bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Adsorptive Capacity of Gutta Percha Leaf
Authors: GOJEH MARY , PATRICK OPHELIA , MAHMUD MARYAM , ALHASSAN ISHAYA , OBED BOGNET , AJI REBECCA , ABDULRAZAK KHAIRAT
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND: Gutta-percha leaf, a natural material derived from the gutta tree, has gained attention for its adsorptive capacity in various applications. Gutta-percha leaf is a natural material with unique properties that make it suitable for multiple applications, including its adsorptive capacity. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the characterization and adsorptive capacity of the gutta-percha leaf. Characterization involves analyzing the material’s physical, chemical, and structural properties to understand its composition and behavior. The adsorptive capacity revealed the ability of the gutta-percha leaf to attract and retain molecules on its surface through physical interactions. METHODS: This study focuses on the characterization of gutta-percha leaf using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. SEM imaging and FTIR analysis were utilized to investigate the surface morphology, thermal stability and chemical composition of gutta-percha leaf at the microscale level. A parametric study was conducted to analyse the effects of temperature, contact time, concentration, pH, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorptive capacity of gutta-percha leaf. RESULTS: The analysis revealed valuable insights into the physical, chemical, and structural properties of gutta-percha leaf, shedding light on its composition and behaviour. The adsorptive capacity of gutta-percha leaf was also demonstrated through its ability to attract and retain molecules on its surface. The results revealed insights into the surface morphology, thermal stability, chemical composition, crystalline structure, and adsorptive capacity of gutta-percha leaf under varying experimental conditions. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the potential of gutta-percha leaf as an effective adsorbent in various applications due to its unique properties and adsorptive capacity. This study enhances the understanding of gutta-percha leaf’s characterization and adsorptive capacity, suggesting its potential for diverse environmental and industrial applications.
Managing Remote Direct Reports: Keys to Leading With Trust and Accountability
Authors: Westover Jonathan
Published: November 2024

This article explores research-backed principles for effectively leading remote teams. As employee expectations and work styles have evolved with technological change and the COVID-19 pandemic, managing virtual employees presents unique challenges compared to in-office teams. Remote management requires a shift from traditional top-down styles to building trust through clear and frequent communication, transparent expectations, and mutual understanding. The article outlines specific strategies for maintaining personal connections from afar, including regularly scheduled one-on-ones, proactive status checks, bilateral feedback loops, and virtual social events. It also stresses the importance of objective metrics, detailed project briefs, and constructive performance reviews to ensure accountability. Overall, the article argues that adopting best practices for open communication, personal presence, and performance management can empower high-performing remote teams.
Literature Review of Digital Protection of Material Cultural Heritage
Authors: Wen Kangshu
Published: November 2024

From the perspective of the protection and inheritance of digital technology in material cultural heritage, this paper analyses the distribution characteristics of the application of digital technology in material cultural heritage in China, combines the protection results of digital material cultural heritage in different stages with the innovation of digital technology, and then integrates it with the inheritance of digital technology in material cultural heritage. However, at present, the digital inheritance of cultural heritage in many places has not reached reasonable technical expectations. Moreover, its cultural sites also face the dilemma of damage caused by various factors and not being repaired in time, as well as a lack of protection consciousness. On this basis, this paper aims to systematically grasp the application status of digitization in the protection of cultural heritage in China, study the shortcomings in the process of digital promotion in China, and propose corresponding improvement measures.
Predictive Modelling of Crop Rotation Using Data Mining Approaches
Authors: Ibrahim Abdallah Hageltoum  , Esraa Kamal Abdallah  , Mahmoud I Alfeel  , Salwa Awad Abbas
Published: November 2024

Agriculture is crucial for economic growth and food security, particularly in agro-based countries. As the global population grows, the demand for food increases, necessitating improvements in agricultural productivity. Traditional methods have often fallen short, and innovative approaches such as data mining and machine learning are needed. This research aims to develop a predictive model for crop rotation using machine learning techniques. A comprehensive dataset was collected and preprocessed to train various algorithms. The proposed model demonstrated that machine learning could effectively predict suitable crops for cultivation, thereby enhancing crop yield and sustainability. The evaluation results were promising, with the Random Forest model achieving a precision of 0.67 to 1.00, recall of 0.43 to 1.00, and F1-score of 0.60 to 1.00; the Decision Tree model had a precision of 0.50 to 1.00, recall of 0.43 to 1.00, and F1-score of 0.50 to 1.00; and the K-Neighbors Classifier model showed precision of 0.40 to 1.00, recall of 0.43 to 1.00, and F1-score of 0.50 to 1.00.
Combatting Cybersecurity Threats on Social Media: Network Protection and Data Integrity Strategies
Authors: Ashraf jalal yousef Zaidieh
Published: November 2024

