bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RURAL HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD INSECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Okidim Iboh Andrew , Egwue Lynda Ogechi , Ekine Data Irene , Chukuigwe Eleoke Chikwe
Published: July 2021

Food insecurity is a challenge in developing countries, especially in the rural areas of Nigeria. It remains a global challenge and continues to be a major public policy in Nigeria and other developing nations. Despite these, COVID-19 set in and posed a serious threat to food system and security globally. This study, therefore, assessed the level of food security among the rural farming households and how they cope with the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for the study were collected primarily from 200 farming households with the use of questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, food security index and Likert scale. The findings showed that the level of food insecurity was very high during the pandemic as 69.5% were food insecure with a high concentration among those with large household size. The widely adopted coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among the rural farming households were eating less expensive food (=2.7), reducing rational consumption (=2.68), allowing children to eat first (=2.56), engaging in additional small scale productivity activities (=2.27), skipping meal within a day (=2.26), buying food on credit (=2.05) and borrowing money to buy food (=2.01). The study recommends effective and urgent policy measures which will support rural households’ food availability to boost their food security status. Also, enlightenment of the rural households on the important of modern family planning on their food security status is needed.
PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN YOGHURT PADA KELOMPOK TERNAK DI DESA KEMIRI KECAMATAN MOJOSONGO BOYOLALI
Authors: Widadie Fanny , Setyowati Setyowati , Handayani Sugiharti Mulya , Sundari Mei Tri
Published: July 2021

Peternak sapi perah di Desa Kemiri Kecamatan Mojosongo Kabupaten Boyolali menghadapi permasalahan dalam usahanya seperti harga susu yang rendah dan kurangnya pengetahuan tentang produk olahan susu untuk meningkatkan nilai tambah produk. Oleh karena itu dalam kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini dilakukan pelatihan produk olahan susu berupa yoghurt pada salah satu kelompok ternak di Desa Kemiri. Kegiatan pelatihan ini dilakukan pada 15 anggota kelompok ternak mukti di Desa Kemiri. Kegiatan pelatihan dilakukan dengan pemberian materi, praktek atau demonstrasi langsung cara pembuatan yoghurt, dan evaluasi kegiatan pelatihan melalui pre-test dan post-test. Hasil dari kegiatan pelatihan ini para peternak telah memiliki pengetahuan dan ketrampilan cara pembuatan yoghurt-homemade. Diharapkan dari hasil kegiatan pelatihan ini akan dapat meningkatkan nilai tambah produk susu yang dihasilkan para peternak melalui pembuatan yoghurt.
Hubungan Pemantauan Pertumbuhan Anak Baduta pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19 dan Pengetahuan Ibu Tentang MP-ASI dengan Status Gizi
Authors: Sari Maria Galuh Kamenyangan , Widyaningsih Vitri , Wardani Meirina Mulia , Murasmita Alamanda , Ghufron Afif Avicenna
Published: July 2021

Kejadian kasus Covid-19 pada anak hingga bulan Oktober 2020 dilaporkan mencapai lebih dari 37000 kasus. Ketepatan pemberian makanan pendamping ASI (MP-ASI) saat periode emas dibawah dua tahun menjadi prioritas penting menjaga imunitas sejak dini sebagai bentuk preventif infeksi termasuk virus Covid-19. Pemantauan pertumbuhan baduta pada era pandemi menjadi hal yang utama untuk mendeteksi dini malnutrisi dan penatalaksanaannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi hubungan sumber pengetahuan ibu tentang MP-ASI, pemantauan pertumbuhan dengan status gizi baduta serta penyuluhan sebagai pengabdian masyarakat. Penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain cross-sectional ini dilakukan di poliklinik anak Rumah Sakit Universitas Sebelas Maret pada bulan Agustus-Oktober 2020. Sebanyak 75 ibu memenuhi kriteria inklusi dengan metode konsekutif sampling. Semua anak dilakukan pengukuran antropometri berat badan dan tinggi badan lalu ditentukan status gizinya dengan program WHO Anthro versi 3.2.2. Sebagian besar sumber pengetahuan ibu tentang MP-ASI didapatkan dari media sosial elektronik (38,7%) dan pelayanan kesehatan lanjut (37,3%). Sebanyak 46,7% ibu menggunakan buku KIA untuk memantau pertumbuhan baduta dan 14,7% ibu sudah menggunakan aplikasi Primaku. Terdapat hubungan signifikan antara pemantauan pertumbuhan di era pandemi Covid-19 dengan status gizi baduta (p=0.010). Maka dari itu perlunya pelatihan bagi ibu maupun kader posyandu tentang praktik pemberian MP-ASI dan metode pemantauan pertumbuhan anak baduta secara berkala.
Analisis Determinan Harga Saham Perusahaan Sektor Keuangan di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2019
Authors: Tresnawati Mei , Fauzi Achmad , Mardi
Published: July 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi harga saham pada perusahaan sektor keuangan. Variabel independen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah rasio utang terhadap ekuitas (DER), rasio pengembalian modal (ROE), dan laba per saham (EPS). Variabel dependen adalah harga saham yang diukur dengan harga penutupan. Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan sektor keuangan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia pada periode 2019. Sampel dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Total 57 perusahaan ditentukan sebagai sampel selama 2019. Metode analisis penelitian ini menggunakan regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rasio utang terhadap modal tidak memiliki pengaruh terhadap harga saham sedangkan rasio pengembalian modal dan laba per saham memiliki pengaruh positif terhadap harga saham.
The Use of Planting Media and Application of Leaf Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Mustard (Brassica Junea L.) in the Casino (Verticulture) Planting System
Authors: Abror M , Hariyanto Puji
Published: July 2021

