bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Mass-Loading on Performance of the Cyclone Separators
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Jha Kailash
Published: April 2022

The concentration of dust particles in the incoming air has a significant effect on the performance of cyclone separators. In the proposed work, four particle concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 kg/kg) in the dust stream have been mathematically investigated using both one-way and two-way coupling. A fine grid is solved using the Large Eddy Simulations to capture the accurate physical phenomena. For vortices smaller than the grid size the Smagorinsky Lilly model with a Smagorinsky constant, Cs of 0.1 has been applied. The collection efficiencies of the four cases are presented and the differences between the one-way and two-way coupled simulation approaches are highlighted in the present study. The two-way coupled simulations show an increase in the collection efficiency from 62% to 70% on increasing the solid loadings from 0.05 to 0.3 with marginal increase in pressure drop of 4.8%.
Unveiling the Evolution Journey from Pangea to Present Himalayan Orogeny with Relation to Seismic Hazard Assessment
Authors: Sarkar Tandrila , Kumar Yadav Abhishek , Kannaujiya Suresh , N.S. Roy Paresh , Chaganti Charan
Published: April 2022

The objective is to understand incessant seismic activities in Northwest and Central Himalayan regions. GPS data acquired (2017–2020, Nepal; 2015–2019, Uttarakhand) from 65 GNSS stations are used to generate velocity solutions with respect to International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2014 & Indian fixed reference frame to determine the site’s precise position. These velocities are further used to calculate the strain rate and prevailing convergence rate by the respective Triangulation method and Okada’s formulation. The estimated mean maximum and minimum principal strain rate are 12.19 nano strain/yr. and − 102.94 nano strain/yr. respectively. And the respective mean shear strain and dilatation are 115.13 nano strain/yr. −90.75 nano strain, which implies that Higher Himalaya observes high compression rate compared to Outer and Lesser Himalayan region. Estimations have also elucidated presence of extensional deformation in the Northwestern part of the Himalayan arc. Accordingly, in Central Himalaya, paleoliquefaction investigations have deciphered turbidites, confirming that the seismic ruptures did not reach the surface during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. The best-fit locking depth of 14 km and convergence rate of 21 mm/yr. (Nepal) & 18 mm/yr. (Uttarakhand) are obtained. The strain budget analysis indicates that Northwest and Central Himalaya can beckon a megathrust earthquake in the future.
Phytohormones as Plant Growth Regulators and Safe Protectors against Biotic and Abiotic Stress
Authors: Asif Rizwan , Yasmin Riffat , Mustafa Madiha , Ambreen Ana , Mazhar Modasrah , Rehman Abdul , Umbreen Shehla , Ahmad Mukhtiar
Published: April 2022

Plants are playing important role in the planet by providing food for humans and stability in the environment. Phytohormones are key regulators in various physiological processes and among the most important small signaling molecules affecting plant growth and yield production. These biochemical also initiate adaptive responses caused by external stimuli, such as biotic and abiotic stress. Generally, on the basis of physiology, plant hormones roughly fall into two classes. In class one, phytohormones fall which is responsible for plants growth-promoting activities, such as cell division, cell elongation, seed and fruit development, and pattern of differentiation. On the other hand, the second class of hormone play important role in plants’ response, such as biotic and abiotic stresses. Some other hormones, such as jasmonates, salicylic acid, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones, also play a key role in plants. Their biochemical signaling network and their crosstalk ability make plant hormones excellent candidates to optimize plant growth and/or mediate abiotic and biotic stresses in agriculture. In the end, the future trends of plant hormone analysis are exploring plant hormones and their applications. We believe the perspective may serve as guidance for the research of plant hormones in the analytical, environmental, and botanical fields.
The Immunomodulatory Role of Probiotics
Authors: Siddique Faisal , Akram Kashif , Saleh Alghamdi Etab , Arshad Qandeel , Siddique Ayesha
Published: April 2022

Probiotics are particularly beneficial living microorganisms that help improve human health. Although probiotics have long been used as nutritional supplements in various cultures around the world, new research has investigated their antimicrobial and immune boosting effects in individuals. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are popular probiotics used worldwide that benefit human health by acting as antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents, reducing pathogen binding to the host receptor and thus capturing pathogenic microorganisms. Probiotics have been shown to be beneficial in a variety of bacterial and viral diseases worldwide. The regulation of the host’s immune response is one of the most important mechanisms of probiotic action. Immunomodulatory effects of probiotic-derived compounds have been characterized using genomic and proteomic analysis. These compounds have the ability to regulate and initiate mucosal immunity against various diseases. Probiotics produce many bactericidal compounds, which inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins, promoting the sustainability and structural integrity of enterocytes. This chapter focused on recent scientific research findings that help us better understand how probiotics regulate the host immune response and how they can be used to prevent and treat disease and there beneficial role to improve the health status of individuals.
Rethinking ‘Affordance’, ‘Agency’ and ‘User’ from a Semiotic Technologies Perspective: The Emergence of a Typology of Signs-as-Agents
Authors: Knight Janine
Published: April 2022