The rise of social media has transformed global communication, but it has also introduced significant cybersecurity threats, including identity theft, phishing, malware distribution, and data breaches. These challenges not only compromise individual users but also pose risks to businesses and governments. This research explores the prevalent cybersecurity threats on social media and proposes an integrated framework to enhance network protection and data integrity. The framework combines both technical solutions such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and AI-based threat detection and non-technical strategies like user education, platform policies, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders. By synthesizing findings from a comprehensive literature review, this study identifies the most common cyber threats and assesses their impacts on users, businesses, and society at large. The research highlights the importance of proactive measures, including real-time monitoring, secure data practices, and user behavior modification, to mitigate these risks. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for greater collaboration between platform providers, governments, and users to create a safer digital environment. The proposed framework is flexible and applicable across various social media platforms, providing a holistic approach to combatting evolving cyber threats. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on social media cybersecurity, offering practical recommendations for improving security and maintaining the integrity of online networks.
O papel do Ensino Superior no quadro do Desenvolvimento em Moçambique
Authors: De Moçambique Universidade Católica
Published: November 2024

O presente artigo procura apresentar alguns elementos reflexivos em torno do papel do Ensino Superior em Moçambique no quadro do Desenvolvimento social das comunidades locais. Na realidade, falar de desenvolvimento não é uma tarefa fácil, uma vez que estamos perante uma polissemia de significados, dependendo da perspectiva defendida. O olhar que privilegiamos, neste texto, pretende enfatizar o papel da produção de conhecimento científico nas universidades e o modo como ele é utilizado do ponto de vista social e no contexto das comunidades locais, onde as universidades exercem a sua actividade formativa, científica e de extensão comunitária. O desafio do ensino superior inscreve-se, neste sentido, no exercício da responsabilidade educativa e social do capital científico produzido e das implicações sociais que este pode gerar na procura de soluções sociais que respondam aos desafios de um desenvolvimento social sustentado. Por conseguinte, importa que as instituições do ensino superior, em Moçambique, procurem investir na produção de conhecimento científico útil e gerador de ferramentas cognitivas que estejam ao alcance de todos os cidadãos, de modo a potenciarmos literacias inclusivas.
As Mulheres e o Desenvolvimento Humano
Authors: De Moçambique Universidade Católica
Published: November 2024

As Mulheres e o Desenvolvimento Humano
Google Earth como Ferramenta Didáctica - Um estudo de caso numa Escola Secundária
Authors: De Moçambique Universidade Católica
Published: November 2024

Um Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) é uma ferramenta que permite reunir, armazenar, manipular e representar informação referenciada geograficamente a partir da combinação do hardware, software, dados, métodos e recursos humanos que operam de forma coerente para produzir e analisar informações geográficas Melo et. al., 2006; Camara (1994) citado por (Gomes, 2006). Actualmente, constitui-se como uma ferramenta essencial para o uso efectivo da informação geográfica, informação que se assume como ponto de partida para compreender o mundo em que vivemos, estando presente no programa de muitas disciplinas, dentre as quais a disciplina de Geografia. O presente estudo tem por objectivo analisar o método de ensino actual na disciplina de Geografia e propor novas abordagens na leccionação com recurso ao uso de tecnologias geo-espaciais, as quais apresentam um enorme potencial didáctico. O estudo abarcou o método qualitativo e quantitativo. Os alunos divididos em dois grupos foram submetidos a uma actividade que tinha como tarefa analisar espacialmente alguns locais e fazer interpretação de gráficos usando os dois métodos (actual e o proposto). Depois da actividade foram submetidos a um questionário tendo-se os resultados mostrado favoráveis à integração de tecnologia geo-espacial em sala aulas.
A Geographic Information System (SIG) is a tool that allows collection, storage, manipulation, and representation of geographically referenced information through a combination of hardware and software, methods, data and human resources that operates in a coherent way to produce and analyze geographical information Melo et. al., 2006; Camara (1994) citado por (Gomes, 2006).In our days, it's a fundamental tool to treat effectively geographic information, information that's very important and crucial to understand the world that we live, it is incorporated in a curriculum of many subjects, like Geography.This study aims to analyze the current method of teaching in the discipline of Geography and propose new approaches in teaching using the use of geospatial technology, which presents an enormous educational potential. The study encompassed qualitative and quantitative methods.The students divided into two groups underwent an activity that had the task to spatially analyze and do some local interpretation of graphs using the two methods (current and proposed). After the activity the students answered a questionnaire and the results showed favorable to the integration of geospatial technology in classroom lessons.
Dominance of the Ruling Party and the Turmoil of the opposition in Mozambique
Authors: De Moçambique Universidade Católica
Published: November 2024

