bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical and biomass growth study of Bulimulus bonariensis (Rafinesque, 1833) (Gastropoda: Bulimulidae) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Díaz Ana Carolina , Martin Stella Maris 
Published: January 2024

Bulimulus bonariensis is considered a species of relevance to agribusiness, having been declared a pest with indirect damage because of its negative effects on several crops such as soybeans, chickpeas, and corn in central and northern Argentina. The objective of this work was to analyze the growth pattern of a population born under laboratory conditions, to explore population aspects such as survival and mortality, to estimate the age and size at gonadal maturity and first reproduction, and to contribute to the knowledge of the reproductive biology of this gastropod. From the clutches obtained, the basic biologic parameters were calculated and the individuals hatched under laboratory conditions counted and measured every two weeks. The clutches contained an average of 44 eggs, which took about 13.7 days to hatch at a birth rate of 41.82%. The growth pattern in the five clutches was analyzed individually, and the logistic model used was the one with the highest degree of fit to that observed growth pattern, followed by the Gompertz model, and finally the von Bertalanffy model. In addition, the models were applied to the 102 specimens analyzed together as a cohort, where the best fitting model was also proved to be the logistic growth model. A concave type III survival curve was obtained from the horizontal life table. The cohort was reduced by 48% during the first 50 days after birth. Beyond one month of hatching, life expectancy gradually increased and remained high between 65–302 days of life. After day 330, life expectancy decreased and only 13.72% exceeded one year of birth, with an average length of 16.68 mm. The last specimen died after 23 months at a total length of 20.24 mm, and the life expectancy was estimated at almost three years. In addition, it was inferred that gonadal maturity, when these gastropods reach 12 mm of total shell length, is reached after 200 days of life. Therefore, the individuals that are born are able to reproduce for the first time a year after birth, when they have the approximate size of 16.68 mm.
Learning Crisis at Elementary School Level in India: Need for Systemic Interventions
Authors: Garg Mamta 
Published: January 2024

Right to Education is considered to be empowering each and every child of the nation by bringing educational opportunity to their doorsteps. Developing countries have made tremendous progress in getting children into schools. But learning is not guaranteed. Evidences suggests that children who are in school are not learning the basics of literacy and numeracy or the additional knowledge and skills necessary for their all-round development as specified in the policies. An estimated 617 million children and adolescents around the world are unable to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics. Without foundational learning, students often fail to thrive later in school or when they join the workforce. World Bank also indicated that we are in the midst of a global learning crisis that threatens countries’ efforts to build human capital – the skills and know-how needed for the jobs of the future. This learning crisis is the greatest global challenge to preparing children and adolescents for life, work and active citizenship. In India also, where GER at elementary level is 100%, more than fifty percent of children are ‘learning poor’. This paper is an attempt to highlight the dynamics of the learning crisis in India in terms of its antecedents and repercussions. Further, evidence based systemic interventions have been proposed to eliminate the present and future crises, and ensure that every child learns.
A 5 Year Bibliometric Review of Programming Language Research Dynamics in Southeast Asia (2018-2023)
Authors: Delmo Arawela Lou , Despi John Robertson , Arpon Peter Kyle Jr 
Published: January 2024

Aims: To conduct a systematic examination and bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature focusing on emerging trends in programming languages research within Southeast Asia.
Study Design: This study employs a mixed method approach, incorporating both qualitative and bibliometric analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: Publication data for review was obtained from the Scopus database, covering the period from 2018 to 2023, with a specific focus on the progress in programming language and semantics research within ASEAN countries.
Methodology: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol to collect publication data. Bibliometric data was visualized through Biblioshiny and VOSviewer.
Results: From 2018 to 2023, the research production involving programming languages and semantics across ASEAN countries has been strong, yielding a total of 233 documents from 160 unique sources. However, the annual growth rate was at -10.87%. There was a total of 882 authors with only 10 sole authors in the field. 46.78% of the documents had international co-authorship with an average of 4.03 authors per document. The literature spanned across 764 unique author keywords and 7424 citations with an average of 11.12 citations per document.
