bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching Online EMI Mathematics Courses
Authors: Barana Alice , Marchisio Marina , Sacchet Matteo , Salusso Daniela
Published: May 2022

Studies show that gamification enhances the mathematics learning experience by increasing student engagement. Gamification can be successfully used in higher education contexts, primarily when it comes to distance learning. It can compensate for the lack of interaction and create a student-centered, customizable, and autonomy-promoting environment. The use of adaptive learning and interactive feedback can be seen as strategies to improve student access and success in open online courses. In particular, a mathematical modelling module for undergraduates developed inside the project start@unito uses such strategies. Moreover, it is taught entirely in English. The Mathematical Modelling course inside the Erasmus+ Project SMART represents another source for research. The purpose of the chapter is to discuss the possibility of combining adaptive learning with gamification techniques to enhance and facilitate the English-mediated learning process while teaching of mathematics, adding the linguistic and STEM education challenge.
Math Teacher Perceptions About Gamification Strategies
Authors: Palacios-Hidalgo Francisco Javier
Published: May 2022

The relevance of game-based teaching and learning in research has grown in the last years as a result of its proven benefits for students in a variety of school subjects. However, no studies examine the opinions of math teachers about using it, and there are no research instruments that can be used for this purpose. This chapter presents the design and validation of an instrument for the analysis of math teachers' perceptions regarding gamification strategies in their teaching. Furthermore, it develops an exploratory study using the proposed questionnaire. Findings prove the validity of the instrument as well as more positive attitudes among women and primary teachers. Moreover, teachers that have received specific training in gamification considered themselves more able to design gamification tasks. Finally, the study encourages a reflection on the way these strategies are addressed in teacher education and opens the way for studies.
High Sulfate-Bearing Kaolin Clay Stabilization with Waste Glass Powder before and after Mellowing Process
Authors: Kissambinova Aizhan , Shon Chang Seon , Bazarbekova Ayazhan , Sandybay Saken , Zhang Di Chuan , Kim Jong Ryeol
Published: May 2022

Road construction on sulfate-bearing soils is a worldwide concern because it is associated with a volume swelling stability issue due to the ettringite formation. Several treatment techniques were developed to solve this problem and improve geotechnical soil properties, including using pozzolanic materials and applying the mellowing process. This research evaluated the combined effect of cement and waste glass powder (WGP) on stabilizing sulfate-bearing soil before and after the mellowing procedure. Total six mixtures were developed, which includes 4% cement, 4% cement + 2% WGP, and 4% cement + 6% WGP before and after soil mellowing. The experimental program included particle size distribution of soil and stabilizers, chemical analyses of stabilizers, soil properties, unconfined compressive strength, and three-dimensional (3-D) swelling for the high sulfate-bearing kaolin clay. The test results demonstrated that the use of WGP in soil with a high sulfate content WGP improved strength development, decreased volumetric swelling, and reduced moisture susceptibility.
Biomass Mediated Green Synthesis of ZnO/TiO2 Nanocomposite and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity for the Decolorization of Rhodamine B under Visible Light
Authors: Umar Khalid , Adnan Rohana
Published: May 2022

The synthesis of zinc oxide and nano-composite ZnO/TiO2 was successfully prepared using lignin extracted from an oil palm empty fruit bunch. The synthesized materials i.e. zinc oxide and nano-composite ZnO/TiO2 were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The crystalline nature of ZnO and ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite is indicated by XRD analysis and SEM images. The result of UV–vis spectrophotometry shows the red shift occurred in the case of ZnO/TiO2 composite. The nano range of the particles was demonstrated by the TEM images. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposite ZnO/TiO2 was tested and compared to ZnO for the decolorization of rhodamine B. The decolorization results indicate that ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite showed better photocatalytic activity under visible light than ZnO as well as TiO2.
Analysis of the Metallic Intermediate Band in Cr-doped AgGaS2 Semiconductor for the Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Peng Wen Hao , Li Bin Bin , Shi Kai Xuan , Chen Ping
Published: May 2022