Nowadays land is being limited by development. Therefore, it is necessary to apply agri- cultural technology that can be utilized by land such as casino (verticulture) planting sys- tems. This study discusses the use of planting media and the application of leaf fertilizer on the growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The study was conducted in Pangkemiri Village, Tulangan District, Sidoarjo Regency from March to April 2015. This research involved factors using a group design (RBD) consisting of 2 factors, factor 1 using planting media consisting of water hyacinth (K1) ), bagasse (K2), banana stems (K3). Factor 2 is the use of a dose of leaf fertilizer consisting of: leaf fertilizer (L1), a dose of 1gr / liter of air (L2), a dose of 1.5 gr / liter of air (L3), a dose of 2gr / liter (L4). From these two factors, 12 combinations were obtained and repeated 3 times. The results showed that the use of water hyacinth growing media and the use of leaf fertilizer dosage 1.5gr / liter air (K1L2) gave the best results on the variable plant length, number of leaves, total weight, and selling weight.
The Effect of Soybean Pulp Planting Media Use on the Growth and Production of Lettuce Plants (Lactuca Sativa L.)
Authors: Zakaria Ahmad Mauludin , Miftakhurrohmat Agus
Published: July 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of the use of tofu dregs growing media on the growth and production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The study was conducted in July 2015 to September 2015 on polybag land in Kedung Peluk Village, Candi District, Sidoarjo Regency. This place is 20 m above sea level. A single factor experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design with 10 levels of combination treatment between soybean pulp and soil consisting of A1 = 0% soybean pulp and 100% soil, A2 = 10% soybean pulp and 90% soil, A3 = 15% soybean pulp and 85% soil, A4 = 20% soybean pulp and 80% soil, A5 = 25% soybean pulp and 75% soil, A6 = 30% soybean pulp and 70% soil, A7 = 35% soybean pulp and 65% soil, A8 = 40% soybean pulp and 60% soil, A9 = 45% soybean pulp and 55% soil, A10 = 50% soybean pulp and 50% soil. From the ten treatments, it was repeated 3 times and obtained 30 units of trials. The results showed that the treatment of using soybean pulp media with a combination of 20% soy- bean pulp and 80% soil gave the best response to lettuce plant growth, namely on plant height, leaf width, number of leaves, root length, wet weight of the upper part of the plant and total weight.
The Effect Of Age And Plant Spacing On The Growth And Production Plant Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Mufikha Asyita , WDP Al Machfud
Published: July 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of the interaction of seed age treatment and planting distance on the growth and production of rice plants. This research was conducted in Lambangan Village, Wonoayu Subdistrict, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java Province and carried out from February 2016 to June 2016. The experiment was arranged factorially using a Randomized Block Design (RBD); first factor: age of seedlings, while the second factor: spacing. Observed variables were plant height, number of tillers, panicles per clump, number of grains per clump, weight of 100 grains, grain wet weight, grain dry weight, dry weight, stover weight and harvest index. The results showed that there was a significant interaction effect on plant height that was 53.09 cm at 50 HST and the number of panicles per clump was 6.89. Seedling age had a significant effect on plant height variables at 50 DAP, 48.73. Whereas plant spacing had a significant effect on the variable number of tillers ie 7.00 at 50 HST, number of grains per clump was 691.22 grains, grain wet weight was 15.68 grams, grain dry weight was 11.70 grams, and dry weight stover is 20.26 grams, the highest production is obtained from the treatment of spacing of 10 cm x 20 cm.
The Effect Of Plant Spacing And Number Of Plants Per Planting Hole On The Growth And Production Of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)
Authors: WDP Al Machfudz , Ningsih Widya
Published: July 2021

The study was aimed at determining the effect of plant spacing and number of plants per planting hole on the growth and production of okra. This research was conducted in paddy fields Rodowo Village, Beji District, Pasuruan which took place starting at Febru- ary 2016 until May 2016. Factorial research using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) is repeated three times. The first factor is the spacing of treatment includes three levels is 25 cm x 75 cm (J1), 35 cm x 75 cm (J2) and 45 cm x 75 cm (J3), while the second factor is the treatment the number of plants per planting hole that is 1 plant (T1), 2 plants (T2) and 3 plants (T3). The acquired data was analyzed by analysis of variety and in further tests using HSD level of 5%. Based on observations made that the interaction between plant spacing and number of plants per planting hole on the growth and production of okra, but the production of okra per unit area (ha) in the treatment plant spacing gives the best effect, namely a spacing of 25 cm x 75 cm with a weight production reached 19,64 tons/ha, whereas the treatment the number of plants per planting hole gives the best effect is in the amount of 3 plants per planting hole with heavy production reached 5,36 tons/ha.
Application Test Rhizobium and Trichoderma To The Growth and Yield Of Soybean (Glycine Max (L))
Authors: Sutarman Sutarman , Fatimah Meilani
Published: July 2021

