults, and implementing AI-driven technology for sleep monitoring can significantly enhance the rehabilitation process. Sleepsense, an AI-driven sleep-tracking device, provides real-time data and insights, enabling healthcare professionals to tailor interventions and improve sleep quality. This study explores the perspectives of an interdisciplinary hospital team on implementing Sleepsense in geriatric hospital care. Using the Interpretive Descriptive approach, we conducted focus groups with physicians, nurses, care aides, and an activity worker. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) informed our thematic analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Among 27 healthcare staff, predominantly female (88.89%) and Asian (74.1%) and mostly aged 30-50 years, themes emerged that Sleepsense is perceived as a timesaving and data-driven tool that enhances patient monitoring and assessment. However, barriers such as resistance to change and concerns about trusting the device for patient comfort and safety were noted, while facilitators included training and staff engagement. The CFIR framework proved useful for analyzing implementation barriers and facilitators, suggesting future research should prioritize effective strategies for interdisciplinary team support to enhance innovation adoption and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the Adult Population in Bangladesh: A Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Bellal , Alam Md. Zakiul , Islam Md. Syful , Sultan Shafayat , Faysal Md. Mahir , Rima Sharmin , Hossain Md. Anwer , Mamun Abdullah Al
Published: August 2024

Background: The Government of Bangladesh is currently providing COVID-19 vaccines free of cost, but for a massive population, the free vaccination program’s sustainability is challenging. In this regard, assessing willingness to pay can help to explore vaccine pricing, subsidizing strategy, and vaccine demand. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors to ensure the sustainability of the vaccination program.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect data from 1497 respondents through online and face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and point-biserial correlation for descriptive statistical analysis, and multiple logistic regression analysis was also used to identify the factors associated with the dependent variable in the study.

Results: The prevalence of WTP towards a COVID-19 vaccine was 50.9 %, and mean and median WTP were respectively 754.55 BDT (US$ 8.93), 300 BDT (US$ 3.55). WTP of other religions was significantly higher than Muslims (aOR=1.5, P=0.037). WTP was also higher among Graduate (aOR=2.2, P=0.007), Masters & MPhil/PhD (aOR=2, P=0.030), higher family income group (aOR=1, P=0.039) and respondents with higher knowledge about the vaccine (aOR=1.1, P=0.003), behavioral practice (aOR=1.1, P< 0.001), higher subjective norms (aOR=1.2, P=0.009), higher anticipated regret (aOR=1.2, P=0.005) and higher perceived benefits from the vaccine (aOR=1.1, P=0.029). On the contrary, WTP is lower among respondents who had a higher negative attitude toward vaccines (aOR= 0.9, P
Long-Term Effects of Nitrogen and Tillage on Yields and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Irrigated Corn
Authors: Delgado Jorge A. , D'Adamo Robert E. , Villacis Alexis H. , Halvorson Ardell D. , Stewart Catherine E. , Floyd Bradley A. , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Manter Daniel K. , Alwang Jeffrey
Published: August 2024

By tonnage, corn (Zea Mays L.) is the #1 crop produced globally, and recent research has suggested that no-till (NT) systems can lead to reduced yields of this important crop. Additionally, there is a lack of long-term data about the effects of tillage and N management on cropping systems. Corn is the most nitrogen (N)-fertilized crop in the USA, and N losses to the environment contribute to significant impacts on air and water quality. We conducted long-term studies on conventionally tilled (CT), and conservation tillage systems such as strip tillage (ST) and NT, under different N rates. We found that immediately after conversion to NT, yields from NT were significantly lower than yields from CT (P<0.1), but after five years of NT, the NT yields were 1.5% higher than the CT yields (P<0.1). Initially, the NT yields were lower than the ST (P<0.01), but after seven years of NT, the NT yields were comparable to ST grain yields. Although the total aboveground N uptake with NT immediately after conversion to NT was lower than with CT and ST, these differences were not significant in the long run. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) with NT increased over time. The present work highlights the importance of long-term research for determining the cumulative impacts of best management practices such as NT. We found that NT becomes a more viable practice after five or seven years of implementation, demonstrating the high importance of long-term research.
Exceptional Strength-Ductility Combinations of a CoCrNi-Based Medium-Entropy Alloy via Short/Medium-Time Annealing after Hot-Rolling
Authors: Chen Yongan , Li Dazhao , Yan Zhijie , Bai Shaobin , Xie Ruofei , Sheng Jian , Zhang Jian , Li Shuai , Zhang Jinzhong
Published: August 2024

