bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking and pregnancy
Authors:   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Mehedintu Claudia ,   ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Ionescu Oana Maria ,   ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Plotogea Mihaela ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Edu Antoine ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania,   ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Bujor Mihaela ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania,   ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Carp-Veliscu Andreea ,   ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Dumitrascu Mihai ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Sandru Florica ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, Khraibani Mona ,   ”Nicolae Malaxa” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
Published: June 2022

Smoking is one of the most harmful habits among adults. During pregnancy, the adverse effects go beyond the organism of the mother and it is considered to be a risk factor for miscarriage, stillbirth, placental abruption, preterm birth, low birthweight, morbidity and mortality. Through its numerous and dangerous compounds, tobacco smoking influence proteins and is leading to despaired fetal nourishment. Cigarette smoke toxicity is mainly driven by carbon monoxide, tar and nicotine. Carcinogens have a high negative impact, causing both maternal and fetal anemia, as well as abnormal fetal growth and development, pathology that by itself is associated with an additional risk of preterm delivery and low birthweight. Having the capability to cross the placenta, nicotine along with the other compounds, can be fetotoxic, neurologic teratogen and impact brain development. Smoking cessation outside or during pregnancy should be encouraged. Various medication and procedures have been proposed including in gestation. Some have proved to have positive effects, while others are not recommended during pregnancy or didn’t show promising outcome. Still, pregnant women should be informed upon general and fetal risk that are associated with smoking and pregnancy need additional medical care due to related smoking complications.
Description of Infection Control Prevention Program in the Internal Room of Aloei Saboe Hospital, Gorontalo City
Authors: Syukur Sabirin B , Asnawati Rini , Mustapa Moh. Sudirman , Binol Siti Rahma , Lajambu Nurdawati , Chatimah Ni'ma Chusnul , Laiya Nolva
Published: June 2022

Infection Prevention and Control (PPI) is an effort to prevent and minimize the occurrence of infections in patients, staff, visitors and the community around health care facilities. Nosocomial infection control is an activity of planning, implementing, monitoring, and fostering with the aim of reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of infection prevention and control in the internal room of the Prof. Dr. Aloei Saboe Gorontalo City. This study used a qualitative descriptive research method with a sample of 15 respondents obtained using random sampling technique. The results showed that the infection prevention and control program in the internal room had not been fully implemented, seen from 15 participants there were 3 people who did not practice handwashing properly where the 3 respondents did not apply the 6 steps of hand washing according to the SOP, there was 1 person who did not using PPE in the procedure, overall able to apply coughing and sneezing etiquette, there was 1 person who did not apply safe injection practices in the procedure.overall able to apply Decontamination of equipment after completion of actions.
The Effect of Postpartum Gymnastics on the Decreased Uterine Fundal Height in Postpartum Mothers in the Work Area of the Ulaweng Health Center
Authors: Haslan Hasliana , Sulfianti Sulfianti
Published: June 2022

Postpartum gymnastics is exercise that mothers do after giving birth which aims to maintain and increase maternal circulation during the puerperium, as well as to help uterine involution. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was an effect of postpartum exercise on the decrease in uterine fundal height. The type of research used in this study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test post-test control group design, to analyze the effect and differences in fundal height reduction between the intervention group and the control group. So it was determined the number of samples that met the criteria as many as 20 people. The results showed that based on the results of the mean difference test, there was a significant difference in the decrease in uterine fundal height between pre and post in the postpartum exercise group and not in the postpartum exercise group with p-value <0.05 so it can be concluded that there is an effect of postpartum exercise on the decrease in uterine fundal height. on post-partum mothers. There is an effect of postpartum exercise on the decrease in uterine fundal height in postpartum women in the Ulaweng Health Center Work Area
Some Patterns of Haemostatic Parameters Among Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Disorders in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Nnodim Johnkennedy , Ijeoma Okoroiwu Leticia , Dennis Nwosu , Johnkennedy Nnodim , Emeka Ilona , Chizoba Nkemka Orajiaka-Uchegbu , Ukamaka Ezechi Ruphina , Osinachi Uhiara Raphael
Published: June 2022