The intermediate band semiconductor of AgGa1-xCrxS2 is investigated by the first principles calculations and further confirmed by the experimental results. The band structures of pure and Cr-doped crystals were calculated and it is shown that the crystal with a direct energy band gap of about 0.95 eV for AgGaS2. Because of Cr dopant, a metallic intermediate band (IB) is successfully formed in the host. From the partial density of states (PDOS) of Cr-doped AgGaS2, the IB mainly comes from the hybridization of the Cr-3d and S-3p states. Based on the theoretical predications, the Cr-doped AgGaS2 is synthesized by the high-temperature solid state reaction. Two extra absorption responses are detected in the absorption spectra. The optical absorption coefficients are enhanced in the visible radiation range due to the formation of metallic and isolated IB. Therefore, Cr-doped AgGaS2 with an intermediate band is suggested as a potential material to enhance the efficiency of solar cells.
Deep Eutectic Solvent Functionalized Graphene Oxide Based Ferrofluid for the Liquid Phase Microextraction of Fluoroquinolones from Water Samples
Authors: Mohammad Rania Edrees Adam , Elbashir Abdalla Ahmed , Karim Jamilah , Yahaya Noorfatimah , Rahim Nurul Yani , Miskam Mazidatulakmam
Published: May 2022

The development of smart materials have a significant impact on sample preparation and preconcentration methods. Ferrofluid or magnetic fluids (FF) are smart colloidal suspensions of single domain magnetic nanoparticles in a polar or non-polar liquid carrier. In this study, graphene oxide magnetite (GO@Fe3O4) and deep eutectic solvent-based choline chloride and ethylene glycol as a carrier liquid were utilized to form GO@Fe3O4-DES FF. The synthesised GO@Fe3O4-DES FF was characterized using FTIR, SEM, TEM and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). GO@Fe3O4-DES FF was further developed for the application of GO@Fe3O4-DES FF-liquid phase microextraction (LPME) for enrofloxacin as test compound. Several parameters such as type of FF composition and volume, extraction time, desorption solvent volume, desorption time and solution pH were optimised and analysed using HPLC-UV. Under optimum conditions, the developed GO@Fe3O4-DES FF-LPME method showed good linearity, R2 ≥ 0.9921, repeatability, RSD 0.57 – 9.40 %. The developed GO@Fe3O4-DES FF-LPME method was applied for the determination of enrofloxacin in water samples from Langat River Basin, Selangor and the recovery of 71.6 – 112.3% was obtained. In conclusion, the developed GO@Fe3O4-DES FF-LPME method for the determination of enrofloxacin showed excellent sensitivity and precision and may be an excellent alternative method for the extraction on water samples.
Modelling geographical heterogeneity of diabetes prevalence and socio-economic and built environment determinants in Saudi City - Jeddah
Authors: Murad Abdulkader , Faruque Fazlay , Naji Ammar , Tiwari Alok , Helmi Mansour , Dahlan Ammar
Published: May 2022

Type-2 diabetes is a growing lifestyle disease mainly due to increasing physical inactivity but also associated with various other variables. In Saudi Arabia, around 58.5% of the population is deemed to be physically inactive. Against this background, this study attempts explore the spatial heterogeneity of Type-2 diabetes prevalence in Jeddah and to estimate various socio-economic and built environment variables contributing to the prevalence of this disease based on modelling by ordinary least squares (OLS), weighted regression (GWR) and multi-scale geographically weighted (MGWR). Our OLS results suggest that income, population density, commercial land use and Saudi population characteristics are statistically significant for Type-2 diabetes prevalence. However, by the GWR model, income, commercial land use and Saudi population characteristics were significantly positive while population density was significantly negative in this model for 70.6%, 9.1%, 26.6% and 58.7%, respectively, out of 109 districts investigated; by the MGWR model, the corresponding results were 100%, 22%, 100% and 100% of the districts. With the given data, the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc), the adjusted R2, the log-likelihood and the residual sum of squares (RSS) indices demonstrated that the MGWR model outperformed the GWR and OLS models explaining 29% more variance than the OLS model, and 10.2% more than the GWR model. These results support the development of evidence-based policies for the spatial allocation of health associated resources for the control of Type-2 diabetes in Jeddah and other cities in the Arabian Gulf.
Differences in spatial patterns of long-term care depending on severity in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Ohashi Kazuki , Fujiwara Kensuke , Tanikawa Takumi , Bando Kyohei , Aoki Tomohiro , Ogasawara Katsuhiko
Published: May 2022

