bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPEDIMENTS TO ACHIEVING EFFECTIVE AND OPTIMUM FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN MAJOR KANO MARKETS, KANO STATE
Authors: ABUBAKAR ALKALI IBRAHIM
Published: September 2022

Markets are complex entities comprising of multiple units ranging from economic, socio cultural,infrastructural, technological and environmental viewpoints. Therefore, its designs especiallywith regards to fire prevention and control goes beyond active and passive fire prevention andcontrol measures. There are non-salient issues that are usually given less attention but has greatimpact on the causes as well as hinder the control of market fires. Through qualitative approachinvolving observation, this study explored three major markets in Kano city using purposivesampling with a view to identifying the challenges of those markets in achieving the optimumfire prevention and control required for such commercial enterprise. The study found alterations,congestion, clearance, extension, indiscriminate parking, squatter trading, hawking/peddling andpoor circulation as a challenge to optimum fire prevention and control in the markets.Negligence to the fire prevention and control strategies observed in the markets are believed tohave high tendency exacerbating fire disasters with little or no chances of control and evacuation.It is thus imperative to have proactive measures that will enforce the existing developmentcontrol regulations, fire prevention and control act and ensure orderliness in the market. Inaddition there is dire need for customized design framework that is conscious of the peculiaritiesof market settings and operations of such study areas and alike.Keywords: Fire Prevention, Markets, Fire control, Impediments.
PARAMETRIC AND SEMI-PARAMETRIC SURVIVAL MODELS WITH APPLICATION TO HYPERTENSION DATA
Authors: GANAKA KUBI MUSA, , K. E LASISI , ABDULKADR RASHEED BELLO , Y. B USMAN , LAWAN ABDULLAHI
Published: September 2022

Correlated survival data with possible censoring are frequently encountered in survival analysis.When there are dependencies among observed survival times, conventional Cox proportionalhazards model (CPHM) and Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) models that assumes independentresponses may not be appropriate. In this study, we compare the performance of parametric andsemi-parametric survival models with application to clinical data. Specifically, the AFT modeland the CPHM with and without Random effect were compared. Data on hypertension wascollected from Federal Medical Centre Keffi and General Hospital Nasarawa for the period offive years (2016 – 2020). The results from the analysis revealed that the Weibull AFT modelwith Gamma Random effect distribution had the least AIC and BIC values indicating that itoutperformed the other models considered in this study. Hence, the interpretation of the resultswas based on the most efficient model. Based on our results, it was found that hypertensionpatient that were giving drugs on the visit to the hospital has longer survival time compared tothose that were not giving drugs. Also, Hypertension patient with blood group AB and Obesedhave lesser survival time as compared to those with blood group o+ and normal weightrespectively. The study recommend that health expert can use the Weibull AFT model withGamma Random effect for predicting the risk factors of Hypertension especially when the dataare correlated.Keywords: AFT, CPHM, Hazard, Hypertension, Survival,
EFFECTS OF CEILING FANS ON THE THERMAL COMFORT OF STUDENTS IN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS OF BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO, NIGERIA
Authors: M. ALI ANI , D. MARTINSON BRETT , AL-MAIYAH SURA
Published: September 2022

It is well known that thermal comfort is influenced by major physical parameters; air and radianttemperatures, humidity, and air speed in combination with personal attributes; clothing insulationand activity level. Although temperature is conventionally considered in adaptive thermalcomfort model, as the most important physical parameter where cooling is involved, moderateair speed can enhance thermal comfort during higher temperatures. Through convective andevaporative cooling, ceiling fans cool people by causing sweat from the occupant’s body toevaporate. The northern part of Nigeria, being in the tropics, is known for higher temperatureregimes for most part of the year. The use of air conditioning to achieve thermal comfort is notsustainable, for economic reasons and the lack of stable electrical energy. Therefore, a majorityof naturally ventilated spaces could be kept thermally comfortable with the control of ceilingfans and operable windows. As part of a research work on learning environments in a NorthernNigerian university, this study reports on the effects of ceiling fans on the thermal comfortperception of the students in two lecture theatres. In addition to the measurements of air speed,air and radiant temperatures, relative humidity, a comfort survey was also undertaken in thespaces, from which activity levels and clothing insulations were obtained. Adaptive thermalcomfort standards, ASHRAE 55 and EN 15251, state that thermal comfort can be maintained asair temperature rises with the use of ceiling fans operating at moderate speed. The results fromthis study show that reductions of 31% and 22% in overheating from the two lecture theatreswere realised, as a result of ceiling fans usage, measured by the degree hour’s exceedanceindicator. These results were further corroborated by the students’ acceptance of thermalconditions of the lecture theatres at temperatures above Tmax.Keywords: Ceiling fans, thermal comfort, overheating, Bayero University, Kano
STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION WITH HOSTEL FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF FORESTRY, JOS
Authors: RUTH AJIBOLA OGENYI , OJOCHOGU DOGUN , OREWERE EMMAMOGE , BANKOLE CHIZOBA , IRO IBRAHIM IBRAHIM , U. MFONOBONG HENRY , IDYO TERTSEA
Published: September 2022