This chapter shows how educationalists might (re)conceptualise digital tool use within teaching and learning scenarios as a social practice. This is achieved by focusing on the development of a theoretical and analytical framework for identifying signs-as-agents that was shown to be applicable to other educational tools and scenarios. The chapter illustrates how a Semiotic Technologies approach, that forms the main pillar of the framework, can unite a number of well-established perspectives, from research in Human-Computer Interaction, Social Cognition Theory, Critical digital literacy, Distributed Cognition Theory and be applied to different educational scenarios. This is in order to support a more holistic and critical understanding of agency and agents – both ‘human’ and ‘digital’ – which is relevant for education researchers and practitioners working with STEAM and STEM. Three examples, from various educational, digital scenarios are used to illustrate how the theoretical and analytical framework can be applied. The analysis involves the identification of screen-based signs-as-agents through a focus on initiation and response turns, primarily with the screen. Analysis of the artefacts related to the screen are initially analysed separately from how they are being used in the social practice, following a Semiotic Technologies analytical model. The central contribution of this chapter is a typology of signs-as-agents that has been conceived in order to expand the Critical Digital Literacies teaching and research agenda, specific to pedagogy. The study is aimed at supporting critiques of how digital tools can shape how teachers and learners act, not only how they can think.
New species, redescriptions and new records of deep-sea brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the South China Sea, an integrated morphological and molecular approach
Authors: Nethupul Hasitha , Stöhr Sabine , Zhang Haibin
Published: April 2022

Deep-sea ophiuroids were collected by the manned submersible ‘Shenhaiyongshi’ from the South China Sea at depths of 500–3550 m, in 2017 to 2020. A total of 18 species were identified, including three new species and eight new records, increasing the total number of species known from the South China Sea to 304. Most of the ophiuroids recorded from the South China Sea were found in shallow waters (77.9%) and a few of them occurred only in deep water (20.4%). Three new species are described as Ophiacantha aster sp. nov., Ophiomoeris petalis sp. nov. and Ophiopristis shenhaiyongshii sp. nov. We provide comprehensive descriptions of morphological features, including characteristics of the arm skeletons, and a phylogenetic analysis based on COI and 16S sequences. Overall intraspecific and interspecific genetic distance variations among the families found in this study were 0.5% to 2.47% and 1.16% to 44.16%, respectively, along the South Pacific region to the South China Sea. Our phylogenetic analysis suggested that COI partial genes resolved the interspecies complexity in the class Ophiuroidea better than 16S partial genes. The order Euryalida had low interspecies genetic distance variation within the class Ophiuroidea. The present study suggests a high probability that species of Asteroschema and Gorgonocephalus are more widely spread around the Indo-Pacific region than previously expected.
Adjuvant Hormone Therapy–Related Hot Flashes Predict Treatment Discontinuation and Worse Breast Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Zeng Erwei , He Wei , Smedby Karin E. , Czene Kamila
Published: April 2022

Background: Clinical trials have shown that adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT)–related hot flashes can predict better breast cancer outcomes. This population-based cohort study investigated whether this result can be generalized to a real-world setting. Patients and Methods: By linking the National Quality Registry for Breast Cancer, Prescribed Drug Register, and Cause-of-Death Register, we identified 7,152 chemotherapy-free patients with breast cancer who initiated AHT in Stockholm from 2006 through 2019, and followed them until 2020. Hot flashes were defined as new use of drugs for hot flashes within 6 months after initiating AHT. We used Cox models to compare disease-free survival and treatment discontinuation among patients with and without hot flashes. Results: Patients who newly used drugs for hot flashes shortly after AHT initiation had worse disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.11–2.52) and a higher treatment discontinuation rate (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21–1.78). The association between drugs for hot flashes and discontinuation of AHT differed by patient characteristics, with stronger associations among low-income patients (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.41–2.59) and those without first-degree relatives who had cancer (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.39–2.35) or died from cancer (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.37–2.12). Conclusions: AHT-related hot flashes predict worse, rather than better, breast cancer outcomes among patients in clinical routine practice. The identification of adverse effects by the initiation of hot flash medications may identify a subset of patients with more severe hot flashes who are more likely to discontinue AHT and need more support for treatment adherence.
Economía Social y recuperación económica tras la crisis del COVID-19
Authors: Juliá Igual Juan Francisco , Bernal Jurado Enrique , Carrasco Monteagudo Inmaculada
Published: April 2022