The increasing demand for long-term care (LTC) among the ageing population is a serious problem worldwide, which has greatly increased also in Japan since the introduction of the LTC insurance system there. Since there is a difference between insurers with respect to the proportion of people needing LTC, this study aimed at clarifying the spatial patterns of LTC. Insurer (n=156) LTC data for the period 2012-2019 were obtained from Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and those needing LTC were classified into three classes: total, mild and severe with ageand sex-adjusted proportions needing LTC. Global and local Moran’s I statistics were calculated for each 2-year period to clarify the trends of global and local spatial clusters. From 2012 to 2019, the mean proportion of mild class cases increased (10.6% to 11.6%), whereas that of severe class cases decreased slightly (5.9% to 5.7%). The spatial pattern of the proportion of each class revealed positive spatial autocorrelation. Based on analysis by local Moran’s I, differences in spatial patterns were emphasised between the mild and severe classes. In Hokkaido, High-High clusters of mild cases were identified in the central and southern parts and severe ones in the northern and southern parts. Spatial patterns differed depending on the LTC class. Some insurers had distinctly higher or lower certification rates than those of their neighbourhoods.
Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis; the Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Alkhalaila Osama , Shehadat Mansour Al
Published: May 2022

Low-gradient (LG) aortic valve stenosis (AS) constitutes a significant subset among patients with severe aortic stenosis. This entity represents one of the most challenging heart conditions when it comes to diagnosis and management, mainly because of the discrepancy between the small aortic valve area (≤1.0 cm2) that is considered a severe AS, and low mean transvalvular pressure gradient (<40 mmHg), which is one of the criteria for nonsevere AS. LG AS is divided according to transvalvular aortic flow rate into normal-flow LG AS and low-flow LG (LFLG) AS; the latter category can be divided further according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) into classical LFLG AS if LVEF is depressed or paradoxical LFLG AS if LVEF is preserved. The primary diagnostic challenge in patients with LG AS is to confirm that AS is truly severe and not pseudosevere, which is assessed mainly by either dobutamine stress echocardiography or multidetector computed tomography. The management of symptomatic true severe LG AS is mainly by aortic valve replacement (AVR), whether surgical or transcatheter approach. Patients with LG severe AS have a generally worse prognosis and higher mortality compared with patients with high-gradient severe AS. Despite the survival benefit of AVR in patients with true severe LG AS, these patients have higher surgical risk post-AVR compared with high-gradient AS patients. Early recognition and correct diagnosis of a patient with LG AS is crucial to improve their mortality and morbidity.
Diagnosis and Therapeutic Cardiac Catheterization of Symptomatic Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Yassin Haytham , Al-Saloos Hesham
Published: May 2022

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart disease with a prevalence of 0.5%–1.3% of the population. Many children with BAV are asymptomatic. Clinically relevant abnormal valve function usually occurs in adulthood. However, in rare cases, children can fail to thrive which requires valvular intervention. In this review, we will explore in more detail the anatomy of the BAV, clinical presentation of BAV, diagnosis of BAV, and its function by echocardiography, and indications for transcatheter intervention in the pediatric population.
Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Mental Stress Induced Hypertension in China (2022 Revision)
Authors: Lu Lin , Geng Qingshan , Wang Jian'an , Bai Chunlin , Cheng Gong , Cui Yinghua , Dong Bo , Fang Jianqun , Gao Feng , Huang Ruowen , Huang Shuwei , Li Yuming , Liu Gang , Liu Yuanyuan , Lu Yan , Ren Yanping , Mao Jialiang , Shi Dazhuo , Su Huimin , Sun Xinyu , Sun Xingguo , Tang Xiangdong , Tian Fengshi , Tu Hong , Wang Hao , Wang Qing , Wang Xiangqun , Wang Junmei , Wang Le , Wang Yibo , Wang Yumei , Wang Zhipeng , Wen Shaojun , Wu Hui , Wu Yanqing , Xiong Peng , Yu Guolong , Yang Ning , Zhao Xiaoling , Zhan Haicheng , Liu Meiyan
Published: May 2022

