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The total value of ecosystem services in the Suluh River Basin is significantly impacted by land use and land cover change. Alterations in near-natural habitats lead to substantial changes in specific ecosystem services. This study examines land cover and use changes over the last three decades using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technology. Land use and cover values were assessed alongside global datasets created for biomes to evaluate total and specific changes in ecosystem service values (ESV) for the designated study area and timeframe. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the reliability of our estimations using proxies. The findings show that plantation areas increased by 43.7%, built-up lands expanded by 135.5%, cultivated land rose by 7.98%, and barren land grew by 9.8%. Conversely, several land categories experienced notable declines: grazing land decreased by 48.6%, shrub-bushland fell by 61.7%, water bodies declined by 79.6%, and forest land was drastically reduced by 576.7%. As a result of these changes, total ESVs diminished from $32,993,373.58 in 1990 to $26,595,778.37 in 2018, reflecting a net decline of 19.4%. Alarmingly, essential services such as Gas Regulation, Erosion Control, Waste Treatment, Food Production and Habitat/Refuge services have fallen to zero, jeopardizing ecosystem functionality and exacerbating climate change impacts. Overall, both the river basin and individual ESV have declined during this period, highlighting the urgent need for improved land management techniques to enhance the sustainability of ecosystem service delivery in the area.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a double-layer capping system composed of biochar (BC) and zeolite (ZE) with Non-woven Fabric mats (NWFM) in controlling nutrient fluxes and improving water quality in Lake Hashenge, Ethiopia. Three configurations were tested: NWFM/ZE/BC (ZE above BC), NWFM/BC/ZE (BC above ZE), and an uncapped control. Laboratory experiments assessed nutrient release (NH₄-N, NO₃-N, T-N, PO₄-P, T-P) under two temperatures (16°C and 24°C) over 60 days. Capped setups NWFM/ZE/BC and NWFM/BC/ZE significantly reduced NH₄-N fluxes, achieving 2.27 ± 1.08 mg/m² day and 1.5 ± 0.39 mg/m² day at 16°C, and 1.82 ± 0.66 mg/m².day and 2.34 ± 1.64 mg/m².day at 24°C, respectively. T-N flux followed a similar trend, with NWFM/ZE/BC achieving the lowest value at 16°C (1.03 mg/m² day) and the highest flux observed in uncapped conditions at 24°C (5.02 ± 1.36 mg/m².day). The NWFM/ZE/BC configuration reduced NH₄-N flux by 95%, retained up to 98% of phosphorus, and mitigated temperature-dependent nutrient release while maintaining dissolved oxygen (DO) and reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD). These findings underscore the potential of such capping materials for restoring eutrophic ecosystems and highlight the need for integration with catchment management practices. Field trials are recommended to validate long-term performance.

This study investigates the role of stone bunds, which are earth barriers implemented to prevent soil erosion, increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration within the rain-fed highlands of Northern Ethiopia. As climate change mitigation efforts become increasingly vital, understanding the influence of land management practices on carbon storage is essential. We investigate the impact of stone bunds at different ages on carbon sequestration rates and SOC stock levels through soil sampling and field measurements at cropland. Findings reveal a significant positive correlation between stone bund age and increased SOC stock, with the most notable carbon sequestration observed in croplands with 15-year-old stone bunds. Result shown that stone bunds have significantly enhanced the levels of SOC in topsoil layers (0-30 cm) when compared to unconserved croplands. The study highlights the significance of managing stone bunds in reducing soil erosion, increasing accomulation of organic matter, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. These insights provide practical solutions to boost local productivity and play a notable role in mitigating global climate change. This study highlights the intersection between local farming practices and global environmental goals, offering insights for achieving carbon neutrality and enhancing climate resilience in similar agricultural ecosystems worldwide.