La crisis derivada de la pandemia del covid-19 ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de mejorar y revisar nuestro modelo de economía y sociedad, evidenciando la importancia de dar una mayor relevancia a la ciencia, al uso del conocimiento y a la incorporación de valores relacionados con la sostenibilidad y solidaridad. Con base en los recursos financieros habilitados por la Unión Europea, los estados miembros han diseñado planes dirigidos a superar la crisis sanitaria, económica y social y los desequilibrios previos existentes.En este contexto, y en un país como España, con una estructura empresarial caracterizada por el reducido tamaño empresarial, las entidades de la Economía Social, distinguidas por la resiliencia que genera la red de apoyos mutuos y la capacidad para impulsar proyectos colectivos que aúnen lo económico con lo social, favoreciendo el desarrollo de los espacios, bien podrían ser un aval para el buen aprovechamiento de la financiación europea desplegada.Pero, en este caso, parece que las debilidades de muchas entidades de la Economía Social, relacionadas con su reducido tamaño, ha podido jugar en contra del sector. Con la cautela debida a la provisionalidad de los datos todavía existentes, se puede decir que la pandemia ha truncado también la tendencia de crecimiento en el tamaño empresarial del sector. De las diferentes familias de la Economía Social, y comparando con el conjunto del tejido productivo español, las cooperativas han sido las empresas que mejor han resistido, tanto en número de empresas como en empleo, y las sociedades laborales las que peor.
Effective hospital response to covid-19: evidence from social healthcare organizations in Brazil and Portugal
Authors: Lopes Fonseca Gleison , Briones Peñalver Antonio Juan , Fernandes da Anunciação Pedro
Published: April 2022

This study analyzes the impact of effective knowledge management, organizational intelligence, and organizational performance on the effective hospital response and social health to covid-19. Data were collected through a research questionnaire sent to physicians and nurses who worked in hospitals in Brazil and Portugal. We sent the survey link using a professional social network and 101 valid responses were obtained. The PLS-SEM analysis technique was used to test hypotheses. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between the constructs of effective knowledge management and organizational performance, and effective response to covid-19. This study also indicates that effective knowledge management has a positive association with organizational intelligence and organizational performance, in addition to a positive relationship between organizational intelligence and organizational performance. As practical implications, our research reinforces the importance of effective knowledge management for pandemic management and validates the relationships between effective knowledge management, organizational intelligence, organizational performance, and hospital response effectiveness. From these results, hospitals and social health organizations will be able to improve their effectiveness in responding to new disease outbreaks. As originality, this work presents a model to manage the response of these health care and hospital institutions to pandemics.
Economía Social y covid-19: Una mirada internacional
Authors: Álvarez Juan Fernando , Bouchard Marie J. , Marcuello Carmen
Published: April 2022

La crisis de salud provocada por la pandemia covid-19 ha afectado de forma global a toda la población mundial y las consecuencias de la misma han sido diferentes en cada país. Como era de esperar, la población más vulnerable ha sufrido las consecuencias más devastadoras con respecto a la salud, desempleo o incremento de la desigualdad. En algunos países la economía informal ha pasado a ser superior a la economía formal. La Economía Social y Solidaria (en adelante ESS) también ha sufrido las consecuencias provocadas por la covid-19, pero también ha sido respuesta a las múltiples situaciones que se han producido en todos los países. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar el papel de la ESS a nivel internacional atendiendo a dos cuestiones: una, examinar las respuestas de la ESS a la crisis provocada por la pandemia covid-19 y dos, analizar el papel de la ESS en la futura recuperación social y económica. Para ello, se realiza un análisis comparado de las respuestas, estrategias y papel de la ESS en diferentes territorios, Quebec, Colombia y España.
Intensificación de la ganadería en tiempos de cambio climático: Desafíos del pastoreo doméstico en las zonas áridas de la Patagonia argentina
Authors: Yahdjian Laura , Carboni Lucas J. , Velasco Ayuso Sergio , Oñatibia Gaston R.
Published: April 2022

El pastoreo con ganado modifica los ecosistemas áridos y llega incluso a degradarlos, lo que atenta contra la sustentabilidad de la propia actividad ganadera. Resulta clave conocer los efectos del pastoreo sobre la vegetación y el suelo para poder diseñar estrategias que eviten la desertificación, quizá el problema más grave que encaran los ecosistemas áridos. En este artículo, evaluamos los cambios en los rasgos funcionales de la comunidad vegetal y la costra biológica del suelo inducidos por la intensificación del pastoreo en ecosistemas patagónicos. Esta descripción, junto con los cambios en la diversidad, composición y funcionamiento ecosistémico, ayuda a comprender los mecanismos por los que la intensificación del pastoreo ovino podría degradar los ecosistemas áridos.
Ciencia y política contra la desertificación: La respuesta de las instituciones ante un reto global
Authors: Castillo Sánchez Víctor M.
Published: April 2022

La desertificación es un concepto controvertido del que aún se discute su naturaleza, extensión, causas y posibles soluciones. En este artículo se revisan los argumentos esgrimidos para situar la desertificación como un gran reto ambiental global y se describe la respuesta institucional dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas, en especial la que representa la Convención de Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD). Los elementos más significativos del debate sobre la desertificación son analizados atendiendo a sus dimensiones científicas y políticas. Se concluye en la necesidad de establecer un marco integrado de evaluación y respuesta ante la desertificación validado por una interfaz entre ciencia y política.
La vida adaptada a la precariedad: Ecología de las zonas áridas
Authors: Martinez-Valderrama Jaime , Guirado Emilio , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: April 2022