Mental stress has been recognized as an essential risk factor for hypertension. Therefore, experts specializing in cardiology, psychiatry, and Traditional Chinese Medicine organized by the Psycho-Cardiology Group of College of Cardiovascular Physicians of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and Hypertension Group of Chinese Society of Cardiology proposed the expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of adult mental stress-induced hypertension in March 2021, which includes the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the mental stress-induced hypertension. This consensus will hopefully facilitate the clinical practice of this disorder. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the primary global sources of psychosocial stressors since the beginning of 2020, and the revision of this expert consensus in 2022 has increased the relevant content. This consensus consists of Part A and Part B. Part A includes (I) Background and epidemiological characteristics, (II) Pathogenesis, and (III) Diagnosis and Part B includes (IV) Treatment recommendations and (V) Prospects. This part presents the content of Part A.
An Unusual Case of Dense Mitral Annular Calcification in a Young with Plethora of Mitral Annular Premature Ventricular Complexes
Authors: Das Debasish , Das Tutan , Pramanik Subhas
Published: May 2022

We report a rare case of dense mitral annular calcification in a 26-year-old male presenting with recurrent palpitation for the last year with a plethora of mitral annular premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). PVCs had right bundle branch block morphology, were notched in inferior leads with negative QRS complexes in aVL suggestive of likely origin from the lateral mitral annulus. Patients with PVCs from mitral annulus are usually advised to undergo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to localize the site of subtle mitral annular calcification and plan subsequent delivery of radiofrequency lesions at the same site during radiofrequency ablation. Dense calcification of the lateral mitral annulus is extremely rare to encounter in such a young age of below 30 years without the presence of any predisposing risk factors for calcification. Our case is the first illustration of dense mitral annular calcification secondary to the plethora of mitral annular PVCs in a symptomatic young person below the age of 30 years. PVCs-induced excessive local excursion with wear and tear phenomenon and secondary dystrophic calcification may be the plausible explanation behind this interesting presentation.
Internet Addiction Predicted Insomnia Among Bangladeshi Undergraduate Students at the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Tasnim Zarin , Ahsan Gias Uddin
Published: May 2022

Objective:

The prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and insomnia among the student cohort was high. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely influenced both critical emerging public health concerns. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of IA and insomnia and assess the relationship among the problems at the crucial time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A pilot survey was conducted among undergraduate students of an educational institute by inviting participants to use an electronically randomly selected e-mail address provided by the affiliated institute. Descriptive analysis was conducted to identify the student subgroups with a higher prevalence of insomnia; however, a multiple regression analysis was employed to identify the predictors of insomnia.

Results:

Insomnia and IA prevalence was 49.4% and 81.7%, respectively. Age group, gender, relationship status, family income, family type, living location, tobacco use, and exercise habits and physical illness history were associated with insomnia. However, regression analysis suggested that maintaining a relationship, being physically ill in the last year, and IA could predict insomnia independently.

Conclusion:

Institutional initiatives are recommended to reduce the high burden of insomnia and IA. A large sample size cross-sectional and longitudinal study is warranted to generalize these findings and determine the in-depth relationship between IA and insomnia.
Developmental Pb2+ -Exposure Induces Cardiovascular Pathologies in Adult Male Rats
Authors: Okeke Evelyn , Neuwirth Lorenz S. , El Idrissi Abdeslem
Published: May 2022

Background:

Developmental lead (Pb2+) exposure has been historically shown to alter the pathological functions of the cardiovascular system at high blood lead levels (i.e.,>15 μg/dL). However, given the time that has elapsed in the field (i.e., some 30 years), there is a great need for less clinical and more basic research on the cardiopathology of low blood lead levels (lBLLs; i.e.,<10 μg/dL). Further, most of the prior literature had focused solely on males as they had been reported to be more vulnerable to Pb2+ induced cardiovascular pathology.

Aims and Objectives:

To generate a model system of Pb2+-induced cardiovascular pathology that would be consistent with past reports, the present study examined male Long–Evans Hooded rats that were perinatally Pb2+ exposed (i.e., via their food with 996 ppm lead acetate in the rat chow) up until weaning (i.e., postnatal day 22; blood lead levels [BLLs]: 10–15 μg/dL) and were then removed from Pb2+ exposure for nearly 1.5 months (i.e., BLLs >3.33 μg/dL).