Agroforestry trees have the potential to positively influence the microclimate, and soil physicochemical properties thereby increase crop yield and grain nutrients underneath. A field experiment was executed to collect soil and grain samples from controlled plots under and outside canopy of the Faidherbia albida trees. The soil and teff grain samples were extracted using diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) method and measured their nutrient concentration using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and flame method. The collected data was analyzed using an independent sample t-test, correlation and regression analysis using SPSS and AMOS software’s. The soil micronutrients were significantly higher beneath than outside canopy of the F. albida trees. This was attributed to the existing higher soil physicochemical properties beneath the canopy of F. albida trees. Similarly, the soil physicochemical properties had significant and positive associations with the availability of soil micronutrients. Apart from the soil micronutrients, significantly higher concentrations of teff grain iron, zinc, and manganese were obtained beneath the canopy of F. albida trees. In general, F. albida trees improved the soil and teff grain micronutrients through improving the physicochemical properties of the soil underneath. Hence, agroforestry species that improve soil physicochemical properties could enhance soil and grain micronutrients.

Lodging in tef reduces yield, and N application worsens its impact. This study assesses the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and N fertilizer on lodging and yield in tef. Two groups of AMF (Inoculated and noninoculated) and five levels of N (0, 46, 92, 138, and 184 kg/ha) were arranged in two consecutive years. The analysis of variance revealed that plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), total number of tillers (TNT), lodging index (LI), shoot biomass yield (SBY), grain yield (GY), and harvest index (HI) were significantly influenced by AMF, N levels, and their interactions (P< 0.05). AMF inoculated groups increased PH by 59.87%, PL by 18.20%, TNT by 87.13%, SBY by 30.14%, GY by 37.60%, HI by 10.71, and reduced LI by 229.63%, as compared to the non-inoculated. AMF-inoculated groups did not show a change in LI with increasing N levels, indicating AMF inoculations minimize the impact of excessive N application from causing lodging. In contrast, non-inoculation showed a trend of increasing LI with higher N levels, reducing yield. AMF-inoculated tef crops do not experience lodging, even with higher N levels which can help prevent yield loss caused by lodging from N application.

The agriculture sector, heavily reliant on rainfall, faces significant challenges due to climate change, particularly in developing countries where it supports many communities. In response, climate-smart agricultural practices have been developed to address these adverse effects. Numerous factors influence the adoption of climate-smart practices, particularly membership in local agricultural groups. This study aims to examine the determinants that influence the decisions of farm households to participate in local agricultural groups and adopt climate-smart agricultural practices in the Rakai district of Uganda. The used data were collected through a cross-sectional survey involving 343 farm households, and the joint factors affecting their decisions were analyzed using a bivariate probit regression model. The econometric analysis indicates that several factors, including gender, land ownership, access to extension services, the ability to utilize climate information, the sharing of climate information with non-household members, experiences of drought-related climate shocks, and the use of autonomous climate change adaptation strategies, positively influence farm households’ decisions to join local agricultural groups and adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. Consequently, development actors should facilitate the formation of local agricultural groups and encourage the active participation of farm households to promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices systematically. The membership in local agricultural groups and adopting climatesmart agricultural practices are mutually reinforcing. Moreover, enhancing the awareness and knowledge of farm households through disseminating relevant climate information by local agricultural groups is essential for fostering informed decision-making in agricultural practices.

In light of the worldwide imperatives to tackle climate change and shift towards sustainable energy sources, this study examines the governance structures surrounding the Ngong Hills Wind Turbine Project within Kenya's renewable energy sector. The background underscores the urgency for renewable energy adoption globally and Kenya's pivotal role in the African context, with the Ngong Hills project serving as a microcosm of the nation's commitment to sustainable energy. The study's objectives are twofold: firstly, to find out the impact of stakeholder engagement on decision-making processes and project outcomes, and secondly, to examine how governance structures influence the distribution of benefits and potential challenges faced by local populations. These objectives frame an investigation into the institutional and stakeholder dynamics shaping the Ngong Hills project, guided by institutional and stakeholder theories. The statement of the problem addresses the existing knowledge gaps in understanding the governance intricacies of renewable energy initiatives, emphasizing the need for nuanced analyses that consider policy evolution, stakeholder collaborations, and socio-economic and environmental dimensions. The scope of the study is defined by a content analysis methodology, focusing on documents, policies, and interviews related to the Ngong Hills project. The significance lies in the potential to inform policy decisions, improve regulatory frameworks, and contribute to sustainable development practices in Kenya's renewable energy sector. Two theoretical frameworks guide the study: Institutional Theory for examining formal and informal influences on governance, and Stakeholder Theory for understanding collaboration dynamics and power relationships. Findings from the content analysis reveal a dynamic interplay of regulatory strengths and challenges, positive socio-economic impacts, and commendable environmental compliance. Conclusions drawn emphasize the need for ongoing policy evolution and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Recommendations highlight iterative policy adjustments, community-inclusive decision-making, and sustained environmental monitoring. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders navigating the complex terrain of renewable energy governance, fostering informed decision-making and sustainable development in Kenya and beyond