The objective of the research was to know of the responses of the aplication Rhizobium of nodule root Soybean as well as nodule root Mimosa pudica and Trichoderma iso- late Tc-Jjr02. The research was conducted on the Green House Faculty of Agriculture, Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo, from Januari to Mei 2016. This research com- piled using a factorial randomized complete design which consists of 2 factors : factor I is application Rhizobium consisting of : R0 (withow Rhizobium), R1(Rhizobium of soy- bean), R2(Rhizobium of mimosa pudica). Factor II application Trichoderma consisting of : T0 (withow Trichoderma) and T1 (Trichoderma isolat Jati Jejer-02). Of these two factors obtained 6 treatment combinations and repeated 4 times. From the analysis of statisti- cal data shows that application Rhizobium on significant effect the amount of leaf age 40 HST and 60 HST as well as the number of pods, planting seed weight , weight of 100 seeds, and fresh weight of plant root nodules. Application Rhizobium significantly affected the wet weight of stover. Trichoderma isolate Jati Jejer-02 capable symbio- sis with the plant so that the very significant effect on plant height age 7 HST and the amount of leaf age 20 HST. As well as the interaction between application Rhizobium and Trichoderma isolates significantly affected the number of pods plant.
The Effect Of Cow State Fertilizer with Various Bioactivations and Cow Broth Feeding On The Growth and Production Of Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merril).
Authors: Melinda Siska
Published: July 2021

The Effect of Cow Manure With Various Bioactivators And Giving Beef Broth To The Growth And Yield Of Soybeans (Glicine Max L. Merril) Supervised by Dwi fitriani, SP. MP and Dr.Ir.Ririn Harini,MP. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction and effect of cow manure with various bioactivators and broth. This research was conducted in Pondok Kubang District, Central Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province. The design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) factorial treatment 1, namely cow manure with various bioactivators A0 (Control) A1 (Yeast) A2 (Stale Rice) A3 (Rumen). The second treatment was giving control broth, 100 ml/L, 150 ml/L, 200 ml/L. Each treatment was repeated 3 times in order to obtain 48 experimental units by planting 3 plants for each experimental unit to obtain 144 plants. The results showed that the treatment of cow manure with various bioactivators had a significant effect on the parameters of leaf number 56 DAP, number of branches 56 DAP, number of root nodules, number of pithy pods, dry weight of planting, weight of planted seeds, weight of 100 seeds. and has not shown any effect on other parameters.
In Situ Hybridization for Molecular Detection of Human Papilloma Viral 6 / 11 DNA in Adenoctomized Tissues from A group of Iraqi Pediatric Patients
Authors: Ali Saad Hasan Mohammed , Mohammed Khalil Ismail A. , Ali Wifaq M. , AL-Fakhar Suha A. , Al-Alwany Shakir H. Mohammed , Mousa Jinan M.
Published: July 2021

Among more than 200 different human papilloma viral genotypes, the association of low oncogenic risk-HPV genotypes have been recognized with a variety of oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal benign tumors as well as non-neoplastic polyposis and papillomas and adenoid hypertrophy. This prospective case- control study aims to determine the rate of DNA detection of HPV genotype 6/11 in nasopharyngeal adeno- tonsillar tissues from a group of patients subjected to adenoctomy for adenoid hypertrophy . A total number of nasopharyngeal adeno-tonsillar tissue specimens from pediatric patients with adenoid hypertrophy were enrolled; 40 nasopharyngeal adeno-tonsillar tissues from patients with adenoid hypertrophy, and 20 normal nasal tissue specimens were obtained from pediatric patients following trimming operations of their inferior nasal turbinates' with unremarkable pathological changes (as an apparently healthy control group). The molecular detection methods for HPV detection were performed by using DNA probes via a recent version of chromogenic in situ hybridization specified for low- risk HPV genotypes.  Among total adenoid hypertrophied tissue specimens group, 8 out of 40 were found to contain positive results for DNA of HPV 6 / 11 genotype, constituting 20% of the total screened nasopharyngeal adenotonsillar tissues. No positive– CISH reactions were detected in the control nasal tissues. The statistical analysis of results in this research showed significant difference when compared to the control apparently healthy tissues.   The significant rate of low- oncogenic HPV genotypes detection in those adenoid hypertrophied tissues could play, in part, a role in their pathogenesis and / or constituting a herald focus for the spread of such important virally transmitted infection.
Impact of Culture Media Composition, Nutrients Stress and Gamma Radiation on Biomass and Lipid of the Green Microalga, Dictyochloropsis splendida as a Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Shanab Sanaa Mahmoud Metwally , Abo-State Mervat Aly Mohamed , Ali Hamdy Elsayed Ahmed
Published: July 2021

Biodiesel production from microalgae depends on the biomass and lipid production. Both biomass and lipid accumulation is controlled by several factors. The effect of various culture media (BG11, BBM, and Urea), nutrients stress [nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg) and carbonate (CO3)] and gamma (γ) radiation on the growth and lipid accumulation of   Dictyochloropsis splendida were investigated. The highest biomass and lipid yield of D. splendida were achieved on BG11 medium. Cultivation of D. splendida in a medium containing 3000 mg L−1 N, or 160 mg L−1 P, or 113 mg L−1 Mg, or 20 mg L-1 CO3, led to enhanced growth rate. While under the low concentrations of nutrients caused a marked increase in the lipid content. Cultures exposure to 25 Gy of γ-rays, led to an increase in lipid content up to 18.26 ± 0.81 %. Lipid profile showed the maximum presence of saturated fatty acids (SFAs, 63.33%), and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs, 37.02%). Fatty acids (FAs) recorded the predominance of C16:0, C18:2, C15:0 and C16:1, which strongly proved D. splendida is a promising feedstock for biodiesel production.
New White Method of Parameters and Reliability Estimation for Transmuted Power Function Distribution
Authors: Salih Makki A. Mohammed , Eidi Jaafer Hmood
Published: July 2021