Conclusion: Southeast Asia has a rich and collaborative research space in the field of Programming Languages but it faces several barriers such as the absence of a unified research agenda, the lack of adequate funding, and the relatively weak industrial base.
Impact of Khat Chewing on Serum Uric Acid and Albuminuria Levels in Yemeni Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Sa'ad Arafat M A , Obaidi Abdulkaraim Al , AL-Eryani Ekram , Al-Khawlani Abdulkarim , AL-Hamoodi Khater Gh. H. , Yang Qingzhen , Kayd Mohammed Musead A. , Altaher Tibyan Abd Almajed , Mahjaf Ghanem Mohammed , Abedalmula Waha Ismail Yahia , Gorish Babbiker Mohammed Taher 
Published: January 2024

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the major cause of end-stage renal disease and is a common endocrine illness defined by chronic hyperglycemia. In addition to diabetes, substance addiction is considered to be a cause of renal issues. The World Health Organization has classed khat (Catha edulis) as an illicit substance. Khat interferes with regular physiological activities, which may have negative health impacts on organs and systems.
Objectives: To determine the effect of khat and uric acid on nephropathy in type II diabetes mellitus.
Materials and Methods: This is an analytical, cross-sectional study that was conducted on 215 males aged 35 to 55 years who had previously been diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus and were visiting AL- Thawra General Hospital in Ibb City. The diabetic person was corresponded in age and BMI by the control participant. The subjects were divided into two groups. There were 105 people with type II diabetes mellitus (59% chewing Khat and 46% not chewing Khat), 110 people were healthy and did not have type II diabetes (44% of them chewed Khat and 66% did not chew Khat).
Results: A significant increase in albuminuria and proteinuria within the normal range in the diabetes mellitus Khat Chewer group compared to the diabetes mellitus Non-Khat Chewer group (p˂0.001). However, no significant differences were seen in the healthy control group.
Conclusion: Khat chewing has a strong effect on those with type II diabetes and increases the progression of kidney nephropathy. There was an association between khat chewing and higher uric acid levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
Evaluation of First-Line Coagulation Tests in Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Naïve and Treated Group of HIV Infected Subjects
Authors: Martina Ngwu Amauche , Lawrence Ozoemena Chiadikobi , Elijah Umeh Okechukwu , Basil Ugwu Ifeanyichukwu , Innocent Ozoume Chibuike 
Published: January 2024

Background: Coagulation disorders are common in patients with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Coagulation abnormalities occur as a result of HIV-related thrombocytopenia, induced hepatotoxicity due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) that impairs liver function and diminishes the function and synthesis of coagulation factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), platelet count, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit and platelet distribution width in HAART-naïve HIV infected patients, HAART treated and HIV-seronegative controls.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Haematology and antiretroviraltherapies (ART) clinic both of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, between March and June 2023.
Methodology: A total of 150 study participants, consisting of 50 HAART-naïve HIV-infected subjects, 50 HIV-infected subjects who were taking HAART, and 50 HIV-seronegative apparently healthy subjects, were included. Coagulation tests such as PT, APTT were determined by manual procedures. Platelet counts (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW) were analyzed by Mindray/BC-5150 automated analyzer. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis were used. P-Value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Mild thrombocytopenia (100-<150 x 109/L) was found in 48% of HIV-infected subjects who were taking HAART, 76% mild thrombocytopenia and 24% moderate thrombocytopenia (50-<100 x109/L) was found in HAART-naïve HIV-infected subjects, but no thrombocytopenia was found in apparently healthy HIV-seronegative control. Prothrombin time and APTT were significantly higher, whereas PC and PDW was significantly lower in HIV-infected subjects (both who were taking HAART and HAART-naïve) than HIV-seronegative subjects (p<0.05). Prothrombin time and APTT were significantly higher, and PC was significantly lower in HAART-naïve HIV-infected subjects than HIV-infected subjects who were taking HAART. In Pearson correlation analysis, PT and APTT has shown a significant negative correlation with a PC in those taking HAART and HAART-naïve HIV-infected subjects, whereas significant positive correlation was found in HIV-seronegative subjects.