The most commonly used material in civil aircraft is aluminum alloy. Aluminum is light and strong, making it suitable for aircraft structures. It is also easy to process and can be manufactured into various shapes. However, corrosion and corrosion fatigue occur depending on the environment in which it is used. When corrosion occurs, most parts are replaced with new ones to prevent corrosion fatigue. The aviation maintenance industry is trying to prevent corrosion and corrosion fatigue by developing excellent corrosion-resistant materials, reducing the corrosion environment, and reducing stress changes. Ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technology is a surface modification technology that applies compressive residual stress and can sufficiently delay the occurrence and growth of corrosion in aluminum alloys. In this study, we will verify the applicability of UNSM technology in a corrosive environment through corrosion fatigue tests of corroded 7XXX series aluminum alloy before and after UNSM treatment.

Battery balancing technology is essential to prevent thermal runaway in electric vehicles consisting of more than 7,000 battery cells. In this paper, an isolated balancing circuit is proposed to maintain stable balancing of each unit battery within a high-voltage battery pack structure. The control circuit signals are transmitted via a photo diode, and the balancing operation is controlled through a photo detector in an isolated structure. This design ensures that the low-voltage control circuit remains electrically isolated from the high-voltage system, allowing reliable balancing operation even at voltages of several thousand volts. Furthermore, the circuit is designed to function stably in PVT (Process, Voltage, Temperature) variation environments. Additionally, a cell-level register operation method is employed to ensure noise immunity and enable simultaneous balancing of multiple cells. The proposed balancing circuit operates at an ultra-low power of 180 μW, minimizing battery energy consumption during balancing operations.

Dermoscopy and clinical imaging are crucial for diagnosing skin conditions, as they offer complementary insights that deepen our understanding of the underlying issues. While clinical images can be relatively straightforward to obtain, capturing dermoscopic images often presents more difficulties due to practical constraints, budgetary issues, and the requirement for specialized equipment. This limited availability of dermoscopic data creates significant obstacles for developing effective deep learning models in dermatology. To tackle this challenge, we introduce an innovative approach utilizing CycleGAN (Cycle Generative Adversarial Network), a deep learning model tailored for bidirectional image-to-image translation, to create synthetic dermoscopic and clinical images from their respective counterparts. Our method converts clinical images into dermoscopic images and vice versa, creating a synthetic dataset that preserves the essential pathological features. The qualitative results show that CycleGAN successfully generates realistic synthetic images that are consistent with the underlying pathology, effectively bridging the gap between the two modalities. Our approach aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and lessen the dependence on costly data collection methods. This study establishes a foundation for utilizing synthetic data in medical imaging, tackling the challenges posed by limited dermoscopic datasets, and promoting the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice.

This study investigates the performance in output power and efficiency enhancements of Reversed Doherty Power Amplifiers (RDPA) compared to Conventional Doherty Power Amplifiers (CDPA) under varying Quarter-Wave Transformer Losses (QWTL) from 1 dB to 5 dB. The RDPA achieves a comparable maximum output power (Psat) of 47.55 dBm, with a 6 dB back-off point showing consistent performance superiority, maintaining a lead of 0.7–2.9 dB across QWTL conditions. Despite a 1.25 dB decrease in saturation power due to QWTL, RDPA demonstrates a notable improvement in Power Added Efficiency (PAE), achieving 43% at 6 dB back-off, compared to CDPA’s 35%. Efficiency at other load conditions (OBO) for RDPA also consistently outperforms CDPA, with PAE ranging from 3.79% to 25.83% depending on QWTL and Drain efficiencies (DE) of the carrier and peaking amplifiers. These results highlight the RDPA’s resilience to QWT losses and its potential for energy-efficient wireless applications, positioning it as a strong candidate for next-generation high-efficiency amplifier designs.

