bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF RURAL WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ZONE A OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Kabiru, M., K.  , Sani, R., M.  , Ibrahim, A. A.  , Jibril, S., A.  
Published: December 2024

The study examines the analysis of rural women participation in agricultural decision-making process among rice farmers in Zone A of Kano State, Nigeria. A Multistage sampling technique was used to select 377 rural women farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that morethan half (54.6% and 50.1%) of the rural women agreed and strongly agreed that they sourced household finance through personal savings and government and NGO’s while majority (65.5% and 71.9%) of the respondents were members of cooperatives and had contact with extension agents respectively. The result also revealed that a notable proportion (42.4% and 40.8%) of the respondents had agreed that they received agricultural information through cooperatives/associations and fellow farmers respectively. Furthermore, the result revealed that morethan half (50.1%) of the repondents agreed that they received information on processing and marketing of rice while majority (58.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that they received information on water and soil management. The result also showed that 44.7% of the respondents revealed that they were fully involved in selection of manure/fertilizer decision-making and 45.9% mentioned they were to large extent involved in sowing seed decision-making. The result also showed that 32.9% of the respondents participated in winnowing while 20.0% participated in marketing in the study. The regression results, showed that education level was found to be significant (P<0.05) respectively, while, farm size, farming experience, membership in cooperative society, extension visit and level of income were also found to be significant (P<0.01) respectively, with R2 0.723. The study concluded that rural women farmers are generally involved in decision-making processes and participation on rice production, processing and marketing such as selection of manure and fertilizer, sowing, threshing, winnowing and packaging among others. The major constraints associated with rice production, processing and processing includes inadequate financial support, less availability of time, traditional beliefs and cultural values among others. The study recommends women participation in agricultural decision-making process will enhance investment in girl child education should be prioritized by the government in other to increase female literacy rate and women empowerment in agriculture.
AWARENESS AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN UKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE
Authors: Dzahan, H. L.  , Beeior, C.T.  , Ogbu, E.S.  , Igbanyam, C.  
Published: December 2024

The study awareness and adaptation strategy to climate change among rural farmers was conducted in Ukum local Government area of Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives were to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, determine how knowledgeable farmers are about climate change and analyze the adaptation strategies employed by the rural farmers. Simple random and purposive sampling procedures were employed in selecting 108respondents; and questionnaires were used for data collection. Means, percentages, frequency distribution tables and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The result showed that 55.56% fall within the age group of 36 to 50 years, 60% of the Respondents were males, majority of rural farmers could read and write, about 51% were married, the result showed that 28% of the respondents which were the majority cultivated yam. Result revealed that 54% of the respondents were knowledgeable about climate change effects .The results also revealed that adaptation strategies employed by rural farmers were use of mulching/planting of cover crops, early planting, delay in date of planting of some crops, increase in cultivated land, multiple cropping and application of organic manure to cope with the effects of climate change in the study area. In addition, the results of regression analysis revealed that age (0.01), household size (0.01), income (0.05) and farming experience (0.05) were the significant factors influencing farmer’s adaptation to climate change. The concludes that more than half of the farmers in the study area were aware of climate change and planting of cover crops, delay in planting and early planting were some strategies adopted by farmers to cope with it. The study recommends that more awareness be created to increase the percentage of farmers that are aware of the negative effects of climate change and farmers should be trained to embrace practices that will reduce the effect of climate change on agricultural productivity in the study area.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE AMONG CROP FARMERS AS CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Baba, A. M.  , Abdullahi, S.  , Garba, M.  
