bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meningkatkan Penguasaan Siswa Kelas IX pada Fungsi Kuadrat dan Grafiknya Menggunakan Teknik Inkuiri
Authors: Ismail Sumarno , Bakari Magfirah
Published: May 2019

Persamaan kuadrat dan fungsi kuadrat merupakan dua materi yang mudah untuk dibedakan tetapi keduanya tidak bisa dipisahkan. Penguasaan sebagian besar siswa terhadap fungsi kuadrat dan grafiknya belum menunjukkan batas minimal skor indikator pencapaian kompotensi (IPK). Hal ini terjadi karena bermasalah dalam pengusaan fungsi kuadrat dan menggambar grafik fungsi tersebut. Hasil penjajagan menunjukkan bahwa kondisi tersebut adalah akaibat dari (1) penguasaan siswa yang tidak memadai tentang bentuk persamaan kuadrat, (2) siswa tidak menguasai cara menyelidiki dan menemukan akar-akar persamaan kuadrat. Untuk meningkatkan penguasaan siswa terhadapa fungsi kuadrat dan grafik dilakukan kajian melalui tindakan kelas, dengan fokus tindkan adalah penggunaan teknik inkuiri dalam pembalajaran. Teknik inkuiri dengan karakteristik dan langkah pembelajaran penyelidikan dalam penerapaanya (a) memberi ruang kepada siswa belajar untuk berpikir (learning how to thik), (b) menempatkan siswa melakukan proses penyelidikan sesuai dengan cara masing-masing dalam belajarnya dan (c) siswa yang memiliki kemampuan penguasaan dalam range rata-rata atau lebih, tidak terhambat perkembangan penguasaannya oleh siswa yang di bawah rata-rata. Sejalan dengan proses tindikan kelas semua data didokumentasikan, data dimaksud berwujud data kuantitatif maupun data kualitif yang terkait dengan (a) aktivitas guru, (b) aktivitas siswa (kelompok dan individu) dan (c) penguasaan siswa terhadap fungsi kuadrat dan grafik. Semua data dideskripisikan baik dalam bentuk naratif maupun dalam deskripsi statistik. Aktivitas siswa melakukan penyelidikan terbimbing dalam pembelajaran mampu meningkatkan penguasaan mereka terhadap persamaan kuadrat dan fungsi kuadrat dan grafinya. Penguasaan siswa kelas IXD SMP Negeri 1 Kabila pada materi fungsi kuadrat dan grafiknya dapat ditingkatkan menggunakan teknik inkuiri dalam pembelajaran.
Kemampuan Translasi dan Transformasi Representasi Siswa pada Materi Persamaan Garis Lurus
Authors: Elisabet Angelina , Jamiah Yulis , Basyuni Bistari
Published: May 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan translasi dan transformasi representasi siswa pada materi persamaan garis lurus. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskriptif dalam bentuk studi kasus. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XI A SMP Santo Fransiskus Asisi Pontianak dengan jumlah 32 siswa. Instrumen pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah tes tertulis dalam esai dan wawancara. Berdasarkan analisis data, dapat disimpulkan bahwa kemampuan translasi dan transformasi siswa dikategorikan sangat rendah. Rata-rata skor translasi representasi R-V sebesar 2.13, rata-rata skor translasi representasi V-R sebesar 0.41, rata-rata skor translasi representasi R-S sebesar 0.69, rata-rata skor translasi representasi S-R sebesar 0.19, rata-rata skor translasi representasi sebesar 0.91, dan rata-rata skor translasi representasi V-S sebesar 0.75. Adapun rata-rata skor kemampuan transformasi representasi R sebesar 0.25, representasi V sebesar 1.88 dan representasi S sebesar 2.16.
Naturalità e Vulnerabilità Ambientale nei Siti Natura 2000 che insistono sui corridoi ecologici del versante jonico calabrese. Caso studio SIC Foce Neto
Authors: Arcidiacono C. , Costa R. M. S. , Grasso I. , Ragusa M. A. , Rapicavoli R. V. , Seminara M. , Veneziano V.
Published: May 2019

La regione Calabria vanta 179 SIC (Siti di Interesse Comunitario) e 6 ZPS (Zone di Protezione Speciale). La carenza di studi sullo stato di conservazione e qualità ambientale dei suddetti siti (naturalità, artificialità, sensibilità, vulnerabilità e rischio) ha indotto gli AA. a caratterizzare i 10 SIC che insistono sui corridoi ecologici del versante jonico calabrese. Attraverso l'ILC (Index of Landscape Conservation) e l'ESAi (Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index), è stata condotta un‟analisi ambientale finalizzata alla definizione, individuazione e valutazione dei valori e delle criticità. Muovendo dalla Carta d'Uso del Suolo (CLC) sono state realizzate, quali carte derivate, la Carta della Naturalità-Artificialità e la Carta della Sensibilità Ambientale dei suddetti siti. Lo studio chiude con un approfondimento metodologico sulle opportune modalità da adottare per caratterizzare un SIC; modalità suggerite dalle analisi ambientali eseguite soprattutto sul SIC Foce Neto adottando una capillare indagine geobotanica condotta con metodo fitosociologico.
Des vivants, des vins
Authors: Collectif Vin vivant  , Sternberg Alice
Published: May 2019

