bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The existence of Murabahah in Bank Aceh Syariah based on the Fatwa of Majelis Ulama Indonesia No 111 /DSN-MUI/IX/2017
Authors: Rafi Thoriq Muhammad , Hasan Abdul Aziz Naibaho Muhammad , Alfain Faza Zakiyya Muhammad
Published: July 2024

Financing in Islamic banks today is dominated by Murabahah contracts. The purpose of existing research is to explain how the existence of Murabahah financing in Islamic banking serves the community and assess whether the contracts executed comply with the Fatwa of Majelis Ulama Indonesia. This research is a library-research focused on examining and discussing modern and classical literature. Data collection is conducted through documentation methods from various sources including national and international journals, as well as books. The data is then analyzed using content analysis, which includes descriptive analysis and scientific analysis of premium messages. The findings of this research indicate that Murabahah financing is predominantly conducted by Islamic banks for community financing. In the application of Murabahah financing, Islamic banks act as fund providers rather than sellers. The Murabahah contracts in classical fiqh have undergone changes, which have been criticized by various segments of society. It is noted that there are contemporary issues arising in Murabahah financing transactions that do not align with Sharia principles and the Fatwa of Majelis Ulama Indonesia.
Empowerment and Provision of Early Health Education to Children in Orphanages
Authors: Dadan Ramdhan  , Suci Ramadhanti  , Nada Nurmughni Nabilatuzaman  , Nun Asti Putri Bunyamin  , Uning Kusumah Wn  , Riki Iswanto  , Herlinda Herlinda
Published: July 2024

This Community Empowerment Program involves delivering education on handwashing techniques and raising awareness about the dangers of drugs to children living in the Ar-Ridho Orphanage. Consisting of three stages, namely planning, implementation, and evaluation, this service successfully generated enthusiasm among the participants during the delivery of the materials and handwashing practice sessions. Good information absorption occurred because the material was tailored to their age. Socialization about drugs was also conducted with the aim of providing understanding of their dangers and encouraging them to stay away from drugs from an early age. This activity combines delivering material about drugs with interactive games and quizzes, strengthening the children's understanding of the risks of drug abuse. The results are expected to enhance their understanding and foster a spirit to stay away from drug abuse. Throughout the socialization process, the participants showed enthusiasm both when listening to the material and when practicing proper handwashing. This is because of the use of strategies, methods, and media tailored to their age, allowing participants to understand the socialization material well during this service. Therefore, there is a need for ongoing supervision from the caretakers at the orphanage to ensure the absorption of the taught material.
Contemporary Sunni-Shia Dynamics: Conflict or Competition?
Authors: Ahmad Miftahur Rizki
Published: July 2024

This article delves into the power competition between Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (Contemporary Shia) by examining their involvement in shaping Middle Eastern influence expansion through fundamentally different ideological approaches, namely Sunni and Shia. The author takes the cases of Syria and Yemen as focal points to narrow down the scope and gauge the efforts of both countries as balancing forces in the Middle East region. The paper adopts an ideological approach to identify conflict patterns and strategies employed by both nations. The objective of this paper is to explore the background of the conflict between these two countries, utilizing ideological approaches to achieve their political goals. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, this article aims to address the research issues at hand. It reveals that Saudi Arabia and Iran play significant roles in Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly in Syria and Yemen, through various means such as funding and providing military logistical support. The ideological approach is inseparable from the missions carried out by both nations. Iran has succeeded in building alliances with local governments, thus securing victories in Yemen. However, Saudi Arabia, despite employing various alliance-building strategies, has yet to achieve success.
Solving the Travelling Salesman Problem Using the PSO Optimization
Authors: Qasimi Mehr Ali
Published: July 2024

This article examines a potential solution to the well-known Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP), which is classified as an NP-hard problem. We also provide a theoretical synopsis of several approaches that have been employed to tackle this problem. A prominent example of a combinatorial problem is the traveling salesman problem (TSP). To address the fundamental PSO algorithm's premature convergence issue and stagnation behavior on TSP, a scout characteristic-based PSO algorithm is suggested.We address Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), a member of the evolutionary methods class, and outline the methodology for applying PSO to the TSP. Among population-based metaheuristic optimization methods, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is one of the most widely used. Scientific domains such as engineering, chemistry, medicine, advanced physics, and humanities have all effectively employed PSO. Numerous theoretical and empirical results on the convergence and parameterization of PSO versions have been produced as a result of the method's extensive investigation since its introduction in 1995. Hundreds of PSO versions have been developed. It is well recognized that population size has a significant impact on the effectiveness of metaheuristics; nevertheless, no comprehensive research has been done on the appropriate selection of PSO swarm size to date.Through the application of this approach, we examine the effects of various control settings. The ideal solution and the quality of the solution are contrasted.
Pushing Boundaries: AI and Computer Science in the Era of Technological Revolution
Authors: Varis Abdussalam Achmad , Alif Auladi Ghifari
Published: July 2024

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has heralded a transformative era in Computer Science, revolutionizing various facets of technology. This paper explores the profound impact of AI on the field of Computer Science, delving into its advancements, innovations, and the potential future trajectory of technology. The primary objective of this paper is to elucidate the significant role of AI in shaping the landscape of Computer Science. Through comprehensive research and analysis, it aims to provide insights into the evolution of AI, its applications, and the implications for future technological developments. This study employs a library research approach, gathering information from academic journals, conference proceedings, books, and reputable online sources. By synthesizing existing literature and scholarly works, it seeks to construct a comprehensive overview of the advancements and innovations in AI within the realm of Computer Science. The findings reveal a dynamic and rapidly evolving field driven by AI technologies. From machine learning algorithms to neural networks and deep learning models, AI has revolutionized data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making processes. Moreover, AI-driven applications such as natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics have reshaped various industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and manufacturing. However, alongside these advancements come ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and challenges related to algorithmic biases and societal implications. Looking ahead, the future of technology promises further integration of AI into various domains, leading to unprecedented opportunities and challenges in the realm of Computer Science
Decir lo indecible. Apuntes sobre el fenómeno de la fibromialgia y sus articulaciones con lo social en el Chile de hoy.
Authors: Busta Cornejo Cristian
Published: July 2024

El presente artículo busca analizar el fenómeno del dolor circunscrito en el diagnóstico de fibromialgia. Se trata de una experiencia compleja, que permite dar cuenta de la articulación entre, por un lado, la experiencia individual de quienes lo padecen y, por otro, el contexto social en el cual este dolor ocurre. A partir de una discusión teórica con distintos autores provenientes de las ciencias sociales, la pregunta que guía este trabajo es la siguiente: ¿Es posible asumir a la fibromialgia, o a la experiencia que queda circunscrita en dicho diagnóstico, como la expresión de un malestar cuyo origen, intensificación o prevalencia, apunta a algo distinto a la mera materialidad del cuerpo? Se plantea como hipótesis que la noción de fibromialgia puede ser entendida como un dispositivo que hace existir formas específicas de relacionarse al propio cuerpo, al sufrimiento personal y al ajeno, así como también a las prácticas legítimas e ilegítimas en torno a dicho sufrimiento. A modo de conclusión se propone la estrategia de repolitización del dolor, entendiendo aquello como la posibilidad de reapropiación del sentido que se le otorga a través de una densa red de narrativas y prácticas. Lo anterior permitiría ubicar al dolor circunscrito en este diagnóstico como la expresión de un malestar que impugna las condiciones sociales estructuralmente desiguales o injustas que suelen delimitar la existencia de quienes lo padecen.
Representaciones del indio en el discurso médico: La sífilis y lo indígena en el contexto boliviano durante la primera mitad del siglo XX
Authors: Claros Chavarría Javier Andrés
Published: July 2024

El artículo reflexiona en torno a las representaciones construidas y difundidas por los médicos bolivianos durante la primera mitad del siglo XX, una vez que asociaron lo indígena con la sífilis. En primer lugar, se aborda cómo estos médicos atribuyeron al indio el origen de la enfermedad y lo vincularon con prácticas sexuales consideradas “contra-natura”, como la bestialidad. Luego, se examina el discurso que sugiere la supuesta benignidad de la sífilis en la población indígena, relacionándola con factores geográficos y raciales. La primera representación del indio revela una percepción profundamente estigmatizada y despectiva por parte de los médicos bolivianos, fundamentada en estereotipos raciales y culturales heredados y arraigados en la sociedad de la época. Por otro lado, la segunda representación parece formar parte de un esfuerzo por promover una medicina nacional y fomentar la cohesión nacional, destacando la resistencia del indio a la enfermedad en un contexto global de temor hacia la sífilis. En última instancia, se reconoce que estas representaciones han moldeado la percepción y el tratamiento de la enfermedad en la sociedad boliviana, influyendo en la forma en que se relaciona a los pueblos indígenas con la enfermedad en la actualidad. En cuanto a la metodología, se utilizaron revistas médicas, tesis y publicaciones de médicos de la época. El análisis comprendió la identificación de documentos que abordaban la relación entre lo indígena y diversas enfermedades, con un enfoque particular en la sífilis y el indio andino.
On the Distribution of αp + β Modulo One for Primes of Type p = ar^2+1
Authors: Todorova Tatyana
Published: July 2024

We study the distribution of fractional part of αp + β modulo 1,with irrational α and p prime of the form p = ar2+1.
2D Copper Hydroxide Acetate Plates – a Novel Additive for Enhancing the Thermal Decomposition Performance of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Spassov Tony , Spassova Maya , Tzvetkov George
Published: July 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) copper hydroxide acetate plates (CuHA) have been fabricated by a simple precipitation process. Their influence on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was explored by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the in situ generated CuO strongly boosts the thermal decomposition performance of AP. In particular, the addition of 3 wt.% CuHA to AP lowers the decomposition temperature of the latter by 118 ⁰C and, moreover, the heat release is increased almost twofold compared to that of pure AP.
Neuroimaging Findings in Children with Cerebral Palsy – Risk Assessment for Symptomatic Epilepsy
Authors: Rodopska Elena , Topalov Nikolay , Bojinova Veneta , Aleksandrova Iliana
Published: July 2024

Neuroimaging plays a key role in the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP), as it helps to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of neurological impairment.
The aim of the study is to demonstrate the role of neuroimaging in assessing the risk for epilepsy in children with CP with various lesions in CT and MRI with a focus on neuroimaging findings in full-term and premature children and their risk for epilepsy.
The study includes 521 children with CP, diagnosed in the Clinic of Child Neurology, UMHATNP “St. Naum” between 2008 and 2018. Two hundred and twenty children underwent MRI of the brain, 464 of the cases had CT, and 127 had both MRI and CT. Various pathological lesions in MRI (brain malformations, lesions in the white or gray matter, lesions in the basal ganglia, cystic lesions, cortical atrophy, ventriculomegaly) were found in all patients with CP and symptomatic epilepsy, while 5.8% of those children with CP without epilepsy had normal MRI. Normal findings were observed in CT in 7.5% of the children with CP and epilepsy, while this result reached 12.1% when children did not have epilepsy. Among the abnormal findings in MRI with the highest relative risk for symptomatic epilepsy were ventriculomegaly RR – 1.296 (95% CI 1.149–1.463), cortical atrophy RR – 1.235 (95% CI 1.082–1.410) and lesions in the gray matter RR – 1.210 (95% CI 1.056–1.387). When comparing the types of the lesions in MRI in full-term and premature children with CP, we observed that white matter lesions predominated in premature children, while grey matter lesions in full-term children, which explains the higher incidence of epilepsy in full-term children.
We found a higher incidence of pathological lesions in neuroimaging studies in patients with CP and concomitant epilepsy compared to those without epilepsy, as well as a high relative risk for epilepsy in patients with ventriculomegaly, cortical atrophy, and gray matter lesions.
Neighborhood structure-guided brain functional networks estimation for mild cognitive impairment identification
Authors: Liang Lizhong , Zhu Zijian , Su Hui , Zhao Tianming , Lu Yao
Published: July 2024

The adoption and growth of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, especially through the use of Pearson’s correlation (PC) for constructing brain functional networks (BFN), has significantly advanced brain disease diagnostics by uncovering the brain’s operational mechanisms and offering biomarkers for early detection. However, the PC always tends to make for a dense BFN, which violates the biological prior. Therefore, in practice, researchers use hard-threshold to remove weak connection edges or introduce l1-norm as a regularization term to obtain sparse BFNs. However, these approaches neglect the spatial neighborhood information between regions of interest (ROIs), and ROI with closer distances has higher connectivity prospects than ROI with farther distances due to the principle of simple wiring costs in resent studies. Thus, we propose a neighborhood structure-guided BFN estimation method in this article. In detail, we figure the ROIs’ Euclidean distances and sort them. Then, we apply the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) to find out the top K neighbors closest to the current ROIs, where each ROI’s K neighbors are independent of each other. We establish the connection relationship between the ROIs and these K neighbors and construct the global topology adjacency matrix according to the binary network. Connect ROI nodes with k nearest neighbors using edges to generate an adjacency graph, forming an adjacency matrix. Based on adjacency matrix, PC calculates the correlation coefficient between ROIs connected by edges, and generates the BFN. With the purpose of evaluating the performance of the introduced method, we utilize the estimated BFN for distinguishing individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from the healthy ones. Experimental outcomes imply this method attains better classification performance than the baselines. Additionally, we compared it with the most commonly used time series methods in deep learning. Results of the performance of K-nearest neighbor-Pearson’s correlation (K-PC) has some advantage over deep learning.
Low-dose hexavalent chromium induces mitophagy in rat liver via the AMPK-related PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway
Authors: Li Ningning , Li Xiaoying , Zhang Xiuzhi , Zhang Lixia , Wu Hui , Yu Yue , Jia Guang , Yu Shanfa
Published: July 2024

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a hazardous metallic compound commonly used in industrial processes. The liver, responsible for metabolism and detoxification, is the main target organ of Cr(VI). Toxicity experiments were performed to investigate the impacts of low-dose exposure to Cr(VI) on rat livers. It was revealed that exposure of 0.05 mg/kg potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and 0.25 mg/kg K2Cr2O7 notably increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the expressions of P-AMPK, P-ULK, PINK1, P-Parkin, and LC3II/LC3I, and significantly reduced SOD activity and P-mTOR and P62 expression levels in liver. Electron microscopy showed that CR(VI) exposure significantly increased mitophagy and the destruction of mitochondrial structure. This study simulates the respiratory exposure mode of CR(VI) workers through intratracheal instillation of CR(VI) in rats. It confirms that autophagy in hepatocytes is induced by low concentrations of CR(VI) and suggest that the liver damage caused by CR(VI) may be associated with the AMPK-related PINK/Parkin signaling pathway.
Malignant Eccrine Tumours at Unusual Locations: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Singh Neha , Kaur Rupinder , Chopra Fiza
Published: July 2024

