bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les maîtres du code
Authors: Pistor Katharina , Chalier Jonathan , Fœssel Michaël
Published: May 2023

Le codage juridique d’un nombre croissant d’actifs par les avocats d’affaires crée du capital et donc des inégalités. De plus, il sape le pouvoir des États, qui abdiquent une part de leur souveraineté juridique et monétaire. Est-il possible de reprendre le contrôle du droit ?
Daniel Widlöcher et l’Association Psychanalytique Internationale
Authors: Aisenstein Marilia
Published: May 2023

Je veux simplement rendre hommage ici à un très grand psychanalyste, président de l’API et de l’APF, professeur de psychiatrie, chercheur, mais surtout une personne d’une qualité très rare. Sa bienveillance, son humanité, son équanimité ne se sont jamais démenties même au moment de conflits très difficiles.
Research on rainy day traffic sign recognition algorithm based on PMRNet
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Haoliang , Lang Ding , Xu Yuguang , Li Hong-an , Li Xuewen
Published: May 2023

The recognition of traffic signs is of great significance to intelligent driving and traffic systems. Most current traffic sign recognition algorithms do not consider the impact of rainy weather. The rain marks will obscure the recognition target in the image, which will lead to the performance degradation of the algorithm, a problem that has yet to be solved. In order to improve the accuracy of traffic sign recognition in rainy weather, we propose a rainy traffic sign recognition algorithm. The algorithm in this paper includes two modules. First, we propose an image deraining algorithm based on the Progressive multi-scale residual network (PMRNet), which uses a multi-scale residual structure to extract features of different scales, so as to improve the utilization rate of the algorithm for information, combined with the Convolutional long-short term memory (ConvLSTM) network to enhance the algorithm's ability to extract rain mark features. Second, we use the CoT-YOLOv5 algorithm to recognize traffic signs on the recovered images. In this paper, in order to improve the performance of YOLOv5 (You-Only-Look-Once, YOLO), the 3 × 3 convolution in the feature extraction module is replaced by the Contextual Transformer (CoT) module to make up for the lack of global modeling capability of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), thus improving the recognition accuracy. The experimental results show that the deraining algorithm based on PMRNet can effectively remove rain marks, and the evaluation indicators Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) are better than the other representative algorithms. The mean Average Precision (mAP) of the CoT-YOLOv5 algorithm on the TT100k datasets reaches 92.1%, which is 5% higher than the original YOLOv5.
Identité de locuteur, identité d’enseignant : le dessin de blason comme outil de conscientisation de soi en formation d’enseignants d’anglais
Authors: Rémon Joséphine , Privas-Bréauté Virginie
Published: May 2023

Dans le contexte de la formation des enseignants d’anglais, nous proposons une analyse d’un corpus de blasons dessinés par des étudiants de première année de Master métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation (Meef). Il leur a été demandé de dessiner leur blason de locuteur de la langue anglaise, en y incluant ce qui leur semblait illustrer leur positionnement identitaire dans la sphère anglophone. Ces blasons nous donnent une fenêtre sur des contenus culturels mis en avant par les enseignants-stagiaires, autour de questions d’identité, de culture savante ou populaire, de parcours d’apprentissage et de parcours géographique, et dressent une généalogie de la rencontre entre un futur enseignant et la langue-culture de son enseignement.
Similar yet so different: The analysis of factors explaining the variance in COVID-19 deaths across the Baltic and Nordic states
Authors: Romanov Bogdan
Published: May 2023

Malgré le fait que la communauté mondiale vit avec la maladie COVID-19 depuis plus de deux ans, les États baltes et nordiques à la pointe de la technologie sont négligés, tant au sens théorique qu’empirique. De plus, ces régions voisines présentent une variation significative du nombre total de décès causés par le coronavirus. Une valeur plus élevée d’un nombre total de décès dans les États baltes s’explique par le nombre plus élevé de cas de COVID-19, une valeur relativement plus faible du PIB par habitant, une proportion plus élevée de citoyens âgés et ce qui pourrait être le facteur le plus important - la confiance inférieur des citoyens dans le gouvernement national. La conclusion générale est que l’efficacité des politiques de lutte contre les coronavirus est minée par l’absence de confiance dans le processus décisionnel du gouvernement.
The Secret of the Best
Authors: Oliveira Rômulo Brito , de Souza Fernando Gentil , Santana Darlene Silva S.
Published: May 2023

The theme of governance has occupied the spaces of debate and practice in public administration. The evaluation of good examples of institutional management, in the current scenario, is always linked to the implementation of governance principles and their guidelines. In this sense, this chapter aims to indicate an initial step to increase risk management in Brazilian educational institutions. To this end, the authors present the historical path of the concept of governance until its adoption by public management in Brazil, seeking to understand the current political-economic-social; then, in order to show that good practices lead to good results, the authors list some Brazilian educational institutions that present a high Government Management Index, pointing out some of their actions that contributed to the excellence status. Finally, in the last chapter, the authors describe the initial stages of implementation of risk management, using the Swot Matrix as a useful tool for the systematic knowledge of the institution, which enables decision making more consistent with the reality of the context.
Rethinking Direct Materials Procurement Within Digital Ecosystems
Authors: Najmi Adeel
Published: May 2023