Hemostatic parameters of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders in owerri were studied using standard methods. The parameters include PT, APTT, Fibrinogen, t-PA, D-dimer. A total of 200 pregnant women between ages of 18 and 45 years of age were recruited for the study. They consisted of 50 normotensive pregnant women as the control group and 150 hypertensive as the test subjects. The test group was further divided into 3 viz; 50 chronic hypertensive, 50 gestational and 50 preeclamptic pregnant women as group as groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively.  The mean PT(secs.) values were 11.69±1.02, 11.98±0.94, 12.79±0.78 and 13.86±1.4 respectively, in control, groups 1, 2 and 3. The APTT(secs) mean values in control, groups 1, 2 and 3 were 28.59±2.33, 29.43±2.67, 30.20±2.73 and 31.52 respectively. The mean values obtained for D-dimer (ng/ml) were 191.72±41.92, 207.30±60.71, 249.52±62.08 and 268±59.51 in control, groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In control, fibrinogen (mg/ml) mean value obtained was 521.74±118.02, where as in the test groups, 532.97±111.40, 602.52±103.80 and 671.98±97.37 were respectively obtained in groups1, 2 and 3. The mean respective values of t-PA (ng/ml) in control, group 1, 2 and 3 were 2.43±0.55, 2.49±0.49, 2.84±0.54 and 2.90±0.57. All the haemostatic parameters: PT, APTT, Fibrinogen, D- dimer and t-PA values increased across the test groups when compared with the control groups and they were found to be statistically significant (P=0.0001). From this study, haemostatic parameters increased in the test subjects indicating inflammatory activities in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Factors Affecting the Compliance of National Health Insurance Participants Segment of Non-Wage Recipients in Paying the Contributions
Authors: Marpaung Franky Vinansius , Nyorong Mappeaty , Moriza Tengku
Published: June 2022

This study's objective is to investigate the variables influencing the compliance of the National Health Insurance (JKN) Participant Segment of Non-Wage Recipients (PBPU) in Paying JKN Contributions in the BPJS Health Work Area, North Tapanuli Regency. This sort of research is quantitative and employs a cross-sectional study design. This study's population consists of all Non-Wage Recipient Workers (PBPU) in Siborong-borong District, North Tapanuli Regency, a total of 12,323 persons, with a sample size of 99 calculated using a purposive sampling technique. The study used univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques. The findings of the chi-square test indicated that education (p = 0.066> 0.05), occupation (p = 0.008 0.05), knowledge (p = 0.003 0.05), income (p = 0.000 0.05), and distance (p= 0.0010.05) were significantly correlated with each other. The logistic regression test reveals that income, with an Exp (B) value of 4,778, has the greatest impact on compliance with making JKN payments. This research concludes that employment, knowledge, income, and distance have a link with JKN contribution compliance, however education has no association with JKN contribution compliance. The community need socialization in order to raise public understanding and awareness of their monthly obligation to make JKN payments.
An Extended dataset of occurrences of species listed in Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention from Ukraine
Authors: Vasyliuk Oleksii , Prylutskyi Oleh , Marushchak Oleksii , Kuzemko Anna , Kutsokon Iuliia , Nekrasova Oksana , Raes Niels , Rusin Mikhail
Published: June 2022

The dataset includes georeferenced occurrences of species listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention and, partly, in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The dataset was compiled within the work of NGO "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" aimed to prepare a Shadow list of Emerald Network (European network Areas of Special Conservation Interest) in Ukraine - newly proposed territories aimed at conservation of particular species and habitats mentioned in Resolution 4 and 6 of the Bern Convention. The list was prepared in 2017-2020 for expanding the already existing Emerald Network of Ukraine. Based on actual registrations of flora and fauna collected and gathered by scientists and naturalists in a form of dataset, which is described in the following paper.

This dataset provides information about 29,938 occurrences of species from the territory of Ukraine listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention, as well as in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. This is the largest public dataset on occurrences of rare and endangered species from Ukraine till now. Data presented here laid the foundations for the proposal of 106 approved Emerald Network sites (2019), as well as for 148 Emerald Network sites that were nominated in 2020. New insights on the endemic species Centaurea pseudoleucolepis Kleopow is provided, which was previously considered to be extinct, according to the IUCN Red List.
On the verge of extinction – revision of a highly endangered Swiss alpine snail with description of a new genus, Raeticella gen. nov. (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata, Hygromiidae)
Authors: Kneubühler Jeannette , Baggenstos Markus , Neubert Eike
Published: June 2022

The phylogenetic status of the alpine land snail Fruticicola biconica has remained questionable since it was described by Eder in 1917. Considered a microendemic species from mountain tops in Central Switzerland, the shell is specially adapted for life under stones. Herein, we show via molecular and anatomical investigations that F. biconica neither belongs to the land snail genus Trochulus, nor to any other genus within Trochulini, but rather warrants placement within the newly established genus Raeticella Kneubühler, Baggenstos & Neubert, 2022. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that R. biconica is clearly separated from Trochulus. These findings are supported by morphological investigations of the shell and genitalia.
Utilizing fixed point approach to investigate piecewise equations with non-singular type derivative
Authors: Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet , Abdalla Bahaaeldin , Abualrub Marwan S
Published: June 2022

In this research work, we establish some new results about piecewise equation involving Caputo Fabrizio derivative (CFD). The concerned class has been recently introduced and these results are fundamental for investigation of qualitative theory and numerical interpretation. We derive some necessary results for the existence, uniqueness and various form of Hyers-Ulam (H-U) type stability for the considered problem. For the required results, we need to utilize usual classical fixed point theorems due to Banach and Krasnoselskii's. Moreover, results devoted to H-U stability are derived by using classical tools of nonlinear functional analysis. Some pertinent test problems are given to demonstrate our results.
On the modified of the one-dimensional Cahn-Hilliard equation with a source term
Authors: DOR Dieunel
Published: June 2022