En créant le Collectif Vin vivant, un projet hybride entre sciences humaines, arts plastiques et sciences du vivant, Emmanuelle Blanc, Denis Chartier et Aurélien Gabriel Cohen partaient de l’envie commune de « rendre sensible les réponses que des pratiques attachées à un territoire peuvent composer face à la crise écologique contemporaine ». Des réponses qu’ils situent avant tout dans un certain rapport au sensible et au vivant. Durant plusieurs années, ils ont arpenté les vignes, côtoyé les vignerons, créé et pensé en lien avec un territoire (une portion des vallées du Cher et du Beuvron) afin d’y démêler les rapports au(x) vivant(s) qui s’y jouaient durant la vinification. Le fruit de ce long travail d’observation, de création et d’analyse a été exposé du 12 au 16 janvier 2019 au théâtre d’Orléans. Ils reviennent pour nous sur cette exposition.
Incidence of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat Flour in Argentina and GC–ECD Method Validation
Authors: Cirio Mercedes , Villarreal Marcela , Seal Tomás M. López , Simón Mariano E. , Smersu Camila S. Santana , Kneeteman Estela A.
Published: May 2019

Background: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced mainly by Fusarium graminearum. This fungus is the main plant pathogen associated with Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) wheat disease, causing significant economic losses and exposing human population to severe health risks.
DON production changes widely among different years and areas and its effects are larger in years with abundant rainfall and high relative humidity. To date, Argentina has not established DON tolerance limits. Objective: To validate a method using GC with electron capture detector (GC-ECD)
and to provide evidence of DON contamination in Argentinean commercial wheat flour. Results: A total of 34 different flour samples were analyzed obtaining 91.2% of incidence with a mean level of 243 µg/kg and a median level of 165 µg/kg. The method showed acceptable LOD
(24 µg/kg) and LOQ (79 µg/kg), relative SD (RSD) of the intermediate precision (RSD = 5.98%), recovery (89.3%) and uncertainty (14%). Conclusions: The method was successfully validated according to the studied parameters. Incidence results for DON contamination are low and
in accordance with previous studies for years with low FHB incidence in wheat.
Alimentação complementar: práticas e orientações nutricionais de profissionais da saúde
Authors: Santos Ana Maria Dos , Vieira Rafaelly Militão , Silva Thiécla Katiane Rosales , Mazur Caryna Eurich , Schwarz Kelin , Silva Catiuscie Cabreira da , Vieira Daniele Gonçalves
Published: May 2019

Introdução: Comparar as prescrições realizadas por nutricionistas e médicos pediatras, sobre a alimentação complementar para crianças menores de dois anos e comparar com Guia Alimentar para menores de dois anos, desenvolvido pelo Ministério da Saúde (2005). Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com profissionais do município de Guarapuava – Paraná. O instrumento utilizado foi um questionário relacionado a alimentação complementar adaptado do estudo desenvolvido por Matos (2011). Para os dados obtidos, foi realizada análise estatística. Resultados: Participaram 6 nutricionistas e 12 pediatras. Em relação as recomendações realizadas pelos profissionais, destaca-se a introdução dos cereais e sucos, os quais divergem em relação as recomendações na ordem de prescrição. Já para as demais itens avaliados não houve diferença significativa entre as recomendações realizadas. Discussão: Verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as orientações. E ainda, os profissionais realizam as orientações nutricionais em acordo com o guia o que implica na introdução correta da alimentação complementar.
Prevalência De Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis Em Mulheres Privadas De Liberdade
Authors: Nichiata Lucia Yasuko Izumi , Martins Nádia Vicência do Nascimento , Viana Larissa Vieira , Torres Alisson Espíndola , Silva Gabriela Barbosa da , Oliva Nicola Oliveira , Correa Debora Carolina Martins , Santos Luana Almeida dos , Figueira Irlaíne Maria da Silva
Published: May 2019

O objetivo de verificar a prevalência de IST em mulheres privadas de liberdade, em Santarém, Pará. A amostra constitui-se de 65 prontuários. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 40% das mulheres vivem em união estável; 45% têm ensino fundamental incompleto; 35% estão entre 18 e 24 anos.  Quanto à realização de exames para o diagnóstico de IST, 55% nunca realizou e 36% apresenta registro de um ou mais exames realizados. Desses, em 04 dos prontuários analisados haviam registros do diagnóstico de IST: 2 por sífilis, 1 por gonorreia e 1 por HIV. Os dados revelam que a prevalência de IST entre mulheres privadas de liberdade em Santarém, Pará é relevante e deve ser tratada com atenção e cautela, ressaltando que desenvolver ações preventivas, para identificação do diagnóstico e tratamento de forma planejada e integrada é essencial no contexto do sistema penitenciário brasileiro.
Study of a Nano-Oleuropein’s Effect on the TCA Cycle`s Protein Expression in the Breast Cancer Cell Line Using Proteomics
Authors: Solmaz Kamrani , Tooba Khatere , Zaefizadeh Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and a common cause of death, which occurs due to cancer among women in the world. Cancer cells need a lot of energy to their uncontrolled growth, so it seems that the expression of the enzyme in the Krebs cycle is changing. There are some reports about mutations and altered expression of succinate dehydrogenase, fumarate Hydratase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase in human cancers.
This research aimed to investigate the role of magnetite nanoparticle Oleuropein on the Krebs cycle proteins expression on the breast cancer cell line. Oleuropein is one of the polyphenolic components in olive trees and has some benefits in some diseases, including cancer. In addition to testing the viability test MTT (3- 4,5 Dimethylthiazol-2-yl -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, in three levels of Oleuropein 0ppm, 300ppm, 600ppm proteomics analysis was also performed in cell line MCF7 in this study. The results of differential protein spots identification into two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS-MALDI-TOF-TOF), showed that fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, succinate-coenzyme A ligase and isocitrate dehydrogenase1 are differential proteins upregulated after treated with 300ppm and 600ppm of oleuropein. It seems that Nano Oleuropein is a booster of Krebs cycle with upregulation of Fumarylacetoacetase, succinate-CoA ligase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase1. Uncoordinated Overexpression of some Krebs cycle protein can be one of the inhibition mechanisms on the breast cancer cell line under Oleuropein treatment.
Prey selectivity and the effect of diet on growth and development of a dragonfly, Sympetrum sanguineum
Authors: Dudová Pavla , Boukal David S , Klecka Jan
Published: May 2019