Published: December 2024

The study examined the adoption of agricultural insurance among crop farmers as climate change adaptation strategy in Borno State, Nigeria. Multistage stage sampling technique was used in selecting 270 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reveal that the majority of respondents were between 36 and 49 years old, with a mean age of 37 years. Majority (60.7% and 80%) of the respondents were male and married. The mean household size, farm size, farming experience, and income of the respondents were 7 persons, 2 hectares, 7 years and ₦261,300, respectively. A reasonable proportion (37.8%) of the respondents had secondary education with majority (74.8%) having no access to credit. Most (83.0%) of the respondents in the study area had access to extension services. Majority (69.3%) of the respondents were aware of agricultural insurance. with a mean of 2 years of awareness. Half (50.0%) of the respondents sourced information on agricultural insurance from cooperatives. The major type of insurance adopted by the respondents were theft (20.0%), diseases (17.0%), and pest outbreaks (15.9%). The factors influencing the adoption of agricultural insurance in the study area were age (P < 0.01), educational level (P < 0.05) and access to extension services (P < 0.01). The major constraints to the adoption of agricultural insurance in the study area include high premium costs (71.1%) and inadequate awareness (70.0%) to mention few. The study concludes that age, education level and access to extension services were the factors influencing adoption of insurance as climate change adaptation strategy in the study area. The study recommends that the government and non-governmental extension services should embark on sensitization campaign to raise the awareness crop farmers on the importance of insurance and effort should be made by the concern stakeholders to subsidize the premium in order encourage patronage.
The Mediating Role of Intellectual Capital in the Relationship between Human Resource Management Practices and Enterprise Risk Management: Evidence from Egyptian Banks
Authors: Amin Hend Medhat , EL-shawadfy Mohamed Ghamry , Shahwan Tamer Mohamed 
Published: December 2024

This paper aims to investigate the impact of intellectual capital (IC) as a mediator variable on the association between human resources management practices (HRM) practices and enterprise risk management (ERM) within the Egyptian banking sector. This study also examines bi-causality linkages between these variables, highlighting the dynamic interplay between these functions. The designated HRM practices index, the ERM index and the value-added intellectual coefficient method were used to assess the level of HRM practices, ERM maturity and the performance of IC, respectively. The content analysis approach, structural equation modeling (SEM) and Granger causality tests have been used to examine data collected from financial statement of the Egyptian banks listed in the Egyptian stock exchange. The data set is derived from 13 banks listed in the Egyptian exchange from 2018 to 2022. The findings revealed that HRM has a direct impact on enterprise risk management by ensuring that employees are well-trained, engaged, and motivated to adhere to risk protocols. Additionally, VAIC as a partial mediator enhances this relationship, allowing banks to utilize their intellectual resources—such as human skills, organizational structures, and capital—more effectively in risk management. Moreover, a bi-causality relationship can be observed between HRM practices and ERM.
Specific Small‐Molecule NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging of Osteosarcoma and Lung Metastasis
Authors: Zhou Hui , Yi Wanrong , Li Anguo , Wang Bo , Ding Qihang , Xue Liru , Zeng Xiaodong , Feng Yanzhi , Li Qianqian , Wang Tian , Li Yang , Cheng Xiaoding , Tang Lin , Deng Zixin , Wu Mingfu , Xiao Yuling , Hong Xuechuan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOsteosarcoma is an aggressive tumor of mesenchymal origin that is more likely to spread to the lung than others, with a major impact on patients' prognosis. The optimal imaging method that can reliably detect or exclude pulmonary metastases from osteosarcoma is still scarce. Herein, two homologous types of fluorescent probes CH1055‐PEG‐PT and CH1055‐PEG‐Affibody, which show highly promising results for targeting imaging of osteosarcoma and its lung metastasis, respectively, are designed and synthesized. It is found that the NIR‐II imaging quality of CH1055‐PEG‐PT is far superior to that of computed tomography for the early in vivo 143B tumor imaging, and this probe‐guided surgery for accurate resection of 143B tumor is further performed. The high‐resolution visualization of primary and micrometastatic lung lesions of osteosarcoma by using CH1055‐PEG‐Affibody is also demonstrated. Therefore, the attractive imaging properties of CH1055‐PEG‐PT and CH1055‐PEG‐Affibody, including high levels of uptakes, and high spatial and temporal resolution, open up opportunities for molecular imaging and clinical translation of osteosarcoma and its lung metastasis in the unique second near‐infrared window.