Telecommuting systems are spreading rapidly, but little research has been done to understand determinants that affect its adoption at the individual level. Moreover, research methodologies have tended to be constrained to conventional approaches. This study seeks to identify factors that influence telecommuting platform adoption, with a focus on the effect of perceived fear against a new health crisis during the post-coronavirus era. This study endeavored to combine perceived fear with technology acceptance model, and applied an artificial neural network (ANN) to analyze the data collected by an online survey in South Korea. The results show that our ANN model achieved acceptable prediction accuracy. Perceived fear influences behavioral intention to adopt telecommuting platforms in the face of a new pandemic in the future. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are crucial considerations to adopt the technology. These findings can provide researchers and industrial practitioners with a differentiated view into individual-level adoption of telecommuting systems.

Al7075-T6 alloy, widely used in aerospace applications, is prized for its high strength-to-weight ratio but often requires enhanced surface properties to meet the demands of high-wear environments. This study investigates the enhancement of wear resistance in Al7075-T6 alloy through ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM), a surface engineering technique that refines the microstructure, increases hardness and induces compressive residual stresses. The treatment generates a nanocrystalline layer on the alloy surface, significantly improving hardness, reducing friction, and mitigating wear under dynamic loading conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed a substantial grain refinement, with average grain sizes reduced to the nanometer scale near the treated surface. Tribological testing demonstrated a notable reduction in wear rates and friction coefficients compared to untreated samples, underscoring the effectiveness of UNSM in improving wear performance. Additionally, the influence of key parameters, such as ultrasonic energy intensity, tool geometry, and process duration, was systematically evaluated to optimize the surface modification. This research highlights UNSM as a viable postprocessing technique for enhancing the durability and performance of Al7075-T6 alloy in wear-intensive applications, bridging the gap between material properties and the stringent requirements of advanced engineering systems.

Low mass X-ray binaries are binary star systems, consisting of a late type main sequence star and a compact object. This class of objects is known to emit regular X-ray flares on the time scales of years to decades. In our work we present an energy balance stage model for such a behavior and apply it to the case of IGR J17498-2921 2023 Apr. flare. We present the results of our analysis of NUSTAR and Spektr-RG/ART-XC observations of the source. Each of the satellites detected 2 type I X-ray bursts from the source, which let us determine burst recurrence period during flare activity, estimate its possible value during the quiescence period and gave a hint on accreted material composition. Comparatively low burst duration witnesses of a H poor accreted material and so a highly evolved optical companion star. Burst spectra were well fitted with absorbed thermal radiation model, while persistent radiation spectra also required a hot corona, accretion disk and reflection of coronal radiation from the disk components to be added to the model.

This study proposes a methodology to interpret cylindrically propagating elastic waves as analogous to waves propagating in Cartesian coordinates. By employing coordinate transformations and leveraging the symmetry of wave propagation, the approach simplifies the complexities inherent in cylindrical coordinate systems. This framework enables the application of existing Cartesian-based analytical techniques to cylindrical wave problems, providing enhanced computational efficiency. The proposed method holds potential for various engineering applications, including elastic wave-based nondestructive testing and structural optimization, particularly in complex media and structures.

Anthraquinones are secondary metabolites of plants and are widely distributed in various species. They are known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-damage, and anti-osteoporosis. Anthraquinones are generally lipophilic, which results in relatively low solubility and bioavailability. These limitations can be addressed through enzymatic reactions such as glycosylation and hydroxylation. In this study, we attempted the glycosylation of two anthraquinone compounds, anthraflavic acid and xanthopurpurin, using microbial UDPglycosyltransferase UGT-1. UGT-1 could catalyze the O-glucosylation of anthraquinones to form glucoside-type products, which were confirmed by HPLC and high-resolution LC-MS analyses. This study demonstrated that glycosyltransferase UGT- 1 could be a good candidate for producing modified steroids with potential biological activities.