In this paper, an estimate has been made for parameters and the reliability function for Transmuted power function (TPF) distribution through using some estimation methods as proposed new technique for white, percentile, least square, weighted least square and modification moment methods. A simulation was used to generate random data that follow the (TPF) distribution on three experiments (E1 , E2 , E3)  of the real values of the parameters, and with sample size (n=10,25,50 and 100) and iteration samples (N=1000), and taking reliability times (0< t < 0) . Comparisons have been made between the obtained results from the estimators using mean square error (MSE). The results showed the percentile estimator is the best in (E1, E2)  but modification moment is the best in (E3) .
Numerical Solution for Linear State Space Systems using Haar Wavelets Method
Authors: Ali Waleeda swaidan , Ali Haleema S.
Published: July 2021

In this research, Haar wavelets method has been utilized to approximate a numerical solution for Linear state space systems. The solution technique is used Haar wavelet functions and Haar wavelet operational matrix with the operation to transform the state space system into a system of linear algebraic equations which can be resolved by MATLAB over an interval from 0 to . The exactness of the state variables can be enhanced by increasing the Haar wavelet resolution. The method has been applied for different examples and the simulation results have been illustrated in graphics and compared with the exact solution.
Some Results on Fixed Points for Monotone Inward Mappings in Geodesic Spaces
Authors: Jassim Khalid Abed
Published: July 2021

In this article, the partially ordered relation is constructed in geodesic spaces by betweeness property, A monotone sequence is generated in the domain of monotone inward mapping,  a monotone inward contraction mapping is a  monotone Caristi inward mapping is proved, the general fixed points for such mapping is discussed and A mutlivalued version of these results is also introduced.
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Corrosion Behavior of Carbon Steel Surface in 3.5% NaCl and 0.5 M HCl with Different Concentrations of Quinolin-2-One Derivative
Authors: Kubba Rehab Majid , Mohammed Mustafa Alaa
Published: July 2021

A theoretical and protection study was conducted of the corrosion behavior of carbon steel surface with different concentrations of the derivative (Quinolin-2-one), namely 7-Ethyl-4-methyl-1-[(4-nitro-benzylidene)-amino]-1H-quinolin-2-one (EMNQ2O). Theoretically, Density Functional Theory (DFT) of B3LYP/ 6-311++G/ 2d, 2p level was carried out to calculate the geometrical structure, physical properties and chemical inhibition chemical parameters, with the local reactivity in order to predict both the reactive centers and to know the possible sites of nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks, in vacuum and two solvents (DMSO and H2O), all at the equilibrium geometry. Experimentally, the inhibition efficiencies (%IE) in (3.5% NaCl) and (0.5M HCl) solutions were studied using potentiometric polarization measurements. The results revealed that the (%IE) in the salty solution (94.98%) is greater than that in the acidic solution (81.40%). The thermodynamic parameters obtained, supported the physical adsorption mechanism and the adsorption followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The surface changes of the carbon steel were studied using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) techniques.
Physical Properties of Cu Doped ZnO Nanocrystiline Thin Films
Authors: Abbas Nada K. , Shanan Zainab J. , Mohammed Teeba H.
Published: July 2021

Thin films of ZnO nano crystalline doped with different concentrations (0, 6, 9, 12, and 18 )wt. % of copper were deposited on a glass substrate via pulsed laser deposition method (PLD). The properties of ZnO: Cu thin-nanofilms have been studied by absorbing UV-VIS, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopes (AFM). UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to determine the type and value of the optical energy gap, while X-ray diffraction was used to examine the structure and determine the size of the crystals.  Atomic force microscopes were used to study the surface formation of precipitated materials. The UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to determine the type and value of the optical energy gap.
Effect of the Concentration of Copper on the Properties of Copper Sulfide Nanostructure
Authors: Shanan Zainab J. , Majed Mirvat D. , Ali Huda M.J.
Published: July 2021

Nanoparticles of copper sulfide have been prepared by simple reaction between using copper nitrate with different concentrations ratio 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mM, thiourea by a simple chemical route. The prepared Nano powders have been deposited onto glass substrates by casting method at 60°C. The structure of the product Nano- films has been studied by x-ray diffraction, where the patterns showed that all the samples have a hexagonal structure of covellite copper sulfide with the average crystalline sizes 14.07- 16.51 nm. The morphology has been examined by atomic force microscopy, and field emission scan electron microscopy. The AFM images showed particles with almost spherical and rod shapes with average diameter sizes of 49.11- 90.64 nm. From the UV-Vis absorption studies, it has been noted that the increased absorption edge for all thin films leads to decreases in the energy gap of 3.5 to 3.0 eV for 1mM and 5mM respectively.
Percepções acerca do processo de formação e utilização do cão-guia do Instituto Federal Catarinense- Camboriú
Authors: Levati Sandro Marcos , De Cesaro Humberto Luis
Published: July 2021