Despite a long tradition of research, our understanding of mechanisms driving prey selectivity in predatory insects is limited. According to optimal foraging theory, predators should prefer prey which provides the highest amount of energy per unit time. However, prey selectivity may also depend on previous experience and nutritional demands driven by stoichiometry. From the long-term perspective, diet composition affects predator fitness. An open question is whether short-term selectivity of predators provides a diet which is optimal in the long-term. To shed more light on these issues, we conducted laboratory experiments on prey selectivity and its long-term consequences in larvae of the dragonfly Sympetrum sanguineum. We conditioned the larvae to one of two prey types, the cladoceran Daphnia magna and Chironomus larvae, and then exposed them to various combinations of the two prey types. We found that dragonfly larvae conditioned to Chironomus larvae consumed the same amount of D. magna, but significantly less Chironomus larvae compared to dragonfly larvae conditioned to D. magna. However, there was no effect of experience on their success of capture and handling time, suggesting a limited role of learning in their ability to process prey. We then tested the long-term effects of diets with different proportions of both prey for survival and growth of the dragonfly larvae. Individuals fed Chironomus-only diet performed significantly worse than dragonflies fed D. magna, while larvae fed a mixed diet performed the best in terms of growth and survival until adulthood. In conclusion, we show that dragonfly larvae fed by Chironomus larvae performed poorly and compensated by preferring D. magna when both prey types were available. The superiority of the mixed diet suggests that a diverse diet may be needed to satisfy nutritional demands in S. sanguineum larvae. We demonstrate that merging short-term predation experiments with relevant data on predator fitness may provide better understanding of predator-prey interactions and conclude that detailed information on the (mis)matches between prey stoichiometry and predator nutritional demands is needed for further progress.
Evaluation of Acha (Digitaria exilis) Grain Fermented with Lactobacillus Species as a Probiotic Food
Authors: Ishola Opemipo Tomilayo , Ojokoh Anthony Okhonlaye , Oluwayemisi Odesanya
Published: May 2019

Aims: This study assess the effect of the fermented Acha samples in-vivo using apparently healthy and infected laboratory animals.

Study Design: Acha was fermented in two forms (Local fermentation and controlled fermentation).

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Medicine (Medical Unit IV) and Department of Radiology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Services Hospital Lahore, between June 2009 and July 2010.

Methodology: Acha was weighed into a fermenting container of 100 g and water of 1 litre was added to submerge it for 72 hours in the ratio 1:3. Microbial, proximate and mineral analysis was carried on all the samples. For 21 days, all fermented samples were used to feed rats infected with Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae except for the control for in vivo study and evaluated for their probiotic potential. Also, hematological study and histopathology analysis were carried out on the small and large intestine of the Albino rats that was fed with the fermented samples. The various fermented samples were freeze dried to retain the organisms used for the fermentation.

Results: Haematological study (PCV, WBC, RBC, Platelets, haemoglobin and differential leucocytes) and histopathology analysis (small intestine and large intestine) of rats from all experimental groups showed that Acha fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus was able to rebuild shrinked and ruptured cells on the mucosal lining of the walls of the intestines.

Conclusion: Acha fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus was observed to have the best results on the weight of rats, white blood cell count, red blood cell count and probiotic effect on the intestine of the rats fed with it.
Cognitive Abilities of Urban and Semi-Urban Pre-School Children of Dharwad, Karnataka, India
Authors: Mounika D. , Kasturiba B. , Patil Manjula
Published: May 2019

Aims: The study has conducted with the objective to assess the demographic profile and cognitive abilities of urban and semi-urban pre-school children of Dharwad District, Karnataka, India.

Study Design: Demographic information was collected from the parents by using questioner. Kaufman assessment battery for children, second edition (KABC-II) was used to assess the cognitive abilities of children.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. The experiment was conducted between July 2017 and July 2018.

 Methodology: A sample size of 100 preschool children (3-6 years) were randomly selected, where 60 children from the age group of 3-4 years, 20 children from 4-5 years, 20 children from 5-6 years from urban and semi-urban pre-schools. Kaufman assessment battery for children, second edition (KABC-II) was used to assess the cognitive abilities of children, it is a theory based clinical instrument. It is an individually administered tool, which measures the processing and cognitive abilities of preschool children and adolescents from 3-18 years.