Bacterial/fungal biosynthetic pathways of anthraquinones have been well-known, but plant anthraquinone biosynthetic pathways remain unexplored. In this paper, we identified several chalcone synthase genes predicted to associate with anthraquinone biosynthesis, through transcriptomic, metabolomic and genomic analyses of Senna occidentalis. In in-vitro assay, chalcone synthase-like (SocCHS-L2) of Senna occidentalis was identified to produce atrochrysone carboxylic acid and endocrocin anthrone through LC-MS/MS analysis. Additionally, through X-ray crystallography, we successfully got the crystal structure of free-form (2.1 Å) and substrate-bound-form (2.2 Å) of SocCHS-L2. Structural pairwise analysis revealed that SocCHS-L2 shares high similarity with TrADS (Tetradium ruticarpum, PDB ID: 5WX3) and FhCHS1 (Freesia hybrid cultivar, PDB ID: 4WUM), with approximately 56% sequence identity. SocCHS-L2 was conserved with active-site traid, Cys-His-Asn, but it shows different residual compositions. Compared with TrADS structure, SocCHS-L2 was replaced with Ile136 and Gln262, and the direction of Tyr264 side chain seems to be un-rotatable through formation of hydrogen bond with His211, only found in SocCHS-L2. The volume analysis indicates that the condensation of SocCHS-L2 has 274.1 Å3, whereas TrADS has un undetectable pocket size. Additionally, SocCHS-L2 seems to be different shape of condensation pocket with octaketide synthase (AaOKS, PDB ID: 7DTQ) from Aloe arborescens. AaOKS catalyze the condensation of eight malonyl-CoA units to produce octaketo-beta-acyl chain, same as SocCHS-L2, but it produced different product, SEK4 and SEK4b. Although the internal cavity shapes of SocCHS-L2 and AaOKS provide sufficient space to polymerize the same intermediates, the variations in the internal residues and spatial configuration explain the production of different final products.

Antarctic mosses represent an untapped treasure trove of bioactive compounds with potential applications in a variety of fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of extracts from Antarctic mosses using a combination of metabolomic and in silico analyses to identify active compounds. In the first bioactivity assay, significant antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities were observed in selected moss extracts. The extract that exhibited the highest biological activity was subjected to comprehensive metabolomic profiling using LC-MS/MS to identify the major secondary metabolites. Molecular docking studies were performed on these metabolites to predict their binding affinities and interactions with target proteins to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the observed biological activities. These findings suggest that Antarctic mosses contain unique metabolites with promising biological activities and provide insight into adaptive mechanisms in extreme environments. This study highlights the potential pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications of compounds derived from the moss and paves the way for further in vitro and in vivo investigations to validate their efficacy.