Las zonas áridas de la Tierra ocupan aproximadamente el 40 % de la superficie terrestre. Su peculiar régimen hidrológico, que sitúa al agua como el principal factor limitante, junto con otras señas de identidad propias, como la variabilidad de las precipitaciones y su heterogeneidad ecológica, convierten a estas regiones en uno de los principales y más relevantes conjuntos de biomas del planeta. Más allá de su estereotipada concepción como lugares de bajo perfil económico y ecológico, estos territorios tienen una biodiversidad enorme y dan sustento al 40 % de la población mundial. El calentamiento global hace que la aridez atmosférica aumente y que las estrategias que durante milenios han desarrollado sus habitantes sean un modelo del que sacar enseñanzas. Conservar estos lugares es esencial para luchar contra el cambio climático y para ello es imprescindible conocer en profundidad su estructura y funcionamiento.
On the synthetism of artistic thinking in Andrey Eshpai's symphonic painting "Suvorov's Crossing the Alps"
Authors: Novoselova Alla
Published: April 2022

The article attempts to analyze the genre stylistics of Andrei Eshpai's symphonic painting "Suvorov's Crossing the Alps" - a composition combining traditions and innovations. The composer's interest in historical and patriotic themes and the personality of the commander A.V. Suvorov is emphasized. The compositional and dramatic features of the work, revealed through the specifics of language modeling, are chosen as the subject of the study. Awareness of picturesqueness as the main genre-forming factor made it possible to concretize the type of symphonic painting, to identify signs of theatricality in the text. Special attention is paid to programming as the key to understanding the plot of the essay. The author analyzes the language models of the text in the most detail from the perspective of the interdependence of the content and genre-stylistic components. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the musical material under study, which has not been studied before. The research process allowed us to draw conclusions about the uniqueness and individual author's interpretation of the work. It was found that the methods of concretization of the content of language models confirm the presence of a theatrical code not only in the compositional logic, but also in the text of the work itself. The antinomic nature of language models was discovered. Antinomianism in combination with transformational poetics, the high-wave principle of development allowed us to conclude that the combination of signs of symphonism and picturesqueness in the compositional and dramatic solution of the composition determines the universality and synthetism of the composer's thinking.
Automating third-party library migrations
Authors: Zorchenkov Alexey Mikhailovich
Published: April 2022

Manual migration between various third-party libraries is a problem for software developers. Developers usually need to study the application programming interfaces of both libraries, as well as read their documentation to find suitable comparisons between the replacement and the replaced methods. In this article, I will present a new approach (MIG) to machine learning that recommends mappings between the methods of two API libraries. My model learns from manually found data of implemented migrations, extracts a set of functions related to the similarity of the method signature and text documentation. I evaluated the model using 8 popular migrations compiled from 57,447 open source Java projects. The results show that the model can recommend appropriate library API mappings with an average accuracy rate of 87%.   This study examines the problem of recommending method comparisons when migrating between third-party libraries. A new approach is described that recommends the comparison of methods between two unknown libraries using features extracted from the lexical similarity between method names and textual similarity of method documentation. I evaluated the result by checking how this approach and three other most commonly used approaches recommend a comparison of migration methods for 8 popular libraries. I have shown that the proposed approach shows much better accuracy and performance than the other 3 methods. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results shows an increase in accuracy by 39.51% in comparison with other well-known approaches.
An information model of the data structure and an experimental technique for improving the human-computer graphical interface
Authors: Borevich Ekaterina Vladislavovna , Yanchus Viktor Edmundasovich
Published: April 2022

In the article, the authors describe the developed and tested methodology for conducting a computational experiment to study the effect of color solutions on the visual perception of a video frame by the viewer. The developed technique is designed to assess the subjective emotional reaction of the viewer that occurs at the final stage of the human visual system when perceiving visual information. The article describes methods of preparation of stimulus material, methods of conducting an experiment using a developed software module located on a network resource. The authors have developed a methodology for conducting an experiment with online testing, the information structure of the database, a questionnaire for collecting information, the form of testing by the subjects, algorithms for statistical processing of the results of the experiment. This study is based on the results of a series of experiments conducted using a software and hardware complex for fixing oculomotor activity - an eye tracker, which allows obtaining objective parametric data of a template for viewing stimulus material. The technique described in the article is an addition to the experimental study using the eytracking technology. The results of the experiment should be used in the development of textbooks on color correction, as well as in the design of control interface elements. The methodology is programmatically implemented and tested in the local network of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. It is planned to finalize the Internet survey module and conduct a global experiment with subsequent statistical processing of the results.
Photoionization of Ne and Xe atoms induced by extreme ultraviolet photons
Authors: Lei Jian-Ting , Yu Xuan , Shi Guo-Qiang , Yan Shun-Cheng , Sun Shao-Hua , Wang Quan-Jun , Ding Bao-Wei , Ma Xin-Wen , Zhang Shao-Feng , Ding Jing-Jie ,   School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,   Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: April 2022