Mozambique is one of the African countries which embraced democratisation in the 1990s.  Following a civil war the two belligerent forces in the country embraced a multiparty system as part of the peace agreement signed in 1992.  The political landscape has been dominated since 1994 by the two  political parties (FRELIMO and RENAMO)which were enemies during 14 years of civil war.  The current evaluation of democracy in Mozambique indicates that it fulfils the criteria of a hybrid regime (Diamond, 1999). The procedural rules of democracy exist and there is a relatively strong and free media. Within the theories of democracy some authors have expressed that in order to be a full democracy the country must have political rotation or at least for the fear of uncertainty to exist regarding the dominant party (Przeworski, 1991; Diamond, 1999), meaning that the rulers have fear of accountability to their electorate’ on the day of the polls. For now, it seems that this condition doesn’t exist. As long as democratisation is not successfully entrenched, party dominance alone is not culpable, the opposition holds a significant responsibility in this ongoing process.  Division within the opposition and difficulty to adapt from a rebellion movement to a political party made the main opposition party increasingly fragile. In the last five years a new party was created and has been perceived as a promising opposition, but due to its novelty and within the context of dominance of the ruling party alongside hostility from the main opposition party, it would require time to build up as a credible threat to the ruling party. In the meantime, it therefore seems that the country will remain a multiparty regime with a dominant ruling party.  Are the authors who defended the definition of democracy exist only once a country has been through a power transfer correct in their assertion or is this theory inadequate to some of the democratisation processes?  A comprehensive reply to this question will require more comparative cases and to follow the evolution of the case itself. But for now it is important to recognise that if there is an incomplete democratisation then the ruling party is not solely liable - the opposition also needs to be held responsible for this dominance through its own counter-productive actions.
Aproximación a la arqueología de la arquitectura de las casas haciendas de Lima norte
Authors: Arciga Soto Rolando
Published: November 2024

A través de la arqueología de la arquitectura aplicada a las casas haciendas de Lima Norte, se tratará de conocer su proceso de secuencia constructiva por el cual han pasado estas edificaciones históricas. La arqueología de la arquitectura aplica el concepto de capas estratigráficas a los paramentos de un muro, por lo cual se puede identificar su secuencia. En Lima Norte en lo que respecta a la casas haciendas para la aplicación de este estudio se tiene el problema que estas presentaban originalmente enlucido en sus muros, cubriendo sus paramentos y no pudiendo identificar su secuencia. Pero en algunos casos debido al avance del deterioro, estas construcciones han dejado expuestas una parte significativa de sus muros y siendo apreciables los paramentos. En los casos que se encuentren cubiertos sus paramentos de enlucido se recomienda la realización de calas en los muros. La investigación ha arrojado como resultado la existencia de casas haciendas construidas sobre sitios prehispánicos, o de otras con una larga secuencia que abarca desde la época de la Colonia a la República.
El rol político-administrativo e ideológico del Qhapaq Ñan tramo Tumbes durante el Horizonte Tardío
Authors: Mackie Soriano Félix Fernando
Published: November 2024

Este artículo expone el resultado del trabajo de prospección y excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en distintas secciones del Tramo del Camino Inca en Tumbes. La extensión estudiada fue de 102.4 km, la misma que nos da mayores alcances acerca del rol que jugó esta extraordinaria red caminera durante el Horizonte Tardío.Este estudio del Camino Inca de la Costa, en la Región Tumbes, ha permitido no sólo reconocer la ruta principal que fue utilizada por el Tahuantinsuyo durante el Horizonte Tardío; sino comprender que la misma fue planificada para unir espacios; así como acceder al control del tráfico y circulación de bienes suntuarios, arrojando mayores indicios de las estrategias político-administrativas e ideológicas que desarrolló el incario en su afán de integrar a los nuevos pueblos conquistados.
Arquitectura, organización espacial interna y mobiliario de un depósito de alimentos (qollqa) en el sitio inca de Wata en el Cusco
Authors: Zapata R. M. Julinho
Published: November 2024

El presente describe detalladamente el sitio arqueológico de Wata, ubicado en el distrito de Huarocondo, provincia de Anta, Cusco, mencionando la arquitectura, organización espacial interna y mobiliario de una edificación construida por los Incas para utilizarse como depósito de alimentos. La relevancia en los vestigios arquitectónicos de esta estructura, es que aún son observables las huellas de los detalles del mobiliario que colocaron en el interior del edificio, a pesar de su destrucción en el transcurso del tiempo y de excavaciones clandestinas, aun son perceptibles sobre la superficie del piso y en los paños interiores de los muros, constituyéndose en caso único de la arquitectura inca y cusqueña donde es posible reconstruir la organización espacial interna de un depósito (qollqa) Inca con evidencias concretas de su moblaje
Enigmas del Cusco bajo tierra: Mantas
Authors: Apaza Huamani John , Bolívar Yapura Wilber , Porroa Choquehuanca Magaly , Dalen Luna Pieter van
Published: November 2024