Results: With respect to cognitive abilities, in urban group, 12 per cent of children belonged to upper extreme, only 2 per cent of children belonged to below average group and none of them belonged to lower extreme group. However, in semi-urban group only 8 per cent of children belonged to upper extreme, 8 per cent were in below average and two per cent were in lower extreme group.

Conclusion: Urban pre-school children cognitive abilities was higher than the semi-urban pre-school children, in terms of cognitive subsets, cognitive process and cognitive indices.
Marketing Analysis of Garri Products in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State
Authors: Zakariya Nurudeen Yakubu , Yakubu Abdul Sado , Yalo Momoh I.
Published: May 2019

In Nigeria, the marketing of agricultural produce is far from being efficient. Unpredictable fluctuation in the prices of various foodstuffs like Gari has become a common feature of the nation’s economy. The situation is such that the consumers of agricultural foodstuff pay exorbitant prices while the producers receive relatively low prices. This research focused on the economics of Gari Marketing Enterprise in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Ankpa Local Government Area consists of 5 districts out of which 3 were sampled and used for the study. 6 wholesalers and 6 retailers were sampled from each village making a total of 120 respondents. Responses from 100 respondents made up of 40 wholesalers and 60 retailers. Profitability analysis model was used in data analysis. Finding shows that Marketing of Gari was found to be profitable at the whole sale. This study recommend that marketers should form cooperative societies to enable them handle some of the marketing activities as well as establish Gari processing mills silos to reduce costs.
Fuzzy Rule-based System for Corruption Control in Nigerian Police Force
Authors: Salaat Aliyu B. , Manga I. , Gumpy Jerome M.
Published: May 2019

This paper has attempted to develop an artificial intelligence model based on fuzzy logic for the control of corruption in Nigerian Police Force. The researcher employed fuzzy rule-base inference system methodology using four inputs variables; funding, logistics and operational equipment (FLOE) condition of service, remuneration and motivation (CSRM), recruitment, training and promotion (RTP), confidence and support by the community (CSC) were used to determine the corruption severity level. An output variable; corruption severity level (CSL) was adopted for the model development.  The simulation was carried out using MATLAB 2015 for Windows. The results revealed that it is very obvious for Nigeria as a country to have a Police Force whose corruption severity level is low. Thus (i) Condition of service, remunerations and motivation has to be excellent; (ii) Funding, logistics and operational equipment has to be adequate; (iii) Recruitment, training and promotion has to be excellent, and finally (iv) Confidence and support by the community has to be very high.
Proximate and Phytochemical Profile of Melanthera biflora Leaves
Authors: Kalu E. C. , Ikwwuchi C. C. , Ayalogu E. O. , Nwauche K. T.
Published: May 2019

The proximate and phytochemical composition of Melanthera biflora was investigated, using standard methods. From the obtained results the leaves had high moisture contents (71.1± 0.2%) and crude fiber (3.91 ± 0.5) while containing moderate protein (7.0 ± 0.03%), while containing lipid (1.10 ± 4%), ash (2.8 ± 0.2%), total carbohydrate (6.09 ± 0.2%) and caloric value (62.26±0.14 kcal/100g). Eleven Phytochemical families were detected with tannin as the most abundant (27.82%) consisting 100% tannic acid. Thirteen alkaloids (13.65%) were detected consisting mainly of morphine (28.05%), methylmorphine (16.22%), dephnoline (12.02%) biflorin, (20.63%), aromoline (12.61%) homoaromaline (7.79%). Twenty-three flavonoid (5.71%) chief among which were quercetin (44.21%), kaemferol (28.94%), dandzein (7.20%), letuolin (10.17%), salvagenin (6.76%), sinensetin 8.20% were detected. The most prominent of the ten carotenoids (2.48%), is lutein (40.76%), followed by carotene (17.90%), malvidin 5.63%, zeaxanthin (16.5%), viola-xanthin (9.5%). Sixty one terpenoid including linalool (40.98%), germacrene (12.74%), Alpha-terpineal 6.40%, terpinen – 4-01 (5.62%), and Gamma terpine were found in the leaves Of the six phenolic acids (16.26%) the highest was ferulic acid (53.94%), followed closely by vanilic acid (45.8%). Seven phytosterol (2.25%), consisting of sitosterol (65.3%), savenasterol (14.19%) stigmasterol (12.70%), and others were detected. The leaves had very a low hydroxycinnamic acid content (8.93x10-4%) content, consisting of eight known compounds of which caffeic acid (71.93%) and p-coumaric acid (27.91%) were the most abundant. They also had very a low allicins (1.94x10-4%) content, consisting of daillylthiosulphunate (97.05%), and methyl thiosulphinate (2.6%) and allylthiosulphin and allylthiosulphinate (0.3%). The leaves had a very low content of glycosides consisting of eight known compounds of which quabain (78.54%) were detected and they include gitogenin (22.04%), diosgenin (20.02), neohegen (20.79%). Their rich contents of nutrients and many bioactive molecules suggest strong nutraceutical potential of these leaves, further suggesting their likely use as functional a food and therapeutic uses in the management and prevention of diseases.
Epidemiologic Profile and Predictors of Fatty Liver: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Mostafa Ola A. , Razik Mohammed M. Abdel , Marzaban Raghda N. , Sayed Eman T. Al , Ahmed Mona S.
Published: May 2019

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver is the most common cause of chronic liver disease with increasing prevalence globally.