Este trabalho é fruto de uma pesquisa que tem por objetivo compreender como o processo de formação e a utilização do cão-guia e da formação dos instrutores e treinadores afeta as pessoas envolvidas nele. A pesquisa é qualitativa, a produção dos dados se deu pela entrevista episódica e a análise de resultados foi realizada pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. A partir da análise dos depoimentos, foi possível evidenciar quatro categorias: Autonomia; Processo de Formação e Utilização; Relação com o cão; Estreitamento de laços familiares. Os resultados mostram que as pessoas envolvidas no processo de formação e utilização de cães-guia percebem transformações positivas na vida do usuário além da locomoção aprimorada e que envolvem também vantagens para os familiares, instrutores e treinadores.
District-Led Malaria Surveillance and Response as an Effective Way to Manage Malaria Upsurges Following The Withdrawal of Indoor Residual Spraying: A Case Study From Nwoya District, Northern Uganda
Authors: Nuwa Anthony , Oola Janet , Obonyo Sam Okot , Feldman Mitra , Karungi Shirah Christine , Kertho Edmound , Odong David Salandini , Kimera Isaac , Magumba Godfrey , Beinomugisha Geofrey , Chitty Alexandra , Tibenderana James Kananura , Opigo Jimmy , Abwaimo Francis
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMalaria remains the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. In 2009, the United States’ President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) funded an indoor residual spraying (IRS) project in 10 Mid- northern districts, resulting in marked reductions in malaria prevalence over five years, from 62.5 percent to 7.2 percent. When the project was completed and IRS subsequently withdrawn, malaria prevalence increased dramatically to pre-IRS level of 63 percent in 2016 and was characterised by frequent life-threatening upsurges that were exasperated by a weak national led malaria surveillance system with delayed and piece meal responses. Malaria Consortium with funding from DFID and UNICEF collaborated with Nwoya district local government to implement a district led surveillance and response system. This study was conducted to compare the impact of District led and national led surveillance and response systems on overall malaria burden in two sub-counties in Nwoya district, Northern Uganda. MethodsThe assessment which followed the shift from the national led malaria surveillance and response system to district/sub-district led system was conducted between week 41 of 2018 and week 10 of 2019 and focused on two sub-counties in Nwoya district i.e. Anaka and Alero. A district multi-sectoral malaria response taskforce team, known as the District Malaria Surveillance and Response Team (DMSRT), was formed by the Nwoya District Health Team (DHT). The DMSRT was trained and equipped with new surveillance tools for early detection of and response to malaria upsurges within the district. The DMSRT was also tasked with the responsibility of developing a costed district malaria response plan. The DHT held regular technical meetings with relevant stakeholders to assess the performance of the DMSRT based on the plan. ResultsAll (18) targeted health facilities provided weekly malaria reports and continuously updated the malaria normal channels. There was an overall reduction in weekly new malaria cases from 12.9 in week 41 of 2018 to 6.2 cases in week 10 of 2019. Malaria Positivity Rates (TPR) for Alero and Anaka sub-counties reduced from 76.0 percent and 69.3 percent at week 42 of 2018 to 28 percent and 30.3 percent respectively at week 10 of 2019. ConclusionsMalaria surveillance and response, with precisely targeted multipronged activities, when led and implemented by local district health authorities is an effective, efficient, and sustainable approach to prevent malaria upsurges and associated morbidity and mortality.
Implementation of the Mental Capacity Act: a national observational study of changes in place of death for older heart failure patients with or without comorbid dementia
Authors: Beattie James M. , Higginson Irene J. , McDonagh Theresa A. , Gao Wei
Published: July 2021

Background: Heart failure is increasingly prevalent in the growing elderly population and commonly associated with cognitive impairment. This study compared trends in place of death (PoD) of heart failure patients with / without comorbid dementia over the period of implementation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) in October 2007, this legislation supporting patient-centred decision making for those with reduced agency.Methods: Analyses of death certification data for England between January 2001 and December 2018, describing the PoD and sociodemographic characteristics of all people ≥ 65 years registered with heart failure as the underlying cause of death, with / without a mention of comorbid dementia. Multiple Poisson regression modelling was used to determine the prevalence ratio (PR) of dying at home or in care homes compared to dying in hospital. Covariates included year of death, age, gender, marital status, comorbidity burden, index of multiple deprivation and urban / rural settings.Results:120,068 heart failure-related death records were included of which 8199 mentioned dementia as a contributory cause. The overall prevalence of dementia was 6.8%, the trend significantly increasing from 5.6% to 8.0% pre- and post-MCA (p<0.0001). Dementia was coded as unspecified (78.2%), Alzheimer’s disease (13.5%) and vascular (8.3%). Those with dementia were more commonly older, female, widowed, and had more comorbidities. Pre-MCA, PoD for heart failure patients without dementia was hospital 68.2%, care homes 20.2%, 10.7% dying at home. The corresponding figures for those with comorbid dementia were 47.6%, 48.0% and 4.2%, respectively. Following MCA enforcement, PoD for those without dementia shifted from hospital to home, PR: 1.026 [95%CI: 1.024-1.029]. This trend was not significant for those with dementia, PR: 1.001 [0.988-1.015], hospital deaths increasing. Care home deaths reduced for all, with or without dementia, PR: 0.959 [0.949-0.969], and PR: 0.996 [0.993-0.998], respectively. Hospice as PoD was rare for both groups (≤0.5%) with no appreciable change over the study period.Conclusions: Our analyses suggest the MCA did not materially affect the PoD of heart failure decedents with comorbid dementia, likely reflecting difficulties implementing this legislation in real-life clinical practice.
Influence of Vitamin D3 Supplementation On Infliximab Effectiveness in Chinese Patients With Crohn’s Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xia Sheng-long , Min Quan-jia , Shao Xiao-xiao , Lin Dao-po , Ma Guo-long , Wu Hao , Cao Shu-guang , Jiang Yi
Published: July 2021