La dinámica del tiempo genera movimientos y cambios sociales, cada comportamiento en una determinada temporalidad y espacio, configuran cambios y desarrollos en todos los aspectos, las urbes o los asentamientos muestran una estratigrafía de esos procesos históricos ya sean en superficie o por debajo de esta.Los rasgos y evidencias de construcciones de cada pasado muestran un relato de la historia en las etapas desde su fundación, estos vestigios muestran también la historia de su declive y su olvido en el tiempo; entonces son las sociedades modernas que en su afán de conocer su pasado intentan entender cómo se inició, desarrolló y hasta como decayó, para dar paso al nuevo desarrollo de una sociedad moderna, que en el tiempo seguirá el mismo proceso ondulante de la historia. La sociedad andina es una muestra de desarrollos culturales que pasaron por esta sinuosidad histórica; y una de las más predominantes fueron los Inka que dominaron el vasto territorio del Tawantisuyo con tecnologías que aún están en estudio para su comprensión. El Cusco fue entonces el centro de ese mundo andino Inka y este reflejaría todo el ingenio social, político, religioso, administrativo y tecnológico bajo parámetros de un concepto urbano-constructivo ¿cuánto entendemos de esto ahora?
Request for information on the activities of the authorities: is there a need for separate regulation?
Authors: Rukoleev Vitalii Aleksandrovich , Savoskin Aleksandr Vladimirovich
Published: November 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the information request, its relationship with the traditional types of appeals. In particular, on the pages of this work, a comprehensive comparison of the request for information with the application is carried out, the place of the request for information is determined, its role in the existing system of citizens' appeals. The authors have made an attempt to understand the reasons for the existence of special regulation of information requests. The topic is relevant due to the fact that currently law enforcement practice indicates the lack of demand among the general population for such a type of appeal as a request for information, unlike traditional types of appeals. The chosen research topic has received great relevance due to the presence in the vast legal literature of a dispute about the need to unify the legal regulation of public relations related to the realization of the right to appeal and the right to information. The article reflects the positions "for" and "against" the elimination of largely duplicative legal norms. The subject of the study is the provisions of normative legal acts in the field of regulating the types of appeals, their submission and consideration in the exercise by citizens of the constitutional right to both appeal and information. Methodological basis of the research: to solve all the tasks set, general scientific and special legal methods were used, among which general logical methods of cognition (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization), a systematic method, as well as a formal legal method can be distinguished. The scientific novelty of the study is due to the fact that it shows the current state of the normative consolidation of the institute of information request. According to the results of the study, the authors proposed to abandon the irrational accumulation of the legal array and exclude the norms on information requests from the Federal Law "On Ensuring Access to Information on the Activities of State Bodies and Local Governments" and the Federal Law "On Ensuring Access to Information on the Activities of Courts in the Russian Federation". In their opinion, the specifics of dealing with such appeals can be reflected in the Federal Law "On the procedure for considering appeals from Citizens of the Russian Federation." However, it is important to maintain a balance between the interests of the authorities and the rights of citizens to appeal and information in order to prevent unjustified restrictions on these rights.
The potential of visual culture in modern studies of ethnocultural identity
Authors: Afanasevskaia Natalia Vladimirovna
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this study is to identify the potential of visual culture in contemporary studies of ethnocultural identity. The author examines in detail visual images, which he considers not only as ways of representation of ethnocultural identity, but also as important mechanisms of its construction. At the same time, the potential of the so-called images of identity becomes especially important due to the fact that visual images play an increasingly important role in the modern globalized world. Understanding and using their potential becomes a key aspect in the study of ethnocultural identity today, when visual culture is a powerful tool for understanding how images reflect sociocultural realities and how they interact with a wide range of social and cultural processes, and the study of ethnocultural identity becomes especially relevant in the light of globalization and digitalization of modern society. The author uses visual studies as the main research methodology, where the unit of research is the image as a carrier of meanings and an active participant of sociocultural processes. The main conclusions of this study are the following: visual culture is a dynamic space where visual practices and images not only reflect, but also actively shape ethnocultural identity, contributing to the critical rethinking of cultural interactions. Images of ethnocultural identity may include not only signs and symbols that are decipherable when perceived by a representative of a particular ethnocultural group, but also meanings that have a special potential hidden in visual images. Images of ethnocultural identity create a unique visual impression that reflects and shapes the values and traditions of a certain ethnocultural group. The study of the role of the visual in the context of identity allows us to conclude that visual images play a key role in its research to date.
Parallel mechanisms signal a hierarchy of sequence structure violations in the auditory cortex
Authors: Jamali Sara , Bagur Sophie , Brémont Enora , Van Kerkoerle Timo , Dehaene Stanislas , Bathellier Brice
Published: November 2024