Conclusion: Prothrombin time and APTT significantly increased, whereas platelet count and PDW significantly decreased in HIV-infected subjects who were taking HAART and HAART-naïve. Basic coagulation parameters need to be monitored regularly in HIV-infected subjects in Enugu.
Generating Blue and Red Luminescence from ZnO/Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanocomposites Prepared Using an In‐Situ Method
Authors: Abdullah M. , Morimoto T. , Okuyama K. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe peak of the luminescence spectrum of zinc oxide (ZnO) is usually observed above 500 nm (yellow region). By in‐situ growth of ZnO nanoparticles in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) matrix, we have succeeded in producing ZnO/polymer composites with stable luminescence peaks down to 465 nm (blue region). The unbalanced precursor molarity approach, where the molarity of one precursor (LiOH) is several times larger than the molarity represented by a chemical reaction balance, was used. The blue luminescence, which was accompanied by an enhancement of luminescence intensity, was observed at very high LiOH concentrations. This was probably due to the simultaneous reduction in the crystalline size and improvement in the crystallinity. Doping ZnO nanoparticles with europium also generated a red luminescence at 616 nm, due to the 5D0 →7F2 transition of Eu ions.
Frequency Upconversion of 800 nm Ultrashort Pulses by Two‐Photon Absorption in a Stilbenoid Compound‐Doped Polymer Optical Fiber
Authors: Jordan G. , Kobayashi T. , Blau W.J. , Pfeiffer S. , Hörhold H.‐H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe present the results of a study of frequency upconversion of femtosecond optical pulses in a step‐index polymer optical fiber that uses a stilbenoid compound as an active dopant. Intense blue emission is observed in the doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fiber when it is longitudinally pumped at 800 nm by 175 fs optical pulses. By means of the intensity‐dependent transmission method, the two‐photon absorption cross‐section is deduced. Our study illustrates that the combination of a well‐designed organic chromophore incorporated into a fiber geometry is appealing for the development of an upconversion blue polymer laser.
Holographic Recording in a Photoactive Elastomer
Authors: Zhao Y. , Bai S. , Asatryan K. , Galstian T. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThis work explores the use of photoactive elastomers as elastic holographic materials. Holographic gratings were recorded on stretched films of an azobenzene elastomer, which is composed of a side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymer with azobenzene mesogens, grafted to the rubbery polybutadiene block of a styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer. The grating‐formation dynamics measurements revealed the formation of two gratings of different natures resulting from the coupled mechanical and optical effects. A first grating, formed quickly upon exposure, is due to the photoisomerization of oriented azobenzene groups. A second grating, developed at longer exposure times, may originate from changes in the anisotropic structure of the SBS matrix, which is induced by the photochemical phase transition of azobenzene mesogens. The first grating is unstable, but the second grating remains in relaxed films. Both mechanisms can be enhanced by deformation of the film.
Synthesis of Novel Photochromic Films by Oxidation Polymerization of Diarylethenes Containing Phenol Groups
Authors: Uchida K. , Takata A. , Saito M. , Murakami A. , Nakamura S. , Irie M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe report the synthesis of some diarylethene derivatives attached to phenol moieties, which show remarkable photochromic reactions. A dithienylethene group attached to the o‐phenol moiety (1,2‐bis[2,4‐dimethyl‐5‐(o‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐thienyl]hexafluorocyclopentene) was polymerized according to Hay's method; the resulting film was insoluble to any solvents, and showed no absorption band attributable OH group in its IR spectrum. Isomeric dithienylethenes attached to m‐ and p‐phenol moieties did not form films under the same oxidation conditions, but instead formed films by copolymerization with 4,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl ether. Although the homopolymer film and copolymer films showed reversible photochromic reactions by alternate irradiation with UV and visible light, the coloration was not remarkable. Polymerization of closed‐ring isomers of the dithienylethenes did not give pre‐polymers and instead decomposed, while the closed‐ring isomer of a bisbenzothienylethene derivative attached to the o‐phenol moiety (1,2‐bis[2‐methyl‐6‐(o‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐benzothiophen‐3‐yl]hexafluorocyclopentene) formed a polymer film by the same procedure. This polymer film showed a remarkable photochromic reaction, indicating the photo‐reactive conformation was fixed in polymer matrix, and X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the film is in the amorphous phase. The photochromic reaction can also be monitored by IR spectroscopy, making it applicable for non‐destructive read‐out recording films.
