Discovery最新文献

{"title":"Exploring nonlinear models for predicting Diameter-Height and Diameter-Volume relationships in Shorea robusta trees: A study in the forests of Putalaibazar Municipality, Syangja","authors":"Sagar Budhathoki, Sanchita Budhathoki, Lochana Adhikari, Sahayog Chhetri, Padam Prakash Jaishi","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e115d1356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e115d1356","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to determine the most suitable models among a set of five candidate models to describe the relationships between diameter height and diameter volume for individual Shorea robusta trees within the forests of Putalaibazar Municipality, Syangja. The methodology involved measuring the diameter at breast height and total height of 137 individual trees and calculating their respective volumes. The normality of these variables was assessed by a non-parametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (p ≤ 0.05), which revealed non -normality and only five nonlinear models were employed to fit the height-diameter and volume-diameter relationship by a transformation of variables. The study estimated model parameters, including intercepts and regression coefficients, and assessed model performance using fit statistics such as the adjusted coefficient of determination (adj. R²) and root mean square error (RMSE). Statistical significance of parameters was determined through parametric t-tests for regression parameters, with all parameters found to be statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The selection of the best-fitting model was based on models exhibiting the highest adjusted coefficient of determination, lowest root mean square error, and lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) value. Visual assessments, including histogram analyses, normal probability plot curves, and scattered plot diagrams, were also employed. Among the models tested, the Wykoff model (H(Height, m)=Bh(Breast Height, m)+exp(3.19+(-9.203)/(D+1)), where D represents diameter at breast height in cm, demonstrated superior performance for characterizing the Diameter-Height relationship. For the Diameter-Total Volume relationship, the model V = (-0.049) + 0.001 * D² proved to be optimal. These selected models are recommended for predicting the height and volume of individual Shorea robusta trees. It is essential to note that these models are explicitly site-specific and should be applied exclusively to sites, sizes, and stand conditions congruent with those examined in this study.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vascular plant diversity of Sonaimuri Upazila, Noakhali, Bangladesh","authors":"Md Salah Uddin","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e123d1383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e123d1383","url":null,"abstract":"A survey of vascular plant diversity in Sonaimuri Upazila, Noakhali, Bangladesh , was conducted from August 2019 to October 2022. This study recorded 360 species under 248 genera in 87 families, including those cultivated and planted. Based on habit distribution, there are 47% herbs, 15% shrubs, 28% trees, 9% climbers, and 1% epiphytes. The families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Euphorbiaceae were the most numerous in terms of species. Ficus and Solanum , with six species each, are the largest of the ten dominant genera found in the Sonaimuri, followed by Polygonum (5 species). For each species, a scientific name, vernacular name, family, plant group, and habit character have been presented. Many anthropogenic activities, the most prevalent of which are land grabs, agricultural expansion following vegetation clearance, infrastructure development, settlement, the gathering of fuel wood and leaf litter, significant visits, and other anthropogenic activities, are endangering the biodiversity of the study area.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of climate change and global warming on longevity: Empirical evidence from Nigeria","authors":"Ayeleso Anthony Olusoji","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e112d1353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e112d1353","url":null,"abstract":"The effects of climate change and global warming are having a significant impact on the environment, cultures, and economies all across the world. These issues are now among the most pressing of our time. This study investigates the impact of climate change and global warming on longevity in Nigeria from 1970 to 2022. The data was sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) estimation method was used. The results show that all independent variables significantly reduce longevity in Nigeria, consistent with previous studies. The Wald test and p-value were used to evaluate the five hypotheses and find to reduce longevity in Nigeria significantly. If policymakers intervene by 1% in the independent variables, they can improve longevity by 23.3% in one year. This suggests that policymakers must consider future climate change and global warming patterns in Nigeria to develop longevity policies that ensure a sustainable long life for citizens.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis of novel star-shaped truxene cored small molecules and applications in organic solar cells","authors":"Boniface Y Antwi, Joseph Cameron, Neil J Findlay, Richard B Owoare, R. Kingsford-Adaboh, Peter J Skabara","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e113d1354","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e113d1354","url":null,"abstract":"The synthesis of two new star-shaped organic small molecules with a truxene core, molecules 11 and 12, were carried out. They varied in sidechain length with molecule 11 having hexahexyl and molecule 12 having hexadodecyl side chains. The physical and photovoltaic properties were measured and characterized. Both molecules showed activity in UV-visible light and electrochemical processes. Molecule 11 had optical and electrochemical HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of 2.15 and 2.45 eV, respectively, while molecule 12 had 2.12 and 2.50 eV gaps. Photovoltaic device fabrication and testing revealed bifunctional acceptor-donor properties of the molecules in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells. The device PCEs for molecule 11 were 0.003% and 0.002%, while the PCEs for 12 were 0.004% and 0.03%. This improvement was attributed to the ease of processing and self-assembly induced by the long alkyl side chains of molecule 12.