The brain predicts regularities in sensory inputs at multiple complexity levels, with neuronal mechanisms that remain elusive. Here, we monitored auditory cortex activity during the local-global paradigm, a protocol nesting different regularity levels in sound sequences. We observed that mice encode local predictions based on stimulus occurrence and stimulus transition probabilities, because auditory responses are boosted upon prediction violation. This boosting was due to both short-term adaptation and an adaptation-independent surprise mechanism resisting anesthesia. In parallel, and only in wakefulness, VIP interneurons responded to the omission of the locally expected sound repeat at sequence ending, thus providing a chunking signal potentially useful for establishing global sequence structure. When this global structure was violated, by either shortening the sequence or ending it with a locally expected but globally unexpected sound transition, activity slightly increased in VIP and PV neurons respectively. Hence, distinct cellular mechanisms predict different regularity levels in sound sequences.
Adaptive learning algorithm based price prediction model for auction lots—deep clustering based interval quoting
Authors: Ke Da , Fan Xianhua , Asif Muhammad
Published: November 2024

This article addresses the problem of interval pricing for auction items by constructing an auction item price prediction model based on an adaptive learning algorithm. Firstly, considering the confusing class characteristics of auction item prices, a dynamic inter-class distance adaptive learning model is developed to identify confusing classes by calculating the differences in prediction values across multiple classifiers for target domain samples. The difference in the predicted values of the target domain samples on multiple classifiers is used to calculate the classification distance, distinguish the confusing classes, and make the similar samples in the target domain more clustered. Secondly, a deep clustering algorithm is constructed, which integrates the temporal characteristics and numerical differences of auction item prices, using DTW-K-medoids based dynamic time warping (DTW) and fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithms for fine clustering. Finally, the KF-LSTM auction item interval price prediction model is constructed using long short-term memory (LSTM) and dual clustering. Experimental results show that the proposed KF-LSTM model significantly improves the prediction accuracy of auction item prices during fluctuation periods, with an average accuracy rate of 90.23% and an average MAPE of only 5.41%. Additionally, under confidence levels of 80%, 85%, and 90%, the KF-LSTM model achieves an interval coverage rate of over 85% for actual auction item prices, significantly enhancing the accuracy of auction item price predictions. This experiment demonstrates the stability and accuracy of the proposed model when applied to different sets of auction items, providing a valuable reference for research in the auction item price prediction field.
Spatiotemporal variations of atmospheric black carbon concentration and its correlation with meteorological and environmental factors in Xinjiang, China, from 2010 to 2022
Authors: Xie Xiang , Zhao Zhujun , Li Shuting , Lu Zhongqi , Chen Lijuan , Cai Jiangjiang
Published: November 2024

Black carbon (BC) is a pollutant produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass fuels, which has a huge impact on regional climate, atmospheric environment, and human health. In this study, based on MERRA-2 reanalysis data and ground-based observation data, the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and random forest (RF) model were used to explore the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of atmospheric BC concentration in Xinjiang, China and its correlation with meteorological and environmental covariates in 2010–2022. The results showed that the use of MERRA-2 reanalysis data to explore the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of BC concentration in Xinjiang had high reliability (relative average deviation (RAD) = 0.65). From 2010 to 2022, the annual average concentration of atmospheric BC in Xinjiang was 195.40 ± 15.55 ng/m3, and the multi-year average change rate was −0.05%. The winter season had the highest atmospheric BC concentration (145.52 ± 39.31 ng/m3), followed by autumn (124.95 ± 28.82 ng/m3), spring (74.05 ± 9.96 ng/m3), and summer (73.41 ± 5.69 ng/m3). The atmospheric BC concentration had a significant spatial variation, showing two high-BC-concentration areas on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains (centered on Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi region) and the urban agglomeration around the Tarim Basin (centered on Kashgar). The RF model analysis showed that meteorological factors including snow depth, surface temperature, and humidity as well as environmental factors including NO2, PM10, and SO2 were the main factors affecting the BC concentration. This work is of great significance for clarifying the accumulation and spatial distribution characteristics of atmospheric BC in northwest China and the factors influencing the atmospheric BC concentration, and helps to raise public attention to the increasingly serious climate change and public health problems caused by BC.
Vanishing Paddies: Tracing the Transformation of Rice Cultivation in Kerala, India
Authors: Prasad Amal , Kuruvila Anil
Published: November 2024