Background: It remains uncertain whether vitD3 supplementation is beneficial for remission of Crohn’s disease (CD). The influence of vitD3 supplementation on Infliximab (IFX) effectiveness was analyzed in Chinese CD patients.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, moderate-to-severe CD patients, who were bio-naïve and prescribed with IFX treatment for at least 54 weeks, were recorded from January 2014 to December 2019. VitD3 supplementation was defined as patients additionally took oral vitD3 (125 IU/d) within 3 days after the first infusion and persisted in the whole follow-up period. Disease activity was assessed using Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI). Serum cytokine profiles (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were quantitatively analyzed in a subset of all patients at baseline and 54-week after intervention.Results: Among 73 enrolled patients, 37 took vitD3 regularly (D3-patients), the others (non-D3-patients) did not. At 54-week, the mean 25-hydroxyvitaminD level increased in D3-patients (20.33 ng/mL vs. 15.07 ng/mL, P<0.001). The clinical remission rate was higher in D3-patients compared to non-D3-patients (83.8% vs. 61.6%, P=0.030). The decrease of HBI from baseline to 54-week was more in D3-patients than non-D3-patients (7.41±3.0 vs. 6.28±2.75, P=0.023). Furthermore, vitD3 supplementation was independently related to the increase of remission rate at 54-week in D3-patients (β=-1.667, P=0.015). The benefit of vitD3 supplementation was significant only in patients with deficient vitD3 (all P<0.05), but not in non-deficient vitD3. In non-D3-patients, the decreases of TNF-α and IL-6 at 54-week were more obvious than at baseline (P=0.032, 0.022, respectively). In D3-patients, however, only IL-10 increased at 54-week compared with its baseline value (P=0.037).Conclusions: VitD3 supplementation could not only improve IFX effectiveness, especially for patients with vitD3 deficiency, but also affected the cytokine profiles in CD patients.Trial registration: NCT04606017.
Condition-based Maintenance Optimization for Gamma Deteriorating Systems under Performance-based Contracting
Authors: Zhu Xi , Wen Liang , Li Juan , Song Mingchang , Hu Qiwei
Published: July 2021

With the further development of service-oriented, performance-based contracting (PBC) has been widely adopted in industry and manufacturing. However, maintenance optimization problems under PBC have not received enough attention. To further extend the scope of PBC’s application in the field of maintenance optimization, we investigate the condition-based maintenance (CBM) optimization for gamma deteriorating systems under PBC. Considering the repairable single-component system subject to the gamma degradation process, this paper proposes a CBM optimization model to maximize the profit and improve system performance at a relatively low cost under PBC. In the proposed CBM model, the first inspection interval has been considered in order to reduce the inspection frequency and the cost rate. Then, a particle swarm algorithm (PSO) and related solution procedure are presented to solve the multiple decision variables in our proposed model. In the end, a numerical example is provided so as to demonstrate the superiority of the presented model. By comparing the proposed policy with the conventional ones, the superiority of our proposed policy is proved, which can bring more profits to providers and improve performance. Sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to research the effect of corrective maintenance cost and time required for corrective maintenance on optimization policy. A comparative study is given to illustrate the necessity of distinguishing the first inspection interval or not.
Is Myopia Accelerated In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Children? Analyses From The Ocular Parameters
Authors: Xiao Ying , Qian Yu , Yang Chenhao , Zou Haidong
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Compare ocular biometry with or without myopia in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and healthy children in China, to analyze the difference between myopia T1DM children and myopia healthy children. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, the children were divided into one of four subgroups depended on myopia or non-myopia, T1DM or non-DM. The participants were evaluated for anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), axial length (AL), average keratometry (K), and lens power (P); also cycloplegic refraction was performed, and spherical equivalent (SE) was acquired.Results: Two hundred and four eyes of 102 patients with T1DM and 174 eyes of 87 healthy subjects were included. In age-sex adjusted analysis, myopia T1DM subgroup showed thicker LT (p < 0.001), shallower ACD (p = 0.009), lager P (p < 0.001), shorter AL (p = 0.004), similar K and SE (all p > 0.05) than myopia control subgroup. Also in age-sex adjusted analysis, myopia T1DM subgroup showed deeper ACD (p = 0.041), longer AL (p < 0.001), similar LT, K and P ( all p > 0.05) than non-myopia T1DM subgroup. For the relationship of ACD, LT, AL, and P with myopia, in T1DM patients, eyes with longer AL (OR, 10.665; p < 0.001) and larger P (OR, 1.348; p = 0.033) were more likely to have myopia; in healthy controls, eyes with longer AL were more likely to have myopia (OR, 11.956; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In myopia T1DM children, ACD deepened than non-myopia T1DM children, yet not profound enough than healthy myopia children, while LT remained unchanged comparing to non-myopia T1DM children, therefore the lens lacked the ability to lose power as compensation to AL growth, these were the evidence that myopia would be accelerated in T1DM children.
Effect of The Autophagy Mechanism of TSCs Induced by Oxidative Stress Under Beclin1-mTOR Interaction
Authors: Liu Zhijun , Liu Shaojin , Zheng Weipeng , Liao Zhihao , Chen Sheng , Wei Hewei
Published: July 2021

Background

Tendinopathy is a chronic injury disease caused by repeated traction. It is characterized by exercise-related pain, increased local tendon sensitivity, and imaging changes in the tendon. Rotator cuff injury is one of the typical tendinopathy. Tendon-derived stem cells (TDSC) play a vital role in the development of tendinopathy. Our previous studies have found that reactive oxygen species increase after rotator cuff injury and the oxidative stress response is strengthened, but whether oxidative stress induces TDSC autophagy to promote tendon bone healing is not clear.
Methods