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the effect of temperature on crude oil contaminated water treated using bio-adsorbent in a packed bed","authors":"Dike John Izundu, Uku Eruni Philip","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e121d1366","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e121d1366","url":null,"abstract":"The study examined the impact of temperature on the performance of the bio-adsorbents in a packed bed unit for the mitigation (reduction or removal) of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) from the fresh water medium using agro-based fiber, which was prepared by subjecting the agro materials to sun and room drying before grinding into powder form of different particles. The bio-adsorbents used are plantain stem fiber, banana stem fiber, and palm fruit fiber. The investigation was performed at packed bed unit adsorption of o.2m3/sec of flow rate, constant packed bed unit height of 27cm. The impact of temperature on changes in physiochemical characteristics, microbial count, mitigation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), resident time, and pace of TPH remediation was observed. However, the equilibrium uptake and rate constants of Yoon-Nelson (KYN), Thomas (KTh), and Bohart-Adams (KAB) were determined using the adsorption parameters of the Yoon-Nelson, Adams-Bohart, and Thomas models. In fact, changes in KYN, KTh, KAB, and q0 were discovered, and correlation coefficients between these variables were found to be between 0.9165 and 0.9999. Performance efficiencies of up to 99.99% were displayed in operating temperature breakthrough plots, which illustrate how temperature influences adsorbent performance. Each packed bed unit's fluctuation in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration as well as the physicochemical characteristics of the pollutants were observed before and after treatment. As polluted water medium travels through each of the packed bed units, the TPH concentration decreases, and this decline is regulated by temperature fluctuation.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of the accumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Siganus rivulatus from Latakia city (Syria)","authors":"Mulham Askar, Ahmad Kara-Ali, Hazem Krawi","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e116d1357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e116d1357","url":null,"abstract":"This research focused on determining the concentrations of some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine water and muscle tissue of a type of saltwater fish for human consumption ( Siganus rivulatus ), which were collected in the summer and winter of 2022 in two locations in Latakia city beach (Sports City - South Corniche) using gas chromatography technology GC/MS. The results of this study showed that these areas are affected by polychlorinated biphenyls, which shows the continuous arrival of these combinations into the marine environment as a result of tourism activities, urban construction, sewage channels for homes and restaurants, or movement through river waters that flow directly into these areas. The total concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the water of the studied areas ranged between 22.1037 µg/l and 46.553 µg/l, with the highest value recorded in the South Corniche region during the summer, which was for the combination PCB-101 and amounted to 14.004 µg/l, in contrast the lowest value was recorded in In the Sports City area during the winter, the PCB-151 combination reached 0.0447 µg/l. The total concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls in the muscle tissue of the studied fish ranged between 61.2154 µg/g and 67.9369 µg/g, with the highest value recorded in the Sports City area during the summer, which was for the combination PCB-199 and amounted to 40.44 µg/g, in contrast the lowest value was recorded. In the southern Corniche area during the winter, the combination PCB-138 reached 0.492 µg/g. The correlation association that was studied between the lengths of the studied fish and the total concentration of PCBs indicated the presence of a significant positive association, R = 0.78. This shows an increase in the concentration of PCBs with the age of the fish, which shows an activity in the arrival of these pollutants into the marine environment.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Field strength intensity measurement of a Radio station for Frequency and coverage range inferences and human exposure index","authors":"Samuel Omosule Sedara","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e108d1352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e108d1352","url":null,"abstract":"In this research, the measurements of the field strength intensity of a radio station (ORISUN FM 89.5 MHZ) and its nearby locations within its coverage area were taken. This was taken to determine the frequency range, coverage area, field strength and power density measurements of the frequency modulation (FM) station and to ascertain whether its propagating frequency is within the radiofrequency (RF) protection guidelines. The result revealed that the frequency of the FM station did not reach all expected coverage areas in Ile-Ife and also that no mutual interference existed within the coverage areas. It also indicated that the RF propagation is within the protection guidelines of broadcasting stations and not dangerous to residents. The radiofrequency safety recommendations for the field strength and power density were not exceeded in all the locations covered. The highest values could be linked with other antennas. However, this research study provided radio station operators with information on environmental RF fields that will help ensure the prudent and safe operation of amateur facilities.