The study of rice cultivation in Kerala from 1957-58 to 2022-23 reveals a significant decline in the area under cultivation, dropping from 7.66 lakh ha to 1.91 lakh ha, driven by factors such as land conversion for non-agricultural purposes, labour shortages, and a shift to more profitable crops like rubber and coconut. Despite a notable increase in productivity from 1,188 kg/ha to 3,108 kg/ha, these gains were insufficient to offset the decline in area, leading to an overall reduction in production. Government interventions, including the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of 2008, slowed the decline, but the trend persisted. The data for this study was collected from various government publications of the Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala. The analysis employed several statistical tools, including structural break analysis, compound annual growth rates, the Cuddy-Della Valle instability index, and decomposition analysis, to examine the trends, stability, and factors affecting rice cultivation in Kerala. A district-wise analysis revealed notable regional disparities, with Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad experiencing the most significant declines in terms of the loss in total area under rice cultivation. Period-wise, the most severe reduction occurred during Period III (1996-97 to 2006-07), while Period IV (2007-08 to 2022-23) saw a more moderate decline due to policy efforts. Moving forward, policies need to focus on better land-use management, protection of paddy fields and wetlands, and economic incentives to sustain rice farming in Kerala.
Institute Culture and Renewing Power of Teachers in Public Elementary Schools
Authors: Quibo Agosta I. , Baguio Josephine B.
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the relationship between institute culture and renewing power among public elementary school teachers in Manay District, Davao Oriental. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, utilizing a survey questionnaire administered to 131 teachers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that public elementary school teachers in Manay District generally exhibited moderate levels of institute culture and renewing power. While both constructs were frequently manifested, areas such as narrow-mindedness, accountability, and carefulness required further attention. A significant positive correlation was found between institute culture and renewing power, suggesting that a strong institute culture can positively influence teachers' capacity for renewal. Regression analysis indicated that institute culture significantly predicted teachers' renewing power. These results highlight the importance of fostering a collaborative and positive school environment to enhance teachers' ability to adapt, innovate, and empower students. Based on these findings, it is recommended that school leaders prioritize strategies to strengthen institute culture, particularly in areas identified as needing improvement. By providing opportunities for professional development, promoting open communication, and recognizing and rewarding teacher contributions, schools can cultivate a more supportive and empowering environment that ultimately benefits both teachers and students.
Soil Insect Pests of Potato in Rainfed Upland Situation of Biswanath, Assam, India
Authors: Dutta Jamini Kumar , Borah Nirmali , Bora Birinchi Kumar , Rajkumari Prarthna
Published: November 2024

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm for PG research, Biswanath College of Agriculture, Biswanath, Assam Agricultural University, to investigate the various soil insect pests of potato. During this experiment, four insect pests from three different orders and four families were recorded as soil insect pests of potato.
The Global Burden and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in Adolescent and Young Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ojukwu Victoria Ezinne , Ndoh Christiana Ugonma , Okolo Doncollins , Jegede Anuoluwapo Oluwaseun , Okobi Okelue Edwards , Aniekwe Chioma Esther , Aboyeji Ademola , Odozi Mary I. , Olaniyi Mary
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), mainly stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD) remain the leading and major causes of mortality in addition to being the key contributors to disabilities. The objective of this systematic review entails the evaluation of the global burden and the risk factors associated with CVDs in adolescents and young adults. To attain this objective, the study will examine the various underlying causes of CVD mortality and the associated risk factors.
Methodology: The study entailed an in-depth search of various online databases for original studies focusing on the global burden of CVDs and risk factors in adolescents and young adults. The search was conducted on databases that included Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The identified studies were subjected to evaluation and screening, and the selection of the apt studies was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 15 studies were selected and included in this systematic review
Results: CVD prevalence and incidence rates in adolescents and young adults are highest in low and low-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) nations, despite the CVD burden progressively increasing in high and high-middle SDI countries. Male adolescents and young adults have the highest prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY), and mortality rates for endocarditis, even as females aged 30 to 39 years have the highest atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter-related DALY and mortality rates.
Conclusion: The global CVD burden in adolescents and young adults remains a major global health challenge. Therefore, it is important that factors that include disparities observed in the SDI levels amongst the nations, age and gender attributes of the populaces, the primary CVD types, and the various attributable risk factors are taken into consideration during the formulation and execution of prevention strategies and interventions.
An Evaluation of Synergy between Consumption of Dairy Products and Yoga for Improved Digestive Health
Authors: Modi Zeel , Patel Binjan K. , Gurjar Mahendra D.
Published: November 2024