We consider the modified Cahn-Hilliard equation that govern the relative concentration $ \phi $ of one component of a binary system. This equation is characterized by the presence of the additional inertial term $ \tau_{D}\frac{d^2\phi}{dt^2} $ which stands for the relaxation of the diffusion flux. This equation is associated with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We study the existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions in one space dimension. We also prove the existence of the global attractor and exponential attractors.
The Ethics of Marketing Healthcare Services and Pharma Products During the Pandemic
Authors: Geva Ilan , Minsky Laurence
Published: June 2022

The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was a time of crisis filled with fear and confusion among marketing professionals as well as consumers. With the stay-at-home orders and resulting changes in consumer behaviors, marketers, including healthcare service providers and pharma product companies, changed their messaging and advertising outreach strategies. But was it even ethical for healthcare service providers and pharma product companies to market their services and products during this period of fear and confusion? In the following article, the authors review many of the changes in the management, strategies, and messaging of integrated marketing communications for healthcare services and pharma companies during the pandemic as well as the ethical considerations resulting from these changes. The article concludes with recommendations on how to ethically market healthcare services and pharma products during future pandemics.
Position on Universal Hand Hygiene
Authors: Morales Katie , Puri Kathleen
Published: June 2022

Although the evidence overwhelmingly supports hand hygiene as the most effective intervention to prevent infections, suboptimal hand hygiene practices continue. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought infection control to the forefront in every healthcare setting. As a result, this manuscript proposes adoption of universal hand hygiene, the practice in which all who enter the healthcare setting regardless of role perform hand hygiene as indicated. Adopting universal hand hygiene promotes high quality care, a clean and safe environment, and individual involvement. Issues regarding hand hygiene adherence may include lack of management support, ambiguity, ability, or agreement. As a result, this manuscript will address the role of management, knowledge, skills, and agreement related to universal hand hygiene in this multimodal, evidence-based practice (EBP) by modifying the previously published “Position on Healthcare Client Hand Hygiene.”
Efeito da suavização intencional de resultados na persistência dos lucros das empresas brasileiras de capital aberto
Authors: Sousa Allison Manoel de , Feltes Taise , Meurer Rodrigo Malta , Ribeiro Alex Mussoi
Published: June 2022

Este estudo objetiva analisar o efeito da suavização intencional de resultados na persistência dos lucros das empresas brasileiras de capital aberto. A amostra foi constituída de 140 empresas ao considerar períodos trimestrais de 2013 a 2018. A persistência dos lucros foi mensurada por meio da métrica de Dichev e Tang (2009). Já para a suavização intencional de resultados, recorreu-se a duas medidas que constam no trabalho de Lang, Lins e Maffett (2012). Para a análise de dados, realizou-se a estatística descritiva e, posteriormente, a regressão quantílica, por meio dos quantis 0,10; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 0,90. Os resultados sugerem que a persistência dos lucros teve redução ao longo do período em todos os percentis analisados. O Percentil 10 (P10) e o Percentil 25 (P25) apresentaram as reduções mais acentuadas, com 58,15% e 31,68%, respectivamente. Os achados também evidenciam que quando o gestor utiliza a suavização mais geral de resultados a persistência dos lucros diminui. Já quando o gestor faz o uso da suavização por meio dos accruals, com objetivo de reverter a suavização realizada em anos anteriores, implica na diminuição da persistência dos lucros, exceto para os quantis 0,10 e 0,90. Essas evidências apresentam contribuições à literatura, ao abordar uma nova ótica para o tema, ou seja, avaliar apenas as consequências da parcela intencional da suavização. O estudo também auxilia os investidores e credores acerca do processo decisório, já que a persistência dos lucros é um aspecto da qualidade da informação contábil.
Implicações dos recursos financeiros e do federalismo na qualidade educacional dos municípios brasileiros
Authors: Mendes Wanderson de Almeida , Abrantes Luiz Antonio , Mendes Wesley de Almeida , Macedo Suélem Viana , Miranda Marconi Silva
Published: June 2022

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade da educação nos municípios brasileiros em relação ao seu porte, repasses financeiros, financiamento, capacidade econômica e região geográfica. Em termos metodológicos, a amostra utilizada na pesquisa foi de 4.389 municípios brasileiros. A partir de dados referentes ao ano de 2016, os municípios foram classificados em relação ao número de habitantes como Grande, Médio e Pequeno. A análise dos dados foi realizada com base em quatro modelos de Regressão Linear Múltipla, um para cada grupo de municípios e um modelo contemplando todos os municípios da amostra. O método de Regressão Quantílica também foi utilizado para aumentar a robustez da análise. Os resultados indicaram a dificuldade dos municípios das regiões Norte e Nordeste em alcançar melhor desempenho no indicador de qualidade educacional. Percebeu-se, ainda, que a qualidade educacional é influenciada positivamente por diversos elementos, como aplicação de recursos financeiros, transferências, capacidade econômica e urbanização.
Research on Preparation and Absorbing Performance of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Cao Xiao Wei , Zhang Zhi , Zhang Pin , Liu Ya Wen
Published: June 2022