Materials and Methods:

Rats were then subjected to cardiovascular measures of systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) and heart rates. Rats were sacrificed and their hearts were weighed; their thoracic aortas were collected and examined for microstructural and morphological changes through a scanning electron micrograph.

Results:

The data showed that compared to age matched control rats, the Pb2+ exposed rats have increased SBP, DBP, and heart rate with no differences in heart weight. These data show that early developmental Pb2+ exposure comprising lBLLs can cause significant cardiovascular pathological changes in rats.

Conclusion:

The present model of developmental Pb2+-exposure occurring early in life caused Pb2+-induced cardiopathology later in life through increased hypertension and reduced elasticity of the aorta media. These cardiovascular pathologies could further increase the likelihood of accelerated fronto executive dysfunctions due to the direct action of Pb2+ on neurons through inhibition of calcium dependent processes and might also contribute to vascular dementias.
A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practices of workplace radiation safety amongst anaesthesiology personnel in northern Indian tertiary care institutes
Authors: Haldar Rudrashish , Shamim Rafat , Mondal Himel , Kannaujia Ashish Kumar , Mishra Prabhakar , Agarwal Anil
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims:

Exposure to ionising radiation to Anaesthesiology consultants, residents, technicians and nurses (Anaesthesiology personnel) is steadily increasing as a consequence of growing usage of imaging technology for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of Anaesthesiology professionals (consultants, residents, technicians and nursing staff) working in three major tertiary care medical institutes in northern India regarding the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices of radiation safety at their workplaces.

Methods:

A printed and validated 30-point questionnaire was distributed. Questions were graded into the domains of demographics (6 questions), knowledge (9 questions), attitude (4 questions) and practice (11 questions). Data obtained from the responses was collated and analysed statistically

Results:

Out of the 403 questionnaires distributed, 222 were returned completed (55%). Majority of the respondents were residents (53.60%) and males (57.20%). Many were unaware of the principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), (70.7%) regarding collimators (65.85%) and their usage (41.9%). Maximum respondents stressed on the necessity of knowing the exposure dosage of radiations (89.2%) and were concerned regarding the same (87.8%). Lead apron was the commonest protection equipment and 97.3% of them were not using dosimeters. Highest levels of knowledge, attitude, and practices were demonstrated by the consultants. In terms of practices, the technicians fared better than the residents.

Conclusion:

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding radiation protection issues and doses of radiological procedures is limited. Although all the cadres scored high on their attitude scores, the practice sector requires improvement.
A randomised prospective single-blind pilot study to compare the analgesic efficacy of thoracic epidural block and erector spinae plane block in breast cancer surgery
Authors: Karoo Khushbu , Kumar Mayank , Sinha Mamta , N Nilima
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims:

Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is an effective analgesic technique for breast surgery, although it has many associated complications. Ultrasound (US)–guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block requires less technical expertise, is safe and may be an alternative to TEA. We aimed to compare the efficacy of TEA with US-guided continuous ESP block for post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgeries.

Methods:

Sixty-six female patients of age group 18–65 years, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II, undergoing MRM surgeries were recruited. Patients received TEA in Group Ep and US-guided ESP block in Group Er, before induction of general anaesthesia. Both the groups received 0.2% ropivacaine 15 mL, followed by 5 mL.h-1
infusion for 24 h. The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia. Secondary outcomes were total doses of rescue analgesics in 24 hours and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, and 24 h.

Results:

The mean duration of analgesia was 21.72 ± 4.73 hours in Ep group and 20.60 ± 5.77 hours in Er group (P = 0.39). The total dose of rescue analgesics in the postoperative period was comparable between both the groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the groups over 24 h.

Conclusion:

US-guided ESP block can be used as safe and easy to perform alternative analgesic technique over thoracic epidural analgesia for peri-operative pain management in breast cancer surgeries.
A Cross-sectional Study on Research Practices among Doctors in India
Authors: Rathi Akanksha , Kumar Vikas , Majhi Jitendra , Jayaraj Naveen Prabhu , Singh Satyavir
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

When doctors assume the role of a researcher, then they have to play from both ends – many times, the enthusiasm of research might play with morality of a physician. The quality of research in India is not at par with most countries and it has a publication share of only 1.59%.