Photoelectric Cardiac Pacing by Flexible and Degradable Amorphous Si Radial Junction Stimulators
Authors: Liu Zongguang , Wen Bin , Cao Luyao , Zhang Shaobo , Lei Yakui , Zhao Guangzhi , Chen Long , Wang Junzhuan , Shi Yi , Xu Jun , Pan Xiangbin , Yu Linwei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractImplanted pacemakers are usually bulky and rigid electronics that are constraint by limited battery lifetimes, and need to be installed and repaired via surgeries that risk secondary infection and injury. In this work, a flexible self‐powered photoelectric cardiac stimulator is demonstrated based on hydrogenated amorphous Si (a‐Si:H) radial p–i–n junctions (RJs), constructed upon standing Si nanowires grown directly on aluminum thin foils. The flexible RJ stimulators, with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.67 V and short‐circuit current density of 12.7 mA cm−2 under standard AM1.5G illumination, can be conformally attached to the uneven tissue surface to pace heart‐beating under modulated 650 nm laser illumination. In vivo pacing evaluations on porcine hearts show that the heart rate can be effectively controlled by the external photoelectric stimulations, to increase from the normal rate of 101–128 beating min−1. Importantly, the a‐Si:H RJ units are highly biofriendly and biodegradable, with tunable lifetimes in phosphate‐buffered saline environment controlled by surface coating and passivation, catering to the needs of short term or lasting cardiac pacing applications. This implantable a‐Si:H RJ photoelectric stimulation strategy has the potential to establish eventually a self‐powered, biocompatible, and conformable cardiac pacing technology for clinical therapy.
Tunable Fluorophobic Effect Determines Nanoparticle Dispersion in Homopolymers and Block Polymers
Authors: Marsh Zachary M. , Blom Douglas A. , Stefik Morgan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe controlled placement of nanoparticles (NPs) within homopolymers and block polymers is of broad interest for functional nanomaterials. This manuscript focuses on small molecule‐stabilized NPs that bring a large fraction of functionality. For such NP mixtures with block polymers, the overwhelming focus to date has been the use of attractive interactions to localize hydrophilic NPs within the hydrophilic portion of block polymers. Related lipophilic approaches often place NPs at the block polymer interface. Here, a new modality for block polymer–NP control is developed that rather relies upon repulsion via the fluorophobic effect. Fluorinated species strongly associate via repulsion from nonfluorinated media. Here, fluorinated NPs are made with ligand mixtures for granular control over the strength of the fluorophobic effect. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering data reveal that all F‐NPs readily phase separate from polystyrene whereas increasing fluorophobic strength enables dispersions within a fluorinated homopolymer. Next, the F‐NP placement within diblock polymers is investigated as a function of the fluorophobic strength. Weakly fluorophobic F‐NPs are found predominantly near the diblock interface whereas strongly fluorophobic F‐NPs are found to disperse throughout the fluorinated block. The controlled placement of NPs is an emerging way to self‐assemble materials.