In this paper, graphene oxide (GO) is successfully prepared by the Hummers' method, based on which reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is prepared by the hydrothermal reduction method. Based on the characterization of GO and rGO materials, the electromagnetic parameters of the two materials are tested by the coaxial ring method, and their electromagnetic wave absorbing performance is analyzed in detail. It is found that GO has no obvious absorbing performance, while rGO exhibits partial absorbing performance. The latter has weak absorbing performance due to its characteristics limitation but has high electromagnetic wave absorbing potential due to its excellent dielectric performance. At the same time, because of the unique two-dimensional lamellar structure and abundant active sites on the surface, rGO can be used as an excellent substrate material to prepare composite absorbing materials with excellent electromagnetic wave absorbing performance.
Evaluation of NaOH Activated, Ambient Cured Slag as a Binder to Produce a Building Material
Authors: Sithole Nastassia Thandiwe , Nseke Joseph Makela
Published: June 2022

The worldwide supply constraints and the anticipated high demand for sodium silicate as well as environmental issues associated with the use of sodium silicate has given dawn to the need to opt for alternative activating solutions such as alkali-hydroxides. The current study mainly focuses on the evaluation of mechanical and chemical properties of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) Binder-Spend Foundry Sand (SFS) based material toward the development of a durable material for building applications. Activated GGBFS was synthesized using a NaOH solution as the sole GGBFS activator. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests were conducted on the GGBFS-SFS based specimens to investigate the influence of varying amount of GGBFS binder (15 %- 45 %) cured at 80°C. Results showed that the specimen consisting of 45% GGBFS and 55% SFS at a solid to liquid of 0.17 yielded the high UCS equivalent to 11.07MPa. Increase in UCS has been attributed to the presence of calcium silicate hydrate phase confirmed by XRD analysis. In conclusion, GGBFS-based binder waste foundry-based material sand can be considered as a promising and efficacious building material as per ASTM C34-13, C129-14a and South African standard (SANS227: 2007).
Analysis of factors influencing pharmaceutical sales workforce engagement in pharmaceutical marketing in Nigeria: a structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Oamen Theophilus Ehidiamen
Published: June 2022

In the pharmaceutical sales and marketing industry, human capital in terms of the sales workforce is essential to  organizational success. However, there is a need to ensure that the task-environment is adequately resourced. The application of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques such as factor analysis is necessary to further understand the underlying relevance of these factors. The objective of the study was to explore the factors influencing pharmaceutical sales personnel's work engagement in pharmaceutical companies using factor analysis. A cross-sectional, qualitative research study used an 11-item literature-guided questionnaire administered online to 406 medical sales professionals in the pharmaceutical supply network in Nigeria using random sampling. The factors evaluated include regularity and impact of training,  marketing support, job security as perceived by the employee, incentives, reward for performance, and the prospect of promotion. Others include; minimal work stress, improved career prospects, and an enabling work environment provided for employees involved in pharmaceutical sales operations. The questions were rated on a 3-point Likert scale of 1=fair, 3=poor, and 5=good, to  evaluate respondents’ estimation of factors. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was executed on the dataset and thereafter, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the dataset using SPSS AMOS. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. The majority of respondents were male (72.2%, 293) and female (27.8%, 113). Respondents from Indigenous firms were predominant (249, 61.3%) compared to Multinational firms (157, 38.7%). There were 289 (71.2%) non-pharmacists and 117 (28.8%) pharmacists. EFA measures of adequacy were satisfactory (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin=0.878, Goodness-of-fit=0.023, Cronbach alpha=0.859, Total variance explained= 51.6%) and produced a 2-factor solution consisting of 9-items (work factors=6, implied factors=3). CFA solution from EFA output produced satisfactory fit estimates (RMSEA=0.044, CMIN/DF=1.787, GF1=0.977, AGFI=0.957, RMR=0.029, and TLI=0.981). The final model had acceptable convergent and discriminant validity values. Job security was considered as the most influential factor (regression coefficient=0.859) and the least was work-life balance (regression coefficient=0.559). The study provided a validated tool to evaluate the pharmaceutical sales workforce’s estimation of the key factors influencing job performance. This serves as an operational template for strategic managers in pharmaceutical companies to improve employee’s perception of management support.
Cynodon dactylon L. extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in saline solution
Authors: Sultan Einas Ben , Areef Khawla , Abazeid Manar , Khalil Elarbi , Mahklouf Mohammed , Shushni Muftah
Published: June 2022