Strong yet ductile alloys have long been desired for industrial applications to enhance structural reliability. This work produced two (CoCrNi)93.5Al3Ti3C0.5 medium-entropy alloys with exceptional strength-ductility combinations, via short/medium (3 min/30 min)-time annealing after hot-rolling. Three types of intergranular precipitates including MC, M23C6 carbides, and L12 phase were detected in both the samples. Noticeably, the high density of intragranular L12 precipitates were only founded in the medium-time annealed sample but not in another one. Upon inspection of deformed substructure, it was revealed that the plane slip is the dominant deformation mechanism of both the alloys. This is related to the lower stacking fault energy, higher lattice friction induced by C solute, and slip plane softening caused by intragranular dense L12 precipitates. Additionally, we noted that the stacking fault and twinning act as the mediated mechanisms in deformation of the short-time annealed alloy, while only the former in the medium-time annealed one. It is attributed to the higher energy stacking faults and the increased critical twinning stress caused by intragranular dense L12 precipitates that inhibited the twinning tendency. Our present findings provide not only a guidance for optimizing the mechanical properties of high/medium-entropy alloys, but also a fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms.
Comparative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Causes behind the Unique Aroma Formation of Mulberries (Morus macroura L. cv. ‘BaiChang’)
Authors: Yang Chengchao , Yang Chengkun , Huang Jingjing , Yu Wengang , Wang Shuchang , Wu Huazhou
Published: August 2024

Mulberries is a type of fruit tree that is rich in nutrients and possesses both medicinal and dietary properties, deeply loved by consumers. The fragrance is a significant factor in the sensory quality of mulberries, playing a crucial role in consumer purchasing behavior. 'Baichang' mulberry is a unique variety of mulberry that emits a strong, creamy-like fragrance, which has enormous potential market value. However, the key metabolites and mechanisms responsible for the formation of this fragrance are still unclear. In this study, we utilized GC-MS technology and RNA-seq to examine the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and gene expression in 'Baichang' (Morus macroura) mulberries and 'Hongchang' (Morus laevigata) mulberries, the latter of which do not have a distinct fragrance. The results showed that 661 volatile metabolites were detected in both mulberry varieties. Most of these were found in higher relative amounts in the 'Baichang' mulberry variety, with 47 types being present only in the 'Baichang' mulberries, suggesting a rich composition of VOCs in the 'Baichang' mulberry. 312 metabolites were identified as differential metabolites; combining the sensory annotation information and relative content of VOCs, 70 candidate VOCs were annotated as related to the formation of 'sweet, waxy, coconut, and oily' sensations. They could potentially be the key metabolites contributing to the unique aroma of 'Baichang' mulberries. The relative odor activity value (rOAV) analysis revealed that 2(3H)-Furanone, 5-hexyldihydro- was the key VOC contributing to the formation of the special aroma of 'Baichang' mulberries. By RNA-seq, 19 key structural genes related to ester synthesis were identified, including AAT , ACX , ALDH, CYP, EHL, FAD, HPL, and LOX. The high expression of these structural genes in the "Baichang" mulberry fruit is the main reason for its unique creamy aroma. This study provides insights into the aroma differences among different kinds of mulberrie.
Identification of Risk Factors Linked to Diabetic Foot Ulcers from Multimodal Electronic Health Records and Transcriptomics Using Machine Learning
Authors: Flores Mario , Omo-Okhuasuyi Anita , Jin Yufang , Chen Yidong , ElHefnawi Mahmoud
Published: August 2024

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), often leading to hospitalization and non-traumatic amputations in the United States. It is particularly prevalent among individuals of Hispanic descent, with a prevalence rate exceeding 10% [1, 2]. The target of this study is to identify markers of severity of DFU. This work follows a strategy that uses first Electronic Health Records and machine learning to identify risk factors reported as measurements of blood tests, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and specific proteins in a cohort of thousands of patients. After this RNA risk factors are predicted using samples of bulk and single-cell gene expression across patients with different levels of DFU severity. We found the Albu-min/Creatinine Ratio (ACR) test as a key factor in severe DFUs. We also found a cluster of cells that harbor high expression of Apolipoprotein E protein (APOE) and it is significant in non-healing DFU cases. Overall, the study shows how the use of hundreds of thousands of EHR can reduce and inform the search space of molecules in a few samples of bulk-single cell transcriptomics and identify molecular markers of severity of DFU.
Roles of Mature Domain Targeting Signals for Protein Translocation and Secretion in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Hoang Mai Ngoc , Peterbauer Clemens
Published: August 2024