Relatively low risk and nonaggressive stage of colorectal cancer in individuals with negative baseline fecal immunochemical test results: A cohort study
Authors: Chen Meng‐Yu , Chang Hung‐Chuen , Chong Lee‐Won , Liu Yuh‐Hwa , Sun Cheuk‐Kay , Yang Kuo‐Ching , Lin Yu‐Min 
Published: December 2019

AbstractFecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is used as a screening tool because of its adequate sensitivity to detect colorectal cancer (CRC). Whether individuals with negative baseline FIT results have a low risk of CRC over a long period of follow‐up remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study investigated the characteristics of CRC in individuals with normal baseline FIT results. We retrospectively evaluated individuals who participated in the Taiwanese biennial FIT‐based CRC screening program at a single hospital between March 2010 and December 2017. Patients who had positive FIT results (≥30 μg Hb/g feces) and then underwent confirmatory colonoscopy were enrolled for further analysis. Patients were divided into two cohorts: target group (consisting of patients with negative FIT results in the baseline round, followed by positive FIT results and confirmatory colonoscopy in any one of the subsequent rounds) and reference group (consisting of patients with positive FIT results in the baseline round and confirmatory colonoscopy). The detection rate and characteristics of CRC were compared between two groups. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 51 789 individuals underwent 80 195 tests in four rounds of biennial FIT based CRC screening. The positivity rate of FIT was 8.2% (n = 6591). The colonoscopy compliance rate was 70.3% (n = 4635). From 4635 individuals, 1650 and 2985 were included in the target and reference groups, respectively. The CRC detection rate in the target and reference groups was 2.3% (38/1650) and 5.0% (149/2985), respectively (odds ratio = 0.45; 95% confidence interval = 0.31‐0.64). The CRC detection rate in the target group increased with screening intervals (P for trend = .001). After excluding patients with unknown stage, 35 patients in the target group and 130 patients in the reference group were included for subsequent analysis. Lesions were located mainly in the distal colon in both groups (82.9% [29/35] vs. 82.3% [107/130]; P = 1). The distribution of the CRC stage according to the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system in the target vs reference group was as follows: Stage 0: 48.6% vs 20.0%; Stage I: 11.4% vs 30.0%; Stage II: 20.0% vs 18.5%; Stage III: 17.1% vs 22.3%; and Stage IV: 2.9% vs 9.2%; (P = .008). CRC detection rate declined considerably if the baseline FIT result was negative. CRC detected in patients with negative baseline FIT results showed a high proportion of nonaggressive stage. Approximately 80% of CRCs were identified in the left‐sided colon, suggesting the limited ability of repetitive FIT to detect proximal CRC. These results support the benefits and necessity of consecutive FIT screening even when the baseline FIT result is negative.
Occipital hemi‐bun development and shape covariation in a longitudinal extant human growth sample
Authors: Karban Miranda E. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesAlthough the homology of the Neanderthal occipital bun and anatomically modern human “hemi‐bun” has long been debated, little is known about the developmental timing and patterning of these two patterns of prominent occipital squama convexity. In this study, occipital hemi‐bun ontogeny and cranial shape covariation are assessed in a comparative extant human sample.Materials and MethodsTwo‐dimensional geometric morphometric methods were used to investigate hemi‐bun development in a longitudinal sample of growth study cephalograms representing extant human subjects predominantly of European ancestry. Subjects were each measured at three distinct age points, ranging from 3.0 to 20.4 years, and two‐block partial least squares analysis was used to assess patterns of covariation between midsagittal occipital bone morphology and other aspects of craniofacial shape.ResultsOccipital hemi‐bun morphology, when present, was found to develop early in ontogeny, in association with anteroposterior elongation of the frontal and parietal bones. No significant pattern of covariation was found between occipital hemi‐bun shape and cranial/basicranial breadth, basicranial length, basicranial angle, or midfacial prognathism.DiscussionThis study suggests that the occipital hemi‐bun, at least in this extant human population, should not be considered an independent trait, as its development is closely linked to shape variation in the frontal and parietal bones. Importantly, these results suggest that occipital hemi‐bun morphology is not significantly influenced by basicranial morphology during development, but instead covaries with changes in midsagittal neurocranial vault shape.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Electrochemical Reductive Relay Cross‐Coupling of Alkyl Halides to Aryl Halides
Authors: Jiao Ke‐Jin , Liu Dong , Ma Hong‐Xing , Qiu Hui , Fang Ping , Mei Tian‐Sheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA highly regioselective Ni‐catalyzed electrochemical reductive relay cross‐coupling between an aryl halide and an alkyl halide has been developed in an undivided cell. Various functional groups are tolerated under these mild reaction conditions, which provides an alternative approach for the synthesis of 1,1‐diarylalkanes.
Reduction of Activated Alkenes by PIII/PV Redox Cycling Catalysis
Authors: Longwitz Lars , Werner Thomas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe carbon–carbon double bond of unsaturated carbonyl compounds was readily reduced by using a phosphetane oxide catalyst in the presence of a simple organosilane as the terminal reductant and water as the hydrogen source. Quantitative hydrogenation was observed when 1.0 mol % of a methyl‐substituted phosphetane oxide was employed as the catalyst. The procedure is highly selective towards activated double bonds, tolerating a variety of functional groups that are usually prone to reduction. In total, 25 alkenes and two alkynes were hydrogenated to the corresponding alkanes in excellent yields of up to 99 %. Notably, less active poly(methylhydrosiloxane) could also be utilized as the terminal reductant. Mechanistic investigations revealed the phosphane as the catalyst resting state and a protonation/deprotonation sequence as the crucial step in the catalytic cycle.