Students’ housing is a major form of accommodation with requisite facilities that will enhanceacademic performance for college students who are in a transitory stage of life. This researchpaper aimed to investigate students’ perception of hostel facilities and environmental conditionsat Federal College of Forestry, Jos. The study adopted a survey research design. The studyutilized structured questionnaires and observation techniques to obtain primary data fromstudents. Simple random sampling was used to select five hostels in the study area. A total of185 questionnaires were distributed, and 172 were retrieved representing 92.97%, used for finalanalysis. Tables, percentages and photographs were used to present the results of the research.The study revealed that there is dissatisfaction with some hostel facilities, while facilities such aselectricity supply, students’ common room has a positive perception of the students. However,dirty and unkempt environment as well as poor landscaping is adjudged factors that contribute tounhealthy environment of the hostels. The study therefore recommends the need for the schoolmanagement to pay close attention to the provision of new hostel designs with more facilitiesand improvement of the hostel’s environment through appropriate landscaping.Keywords: Students, Perception, Hostel, Facilities, Environment, Forestry, Jos
PHYTOREMEDIATION OF IRON CONTAMINATED SOIL BY WATERLEAF (Talinum triangulare (Jacq) Willd) IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: OWONUBI AYODELE , OREWERE EMMAMOGE , LOHNAN NANLOH
Published: September 2022

Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly approach which involves plants for removal ofcontaminants from polluted soil. The objective of this study therefore was to evaluate theeffectiveness of water leaf (Talinum triangulare) in extraction of iron (Fe) from contaminatedsoil. The research consisted of the following treatments: 0, 26, 52, 78, 104, 130 and 156 Femg/kg of soil. Iron nitrate was used as the source of iron. The plant data collected were leaf andflower count, plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, shoot weight, the root weight andiron concentration in the shoot. These were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher’spairwise comparisons. The result showed that there was no significant effect of treatments ongrowth parameters except for leaf count. Plants that received 130 (Fe mg/kg) had significantlyhigher leaf count probably due to higher amount of nitrogen supplied by iron nitrate. There wassignificance difference in iron concentration in the shoots of water leaf plants among the varioustreatments when compared to the control. Mean maximum extraction of iron was 5815 mg/kgwith a standard deviation of 16.51. Lower leaf count and amounts of iron extracted at higherconcentration of iron in the soils are probably due to unset of iron toxicity in the water leaf plants.This indicates that water leaf plants possess great potential in phyto-extraction of iron and otherheavy metals from contaminated soil.
ASSESSMENT OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION LEVEL OF SCRAP METAL DUMPSITES IN DUTSE TOWN, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: UM DANKAWU , ADAMU GD , MAHARAZ MN , M.M SHARFADDEEN , IZ USMAN , OLAMBIMTAN S.O , SHUAIBU H. Y. , ZARMA SS , ASHIRU AG , USMAN FM , E. NDIKILAR CHIFU
Published: September 2022

The level of awareness of the radiation hazards from indiscriminate dumping of scrap metals isvery low in developing countries. In this study, the background ionizing radiation level of scrapmetal dumpsites in Dutse Town, Jigawa State, Nigeria was assessed. A hand-held RadiationAlert Inspector (RAI) was used and a total of Ten (10) scrap metal dumpsites were randomlyselected. Four readings were taken in Counts Per Minute (CPM) and micro Sievert perhour(µSv/hr) at four (4) different selected points on each of the dumpsites. The value ofexposure dose rate (in µSv/hr) was used to estimate the Absorbed Dose D (in nGy/hr), AnnualEffective Dose (in mSvy-1) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk respectively. The results show thatthe mean exposure dose rate range from 0.01225 to 0.02125 µSv/hr. All the values of exposuredose rate were found to be below the standard value of 0.133 μSv/h. The mean value of theAbsorbed Dose D varies from 12.25 to 21.25 nGy/hr respectively. The calculated mean AnnualEffective Dose was found to be in the range of 0.015023 to 0.026061 mSvy-1. These values arebelow 1.0 mSvy-1 dose limit recommended by the International Commission on RadiologicalProtection (ICRP). The mean Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk range from 0.052582 to 0.091214 andare lower than the world limit of 0.29 × 10-3. The study indicates that the people working andliving within the study area are safe and are not exposed to high doses of radiation as result ofactivities in the dumpsite. However, continuous monitoring of background radiation in thedumpsites is recommended.Keyword: Radiation, Excess lifetime cancer risk, Dumpsites, Absorbed Dose, Annual EffectiveDose
Effect of Competence, Work Environment, and Work Motivation on Employee Performance Through Job Satisfaction
Authors: Kharisma Atika Fitry , Rosia Rina
Published: September 2022

Employee performance of BPRS Bina Finansia Semarang is very important to study because this BPRS is one of the Islamic banks that is able to survive in the midst of market competition, especially competition between Sharia Banks in Semarang. This study analyzes competence, work environment, and work motivation through employee performance with job satisfaction as the intervening variable. The data collection method was carried out through questionnaires distributed to employees of Bank BPRS Bina Finansia Semarang. The sample used in this study was 32 respondents with a probability sampling technique. The data was processed with SmartPLS, analyzed with convergent validity, discriminant validity, composite reliability, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), Collinearity Statistics (VIF), path coefficient test, the goodness of fit test, bootstrap test, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) test. This study shows that competence has a negative and insignificant effect on employee performance. However, work environment, work motivation, has a negative and insignificant effect on job satisfaction. Other results show that job satisfaction can mediate the work environment on employee performance, but job satisfaction cannot mediate competence and work motivation on employee performance. This research is expected to be an additional reference for banks to improve quality in terms of employee performance. This research is extraordinary, for the sake of improvement in the future.
We are what we create.
Authors: Gerstl Claudia
Published: September 2022

