Month: January 2025

Abstract

The enduring challenge of water distribution between India and Bangladesh persists, impacting bilateral relations significantly. This research elucidates the geopolitical intricacies of this issue and examines its adverse socioeconomic effects on Bangladesh, proposing strategic solutions. Employing qualitative methods, this study conducts a case study analysis incorporating archival research and content analysis. Data is sourced from secondary materials such as academic reports, policies, and working papers, with a theoretical framework rooted in Hydro-Politics. The study reveals Bangladesh’s geographical dependency on India, particularly concerning upstream rivers where India wields hegemonic influence. Several factors contribute to the ongoing impasse, including India’s internal political dynamics and unresolved issues like the Teesta dispute. Furthermore, the manipulation of water flow, such as spillway release during monsoons, presents challenges, impacting flood management and resource availability. These alterations carry significant ramifications for local communities and biodiversity. This study delves into the underexplored realm of the India-Bangladesh water distribution issue, assessing its socioeconomic impacts and proposing strategic solutions. The policy recommendations offer insights for national governments and international bodies grappling with similar challenges.

Abstract

We investigated whether miR143#12, a synthesized chemically modified miR-143-3p derivative, exerts therapeutic effects on acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sprague–Dawley rats and Japanese white rabbits underwent 30 min of coronary occlusion followed by 2 weeks of reperfusion. The rat AMI model was intravenously administered with control miRNA (9 μg/kg), 3 μg/kg or 9 μg/kg of miR143#12 1 h after reperfusion, while the rabbit AMI model was intravenously administered with control miRNA (9 μg/kg) or 9 μg/kg of miR143#12. In the rat and rabbit AMI models, 9 μg/kg of miR143#12 significantly reduced infarct sizes and significantly improved cardiac function including LVEF and LVFS at 2 weeks. The tissue miR143 levels in infarct areas significantly decreased after AMI in both models. Electron microscopic study and immunohistochemistry suggested that miR143#12 suppressed autophagic cell death caused by AMI and induced neoangiogenesis in the infarct border. In cultured rat H9c2 cells, miR143#12 significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced autophagic cell death by decreasing ROS levels and increased viable cell numbers more than the control by silencing COX-1, -2, and ATG7. Replacement treatment with miR143#12 in the infarct areas, where the expression levels of miR143 were significantly decreased, has a beneficial effect on AMI by silencing COX-1 and -2.

Abstract

The adoption of electronic contracts has significantly improved the efficiency of contract signing and management, especially in cross-border trade. However, it also raises challenges related to security and fairness. Traditional solutions are vulnerable to signature forgery and third-party collusion, while blockchain-based solutions, despite their traceability and tamper-resistance, face issues such as privacy leakage and high costs. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a multiparty fair contract signing model that combines off-chain protocols with on-chain smart contracts. The model uses shared keys to encrypt contract content, preventing sensitive information leakage; employs off-chain signature aggregation to reduce communication and storage costs; and implements multi-signature verification and a penalty mechanism via smart contracts to ensure fairness and security. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed solution outperforms existing methods in privacy protection, signing efficiency, and economic feasibility, offering a high-performance, secure, and fair solution for multiparty contract signing.

Abstract

Recently natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, subsidence, glacier bursts and flash floods have severely impacted Himalayan cities, including Joshimath, Uttarakhand. In January 2023, significant ground cracks were observed, leading to the evacuation of nearly 800 buildings. This study investigates the underlying causes of ground failure and building damage through various geotechnical and geophysical tests at 12 sites in Joshimath, including plate load test, dynamic cone penetration test, field direct shear test, multi-channel analysis of surface waves and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio. Soil samples are analyzed for natural moisture content and grain size distribution. There is large heterogeneity in the test results which are highly variable. The field tests indicate the soil fabric of Joshimath is a complex mixture of boulders, gravels and soil. Internal erosion in such soils causes the instability of the whole fabric and results in the readjustment of the boulders resulting in subsidence. Internal erosion, driven by subsurface drainage from rainwater, ice melting and wastewater discharge, destabilizes the soil matrix and causes subsidence. It has also been observed that even at greater depths, no clear uniform strata is present and similar heterogeneous strata extend. Lower shear strength and bearing capacity are observed at several sites, potentially contributing to building damage. The study emphasizes that individual test results alone may not adequately capture site conditions. Instead, a combination of multiple test results is essential for a comprehensive assessment. Based on the test results, a vulnerability map of the area is presented.