First, we collected the injured and normal tendon tissues of patients with rotator cuff injury, detected the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anion (SOD) in the tissues, detected Beclin1, mTOR gene expression by qPCR, and WB (Western blotting). Beclin1, p-mTOR/mTOR protein expression.Then, we extracted human tendon stem cells (TDSC) from tendon tissue, infected TDSC with recombinant lentivirus pLKO.1-shBeclin1, and verified the expression of Beclin1 by qPCR and WB.Finally, H2O2 and 3-MA were used to intervene TSCs. CCK8 was used to detect the proliferation ability of H2O2 on human TSCs; autophagy staining (MDC), autophagy-lysosome staining (Lyso-Tracker Red) and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe autophagy. Immunofluorescence staining detects the expression of autophagy factor LC3A/B; DCFH-DA detects cellular reactive oxygen species ROS level, Annexin V/PI detects cell apoptosis; WB detects Beclin1, mTOR, p-mTOR (Ser2448), LC3A/B, cleaved caspase-3 protein expression.
Results

In this study, it was found that the expression levels of ROS and Beclin1 in the damaged rotator cuff tissue were higher, while the expression levels of SOD and mTOR were lower. After the recombinant lentivirus pLKO.1-shBeclin1 was infected with TDSC, the expression of Beclin1 decreased. After treating TDSCs with H2O2 and 3-MA, it was found that H2O2 caused an increase in reactive oxygen species ROS content, autophagy levels, and LC3A/B expression in TDSCs, and an increase in Beclin1, mTOR, LC3A/B, and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression. Lead to a decrease in the level of apoptosis.
Conclusion

Under the mutual regulation of Beclin1-mTOR, oxidative stress induces the occurrence of autophagy in TSCs, and autophagy may protect TSCs from oxidative stress by reducing the accumulation of ROS.
Design of Dynamic Resource Allocation Scheme for Real-Time and Non-Real-Time Traffics in The Advanced Mobile Communications Network
Authors: Mai Yi-Ting , Hu Chih-Chung
Published: July 2021

The 5G wireless technology is recently standardized for meeting intense demand. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology provides an easy, time-saving, and low-cost method for deploying a 4G/5G network infrastructure. To support multimedia service and higher bandwidth data delivery, an LTE MAC layer has QoS support with several QoS class indicator (QCI) levels. Based on LTE current QCI priority and QoS requirements in UEs, the original Max-Rate scheduler or Proportionally Fair (PF) algorithm could not achieve their goal owing to the UE’s dynamic physical capacity with a different channel quality indicator (CQI) at run time. For better QoS service than LTE networks, per UE’s CQI state for each resource block (RB) must be considered simultaneously in LTE MAC layer resource allocation with cross-layer support. As DL real estimated capacity is dynamic owing to a UE’s periodic CQI reporting, the CQI state in LTE scheduling must be considered. This study proposes a smart and flexible scheme for Enhanced Utilization Resource Allocation (EURA) including three novel mechanisms that can dynamically fit UEs’ CQI states. The simulation results in this study demonstrate that the proposed EURA scheme outperforms the contrast schemes, can save more rare radio capacity, and improve the utilization of radio resource assignment.
Left Ventricular Mass Regression, All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Maki Kevin C. , Wilcox Meredith L. , Dicklin Mary R. , Kakkar Rahul , Davidson Michael H.
Published: July 2021

Background
Cardiovascular disease is an important driver of the increased mortality associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Higher left ventricular mass (LVM) predicts increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and total mortality, but previous reviews have shown no clear association between intervention-induced LVM change and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in CKD.
Methods
The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether treatment-induced reductions in LVM over periods ≥ 12 months were associated with all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Cardiovascular mortality was investigated as a secondary outcome. Measures of association in the form of relative risks (RRs) with associated variability and precision (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were extracted directly from each study, when reported, or were calculated based on the published data, if possible, and pooled RR estimates were determined.
Results
The meta-analysis included 38 trials with duration ≥ 12 months: 6 of erythropoietin stimulating agents treating to higher vs. lower hemoglobin targets, 10 of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors vs. placebo or another blood pressure lowering agent, 14 of modified hemodialysis regimens, and 8 of other types of interventions. All-cause mortality was reported in 116/2385 (4.86%) subjects in intervention groups and 161/2404 (6.70%) subjects in control groups. The pooled RR estimate of the 24 trials ≥ 12 months with ≥ 1 event in ≥ 1 group was 0.72 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.91, p = 0.005), with little heterogeneity across studies. Directionalities of the associations in intervention subgroups were the same. Sensitivity analyses of ≥ 6 months (31 trials), ≥ 9 months (26 trials), and > 12 months (9 trials), and including studies with no events in either group, demonstrated similar risk reductions to the primary analysis. The point estimate for cardiovascular mortality was similar to all-cause mortality, but not statistically significant: RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.15.
Conclusions
These results suggest that LVM regression may be a useful surrogate marker for benefits of interventions intended to reduce mortality risk in patients with CKD.
Sericin cocoon bio-compatibilizer for reactive blending of thermoplastic cassava starch
Authors: Chaiyaso Thanongsak , Rachtanapun Pornchai , Thajai Nanthicha , kiattipronpithak Krittameth , Jantrawut Pensak , Ruksiriwanich Warintorn , Seesuriyachan Phisit , Leksawasdi Noppol , Phimolsiripol Yuthana , Techapun Charin , Sommano Sarana Rose , Ougizawa Toshiaki , Yakul Kamon , Jantanasakulwong Kittisak
Published: July 2021