Corrosion-induced loss of metal integrity is a serious industrial concern. One of the most reliable and cost-effective corrosion reduction solutions is corrosion inhibitor innovation. The aim of this investigation therefore, is to study the corrosion inhibition of Cynodon dactylon L (Bermuda grass) extract on mild steel in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The plant was extracted with 80% ethanol and different concentrations were tested at a temperature range of 30 to 60OC and for various immersion time ranging from 4 to 72 hours using gravimetric (Weight Loss) method. The results showed that Cynodon dactylon extract exhibited strong corrosion inhibition efficiency (97.78%.). The inhibition efficiency of the Cynodon dactylon extract increased with an increase of extract concentration and through the immersion periods but decreased with an increase of the temperature. The inhibitive effect could be attributed to the presence of some phytochemical compounds in the plant which were adsorbed on the surface of the mild steel.
Nutrient, Mineral and Phytochemical Properties of Selected Underutilized Amaranthus Vegetable Species in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogie-Odia E.A. , Mensah J.K. , Ehilen O.E. , Eseigbe D.A.
Published: June 2022

Food insecurity (characterised by poor nutrition) and ill health are interlinked problems which constitute major sustainable development challenges globally. Effective tackling of these challenges must, among other efforts, involve exploring and exploiting the nutrients and medicinal potentials of many underutilised indigenous vegetables. This study assessed the nutrient, mineral and phytochemical constituents of four different Amaranthus plants as a basis for establishing their nutritional and medicinal values. In dried and powdered forms, the plants were subjected to nutrient, mineral and phytochemical analyses using standard chemical methods. All the plants were found to contain appreciable amounts of proteins (16.94 – 194.47 mg/g), carbohydrates (5.12 – 16.74 mg/g), vitamin C (8.10 - 44.07 mg/g), beta carotenes (2.67 – 5.89 mg/g), crude fibre (3.81 – 4.47 mg/g), ash (2.11 – 19.08 mg/g), calcium (35.3 – 384 mg/g), iron (6.71 – 74.61 mg/g), magnesium (19.19 – 31.10 mg/g), zinc (2.84 – 31.84 mg/g) and potassium (10.86 – 50.80 mg/g). The vegetables containedalkaloids (except A. spinosus var. red), flavonoids, saponins, phenols, steroids (except A. viridis) and glycosides. Amaranthus spinosus var. green had the highest concentrations of 161.1 mg/g, 214.11 mg/g, 38.11 mg/g, 21.03 mg/g and 89.16 mg/g for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and glycosides respectively while A. dubius had the highest concentration (18.03 GAE) of phenols. The considerable good nutritional and phytochemical properties of the vegetables make them highly recommended for inclusion in diets and food products. The results of the study also indicate that the plants could be useful for new drug development and managing various ailments.
Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Methanol and Aqueous Seed Extracts of Azanza garckeana Fruits
Authors: Momodu I.B. , Okungbowa E.S. , Agoreyo B.O. , Maliki M.M.
Published: June 2022

Azanza garckeana is a tropical fruit plant found in Africa. Its edible fruit is used as food or herbal medicines, while the seeds are discarded. In an attempt to turn waste to wealth and obtain useful substances from it, this study was carried out to identify the bioactive compounds with nutritional and health-promoting benefits present in methanol and aqueous extracts of the seeds of this fruit. Freshly harvested few fruits of A. garckeana containing the seeds were obtained from Tula in Kaltungo LGA, Gombe State, Nigeria. They were identified and authenticated at the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Nigeria. The pulverized seeds were used to obtain methanol and aqueous extracts and subjected to GC-MS analysis. The results of the study revealed the presence of thirtyeight bioactive compounds which have been reported to have anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. Among these compounds are the following with reported biological functions namely: Pentadecanoic acid, Octadecadienoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Tetradecanoic acid, Heneicosane, 2-Methyltetracosane and Methyl stearate. There concentrations range from 0.33% for 9-Octadecenoic acid-methyl ester (Methyl oleate) to 24.3% for 9,12– octadecadienoic acid-(z-z) (Linoleic acid) in methanol extract. In the aqueous extract, the bioactive components measured 0.18% (lowest) for Dodecane, 2,6,11-trimethyl- and 2-Methyltetracosane (Isopentacosone) to 7.34% (highest) for 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)- (Oleic acid). Other compounds without known reported functions are 10,13-Octadecadienoic acid, 9-Octadecenoic acid 12-hydroxy-methyl ester [R-(Z)]- and 1,13-Tetradecadiene among others. The seeds of A. garckeana have useful constituents that can be exploited for health benefits.
A new approach of image denoising based on adaptive multi-resolution technique
Authors: Satapathy L. M. , Das P.
Published: June 2022