Already in ancient times, people dreamt of becoming creators, and nowadays they are approaching this dream in small but impressive steps. In fiction, the goal of creating an artificial human has already been achieved. Additionally, as a mirror of society, the medium of film offers the opportunity to address current questions and problems of humanity. This paper raises the question of how artificial agents are depicted in over 30 years of film history from 1990 to 2021, and it explores roboethics through the lens of movies, focusing on social humanoid robots.
AI Errors in Health?
Authors: Barassi Veronica , Patra Rahi
Published: September 2022

The ever-greater use of AI-driven technologies in the health sector begs moral questions regarding what it means for algorithms to mis-understand and mis-measure human health and how as a society we are understanding AI errors in health. This article argues that AI errors in health are putting us in front of the problem that our AI technologies do not grasp the full pluriverse of human experience, and rely on data and measures that have a long history of scientific bias. However, as we shall see in this paper, contemporary public debate on the issue is very limited. Drawing on a discourse analysis of 520 European news media articles reporting on AI-errors the article will argue that the ‘media frame’ on AI errors in health is often defined by a techno-solutionist perspective, and only rarely it sheds light on the relationship between AI technologies and scientific bias. Yet public awareness on the issue is of central importance because it shows us that rather than ‚fixing‘ or ‚finding solutions‘ for AI errors we need to learn how to coexist with the fact that technlogies – because they are human made, are always going to be inevitably biased.
Right to vote for robots?
Authors: Pallaver Günther , Hug Theo
Published: September 2022

In 2017, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia granted citizenship to the robot Sophia, a social humanoid robot equipped with humanoid artificial intelligence (AI). Our thesis is that, if Saudi Arabia’s move is consistently pursued, it is impossible to avoid granting the new citizens the right to vote, especially since liberal pluralist democracies are based on the principle of equality and thus the participation of its citizens. This in turn raises a number of questions of legal policy which are also discussed by the European Parliament and which in their scope are comparable to the time when Europe fought for universal and equal suffrage from the 19th century onwards. The contribution aims at discussing a series of questions as well as initial answers.
Is Lawful AI Ethical AI?
Authors: Kortz Mason , Fjeld Jessica , Hilligoss Hannah , Nagy Adam
Published: September 2022

Attempts to impose moral constraints on autonomous, artificial decision-making systems range from “human in the loop” requirements to specialized languages for machine-readable moral rules. Regardless of the approach, though, such proposals all face the challenge that moral standards are not universal. It is tempting to use lawfulness as a proxy for morality; unlike moral rules, laws are usually explicitly defined and recorded – and they are usually at least roughly compatible with local moral norms. However, lawfulness is a highly abstracted and, thus, imperfect substitute for morality, and it should be relied on only with appropriate caution. In this paper, we argue that law-abiding AI systems are a more achievable goal than moral ones. At the same time, we argue that it’s important to understand the multiple layers of abstraction, legal and algorithmic, that underlie even the simplest AI-enabled decisions. The ultimate output of such a system may be far removed from the original intention and may not comport with the moral principles to which it was meant to adhere. Therefore, caution is required lest we develop AI systems that are technically law-abiding but still enable amoral or immoral conduct.
Digital Transformation as an Epistemological Event: Predigital Transformation
Authors: Maciag Rafał ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: September 2022

The paper describes the circumstances in which digital technology arises; the change is recognized in the literature as the basis of digital transformation. This transformation is understood as a deterministic economic process. However, the analysis of the deeper circumstances of this process shows that we are dealing with a vast change in the ways of understanding and describing the world, i.e. with an epistemological change. This change concerns, on the one hand, the method of creating general mathematical (including geometric) structures that are the basis of models used to describe the world, and on the other hand—tools for its description, e.g. network theory, systems theory, complexity theory. Such a broadly understood change makes the deterministic description proposed by the digital transformation too simple and shallow. Instead, the concept of predigital transformation is proposed. It includes not only the omitted historical part but also creates better and richer conditions for understanding the digital transformation process, as well as for developing appropriate conceptual tools for its use.
Para uma política da amizade na docência: conversas entre a arte e uma professora em formação
Authors: Barrionuevo Gustavo , Maio Eliane Rose , Stubs Roberta
Published: September 2022

Em conversa entre a arte e a educação, o presente artigo objetiva refletir sobre uma política da amizade e o que se agencia a partir do seu encontro com a docência e a produção artística. Entendemos as relações de amizade que se criam dentro da arte e da educação como potente espaço de reconhecimento da existência da outra e de abertura a experimentação e a multiplicidade. Assim, cartografamos aqui algumas contribuições a respeito das relações de amizade desde referenciais da educação, das artes e da filosofia; abordamos os desdobramentos possíveis para um currículo pensado a partir dessas relações; e, sendo parte de uma pesquisa de Mestrado em Educação, compartilhamos algumas experiências que ocorreram durante o Estágio de Docência realizado com o curso de Artes Visuais na Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM).
Interferons as the First Choice of Cytoreduction in Essential Thrombocythemia and Polycythemia Vera
Authors: How Joan , Hobbs Gabriela
Published: September 2022