This article explores the interconnected roles of yoga and dairy in promoting digestive health across various life stages, emphasizing their potential to enhance overall well-being. By investigating the unique digestive challenges faced by children, teenagers, adults, middle-aged individuals, and seniors, the research identifies specific yoga practices and dairy consumption strategies tailored to each age group. The findings reveal that for children Simple poses like Balasana (Child's Pose) and Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose) can promote gut mobility and Ghee and probiotic dairy products are suggested, For teenagers Yoga poses like Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half-Spinal Twist) and Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) can aid digestion, relieve stress, and balance hormones and Dairy, such as milk and cheese, can be crucial for the calcium and protein needs of growing bodies can be suggested. Further for Adults the more advanced digestive-friendly poses like Naukasana (Boat Pose) and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) to stimulate digestion and Dairy products like kefir, probiotic yogurt, and certain types of cheese can balance gut flora, aiding digestion can be suggested. For seniors (60+) Gentle restorative yoga and seated poses such as Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose) can stimulate digestion and aid gut health and easy-to-digest dairy products like yogurt or cottage cheese for calcium and protein intake can be suggested. Overall it can be concluded that the synergy between yoga and dairy not only helps alleviate common digestive issues but also improves nutrient absorption and supports holistic health. This comprehensive analysis offers practical insights and age-specific recommendations, serving as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to optimize their digestive health throughout their lifespan. By integrating these two approaches, individuals can foster better digestive function and overall wellness, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices in maintaining health across all ages.
Enteroparasitism among School Children in a Coastal Community of Chorkor, Accra-Ghana: An Urgent Need for Improved Sanitation and Public Health Education
Authors: Anim-Baidoo Isaac , Richard Odonkor Kwame , Forson Akua Obeng , Owusu Enid , Olu-Taiwo Michael , Sampene-Donkor Eric
Published: November 2024

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among school children are important public health problem, especially in developing countries like Ghana, but information on prevalence in coastal communities remains scanty. Monitoring of IPIs and associated risk factors especially in areas of poor sanitary conditions are necessary for intervention strategies.
Aim: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among school children in the coastal town of Chorkor, Accra Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from May to September 2022 on 262 schoolchildren selected at Lantemeame-Chorkor. Faecal specimens were examined using saline and iodine wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. Sociodemographic data were collected using pre-designed, structured questionnaires. The results were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results: Out of 262 participants, the overall prevalence of IPIs was 19.5% (51/262). The most common intestinal parasite was G. lamblia (5.7%), followed by E. histolytica (3.4%), Taenia solium (3.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (3.1%), and S. mansoni (1.1%). Dual infection of G. lamblia and E. histolytica occurred in 3 children (1.1%). Prevalence in males (38.7%) was significantly higher than in females (11.8%) (P =0.0001). Children, 5-6 years had highest prevalence (31.3%) followed by 7-8 years (28.2%) and the lowest (8.6%) was in 13 years and above.
Children who practiced open defecation, eat food from both street and home, with illiterate mothers, large family size, and rainwater as drinking source all had comparatively high prevalence rates. Also, there were highly significant differences between infected and non-infected children regarding all behavioral and hygienic variables.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that IPIs remain a public health problem in the coastal community of Chorkor where sanitation is generally poor. Effective prevention and control strategies are needed to reduce the incidence of IPIs in this area of Accra.
Late ribosomal protein localization in Arabidopsis thaliana differs to that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Palm Denise , Streit Deniz , Ruprecht Maike , Simm Stefan , Scharf Christian , Schleiff Enrico
Published: July 2018

Ribosome biogenesis is essential for cellular function and involves rRNA synthesis, rRNA processing and modification, and ribosomal protein assembly. Ribosome biogenesis factors and small nucleolar RNA assist these events. Ribosomal maturation takes place in the nucleolus, the nucleoplasm, and the cytosol in a coordinated and controlled manner. For example, some ribosomal proteins are thought to be assembled in the cytoplasm based on the observations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we used cellular fractionation to demonstrate that cleavage of the 20S intermediate, the precursor to mature 18S rRNA, does not occur in the nucleoplasm of Arabidopsis thaliana. It most likely occurs in the cytoplasm. Further, we verified the proposed localization of RPS10e, RPS26e, and RPL24a/b in the nucleus and RPP1 in the nucleolus of A. thaliana by ribosome profiling, immunofluorescence, and analysis of the localization of GFP fusion proteins. Our results suggest that the order of events during ribosomal protein assembly in the ribosome biogenesis pathway differs between plants and yeast.
Self‐Healing Functional Surfaces
Authors: Esteves Catarina
Published: July 2018