The interaction of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) photon with matter is a meaningful way to understand the electronic structure of microscopic particles. In this paper, the electron angular distributions of single ionization and double ionization of Ne and Xe atoms interacting with XUV photons are investigated by utilizing a reaction microscope. The β-asymmetric parameters of 2p electrons of Ne atom, and 5p, 5s electrons of Xe atom combined with the reported experimental data are compared with those from different theoretical models. The result shows that the electron correlation effect can be ignored in the ionization of 2p electron of Ne atom. While the ionization of 5p electron of Xe atom is strongly influenced by the electron correlation effect, but not by the relativistic effect. These two effects play an important role in ionizing the 5s shell of Xe atom. In addition, this study finds that both direct double ionization and indirect double ionization exist simultaneously during the ionization of Xe atom, and gives the photoelectron angular distributions and the β-asymmetric parameters of the first step and the second step of indirect double ionization.
The weak intuitionistic fuzzy implication based on △* operation
Authors:   Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Atanassova Lilija , Dworniczak Piotr ,   Department of Economy, The Great Poland University of Social and Economics
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a new weak intuitionistic fuzzy implication is introduced based on the recently defined △* operation. Fulfillment of some axioms and properties, together with Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens inference rules, are investigated. The negation induced by the studied implication is presented.
On the 3D-figure areas based on Pick's formula
Authors:   Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Atanassov Krassimir
Published: April 2022

This work is based on previous research focused on iterative procedures for estimation of the area surrounded by a simple closed curve in the 2D space. Pick's formula is employed for calculating the area surrounded by a special type of polygons. Here, we propose 3D-figure areas based on Pick's formula and give intuitionistic fuzzy and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy estimations of these areas.
A novel CAPTCHA solver framework using deep skipping Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Lu Shida , Huang Kai , Meraj Talha , Rauf Hafiz Tayyab
Published: April 2022

A Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) is used in web systems to secure authentication purposes; it may break using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) type methods. CAPTCHA breakers make web systems highly insecure. However, several techniques to break CAPTCHA suggest CAPTCHA designers about their designed CAPTCHA’s need improvement to prevent computer vision-based malicious attacks. This research primarily used deep learning methods to break state-of-the-art CAPTCHA codes; however, the validation scheme and conventional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) design still need more confident validation and multi-aspect covering feature schemes. Several public datasets are available of text-based CAPTCHa, including Kaggle and other dataset repositories where self-generation of CAPTCHA datasets are available. The previous studies are dataset-specific only and cannot perform well on other CAPTCHA’s. Therefore, the proposed study uses two publicly available datasets of 4- and 5-character text-based CAPTCHA images to propose a CAPTCHA solver. Furthermore, the proposed study used a skip-connection-based CNN model to solve a CAPTCHA. The proposed research employed 5-folds on data that delivers 10 different CNN models on two datasets with promising results compared to the other studies.
Malaria and Associated Risk Factors in Awka, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Okpala N. C. , Iwueze M. O. , Akulue J. C. , Elosiuba N. V.
Published: April 2022

Malaria is still a major contributor to high rate of the global infectious disease–related mortality and morbidity due to its marked effects and alteration on the haematological parameters of infected individuals. This study was conducted to determine the following: prevalence and intensity of malaria, the associated risk factors of in Awka metropolis from January to June 2021. A total of 1060 subjects were enrolled int the study. Prevalence of malaria parasites was determined using thick and thin films. A total 925 individuals were infected with malaria parasite giving a prevalence of 87.3%. Of the 925 individuals infected, 743(80.3%) had mild infection, 150 (16.2%) moderate infection. The study showed that more males (94.2%) were infected with the malaria parasite than females (80.6%). The highest prevalence of malaria (94.3%) occurred among those less than ten years old while the least prevalence (72.2%) was recorded among those more than sixty years old. The prevalence of malaria in relation to age was statistically significant (p<0.05). In relation to occupation, farmers recorded the highest prevalence of malaria (94.7%) while civil servants had the least prevalence (65.4%). Based on literacy level, the highest prevalence of malaria was recorded among those with primary education (96.8%) while those with tertiary education had the least prevalence (84.3%). On marital status, married ones had the highest prevalence of malaria (91.9%) while the singles had the least prevalence (80.1%). The high prevalence of malaria in Awka calls for intensive education and free supply of insecticide treated nets.
The Need for Robots in Global Health
Authors: Olaronke Iroju , Ishaya Gambo , Oluwaseun Ojerinde , Rhoda Ikono , Janet Olaleke,
Published: April 2022

The health of every individual in the world is greatly influenced by global health issues and threats which are usually caused by international trade and voyage. These threats which have exposed the inadequacies of healthcare systems across the globe include the rapid spread of non-communicable and infectious diseases, pandemics, hunger and starvation, natural disasters, shortage of healthcare personnel and climate change. These threats have led to economic and social disruption in almost all spheres of human lives such as agriculture and education.

Aim: Against this background, this study reviews global health challenges and the importance of robots in global health. This study also appraises the factors hindering the effective use of robotic technology to improve global health.