Silica Nanocasting of Simple Cellulose Derivatives: Towards Chiral Pore Systems with Long‐Range Order and Chiral Optical Coatings
Authors: Thomas A. , Antonietti M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAqueous solutions of hydroxypropyl cellulose with cholesteric superstructures were employed as templates in a silica nanocasting process, and the resulting pore structures were characterized by polarization microscopy, circular dichroism, X‐ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and sorption measurements. Whereas the local pore architecture corresponds to a cast of single cellulose strands and their statistical aggregates, the averaged structure on larger scales keeps the cholesteric character, with the cholesteric pitch just slightly shortened.
Thermally Induced Transient Absorption of Light by Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) Films: A Way to Probe Charge‐Carrier Thermalization Processes
Authors: Meskers S.C.J. , van Duren J.K.J. , Janssen R.A.J. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractInfrared‐induced transient absorptions in the millisecond and sub‐picosecond time domains have been used to study the dynamics of charge carriers of a conducting polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS). On the millisecond timescale, the transient absorption is ascribed to a thermal effect induced by absorbed infrared light. The decay of the transient absorption is limited by the transport of heat from the polymer film to the substrate and corresponds to the decay kinetics of infrared‐induced changes in the resistivity of the material. Near 1.5 eV, the infrared‐induced absorption can be modeled in terms of an interband transition. The assignment of the optical transients in terms of carrier heating opens the possibility to study charge carrier thermalization processes using short laser pulses. Pump‐probe spectroscopy on a sub‐picosecond timescale shows that the initial thermalization of the excited charge carriers occurs with a time constant of less than 500 fs, i.e., faster than for noble metals.
Inorganic Macroporous Films from Preformed Nanoparticles and Membrane Templates: Synthesis and Investigation of Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Properties
Authors: Shchukin D.G. , Caruso R.A. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractColloidal dispersions of titania, zirconia, tin oxide, indium oxide, and ceria have been successfully used to impregnate membrane templates and form the respective metal oxide (MO) porous films. The use of alumina and iron oxide sols in the same procedure, however, resulted in compact structures. By mixing different nanoparticle solutions before impregnation, final inorganic films containing two metal oxides, of variable metal oxide ratios, were obtained. The porous inorganic materials were analyzed in terms of surface area, pore size, film thickness, and crystallinity. The mechanism of nanoparticle infiltration and particle adsorption to the template walls is proposed based on the stability of the inorganic film and a study of the influence of either the sol concentration or washing times on the amount of inorganic substance incorporated in the hybrid material. The photocatalytic decomposition of an organic pollutant, 2‐chlorophenol, was demonstrated for the porous titania material along with the structures containing mixtures of titania with zirconia, indium oxide, and tin oxide. A ratio of 9:1 TiO2/MO gave the highest photocatalytic activity, which was higher than the activity of Degussa P25 for the TiO2/In2O3 and TiO2/SnO2 systems under the same conditions. The titania films have also been attached to substrates—glass or indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces—and the photoelectrochemical properties of the porous film attained. A comparison with a spin‐coated titania film (prepared from the same colloidal dispersion) showed that the structured porous inorganic film has two times the photoelectrochemical efficiency as the spin‐coated film.
