Abstract:The development of the circular economy model in Vietnam is still facing several shortcomings. One of the main issues is the lack of participation from farmers, which varies significantly among different localities and regions. This poses a significant challenge for researchers and policymakers who must collaborate to find effective solutions. To address this issue, a study was conducted using survey data from 600 farmers in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. By applying a Binary Logistic Regression model, the study identified nine key factors that affect farmers` participation in the circular economy. These factors include their attitude towards the circular economy, access to credit, level of interaction with agricultural extension staff, subjective norms, agricultural land area, non-agricultural income, education level, age of the household head, and distance from home to the nearest market.
Abstract:Gastric cancer, another name for stomach cancer, is a kind of cancer that begins as a cell growth in the stomach and has a poor diagnosis. The world`s pathologist shortage offers a unique chance to implement AI support systems to cut down on labor and boost diagnostic accuracy. It is believed that genetic instability, manifesting as either chromosomal instability or microsatellite instability, is a precursor to stomach carcinogenesis in the majority of cases of stomach cancer. The new categorization of stomach cancers based on histologic features, genetics and molecular phenotypes has improved early identification, prevention and therapy by illuminating the features of each subtype. Located directly below the ribs in the upper central region of the abdomen is the stomach. This research develops a solution using deep learning algorithms to aid in the pathological diagnosis of gastric cancer over Gastric Histopathology Sub-size Image Database, a publicly available database for medical image analysis. An advanced algorithm is created by combining three different algorithms, and it is then used to diagnose cancer more accurately. The combination of these three algorithms-Multitask Net, Fusion Net, and Global Net-creates a powerful ensemble model that leverages the strengths of each approach, leading to improved gastric cancer classification performance. This hybrid approach can aid in early diagnosis and treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:One of today's most quickly developing technologies is the Internet of Things (IoT). There are now more threats and risks to its security than ever before. In order to tackle present and future IoT issues, machine learning is an effective technology that can be used to identify risks and threats in intelligent systems. In today’s world, credit card is the most popular payment mode for both online and offline. Consumers rely on online shopping and online bill payment, which cases of fraud associated with it are also increasing. With the developments in the communication channels, fraud is spreading all over the world resulting in huge financial losses. Fraud detection is the essential tool and probably the best way to stop fraud types. There is a technique of finding an optimal solution for a problem and implicitly generate the results using machine learning and genetic algorithm. The aim is to develop a model to detect fraudulent transactions and improves a credit card fraud detection solution with some machine learning algorithms such as GA, DT, LR, KNN, SVC, and ANN based on the RUST and SMOTE techniques. The experiments are conducted on the BCCFDD and DCCCD datasets to analyze the model using the dimension reduction transformers (T-SNE, PCA, and Truncated SVD). The performance of the classification model analyzed in terms of confusion matrix, the model ROC curve analysis, and accuracy. The evaluation finding is analyzed and compared. As proof of concept, a Credit Card Fraud Detection System (CCFDS) is developed to detect the credit card fraud based on the principles of the GA and showed the effectiveness of proposed approach. This algorithm is an optimization technique and evolutionary search based on the principles of genetic and natural selection, heuristic used to solve high complexity computational problems.
Abstract:Salinity is one of the major constraints prevailing in the environment, affecting plant growth, agricultural productivity, and soil fertility. The application of beneficial silicon-rich bio-stimulants presents an alternative strategy to ensure agricultural sustainability, as their use and expansion can help mitigate the adverse effects of salinity and reduce the excessive use of synthetic chemicals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between salinity levels and the use of Farina di Basalto Type XF (FdBXF) on the germination and early seedling growth of two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties (Gabes and Azzura). Five levels of sodium chloride (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) and five levels of Farina di Basalto Type XF (0, 1, 3, 5, and 10%) were tested in 30 treatments under a completely random design. Germination percentage, mean germination time, radicle length, hypocotyl and cotyledon length, and biomass were measured at the end of the experiments. Sodium chloride significantly reduced all germination and seedling growth parameters. The reduction in the measured parameters was inversely proportional to increasing concentrations of NaCl. The application of Farina di Basalto Type XF mitigated the negative effects of NaCl (p<0.01). The most significant attenuation was recorded for a 3% concentration of Farina di Basalto Type XF. This study provides insights into the role of Farina di Basalto Type XF in salt stress tolerance in M. sativa.
Abstract:Nepovirus Grapevine FanLeaf Virus (GFLV) is among the viruses that cause the infectious degeneration of grapevines. It is transmitted by the ectoparasitic nematode Xiphenema index. This study aimed to investigate the GFLV virus in 25 vineyards located in north-central Algeria and occupied by nine different grape varieties. Several surveys were carried out during the period 2015-2023, to collect samples presenting typical symptoms of a possible GFLV infection. Immunological screening for GFLV in the 376 samples collected was carried out using the specific DAS-ELISA technique. Our results showed the presence of typical GFLV symptoms in all the vineyards surveyed. Statistical analysis using the FACM technique demonstrated that the most discriminating symptoms are growth retardation, developmental anomalies, and flower abortion. Anomalies display correlations with deformation and growth delays at proportions of 65.3% and 61%, respectively. Similarly, sagging correlates with these symptoms at a rate of 69.5%. Furthermore, growth delay exhibits a notable correlation of 78.6% with the symptom of flower aboration. The DAS-ELISA serological test shows an infection rate of 43.35% on 376 samples tested. Dattier Beyrouth and Dabouki grape varieties are the most infected, with infection rates of 25.15% and 22.70%, respectively, which represents almost half of all the samples tested. The SO4 rootstock has the highest infection rate, with a 52.15% infection rate.