Interferons are cytokines with immunomodulatory properties that have been used in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) for decades. However, their widespread use has been hampered by their adverse effect profile and difficulty with administration. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of interferons in MPNs given the development of pegylated formulations with improved tolerability. Currently, treatments for polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are targeted toward decreasing the risk of thrombotic complications, because there are no approved therapies that are known to modify disease. However, recent data on interferons in MPNs have suggested the potential for disease-modifying activity, including the achievement of molecular remission and sustained clinical response. This development has led to the question of whether interferons should move forward as the preferred frontline cytoreductive agent for ET and PV, and challenges the criteria currently used to initiate therapy. We review randomized controlled trial data evaluating interferon’s efficacy and tolerability in patients with ET and PV. We then consider the data in the context of interferon’s known advantages and disadvantages to address whether interferons should be the first choice for cytoreductive treatment in patients with ET and PV.
Micro common data format specification
Authors: Long Benjamin , Dziur?aj John
Published: September 2022

This specification describes a data format for space-constrained environments, such as the placement of machine readable data on paper. The specification is responsive to a need for interoperability in several key voting system scenarios in which the use of other storage mechanisms are impractical or disallowed. The format s structure is described in prose and code examples.
ХИПОКИНЕЗИЈА КАО ФАКТОР ГОЈАЗНОСТИ ДЕЦЕ МЛАЂЕГ ШКОЛСКОГ УЗРАСТА
Authors: Полић Оливера , Грачанин Ивана , Ђурђевић Љубиша , Вујановић Славиша
Published: September 2022

Преваленца гојазности попримила је размере епидемије и знатно нарушава глобално здравље. Међу многобројним факторима који доприносе порасту гојазности хипокинезија се издваја као најучесталији и најподложнији мењању у оквиру друштвених система. Служећи се мета-анализом сагледана је гојазност као последица хипокинезије деце млађег школског узраста. Седентарни начин живота доводи до поражавајуће прекомерне тежине, неповољног психо-социјалног развоја и поставља темеље за широк спектар обољења. Истраживања су показала да је енергетска потрошња мања од енергетског уноса. Физичка активност је изузетно важна за превенџију и потребно је промовисати је у свим узрастима, нарочито дечјем. Правовремено повећана физичка активност у оквиру школе и током слободног времена смањује проценат гојазне деце и побољшава квалитет здравља и током одрасле доби.
ИСХРАНА И ЊЕН ЗНАЧАЈ ЗА ЗДРАВЉЕ И РАЗВОЈ ПРЕДШКОЛСКЕ ДЈЕЦЕ
Authors: Перић Сања , Савић Сузана , Ђурић Стефан
Published: September 2022

Болести дјеце као и њихов имунитет потпуно је другачији него код одраслих особа. Од тренутка рођења дјечији организам стиче имунитет и гради га. Највећи тест дјечијег имунитета долази баш у предшколској установи. Од веома велике важности је да се васпитачи и родитељи едукују о дјечијој исхрани, да буду у стању разликовати здраву од нездраве исхране за дијете. Пажљиво планирана и бирана исхрана јесте императив модерног друштва због велике опасности од контаминације хране чији су извори бројни. Веома је важно сврсиходно и пажљиво планирање исхране у предшколским установама. Анализом постојећих норматива, стања у погледу исхране, као и важности добро планираних јеловника у предшколским установама дошло се до сазнања о кључним елементима за правилну исхрану дјеце у вртићима којима је основни задатак брига о дечијем здрављу. У раду смо указали на значај и правилан начин исхране дјеце у предшколским установама. Исхрана је један од веома важних чинилаца приликом боравка дјеце у предшколским установама, зато је од велике важности како се дјеца хране и колико је та исхрана пролагођена њиховом узрасту.
VASPITAČ U PROCESU PLANIRANJA RADA PREDŠKOLSKE USTANOVE
Authors: Cvijanović Daniela
Published: September 2022

Vaspitanje djeteta zadaća je, prije svega, porodice, vaspitno-obrazovnih institucija i društva u cjelini. Terminom vaspitač možemo označiti osobu koja provodi vaspitno-obrazovni proces u ustanovama ranog i predškolskog vaspitanja i razvoja, mada je vaspitna zadaća zajednička obrazovnim radnicima svakog nivoa obrazovanja. Vaspitači su i te kako bitni akteri u vaspitno-obrazovnom procesu, jer osim roditelja, oni najviše vremena provode sa djecom, tako da mnogo utiču na djecu, usmjeravaju ih, uočavaju nepravilnosti u njihovom ponašanju, i na kraju, ispravljaju ih i koriguju. Planiranje je timski proces kontinuiranog dijaloga koji uključuje sve aktere u vrtiću, odnosno u predškolskoj ustanovi ( roditelje, djecu, vaspitače, stručnu službu, upravu ). Tema ovog rada upravo je u vezi sa planiranjem i organizacijоm rada predškolske ustanove, s obzirom na to da ishod i rezultat ( cilj ) rada zavise upravo od toga. Vaspitanje i obrazovanje, ne može da se razvija, niti da daje rezultate, ako nema procesa planiranja. Djeca su bića kojima treba posvetiti najviše pažnje, posebno u ovom predškolskom, polaznom periodu njihovog života, i zbog toga je veoma bitno obratiti pažnju na njihovu okolinu, dešavanja u njihovoj okolini, počev od porodice, pa do predškolske ustanove u kojoj isto tako provode mnogo vremena, uče i razvijaju se.
ПАРТНЕРСТВО ПРЕДШКОЛСКЕ УСТАНОВЕ И ПОРОДИЦЕ
Authors: Илић Николина , Јовичић Лидија
Published: September 2022