During the last decade extensive research has focused on designing functional surfaces, e.g., with self‐cleaning, antibacterial, or antifouling properties, driven by the industrial demand on innovation and sustainability, and the academic interest in new functional materials. Such functionalities are strongly related with surface characteristics, namely chemical composition, physical properties, and topography. Surfaces are, however, dynamic and easily damaged resulting in reduced performance or immediate loss of the functionality. Damage is ubiquitous, hence incorporating self‐healing mechanisms allows repairing the functionalities while maintaining a high performance with extended service lifetime. Polymeric surfaces are particularly relevant for functional materials, covering the large majority of devices that are currently used. However, due to their chemical nature, they are typically soft and vulnerable to damages. This report covers the most recent advances concerning self‐healing functional surfaces. Low adherence polymeric surfaces are addressed. Further then recovering chemical composition only, additional challenges raised by the recovery of other surface features, such as roughness, porosity, or heterogeneity, are considered. The impact of inherent surface dynamics on the recovery of surface functionalities is discussed, the limitations are highlighted and alternatives are suggested. The recent progress on self‐healing of reversible and responsive surfaces is addressed and future research directions for self‐healing functional surfaces are anticipated.
Morphology‐Tailored Halide Perovskite Platelets and Wires: From Synthesis, Properties to Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Liu Zhixiong , Mi Yang , Guan Xinwei , Su Zhicheng , Liu Xinfeng , Wu Tom
Published: July 2018

The recent emergence of metal‐halide perovskites as light absorbers in solar cells has attracted lots of attention on their synthesis and properties. In particular, low‐dimensional metal‐halide perovskites like platelets and wires are expected to regulate their optical and electrical properties in reference to bulk counterparts as a result of quantum confinement and anisotropy. In this review, first, the recent solution‐ and vapor‐based approaches on synthesizing metal‐halide perovskite platelets and wires are highlighted. Then, their optical and electrical properties along with application in photonics and optoelectronics such as lasers, light emitting diodes, photodetectors, and phototransistors are discussed. At last, the importance of such perovskite platelets and wires on improving material stability and transport properties is emphasized, and potential integration of perovskites with other low‐dimensional materials in multifunctional systems is proposed.
Simple, Flexible, and Ultrastable Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Based on Plasmonic Nanopaper Decorated with Graphene Oxide
Authors: Rodríguez‐Sevilla Erika , Vázquez Gloria Verónica , Morales‐Narváez Eden
Published: July 2018

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is becoming a paramount analytical mechanism in nanotechnology and biological/chemical detection. However, fabrication of highly sensitive SERS substrates often involves expensive and time‐consuming procedures and the resulting materials require careful handling. Herein, a simple‐to‐manufacture, highly sensitive, and easy‐to‐handle SERS substrate enabled by plasmonic nanopaper decorated with graphene oxide flakes is reported. Owing to the physicochemical properties gathered by this SERS substrate, the nanocomposite leads to a flexible platform facilitating: a) analysis of the model analyte (Rhodamine 6G) via a high energy laser (457 nm) with negligible fluorescent background, which is important to achieve the maximum excitation of the respective localized surface plasmon resonance; b) a charge transferring phenomenon associated to the graphene derivative that, operating in synergy with the previous phenomenon, enhances the SERS signal and allows an analytical limit of detection of 0.13 × 10−9
m, which is about 2900‐fold lower than that obtained with the counterpart substrate made of silver nanoparticle‐decorated nanopaper; c) an ultrastable signal which remains completely constant at least during 50 days. Furthermore, the resulting SERS substrate is amenable to a cost‐efficient and large‐scale production process, which furthers laboratory and real world applications of SERS.
Exploration of Advanced Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Yang , Guo Shaohua , Zhou Haoshen
Published: July 2018

As the rapid growth of the lithium‐ion battery (LIB) market raises concerns about limited lithium resources, rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are attracting growing attention in the field of electrical energy storage due to the large abundance of sodium. Compared with the well‐developed commercial LIBs, all components of the SIB system, such as the electrode, electrolyte, binder, and separator, need further exploration before reaching a practical industrial application level. Drawing lessons from the LIB research, the SIB electrode materials are being extensively investigated, resulting in tremendous progress in recent years. In this article, the progress of the research on the development of electrode materials for SIBs is summarized. A variety of new electrode materials for SIBs, including transition‐metal oxides with a layered or tunnel structure, polyanionic compounds, and organic molecules, have been proposed and systematically investigated. Several promising materials with moderate energy density and ultra‐long cycling performance are demonstrated. Appropriate doping and/or surface treatment methodologies are developed to effectively promote the electrochemical properties. The challenges of and opportunities for exploiting satisfactory SIB electrode materials for practical applications are outlined.
Late‐Stage Peptide Diversification by Position‐Selective C−H Activation
Authors: Wang Wei , Lorion Mélanie M. , Shah Jagrut , Kapdi Anant R. , Ackermann Lutz
Published: July 2018

The late‐stage modification of structurally complex peptides bears great potential for drug discovery, crop protection, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others. Whereas traditional approaches largely rely on prefunctionalizations, C−H activation catalysis has in recent years emerged as an increasingly powerful tool for post‐translational peptide modifications in a step‐economic manner. Herein, we summarize recent progress in organometallic C−H activation on peptides until June 2018, including position‐ and chemoselective palladium‐, ruthenium‐, and manganese‐catalyzed processes.