Methodology: A total of 41 literatures relevant to the subject matter were obtained from diverse scientific electronic databases including CiteseerX, Science Direct, Google Scholar, IEEE explore, indexCat, PubMed and National Library of Medicine.

Results: The study showed that robots can be used to improve global health by diagnosing and treating infectious diseases, reducing the dangers of human contact during pandemic and delivering food and medicines to infected individuals. The study also showed that robots can be used to reduce harmful gases released into the atmosphere and also limit the anxiety and fear of vaccination. The study also revealed that high cost, privacy-related issues, interoperability challenges and the fear of displacement of jobs by robots are some of the factors hindering the effective use of robotic technology to improve global health.

Conclusion: This paper suggests that adopting a common standard for robots of different brands and education strategies are some of the strategies that will facilitate the effective use of robotic systems to improve the health of individuals across the globe.
Use of Leaf Extract and Powder of Ipomoea asarifolia for Control of Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on Okra in Jalingo Nigeria
Authors: Mamman A. , Umar I. , Aji M. B. , Simon N. E.
Published: April 2022

As the unseen enemy, nematodes have caused untold damage to crops and farmers’ income across the world. A study was conducted in 2019 and 2020 to determine the effect of leaf extract and powder of Ipomoea asarifolia (Desr.) Roem. & Schult. On root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) (Treub, 1885) on okra in the laboratory and pot experiment. Juvenile mortality and egg hatch inhibition tests were conducted in the laboratory. Result of the juvenile mortality test showed that the crude extract (100 % extract) cause the highest mortality (95.33 %) of juveniles while the same crude extract inhibited the hatching of more M. javanica eggs (89.67 %) than the dilutions and control. For the pot experiment, results show that the 60 g powder treatment gave the least galling index (1.0), nematode population (146.96), reproduction factor (0.25) and the highest yield (1568.3 Kg/ha) in 2019. The same trend was observed in 2020. Based on these findings, I. asarifolia leaf extract and powder (60 g) have the potential to put in check the menace posed by M. javanica on okra.
Determination of Resistance of Enterococcal Isolates to Common Chemicals used for Disinfection in Homes and Hospitals
Authors: C. Ezeah Gabril A. , Ekundayo Afe O. , Ugwu Michael C. , C. Ike Ozoemena , Akpe Azuka R.
Published: April 2022

Aim: To determine the resistance Enterococcal isolates to common chemical agents used for disinfection in homes and hospitals.

Place and Duration of the Study: Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Parklane and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria, between July 2012 and June 2014.

Methods: The study analysed antimicrobial products such as Dettol, Hibitane and Jik. Identification of the organism was based on standard procedure and biochemical test.

Results: All the three representative isolates, E. facium, E. faecalis and E. avium showed luxuriant growth with optical density (OD) range of 0.31 to 0.35 at Sodium Chloride concentration of 0.5%. The growth (OD) reduced as the salt concentration increased. E. faecium, E. faecalis and E. avium showed no growth at the concentration of 10%. Dettol had MIC of 0.385 mg/ml and MBC of 0.75 mg/ml on E. faecium; MIC of 0.75 mg/ml and MBC of 1.5 mg/ml on E. faecalis; MIC of 0.193 mg/ml and MBC of 0.385 mg/ml on E. avium. Hibitane had MIC of 0.781 mg/ml and MBC of 1.568 mg/ml on E. faecium; MIC of 1.563 mg/ml and MBC of 3.125 mg/ml on E. faecalis; MIC of 0.781 mg/ml and MBC of 1.563 mg/ml on E. avium. Jik had an MIC of 0.547 mg/ml and MBC of 1.094 mg/ml on E. faecium; MIC of 1.094 mg/ml and MBC of 2.188 mg/ml on E. faecalis; MIC of 0.547 mg/ml and MBC of 1.094 mg/ml on E. avium.

Conclusion: The growth of the isolates reduced as the salt concentration increased. The MICs and MBCs values from this study showed that these disinfectants are effective against Enterococci sp. in the following order; Dettol (Chloroxylenol), Jik (sodium hypochlorite) and Habitane (Chlorhexidine gluconate). The study therefore showed that concentration of various disinfectants/antiseptics used in hospital settings, medical laboratory section and at home should be of paramount interest for safe elimination of Enterococci.
Thymus capitatus flavonoids inhibit infection of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus
Authors: Mekni‐Toujani Marwa , Mousavizadeh Leila , Gallo Antonio , Ghram Abdeljelil
Published: April 2022

Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpes virus 8 (HHV‐8), causes primary effusion lymphoma, multicentric Castleman's disease, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Few antiviral drugs are available to efficiently control KSHV infection, and therefore, the development of novel, effective anti‐KSHV treatments is needed. The aim of this study was to determine the antiviral activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts, essential oils, and certain flavonoids (hesperidin, eupafolin, and vicenin) derived from Thymus capitatus (commonly known as thyme). We assessed the toxicity of these different extracts and components in RPE‐1 cell cultures using the MTS test and evaluated their antiviral effect using the TCID50 method. The mechanism of action was determined through time‐of‐addition tests as well as viral entry, attachment, and virucidal assays. Additionally, western blot analysis was also used to assess their modes of action. Total treatment assay showed that the aqueous extract of T. capitatus has the highest inhibitory effect against KSHVLYT with an EC50 value of 0.2388 µg·mL−1. Both hesperidin and eupafolin showed the ability to inactivate viral infection in a dose–response manner (EC50 values of 0.2399 and 1.396 µm, respectively). Moreover, they were able to inactivate KSHVLyt postinfection by reducing viral protein expression. In summary, the effective antiviral property of the aqueous extract is likely a result of the inhibition of viral growth within the host cells by both hesperidin and eupafolin.
2D Molybdenum Sulfide‐Based Materials for Photo‐Excited Antibacterial Application
Authors: Chen Fangqian , Luo Yue , Liu Xiangmei , Zheng Yufeng , Han Yong , Yang Dapeng , Wu Shuilin
Published: April 2022

Bacterial infections have seriously threatened human health and the abuse of natural or artificial antibiotics leads to bacterial resistance, so development of a new generation of antibacterial agents and treatment methods is urgent. 2D molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) has good biocompatibility, high specific surface area to facilitate surface modification and drug loading, adjustable energy bandgap, and high near‐infrared photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), so it is often used for antibacterial application through its photothermal or photodynamic effects. This review comprehensively summarizes and discusses the fabrication processes, structural characteristics, antibacterial performance, and the corresponding mechanisms of MoS2‐based materials as well as their representative antibacterial applications. In addition, the outlooks on the remaining challenges that should be addressed in the field of MoS2 are also proposed.
Recent Advances on High‐Performance Polyaryletherketone Materials for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Chen Peng , Wang Haoze , Su Jin , Tian Yujia , Wen Shifeng , Su Bin , Yang Cao , Chen Binling , Zhou Kun , Yan Chunze , Shi Yusheng
Published: April 2022

Polyaryletherketone (PAEK) is emerging as an important high‐performance polymer material in additive manufacturing (AM) benefiting from its excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and high‐temperature stability. The distinct advantages of AM facilitate the rapid development of PAEK products with complex customized structures and functionalities, thereby enhancing their applications in various fields. Herein, the recent advances on AM of high‐performance PAEKs are comprehensively reviewed, concerning the materials properties, AM processes, mechanical properties, and potential applications of additively manufactured PAEKs. To begin, an introduction to fundamentals of AM and PAEKs, as well as the advantages of AM of PAEKs is provided. Discussions are then presented on the material properties, AM processes, processing–matter coupling mechanism, thermal conductivity, crystallization characteristics, and microstructures of AM‐processed PAEKs. Thereafter, the mechanical properties and anisotropy of additively manufactured PAEKs are discussed in depth. Their representative applications in biomedical, aerospace, electronics, and other fields are systematically presented. Finally, current challenges and possible solutions are discussed for the future development of high‐performance AM polymers.
A Bioinspired Programmable Soft Bilayer Actuator Based on Aluminum Exoskeleton
Authors: Zhang Chenchu , Zhang Heng , Chen Renfei , Zhao Linhan , Wu Hao , Wang Chaowei , Hu Ying
Published: April 2022

The bilayer stimuli‐responsive soft actuator that combines an active layer with a passive layer in a single material system can facilitate soft actuators with unprecedented features, and therefore, it is pushing the frontiers of microrobotics. However, the stimuli‐response of a bilayer soft actuator is fixed due to its bending mechanism. It makes the motion mode (such as the bending angle, bending direction, etc.) fixed and cannot meet various needs in real life. Inspired by shrimps, an approach combining hard exoskeleton structure and soft stimuli‐responsive actuator is presented. Applying exoskeleton structures to the soft actuator cannot only effectively protect the material, but also change the movement strategy of the actuator and realize the control of movement. Since the exoskeleton structure in this scheme is an independent part and does not affect the properties of the soft actuator, the proposed method can be easily applied to various bilayer stimulus‐responsive soft actuators.
Dispenser Printed Bismuth‐Based Magnetic Field Sensors with Non‐Saturating Large Magnetoresistance for Touchless Interactive Surfaces
Authors: Oliveros‐Mata Eduardo Sergio , Voigt Clemens , Cañón Bermúdez Gilbert Santiago , Zabila Yevhen , Valdez‐Garduño Nestor Miguel , Fritsch Marco , Mosch Sindy , Kusnezoff Mihails , Fassbender Jürgen , Vinnichenko Mykola , Makarov Denys
Published: April 2022