Активности породице и васпитно-образовне установе, као два кључна чиниоца васпитања, различите су али комплементарне. Све оно што породица подстиче и развија код дјетета, у васпитно- образовним установама треба да се продубљује, а све оно што се у предшколским установама и школи развија, породица треба да подстиче. Породица и предшколска установа имају заједнички циљ, а то је добробит дјетета. Савремене васпитно-образовне установе, посебно установе раног и предшколског васпитања и образовања подстичу активно укључивање родитеља у непосредни васпитно-образовни процес сматрајући родитеље равноправним учесницима тог процеса. Циљ овог рада јесте да се укаже на значај сарадње предшколске установе и породице као и унапређивање савремених модела партнерских односа између родитеља и предшколске установе.
ТРШИЋ-ВРЕЛО СРПСКЕ КУЛТУРЕ
Authors: Митрић Бранко
Published: September 2022

Оно што је, одавно, Истраживачка станица „Петница“, код Ваљева, за природне науке то је, у међувремену, постао Научно-образовни центар „Вук Караџић“ за хуманистичке науке. Смештено у Вуковом Тршићу, место је свакдневних научних скупова који окупљају студенте, ђаке, научнике, истраживаче и уметнике не само из Републике Српске него и са свих меридијана.
Utility of Umbilical Cord Blood Culture in the Diagnosis of Early Onset Sepsis: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mulay Sujit , Chatterjee Rajib , Holkar Rahul , Bhalerao Deepika
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Umbilical cord is the first source of blood from the neonate. The clinical signs associated with sepsis are frequently non specific and subtle in the neonates making the diagnosis of infection difficult. Umbilical cord blood does not involve pain infliction, avoids iatrogenic blood loss and procedural complications. Aim: To evaluate the utility of Umbilical Cord Blood Culture (UCBC) in the diagnosis of Early Onset Sepsis (EOS). Materials and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional study carried out in neonatology unit of Department of Paediatrics, Rural Medical College, Loni, Maharashtra, India, for the period of mid-March 2021 to mid-September 2021. Neonates delivered in Rural Medical College to the mothers having the risk factors for EOS were included in this study. Informed consent was taken prior to start of study. Thus, 68 samples were collected and studied. UCBC was collected with all aseptic precautions immediately after the umbilical cord was cut after the birth of the baby, venous blood sample was collected within one hour of birth. The data was presented as count and percentages. Results: Majority were female neonates 40 (58.8%). On analysing maternal risk factors it was seen 8.8% had previous low birth weight and 13.2% had Rh negative status. Analysis for presence of risk factors for sepsis majority 79.4% were multiple times examined per vaginally, followed by 36.8% had foul smelling liquor, 11.8% had febrile illness and 5.8% had birth asphyxia. On umbilical cord culture and sensitivity, most common microorganism identified was Staphylococcus aureus 8 (11.8%), followed by 8.8% Pseudomonas species. So, present study shows that 35.3% (24 cases) had positive culture reports using utility of UCBC in 68 patients. Conclusion: Study concludes that umbilical cord blood sampling and culture can be used as a tool for diagnosing bacterial sepsis in neonates especially the high-risk neonates.
Synthesis; Characterization and Anti Inflammatory Activity of “3-(2-[1H Benzimidazole-2-YL)-2-Oxethyl] Phenyl) Acetic Acid and Its Derivatives”
Authors: Bhor Rohit Jaysing , Pawar Sonali
Published: September 2022

A series of five-membered heterocyclic rings like Benzimidazole were synthesized by the reaction between benzene-1, 2 diamine and formic acid to form various Benzimidazole derivatives (BD- BK) compounds and was tested for their anti-inflammatory activity determined by rat-paw- oedema method. All the synthesis compounds have been characterized by 1HNMR, IR and some Mass spectral data. The compounds were purified by recrystallization method. The entire compound gives good response for the anti-inflammatory activity: Benzimidazole (AA), 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl) ethanone (AC); 2-{3-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl] phenyl}-N-phenylacetamide (AJ); 2-{3-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl] phenyl}-N-(2-nitrophenyl) acetamide (AK); 2-{3-[2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl] phenyl}-N-(3-nitrophenyl) acetamide (AL). For this anti-inflammatory activity, Indometacin was used as a standard drug and compared to new synthesized drugs. Some new synthesized drugs have shown better activities for the anti-inflammation. The synthesize compounds were establish to be AA to AL. The compound AA, AC, AJ, AK and AL were established to be the most potent compound through compare to standard drugs Indomethacin.
Evaluation of Genetic Potential of Cotton Lines against Whitefly Tolerance
Authors: Hussain Syed Bilal , Ahmad Noshaba , Zubair Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutism L.) is a primary source of natural fiber, fuel, wood, and oil worldwide and an essential raw material source for the textile industry. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is one of the major pests distributed worldwide and has broad genetic diversity. In this research, the genetic diversity in the cotton germplasm was explored against the whitefly infestation. Broad sense heritability is a common approach used to detect the association and inheritance of the target trait. Maximum (PIC 0.96) and minimum (PIC 0.36) polymorphism was explored by the SSR primer NAU 988 and NAU 5121, respectively, with an average value of 0.73. Pair-wise genetic estimation ranged from 0.500 to 1.00. Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree, based on UPGMA (Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic), grouped the genotypes into six main clusters, i.e., A, B, C, D, E, and F. Maximum accessions fall into a single cluster showing low genetic diversity among them. The upland cotton accessions FH 326, SLH 07, FH18, and Cris 541, showed divergence from the rest of the genotypes and might have resistance against the whitefly attack. Our results also explain the utilization of the SSR markers to explore genetic diversity and its utilization in a cotton breeding program.
The Public Health Mentorship Programme: An Intervention Model for Scaling Up and Strengthening Service Delivery in Low Resource and Hard-to-Reach Settings
Authors: Owhonda Golden Chukwuemeka , Dakum Patrick Sunday , Mensah Charles , Olupitan Olayemi Kinmilola , Kanee Rogers Bariture , Edewor Ufuoma , Jr Eric Osamudiamwen Aigbogun
Published: September 2022