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of Self-Efficacy in effective strategies to promote secure behavior among employees in Tanzania’s public authorities: A case of Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA)","authors":"Itonge Julius, Kenneth Mlelwa","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e119d1362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e119d1362","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing reliance on information systems in public authorities in Tanzania has heightened the importance of ensuring secure behavior among employees to safeguard sensitive data and protect against potential threats. However, promoting secure behavior remains challenging for organizations, leading to vulnerabilities in their information systems. This study explored self-efficacy (SE) in effective strategies to promote secure employee behavior toward information systems in Tanzania's public authorities, using the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dar es Salaam, as a case study. This study uses A Social Cognitive Theory as a guiding theory. Findings indicated that employees' performance of secure behavior is affected by the low level of SE since more employees seemed to have doubts about their confidence level in undertaking security-related tasks. The study recommends the improvement in the current security awareness programs that should find a way to focus on the SE of employees to improve their confidence in performing secure behavior and also on the development of clear security guidelines that are user-friendly to employees to make them understand what the importance of them adhering to security guidelines and policies and hence feel comfortable executing them. This study recommended more research on public and private organizations to add to the body of knowledge on improving strategies to promote secure employee behavior.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Alcohol toxicity on estrous cycle, and in the uterus of Wistar rats","authors":"Unwana E Mishael, Idorenyin Umoh, Innocent A Edagha, Eno-obong I Bassey","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e124d1389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e124d1389","url":null,"abstract":"In investigating the effect of Alcohol on the estrous cycle and uterine microstructure, hormonal and anti-oxidant concentration, twenty; adult female Wistar rats weighing 95 to 155 g were used. The animals were grouped into four groups of five rats each; group 1 is the control; while the animals in group 2-4 received 0.13 mL/kg, 0.67 mL/kg and 1.34 mL/kg of Alcohol. The administration was given with an orogastric tube orally for 28 days, weighed and sacrifice on the 29th day, using ketamine injection intraperitoneally. Blood, Uterus were harvested for hormonal and biochemical assays. The Uterus were processed using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques and Masson trichrome stain for cyto-architectural assessment. The estrous cycle for the animals in group 1 had a regular cycle, Alcohol groups had irregular cycle, an increase in body weight of the animals in all the groups were recorded. Sections of Tissue showed hypertrophy of uterine glands in the high dose of alcohol group and Thickening; of epithelial lining for animals in group three. Alcohol groups had decreased staining intensity for the collagen fibers in the uterus. Catalase, Sodium dismutase activities decreased in group three and group four. Hormonal; concentrations decreased in alcohol groups with a statistical significance value of p < 0.05. Alcohol; can cause irregular estrous cycle, enlargement of the endometrial gland with symptoms such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, anaemia and can also affects implantation of the foetus.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding options for improving cowpea production under changing climatic and variability in rain-forest agroecology of Nigeria","authors":"Adetayo Adewale O, Balogun Ahmed A, B. Ifeoluwa A.","doi":"10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e111d1351","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v59i333.e111d1351","url":null,"abstract":"Options for improving cowpea production under in�uence of climate change and variability impacts such as delayed onset, early cessation and shortened length of growing season in rain forest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria was investigated in this study. In order to achieve a sustainable improvement in cowpea production using selection of planting dates option for good growth and yield of cowpea, three planting dates were selected at two weeks interval starting from the onset of rain. This research was conducted during the growing season of 2021 and 2022 at the Laboratory for Geoecology and sustainable food systems (GeoLab), Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria (7°15 ’ N, 5°15’E) and project farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R&T.) Ibadan, Nigeria (7°22‘N; 3°.30‘E). Both locations are within the rain-forest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The varieties of cowpea used are, FUAMPEA 2(V1), Ife Brown (V2) and 573-1-1(V3). The planting spacing of 25cm x 75cmcrop was followed. Variables measured are plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, days to 50% �owering, number of peduncle per plant, number of pods per peduncle, number of seeds per pod, pod length, 100 seed weight and yield per hectare. Cultivar differences were noticed among the three varieties of cowpea which indicated their generic differences. Ife Brown and 573-1-1 matured earlier than FUAMPEA 2. Ife Brown had more pods per plant, shorter pod length, fewer numbers of seeds per pod and smaller seeds than FUAMPEA 2 and 573-1-1 varieties of cowpea. Generally, the plant growth and yield parameters decreased with delayed planting irrespective of location and variety of cowpea planted. Maximum yield for FUAMPEA 2, Ife Brown and 573-1-1 planted in Akure are 1.48tons/ha, 1.47tons/ha and 1.22 ton/ha respectively while the maximum yield of cowpea planted in Ibadan for V1,V2 and V3 are 1.36 tons/ha, 1.38 tons/ha and 1.12 ton/ha respectively. Planting of cowpea for good grain yield is best done at the onset of rains in rain-forest of Nigeria. Through this adaptation strategy, the negative effects of climate change on cowpea production are reduced and positive in�uences enhanced.","PeriodicalId":505009,"journal":{"name":"Discovery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139184647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}