Traditional direct materials procurement systems have been designed for business processes with an introverted view of activities within the four walls of an enterprise. These assumptions were flawed all along and are now fast becoming outdated as digital ecosystems gradually take hold. Analysis is presented to show how these isolated enterprise centric processes have created complexity, latency and inefficiencies that inhibit alignment and agility across value networks. This chapter revisits the business objectives and challenges of direct materials procurement with an outside-in mindset and redesigns the overall processes end-to-end across the order lifecycle within digitally connected ecosystems.
Reverse Logistics in the Digital Supply Chain Era
Authors: Sabadra Laxita
Published: May 2023

The chapter is focused on understanding the concepts of reverse logistics (RL) in the digital supply chain management era. In today's world, returned products and their recovery management has become very important for companies, thus, through this chapter the author summarizes the entire returns process from a buyer and seller point of view. What are the different factors involved in the decision making of returned products and how does it affect the entire supply chain? The chapter also aims to understand costs related to reverse logistics, optimization of the process, and lastly the significance of various reverse logistics strategies that can benefit organizations.
How the Use of 5G in Supply Chain Operations Can Prevent Future Disruptions
Authors: Verma Likhit
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected global supply chains at an unprecedented speed and scale. In response, these businesses are now transitioning toward data-driven decision making to anticipate future performance and improve operational efficiencies, which will require the gathering and analysis of a vast amount of data in real-time. This chapter explains how 5G, with its capabilities such as ultralow latency and high bandwidth, is shaping and transforming the global supply chain. The authors present how to prepare for and avoid future supply chain disruptions. Further, the authors have showcased some practical 5G use cases in the manufacturing and logistics industries.
Recent Trends in IoT as Part of Digital India
Authors: Venkataramani Vishal , Venkatakrishnan Ramdhanush , Arumugam Chamundeswari
Published: May 2023

IoT usage growth expands in the wild range because of smart digital India in India. The government is funding various projects for boosting the expansion at a large level to promote smart digital India. Many start-up companies are flourishing due to the expansion of government policies in promoting smart digital India. Many public and private companies were improving their skill set to expand the government requirements. Here, for this chapter, the two case studies, satellite based IoT and solid waste management are discussed. The current trends, techniques, technologies, architectures, solutions, applications and issues were discussed. The recent advancement pertaining to these fields, comparison of the properties, and technology evolution were discussed elaborately to get a glimpse of smart digital India.
Geometric SMOTE-Based Approach to Improve the Prediction of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases for Highly Class-Imbalanced Data
Authors: Venkataramana Lokeswari Y. , Jacob Shomona Gracia , D. VenkataVara Prasad , Athilakshmi R. , Priyanka V. , Yeshwanthraa K. , Vigneswaran S.
Published: May 2023

In many applications where classification is needed, class imbalance poses a serious problem. Class imbalance refers to having very few instances under one or more classes while the other classes contain sufficient amount of data. This makes the results of the classification to be biased towards the classes containing many numbers of samples comparatively. One approach to handle this problem is by generating synthetic instances from the minority classes. Geometric synthetic minority oversampling technique (G-SMOTE) is used to generate artificial samples. G-SMOTE generates synthetic samples in the geometric region of the input space, around each selected minority instance. The performance of the classifier is compared after oversampling using G-SMOTE, synthetic minority oversampling technique and without oversampling the minority classes. The work presents empirical results that show around 10% increase in the accuracy of the classifier model when G-SMOTE is used as an oversampling algorithm compared to SMOTE, and around 30% increase in performance over a class imbalanced data.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Digital Health Apps
Authors: Mouloudj Kamel , Bouarar Ahmed Chemseddine , Asanza Dachel Martínez , Saadaoui Linda , Mouloudj Smail , Njoku Anuli U. , Evans Marian A. , Bouarar Achouak
Published: May 2023

Mobile health apps have been widely considered in the healthcare sector as innovative channels to reach patients and their families. Accordingly, the aim of the chapter was to investigate factors that influence the customers' adoption of digital health apps in Algeria. The authors adopted an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) framework by integrating the constructs of perceived self-efficacy and trust. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 186 participants in five cities. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for data analysis. Findings show that perceived usefulness, attitudes, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived ease of use significantly and positively predicted customers' intention to use digital health apps. However, behavioural intention to use was not significantly and positively influenced by trust in digital health system. Moreover, results revealed that the extended TAM explained 60.1% of the variance of intention. The chapter provides valuable results concerning the determinants of adoption of digital health apps.
Framework for Prediction of Depression Among Adolescents Using Machine Learning
Authors: Chiurunge Panashe , Kandiero Agripah
Published: May 2023

Depression being a behavioural health disorder is a serious health concern in Zimbabwe and all over the world. If depression goes unaddressed, the consequences are detrimental and have an impact on the way one behaves as an individual and at the societal level. Despite the number of individuals who could benefit from treatment for behavioural health concerns, their difficulties are often unidentified and unaddressed through treatment. Technology carries the unrealised potential to identify people at risk of behavioural health conditions and to inform prevention and intervention strategies.
What Makes Consumers Adopt a Wearable Fitness Device?
Authors: Zhang Jing , Mao En
Published: May 2023

Wearable fitness devices are equipped with internet connectivity and capable of tracking, storing, and transmitting health data. A research model is proposed and tested, which shows how cognitive, affective, social, and motivational consumer factors affect the intention to adopt wearables, respectively. The antecedents of these factors are also studied, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, and effectiveness for cognitive factors; positive and negative feelings for affective factors; perceived number of users, number of peers, and social images for social factors. An online survey was conducted among 297 non-wearable-users in the U.S. to collect data. Structural equation modeling was used to test the intention model. The results showed that three factors—cognitive, affective, and motivational—emerged as key determinants of consumers' intention to adopt wearables, with affective factors showing the most explanatory power. The role of the price factor was also revealed. Theoretical and business practical implications are discussed based on the current findings.
Optimization of Cogging Torque Based on the Improved Bat Algorithm
Authors: Bai Wenbo , Ran Huajun
Published: May 2023

Permanent magnet motors have the advantages of high output torque, high efficiency, and low noise, but the cogging effect is obvious. The 24-slot 4-pole surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor is taken as an example to reduce the cogging torque of permanent magnet synchronous motors. Firstly, the generation mechanism of cogging torque is analysed based on the energy method, and the pole arc coefficient, air gap length, magnetic pole eccentricity, permanent magnet thickness, and slot opening width are determined as optimisation parameters. Then, a cogging torque optimisation method is further proposed based on the Taguchi method and the response surface method, and the bat algorithm with the Lévy flight feature is applied to obtain the optimal solution for the response surface model. Finally, finite element software is used to simulate the optimal motor model. The experimental results show that the efficiency of the motor solved by optimal parameters is increased by 1.6%, the cogging torque is reduced by 82.16%, and the torque ripple is reduced by 8.2%. The optimisation of cogging torque in this paper avoids fluctuations in torque, reduces motor vibration and noise, and improves the control characteristics of the permanent magnet motors drive system, operational reliability, and low-speed performance in the motor speed control system and high accuracy positioning in the position control system.
Effects of Solution Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Hardness of Ni30 Superalloy
Authors: Chen Zong Fu , Fan Xiang Fang , Wang Li Qiang , Fu Xing Da , Li Peng Xin
Published: May 2023

Using JMatPro numerical simulation to determine the range of process parameters, the solution aging treatment of Ni30 superalloy was carried out, and the influence of different solution treatment temperatures on the microstructure and hardness of the alloy was studied. The results show that with the increase of solution temperature, the grain grows rapidly, the grain growth process conforms to Arrhenius formula, and the activation energy Q of grain growth is about 74.33kJ/mol. The maximum hardness value of the sample is 41.80HRC after solution aging treatment at 980°C.
Correlation between Particle-Size Composition and Morphology of Stone Dust and Air Quality
Authors: Aleksandrova A.Yu. , Timofeeva S.S.
Published: May 2023

Currently, mining activities are mainly focused on economic efficiency and to a less extent on environmental safety. The natural environment experiences heavy impacts from mining activities. Various mining processes during the extraction of common mineral resources cause a significant increase in dust emissions. This article considers the dust fractions of granites, migmatites, marmorized limestone, ophicalcites, jades, and charoits. We determined the particle-size composition and morphology for all of the dust samples, calculated unit cell parameters and determined particle dimensions. As a result, we established that nanosize stone dust particles can enter living organisms, and their dimensions determine the impacts on the living organisms and environmental ecosystems, including the air. This research was conducted with financial support from RFBR within the scope of research project No 19-35-90096.
The Efficiency of Non-Destructive Testing to Estimate the Damage Level of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Exposed to High Temperatures
Authors: Nefoussi Abdelhamid Mejdoub , Mohammed Ezziane , Siad Hocine , Chihaoui Ramdane , Mouli Mohamed , Lachemi Mohamed , Kada Ayed
Published: May 2023

The feasibility of determining the extent of damage in fibered concrete after being subjected to high temperatures, using non-destructive methods was investigated. The study was conducted on four concrete mixtures with different fiber types. The specimens underwent a curing process at 23 °C before being exposed to different high temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C. After cooling to ambient temperature, various non-destructive tests including ultrasonic pulse velocity testing (UPV), the resonance frequency test (RF), the dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed), the thermal conductivity test (λ), and Schmid Rebound Hammer (SRH), were performed. To evaluate the sensitivity of non-destructive techniques to assess the damage of fiber-reinforced concrete, the Lemaitre coefficient was used as a variable to describe the extent of the damage. The results indicated that the highest damage levels were obtained through the modulus of elasticity technique regardless of the type of concrete mixture or temperature exposure. There was also a potential agreement found between thermal and ultrasonic methods in evaluating the thermal degradation of concrete.
Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery in a Second-trimester Pregnant Woman with an Ovarian Teratoma
Authors: Chen Li-Yeh , Ding* Dah-Ching
Published: May 2023

We present the first case of a pregnant woman with teratoma, who underwent vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES). Mature ovarian cystic teratomas compromise 20%–30% of all ovarian tumors. The best surgical management is still unclear, especially during pregnancy. A 21-year-old pregnant woman (gravida 1, para 0) at 14 weeks and 3 days of gestational age was admitted with an intermittent mild sharp and dull pain in her right lower abdomen when walking or moving lower limbs. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed a 5.9 cm × 5.4 cm heterogeneous mass that was suspected as a teratoma in the right adnexa. Initially, laparoendoscopic single-site ovarian cystectomy (OC) was arranged. However, the ovarian tumor was impeded by the enlarged uterus. The OC procedure was changed to vNOTES OC. The vNOTES OC was performed smoothly and the pathology confirmed the mass to be a teratoma. After the operation, she recovered well and was discharged 2 days after the operation without any complication. In conclusion, the application of vNOTES in the second-trimester pregnancy might be considered safe and effective. The vNOTES can be performed safely in selected patients and by an experienced surgeon.
A Comparison of Conventional Pap Smear and Liquid-Based Cytology for Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Patel* Nirali , Bavikar Rupali , Buch Archana , Kulkarni Mayuri , Dharwadkar Arpana , Viswanathan Vidya
Published: May 2023

Objectives:

Early diagnosis and treatment of preinvasive lesions have made cervical cytology one of the most effective methods of cancer screening in industrialized nations, which have seen a sharp decline in the incidence and death of invasive cancer. The aim of this study is to compare liquid-based cytology (LBC) and conventional Pap on cervical smears.

Materials and Methods:

From July 2018 to June 2022, 600 patients were included in this cross-sectional study, which was done at the Pathology Department of a Tertiary Care Facility in Western Maharashtra.

Results:

Of the 600 patients, 570 (95%) had good conventional Pap smear (CPS), whereas 30 (5%) had poor ones. Five hundred and ninety-two (98.6%) LBC smears were satisfactory, whereas 8 (1.4%) were unsatisfactory. Endocervical cells were seen in 294 (49%) CPS, whereas 360 (60%) LBC smears showed endocervical cells. The morphology of inflammatory cells was similar in both techniques. Hemorrhagic background was seen in 212 (35%) CPS and 76 (12.6%) LBC smears. Only two samples showed diathetic background, which was seen on both CPS and smear. Out of the satisfactory smears in the case of CPS, 512 (85%) cases were reported as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), whereas 58 (9.7%) cases were reported as epithelial cell abnormality. In LBC smears, 526 (87.3%) were reported as NILM, whereas 66 (11%) were reported as epithelial cell abnormality. Organisms were detected in 208 (34%) CPS and 162 (27%) LBC smears. Screening time was 5 ± 1 min for CPS, whereas it was 3 ± 1 min for LBC smear.

Conclusion:

Mortality will be decreased using LBC on a bigger scale in nations where many smears can be made and screened in a short amount of time, with the provision of doing human papillomavirus-based testing on the remaining sample.
Desmoid Tumor Mimicking Port Site Metastasis after Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Hiratsuka Daiki , Tsuchiya* Akira , Matsuyama Reiko , Tsuchiya Hiroko , Fujimoto Akihisa , Nishii Osamu
Published: May 2023

Desmoid tumors are rare; however, they sometimes form in the abdominal wall after surgery or trauma. We report a case of desmoid tumors in the abdominal wall mimicking port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer. A 53-year-old woman with familial adenomatous polyposis presented to our hospital with vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. We performed a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and began observation. Two years after surgery, follow-up computed tomography revealed three nodules with a size of approximately 15 mm in the abdominal wall at the trocar sites. Tumorectomy was performed because endometrial cancer recurrence was suspected, but desmoid fibromatosis was finally diagnosed. This is the first report of desmoid tumors at the trocar site after laparoscopic surgery for uterine endometrial cancer. Gynecologists should be aware of this disease because differentiating it from metastatic recurrence is challenging.
Segmentation of In vitro Fertilization with High-intensity Focused Ultrasound in Repeated Implantation Failure with Adenomyosis
Authors: Yu Pei-Hsiu , Wu Yu-Hsien , Chen Ta-Sheng , Kuo Tsung-Cheng , Wu* Meng-Hsing
Published: May 2023

Adenomyosis is a complex issue in reproductive-age women not only on worsening of quality of life due to severe dysmenorrhea or heavy menstrual bleeding but also on the impact of infertility. A 39-year-old female, gravida 0 para 0, with a history of bilateral ovarian endometrioma post laparoscopic surgery presented to our hospital due to suspected deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE), adenomyosis, and repeated implantation failure. Initially, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog treatment for DIE with progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol was arranged. Four D5 blastocysts were obtained and freezed. Two frozen embryo transfer were performed after ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) treatment of adenomyosis. She later had a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy, and two healthy newborns were delivered by Cesarean section at gestational age of 35 weeks due to antepartum hemorrhage with placenta previa and preeclampsia. In conclusion, USgHIFU can be a potential treatment option in segmented in vitro fertilization in future.
Growth response of plants derived from pathogen-free banana fragments to different substrates
Authors: Olounlade J.C.A.O. , Balogoun I. , Adandonon A. , Zandjanakou-Tachin M.
Published: May 2023

Production of vivoplants of banana and plantain is an important step in the use in the field of healthy planting material, free of bacterial or viral infection. The objective of this study was to assess the recovery and the subsequent seedlings growth from banana fragments to different substrates for rapid multiplication of banana suckers in Benin. An experiment was set up following a two-factor split plot arrangement with three repetitions. The first factor was the substrate at three levels (White sawdust, Coconut peat + sand and White sawdust + cassava effluent); and the second was the cultivar free from bacterial and viral infections, with four levels (Aloga, Planta, Sotoumon and Gunkoékoé), totally 12 treatments. From the results, the appearance of the buds depended on the nature of the substrate and the type of cultivar. Coco peat + sand and sawdust + cassava effluent were significantly different (P<0.001) in influencing the number of leaves and roots, leaf area, plant height, diameter at the collar of the seedlings and the number of young seedlings per banana explant. The highest number of leaves and roots, and young seedlings; and greatest plant height and diameter were obtained with coco peat + sand and white sawdust + cassava effluent, at the collar of the seedlings. From this study, it is clear that coconut peat + sand is the best substrate for the rapid multiplication of banana plantlets from the fragments method.
Optimum combination of plant spacing and mulching on productivity of red-leaf lettuce
Authors: Katuromunda S. , Namuwulya P.
Published: May 2023

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is increasingly a popular vegetable salad, especially in the tropics where it is reputed for providing health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, fighting insomnia, preventing growth of cancerous cells and providing antioxidants. In Uganda, its yields are suboptimal, reportedly due to poor agronomic practices. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum combination of planting density and mulching of red-leaf lettuce under Uganda field conditions. A field experiment was conducted at the Agromax Uganda Limited farm in Kampala in 2018. The study involved two treatments, namely mulching using black polythene and varying intra-row spacing (15, 25 and 35 cm), all against inter-row spacing of 40 cm. The treatments were laid out in a split plot arrangement, in a randomised complete block design, with three replications. The main plot factor was mulching; while the subplot treatment was plant spacing. The interaction effect of plant spacing and mulching with polythene was significant (P<0.05) on plant heights, number of leaves per plant, leaf length and breadth, and fresh weight. Mulching at the widest intra-row spacing (35 cm) resulted in shorter plants (22.9 cm) with the highest leaf numbers per plant (23.6), longest and widest leaves (21.8 and 19.5 cm, respectively); and consequently the highest fresh yield (381.3 g m-2). It is, therefore, prudent that this plant spacing and plastic mulching be on a wider scale to validate the results across the country.
Prospects of payment for ecosystem services: A case for teak and cashew plantation development in Ghana
Authors: Osei B. , Abugre S. , Obeng E.A. , Afrifa A.B. , Ofori I. , Adams M.R.
Published: May 2023

Governments and institutions across the globe are strengthening efforts to safeguard ecosystem diversity from deteriorating; while promoting proper conservation management so that ecosystem services are sustainably explored for human benefits. A major challenge that obstructs the success of environmental conservation management efforts have normally been the willingness of individuals and local community members to allocate lands for biodiversity conservation. In order to circumvent these challenges and without limiting human socio-economic needs, payment for ecosystem services (PES) programme was initiated and endorsed by governments as a relevant modality and policy framework to protect and restore ecosystems. Unfortunately, there is paucity of information on this by some countries, such as Ghana. Since its inception, PES has great prospects for especially two economic tree crops, such as cashew and teak. That notwithstanding, the perception of smallholder farmers on ecosystem-friendly practices especially PES for cashew and teak plantation development in Ghana is unclear. Therefore, the present study sought to review the concept of payment for ecosystem, its implications on teak and cashew plantation development in Ghana, as well as to investigate the perception of smallholder farmers on the new development policy. It is clear from this review that the adoption and implementation of PES holds great potential for cashew and teak plantation development in Ghana. Cashew and teak are economic trees which prospects for economic development but due to certain constraints, their potentials from the stand point of PES are yet to be realised in the country. One major weakness of the cashew and teak plantation development is inadequate land and unfavourable tenure systems; apart from the inability of smallholder farmers to successfully develop and implement PES schemes for cashew and teak plantation. It was apparent that PES holds great economic prospects for smallholders in cashew and teak plantation development and that it is multi stakeholder approaches and not business as usual that will not allow us to experience the full benefits from this pursuit. Based on the outcomes of this review, it is recommended that trans-disciplinary research be conducted to evaluate the economic, biological and social implications of adopting PES in plantation systems and consequently effects on agricultural systems.
Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in alcoholic beverages consumed in Awka, Southeast Nigeria
Authors: Nwalieji Okafor Vincent , Omeodisemi Omokpariola Daniel , Onyema Agu Matthew , Chibuzor Odidika Collins , Valerine Okabekwa Chiamaka , Chiamaka Ogbuo Lilian , Cynthia Chizoba Obiatuegwu Mary
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT. The aim of this investigation was to assess the presence of 16 PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene fluoranthene, benz[a]anthracene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene  with symbols Nap, Ace, Ane, Flu, Ant, Phe, Flt, BaA, Pyr, Chr, BbF, BkF, BaP, DahA, BghiP and InP, respectively) in alcoholic beverages consumed in Awka, Southeast Nigeria. The samples used were sourced from international, national, and local-based alcoholic beverages sold in Nigeria, which were analysed for the 16 priority PAHs components using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) in order to quantify and offer advice to the public on the health implications of consuming these alcoholic beverages. The results show the absence of all the PAHs in all the alcoholic beverages, which could be due to lower temperature and shorter production duration utilized in the production process. This is because during the intense heating of raw materials or additives, PAHs are released. Therefore, the consumption of these alcoholic beverages is safe for consumers and poses no health risk that is detrimental to adults or children. As such, further research into other micropollutants and toxins is advocated to maintain current good manufacturing practices for quality.

KEY WORDS: Alcoholic beverages, Food analysis, Public health, PAHs, GC-FID, Southeast Nigeria

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 805-815.                                                         

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.1
Novel pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine and pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidine derivatives: Design, synthesis, and structure elucidation
Authors: M.H. Hilmy Khaled , N.M. Kishk Fawzya , B.A. Shahen Esmat , A. Hawata Mohamed
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT. A cyclo condensation reaction is an effective method for a two-component reaction of 2-amino-1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile 3a-c and active methylene compounds in acetic acid and catalytic hydrochloric acid to produce new substituted 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine 4a-c, 5a-c, and 6a-c have been established. Additionally, a new series of substituted 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 7a-c and 8a-c could be synthesized utilizing a feasible and efficient approach, including urea and thiourea substrates. Spectroscopic data IR, MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, as well as elemental analyses, elucidated these compounds' structures.

 

KEY WORDS: 1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine, 1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines, Active methylene compounds

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 983-992.                                                           

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.14
Growth, characterization and chemical computations of guanidinium trichloroacetate (GTCA) single crystal – DFT approach
Authors: Sreedevi R. , S.I. Joy Sinthiya A. , Joselin Beaula T. , Balu T. , Murugakoothan P.
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT. Nonlinear optical (NLO) active guanidinium trichloroacetate (GTCA) crystal was synthesised and grown by using slow evaporation solution growth technique from mixed solvent. The grown crystal was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of GTCA was recorded and the frequency assignments of various functional groups were compared with theoretical values. Mechanical strength of the grown crystal was studied using Vickers micro hardness tester. Thermal stability was studied using TG/DTA analyser. UV-Vis-NIR spectrum was recorded and the band gap energy was calculated. Geometry optimizations, first order hyperpolarizability, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, global reactive constants, thermodynamic properties, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) and charge population were computed using B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) basis set and DFT method and analysed.

 

KEY WORDS: PXRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, DFT, NBO, Charge population

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 1033-1045.                                                            

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.18
Synthesis and characterization of quercetin-layer double hydroxide (LDH) nanohybrid and their enhanced antioxidant activity
Authors: Christabel Shaji Y. , DeenaRose D. , Ramesh Kannan C. , Aruna M. , Brucely Y.
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACT. This research included the synthesis of pristine nitrate-type Zn2Al-LDH by means of Co-precipitation, which was then followed by hydrothermal treatment. Ion exchange is used to stabilize the produced pristine LDH nano layer, which is used for the encapsulation of bioactive molecules. Quercetin, which has an antioxidant function, is used. XRD was used to investigate the newly synthesized quercetin-LDH (QC-LDH) compound. Quercetin was discovered to be entirely deprotonated as a result of XRD research, and it was also shown to be stabilized in between LDH lattices as a result of electrostatic contact. On the basis of the diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, the anti-oxidant property was discussed, and it was discovered that the quercetin that was free from the LDH layer helped as an owing antioxidant to scavenge DPPH radicals in ethanol solvent at concentrations ranging from 80-100%, depending on the concentration level. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the incorporation of quercetin into the interlayer led to an expansion of the interlayer arrangement to 0.88 and 1.46 nm, respectively. According to the findings of a variety of characterization techniques, the QC-LDH may be regarded as a good antioxidant material with potential drug delivery system.

KEY WORDS: Layer double hydroxide, Antioxidant activity, Quercetin, Biocompatibility

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 917-929.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.9
Production Returns Of Cassava-Turmeric Inter-Cropping System In Calabar, Southern Nigeria
Authors: A Nwagwu Francis , C Umunnakwe Okechukwu , O Ojikpong Thomas , I Omadewu Lawrence , A Awelewa Emmanuel
Published: May 2023

Field experiments were conducted in the 2019 and 2020 early cropping seasons at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm, Calabar, Nigeria, to assess the profitability of inter-cropping cassava with turmeric. There were seven treatments: sole cassava, sole turmeric, cassava intercropped with turmeric at 66,666; 50,000; 40,000; 35,714 and 28,571 turmeric plants/ha, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The cost implication of the technology was analyzed by computing the production cost, gross income, gross margin, benefit/cost ratio and percentage net returns of each treatment. Results showed that maximum cost was incurred by cultivating cassava with the highest turmeric density of 66,666 turmeric plants/ha (30 cm x 50 cm spacing of turmeric). The lowest average percentage net return of 29.34 % was obtained from sole turmeric treatment plot. The inter-crop mixture with the lowest turmeric population density of 28,571 plants/ha produced the highest percentage net return of 62.78 % on the 2 year- average, and could therefore be recommended for optimum cassava/turmeric intercrop produc
Impact evaluation of universal basic education commission capacity building program on mathematics teacher testing skills in akwa ibom state, nigeria
Authors: Roseline E Dick Ekim , Oluseyi Akintunde Dada
Published: May 2023

This study evaluated the impact of the in-service training program offered by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Nigeria on the testing skill of Mathematics teachers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted the expo facto research design research. A two-stage sampling involving simple random and stratified techniques were employed to select 134 from the 530 Mathematics teachers in the public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The instrument used for the data collection was, Teacher Testing Skills Assessment Scale (TTSAS) developed by the researchers based on the objective of the study. The instrument was validated by three measurement experts and trial tested. The reliability coefficient of .77 was obtained from the inter-rater method of reliability estimate. The data collected was analyzed using mean, standard deviation and independent sample t-test. The results of the analysis revealed that the UBEC in-service training program has significant positive impact on Mathematics teachers’ testing skills. It was concluded that the UBEC teachers’ capacity development program is a profitable venture with promising national gains. It was recommended that government should continue with her support for the UBEC in sustaining regular in-service training program for teachers in secondary schools across the nation.
Uv-spectroscopic and iodometric back titration analysis of total caffeine content of energy drinks available in markets in cross river state, south-south, nigeria
Authors: C  Asogwa F , W  Ugodi G , S  Ebugosi R , N Achara I , N Achieti Atim H
Published: May 2023

Caffeine is an active ingredient of energy drinks that is often consumed to improve cognizance and physical cum mental alertness. This research aims to quantitatively analyze the caffeine content in serving volumes of energy drinks by spectrophotometric and iodometric back titration methods. In the spectrophotometric method, the determination of caffeine content was carried out using a maximum wavelength of 270 nm. The results show that the caffeine contents of the energy drinks were 37.40 mg/200 mL (Passion) < 64.73 mg/250 mL (Bullet) < 82.70 mg/355 mL (Power Horse) < 86.30 mg/400 mL (Predator) < 114.68 mg/500 mL (Fearless) while the iodometric back titration method showed 57.50 mg/250 mL, 165.00 mg/500 mL, 160.00 mg/400 mL, 117.15 mg/355 mL and 40 mg/200 mL respectively for Bullet, fearless, Predator, Power Horse and Passion. The labeled claims on the energy drinks were 78.75 mg/250 mL, 157.50 mg/500 mL, 120.00 mg/400 mL, 133.60 mg/355 mL and 50 mg/200 mL respectively for Bullet, fearless, Predator, Power Horse and Passion which indicates that manufacturers reported higher values of caffeine content in their product possibly to make it attractive to consumers.
Effect of placental location on intra-uterine growth restriction and gestational hypertension
Authors: Archibong Efanga Samuel , Olusijibomi Akintomide Akintunde , Omini Paulinus Samson , Asuquo Okon Okon
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between uterine placental location and fetal growth restriction and gestational hypertension.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional study done in the Department of Radiology of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, within a 4-month period. The study involved a total of 100 singleton pregnant women between 20 to 40 weeks of gestation who were aged 20 to 39 years. Analysis of the data was done using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 Inc. Chicago, IL.

RESULTS: The frequency distribution of the placental locations were: anterior – 35%, postero-fundal – 36%, antero-fundal – 18% and posterior – 11%. The highest mean head circumference to abdominal circumference ratio (HC/AC) was seen in subjects with posterior placental location (1.03 ± 0.09), lowest mean estimated fetal weight (EFW) was seen in subjects with antero-fundal placental location (1.87 ± 0.92 kg) while the highest mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were seen in subjects with postero-fundal placental location (113.89 ± 10.50 mmHg and 66.61 ± 7.07 mmHg) respectively. The lowest mean HC/AC was noted in subjects with anterior placental location (1.01 ± 0.08), the highest EFW was noted in subjects with postero-fundal placental location (2.26 ± 1.03 kg) while the lowest mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted in subjects with posterior placental location (109.09 ± 5.39 mmHg and 61.82 ± 4.05 mmHg) respectively. There was no significant correlation between placental location and HC/AC, EFW, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.744, p = 0.567, p = 0.671, p = 0.936) respectively.