Background: The Clinical Mentorship Programme (CMP) is an organized form of PHM programme, which was deployed as a pioneer public health intervention and modelled to support existing interventions and other ongoing strategies to catalyze better outcomes in the HIV Control Programme in Rivers State, Nigeria. CMP as a form of PHM is untested mainly in Nigeria. It is a structured intervention to complement the effort at bridging the gap of huge unmet needs in HIV service delivery in a low-resource setting, marked by a difficult terrain and security challenges. The rationale was to catalyze quality improvement in targeted indicators using locally tested initiatives, build the capacity of local teams, promote a culture of problem-solving attitude at the site level and strengthen team effort between the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Government Agencies and beneficiary community.

Methodology: The CMP was implemented in the State HIV control Programme from about July 2019. The SCMs were chosen as medical doctors and trained to have the requisite knowledge to build staff and improve the quality of the HIV control programme.

Results: Two years after the introduction of the CMP, the capacity of teams was successfully established in a team command structure, which led to improvement in key performance programme indicators.

Conclusion: The CMP accelerated and supported the successful reduction in unmet treatment needs in the Rivers State HIV Control Programme within two years of its implementation. It is further recommended to be adapted in other public health programmes as a form of Public Health Mentorship to optimize service delivery in areas challenged by the high unmet need.
Cutting Preference of the Leaf-Heating ant atta sexdens by Seedlings of Eucalyptus urophlylla Submitted to Different Doses of Zinc
Authors: Ferreira Cleidiane de Andrade , Moraes Rafael Guimarães Silva , Damascena Jossimara Ferreira , Melo Márcio Silva , Melo Bruno Silva , Vale Kaio Cesar Lima , Santos Layane Cruz dos
Published: September 2022

Leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta, also known as leaf-cutting ants, are considered pests in forestry, in various agricultural crops, and also in pastures, causing great damage. Mineral elements are of great importance in increasing crop production and productivity and are involved in the defense mechanism and tolerance of plants to pest and disease attacks, when properly balanced in the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cutting preference of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens for Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings submitted to different doses of zinc (Zn) cultivated in a dystrophic Cerrado Latosol. The doses of zinc provided were 0 (control) and 20 mg/dm³ plus 20 mg/L via foliar, in the form of zinc sulfate. The seedlings used were kept in a greenhouse for up to 80 days and then submitted to laboratory evaluation. The leaves of seedlings treated with different doses of zinc were offered in Petri dishes to three colonies of ants from artificial nests of A. sexdens in the laboratory with free choice between treatments. The percentage of leaf tissue cut and transported to the nests was evaluated for 20 minutes between different doses and colonies, and four sequential offers of leaves were made. Through the data obtained, it was observed that there was no preference for cutting the leaves of eucalyptus seedlings treated with different doses of zinc by the colonies of leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens.
Occurrence of Heavy Metal and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Soils from Selected Mechanic Workshops in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Sindiku Omotayo , Oluboyede Omolola , Oripenaye Victor , Adesina Felicia , Adelekan Ademola
Published: September 2022

Aim: This study investigated the occurrence of antibiotic and heavy metal co - resistance in bacteria indigenous to mechanic workshops.

Study Design: The study is an experimental study.

Place: Samples were collected at mechanic workshop.

Methodology: Soil samples were collected from three mechanic workshops and tested for the presence of heavy metals. Hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria was also isolated from the soils using Bushnell Haas medium supplemented with 1% engine oil or petrol. Isolates obtained were subjected to antibiotic resistance test and those that showed extensive drug resistance to the tested antibiotics were further tested for heavy metal resistance. Selected isolates were then identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence.

Results: The soil samples contained excessive amounts of Lead, Iron, Copper and Zinc, while the concentrations of Nickel, Cobalt, Cadmium and Chromium were within WHO permissible limit. A total of 10 hydrocarbon-degrading isolates were obtained from the soil samples, seven of which were gram negative and three were gram positive. Three of the isolates showed extensive drug resistance to 14 of the tested antibiotics. Three isolates were then subjected to heavy metal resistance test and all of them showed resistance to the tested heavy metals. They were identified and given ascension numbers as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia MW392903, Achromobacter xylosoxidans MW392904 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MW392905.