Objectives:

The objectives were to find out the research practices of doctors to identify loopholes in research and recommend rectifications.

Materials and Methods:

It is a cross-sectional study done with the help of an anonymous online pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire was randomly mailed from a mailing list to 500 doctors of different places and specialties and 100 of them filled the form and participated in the study.

Results:

Out of the 100 participants, 77 (77%) said that they had received some training or have attended some workshop on research methodology. More than one-fourth of the researchers agreed to modifying data to get desired results and 14% agreed to producing false data owing to the pressure by a supervisor. Almost one-third of the researchers agreed to having deliberately ignored bias or errors in their studies. Twenty-three percent revealed that they do not always take informed consent from their study subjects. More than one-third researchers revealed that they do not seek the permission of the institutional ethics committee (IEC) before commencing a study. The proportion of researchers having low, medium, or high good research practices score is 15.4%, 21.8%, and 62.8%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Majority of researchers indulge in misconduct, knowing, and unknowingly. These issues need to be tackled through capacity building, training of investigators and IEC members, strengthening of IEC functioning, and encouraging greater community participation.
Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria with keratoacanthoma
Authors: Veena
Published: May 2022

Dyschromatosis Universalis hereditaria is a rare pigmentary disorder presenting with dyschromia of skin involving trunk and extremities arranged in mottled manner lesions, usually present in the first few years of life. Herein, we report this extremely rare case of dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria in a middle-aged male with a family history of dyschromia in his younger sister, now presenting to us with a keratoacanthoma.
Low Fruit and Vegetable Consumption is Associated with Linear Growth Faltering among Children in Urban Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Tahmina , Endres Kelly , Hasan M. Tasdik , Uddin Ismat Minhaj , Bhuyian Md Sazzadul Islam , Zohura Fatema , Coglianese Nicole , Biswas Shwapon Kumar , Alam Munirul , Faruque Abu S. G. , Gittelsohn Joel , Perin Jamie , George Christine Marie
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the association between dietary diversity and child growth among children 6 to 23 months of age in urban slums of Bangladesh. This prospective cohort study enrolled 192 participants 6 to 23 months of age in Dhaka, Bangladesh. To collect dietary intake information for children 6 to 23 months of age, consumption of five or more of the following eight minimum dietary diversity food groups was recorded using 24-hour dietary recall by the child’s caregiver: 1) breast milk; 2) grains, roots, and tubers; 3) legumes and nuts; 4) dairy products; 5) flesh foods; 6) eggs; 7) vitamin A–rich fruits and vegetables; and 8) other fruits and vegetables. Height and weight were measured at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up. Fifty-five percent of children (106 of 192) consumed five or more of the eight minimum dietary diversity food groups during their first visit to assess dietary intake. Eighty-two percent of children (157 of 192) had a report of consuming an animal source of food (e.g., eggs, dairy, flesh foods) in the past 24 hours, 85% (164 of 192) consumed any source of protein (e.g., eggs, dairy, flesh foods, nuts, and legumes), and 65% of children (125 of 192) were reported to consume any fruits and vegetables. Child consumption of fruits and vegetables was positively associated with change in length-for-age z-scores from baseline to the 12-month follow-up (coefficient, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.03–1.68). Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with linear growth faltering among the young children residing in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. These findings demonstrate the need for effective interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in this susceptible pediatric population.
Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Primary School Children in the States of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tripura, India, 2015–2016
Authors: Ganguly Sandipan , Barkataki Sharad , Sanga Prerna , Boopathi K. , Kanagasabai Kaliaperumal , Devika Shanmugasundaram , Karmakar Sumallya , Chowdhury Punam , Sarkar Rituparna , Raj Dibyendu , James Leo , Dutta Shanta , Campbell Suzy J. , Murhekar Manoj
Published: May 2022