Abstract:Sustainable agriculture plays an important role in agricultural productivity in that it seeks to reduce chemical fertilizers use and promote the use of alternative, low-cost and environmentally friendly sources. In this sense, basalt dust has shown potential to improve soil fertility and crop nutrition. Thus, an experiment was carried out with the goal to evaluate the potential impact of a basaltic rock flour "Farina di Basalto" type XF on growth parameters of tomato crop under greenhouse. Total leaves content of flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity were also investigated. Experiments were carried out in a pot system using substrate drenches to apply the basalt flour at different levels, (0%, 1.5%, 3% and 4.5%). The growing media chosen for the trials consisted of a mixture of soil, perlite and potting soil (1:1:1:). The results showed that increasing basalt flour to 4.5%, increased significantly growth parameters of tomato plants. However, for plant height and shoot length, increasing dose from 3% to 4.5% was not significant. Results showed also that leaves dry matter, flavonoids and polyphenols contents were negatively affected when increasing dose to 4.5%. Although, applying of 3% of basalt flour was the most effective in improving antioxidant compounds in tomato plants, the higher antioxidant activity was obtained by applying of 4.5% basalt flour. These results showed the usefulness of basalt flour in improving plant growth parameters and phytochemical compounds offering the possibility of using it as both a natural fertilizer and a biostimulant in sustainable agriculture.
Abstract:This study is grounded in the idea that methods such as Collaborative and Resilience-Oriented Practices (CROPs) can boost resilience in both teachers and students. By exploring how schools in the Israeli community coped with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we delved into the educational landscape of adolescents to understand the development of resilience. This article provides a comparative analysis of nations identified in research literature as having a collectivist social culture (Japan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Taiwan), alongside countries recognized in diverse indices for their individualistic social culture (Louisiana in the USA, Canada, Spain, Germany). Subsequently, the Israeli case study is explored in this comparative context. To ensure a diverse representation within the school population, a purposive sampling method was utilized to select interviewees based on specific criteria, resulting in interviews with seven school principals representing various social demographics. The research uncovers a lack of support for education staff during the COVID-19 crisis in Israel, indicating a reactive rather than proactive approach that predominantly prioritizes students. Emphasizing the importance of implementing CROPs in education, the study underscores the significance of preparing youth as ambassadors of resilience in the community.
Abstract:The leaves of P. symmeria were subjected to maceration using chloroform, ethanol, and aqueous. The various extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis. Theantioxidant activity was measured by their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2?-azino-bis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and superoxide anions (O2�(-)) radicals. An antibacterial susceptibility test was performed against the bacterial strain Escherichia. coli (ATCC-25922), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC-11447) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC-10031) using disc diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed using the broth microdilution method, and the Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined by plating samples from the well of MIC and above concentration on a new agar plate. Various phytochemicals, such as tannins, terpenoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and phlobatannins, were present in the various extracts of P. symmeria. Phytochemical analysis by LC-MS revealed the presence of 34 major compounds. The ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and showed the lowest IC50 value, making it the most potent radical scavenger. The various extracts of P. symmeria also suppressed the growth of the organisms tested in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, our results suggested that P. symmeria extracts contain various phytochemicals that possess anti-radical and anti-bacterial activities.
Abstract:The strain of nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azospirillum brasilense 137, isolated from the washed roots of spring wheat, forms on the solid synthetic malate medium (SM) whitish-beige roundish colonies, which, with aging, acquire folds, pearly lustre, and accumulate pink pigment; on solid NFb medium containing Congo Red colonies are small and red. It was shown that the growth parameters of Azospirillum brasilense 137 during cultivation on the liquid semi-synthetic and synthetic media differed significantly. For the cultivation of diazotrophs in a batch culture, a liquid semi-synthetic medium with molasses was chosen, the chemical composition of which ensures the maximum titre of the bacterial suspension. The number of colony-forming units was 3.3 billion by 24 hours of cultivation. Inoculation of spring wheat seeds with A. brasilense 137 bacterial suspension in an optimized growth medium increases the intensity of the initial growth of spring wheat and in the conditions of the field experiment provides a 16% increase in plant productivity compared to the control during 3 years.
Abstract:It is most probable that the pandemic with its disruptive and devastating impact to the economy could have changed the risk profile of the listed companies in different jurisdictions. Based on the fact that the King IV report on corporate governance requires listed companies to disclose risk management in their integrated reports in South Africa, the main goal of this study is to assess if the COVID-19 impact culminated into the changing risk profiles of the top 40 JSE listed companies. This is a qualitative research study which employed empirical content analysis of annual integrated reports for the top 40 JSE listed companies from 2019 representing the preCOVID-19 period and 2020-2021 representing the years during covid-19, and 2022 representing a post-COVID-19 period. A comparative of the risk profiles through the four years was made to identify the risks that emerged during the pandemic and dropped or continued post-COVID-19. The results indicated that 70% of the forty sampled companies recognised the COVID-19 related risks as emerging risks and added them on their companies’ risk profiles while 30% did not. Most of the 30% that did not recognise COVID-19 related risks as emerging risks were from those companies that rendered the deemed essential services during the 21-day lockdown effected in South Africa at the onset of the pandemic. It can be concluded that the COVID-19 impact culminated in the changing risk profiles for the majority of the top 40 JSE listed companies.