Conclusion: It was observed that heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance can be selected for simultaneously as organisms adapt ways to cope with man’s activities in the environment, and while traits like hydrocarbon utilization and heavy metal resistance make the organisms promising in bioremediation, the inadvertent possession of antibiotic resistance by these environmental isolates poses a challenge to the health sector.
New Record of Brachyuran Crabs from the Visakhapatnam Coast, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Mahapatra Parnasree , Sen Arya , Panda Pradip , Kumar J. S. Yogesh
Published: September 2022

Crustaceans are a highly diverse group. In particular, the order Decapoda represents a highly diverse order of malacostracan crustaceans. There are 7620 brachyuran species from 104 genera present globally. In India, 910 marine brachyuran crabs are reported, belonging to 361 genera and 62 families. Andhra Pradesh shows typical habitat heterogeneity for Brachyuran crabs. A total of 121 brachyuran crabs have been reported from Andhra Pradesh. Two species of brachyuran crabs, one is Eucrate indica Castro & P.K.L. Ng, 2010 belonging to the family Euryplacidae Stimpson, 1871 and another is Liagore rubromaculata (De Haan, 1983) belonging to the family Xanthidae MacLeay, 1838 are reported here for the first time from the Visakhapatnam coast, Andhra Pradesh, India. These crabs were collected from the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour in the trawl bycatch during the coral reef and reef-associated faunal survey in Andhra Pradesh. The morphological features, taxonomical systematic, colour and distribution of these crabs are discussed here.
MOVIMENTO SINDICAL E FORMAÇÃO DE CLASSE - Elementos para uma discussão teórico-metodológica
Authors: Guimarães Antonio Sérgio Alfredo , Castro Nadya Araujo
Published: September 2022

.
Paraoerskovia
Authors: Khan Shams Tabrez , Hamada Moriyuki , Tamura Tomohiko
Published: September 2022

Pa.ra.oer,sko'vi.a. Gr. prep.
para
, beside; N.L. fem. n.
Oerskovia
, a bacterial genus name; N.L. fem. n.
Paraoerskovia
, beside or close to
Oerskovia
.

Actinomycetota / Actinomycetia / Cellulomonadales / Oerskoviaceae / Paraoerskovia

The genus
Paraoerskovia
is a Gram‐stain‐positive, facultatively anaerobic, mesophilic, and nonmotile actinobacterium. Cells develop vegetative hyphae in the early phase of growth but eventually fragment into short rods to coccoid cells. Catalase‐positive and oxidase‐negative. Aerial mycelium is not produced. The cell‐wall peptidoglycan is of the A4α type; the interpeptide bridge consists of either
l
‐Ser–
d
‐Glu or Gly–
d
‐Asp
2
. The cell wall contains acetylated muramic acid residues and galactose. The predominant isoprenoid quinone is MK‐9(H
4
). The principal polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The major cellular fatty acids consist of iso‐ or anteiso‐branched and straight‐chain fatty acids with anteiso‐C
15:0
as the major component. The G + C content of the DNA is approximately 71–73 mol%. Phylogenetically, the genus belongs to the family
Oerskoviaceae
within the order
Cellulomonadales
. Currently, the genus contains two validly published species: namely,
Paraoerskovia marina
and
Paraoerskovia sediminicola
. The type species of the genus is
P
.
marina
and the type strain is CTT‐37
T
which was isolated from a sea sediment sample collected from a beach on the coast of Tottori city, Japan. The type strain of the second species,
P. sediminicola
, is H25‐14
T
which was isolated from a sea sediment sample collected from Kamogawa beach, Chiba, Japan.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 70.8–73.2 (genome, HPLC).

Type species
:
Paraoerskovia marina
Khan et al. 2009
VP
.
Natronolimnohabitans
Authors: Itoh Takashi , Kato Shingo , Sorokin Dimitry Y.
Published: September 2022

Na.tro.no.lim.no.ha'bi.tans. Arabic n.
natrun
or
natron
, soda, sodium carbonate; Gr. fem. n.
limne
, lake; L. masc. n.
habitans
, an inhabitant; N.L. masc. n.
Natronolimnohabitans
, an organism living in soda lakes.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Natrialbales / Natrialbaceae / Natronolimnohabitans

The genus
Natronolimnohabitans
represents a currently monospecies alkaliphilic haloarchaeon inhabiting hypersaline soda lakes. Initially, the type species was placed in the genus
Natronolimnobius
mainly based on the phylogenetic relatedness inferred from the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. However, later on, it was reclassified to the current genus,
Natronolimnohabitans
, based on the results of more advanced phylogenomic analyses. Cells are rod‐shaped and nonmotile. Gram‐stain‐negative, and red‐pigmented. Obligate aerobic, and oxidase‐ and catalase‐positive. Extremely halophilic with a growth Na
+
range between 2.5 and 4.5 M (optimum at 3.5 M). Cells lyse in less than 0.5 M NaCl. Obligately alkaliphilic with a growth pH range between 7.5 to 10.0 (optimum at 9.5). Mesophilic or thermotolerant (optimal growth at 45°C). Chemoorganotrophic, utilizing mostly organic acids as carbon and energy source. The major polar lipids are diphytanyl (C20:C20) and phytanyl‐sesterterpanyl (C20:C25) diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylglycerophosphate methyl ester (PGP‐Me). The major respiratory quinones are MK‐8 and MK‐8(H
2
). Isolates have been obtained from soda lakes.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 63.1 (HPLC), 64.3 (genome).