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are highly prevalent in many developing countries, affecting the poorest and most deprived communities. We conducted school-based surveys among children studying in first to fifth standard in government schools in the Indian States of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tripura to estimate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections during November 2015 and January 2016. We adopted a two-stage cluster sampling design, with a random selection of districts within each agro-climatic zone in the first stage. In the second stage, government primary schools were selected by probability proportional to size method from the selected districts. We collected information about demographic details, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) characteristics and stool samples from the school children. Stool samples were tested using Kato-Katz method. Stool samples from 3,313 school children (Chhattisgarh: 1,442, Telangana: 1,443, and Tripura: 428) were examined. The overall prevalence of any STH infection was 80.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.3–85.7) in Chhattisgarh, 60.7% (95% CI: 53.8–67.2) in Telangana, and 59.8% (95% CI: 49.0–69.7) in Tripura. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent STH infection in all three states. Most of the STH infections were of light intensity. Our study findings indicate that STH infections were highly prevalent among the school children in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tripura, indicating the need for strengthening STH control program in these states. The prevalence estimates from the survey would serve as a baseline for documenting the impact of the National Deworming Day programs in these states.
Cytotoxic Activity jof Dialium Guineense Wild (Fabaceae) Fruit and Stem Bark Methanol Extracts and Fractions
Authors: Imade R.O. , Chikunie-Ofulue M. , Choudharyi M.I. , Alam A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrollable multiplication and spread of abnormal forms of the body’s own cells. Due to the challenges of orthodox drugs other treatment options are being investigated. Dialium guineense has found ethnomedicinal application in the management of various ailments including cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of D. guineense fruit and stem bark extracts using preliminary and confirmatory methods.

Material and method: Preliminary screening was carried out on the extracts using bench-top assay methods for cytotoxicity involving the use of tadpoles of Raniceps ranninus (20-200 µg/mL) and growth inhibition with radicle of Sorghum bicolor seeds (1-30 mg/mL). The extracts were further tested on a breast cancer cell line (AU 565) at 50 μg/mL using 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Solvent partitioning of the stem bark extract was carried out using chloroform and the resulting fractions subjected to biological testing.

Results: The stem bark extract showed 100 % mortality at 40 µg/mL in the tadpole lethality assay while the fruit showed no mortality. The aqueous fraction of the stem bark extract was also more active than the chloroform fraction with an LC50 of 32.4 μg/mL. A concentration dependent effect was observed in the growth inhibitory test using S. bicolor with 67.92 and 49.06 % reductions obtained for the stem bark and fruit extracts respectively. The chloroform fraction produced the highest anticancer effect with 46.55 % inhibition against AU 565 cell line.

Conclusion: D. guineense stem bark has cytotoxic potential and is a good candidate for further in vivo anticancer studies.
Modeling the effect of gauge length on the mechanical properties of Chitin Whiskers reinforced composites
Authors: Ofem M.I. , Ubi P.A. , Christian A.
Published: May 2022

Mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus) of Chitin Whiskers fibre-reinforced poly(acrylic acid) with different fibre loading and different gauge lengths are compared with theories of reinforcement. The addition of random oriented Chitin Whiskers to poly(acrylic acid) matrix increased in tensile strength and elastic modulus of the composite. There was a steady increase in tensile stress and Elastic modulus within the volume fraction range investigated. The properties of the composite at different gauge lengths were studied. Within the same volume fraction, the tensile stress decreases as the gauge length increases. It is the reverse for the Elastic Modulus. Irrespective of filler loading and the theoretical modelling equations the tensile stress can be predicted at 40 mm gauge length. For the Elastic Modulus, the prediction of the property varies within the gauge lengths investigated. At higher filler loading, a smaller gauge length is required to predict the Elastic modulus. The comparative study between the tensile stresses obtained by experiment and selected theoretical models showed that the Parallel and Series models of the Rule of Mixture produced more accurate prediction, followed by Halpin-Tsai and modified Halpin-Tsai models. Guth's model was the least as the percentage deviation from the experimental data was very high when predicting the Elastic modulus. The density of the nanocomposite films were 1.08g/cm3, 1.023, and 1.024g/cm3 respectively, for 3%, 6%, and 9% weight filler and were in agreement with the theoretical data.
Optimal sensor suite selection for helicopter enhanced vision in all-weather-all-environment operation using multi criteria decision making techniques
Authors: Ubadike O.C. , Anabi H.K. , Okafor E. G. , Bonet M.U. , Jemitola P. O. , Shinkafi A. A.
Published: May 2022

