Iterative technique for third-order differential equation with three-point nonlinear boundary value conditions

In this paper, we study the existence of extremal solutions for a nonlinear third-order differential equation with three-point nonlinear boundary value conditions. By means of the method of upper and lower solutions and different monotone iterative techniques, the sufficient conditions which guarantee the existence of extremal solutions are given. An example illustrates the main results

Remediation of Copper Contaminated Kaolin by Electrokinetics Coupled with Permeable Reactive Barrier

AbstractElectrokinetics is an in situ soil remediation technique by which the flow direction of the pollutants can be controlled and the soil with low permeability can be treated. In this study, the remediation of copper contaminated kaolin by electrokinetic process coupled with activated carbon permeable reactive barrier (PRB) was investigated. The experimental results showed that the integration of PRB with electrokinetics successfully removed copper from kaolin with pH control of the catholyte. The average removal rate reached the highest of 96.60% when the initial Cu2+ concentration was 2000mg/kg. Compared to the electrokinetic process without PRB, the application of the coupled system could reduce the pollution of the electrolyte

Can agricultural protectionist policies help achieve food security in Nigeria?

This study mapped the dynamic interaction of narratives regarding Nigeria's pursuit of rice self-sufficiency and related trade policies since the 1970s to explore whether agricultural protectionist policies can help achieve food security in Nigeria. Developing agricultural trade policies that simultaneously secure imported food supplies and protect domestic agricultural development is a challenging task. Nigeria's protectionist policies have a controversial agenda. Few studies have investigated the dynamic process of rice production and trade policy from a historical viewpoint; our study fills this gap. Through mapping Nigeria's pursuit of rice self-sufficiency over the past 50 years, we found that seesawed trade policy parallels complex rice development, leaving imported rice dependence unchanged. Regardless of when policies switch to trade protection or liberalization, the procedure does not directly lead to increased rice production. Since much exploration is needed regarding how to achieve food security in Nigeria, we also identify three new dimensions for future food security research based on our findings' optimal recommendations

Online Accountability Practices among Non - Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

This study measures the disclosure of non-financial information from NGO websites in Malaysia. This pilot study obtains empirical evidence through content analysis of 40 NGO websites to determine the extent to which information disclosure is carried out. Descriptive content analysis (score) is used in the inferential component of data analysis. The study results show that NGOs in Malaysia are weak in disclosing non-financial information such as customer satisfaction and complaints. This study provides empirical evidence on the importance of external audit formation for better information disclosure.   Keywords: Non-Financial Information; Disclosures; Websites; Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i21.368

On the Existence of Solutions for Impulsive Fractional Differential Equations

We are concerned with a type of impulsive fractional differential equations attached with integral boundary conditions and get the existence of at least one positive solution via global bifurcation techniques

Mass Loss and Chemical Structures of Wheat and Maize Straws in Response to Ultravoilet-B Radiation and Soil Contact

The role of photodegradation, an abiotic process, has been largely overlooked during straw decomposition in mesic ecosystems. We investigated the mass loss and chemical structures of straw decomposition in response to elevated UV-B radiation with or without soil contact over a 12-month litterbag experiment. Wheat and maize straw samples with and without soil contact were exposed to three radiation levels: a no-sunlight control, ambient solar UV-B, and artificially elevated UV-B radiation. A block control with soil contact was not included. Compared with the no-sunlight control, UV-B radiation increased the mass loss by 14-19% and the ambient radiation by 9-16% for wheat and maize straws without soil contact after 12 months. Elevated UV-B exposure decreased the decomposition rates of both wheat and maize straws when in contact with soil. Light exposure resulted in decreased O-alkyl carbons and increased alkyl carbons for both the wheat and maize straws compared with no-sunlight control. The difference in soil contact may influence the contribution of photodegradation to the overall straw decomposition process. These results indicate that we must take into account the effects of photodegradation when explaining the mechanisms of straw decomposition in mesic ecosystems

Differentiation of canine distemper virus isolates in fur animals from various vaccine strains by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism according to phylogenetic relations in china

In order to effectively identify the vaccine and field strains of Canine distemper virus (CDV), a new differential diagnostic test has been developed based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). We selected an 829 bp fragment of the nucleoprotein (N) gene of CDV. By RFLP analysis using BamHI, field isolates were distinguishable from the vaccine strains. Two fragments were obtained from the vaccine strains by RT-PCR-RFLP analysis while three were observed in the field strains. An 829 nucleotide region of the CDV N gene was analyzed in 19 CDV field strains isolated from minks, raccoon dogs and foxes in China between 2005 and 2007. The results suggest this method is precise, accurate and efficient. It was also determined that three different genotypes exist in CDV field strains in fur animal herds of the north of China, most of which belong to Asian type. Mutated field strains, JSY06-R1, JSY06-R2 and JDH07-F1 also exist in Northern China, but are most closely related to the standard virulent strain A75/17, designated in Arctic and America-2 genetype in the present study, respectively

Effect of tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine on the growth and development of infants by blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus

Purpose: To investigate the effect of tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine on the growth and development of infants after blocking mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: Seventy pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were recruited and allocated to tenofovir disoproxil group (n = 35) and telbivudine group (n = 35) using random number table method. Tenofovir disoproxil group was given 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil orally four times daily, while telbivudine group was given telbivudine 600 mg orally four times daily. Results: After treatment, both groups showed no significant differences in serum HBV-DNA and ALT levels before delivery and 3 months after delivery (p > 0.05). Both groups showed no remarkable differences in the incidence of hypohydramnios, cholestasis, hypothyroidism, anemia, prolonged labor, fetal distress, and placental adhesions (p > 0.05). Both groups showed no significant differences in the rates of premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, vaginal delivery, and cesarean section (p > 0.05). Both groups showed no significant differences in neonatal sex, gestational age at birth, weight, length, and Apgar scores (p > 0.05). The differences in the positive rates of HBVsAg, HBsAb, and HBeAg at birth and at 12 months were not statistically noticeable (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Tenofovir disoproxil and telbivudine reduce HBV-DNA levels, effectively blocks MTCT, and have a similar safety profile for infants. Further investigations to confirm t