Comparative Carrier Transport Characteristics in Organic Field‐Effect Transistors with Vapor‐Deposited Thin Films and Epitaxially Grown Crystals of Biphenyl‐Capped Thiophene Oligomers
Authors: Yanagi H. , Araki Y. , Ohara T. , Hotta S. , Ichikawa M. , Taniguchi Y. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractCarrier transport characteristics in organic field‐effect transistors were compared for vapor‐deposited thin films and epitaxially grown needle crystals of biphenyl‐capped thiophene oligomers with different lengths of the thiophene units. The hole mobility of the thin films deposited on Si/SiO2 substrate was improved up to 0.17 cm2 V–1 s–1 by formation of platelet crystallites with a domain size of a few micrometer. The hole transport in the epitaxial needle crystals grown on the KCl surface depended upon the molecular orientation with respect to the channel direction. The orientation of the needle axis bridging over the source–drain electrodes increased the mobility since π‐electronic interaction through the parallel stack of the linear molecules enhanced the carrier transport along the needle. The deposition condition and electronic energy levels of the oligomers, depending on the length of the thiophene units, also affected their characteristics.
Photochemically Controlled Photonic Crystals
Authors: Kamenjicki M. , Lednev I.K. , Mikhonin A. , Kesavamoorthy R. , Asher S.A. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe have developed photochemically controlled photonic crystals that may be useful in novel recordable and erasable memories and/or display devices. These materials can operate in the UV, visible, or near‐IR spectral regions. Information is recorded and erased by exciting the photonic crystal with ∼ 360 nm UV light or ∼ 480 nm visible light. The information recorded is read out by measuring the photonic crystal diffraction wavelength. The active element of the device is an azobenzene‐functionalized hydrogel, which contains an embedded crystalline colloidal array. UV excitation formscis‐azobenzene while visible excitation formstrans‐azobenzene. The more favorable free energy of mixing ofcis‐azobenzene causes the hydrogel to swell and to red‐shift the photonic crystal diffraction. We also observe fast nanosecond, microsecond, and millisecond transient dynamics associated with fast heating lattice constant changes, refractive index changes, and thermal relaxations.
Bismuth–Ceramic Nanocomposites with Unusual Thermal Stability via High‐Energy Ball Milling
Authors: Meitl M.A. , Dellinger T.M. , Braun P.V. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractElectrically conducting nanocomposites of bismuth metal and insulating ceramic phases of SiO2 and MgO were generated via high‐energy ball milling for 24 h using zirconia milling media. The resulting nanocomposites contain Bi nanoparticles with sizes down to 5 nm in diameter. The morphology is a strong function of the oxide phase: specifically, the Bi appears to wet MgO while it forms spherical nanoparticles on the SiO2. X‐ray diffraction measurements indicate a nominal bismuth grain size of 50 nm, and peak fitting to a simple bidisperse model yields a mixture of approximately 57 % bulk bismuth and 43 % 27 nm diameter crystallites. Nanoparticles as small as 5 nm are observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), but may not constitute a significant volume fraction of the sample. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals dramatic broadening in the temperatures over which melting and freezing occur and a surprising persistence of nanostructure after thermal cycling above the melting point of the Bi phase.
Characterization and Field‐Emission Properties of Needle‐like Zinc Oxide Nanowires Grown Vertically on Conductive Zinc Oxide Films
Authors: Tseng Y.‐K. , Huang C.‐J. , Cheng H.‐M. , Lin I.‐N. , Liu K.‐S. , Chen I.‐C. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractNeedle‐like ZnO nanowires with high density are grown uniformly and vertically over an entire Ga‐doped conductive ZnO film at 550 °C. The nanowires are grown preferentially in the c‐axis direction. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) θ‐scan curve shows a full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of 2°. This indicates that the c‐axes of the nanorods are along the normal direction of the substrate surface. The investigation using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed that each nanowire is a single crystal. A room‐temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the wires consists of a strong and sharp UV emission band at 380 nm and a weak and broad green–yellow band. It reveals a low concentration of oxygen vacancies in the ZnO nanowires and their high optical quality. Field electron emission from the wires was also investigated. The turn‐on field for the ZnO nanowires was found to be about 18 V μm–1 at a current density of 0.01 μA cm–2. The emission current density from the ZnO nanowires reached 0.1 mA cm–2 at a bias field of 24 V μm–1.