Medical imaging and diagnostic techniques have become popular over the last two decades with the advancement of data science, data analysis, data storage, and the internet. The impact of this evolution can be seen in the fields of telemedicine and medical sciences, which allow more effective detection and treatment of various diseases. Like any other form of imaging technique, medical images are sensitive to noise and artifacts. The images become unclear with the presence of noise, and the diseases cannot be identified properly. Therefore, image denoising plays a vital role in the field of biomedical image processing. As a result, work must be done to minimize noise without sacrificing image quality. Various methods for reducing noise have already been proposed in the literature. Each method has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. In this paper, we introduce a bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD)-based image de-noising approach. The principal purpose of this research is to decompose noisy images depending on frequency and create a hybrid algorithm that incorporates existing de-noising approaches. The proposed algorithm is an image-dependent technique that decomposes the noisy image into several IMFs with residue, then considering the individual attributes of the IMFs, they are separately filtered. Furthermore equalization is applied to the residue for preserving the edge information. A comprehensive study is conducted over the experimental results of the benchmark test images using different performance measure matrices to quantify the effectiveness of the presented approach. In terms of subjective and objective evaluation, the reconstructed image is found to be more accurate and visually pleasing. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art image-denoising methods, especially in terms of PSNR, RMSE, correlation, and structural similarity.
An appraisal of routine Antenatal laboratory parameters at booking in Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
Authors: Bakare Y.T. , Ogunlaja O.A. , Bobo T. , Ogunlaja I.P. , Olasinde A. , Akinola S.E.
Published: June 2022

Antenatal care (ANC) involves a planned and coordinated medical and psychosocial support that optimally begins before conception and extends throughout the antepartum period. Routine laboratory tests at booking are part of this range of evidence-based interventions to ensure healthy mothers and infants.  The usual recommended routine ANC laboratory tests in low resource countries include; packed Cell Volume (PCV), Blood/Rhesus group, Hemoglobin genotype, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and urinalysis.

A review of Antenatal booking investigation results of consecutive presenting pregnant women at Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomoso between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021 were analyzed alongside with other relevant information such as age, parity, occupation, level of education, year of last childbirth.

Eight hundred and fifty-two pregnant women participated in the study, out of which 522 (61.3%) were <30 years while 312 (36.6%) and 18 (2.1%) were 30-39 years and ≥40 years respectively. Most of the women were age 20 – 29 years (60.6%) and only 2 (0.7%) were teenagers. Majority of the participants had parity of 1-4 (94.7%) while only 33 were grand multiparous. A total of 387 (45.4) women had normal PCV while 465 (54.6) had a PCV in the range of mild to moderate anaemia. None was severely anaemic.  The commonest blood group was ‘O’ 390 (45.7%). Most of the mothers 771 (90.4%) were Rhesus D positive while 81 (9.6%) of them were negative. Only three women were positive for HIV while 6 and 78 women had a positive VDRL and HbSAg test results respectively.

Most of the women are young (<40 years), have blood group O rhesus D positive and were anaemic at booking. Most of the participants are non-reactive to VDRL, HIV and HBsAg tests. The high percentage of anaemic cases in this study have justified the critical role of routine ANC laboratory tests in providing prompt detection and thus modification or management of pre-existing conditions or risk factors that may influence the course and outcome of pregnancy and labour.
Effect of MiR-423-5p expression on the severity of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury, inflammatory response and immune function in mice
Authors: Yang Junlan , Xing Ning , Xing Ning , Dong Ling
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To investigate the biological functions of miR-423-5p in a mouse model with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury.Methods: Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into control group (n = 20), LPS group (n = 20) and LPS + miR-423-5p mimic group (n = 20). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosisassociated proteins in the liver tissues were determined. Finally, the survival of mice was recorded within 7 days after the injection of LPS.Results: Overexpression of miR-423-5p improved the liver function of septic mice, and decreased the content of ALT, AST and LDH. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-423-5p also lowered the levels of the oxidative stress markers 4-HNE and MDA, and raised the content of anti-oxidative enzymes SOD and GSH-Px in the liver tissues of septic mice (p < 0.05). The levels of inflammation and apoptosis in the liver of mice in LPS + miR-423-4p mimic group were lower than those in the LPS group (p < 0.05). The overexpression of miR-432-5p increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen of septic mice (p < 0.05), thereby reducing immunosuppression.Conclusion: The expression of miR-423-5p is low in septic mice with liver injury, but its overexpression alleviates acute liver injury and inflammatory responses, and also enhances immune function in mice. Therefore, it has the potential to serve as a targeted drug for the management of liver injury.
MiR-494-3p mediates oxaliplatin resistance of colorectal cancer cells via PTEN/AKT pathway
Authors: Yu Yongming , Wu Zhou , Shen Zhonglei , Xie Yangyang , Cao Yisheng , Zhu Jiangfan
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To unravel the influence of miR-494-3p on the insensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to oxaliplatin.Methods: The mRNA level of miR-494-3p in oxaliplatin-resistant HT-29 cells was evaluated with reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cells were treated with miR-494-3p suppressor or mimic, and then apoptotic changes were determined flow cytometrically. Resistancerelated gene expressions were measured using RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition, in vivo mouse experiments were conducted.Results: MiR-494-3p expression in oxaliplatin-resistant HT-29 cells was much higher than that in parental HT-29 cells, accompanied by increased levels of MRP, P-gp, and AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT), and decreased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) (p < 0.001). The miR-494-3p mimic suppressed oxaliplatin-induced parental HT-29 cell apoptosis, while miR-494-3p inhibitor promoted oxaliplatin-resistant HT-29 cell apoptosis and decreased the levels of p-AKT, MRP and P-gp, while upregulating PTEN (p < 0.001). Furthermore, AKT inhibitor had similar effects as miR-494-3p inhibitor (p < 0.001). Experiments using nude mice demonstrated that inhibition of miR-494-3p accentuated the sensitivity of oxaliplatin-resistant HT-29 cells to oxaliplatin (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Suppression of miR-494-3p attenuates oxaliplatin insensitivity to CRC cells via a mechanism which may involve PTEN/AKT pathway. Therefore, miR-494-3p may be an effective target for overcoming drug resistance of CRC.
Characteristics of Organic Compounds in PM2.5 at Seosan: Comparison of Organic Compounds in PM2.5 at Seoul
Authors: Lee Yeonjung , Teng Zihui , Kim Ki Ae , Lee Kwang Yul , Park Seungshik , Lee Ji Yi
Published: June 2022