Foot ulcer is a common skin disorder in diabetic patients worldwide. A number of factors are associated with wound healing impairment in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), including peripheral neuropathy (PN), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and infection. Here, we present two cases of chronic and recalcitrant DFU in African diabetic patients with a history of treatment failure in both patients, and right foot toe amputation in one of them, prior to wound management with a topical ointment containing Vernonia amygdalina leaf-derived biomaterial (AMX). Case 1 was a 53-year old male diabetic patient who developed type 2 diabetes mellitus 3 years before, had uncontrolled fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, and underwent toe amputation due to a complicated DFU on his left foot (Type IV, Kobe foot ulcer classification). He received wound care with the use of a topical antiseptic and disinfectant solution (Betadine iodine) once every two days and daily antibiotics, in addition to antidiabetic medication. Given that a second amputation was envisaged, his doctor who knew about our product (AMX) requested a sample in 2019. Case 2 was a 34-year old female diabetic patient who had a long-lasting ulcerative skin wound on her left lower limb for almost 10 years (Type IV class ulcer). She has been using topical Dakin’s solution for wound care. With topical application of AMX, rapid soft tissue regeneration and wound closure was observed after 2 months of treatment in Patient1. On the other hand, a wound closure was observed at day10 of AMX treatment in Patient 2. Blood glucose was controlled thanks to the use of an alga-based phytomedicine (NBF) from our research group as adjuvant antidiabetic therapy. Observations from this case report suggest that AMX, known as skin filaggrin (FLG) and TNF-alpha modulator with antibacterial activity, has a potential to serve as alternative treatment for ulcerative skin disorders.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related neurological disorder that causes an uncomfortable feeling in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. It is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be related to dopamine, a brain chemical that helps with muscle movement. Some cases may be inherited. Mild RLS can be treated with exercise, leg massages, and warm baths. For severe symptoms, some medications such as dopaminergic agents (levodopa), antiseizure agents (gabapentin), BZDs (clonazepam), and opioids are prescribed. However, many of the pharmaceuticals have unwanted side effects, and the potential for tolerance and dependence. In contrast to Western medicine, Oriental medicine such as acupuncture and herbal formula has a treatment modality with potential efficacy and few side effects. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the theory for the cause of RLS is disclosed as reduction in the legs blood Yin and Xue (blood) which is responsible for body and brain relaxation. Shaoyao Gancao Tang is a classic formulation of TCM and was first recorded in the Treatise of Cold Damage written by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 AD) for halting spasms and cramps of legs. In recent years, an increasing number of clinical trials has been conducted and published to demonstrate the effectiveness of Shaoyao Gancao Tang for the treatment of RLS. The major goal of RLS treatment is to provide symptom relief. The purpose of this study is to examine the additive effect of medical acupuncture and herbal formula on controlling the symptoms of RLS.

The acupuncture I do uses spirituality. I use spirituality in both diagnosis and treatment. And in the process of guiding from diagnosis to treatment, we receive the cooperation of the spirit world. However, there are still few people who recognize acupuncture in this way. Some acupuncturists do not use spirituality. Many acupuncturists use spirituality but do not recognize it as spirituality. Therefore, I decided to discuss acupuncture as a spiritual treatment from three perspectives. I tried to explain specifically how I use spirituality when I do acupuncture.

This study examines the profound connection between Heavenly Parent’s love and mathematics, presenting a novel perspective to bridge the realms of religion and science. By highlighting the mathematical precision and beauty evident in the universe, it reveals how the inherent order in mathematical laws reflects the love and harmony of Heavenly Parent. Specific examples, such as the Dirac equation, Euler’s formula, the Fibonacci sequence, Cauchy’s integral theorem, and the Hahn-Banach theorem, illustrate how mathematical principles embody universal beauty and order as expressions of Heavenly Parent’s intention in creation. This research illustrates how one can experience the love of the Heavenly Parent through mathematics, the foundation of modern science and technology, thereby contributing to the realization of an ideal world.

The difference in perspective between liberals and conservatives is not so much in the values they espouse as in the weights they assign to them, with liberals in particular citing the embodiment of care (kindness) as the overriding moral imperative at the expense of essentially all other virtues. This moral priority is increasingly expressed through advocacy for the avoidance of harm and the promotion of equality. To advance their cause in the public space, conservatives are increasingly led to justify their moral choices in those terms. The result we see is a hollowing out of the public moral discourse, with considerations of mainstream traditional concepts of virtue still influencing the members of communities who have a shared source of authority, but increasingly found to be absent from the wider public discussion. What is to be done? If we are right in our diagnosis that the intractability of political discourse in the present age is due to a dearth of common values, and more specifically a lack of diversity in the values perspective of the progressive left, then it is better to acknowledge this and look to deal with it, rather than ignoring it. If greater common ground is to be found between liberals and conservatives, it is the latter group who must establish it and look to defend it, challenging the former’s monopoly on the idea of what constitutes “kindness” and enriching it by offering a more diverse palette of values and virtues allowing a more inclusive moral debate.