Abstract

We have investigated the impact of non-thermal plasma jet (NTPJ) on porous silicon (Psi) nanostructures prepared by photoelectrochemical etching (PECE) and subsequently studied this effect on the performance of the PSi-based photodetectors, where the influence of a non-thermal plasma jet on a porous silicon surface has not been examined in any previous study. PSi samples were treated with 12, 14, and 16 kV voltages by a non-thermal plasma jet for a fixed fluence duration of 12 min. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern reveals that the size of porous silicon crystallized increased from 28.6 nm to 75.0 nm when the plasma voltage was raised to 16 kV. Field emission scanning electron microscopes (FE-SEM) images revealed that the gray, mud-like, and dark porous sample turned into a tending black and more porous surface, and the treatment by plasma altered the top surface of the porous layer only without causing any damage to the sample. The study of atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed that the surface roughness RMS, roughness average Sa, and the top ten highest roughness Sz of porous silicon increased from 1.50, 1.10, and 13.7 nm to 5.21, 3.69, and 64.59 nm, respectively, after treated at 16 kV plasma voltage. Raman scattering spectra of treated materials show visible photoluminescence and an infrared shift due to plasma treatment of porous silicon PSi, with a crystalline structure band at 548 cm⁻¹. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum shows multiple peaks and shifts toward longer wavelengths after plasma treatment. The responsivity of Au/PSi/n-Si/Ag photodetectors increases with plasma voltage, reaching its highest values at 16 kV (9.28 and 10.83 W/A at 480 and 600 nm) and the maximum detectivity of 2.47 × 10¹² and 2.8 × 10¹² Jones at 480 and 600 nm. Photodetectors performance was evaluated based on repeatability and photo response speed. The stability of Au/PSi/n-Si/Ag, heterojunction photodetectors, was tested at -1 V bias voltage and 4 s switch cycle, demonstrating constant maximum current values.

Abstract

This paper reviews the experimental literature on fraud detection by external auditors. We conduct a systematic literature review that includes 37 experimental studies on fraud detection from the JSTOR, EBSCO, and WoS (Web of Science) databases and from SSRN. We present a theoretical background on fraud models and common fraud detection methods. Our review covers results of studies on fraud brainstorming and fraud risk assessment, on fraud detection from interviews, inquiries, text, and speech. We also reveal the outcome of studies focusing on the effect of attention, accountability, and the evaluation of audit evidence on fraud detection. These studies show that interventions like priming, and additional instructions on fraud consideration or game-like elements enhance auditor awareness of fraud cues, thus improving brainstorming, risk assessment, and the evaluation of audit evidence. Finally, the paper considers the limitations and criticisms of the presented studies, and future research avenues in fraud detection.

Abstract

Background

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global health, with its spread intricately linked across human, animal, and environmental sectors. Revealing the antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) flow among the One Health sectors is essential for better control of antimicrobial resistance.

Results

In this study, we investigated regional ARG transmission among humans, food, and the environment in Dengfeng, Henan Province, China by combining large-scale metagenomic sequencing with culturing of resistant bacterial isolates in 592 samples. A total of 40 ARG types and 743 ARG subtypes were identified, with a predominance of multidrug resistance genes. Compared with microbes from human fecal samples, those from food and environmental samples showed a significantly higher load of ARGs. We revealed that dietary habits and occupational exposure significantly affect ARG abundance. Pseudomonadota, particularly Enterobacteriaceae, were identified as the main ARG carriers shaping the resistome. The resistome in food samples was found more affected by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), whereas in environmental samples, it was more associated with the microbial composition. We evidenced that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mediated by plasmids and phages, together with strain transmission, particularly those associated with the Enterobacteriaceae members, drive regional ARG flow. Lifestyle, dietary habits, and occupational exposure are all correlated with ARG dissemination and flies and food are important potential sources of ARGs to humans. The widespread mobile carbapenemase gene, OXA-347, carried by non-Enterobacteriaceae bacteria in the human gut microbiota, requires particular attention. Finally, we showed that machine learning models based on microbiome profiles were effective in predicting the presence of carbapenem-resistant strains, suggesting a valuable approach for AMR surveillance.

Conclusions

Our study provides a full picture of regional ARG transmission among the One Health sectors in a county-level city in China, which facilitates a better understanding of the complex routes of ARG transmission and highlights new points of focus for AMR surveillance and control.

Video Abstract

Abstract

The lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) is a valuable fishery resource vulnerable to various threats in the Mexican Atlantic, including coral reef degradation, damage to seagrass beds, massive influxes of sargassum, decline of other commercially important species, as well as its slow growth rate and late sexual maturity. Various studies have reported genetic differences and low genetic diversity in lane snapper populations; however, no information is currently available for populations along the Mexican Atlantic coast. Hence, this study aimed to assess the genetic connectivity levels among L. synagris populations across four sites spanning 1400 km of coastline in the Mexican Atlantic. Results showed that allele frequencies are statistically different across populations, yet no relationship was found between genetic flow and geographical distances. Additionally, low genetic diversity was observed in all populations compared to Atlantic-wide studies. The Garza-Williamson index suggested that the studied populations experienced a size reduction. This study highlights the need to regulate the fishing of this species.

Abstract

The establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) after the Uruguay Round negotiations led to the adoption of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The agreement remains the keystone of the international intellectual property framework. One distinctive feature of the TRIPS Agreement is Article 66.2, which enshrined the legal obligation to developed WTO Members to provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and encouraging technology transfer to least-developed country (LDC) Members to enable them to create a sound and viable technological base.

The TRIPS Agreement includes other references to technology transfer: for example, Article 7 links the objective of protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights not only to the promotion of technological innovation but also to the transfer of technology. However, recent communications by delegations have underlined the importance of technology transfer and brought the topic back to the centre of the public debate, maintaining its full potential to address global crises. The issue of technology transfer is not new or exclusive to the TRIPS Agreement since several mentions can be found in international environmental treaties like the Paris Agreement or in the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord (Pandemic Treaty), which is currently under negotiation at the World Health Organization. Indicating that transfer and dissemination of technology has proven vital in addressing global crises like climate change or achieving pandemic preparedness.