Objectives : In this study, we analyzed 56 individual organic compounds in PM2.5 in Seosan, where the large complex emission sources are closely located, to characterize organic compounds distributions in this site.Methods : The sampling of PM2.5 in Seoul was also simultaneously carried out to compare the concentrations and distributions of organic compounds in PM2.5 measured in Seosan.Results and Discussion : The overall concentration of organic compounds (OCs) in Seosan was 383±165 ng/m3 , which was twice as high as the concentration in Seoul (189±67 ng/m3 ). PAHs and levoglucosan concentrations were higher in Seosan than in Seoul, attributing mostly to emissions from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning. The ratio of Levoglucosan/Mannosan(Levo/Manno) and Levo/K+ plot showed that the type of biomass in the biomass burning at two areas might be different. In addition, the concentrations of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzne and tere-phthalic acid, which are indicators of plastic burning, in Seosan were 2~9 times higher than Seoul, respectively.Conclusion : It suggests that open burning of solid fuels such as biomass and plastic garbage was a key contributor to rising organic aerosol concentrations in Seosan.
Applications of Mercury Stable Isotopes in Environmental Forensics
Authors: Jung Saebom , Kim Young Gwang , Kwon Sae Yun
Published: June 2022

Mercury is a globally distributed toxic trace metal, which can travel long distances in the atmosphere and bioaccumulate to elevated levels in ecosystem food webs. Since 2013, various parts of the mercury life cycle, including the production, use, emissions, releases, as well as the environmental and ecosystem fate, have been governed via the global treaty on mercury, the Minamata Convention of Mercury. The convention also calls attention to the application of mercury stable isotopes for distinguishing between various mercury sources in environmental media and for identifying sources, which require targeted risk management. Here, we introduce ways in which mercury stable isotopes can be applied in the field of environmental forensics to identify sources responsible for local contamination and global cycling that require international governance. This review is divided into: 1) the general overview on the mercury speciation and cycling, 2) the nomenclature of mercury stable isotope systems, and 3) the introduction of case studies that have successfully utilized mercury isotopes to interpret legacy and recent mercury sources in atmospheric and freshwater environments. We conclude the review by making specific recommendations as to how mercury stable isotopes can be better utilized in the field of local and global environmental forensics. These recommendations include the development of comprehensive anthropogenic mercury source inventories and isotopic-based evidence on the transboundary transport of mercury.
Fractal Sentiments and Fairy Tales - Fractal scaling of narrative arcs as predictor of the perceived quality of Andersen's fairy tales
Authors: Bizzoni Yuri , Peura Telma , Thomsen Mads , Nielbo Kristoffer
Published: June 2022

This article explores the sentiment dynamics present in narratives and their contribution to literary appreciation. Specifically, we investigate whether a certain type of sentiment development in a literary narrative correlates with its quality as perceived by a large number of readers. While we do not expect a story's sentiment arc to relate directly to readers' appreciation, we focus on its internal coherence as measured by its sentiment arc's level of fractality as a potential predictor of literary quality. To measure the arcs' fractality we use the Hurst exponent, a popular measure of fractal patterns that reflects the predictability or self-similarity of a time series. We apply this measure to the fairy tales of H.C. Andersen, using GoodReads' scores to approximate their level of appreciation. Based on our results we suggest that there might be an optimal balance between predictability and surprise in a sentiment arcs' structure that contributes to the perceived quality of a narrative text.
Specification and Verification of Timing Properties in Interoperable Medical Systems
Authors: Zarneshan Mahsa , Ghassemi Fatemeh , Khamespanah Ehsan , Sirjani Marjan , Hatcliff John
Published: June 2022