Lactococcus lactis is a potential bacterial cell factory to develop delivery systems for vaccines and therapeutic proteins. Large progress has been made in applications using engineered L. lactis against, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and cervical cancer, but improvement of secretion and cell anchoring efficacy is still desirable. A double-labelling method based on biarsenical hairpin binding and nickel-polyhistidine affinity was used for visualization of protein trafficking and quantification of targeted proteins on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm. To investigate the importance of mature domain targeting signals (MTSs), we generated truncated constructs encoding 126, 66, and 26 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of the basic membrane protein A (BmpA) and fused those with the gene for the human papillomavirus serotype 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein. Overexpression of fusion proteins was observed to come at a cost of cell proliferation. L. lactis cells produced and displayed the shortest fusion protein only with difficulty, suggesting that the entire absence of a homologous sequence containing MTSs significantly impedes export and surface anchoring of fusion proteins. With 40 amino acids following the signal peptide and containing one MTS, effective translocation was possible. Mutations of MTSs towards increased hydrophobicity resulted in an increase of secreted and surface-displayed fusion protein, suggesting the potential to design rationally improved constructs.
Photocatalytic Ammonia Decomposition Using Dye-Encapsulated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Tajima Tomoyuki , Yano Kotone , Mukai Kazushi , Takaguchi Yutaka
Published: August 2024

Photocatalytic ammonia decomposition to produce N2 and H2 was achieved using single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanohybrids. Physical modification of ferrocene-dye-encapsulated CNTs by amphiphilic C60-dendron yielded nanohybrids with a dye/CNT/C60 coaxial heterojunction. Upon visible light irradiation, an aqueous solution of NH3 and dye@CNT/C60-dendron nanohybrids produced both N2 and H2 in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:3. Action spectra of this reaction clearly demonstrated that the encapsulated dye acted as the photosensitizer, with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 0.22% at 510 nm (the λmax of the dye). This study presents the first example of dye-sensitized ammonia decomposition and offers a new avenue for developing efficient and sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen production systems.
Feasibility of Emergency Flood Traffic Road Damage Assessment by Integrating Remote Sensing Images and Social Media Information
Authors: Zhu Hong , Meng Jian , Yao Jiaqi , Xu Nan
Published: August 2024

In the context of global climate change, the frequency of sudden natural disasters is increasing. Assessing traffic road damage post-disaster is crucial for emergency decision-making and disaster management. Traditional ground observation methods for evaluating traffic road damage are limited by the timeliness and coverage of data updates. Relying solely on these methods does not adequately support rapid assessment and emergency management during extreme natural disasters. Social media, a major source of big data, can effectively address these limitations by providing more timely and comprehensive disaster information. Motivated by this, we utilized multi-source heterogeneous data to assess the damage to traffic roads under extreme conditions and established a new framework for evaluating traffic roads in cities prone to flood disasters caused by rainstorms. The approach involves several steps: First, extracting the surface area affected by precipitation using a threshold method constrained by confidence intervals derived from microwave remote sensing images; Second, collecting disaster information from the Sina Weibo platform, where social media information is screened and cleaned. A quantification table for road traffic loss assessment was defined, and a social media disaster information classification model combining text convolutional neural networks and attention mechanisms was proposed (TextCNN-Attention Disaster Classification); Finally, matching traffic road information on social media with basic geographic data, visualizing the classification of traffic road disaster risk levels, and completing the assessment of traffic road disaster levels based on multi-source heterogeneous data. Using the "7.20" rainstorm event in Henan Province as an example, this study categorizes the disaster impact on traffic roads into five levels: particularly severe, severe, moderate, mild, and affected, as interpreted from remote sensing images. The evaluation framework for flood disaster traffic roads based on multi-source heterogeneous data provides important data support and methodological support for enhancing disaster management capabilities and systems.
Power Distance and Indulgence Are Positively and Negatively Correlated with Ageism, Respectively: Evidence from 31 Countries
Authors: Kokubun Keisuke
Published: August 2024

As the aging of the world accelerates, clarifying the relationship between cultural differences and ageism is an urgent issue. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a correlation analysis between the six cultural scales of Hofstede et al. [1] and the objective and subjective ageism scales calculated from data on 35,232 people from 31 countries included in the World Values Survey Wave 6 by Inglehart et al. [2]. The results of a partial correlation analysis controlling for economic and demographic factors showed that power distance (PDI) and indulgence versus restraint (IVR) are positively and negatively correlated with ageism, respectively. This is the first study to show that these two cultural scales that previous studies have not paid much attention to are related to ageism.
Dynamic Calculation Approach of the Collision Risk in Complex Navigable Water
Authors: Chen YiHan , Yu Qing , Wang WeiQiang , Wu Xiaolie
Published: August 2024

It is vital to analyze ship collision risk for preventing collisions and improving safety at sea. This paper takes Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, a typical complex navigable water, as the research object, propose a probabilistic conflict detection method to estimate the potential collision risk by using a dynamic domain model driven by AIS data. Combined with the algorithm of fast modularity optimization and spectral clustering, a ship group extraction method from the perspective of water navigation management was proposed. Aiming at ship traffic characteristics in complex navigable waters, conduct dynamic calculation of ship collision risk from individual, regional and local multi-scale perspectives. The results show that the proposed method can detect the collision risk in a timely, reliable and effective manner under complex dynamic conditions. As such, they provide valuable insights for ship collision risk prediction and the development of risk mitigation measures.