Printed magnetic field sensors enable a new generation of human‐machine interfaces and contactless switches for resource‐efficient printed interactive electronics. As printed magnetoresistors rely on scarce or hard to manufacture magnetosensitive powders, their scalability and demonstration of printing with industry‐grade technologies are the key material science challenges. Here, the authors report dispenser printing of a commodity scale nonmagnetic bismuth‐based paste processed by large area laser sintering to obtain printed magnetoresistive sensors. The sensors are printed on different substrates including ceramics, paper, and polymer foils. It is validated experimentally that the peculiar quantum large orbital magnetoresistive effect remains effective in printed bismuth sensors, allowing their operation in high magnetic fields. The sensors reveal up to 146% resistance change at 5 T at room temperature with a maximum resolution of 2.8 μT. If printed on flexible foils, these sensors show resilience to bending deformation for more than 2000 bending cycles and withstand even thermal forming, as relevant for smart wearables and in‐mold electronics. The freedom in the substrate choice and sensor design enabled by dispenser printing allows to implement the proposed sensor technology for different applications focused on touchless interactive platforms, such as advertisement materials, interactive wallpapers, and printed security panels.
Base‐Tuning HOF‐Based Host–Guest Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence Systems with Phosphorescent Thermochromism Using for Information Security and Thermometer
Authors: Xu Xin , Yan Bing
Published: April 2022

Hydrogen‐bonded organic framework‐based host–guest ultralong organic phosphorescence (HOF‐based HGUOP) materials with phosphorescent thermochromism property will become the next generation of intelligent optical functional materials in the future. Herein, three base‐tuning HOF‐based HGUOP co‐crystal materials, Ma&Ct, Ma&Ae and Ma&Tm, are firstly created by respectively doping 1 mol% cytosine (Ct), adenine (Ae) and thymine (Tm) into melamine (Ma) host, these guests respectively lead to the blue shift, red shift and quenching of phosphorescence for Ma host. Notably, Ma&Ct performs an intensive “1 + 1 > 2” sensitized effect for photoluminescence (PL) and phosphorescence based on various synergetic interactions, the PL and phosphorescence quantum yields respectively get to 94.55 and 37.11%. The concentration and temperature‐dependent photophysical performances of Ma&Ct, Ma&Ae and Ma&Tm are also recorded and analyzed. Relative mechanisms of phosphorescent thermochromism are firstly investigated deeply for Ma&Ct, Ma&Ae and Ma&Tm. In addition, phosphorescent thermochromism property of Ma&Ct and Ma&Ae have been well employed for information security and phosphorescent thermometer applications. This work not only proposes a simple preparation method of these new‐type base‐tuning HOF‐based HGUOP co‐crystal materials, but also explores the new internal phosphorescent thermochromism mechanism of these HOF‐based HGUOP materials, which provides a typical case of HOF‐based HGUOP materials using as smart flexible wearable phosphorescent thermometer.
High prevalence of deleterious mutations in concomitant nonsyndromic cleft and outflow tract heart defects
Authors: Munabi Naikhoba C. O. , Mikhail Shady , Toubat Omar , Webb Michelle , Auslander Allyn , Sanchez‐Lara Pedro A. , Manojlovic Zarko , Schmidt Ryan J. , Craig David , Magee William P. , Kumar Subramanyan Ram
Published: April 2022

Our previous work demonstrating enrichment of outflow tract (OFT) congenital heart disease (CHD) in children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) suggests derangements in common underlying developmental pathways. The current pilot study examines the underlying genetics of concomitant nonsyndromic CL/P and OFT CHD phenotype. Of 575 patients who underwent CL/P surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, seven with OFT CHD, negative chromosomal microarray analysis, and no recognizable syndromic association were recruited with their parents (as available). Whole genome sequencing of blood samples paired with whole‐blood‐based RNA sequencing for probands was performed. A pathogenic or potentially pathogenic variant was identified in 6/7 (85.7%) probands. A total of seven candidate genes were mutated (CHD7, SMARCA4, MED12, APOB, RNF213, SETX, and JAG1). Gene ontology analysis of variants predicted involvement in binding (100%), regulation of transcription (42.9%), and helicase activity (42.9%). Four patients (57.1%) expressed gene variants (CHD7, SMARCA4, MED12, and RNF213) previously involved in the Wnt signaling pathway. Our pilot analysis of a small cohort of patients with combined CL/P and OFT CHD phenotype suggests a potentially significant prevalence of deleterious mutations. In our cohort, an overrepresentation of mutations in molecules associated with Wnt‐signaling was found. These variants may represent an expanded phenotypic heterogeneity within known monogenic disease genes or provide novel evidence of shared developmental pathways. The mechanistic implications of these mutations and subsequent developmental derangements resulting in the CL/P and OFT CHD phenotype require further analysis in a larger cohort of patients.
Iodine Catalyzed Sulfenylation of Sodium Sulfinates Using Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborate/CS2 Combination
Authors: Kumar Pandey Anand , Chand Shiv , Kumar Sharma Anup , Nand Singh Krishna
Published: April 2022

An approach to unsymmetrical thiosulfonates has been developed using sulfenylation of sodium sulfinates by arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate/CS2 combination with iodine as catalyst. The reaction is simple, high yielding, scalable, and proceeds smoothly with good substrate scope and functional group tolerance.