To support the dynamic composition of various devices/apps into a medical
system at point-of-care, a set of communication patterns to describe the
communication needs of devices has been proposed. To address timing
requirements, each pattern breaks common timing properties into finer ones that
can be enforced locally by the components. Common timing requirements for the
underlying communication substrate are derived from these local properties. The
local properties of devices are assured by the vendors at the development time.
Although organizations procure devices that are compatible in terms of their
local properties and middleware, they may not operate as desired. The latency
of the organization network interacts with the local properties of devices. To
validate the interaction among the timing properties of components and the
network, we formally specify such systems in Timed Rebeca. We use model
checking to verify the derived timing requirements of the communication
substrate in terms of the network and device models. We provide a set of
templates as a guideline to specify medical systems in terms of the formal
model of patterns. A composite medical system using several devices is subject
to state-space explosion. We extend the reduction technique of Timed Rebeca
based on the static properties of patterns. We prove that our reduction is
sound and show the applicability of our approach in reducing the state space by
modeling two clinical scenarios made of several instances of patterns.
When Can We Answer Queries Using Result-Bounded Data Interfaces?
Authors: Amarilli Antoine , Benedikt Michael
Published: June 2022

We consider answering queries on data available through access methods, that
provide lookup access to the tuples matching a given binding. Such interfaces
are common on the Web; further, they often have bounds on how many results they
can return, e.g., because of pagination or rate limits. We thus study
result-bounded methods, which may return only a limited number of tuples. We
study how to decide if a query is answerable using result-bounded methods,
i.e., how to compute a plan that returns all answers to the query using the
methods, assuming that the underlying data satisfies some integrity
constraints. We first show how to reduce answerability to a query containment
problem with constraints. Second, we show "schema simplification" theorems
describing when and how result-bounded services can be used. Finally, we use
these theorems to give decidability and complexity results about answerability
for common constraint classes.
THE STATE OF THE THYROID SYSTEM IN CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND PREGNANT WOMEN OF OSTROVETS DISTRICT OF GRODNO REGION
Authors:   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Petrenko S. V. , Zhiltsova Yu. V. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Batyan A. N. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Rafalskaya E. A. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Opanasenko T. S. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Mozheiko V. Ch. ,   Ostrovets Central District Clinical Hospital, Arnepesova H. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Petrenko M. S. ,   GUO Secondary School No. 92 Minsk
Published: June 2022

Taking into account the important role of a number of essential trace elements in protecting the thyroid gland from the action of negative anthropogenic and natural factors in critical groups of the population living in the area where the Belarusian NPP is located, the body’s provision with selenium, zinc and iodine for primary school children and pregnant women was studied. For the first time, a significant decrease in the content of both selenium and zinc and iodine in the body of pregnant women was established in comparison with republican indicators, while in children no significant changes in the provision of these trace elements were detected. A negative correlation between the volume of the thyroid gland and the content of the trace element selenium and zinc in the body in pregnant women and in children according to Spearman was revealed. The revealed dependence may indicate potentiation of the development of goiter with a deficiency of selenium and zinc in the body.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FRAGMENTS OF ANTIBODIES TO FERRITIN
Authors:   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Muzychenko B. A. , Melnikova Ya. I. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University
Published: June 2022

In this study, the antigen-binding properties of several scFv fragments of the HSF 102 monoclonal antibody were analyzed, which can be used to optimize protocols for creating recombinant monoclonal antibodies and their fragments with different linker peptide lengths.
PROBLEMS OF FOOD SECURITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS AND THE WAYS OF THEIR SOLUTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF AGRO CLIMATIC ZONES
Authors:   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Zalesova V. I. , Len E. S. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University
Published: June 2022

Climate has always had a significant impact on human activity. Such weather-dependent sectors of the economy as agriculture, water and forestry are especially affected by the climate. An increase in air temperature has a positive effect on the growth of agricultural crops and may lead to the emergence of new crops for the republic. At the same time, an increase in the average annual temperature also has disadvantages, such as a decrease in the yield of some crops, the appearance of new pests and diseases in plants. Food security as a component of national security acts as a kind of indicator of the level of development of society. Its achievement is one of the main goals of the agro-industrial policy of the state.
THE MARBLE CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS FALLAX AS INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE WATER BODIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
Authors:   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University, Sakun N. V. , Bodilovskaya O. A. ,   International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Belarusian State University
Published: June 2022

The article describes crayfish species diversity in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, in particular invasive species - the marble crayfish (PROCAMBARUS FALLAX) and the method of its reproduction. Currently, this species is found in many European countries, but there is a serious probability of its spread in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Many crayfish species listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus may be endangered in case of an invasion of marble crayfish in the water bodies of Belarus.