Settings and Design: The current study is an analytical case control study; conducted in ultrasonography outpatient clinic of Cairo University Hospital.

Materials and Methods: 150 consented fatty liver cases and 564 controls were screened for fatty liver infiltration using abdominal ultrasonography. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to explore the discriminant ability of the developed model.

Results: Among cases, Age, sex and residence matching contributes 32.7%, 36% and 31.3% mild, moderate and severe degree of fatty liver respectively. Cases showed significantly higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) than controls. Cases demonstrated higher prevalence of hypertension (11.3% vs 8.3% respectively), and significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (22% vs. 9.2%) (p=0.03). Severe fatty liver cases were significantly older and had significantly higher WC, BMI, significantly higher association with diabetes mellitus, significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL than non-severe degree cases. The significant predictors of sever fatty liver were BMI, total cholesterol and LDL (P = <0.001, R2 = 0.543).

Conclusion: The developed regression equation expressed good validation and calibration. It utilizes an algorithm that can quickly and easily address patients with fatty liver. It would useful as a fast, inexpensive primary screening tool for severe fatty liver.
Tree Species Composition and Diversity of Ipinu-Igede Sacred Forest in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Ikyaagba E. T. , Amonum J. I. , Okwoche S.
Published: May 2019

The role of sacred forest/sacred groves in the conservation of biodiversity is well recognised and documented. Despite the importance of sacred forests in conservation, data of flora species composition and diversity in many sacred forests still remain scanty.  The study was conducted to provide baseline data on tree species composition and diversity of Ipinu-Igede sacred forest with a view to promote the role of sacred forest in flora conservation in the area. Systematic sampling technique was adopted for the study. A base line transect of 2 km long was established and five (5) other transects 2 km long were laid at regular interval of 500 km apart. On each transect, 4 sampling plots of 50 mx50 m were established at a regular interval of 500m apart. Within the         50 m x50 m plots, trees with diameter at breast height (DBH)≥10 cm were identified and enumerated. Species Important Value Index (IVI), species richness, species evenness and species diversity were estimated. A total number of 50 tree species in 19 families were recorded. Cola gigantea was the most important tree species with IVI of 14.56, this was followed by Harungana madagascariensis with 13.14. Caesalpinioideae was the dominant family with 6 species, 48.15% of the families were represented by only one species. The species richness was D=9.436, Species Evenness was E´=0.7668 and species diversity was H=3.646. Thirty percent (30%) of the tree species were in the DBH class of 1-40cm indicating good regeneration status of the sacred forest. Acknowledgement of the traditional practices by scientists and other actors in natural resources conservation will help in promoting forest conservation.
Flora Diversity and Distribution in Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Amonum J. I. , Ikyaagba E. T. , Dawaki S. A.
Published: May 2019

The diversity and distribution of tropical vegetation becomes more important in the face of the ever increasing threats to the tropical ecosystems. This study was carried out to examine the variations in composition and diversity characteristics of the flora species of Falgore Game Reserve in Kano State, Nigeria, with a view to promoting sustainable conservation and management of the game reserve. The study area was stratified into four topographic locations, namely: hill top, sloppy area, level ground and the riparian forest. A one kilometer line transect perpendicular to a baseline (an established tract/road) was laid in each of the four study locations. 50m × 50m sampling plots were systematically established at a predetermined interval of 200m on both sides of the transect; given a total of ten sampling plots in each study site, and a total of forty (40) plots for the study. The 50m× 50m sampling plots were used for the assessment of woody plants species (trees, saplings and shrubs). One meter squarewas used for the assessment of the herbaceous layer (Herbs and Grasses). Plant Species diversity and distribution were estimated using species richness (D), species diversity (H′) and species evenness (E). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at p< 0.05. A total of 3,231.2 individuals/ha distributed in 23 families, 44 genera and 53 species were recorded in the study. Thirty six (36) species (67.9%) were trees, 7 species (13.2%) were shrubs, and 10 species (18.8%) were saplings while 10 species (18%) were herbs. The highest tree species diversity (H′= 2.5) was recorded at the level ground while the least was recorded at the sloppy area, (H1= 2.1). The highest diversity for Shrubs (H1= 1.23) was recorded at the sloppy area while the least (H1 = 0.09) was recorded at the level ground. The highest species diversity of Saplings, (H′= 1.92) was recorded at the level ground while the least (H′ = 1.12) was recorded in the riparian forest. The highest mean value for tree height (14.8m) was recorded at riparian forest while the lowest (10.5m) was recorded at hill top. Findings of this study showed that land use types in association with environmental factors have substantial influences on the density and morphological characteristics of plant species in Falgore Game Reserve.
A Sharp Estimate of Entropy Solution to Euler-Poisson System for Semiconductors in the Whole Domain
Authors: Cheng Yanqiu , Fang Xixi , Yu Huimin
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we are concerned with the global existence, large time behavior, and timeincreasing-rate of entropy solutions to the one-dimensional unipolar hydrodynamic model for semiconductors in the form of Euler-Poisson equations. When the adiabatic index γ > 2, the L∞ estimates of artificial viscosity approximate solutions are obtained by using entropy inequality and maximum principle. Then the L∞ compensated compactness framework demonstrates theconvergence of approximate solutions. Finally, the global entropy solutions are proved to decay exponentially fast to the stationary solution, without any assumption on the smallness of initial data and doping profile.
An Improved Geo-Textural Based Feature Extraction Vector For Offline Signature Verification
Authors: Gyimah Kennedy , Appati Justice Kwame , Darkwah Kwaku , Ansah Kwabena
Published: May 2019

In the field of pattern recognition, automatic handwritten signature verification is of the essence. The uniqueness of each person’s signature makes it a preferred choice of human biometrics. However, the unavoidable side-effect is that they can be misused to feign data authenticity. In this paper, we present an improved feature extraction vector for offline signature verification system by combining features of grey level occurrence matrix (GLCM) and properties of image regions. In evaluating the performance of the proposed scheme, the resultant feature vector is tested on a support vector machine (SVM) with varying kernel functions. However, to keep the parameters of the kernel functions optimized, the sequential minimal optimization (SMO) and the least square method was used. Results of the study explained that the radial basis function (RBF) coupled with SMO best support the improved featured vector proposed.
Germination In vitro De Jabuticabeira Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg
Authors: Santos Sabrina Kelly dos , Luna Núbia Pereira Da Costa , Da Costa Júnior Otalício Damásio , Dias Mariana De Vasconcelos , Gomes Daniel Da Silva , Fonseca Karollayne Tomaz Emiliano
Published: May 2019

Aims: The present work aimed to determine the influence of antibiotic use on seed germination and development of jabuticabeira (Myrciaria jaboticaba) seedlings grown in vitro.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, where the treatments were composed of two types of culture medium and three forms of antibiotic use.

Place and Study duration: The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Culture of Vegetable Tissues (LABCULTIVE), at the Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), at the Agricultural Sciences Center (CCA), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), from November 2016 until May 2017.

Methodology: The fruits of jabuticabeira were harvested from a matrix plant and the seeds were removed manually, with subsequent elimination of the pulp and removal of the tegument. They underwent a disinfestation procedure in 70% alcohol and sodium hypochlorite and grown in culture medium.

Results: The highest germination average was obtained when the seeds were soaked for 24 hours in autoclaved water + antibiotic and when placed in liquid medium. In all analyzed variables the liquid medium provided better means. There was no statistical difference in any of the variables analyzed in relation to the use of the antibiotic in the imbibition and the non-use of the antibiotic.

Conclusion: The seeds of Myrciaria jaboticaba have greater germination and better development in the liquid culture medium; the presence of the antibiotic in the culture medium probably caused phytotoxicity, thus compromising the germination.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Flow Cytometry in Detecting Bacterial Contamination in Platelets
Authors: Ziari Maryam Habibi , Razjou Farhad , Vaeli Shahram , Poshtiri Fatemeh Abedi , Dabirmoghadam Abolfazl
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Bacterial contamination of platelet products is a major risk of infections in blood transfusion. Due to their storage conditions at room temperatures (22 to 24°C), cases of septicemia and even death caused by platelet injection have been reported. Therefore, use of appropriate diagnostic methods can improve the health of this product. In this study, flow cytometry was used to detect contaminated platelet units.

Methods: This study was a diagnostic interventional type. 15 units of platelet concentrate was prepared at a minimum interval time after production. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria were each added to 6 platelet bags, with a concentration of 10 CFU / ml, while 3 bags were used as negative control. Platelets were stored in a shaking incubator at 22 - 24°C, for 0, 6, 24 and 48 hour-intervals after inoculation. Samples were then taken at 1 ml volume and evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results: The sensitivity of the flow cytometry method to detect contaminated platelet units in infections with both Staphylococcus epidermidis and E. coli, in a 1 ml volume in all samples at 0, 6, 22 and 24 hours after inoculation, was 100%, and the number of bacteria increased in 24 hours of incubation, except for E. coli that decreased after 24 hours.

Conclusion: This study shows that flow cytometry can be a useful method for detecting bacterial contamination in platelets, and can detect low concentrations (10 CFU / ml) of bacteria in small volumes of sample (ml) in a short time.
Power and Current Induction in Arteries and Blood within Due to UHF Exposure
Authors: Naggar Mona A. El
Published: May 2019

The EMF effect on the arterial blood flow is investigated employing a mathematical model. The propagation of an incident electromagnetic wave in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF), 200MHz -100GHz, is studied. This range covers the microwave to the millimeter wave ranges (MW-mmWave), currently adopted as the 5G mobile communications. Thermal and non-thermal possible effects, due to this UHF far field exposure are accounted for by the present results. These results, obtained from the proposed mathematical model, illustrate the distribution of both the induced power and the current densities versus frequency in arteries and blood within. The frequency dependence of dissipated and stored power densities is thus investigated. In addition to this, the ohmic and displacement current densities are computed. These are related to thermal and non-thermal effects as well. The present results are calculated for electric field strengths ranging from 1V/m to 1kV/m.
In-situ Nitrous Acid Generation over Silica Imidazole Catalyst for Dyes Production
Authors: Hello Kasim Mohammed , Fahad Nahla Ghaze
Published: May 2019

The objective of this research is to prepare a new type of heterogeneous catalyst and to study its usage for in-situ nitrous acid generation to form a diazonium salt. The high pure silica (> 95%) was produced by burning the clean rice husk at 800 °C. After that, the silica was transferred to sodium silicate using 1.0 M of NaOH, followed by immobilizing with 3-(chloropropyl)triethoxysilane in a simple one-pot synthesis. Finally, the material was refluxed with (0.015 mol) of p-xylyl di-imidazolium chloride. The silicon solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance shows the Q4, Q3, T3, and T2 chemical shifts at expected position. Carbon solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum shows different peaks at different chemical shifts related to the carbon structures of the organic moieties. The catalyst is stable up to 277 ºC according to the thermal analysis. TEM images show smooth and porous regularly shaped particles with an estimation size of ca. 5 nm. Coupling reaction of aromatic compounds was carried out with a diazonium salt of aniline to yield a monoazo dye. All dyes were showed matching the elemental analysis with the theoretical calculation. Besides this, the spectrum of FT-IR and UV-Visible were recorded. The catalyst was stable, easy separation from the reaction mixture, and reusable by a simple experimental procedure. The catalyst could be used successfully for the nitrous acid generation.
Solid-phase Synthesis of Visible-light-driven BiVO4 Photocatalyst and Photocatalytic Reduction of Aqueous Cr(VI)
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Yan , Chen Chengru , Wang Shaorong
Published: May 2019

This communication reports a pioneering study on the synthesis of BiVO4 and photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)-polluted wastewaters. Monoclinic phase BiVO4 micron-crystals with adjustable morphology were synthesized via a solid-phase route. The structures, morphology, optical properties of the BiVO4 micron-crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, and photocurrent measurements. Besides, their photocatalytic properties were tested for the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light (l > 420 nm) irradiation. The photocatalytic tests showed that the photocatalytic activities of BiVO4 powders in aqueous Cr(VI) depended on the dark adsorption amount for Cr(VI) and number of photogenerated carriers. BiVO4-(c) exhibited the highest photocatalytic reduction efficiency that attributed to highest separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Besides, effects of photocatalytic experiment parameters (including dosage of photocatalyst and coexistent anions and cations) on the Cr(VI) removal rate by BiVO4-(c) were also investigated, and •OH play an important role in the BiVO4 photocatalytic reduction Cr(VI).
A Performance Study of Home-Made Co-Immobilized Lipase from Mucor miehei in Polyurethane Foam on The Hydrolysis of Coconut Oil to Fatty Acid
Authors: Moentamaria Dwina , Muharja Maktum , Widjaja Tri , Widjaja Arief
Published: May 2019

Bio‐based fatty acids (FAs) produced through hydrolysis of natural oils and fats are promising chemical feedstocks for increasing  the economic value of renewable raw materials. In this work, lecithin, gelatin, PEG, and MgCl2 were employed as the co-immobilized material of crude lipase Mucor miehei immobilization on the polyurethane foam (PUF) matrix for hydrolysis of coconut oil to Free Fatty Acid (FFA). The unconventional immobilized technique was used through cross-linking and covalent bond. Single factor analysis and response surface method were utilized to determine the optimum conditions of the hydrolysis reaction. After optimization, co-immobilized lipase was examined for storage stability at a temperature of 4°C and reusability performance. The optimum conditions for coconut oil hydrolysis were obtained on the co-immobilized-PUF ratio, water-oil ratio, and reaction time of 20.17 w/w, 4.45 w/w, and 20 h, respectively. Under these conditions, the acid value as lauric acid enhanced 573% to 3.21 mg KOH/g oil. Storage stability attained through remaining activity on free lipase, PUF-lipase, PUF-co-immobilized-lipase were 9.89%, 42.3%, and 91.88%, respectively. In this study, the application of PUF-co-immobilized lipase in hydrolysis reactions can be reused up to 5 times. Characteristics of the addition of co-immobilized lipase have been analyzed using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), showing the presence of functional groups binding and the changes in the surface matrix structure.
Nyquist Stability Criterion and its Application to Power Electronics Systems
Authors: Amin Mohammad , Zhang Chen , Rygg Atle , Molinas Marta , Unamuno Eneko , Belkhayat Mohamed
Published: May 2019

The Nyquist stability criterion is a graphical technique for determining the stability of a dynamical system. It relates the stability of a closed‐loop system to the open‐loop frequency response and open‐loop pole location. The Nyquist technique is limited to linear, time‐invariant (LTI) systems and has been widely used for designing and analyzing systems with feedback. A practical advantage of the technique is that it can be applied directly to measured frequency response data, due to which the technique is widely used in power electronics systems, where the complexity of a mathematical model would make its widespread use unfeasible. In its first part, this article guides through the fundamentals of the Nyquist stability criterion applied to feedback systems with SISO and MIMO representations. The generalized Nyquist criterion for MIMO systems is then discussed to illustrate its application to the stability assessment of three‐phase power electronics systems. In the second part, four representative cases are introduced to illustrate the applicability of Nyquist criterion–based stability analysis for power electronics systems: a dc‐dc converter, an HVDC system, a three‐phase converter, and a wind farm–HVDC grid integrated system. In the last section of this article, some advanced topics related to large‐scale power electronics systems are introduced. Inherent aspects that are essential for the proper use of these stability techniques are elaborated and discussed in detail, for instance, impedance transformation and modified sequence impedance or the system‐level analysis.
Range Images
Authors: Liu Yonghuai , Yuen Peter , Pang Yanwei , Zhao Yitian , Rosin Paul L.
Published: May 2019