CONCLUSION: Placental location in the uterus has no relationship with intrauterine growth restriction and the development of gestational hypertension in the second half of singleton pregnancies.
Strategies for effective savings mobilisation: a case study of selected savings institutions in calabar agricultural zone, cross river state, nigeria
Authors: E A AJAH , S V ENIANG
Published: May 2023

This study examined strategies for effective savings mobilization in Calabar agricultural zone of Cross River state, Nigeria. It specifically sought to identify the, strategies for mobilizing savings, factors influencing savings mobilization and constraints to savings mobilization. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 20 formal savings institutions in 3 LGAs out of 7 that were in the study area. Data obtained from primary source using structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics measures such as frequency counts, percentages and tables as well as inferential statistics such as multiple regression analysis. The result of the analysis showed that the most common saving strategy used by formal institution were advert and promotion (36.1%). Instruments like agric. saving scheme and children’s education were used to mobilize savings. Four variables were significant for determinant of savings mobilized, and these were, age of the institution, minimum amount required to open an account, value of institution asset and number of savers. Illiteracy and distrust of saving institutions were the major constraints in mobilizing savings. Therefore, savings institutions should improve on their services so as to attract more savers.
Chemical constituents, free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory potential of selected Nigerian bee (Apis mellifera) propolis
Authors: Balogun O. S. , Liu Z.
Published: May 2023

Extracts of propolis from southwest Nigeria (Ondo and Ife) were analysed using GC-MS and were evaluated in vitro for free radical scavenging potentials and inhibitory activities on alpha-glucosidase and porcine lipase enzyme. Crude methanolic extracts of both propolis were separately defatted with n-hexane to give n-hexane fractions and defatted fractions. Each fraction was analysed using GC-MS. Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potentials of the crude and defatted extracts were evaluated while in vitro antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic were also determined using spectrophotometric method. The GC-MS analysis indicated 18 (88.38 %) and 20 (99.99%) compounds for n-hexane fraction of propolis from Ife (BPIH) and Ondo (BPOH) respectively. For the defatted extracts propolis from Ife (BPID) and Ondo (BPOD), 21 compounds each were identified, accounting for 100% composition in each extracts. The IC DPPH radical scavenging activities of all 50 the propolis samples were moderate compared to the standard (32.61 ± 2.60 μg/mL) however, BPOD demonstrated highest radical scavenging activity (141.49±0.29 μg/mL) among the propolis fraction tested. All the extracts demonstrated better inhibition than the standard acarbose, however, BPOD inhibited the enzyme the most with IC value of 25.35±0.48 μg/mL. The anti-lipase activities of the propolis were fairly moderate but 50 much lower compared to the standard orlistat (0.88 ± 0.12 μg/mL). The excellent inhibitory performance of the propolis extracts on alpha-glucosidase enyzme gives credence to its traditional use in treatment of diabetic patients, also the moderate free radical scavenging and antipase activities make bee propolis an important bioresource for discovery of lead drugs.
Biochemical characterization of a purified arginase from the gut of Oryctes rhinoceros larvae
Authors: Famakinwa O. , Itakorode B. O. , Adedeji O. S. , Okonji R.E.
Published: May 2023

Arginase acts as a mediator in the final phase of the urea cycle, protecting against excessive ammonia under homeostatic conditions by producing L-ornithine and urea. In this study, the physicochemical properties of Oryctes rhinoceros Larva arginase were investigated for biochemical comparison with its well-studied terrestrial mammalian. Oryctes rhinoceros larva arginase was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The purification procedure involved ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and affinity chromatography on reactive Blue 2-agarose. The pure enzyme had a specific activity of 38.7 U/mg, a purification fold of 63.4, and a percentage yield of 16.5%. O. rhinoceros gut arginase had a native and subunit molecular weight of 82 and 45 kDa, respectively and the Km and Vmax were 11.25 mM and 13.055 μmmol/min/mL, respectively. The activity was optimum at 60 °C m max (pH 8). The enzyme retained more than 60% of its activity at 50 °C for 60 min. The inhibition study on the enzyme showed that cations salts (CaCl2 , BaCl2 , HgCl2 , and SnCl2 ) enhanced the enzyme activity at 1 mM concentration except for SnCl2 . EDTA, a chelating compound, strongly inhibited the activity of the enzyme. The 2 effect of different amino acids on activity showed that L-valine, L-serine, L- aspartic acid, and L-glutamic acid had a moderate inhibitory (60%, 63%, 65.4%, 69.1%, respectively) effect on the enzyme activity. The study concluded that there were similarities between O. rhinoceros larva arginase and those of other ureotelic animals in terms of kinetics and physicochemical properties.