Type species
: Sorokin et al. 2020
VP
(basonym:
Natronolimnobius innermongolicus
Itoh et al. 2005, VL105).
Reduced Confinement Effect by Isocyanate Passivation for Efficient Sky‐Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Xia Yu , Lou Yan‐Hui , Zhou Yu‐Hang , Shi Yi‐Ran , Wang Kai‐Li , Cai Lei , Chen Chun‐Hao , Hu Fan , Wang Zhao‐Kui , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: September 2022

Compared with green and red perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), the development of blue PeLEDs has been lagging due to high defect density and inferior carrier transport. Herein, a novel defect‐passivation strategy is proposed to fabricate efficient sky‐blue PeLEDs by using isocyanate molecules. This strategy not only significantly reduces the nonradiative recombination loss caused by defects but also improves the injection and transport capacities of carriers by reducing the confinement effect. Benefiting from the passivation engineering and the reduction of confinement effect, the prepared sky‐blue PeLEDs present a significantly improved external quantum efficiency of 12.5% at 489 nm, which is 1.5 times higher than that of the control device. Meanwhile, the universality of isocyanate‐based passivators to improve the performance of PeLEDs is also demonstrated. The finding of this study provides a new reference for the selection of novel passivation agents to construct highly efficient blue PeLEDs.
Interfacial Grown Zinc Oxide Origami Structure for Broadband Visible Light Driven Photocatalysts
Authors: Jia Guobin , Hupfer Maximilian , Schulz Martin , Schmidl Gabriele , Dellith Andrea , Diegel Marco , Müller Robert , Dellith Jan , Lindner Florian , Dietzek‐Ivanšić Benjamin , Plentz Jonathan
Published: September 2022

A novel route to synthesize large area ZnO/Zn(OH)2 origami thin films at air/liquid interface is reported. ZnO materials derived from this route show the largest blue‐shifted band‐to‐band emission at 3.85 eV (3.37 eV in bulk ZnO) so far, resulting from the quantum confinement in the ultrathin ZnO/Zn(OH)2 nanosheets. Interband defect levels (IDLs) related broadband photoluminescence is observed from UV to red region by excitation wavelength dependent photoluminescence measurements. The ZnO origami structures show photocatalytic methylene blue degradation (MB‐degradation) activity even under sub‐bandgap visible light illumination from 405 nm to green region at 505 nm, measured by low power monochromatic light emitting diode light sources. From the consistent light absorption, luminescence, and MB‐degradation activity, it can be concluded that the broadband visible light MB‐degradation activity is attributed to photogenerated carriers via IDLs. The 2D ZnO‐nanosheets in the origami structure better solve the dilemma of the IDLs in bulk materials, i.e., they are beneficial for light absorption in visible range but detrimental for enhanced recombination loss of carriers, and they can be quickly extracted to the surface without substantial recombination. This finding makes the ZnO origami a promising candidate for efficient photocatalyst that harvesting the sunlight and for indoor applications.
A Light‐Stimulus Flexible Synaptic Transistor Based on Ion‐Gel Side‐Gated Graphene for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Liu Shilin , He Xiaoying , Su Jiale , Cao Bowen , Rao Lan , Li Chong , Yang Xiaohong , Xin Xiangjun
Published: September 2022

Optogenetic technology is to express the channel proteins that can be act on light for realizing the activity of neurons activated and inhibited. Here, inspired by optogenetics, a flexible side‐gate artificial synaptic transistor based on ion gel and graphene is demonstrated, where the long‐term remembering or forgetting could be activated by the 450 nm light stimulus. Taking advantage of in‐plane‐field tunable carrier transport in graphene and the high ionic motion of ion gels, various synaptic functions under flatting or bending conditions by electric stimuli are successfully mimicked, including inhibition postsynaptic current, excitatory postsynaptic current, and paired‐pulse facilitation. A light‐induced forgetting or remembering is demonstrated by long‐term synaptic plasticity under 20 s and 10 Hz positive or negative gate pulse stimulus in the dark and 4 min recovery with light illumination. Moreover, the light stimulus promotes the associative learning and remembering function, which is demonstrated by Pavlov's dog experiment with electrical pulses and light stimulus. Such light‐assisted learning and memory function on synaptic plasticity can be attributed to the photogenerated electrons trapping effects in our device. The authors’ results provide a feasible strategy for realizing flexible light–electrical‐stimulus synaptic transistors and developing the low‐energy flexible neuromorphic optoelectronic hardware platform.
A First‐Principles Study on ABBr3 (A = Cs, Rb, K, Na; B = Ge, Sn) Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Saikia Dibyajyoti , Alam Mahfooz , Bera Jayanta , Betal Atanu , Gandi Appala Naidu , Sahu Satyajit
Published: September 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received intensive attention and demonstrated power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 25.8%. Concerning Pb toxicity and the instability of organic elements, all inorganic lead‐free perovskites (ILPs) have been extensively studied to achieve comparable or greater photovoltaic performance. To develop ILPs as an alternative for solar cell (SC) applications, first‐principles calculations of ABBr3 perovskites (A = Cs, Rb, K, and Na, and B = Sn, and Ge) is performed. Structural, electronic, and optical properties are systematically studied to probe the potential for photovoltaic applications. These ILPs exhibit a direct bandgap in the range of 1.10–1.97 eV, which is highly beneficial for absorbing solar energy. Furthermore, these ILPs demonstrated significant optical absorption (over 105 cm−1) in the UV–Vis spectrum. These results will help design high‐performance lead‐free PSCs.