Metabolic Labeling of Peptidoglycan with NIR‐II Dye Enables In Vivo Imaging of Gut Microbiota
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Qinglai , Du Yahui , Zhou Xiaobo , Du Xiaochen , Wu Qiuyue , Lin Liyuan , Song Yanling , Li Fuyou , Yang Chaoyong , Tan Weihong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDeepening our understanding of mammalian gut microbiota has been greatly hampered by the lack of a facile, real‐time, and in vivo bacterial imaging method. To address this unmet need in microbial visualization, we herein report the development of a second near‐infrared (NIR‐II)‐based method for in vivo imaging of gut bacteria. Using d‐propargylglycine in gavage and then click reaction with an azide‐containing NIR‐II dye, gut microbiota of a donor mouse was strongly labeled with NIR‐II fluorescence on their peptidoglycan. The bacteria could be readily visualized in recipient mouse gut with high spatial resolution and deep tissue penetration under NIR irradiation. The NIR‐II‐based metabolic labeling strategy reported herein, provides, to the best of our knowledge, the first protocol for facile in vivo visualization of gut microbiota within deep tissues, and offers an instrumental tool for deciphering the complex biology of these gut “dark matters”.
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unfunctionalized Tetrasubstituted Acyclic Olefins
Authors: Bigler Raphael , Mack Kyle A. , Shen Jeff , Tosatti Paolo , Han Chong , Bachmann Stephan , Zhang Haiming , Scalone Michelangelo , Pfaltz Andreas , Denmark Scott E. , Hildbrand Stefan , Gosselin Francis 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAsymmetric hydrogenation has evolved as one of the most powerful tools to construct stereocenters. However, the asymmetric hydrogenation of unfunctionalized tetrasubstituted acyclic olefins remains the pinnacle of asymmetric synthesis and an unsolved challenge. We report herein the discovery of an iridium catalyst for the first, generally applicable, highly enantio‐ and diastereoselective hydrogenation of such olefins and the mechanistic insights of the reaction. The power of this chemistry is demonstrated by the successful hydrogenation of a wide variety of electronically and sterically diverse olefins in excellent yield and high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity.
Photosensitized Intermolecular Carboimination of Alkenes through the Persistent Radical Effect
Authors: Patra Tuhin , Bellotti Peter , Strieth‐Kalthoff Felix , Glorius Frank 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAn intermolecular, two‐component vicinal carboimination of alkenes has been accomplished by energy transfer catalysis. Oxime esters of alkyl carboxylic acids were used as bifunctional reagents to generate both alkyl and iminyl radicals. Subsequently, addition of the alkyl radical to an alkene generates a transient radical for selective radical–radical cross‐coupling with the persistent iminyl radical. Furthermore, this process provides direct access to aliphatic primary amines and α‐amino acids by simple hydrolysis.
Peptide‐Catalyzed Fragment Couplings that Form Axially Chiral Non‐C2‐Symmetric Biaryls
Authors: Coombs Gavin , Sak Marcus H. , Miller Scott J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe have demonstrated that small, modular, tetrameric peptides featuring the Lewis‐basic residue β‐dimethylaminoalanine (Dmaa) are capable of atroposelectively coupling naphthols and ester‐bearing quinones to yield non‐C2‐symmetric BINOL‐type scaffolds with good yields and enantioselectivity. The study culminates in the asymmetric synthesis of backbone‐substituted scaffolds similar to 3,3′‐disubstituted BINOLs, such as (R)‐TRIP, with good (94:6 e.r.) to excellent (>99.9:0.1 e.r.) enantioselectivity after recrystallization, and a diastereoselective net arylation of the minimally modified nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen.