bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teoria cognitiva da aprendizagem multimídia e jogos digitais
Authors: Stafusa Ana Maria Ferreira Lemes , Santos Mônica Romana de Oliveira , Cardoso Valdinei Cezar
Published: April 2021

Este artigo possui abordagem exploratória de caráter qualitativo, cujo objetivo é analisar as características de jogos educativos digitais, a fim de verificarmos se possuem potencial para o ensino de matemática à luz da Teoria Cognitiva de Aprendizagem Multimídia. Buscamos responder ao seguinte questionamento: De que maneira a Teoria Cognitiva de Aprendizagem Multimídia pode contribuir para nortear os educadores na seleção de jogos educativos digitais para o ensino de matemática? O referencial teórico utilizado foi baseado nas publicações de Mayer. Analisamos três jogos: Jogos de Matemática, 1ª e 2ª Séries: Jogos de Matemática para Crianças e Rei da Matemática. Concluímos que a Teoria Cognitiva da Aprendizagem Multimídia contribui na seleção de jogos educativos que tenham potencial para o ensino de matemática pois, foi possível identificar, por meio da análise realizada, os princípios para jogos desenvolvidos por Mayer que colaboram de forma positiva no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de matemática.
Monitoramento Computacional com o Apache ZooKeeper
Authors: Silva Rafael , Arantes Raíssa , Fazul Rhauani , Barcelos Patrícia
Published: April 2021

O Apache ZooKeeper é amplamente utilizado para a coordenação de sistemas distribuídos. Sua estrutura hierárquica e centralizada de dados permite que mudanças sejam gerenciadas de maneira eﬁciente. Neste trabalho, o ZooKeeper foi usado para a implementação de um sistema de monitoramento, que baseia-se na coleta de informações do ambiente. Com isso, é possível organizar os dados de monitoramento e notiﬁcar sobre mudanças no sistema.
Análise de desempenho de comunicação de contêineres Docker com os runtimes runC e Kata
Authors: Cochack Henrique , Miers Charles
Published: April 2021

O uso de contêineres propõe a execução de aplicações, suas bibliotecas e binários abstratos de modo virtualizado. A alteração do runtime, um dos módulos utilizados usado na execução de contêineres, é um dos fatores que podem causar variação de desempenho. Esse artigo apresenta os resultados iniciais de um comparativos entre runtimes runC e o Kata quanto ao desempenho de rede, focado em largura de banda e latência.
Improving the Energy-Based Dpa/Dema Attack Flow Preprocessing Performance
Authors: Lellis Rodrigo , Soares Rafael
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes an improvement in the DPA/DEMA energy-based attack ﬂow to reduce the time to guess a secret cryptographic key from supposed secure systems. This was done through the recoding for C ++ language and parallelization of the algorithms. The results highlight a reduction of up to 78.53% in the execution time of preprocessing algorithms guaranteeing a good performance even in the majority of off-the-shelf processors available in the market.
Aprimorando a Análise de Desempenho de Aplicações Baseadas em Tarefas Irregulares e Árvores de Eliminação
Authors: Miletto Marcelo , Schepke Claudio , Schnorr Lucas
Published: April 2021

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de estratégias de aprimoramento da análise de desempenho de aplicações baseadas em tarefas com carga de trabalho irregular, através da automação de detecção de tarefas anômalas usando modelos de regressão. Também apresentamos técnicas de visualização de desempenho de aplicações baseadas na estrutura da árvore de eliminação, utilizada na paralelização de algoritmos a de fatoração de matrizes esparsas.
Um estudo sobre estratégias para compactação de Séries Temporais para aplicações de IoT
Authors: De Oliveira Jr. Marcos , Cavalheiro Gerson
Published: April 2021

Séries temporais são amplamente utilizadas para registro de informações em aplicações baseadas em Internet das Coisas, onde sensores são utilizados para coleta de dados em quantidades massivas e existe uma signiﬁcativa limitação tecnológica dos dispositivos. O presente trabalho propõe a investigação de alternativas para a representação de séries temporais, de forma a reduzir a necessidade de recursos para a manipulação desses dados.
Análise dos impactos de ataques DoS em Blockchain Hyperledger hospedadas em máquinas virtuais
Authors: Battisti João Henrique , Miers Charles Christian
Published: April 2021

As soluções que utilizam a tecnologia blockchain estão ganhando cada vez mais suporte das instituições e de desenvolvedores de sistemas. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma proposta de análise de sobrevivência de serviços blockchains do Hyperledger Fabric hospedados em máquinas virtuais (MVs) submetidos à ataques Denial-of-Service (DoS) internos.
Curving Performance of Straddle-Type Monorail Vehicle with Single-Axle Bogies Based on Spatial Multi-Body Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Zixue Du , Junchao Zhou , Zhen Yang , Zhouzhou Xu
Published: April 2021

Straddle-type monorail ,as a unique technology, energy saving and environmental protection, is different from the subway of urban rail transit system. In order  to study  the curving performance  of  a new type of the straddle-type monorail vehicle with single-axle bogies ,the three-dimensional spatial dynamics model which consists of the vehicle model and track model designis proposed by the multi-body dynamics soft ADAMS. The monorail vehicle dynamic model which consists of three types of tire -track contact model and the nonlinear model of the horizontal stop is established. Based on the dynamic model, the influences  such as pre pressure and curve super-high rate parameters of the curve passing for the dynamic characteristics are discussed. The simulation results show that the suitable preload for the guide and stabilizer tires of straddle-type vehicle with single-axle bogies is 5KN and after selecting the appropriate pre-pressure, the super-high rate is recommended to be 8%-10%.
Multi-objectives Optimization Design of A-type Frame in an Electric Mining Dump Truck Considering Multi-Source Uncertainties Based on the Interval Method
Authors: MI Chengji , HUANG Zhonglin , LI Wentai , KANG Di , ZHANG Dong , YAO Qishui , MING Mingzu , NI Zhengshun
Published: April 2021

In order to improve fuzzy fatigue reliability and make weight reduction of A-type frame in an electric mining dump truck considering multi-source uncertainties from design, manufacturing and use stage, a multi-objectives optimization method based on the interval theory was proposed in this paper. The thickness of four steel plates in welded A-type frame was regarded as certain design variables, while the elastic modulus and density of material was considered as uncertain variables as well as the load at front traction joint. The relationship between optimization objectives and variables was constructed by the response surface method, and was transformed by the interval method. Then, the optimization problem was solved by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm, which was found that the fuzzy fatigue reliability reached up to 98.45 % at the expense of some weight.
Teknoloji Bağımlılığının Semptomlar Temelinde İncelenmesi
Authors: Küçükvardar Mert , Tingöy Özhan
Published: April 2021

Teknoloji bağımlılığı üzerine kesin bir uzlaşı olmamasına rağmen yapılan çalışmalarda başlangıçta belirli bir amaç için kullanılan teknolojilerin git gide hayatın kendisi olmaya başladığı vurgulanmaktadır. Teknoloji bağımlılığı, normal bağımlılıklar gibi dış kimyasal uyarıcılar içermese de yapılan çalışmalarda insanların duygu limbik sistemlerini etkilemesi bakımından iç kimyevi bir yapı içerdiği ortaya konulmuştur. Araştırmalara göre, kullanıcılar teknolojik araçları kullanımı sırasında belirli bir miktar mutluluk dopamin hormonu salgılamaktadır. Her yeni kullanımda kullanıcılar daha fazla mutlu olmak adına teknolojiyle daha fazla vakit geçirme isteği duymaktadır. Teknoloji bağımlılığı üzerindeki belirleme kıstasları ise oldukça çeşitlidir. Tıbbi olmayan bu durum özellikle aktif video oyuncusu ya da pasif TV izleyicisi olarak görülebilir. Ancak temelinde teknolojik bağımlılık bir davranışsal bağımlılık olarak açıklanabilir. Haziran 2018’de Dünya Sağlık Örgütü WHO , Uluslararası Hastalıkların Sınıflandırılmasını ICD-11 yaptığı tanı kılavuzunun 11’nci sürümünde “Bilgisayar Oyun Bağımlılığı” çalışmalarının “Ruhsal Sağlık Problemleri” başlığı altına aldığını açıkladı ve dünya genelinde sağlık sorunlarının teşhis edildiği bu kılavuzda oyun bağımlılığı resmen tanındı. Kriterler, teknoloji kullanım sıklığı, yoğunluğu, süresi, öncelik sıralaması ve olumsuz durumlara rağmen kullanıma devam edilmesi gibi durumlar üzerine odaklanmaktadır. Bu semptomları destekleyici olarak son yıllarda teknoloji kullanımının insan zihni ve bedenine etkileri üzerine çok sayıda araştırma yapıldı. Aşırı teknoloji kullanımının artan stres, uyku bozuklukları ve klinik depresyon semptomlarını tetikleyebildiği sonucuna varıldı. Aynı zamanda teknolojiyle bütünleşik sanal ortamda birçok dijital hastalık belirtisi ortaya çıktı. Bunların başında, kaçırma korkusu FOMO , nomofobi nomophobia , tekno-stres techno-stress gibi birçok kavram gündelik yaşama girdi ve popüler araştırmaların konusu haline geldi. Teknoloji bağımlılığı çalışmaları incelendiğinde konuyla ilgili sınırlılıklar ve tartışmalardan bahsetmek mümkündür. Konunun disiplinlerarası olması bu tartışmaları beraberinde getirmektedir. İlk ciddi problem teknoloji bağımlılığın alt alanları olan bilgisayar, akıllı telefon, sosyal medya, oyun bağımlılığı gibi başlıkların teknoloji bağımlılığı çatısı altında birleştirilmemesidir. Yani bir başka ifadeyle konuyla ilgili yapılan ilk çalışmalar alt alanların açıklanması süreciyle başlamıştır. Ayrıca incelenen çalışmalardaki ortak nokta teknoloji bağımlılık konusunun nedensellik boyutundaki durumları açıklama yetersizliğidir. Teknoloji kullanımı, bireyde daha önceden var olan problemleri tetikliyor mu yoksa daha önceden var olmayan problemler mi ortaya çıkarıyor gibi sorular üzerindeki tartışmalar sürmektedir. Bu araştırmada literatür taraması yapılmıştır. Mevcut olan teknolojik bağımlılık konusuna ait olgular, araştırma, tartışma ve öneriler derlenerek ortaya konulmuştur.
Sosyal Medya Kullanımı ve Aleksitimi: Acil Serviste Çalışan Hemşireler Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: KALAMAN Sefer , ORHAN Hilal , KOCABAY İrem
Published: April 2021

Çalışmanın amacı, acil serviste çalışan hemşirelerin aleksitimi düzeylerini tespit etmek ve sosyal medya kullanım düzeylerinin aleksitimi durumlarına ne düzeyde etki etiğini ortaya çıkarmaktır. Araştırmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan anket tekniği kullanılmış ve veriler katılımcılarla yüz yüze anket tekniği kullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini, Türkiye'nin İç Anadolu bölgesinde bulunan Ankara ve Yozgat illerindeki 116 hastanede görev yapan yaklaşık 8105 acil servis hemşiresi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemini ise, bu illerdeki toplam 30 hastanede görev yapan 236 acil servis hemşiresi teşkil etmektedir. Çalışmada elde edilen bulgulara göre, acil serviste çalışan hemşirelerin aleksitimi düzeyleri düşük olmaktadır. Bunun yanında sosyal medyayı daha az kullanan hemşirelerde aleksitiminin daha az görüldüğü tespit edilmiştir. Çalışmada ayrıca katılımcıların aleksitimi düzeyleri, cinsiyet, yaş, medeni durum, eğitim, meslek yılı ve yaşanılan şehir temelinde incelenmiş ve anlamlı farklılıklara ulaşılmıştır.
Hazır Giyim ve Konfeksiyon Sektöründe Endüstri 4.0 Devrimi: Akıllı Konfeksiyon Fabrikası Önerisi
Authors: GÖKALP Ebru , GÖKALP Mert Onuralp , EREN P. Erhan
Published: April 2021

Son teknolojik yenilikler, Endüstri 4.0 olarak adlandırılan bir sonraki endüstriyel devrim ile akıllı fabrika vizyonunun gerçekleştirilmesine imkan sunmuştur. Endüstri 4.0, emek yoğun bir sektör olan hazır giyim ve konfeksiyon fabrikalarının tüm üretim süreçlerini ve iş modellerini değiştirmek için önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Bu nedenle, hazır giyim ve konfeksiyon endüstrisinin sıradan üretim tesislerinden akıllı fabrikalara geçişi başlatarak rekabet avantajı elde etmek için, Endüstri 4.0 ve buna olanak sağlayan teknolojilere yatırım yapmaları gerekmektedir. Ancak, nispeten yeni olan bu teknolojilerin hazır giyim ve konfeksiyon endüstrisini nasıl etkileyebileceğine dair literatürdeki çalışmaların sınırlı sayıda ve yeterli kapsamda olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu eksikliği gidermek amacı ile hazırlanan bu çalışmada, Endüstri 4.0 ve akıllı fabrika vizyonu doğrultusunda kavramsal akıllı bir konfeksiyon fabrikası önerilmiştir. Önerilen Akıllı Konfeksiyon Fabrikasının Endüstri 4.0 ve buna olanak sağlayan teknolojik bileşenlerine yer verildikten sonra, bu teknolojik altyapıyı temel alarak geliştirilen yenilikçi yaklaşımlar bütüncül bir şekilde, üretim sistemleri ve yönetimsel perspektiften sunulmuştur. Ardından, Önerilen Akıllı Konfeksiyon Fabrikasının fayda ve zorlukları analiz edilmiştir.
Academic Research Student Handbook for the Students of Academic Master Study Programme “Digital Humanities”
Authors: Platonova Marina , Smirnova Tatjana , Seņko Zane
Published: April 2021

The Academic Research Student Handbook has been designed as the manual providing guidance on curricular and extracurricular academic research activities, focusing particularly on the development of the Master Thesis. The book is intended for students, academic staff, scientific advisers and reviewers of graduate papers and the members of the final examination commission of the Academic Master Study Programme “Digital Humanities”, Faculty of E-Learning Technologies and Humanities, Riga Technical University.
Legal liability in the mechanism of countering current threats to national security: a novel coronavirus infection
Authors: Lipinsky Dmitriy Anatol'evich , Makareiko Nikolai Vladimirovich , Popov Ivan Evgen'evich
Published: April 2021

  The object of this research is the legal liability relations aimed at countering current threat to national security in form of coronavirus infection. The authors review the amendments introduced to the legislation on administrative offenses and criminal legislation, which establish liability in the area of ensuring sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of the population. Emphasis is placed on the fact that it resulted in a number of legal conflicts that have not been overcome through the ruling of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and require legislative resolution. The article examines the practice of implementation of administrative enforcement measures in countering coronavirus infection, as well as the resulting competition for administrative, preventive, procedural, liability and protection measures. It is indicated that the high dynamics of threats to national security justifies the need for the development and legislative consolidation of the effective mechanism that would ensure national security. In this mechanism, a significant role is played by legal liability capacity, primarily such public law types as administrative and criminal liability. The research reveals that the rapid response of the legislator to the threat to national security in form of a novel coronavirus infection via reforming the institutions of administrative and criminal liability generated certain conflicts. They have not been resolved through the ruling of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and require additional legislative attention. The authors substantiate that by acknowledging the role and importance of administrative and criminal liability within the mechanism of ensuring national security, it should be taken into account that they are means of post-unlawful response of the government. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the measures aimed at preventing and countering threats to national security, including those caused by coronavirus pandemic.  
Neuronal complexity is attenuated in preclinical models of migraine and restored by HDAC6 inhibition
Authors: Bertels Zachariah , Singh Harinder , Dripps Isaac , Siegersma Kendra , Tipton Alycia F , Witkowski Wiktor D , Sheets Zoie , Shah Pal , Conway Catherine , Mangutov Elizaveta , Ao Mei , Petukhova Valentina , Karumudi Bhargava , Petukhov Pavel A , Baca Serapio M , Rasenick Mark M , Pradhan Amynah A
Published: April 2021

Migraine is the sixth most prevalent disease worldwide but the mechanisms that underlie migraine chronicity are poorly understood. Cytoskeletal flexibility is fundamental to neuronal-plasticity and is dependent on dynamic microtubules. Histone-deacetylase-6 (HDAC6) decreases microtubule dynamics by deacetylating its primary substrate, α-tubulin. We use validated mouse models of migraine to show that HDAC6-inhibition is a promising migraine treatment and reveal an undiscovered cytoarchitectural basis for migraine chronicity. The human migraine trigger, nitroglycerin, produced chronic migraine-associated pain and decreased neurite growth in headache-processing regions, which were reversed by HDAC6 inhibition. Cortical spreading depression (CSD), a physiological correlate of migraine aura, also decreased cortical neurite growth, while HDAC6-inhibitor restored neuronal complexity and decreased CSD. Importantly, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist also restored blunted neuronal complexity induced by nitroglycerin. Our results demonstrate that disruptions in neuronal cytoarchitecture are a feature of chronic migraine, and effective migraine therapies might include agents that restore microtubule/neuronal plasticity.
Electrical Size Reduction of Microstrip Antennas by Using Defected Ground Structures Composed of Complementary Split Ring Resonator
Authors: Kucukoner E. M. , Cinar A. , Kose U. , Ekmekci E.
Published: April 2021

In this study the effects of using defected ground structures (DGS) composed of a complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) and CSRR with dumbbell (CSRR-D) for rectangular microstrip antennas are investigated. On this aim, two different antennas, which are Antenna B having CSRR etched DGS and Antenna C having CSRR-D etched DGS are designed and fabricated in comparison with the ordinary rectangular patch antenna, which is Antenna A. In both Antennas B and C, CSRR structures are etched in the same position of the ground planes. On the other hand, another ordinary microstrip antenna, called Antenna D, is designed at resonance frequency of Antenna C. For the characterization; resonance frequencies, voltage standing wave ratios, percentage bandwidths, gains, ka values and gain radiation patterns are investigated both in simulations and experiments. The numerical analyses show that 29.39% and 44.49% electrical size reduction (ESR) ratios are obtained for Antenna B and Antenna C, respectively in comparison to Antenna A. The experimental results verify the ESR ratios with 29.15% and 44.94%. Supporting, Antenna C promises 68.12% physical size reduction (PSR) as it is compared with Antenna D. These results reveal that Antenna C is a good alternative for DGS based microstrip electrically small antennas.
Development of a single-chain fragment variable fused-mutant HALT-1 recombinant immunotoxin against G12V mutated KRAS colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Teo Michelle Yee Mun , Ng Jeremy Jeack Ceen , Fong Jung Yin , Hwang Jung Shan , Song Adelene Ai-Lian , Lim Renee Lay Hong , In Lionel Lian Aun
Published: April 2021

Background

KRAS oncogenes harboring codon G12 and G13 substitutions are considered gatekeeper mutations which drive oncogenesis in many cancers. To date, there are still no target-specific vaccines or drugs available against this genotype, thus reinforcing the need towards the development of targeted therapies such as immunotoxins.

Methods

This study aims to develop a recombinant anti-mKRAS scFv-fused mutant Hydra actinoporin-like-toxin-1 (mHALT-1) immunotoxin that is capable of recognizing and eradicating codon-12 mutated k-ras antigen abnormal cells. One G13D peptide mimotope (164-D) and one G12V peptide mimotope (68-V) were designed to elicit antigen specific IgG titres against mutated K-ras antigens in immunised Balb/c mice. The RNA was extracted from splenocytes following ELISA confirmation on post-immunized mice sera and was reverse transcribed into cDNA. The scFv combinatorial library was constructed from cDNA repertoire of variable regions of heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL) fusions connected by a flexible glycine-serine linker, using splicing by overlap extension PCR (SOE-PCR). Anti-mKRAS G12V and G13D scFvs were cloned in pCANTAB5E phagemid and superinfected with helper phage. After few rounds of bio-panning, a specific mKRAS G12V and G13D scFv antibody against G12V and G13D control mimotope was identified and confirmed using ELISA without any cross-reactivity with other mimotopes or controls. Subsequently, the anti-mKRAS scFv was fused to mHALT-1 using SOE-PCR and cloned in pET22b vector. Expressed recombinant immunotoxins were analyzed for their effects on cell proliferation by the MTT assay and targeted specificity by cell-based ELISA on KRAS-positive and KRAS-negative cancer cells.

Results

The VH and VL genes from spleen RNA of mice immunized with 164-D and 68-V were amplified and randomly linked together, using SOE-PCR producing band sizes about 750 bp. Anti-mKRAS G12V and G13D scFvs were constructed in phagemid pCANTAB5E vectors with a library containing 3.4 × 106 and 2.9 × 106 individual clones, respectively. After three rounds of bio-panning, the anti-mKRAS G12V-34 scFv antibody against G12V control mimotope was identified and confirmed without any cross-reactivity with other controls using ELISA. Anti-mKRAS G12V-34 scFv fragment was fused to mHALT-1 toxin and cloned in pET22b vector with expression as inclusion bodies in E. coli BL21(DE3) (molecular weight of ~46.8 kDa). After successful solubilization and refolding, the mHALT-1-scFv immunotoxin exhibited cytotoxic effects on SW-480 colorectal cancer cells with IC50 of 25.39 μg/mL, with minimal cytotoxicity effect on NHDF cells.

Discussion

These results suggested that the development of such immunotoxins is potentially useful as an immunotherapeutic application against KRAS-positive malignancies.
Identification and characterization of melon circular RNAs involved in powdery mildew responses through comparative transcriptome analysis
Authors: Sun Jianlei , Dong Yumei , Wang Chongqi , Xiao Shouhua , Jiao Zigao , Gao Chao
Published: April 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of newly discovered non-coding RNAs that are typically derived from a genome’s exonic, intronic, and intergenic regions. Recent studies of circRNAs in animals and plants have shown that circRNAs are vital in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Powdery mildew disease (PM) is a serious fungal disease threatening the melon industry. We performed whole transcriptome sequencing using the leaves of a PM-resistant (M1) and a PM-susceptible (B29) melon to identify circRNAs and determine their molecular functions. A total of 303 circRNAs were identified and >50% circRNAs were derived from exonic regions. Expression levels were significantly altered in 17 and 23 circRNAs after PM infections in B29 and M1, respectively. Melon circRNAs may participate in the response to biotic stimuli, oxidation reduction, metabolic processes, and the regulation of gene expression based on the functional annotation of circRNA parental genes. Furthermore, 27 circRNAs were predicted to be potential targets or ‘sponges’ for 18 microRNAs (miRNAs). Our results are the first to identify and characterize circRNA functions in melon and may contribute to a better understanding of the role and regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in resisting PM.
Dingoes dining with death
Authors: Spencer Emma , Newsome Thomas
Published: April 2021

Dingoes (Canis dingo) are known for hunting and killing animals to meet their energetic requirements, but like almost all predators they also scavenge animal remains. To improve our understanding of dingo scavenging ecology, we investigated the role of abiotic and biotic factors in shaping carcass utilisation by dingoes and further determined whether dingo scavenging influenced carcass persistence in the landscape. To do so, we monitored visitation and scavenging by dingoes using remote cameras positioned on 119 kangaroo carcasses in open and closed canopy habitats and in warm and cool seasons. The carcasses were monitored across multiple study sites, which incorporated forest, alpine and desert ecoregions in Australia. We found that season played an important role in shaping carcass utilisation by dingoes, as well as carcass persistence. Warmer seasons increased the rate of carcass discovery 6.3-fold in the Forest study site and 4.8-fold in the Alpine study site, and also increased the time dingoes spent feeding on carcasses in the Alpine study site. Further, across all study sites, carcasses persisted at least 4.7 times longer in cool compared with warm seasons. On the other hand, carcass utilisation by dingoes was not influenced by habitat, although carcasses were more likely to persist in open compared with closed canopy habitats in the Alpine study site. Finally, our study showed that dingo scavenging may contribute to substantial carcass removal in certain contexts. Indeed, decreased carcass persistence in the Forest study site was evident in the cool season, when dingo scavenging occurred during the first two weeks of monitoring. The variability in results highlights the complexity of patterns in dingo scavenging and, more broadly, of vertebrate scavenging. It emphasises the need to consider multiple abiotic and biotic factors to properly understand the functional roles of different scavenger species. Longer-term studies with additional seasonal replicates may also yield a more detailed picture of the role of dingoes as apex scavengers.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Vehicular Traffic along Major Roads in Delta State of Nigeria, Using Contamination and Enrichment Factors
Authors: Juwah H. O. , Tachere O. Z.
Published: April 2021

This research was carried out to evaluate the impact of vehicular traffic, on the soil and grasses growing along major roadsides in Delta state, Nigeria. Soil and Guinea grass samples were collected from three major roads, and a control point in Delta State. The collected samples (plant and soil) were digested according to standard procedures, and their heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Pb and Ni) concentrations were analyzed by using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results obtained indicated that the soil and grass heavy metals concentrations were significantly (p ≤0.05) higher than the control point, and varied across the sampled locations. It was observed from the resulted that, there was heavy metals accumulation in the soil and plants growing along the roadsides. Irrespective of the sampling location, the concentrations of the heavy metals followed this trend Fe ˃Pb ˃Ni ˃ Cu. As revealed by the results, at Ughelli, the contamination factor was in this order Ni > Cu >Fe >Pb; then at Ozoro road, the contamination factor ranking was Ni >Pb >Fe Cu; while at Irri road, the contamination ranked Ni > Cu > Pb > Fe. This showed that Ni had the highest contamination factor, regardless of the road location. As portrayed by the results, the heavy metals enrichment factors were greater than 1. The results revealed that the heavy metals enrichment factors followed this ranking Ni > Cu > Pb in all the locations sampled. These results indicated that the roadsides soil and Guinea grass received their pollution from anthropogenic sources, and vehicular emissions in particular. The results obtained from this study revealed the urgency of the government to decongest vehicular traffic, to prevent accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the ecosystems.
Comparative Study on the Proximate, Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Jams from Selected Tropical Fruits Spiced with Ginger, Garlic and Turmeric
Authors: Adeoti O. A. , Alabi A. O. , Ogunjobi E. O. , Elutilo O. O. , Adeodokun S. O.
Published: April 2021

Fruit jams were produced from watermelon, pineapple and apple spiced with ginger, garlic and turmeric using standard method. The sample treatments were WA (watermelon 100%), WAGI (watermelon 95% + ginger 5%), WAGA (watermelon 95% + garlic 5%), WATU (watermelon 95% + turmeric 5%), WAGGT (watermelon 95% + ginger 5% + garlic 5% + turmeric 5%), PI (pineapple 95%), PIGI (pineapple 95% + ginger 5%), PIGA (pineapple 95% + garlic 5%), PITU (pineapple 95% + turmeric 5%), PIGGT (pineapple 95% + ginger 5% + garlic 5% + turmeric 5%), AP (apple 95%), APGI (apple 95% + ginger 5%), APGA (apple 95% + garlic 5%), APTU (apple 95% + turmeric 5%) and APGGT (apple 95% + ginger 5% + garlic 5% + turmeric 5%). The proximate, physicochemical (pH, total soluble solid, titratable acidity), antioxidant and sensory characteristics of the jams were determined using standard analytical procedures. The protein content of the sample ranged from 0.50 to 7.16% for reference sample (CNTP) and watermelon-garlic jam (WAGA). The fat and ash contents of the samples ranged from 0.21 to 2.55% and 1.03 to 4.38% for pineapple jam (PA) and reference sample (CNTP) respectively. The fibre content was 0.11% for reference sample (CNTP) and 1.90% for and watermelon-garlic jam (WAGA). The pH of the jams ranged from 3.10 to 3.50 for reference sample (CNTP) and apple-ginger-garlic-tumeric jam (APGGT) while total soluble solid and titratable acidity ranged from 50.00 and 69.80 °brix for pineapple-ginger-garlic-tumeric (PIGGT) and reference sample (CNTP) and 1.13 and 1.40 g/ml for CNTP and PIGA respectively. The TSS/TTA was 37.92 to 61.22 for PIGA and CNTP. The antioxidant activity of the sample was 25.45% for CNTP and 50.67% for PIGI while the total phenolic contents was 0.10 mmGAE/100 g and 0.28 mmGAE/100 g for CNTP and PIGI. The sensory values for the color ranged from 4.30 and 7.85 for WAGGT and PIGI while the taste ranged from 6.10 and 7.80 for APTU and PIGI. The overall acceptability ranged from 5.89 and 7.88 for CNTP and PIGI. Fruit jams spiced with ginger, garlic and turmeric was highly nutritious, however the pineapple-ginger jam showed a very high nutrient and bioactive components which make it to be a functional, healthy and immune booster foods for both children and adult alike.
Two-Parameter Nwikpe (TPAN) Distribution with Application
Authors: Nwikpe Barinaadaa John , Essi Isaac Didi
Published: April 2021

A new two-parameter continuous distribution called the Two-Parameter Nwikpe (TPAN) distribution is derived in this paper. The new distribution is a mixture of gamma and exponential distributions. A few statistical properties of the new probability distribution have been derived. The shape of its density for different values of the parameters has also been established.  The first four crude moments, the second and third moments about the mean of the new distribution were derived using the method of moment generating function. Other statistical properties derived include; the distribution of order statistics, coefficient of variation and coefficient of skewness. The parameters of the new distribution were estimated using maximum likelihood method. The flexibility of the Two-Parameter Nwikpe (TPAN) distribution was shown by fitting the distribution to three real life data sets. The goodness of fit shows that the new distribution outperforms the one parameter exponential, Shanker and Amarendra distributions for the data sets used for this study.
Analysis of Full Blood Count and Bone Marrow Aspirations at Presentation in Children Diagnosed with Acute Leukaemias – A Single Centre Experience in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Eke G. K. , Korubo K. I.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Acute leukaemias are the most common malignant neoplasms in childhood, presenting with a variety of nonspecific symptoms. Though many of the recent more sophisticated methods of diagnosis have important prognostic implications, they are often not available in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To review the full blood count and bone marrow aspirations at presentation in children diagnosed with acute leukaemias at a teaching hospital in southern Nigeria.

Methodology: A retrospective survey of children with acute leukaemias admitted into the Paediatric Oncology unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), from January 2014 to December 2020. Their clinical profile, full blood count and bone marrow aspirations were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0

Results: Forty-three children aged 8 months to 17 years, with a median age of 9 years, were diagnosed with acute leukaemia within the period under review, 28 (65.1%) were males and 15 (34.9%) females, giving a M:F ratio of 1.9:1. Commonest clinical features at presentation were fever (n=28, 65.1%), pallor (n=18, 41.9%) and gum bleeding (n=16, 37.2%); while 38 (88.4%) of them presented with anaemia, 20 (46.5%) had leukocytosis and 36 (83.7%) had thrombocytopoenia with a median platelet count of 42x109/L and circulating blasts were present in the peripheral blood film of most of the patients. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was the diagnosis in 30 (70%) children, and AML in 9 (21%). The bone marrow was hypercellular in 30 cases (69.8%) and erythropoiesis was depressed in 39 (90.7%) children.

Conclusion: At the UPTH, children with acute leukaemias were mostly males. Fever, pallor and gum bleeding were the commonest symptoms with most of them having circulating blasts. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was the commonest type and bone marrow was mainly hypercellular with depressed erythropoiesis.
Framework of Sustainable Energy Development in a Bereft Power Supply Economy of Nigeria
Authors: Hussaini I. U. , Abubakar S. K. , Danmaraya M. A. , Ibrahim S. K.
Published: April 2021

Attempts at improving energy performance of any nation borders on increasing energy supply to meet up energy demand; and also reducing energy consumption through efficiency practices to attain sustainable energy utilization. Nigeria as a nation is bedeviled with the problems of inadequate energy supply as well as inefficient utilization of the low-supplied energy. In spite of the enormous and abundant energy resources across the country (renewable and non-renewable alike), the question of sustainable energy development in Nigeria remains a farce. All spheres of energy development (generation, transmission and distribution) together with consumption is occasioned by irregularities that have plunged the nation into a protracted energy crisis for decades due to its inability to harness adequately the abundant energy resources, and sustainably utilize the low-supplied energy. This study therefore attempts to review the state of energy development in Nigeria with its attendant limitations in terms of energy supply and its utilization in a bid to attaining a sustainable national energy development. Thus, a framework of strategies towards attaining sustainable energy development through the deployment of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency practices is therefore proffered.
Side‐Chain Engineering on Y‐Series Acceptors with Chlorinated End Groups Enables High‐Performance Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Yuzhong , Ma Ruijie , Liu Tao , Xiao Yiqun , Kim Ha Kyung , Zhang Jianquan , Ma Chao , Sun Huiliang , Bai Fujin , Guo Xugang , Wong Kam Sing , Lu Xinhui , Yan He
Published: April 2021

Chemical modifications of non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) play vital roles in the development of high efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs). In this work, on the basis of the previously reported molecule named Y6‐1O, chlorination and inner side‐chain engineering are adopted to endow the corresponding devices with higher open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and short‐circuit current density (JSC) as well as good morphology for high fill factor (FF). As a result, the molecule named BTP1O‐4Cl‐C12 can help achieve a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.1% than that of Y6‐1O (16.1%). Furthermore, the following comparisons between BTP1O‐4Cl‐C12 and the two symmetric acceptors named BTP2O‐4Cl‐C12 and BTP‐4Cl‐C12 demonstrate the effect of asymmetric alkoxy substitution on the outer side chains, which not only achieves a balance between VOC and JSC, but also help obtain appropriate morphology for efficient charge dissociation and suppressed charge recombination. Therefore, the asymmetric BTP1O‐4Cl‐C12 can achieve a higher PCE compared to the symmetric BTP2O‐4Cl‐C12 and BTP‐4Cl‐C12. The work not only reports an excellent NFA for high‐performance OSCs, but also puts forward a series of methods for consecutive chemical modifications on Y‐series acceptors, which can be further applied to boost the PCE of OSCs to a higher level.
Recyclable Organocatalysts in Asymmetric Synthesis
Authors: Susam Zeynep Dilşad , Tanyeli Cihangir
Published: April 2021

Chiral organocatalysts are extensively in demand over the past 30 years for the synthesis of asymmetric compounds with remarkable stereoselectivities in high yields. In addition to these great facilities, they are eco‐friendly, non‐toxic, highly stable, and inexpensive structures so that a tremendous amount of studies has been developing. Besides, recyclable organocatalyst studies are of great interest to develop their environmental‐friendly feature lately. Increasing the usage of these catalysts by saving the asymmetric results could become the most desirable characteristic in near future. This survey summarizes the following studies that have been done so far to enlight this subject and our headlights cover‐up silica supported organocatalysts, polymer supported organocatalysts, magnetic nanoparticle supported organocatalysts, gold nanoparticle supported organocatalysts, ionic liquids organocatalysts and fluorous supported organocatalysts.
Highly efficient adsorption of Ag(I) from aqueous solution by Zn‐NDC metal–organic framework
Authors: Zhou Shuxian , Xu Weifeng , Zhang Panliang , Tang Kewen
Published: April 2021

In this work, an adsorbent, an O‐containing metal–organic framework (MOF) (Zn‐NDC) was designed and prepared to recover Ag(I) with high performance to alleviate its high consumption and protect the environment. Its adsorption performance was accessed by batch adsorption experiment. The kinetic data fit well with the pseudo‐first‐order model, pseudo‐second‐order model, and moving boundary model. It is found that the overall adsorption rate was determined by liquid film diffusion. The maximum adsorption of Zn‐NDC towards Ag(I) can be up to 844 mg·g−1, superior to many reported adsorbents. Besides, Sips model better fits with the experimental data, implying the adsorption process belongs to heterogeneous adsorption. Thermodynamic analysis indicates the adsorption process of Ag(I) is a spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy‐driven process. Zn‐NDC could selectively adsorb Ag(I) from a hybrid solution containing Ag(I), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Cr(III), Zn(II), and Mg(II). Moreover, Zn‐NDC could be effectively reused up to three cycles with negligible change in adsorption capacity. Finally, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show the electronic attraction and inner‐sphere surface complexation are the main adsorption mechanism. Based on the above analysis, Zn‐NDC could be regarded a cost‐effective adsorbent for the Ag(I) removal.
New generation drug eluting stents: Closing the gap in sex disparity in cardiovascular outcomes in women
Authors: Quesada Odayme , Henry Timothy D.
Published: April 2021

Key Points

Use of the novel COMBO stent, circumferentially coated with anti‐CD34 antibodies to promote endothelialization and decrease inflammation led to extremely low 1‐year event rates with no sex differences .

Technological advances in new generation drug‐eluting stents has closed the gap in sex disparities for cardiovascular outcomes.

Women continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials and there is room to improve procedure related aspects such as radial access and potent antiplatelet therapy.
Gender and left atrial appendage occlusion: Not the exception in cardiovascular procedures
Authors: Belardi Jorge A. , Lamelas Pablo M.
Published: April 2021

Key Points

Gender disparities have been described in many cardiovascular procedures, but reports about left atrial appendage occlusion are limited.

In a large national database, women were associated with lower utilization and worse clinical results.

There is a need to better understand the root of the observed gender disparities and interventions to reverse it.
Postponing cardiac procedures during the pandemic: The balance between elective and selective!
Authors: Garzon Stefano , Lemos Pedro A.
Published: April 2021

Key Points

What the article teaches:Postponing elective cardiac procedures may have an adverse impact on short‐term outcomes.

How it will impact practice:Elective patients scheduled for cardiac procedures have different risk profiles and the decision for postponing should take into consideration the chances of complications related to the deferral.

What new research would help answer the question:Better validate tools to identify which subsets are more prone to early complications in case a scheduled invasive procedure is suspended.
Zinc Anodizing: Structural Diversity of Anodic Zinc Oxide Controlled by the Type of Electrolyte
Authors: Engelkemeier Katja , Sun Aijia , Voswinkel Dietrich , Grydin Olexandr , Schaper Mirko , Bremser Wolfgang
Published: April 2021

Anodic zinc oxide (AZO) layers are attracting interdisciplinary research interest. Chemists, physicists and materials scientists are increasingly devoting attention to fundamental and application‐related research on these layers. Research work focuses on the application as semiconductor, corrosion protector, adhesion promoter, abrasion protector, or antibacterial surfaces. The structure and crystallinity essentially determine the properties of the AZO coatings. The type and concentration of the electrolyte, the applied current density or voltage as well as the duration time enable layer structures of structural variety. The article gives an overview of the different possibilities of anodic treatment, whereby the voltage and the current type are the main distinguishing criteria. Presented is the electrolytic oxidation (anodizing) and the electrolytic plasma oxidation (EPO). The electrolytic etching is also a process of anodic treatment. However, it does not produce AZO layers, but rather a degradation of the zinc layer. The review article shows the parameters used so far (electrolyte, current type, current density, voltage) and points out the influence on the formation of AZO structures in dependency to the used electrolyte.
Enhanced Photoluminescence of Gold Nanoparticle‐Quantum Dot Hybrids Confined in Hairy Polymer Nanofibers
Authors: Singh Sajan , Raulo Avinash , Singh Ajeet , Mittal Mona , Horechyy Andriy , Hübner René , Formanek Petr , Srivastava Rajiv K. , Sapra Sameer , Fery Andreas , Nandan Bhanu
Published: April 2021

In the present work, we have studied the influence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the photoluminescence (PL) behavior of cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) confined in spatially separated soft nanoscale cylindrical domains. These cylindrical domains, in the form of hairy core‐shell nanofibers, were fabricated via cooperative self‐assembly of polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) block copolymer (BCP) mixed with pre‐synthesized CdSe QDs and AuNPs. The CdSe QDs and AuNPs were simultaneously incorporated in the P4VP cylindrical domains of the self‐assembled BCP structure. It was found that the confinement imposed by the nanometer‐sized cylindrical core resulted in the localization of the CdSe QDs and AuNPs in close proximity. Notably, it was observed that the PL intensity of the CdSe QDs could be manipulated by varying the amount of AuNPs present in the cylinder core. Interestingly, in the presence of a very low fraction of AuNPs, the PL intensity of the CdSe QDs increased compared to the AuNPs‐free system. However, further increase in the fraction of AuNPs led to gradual quenching of the photoluminescence intensity. The PL enhancement and quenching plausibly was due to the interplay between the energy transfer due to surface plasmon coupling and FRET/electron transfer from QDs to the AuNPs. The resulting functional nanofibers could have potential applications in sensing, bioimaging, and optoelectronic devices.
Comparing symptoms and emotion recognition in African American and White samples with schizophrenia
Authors: Monette Mahogany A. , Lysaker Paul H. , Minor Kyle S.
Published: April 2021

Racial status has an important role in schizophrenia, with African American samples being rated lower than White participants on a range of constructs. In many studies, however, demographic factors are not accounted for. In the present study, African American (n = 106) and White participants (n = 81) were compared on symptom severity and emotion recognition scales while controlling for other demographic factors. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no differences in symptoms between racial groups. However, White participants performed better on an emotion recognition measure than African Americans. These differences were most prominent in response to negatively‐valenced stimuli. This study replicated previous findings of racial differences in emotion recognition but not symptom severity. Future research should assess the role of racial identity on symptom severity. In addition, further research is needed to assess if utilising multi‐ethnic stimuli improves performance by racial minorities on emotion recognition measures.
A study of corrosion performance of tinplate with different tin coating thickness in H2SO4solution
Authors: Liu B.Y. , Wang Y.W. , Guan Y.
Published: April 2021

The corrosion performance of tinplate with different coating mass in H2SO4solution has been investigated by electrochemical measurements and scanning electron microscope observation. The results indicate that the tinplate with a higher tin coating mass exhibits better corrosion resistance than the sample with a lower tin coating mass due to that a lower tin coating mass may not uniformly cover the base steel surface with roughness or other defects. Besides, the amount of coating mass on tinplate can greatly affect its corrosion evolution behavior, and in practical applications the coating mass selection should be selected based on its surrounding corrosive environment. Moreover, the cyclic corrosion process of tinplate in H2SO4solution can re‐generate H2SO4, and it again accelerates the tinplate dissolution process.
Inter‐Individual Variation in Postprandial Glycemic Responses in Women Co‐Ingesting Green Leafy Vegetables with a Carbohydrate Meal: Interactions with the Sirtuin System
Authors: Sayegh Marietta , Henderson Jaye , Farquharson Andrew J. , Horgan Graham , Ranawana Viren , Drew Janice E.
Published: April 2021

Scope

Green leafy vegetables (GLV) may improve postprandial glycemic responses (PGR) and metabolic health. However, inter‐individual variations (IIV) preclude conclusive evidence. Sirtuin system is emerging as a key player in blood glucose control. This study investigates IIV in PGR in women co‐ingesting GLV with a carbohydrate meal and interactions with the sirtuin system.

Methods and Results

Volunteers (n = 31 women) consume rice, rice with bok choy, or spinach (75g available carbohydrate) on separate occasions. Postprandial glucose, insulin, adropin, and lipid levels are measured. Anthropometric measurements and sex hormones are measured. GeXP assay measures whole blood postprandial gene expression profiles of 25 markers involved in sirtuin signaling. GLV consumption has no significant effect on PGR, which shows high variation. PGR correlated with age, but no other consistent associations are observed. Sirtuin gene expression profiles reveal distinct stratified subgroups associated with PGR, lipid, insulin, fat mass, waist/hip circumferences, and adropin levels.

Conclusion

PGR to co‐ingesting GLV with a carbohydrate meal are highly variable in this cohort and fail to reveal a significant reduction in PGR. Variable responses are largely independent of menopausal status and meal consumed. However, lower expression of sirtuin gene targets is associated with higher PGR and with markers linked to health status.