Cassava starch was blended with glycerol to prepare thermoplastic starch (TPS). TPS was premixed with sericin (TPSS) by solution mixing and then melt-blended with polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PEMAH). The effect of sericin on the mechanical properties, morphology, thermal properties, rheology, and reaction mechanism was investigated. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the TPSS10/PEMAH blend were improved to 12.2 MPa and 100.4%, respectively. The TPS/PEMAH morphology presented PEMAH particles (2 µm) dispersed in the TPS matrix, which decreased in size to approximately 200 nm when 5% sericin was used. The melting temperature of PEMAH (121°C) decreased to 111°C because of the small crystal size of the PEMAH phase. The viscosity of TPS/PEMAH increased with increasing sericin content because of the chain extension. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the reaction between the amino groups of sericin and the maleic anhydride groups of PEMAH. This reaction reduced the interfacial tension between TPS and PEMAH, which improved the compatibility, mechanical properties, and morphology of the blend.
Analysis of Circulating microRNA During Early Gestation in Japanese Black Cattle
Authors: Ono Kasumi , Okamoto Sakura , Ninomiya Chiaki , Toji Noriyuki , Kanazawa Tomomi , Ishiguro-Oonuma Toshina , Takahashi Toru , Iga Kosuke , Kizaki Keiichiro
Published: July 2021

Background
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are biomarkers for various diseases and physiological conditions in humans and mice; studies in domestic animals, particularly cattle, are limited. The importance of early pregnancy diagnosis (especially within the 21 day cow estrous cycle) in the livestock industry is extremely high. This study compared the circulating miRNAs in non-pregnant and pregnant Japanese Black cows, explored miRNAs as biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis, and established a measurement system that includes reference miRNA selection and the effect of hemolysis.
Methods
miRNA was extracted from the plasma of Japanese Black cows on day 21 after artificial insemination and subjected to a customized bovine oligonucleotide microarray for expression analysis. Differentially expressed miRNAs and reference miRNA candidates were selected and validated by real-time quantification PCR (RT-qPCR). Their stability was evaluated using NormFinder software. Hemolyzed samples were prepared using plasma from five cows in estrous cycle and subjected to RT-qPCR.
Results
A total of 124 miRNAs were detected in bovine plasma by microarray analysis in non-pregnant and pregnant cows. The levels of five circulating miRNAs were significantly higher in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows, and 24 miRNAs were detected only in the pregnant group. NormFinder analysis and RT-qPCR validation showed that miR-2455 was an appropriate reference miRNA in the plasma of non-pregnant and pregnant Japanese Black cows and miR-19b, miR-25, miR-29a, and miR-148a were significantly higher in the pregnant group. These four circulating miRNAs did not change during the estrous cycle and were less affected by hemolysis.
Conclusions
In the current study, we found high levels of four miRNAs in the plasma of pregnant Japanese Black cows. Since these miRNAs are less affected by hemolysis, they may potentially be used as markers for early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle.
Ovarian response to P4-PGF-FSH Treatment in Suffolk sheep and P4-PGF-PMSG Synchronization in Cross-bred Ewes, for IVD and ET Protocol
Authors: CIORNEI STEFAN , DRUGOCIU Dan , Ciornei Liliana Margareta , ROŞCA Petru
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe success of an embryo transfer protocol in sheep depends on many factors, but the choice of drugs for the desired superovulation as well as the conception rate are most essential. Reproductive activity in sheep is characterized by a seasonality influenced by several factors such as photoperiod, latitude, temperature, nutrition and breed. Reproductive seasonality and nutritional condition are the main factors that influence embryo production in sheep. In sheep, some anatomical peculiarities limit the application of traditional reproductive biotechnologies used in cattle. MethodsIn vivo embryo production is often referred to as “multiple ovulation and embryo transfer” and involves ovarian superstimulation of the donor female, insemination or mating, uterine flushing for embryo recovery, and either cryopreservation or transfer of collected embryos to recipients. A total number of 60 sheep and 3 rams were included in this study, divided into 2 groups (receptors/donors). Donor Suffolk sheep were treated for superovulation using the P4‐PGF‐FSH protocol while the cross-bred recipients’ group was synchronized with P4-PGF-PMSG. ResultsOn the first day after superovulation, all ovaries had more than 5 dominant follicles, while corpora lutea were later observed in 83.3% sheep. The recovery rate was 83.3% while 72,9% embryos were transferable. Embryos were transferred directly into recipients. Fertility after 30 days was 68.57%, lambing rate was 91.6%, and CR 62.85%. This study showed that veterinary drugs (P4, FSH, LH, PMSG, PGF) used for superovulation were capable to induce estrus and synchronize ovulation in sheep, are topical and in increasing use worldwide. ConclusionsThe aim of this study was to conclude on the effectiveness of a wider on farm in vivo embryo transfer development program in Suffolk sheep, using several veterinary hormones. The application of a multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) protocol has a positive effect in the production of in vivo derived embryos in Suffolk sheep and can guarantee the success of embryo transfer activity to ewes with lower genetic merit. Our research aimed at representing a model for sheep farms for a rapid improvement of productive traits.