This article gives an overview of range‐imaging techniques with an aim to let the reader better understand how the difficult issue, such as the registration of overlapping range images, can be approached and solved. It firstly introduces the characteristics of range images and highlights examples of 3D image visualizations, associated technical issues, applications, and the differences of range imaging with respect to the traditional digital broadband imaging. Subsequently, one of the most popular feature extraction and matching methods, the signature of histograms of orientations (SHOT) method, is then outlined. However, the “matched” points generated by SHOT usually generate high proportion of false positives due to various factors such as imaging noise, lack of features, and cluttered backgrounds. Thus, the article discusses more about image‐matching issues, particularly to emphasize how the widely employed range image alignment technique, the random sample consensus (RANSAC) method, is compared with a simple, yet effective, technique based on normalized error penalization (NEP). This simple NEP method utilizes a strategy to penalize point matches whose errors are far away from the majority. The capability of the method for the evaluation of point matches between overlapping range images is illustrated by experiments using real range image data sets. Interestingly enough, these range images appear to be easier to register than expected. Finally, some conclusions have been drawn and further readings for other fundamental techniques and concepts have been suggested.
Reliability Modeling and Testing of One‐Shot Units
Authors: Elsayed Elsayed A. , Cheng Yao
Published: May 2019

One‐shot units such as auto airbags and fire extinguishers are widely used in our daily lives. They perform their desired function only once and typically experience long‐term storage or standby status before use. Another example of one‐shot units is missiles, which could be stored for decades until there is a military need. When one‐shot units are not deployed for a long period, they are subjected to failure and/or degradation as a function of time. Accordingly, it is critical to assess one‐shot units' reliability metrics during their idle period in order to guarantee their performance when deployed. In this article, we provide an overview of one‐shot units, their applications, and methods of assessing their reliability metrics under long storage period. We demonstrate that performing repeated reliability tests is an effective approach to improve storage and operational reliability metrics of one‐shot units.
Maturation of coagulation factor IX during Xase formation as deduced using factor VIII‐derived peptides
Authors: Fang Han , Zögg Thomas , Brandstetter Hans
Published: May 2019

Blood coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which merge at the activation step of blood coagulation factor X to factor Xa. This step is catalysed by the extrinsic or intrinsic Xase, which consists of a complex of factor VIIa and its cofactor tissue factor or factor IXa (FIXa) and its cofactor coagulation factor VIIIa (FVIIIa). Upon complex formation with FVIIIa, FIXa is conformationally activated to the Xase complex. However, the mechanistic understanding of this molecular recognition is limited. Here, we examined FVIIIa‐FIXa binding in the context of FIXa's activation status. Given the complexity and the labile nature of FVIIIa, we decided to employ two FVIII‐derived peptides (558‐loop, a2 peptide) to model the cofactor binding of FIX(a) using biosensor chip technology. These two FVIII peptides are known to mediate the key interactions between FVIIIa and FIXa. We found both of these cofactor mimetics as well as full‐length FVIIIa bind more tightly to zymogenic FIX than to proteolytically activated FIXa. Consequently and surprisingly, we observed that the catalytically inactive FIX zymogen can outcompete the activated FIXa from the complex with FVIIIa, resulting in an inactive, zymogenic Xase complex. By contrast, the thrombophilic Padua mutant FIXa‐R170 in complex with the protein–substrate analogue BPTI bound tighter to FVIIIa than to the zymogen form FIX‐R170L, suggesting that the active Xase complex preferentially forms in the Padua variant. Together, these results provide a mechanistic basis for the thrombophilic nature of the FIX‐R170L mutant and suggest the existence of a newly discovered safety measure within the coagulation cascade.
Computer Labs in Primary and Secondary Education
Authors: Carmichael Patrick
Published: May 2019

Computer laboratories have been features of schools since the introduction of technology‐enhanced learning, but their nature and purpose have evolved as computers, devices, and networks have developed. Their design and use also reflect a wide variation in pedagogical practice and in divergent discourses about the role of digital technologies in education. Teachers often face challenges as they seek to reconcile these tensions. The increasing use of personal and portable technologies such as smartphones and tablets, together with the availability of fabrication technologies, has led to recent reenvisioning of the computer laboratory as a space where digital technologies are used as part of integrated research, design, and realization activities.
Creative Works
Authors: Schmoelz Alexander
Published: May 2019

The term “creative works” refers to any manifestation that is brought about through human effort and involves novelty. This entry touches upon various aspects of creative works. Creative works can be produced in business, politics, arts, humanities, science, and education. Creative works follow a specific process, which ranges from preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification to analyzing and disrupting given structures of thinking and action, identifying open issues and blind spots, having and reframing ideas as well as putting these ideas into action and making a novel reality. Creative works are contested as losing their novelty, because creators follow established patterns of liberal individualism and creationist capitalism. Creative works might involve individual, collaborative, and communal aspects; and studies show the relevance of co‐creativity in works. The field of creative works is gaining relevance for media education and community efforts. Creative media works show potential for transforming identify and making silenced voices heard. Conclusively, probable, possible, and preferable futures of creative works are discussed.