Eccrine carcinoma is a rare skin adnexal tumour that presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its uncommon occurrence and varied clinical presentations. This report discusses two unique cases of eccrine carcinoma in middle-aged females, occurring at atypical locations: the thigh and the anal region. It emphasises the importance of recognising such tumours for appropriate management. The first case describes a 53-year-old woman with a chronic, non healing thigh ulcer that was initially suspected to be a benign lesion but was later identified as spiradenocarcinoma through histopathological examination. This highlights the potential for benign eccrine lesions to undergo malignant transformation. The second case involves a 50-year-old woman presenting with rectal bleeding and a malignant growth at the anal verge, which was confirmed as eccrine carcinoma through comprehensive pathological analysis, including immunohistochemical staining. Both cases underline the crucial role of detailed clinical observation and advanced histopathological evaluation in diagnosing and managing eccrine carcinoma, particularly when presented in non traditional sites. This approach guides effective treatment strategies and improves patient outcomes.
Unveiling the Uncommon: A Case of Parietal Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 60-year-old Woman
Authors: Bhawani Jayashree , Shukla Samarth , Acharya Sourya
Published: July 2024

Malignant mesenchymal tumours are rare, aggressive neoplasms originating from mesenchymal tissues. These tumours are characterised by a high metastatic potential and pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Mesenchymal tumours are of interest to oncologists because of their comparatively low occurrence, especially those with a high proliferation index. Authors report a case of a 60-year-old female who presented to the tertiary care rural hospital with persistent headaches, dizziness, and respiratory distress. Imaging studies revealed a heterogeneously enhancing soft-tissue density lesion in the right parietal region with extensive metastasis to both lungs. Histopathological analysis of the parietal lesion indicated features suspicious of a highgrade malignant tumour of muscular origin. Immunohistochemistry results were conclusive for Rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient was treated with radiation therapy for the primary tumour site and systemic chemotherapy, including doxorubicin and ifosfamide, for the metastasis. This case highlights the aggressive nature of malignant mesenchymal tumours and the complexities involved in their management. The high Ki-67 index and extensive metastasis indicate a poor prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for symptom management and improving quality of life. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment strategy are essential for managing these challenging cases. Patients with such tumours typically have a bad prognosis since they have a significant chance of the tumour spreading to other organs, such as the liver, lungs, and bones. This case report aims to highlight the clinical presentation, diagnostic process, and therapeutic challenges associated with this aggressive tumour type, contributing to the limited but growing body of literature on rhabdomyosarcoma.
Seismic Performance Analysis of PEC Structures
Authors: Yueyang Xu
Published: July 2024

Partially-Encased Composite Steel and Concrete Members (PEC members for short) consists of H-shaped cross-section of the main steel and concrete filling between the flange and the web, compared with the pure steel structure, the PEC structure has the advantages of high stiffness, high bearing capacity, good fire resistance and so on. The arrival of an earthquake may cause damage to building structures. The use of PEC structures can effectively improve their bearing capacity and seismic performance, and the method of post earthquake repair is relatively easier and more economical. In recent years, PEC components have been gradually popularized and applied in building structures.
Effect of Micronutrients on Incidence, Damage Severity of Sucking Insect Pests of Sunflower and its Impact on Yield and other Arthropods
Authors: Akter Tahmina , Ferdous Khaled , Sohel Md. Mahmudul Hasan , Rahman Mohammad Ataur
Published: July 2024

An experiment was conducted in a field on 23074/N latitude and 90035/E longitude at the central farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2021 to April 2022. The experiment of eight treatments as follows: T1 = Urea @ 210 gm/plot + TSP @ 84gm/plot + MoP @ 98gm/plot [recommended doses (RD) of Urea, TSP and MoP] +Boron @ 7.0 gm/ Plot+ ZnSo4 @ 8.4 gm/ Plot ;T2 = RD of Urea, TSP and MoP  +Spraying 0.2% Borax @ 2gm/ L of water; T3= RD of Urea, TSP and MoP +Spraying 0.2% ZnSo4 @ 2gm/ L of water; T4= RD of Urea, TSP and MoP +Spraying 0.5% Borax @ 5gm/ L of water; T5 RD of Urea, TSP and MoP  +Spraying 0.2% Borax + 0.2% ZnSo4 @ 2gm/ L of water; T6 = Urea @ 210 gm/plot+ TSP @ 180 gm/plot+ MoP @ 150gm/plot + Spraying 0.5% ZnSo4 @ 5gm/ L of water; T7 = Urea @ 210 gm/plot+ TSP @ 180gm/plot+ MoP @ 150gm/plot+ MgSo4 @ 12 gm/ Plot and T 8= control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The overall result indicates that the combination of different micronutrients decreased the incidence of sucking insect pests of sunflower and increased the abundance of beneficial arthropods compared to T8 treatment. In T1 treatment, the lowest leaf infestation percentage caused by aphid 17.49 and 19.50 %; Jassid 14.19 and 14.89 % and White fly 26.18 and 30.83 % at the vegetative and reproductive stages respectively. The highest number of beneficial arthropods per plot of lady bird beetle both adults and grubs ((3.63 and 5.53 respectively); honey bee (22.36), ant (3.55), spider (1.42) was also recorded in T1 treatment. The highest yield contributing characters of sunflower, the highest of head/ capitulam diameter (9.75cm), height of plant per plot (179.73 cm), leaf width (14.24 cm), leaf length (21.05 cm), area of leaves per plant (62.29 cm) and number of leaf per plant (21.93), number of total head per plot (29.83), number of seed per head (725.56), weight of single seed (1.03 mg), and weight of seed per head (54.96 gm) of sunflower were observed in T1 treatment which was statistically different from among all other treatments. The highest sunflower yield (1.92 kg /plot) and oil content (0.93 liter/2kg and 46.5%) were also observed from T1 treatment. Among the different micronutrient treatment combinations, different micronutrients using in T1 treatment were more effective for the reducing the incidence of sucking insect pests on sunflower. In the term of effect of micronutrients, T1= Recommended doses of Urea, TSP and MoP + Boron @ 7.0 gm/ Plot+ ZnSo4 @ 8.4 gm/ Plot; was an eco-friendly pest management practice for sunflower by which one can significantly reduce pest infestation without use of any chemical insecticides.
Feasibility and Growth Dynamics of Mustard Farming in Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand Region of U.P. India
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Gautam Yash , Rai R. K. , Singh P. K. , Dey Anwesha
Published: July 2024

Bundelkhand is a region of central India lying in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the least socio-economically developed regions of the country mainly due to regular incidence of drought and erratic rainfall. Mustard is one of the most important oilseed crop of rabi season for Bundelkhand region on the basis of area under the crop. With the limited resources, there has been a noticeable change in the area, production and productivity of mustard. Apart from edible oil, it also has industrial use in producing items like varnishes, soaps, paints, hydrogenated oil, perfumery, lubricants, etc. The study is an attempt to examine the pattern of growth, instability, cost and return of production of mustard crops at state (Uttar Pradesh) and regional (Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh) level. Study is based on secondary data obtained from various published sources. Compound Annual Growth Rate, coefficient of variation, Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) cost concept and returns were used as analytical tools to assess the financial suitability and performance of the crop in both the Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region. It was observed that the growth in area (2.94%) and production (4.36%) of mustard crop in Bundelkhand region was increasing at a higher rate as that of Uttar Pradesh. Higher net return was earned by the farmer growing mustard in Uttar Pradesh than the farmer of Bundelkhand region.
Derivation of Rainfall Intensity-Duration- Frequency (IDF) Curves of Gainesville, Georgia, United States
Authors: Sileshi R. , Panda S.
Published: July 2024

This research presents a set of Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves of Gainesville, Georgia, USA for duration of 15 minutes to 24 hours, and return periods of 2 to 100 years. The objective of this research focuses on the development of IDF curves for the Gainesville, Georgia, USA. Gumbel and Log Pearson Type III models were used to develop the IDF curves. The best rainfall model between Log Pearson III and Gumbel model for the predication of rainfall in the study area was determined for the different return periods and durations. The Gumbel and Log Pearson Type III distributions give maximum intensities of 138.17 mm/hr and 137.75 mm/hr at return period of 100 years with duration of 0.25 hours, respectively. The result of this study can be used by water resource planners and managers for the city of Gainesville, Georgia.
Phytochemical Analysis of Agathis robusta Using Ethyl Acetate
Authors: Tyagi Tanu , Vimala Y. , Singh Ishwar , Tyagi Anamish , Tyagi Archasvi
Published: July 2024

It is often recognized that India is home to a diverse range of biological species. For this study, Agathis robusta were employed. The present investigation aimed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the selected plants and investigate the presence of phytochemicals. stems and leaves of A. robusta were collected, dried, and ground into a fine powder. The powdered leaves were extracted using a Soxhlet method and ethyl acetate. The finished extract was concentrated while the pressure was decreased to produce a crude extract. To determine the amount of sugar, carotenoid, and total protein in the crude extract, a phytochemical screening was conducted using standard qualitative procedures. A. robusta leaf ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of several phytochemicals. Significant amounts of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins were found in the extract. These substances' existence suggests that they may have pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant capabilities. The ethyl acetate extract of A. robusta leaves revealed the presence of several phytochemicals. The extract included notable concentrations of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The presence of these compounds raises the possibility that they have pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
Examination of Higher Denomination Naira Notes Exchanged in Veritas University Cafeteria for Fungal Contamination
Authors: Ozoude Theresa Obiageli , Ugbogada Rachael
Published: July 2024

Aims: This study is aimed examination of higher denomination of naira notes exchanged at Veritas University cafeteria for fungal contamination.
Study Design:  The factorial experimental design was employed for this study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Veritas University, Abuja, between February 2023 to July, 2023.
Methodology: A total of 60 Nigerian currency notes, (denominations: N100, N200, N500, N1000), were randomly collected from the Veritas University Cafeteria, and subjected to analysis. Each Naira note samples were aseptically soaked and thoroughly mixed separately, in 20 ml of peptone water in a 250 ml beaker for 15 minutes. This was done to dislodge the cells into the Peptone water. Using sterile forceps, the currency notes were carefully removed for preservation from each beaker and the contents of each beaker was sealed with foil paper and incubated for 24hrs at 37C. Standard microbiological methods were followed for the isolation and characterization of the fungal species.
Results: The result of the findings showed that, all the different naira notes had fungal contamination. The fungal count ranged from 1 x 107 to 6.4 x 109 while the ₦100 currency denomination had the highest TVC (6.4 × 109 cfu/ml) and the ₦200 currency denomination had the least TVC (1.0 × 107 cfu/ml). The result of the findings also revealed the presence of a diverse range of fungal species which include the genera; Aspergillus, Penicillium, Candida, Neurospora, Trichothecium, Rhizopus and Cladosporium. The percentage occurrence of fungal isolates revealed Aspergillus spp to be the most occurred except in Samples D where Neurospora crasa was the most present fungi.
Conclusion: The fungal species isolated from the naira notes include, Neurospora crasa, Aspergillus, Candida spp, Trichothecium spp, Penicillium spp, Rhizopus spp, Mucor spp. Aspergillus spp had the highest occurrence in all the samples except Sample D. These results emphasize the necessity of frequent monitoring in order to avoid any health hazards related to fungal contamination, as well as the implementation of good hygienic procedures in the handling and management of cash.
Relationship between boundary layer heights and growth rates with ground‐level ozone in Houston, Texas
Authors: Haman C. L. , Couzo E. , Flynn J. H. , Vizuete W. , Heffron B. , Lefer B. L.
Published: April 2014

Measurements and predictions of ambient ozone (O3), planetary boundary layer (PBL) height, the surface energy budget, wind speed, and other meteorological parameters were made near downtown Houston, Texas, and were used to investigate meteorological controls on elevated levels of ground‐level O3. Days during the study period (1 April 2009 to 31 December 2010 for measurements and 15 April 2009 to 17 October 2009 for modeled) were classified into low (LO3) and high ozone (HO3) days. The majority of observed high HO3 days occurred in a postfrontal environment. Observations showed there is not a significant difference in daily maximum PBL heights on HO3 and LO3 days. Modeling results showed large differences between maximum PBL heights on HO3 and LO3 days. Nighttime and early morning observed and modeled PBL heights are consistently lower on HO3 days than on LO3 days. The observed spring LO3 days had the most rapid early morning PBL growth (~350 m h−1) while the fall HO3 group had the slowest (~200 m h−1). The predicted maximum average hourly morning PBL growth rates were greater on HO3 (624 m h−1) days than LO3 days (361 m h−1). Observed turbulent mixing parameters were up to 2–3 times weaker on HO3 days, which indicate large‐scale subsidence associated with high‐pressure systems (leading to clear skies and weak winds) substantially suppresses mixing. Lower surface layer ventilation coefficients were present in the morning on HO3 days in the spring and fall, which promotes the accumulation of O3 precursors near the surface.
Chronic myeloid leukemia: 2014 update on diagnosis, monitoring, and management
Authors: Jabbour Elias , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: April 2014

Disease overview: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm with an incidence of 1–2 cases per 100,000 adults, and accounts for ∼15% of newly diagnosed cases of leukemia in adults. Diagnosis: CML is characterized by a balanced genetic translocation, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), involving a fusion of the Abelson oncogene (ABL) from chromosome 9q34 with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene on chromosome 22q11.2. This rearrangement is known as the Philadelphia chromosome. The molecular consequence of this translocation is the generation of a BCR‐ABL fusion oncogene, which in turn translates into a Bcr‐Abl oncoprotein. Frontline therapy: Three tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the first‐line treatment of patients with newly diagnosed CML in chronic phase (CML‐CP). Clinical trials with second generation TKIs reported significantly deeper and faster responses; their impact on long‐term survival remains to be determined. Salvage therapy: For patients who fail frontline therapy, second‐line options include second and third generation TKIs. Although second and third generation TKIs are potent and specific BCR‐ABL TKIs, they exhibit unique pharmacological profiles and response patterns relative to different patient characteristics, such as patients comorbidities, disease stage, and BCR‐ABL mutational status. Patients who develop the T315I “gatekeeper” mutation display resistance to all currently available TKIs except ponatinib. Allogeneic transplantation remains an important therapeutic option for CML‐CP who have failed at least 2 TKIs, and for all patients in advanced phase disease. Am. J. Hematol. 89:547–556, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Viral transduction of primary Schwann cells using a Cre‐lox system to regulate GDNF expression
Authors: Wu‐Fienberg Yuewei , Moore Amy M. , Marquardt Laura M. , Newton Piyaraj , Johnson Philip J. , Mackinnon Susan E. , Sakiyama‐Elbert Shelly E. , Wood Matthew D.
Published: April 2014

Glial cell‐line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor known to enhance motor nerve regeneration following its delivery. However, recent studies have determined that extended GDNF delivery to regenerating axons can entrap motor axons at the site of GDNF delivery. This entrapment leads to reduced motor axons available to reinnervate muscle. To address this issue, we designed a cell‐based GDNF expression system that can temporally regulate protein expression using an inducible gene excision mechanism to prevent entrapment at the site of expression. To design this system for regulation of GDNF expression, we transduced two lentiviral vectors, one containing a constitutively active GDNF transgene flanked by two loxP sites, and the other containing a tetracycline‐inducible cre transgene along with its constitutively active transactivator, into Schwann cells (SCs). These SCs over‐express GDNF, but expression can be suppressed through the administration of tetracycline family antibiotics, such as doxycycline. The engineered SCs produced significantly more GDNF as compared to untransduced controls, as measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Following doxycycline treatment, these SCs produced significantly lower levels of GDNF and induced less neurite extension as compared to untreated SCs. Engineered SCs treated with doxycycline showed a marked increase in Cre recombinase expression, as visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC), providing evidence of a mechanism for the observed changes in GDNF expression levels and biological activity. This cell‐based GDNF expression system could have potential for future in vivo studies to provide a temporally controlled GDNF source to promote axon growth. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1886–1894. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of NIPAm polymer additives on the enzymatic hydrolysis of Avicel and pretreated Miscanthus
Authors: Mackenzie Katherine J. , Francis Matthew B.
Published: April 2014

There is currently much interest in the economic use of cellulosic biomass as a source of renewable fuels. This process typically involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of plant matter to afford soluble sugars for subsequent fermentation steps. The cost of cellulase enzymes presents a critical barrier to the commercialization of these processes. In this work, we demonstrate that a new family of polymer additives based on NIPAm can increase enzyme performance substantially. When applied to an industrially relevant combination of enzymes and lignin‐containing biomass, polymer additives allow a 60% reduction in enzyme loading to achieve the same level of saccharification. Evidence presented herein suggests that these polymers function through multiple mechanisms, including (1) preventing enzyme denaturation through shear and interfacial interactions, (2) preventing non‐productive adsorption to lignin, and (3) altering the cellulose structure. An advantage of these polymers over other additives is their thermoresponsive behavior, enabling their recovery and reuse. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1792–1800. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of the effect of sample preparation on early stages of Aβ1–40 aggregation
Authors: Pryor N. Elizabeth , Moss Melissa A. , Hestekin Christa N.
Published: April 2014

Aggregation of the amyloid‐β protein (Aβ) contributes to the neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Of particular importance are the early stages of aggregation, which involve the formation of soluble oligomers and protofibrils. In these studies, we demonstrate the potential for CE with UV detection using a polyethylene oxide separation matrix to identify the evolution of various oligomeric species of Aβ1–40. To demonstrate the efficacy of this technique, UV‐CE was utilized to compare two methods commonly used to prepare Aβ for aggregation experiments and their effect on the formation of early aggregates. SEC‐purified Aβ1–40 initially contained more small species, including monomer, than did freshly dissolved Aβ1–40 pretreated with hexafluoroisopropanol. Strikingly, the lag time to oligomer formation for SEC‐isolated Aβ1–40 samples was ∼23 h shorter compared to freshly dissolved Aβ1–40 samples. Furthermore, oligomers formed from the aggregation of SEC‐purified Aβ1–40 persisted within solution for a longer period of time. These results indicate that the initial sample preparation has a drastic influence on the early stages of Aβ1–40 aggregation. This is the first report of the use of UV‐CE with a separation matrix to study the effect of sample preparation on early aggregation of Aβ1–40. UV‐CE was also used in parallel with dot blot analysis and inhibitory compounds to discern structural characteristics of individual oligomer peaks, demonstrating the capacity of UV‐CE as a complimentary technique to further understand the aggregation process.
14q deletions are associated with trisomy 12, NOTCH1 mutations and unmutated IGHV genes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma
Authors: Cosson Adrien , Chapiro Elise , Belhouachi Nabila , Cung Hong‐Anh , Keren Boris , Damm Frederik , Algrin Caroline , Lefebvre Christine , Fert‐Ferrer Sandra , Luquet Isabelle , Gachard Nathalie , Mugneret Francine , Terre Christine , Collonge‐Rame Marie‐Agnes , Michaux Lucienne , Rafdord‐Weiss Isabelle , Talmant Pascaline , Veronese Lauren , Nadal Nathalie , Struski Stephanie , Barin Carole , Helias Catherine , Lafage Marina , Lippert Eric , Auger Nathalie , Eclache Virginie , Roos‐Weil Damien , Leblond Veronique , Settegrana Catherine , Maloum Karim , Davi Frederic , Merle‐Beral Helene , Lesty Claude , Nguyen‐Khac Florence ,   on behalf of the Groupe Francophone de Cytogénétique Hématologique
Published: April 2014

Deletions of the long arm of chromosome 14 [del(14q)] are rare but recurrently observed in mature B‐cell neoplasms, particularly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To further characterize this aberration, we studied 81 cases with del(14q): 54 of CLL and 27 of small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), the largest reported series to date. Using karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the most frequent additional abnormality was trisomy 12 (tri12), observed in 28/79 (35%) cases, followed by del13q14 (12/79, 15%), delTP53 (11/80, 14%) delATM (5/79, 6%), and del6q21 (3/76, 4%). IGHV genes were unmutated in 41/53 (77%) patients, with a high frequency of IGHV1‐69 (21/52, 40%). NOTCH1 gene was mutated in 14/45 (31%) patients. There was no significant difference in cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities between CLL and SLL. Investigations using FISH and SNP‐array demonstrated the heterogeneous size of the 14q deletions. However, a group with the same del(14)(q24.1q32.33) was identified in 48% of cases. In this group, tri12 (P = 0.004) and NOTCH1 mutations (P = 0.02) were significantly more frequent than in the other patients. In CLL patients with del(14q), median treatment‐free survival (TFS) was 27 months. In conclusion, del(14q) is associated with tri12 and with pejorative prognostic factors: unmutated IGHV genes (with over‐representation of the IGHV1‐69 repertoire), NOTCH1 mutations, and a short TFS. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immunotherapy of B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma by targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR5 in a preclinical mouse model
Authors: Panjideh Hossein , Müller Gerd , Koch Mathias , Wilde Frank , Scheu Susanne , Moldenhauer Gerhard , Lipp Martin
Published: April 2014

Bispecific antibodies are promising agents for immunotherapy. Here, we describe a quadroma‐based trifunctional bispecific antibody binding the chemokine receptor CXCR5 and the T‐cell antigen CD3 that efficiently prevents tumor growth in a mouse B‐cell lymphoma model. CXCR5 regulates the tissue homeostasis of mature B cells and is highly expressed on B‐cell non‐Hodgkin and lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as on a subset of CD4+ T cells known as follicular T‐helper cells. In vitro, the bispecific CXCR5::CD3 antibody efficiently recruited effector T cells to CXCR5 expressing B cells and induced a co‐stimulation‐independent activation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells as demonstrated by the de novo expression of CD25 and CD69, and secretion of the cytokines IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Notably, at low antibody concentrations, CXCR5::CD3 displayed a significantly higher cytotoxic activity against autologous B cells than its parental antibodies or rituximab. In vivo imaging revealed that CXCR5::CD3 and its parental CXCR5 antibody efficiently prevent tumor growth in a xenograft model of B‐cell lymphoma in mice and prolong their survival. Taken together, our results identify CXCR5 as a promising target for antibody‐based therapies in the treatment of B‐cell malignancies.
gWEGA: GPU‐accelerated WEGA for molecular superposition and shape comparison
Authors: Yan Xin , Li Jiabo , Gu Qiong , Xu Jun
Published: April 2014

Virtual screening of a large chemical library for drug lead identification requires searching/superimposing a large number of three‐dimensional (3D) chemical structures. This article reports a graphic processing unit (GPU)‐accelerated weighted Gaussian algorithm (gWEGA) that expedites shape or shape‐feature similarity score‐based virtual screening. With 86 GPU nodes (each node has one GPU card), gWEGA can screen 110 million conformations derived from an entire ZINC drug‐like database with diverse antidiabetic agents as query structures within 2 s (i.e., screening more than 55 million conformations per second). The rapid screening speed was accomplished through the massive parallelization on multiple GPU nodes and rapid prescreening of 3D structures (based on their shape descriptors and pharmacophore feature compositions). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monitoring triplet state dynamics with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: Bias and correction
Authors: Schönle Andreas , Von Middendorff Claas , Ringemann Christian , Hell Stefan W. , Eggeling Christian
Published: April 2014

A marker's dark triplet state is of great importance in fluorescence microscopy: It serves as a means to switch off fluorescent markers and is thus the enabling element for several super‐resolution methods. On the other hand, intersystem‐crossing to the electronic dark triplet state strongly reduces the fluorescence yield in conventional fluorescence microscopy. The ability to determine the kinetic parameters of transitions into the triplet state is thus of great importance and because fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) can be applied without disturbing the system under study, it is one of the preferred methods to do so. However, conventional FCS observations of triplet dynamics suffer from bias due to the spatially inhomogeneous irradiance profile of the excitation laser. Herein, we present a novel method to correct this bias and verify it by analyzing both Monte Carlo simulated and experimental data of the organic dye Rhodamine 110 in aqueous solution for both continuous‐wave and pulsed excitation. Importantly, our approach can be readily generalized to most other FCS experiments that determine intensity dependent kinetic parameters. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:528–536, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.