Optimum sensor selection for helicopter enhanced vision in all-weather operations is a strategic issue and has a significant impact on safety, efficiency and utility of military and Emergency Service Helicopters. On the other hand, selecting the optimal sensor among many alternatives is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. The sensor selection task in this paper is modelled as a stepwise Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to guide the selection process, based on criteria relating to environmental conditions (fog, rain, dust) and sensor characteristics (detection range, update rate, resolution). Result of this study reveals that a combination of millimeter wave radar, passive millimeter wave camera and infrared camera is the optimal suite having the highest value among all the alternatives considered. This result will guide decision makers at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air force and indeed other helicopter operators in their quest to equip helicopters for operation in adverse weather conditions.
Predicting road traffic crash severity in Kaduna Metropolis using some selected machine learning techniques
Authors: Evwiekpaefe A. E. , Umar S.M.
Published: May 2022

Road Traffic Crash (RTC) is among the leading causes of death in the world and has a significant impact on the socio–economic development in a society. Generally, RTC can be caused by one or a combination of the following factors: Human, environment and vehicle. This study utilized five data mining algorithm classifiers (Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), J-Repeated Incremental Pruning to Produce Error Reduction (JRIP), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP)) to classify the severity of RTC and identify the significant causes of RTC in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The RTC data used in this study included 26 RTC attributes with 1580 instances from 2016 to 2018 that covered fatal, serious and minor cases obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kaduna sector command. Two sets of experiments were performed on the classifiers (without and with feature selection). The study results showed that among the five data mining algorithms used, K-NN had the best accuracies of 94.8% and 96.1% respectively for the without and with feature selection experiments.
Assessment of the influence of voltage unbalance on three-phase operation of power system
Authors: Oluseyi P.O. , Jatto G.O. , Okoro O.I. , Akinbulire T.O.
Published: May 2022

In the power system operation, efficient energy utilization is vital. However, with the advent of voltage unbalance, the system is faced with reduced efficiency in the process of energy conversion. This phenomenon occurs due to the asymmetrical behavior of the operating voltage phasor displacement and magnitudes. This occurrence has been attributed to a number of events; such as blown fuse which is as a result of unbalanced loading of the power factor correction capacitors, unbalanced source voltage, unequalled impedance in three-phase system, etc. Though, it is believed that the voltage unbalance phenomenon is more prevalent in the residential and commercial consumer supply. However, its impact on the industrial sector cannot be overemphasized. The power system operation of the induction motor; as the major energy conversion device; is modelled using the Park's transformation. This i s deployed to evaluate the influence of voltage unbalance by adopting the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) bench marking parameters for evaluating the system’s Voltage Unbalance Factor (VUF). The results show that the motor efficiency drop from 93.2% at 0% of voltage unbalance to 59.51% at 5% of unbalance. This suggests that the power system operation should be closely monitored to ensure that voltage unbalance is eliminated or mitigated by all means; so as to avoid loss of revenue to poor management of the system's power quality.
Demand side management strategy for alleviating power shortages in Nigerian power system: A case study
Authors: Akpojedje F. O. , Ogujor E. A.
Published: May 2022

This paper presents the simulation of demand side management (DSM) strategy for alleviating power shortages in Nigerian power system. The frequent power outages in the Nigerian power system especially in the distribution network which is caused by schedule and unscheduled outages in the system in which the schedule outages are predominant, is as a result of inadequate electricity generation and equipment limitations to meet the current ever-growing energy demand. The distribution network feeders’ peak load and electricity supply was evaluated and data were collected from November 2017 to October 2018; to carry out the analysis of the network feeders’ load and its management. Consequently, modeling of the proposed DSM strategy in Simulink environment and its optimization was done using the binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) algorithm and, the simulations were carried out to test the efficacy of the model. The results of the simulations of the DSM strategy showed that the proposed method has the capacity to bring the load curve closer to an objective or desired load curve thereby reducing the blackout areas of the network per outage scheduling from 63.38% or 36.62% in the existing network to 14.08% in the proposed network and also, improved the 11 kV feeders’ availability from twelve hours currently per day to twenty-four hours in the proposed network.
Assessment of peak expiratory flow rate of bakers in Osun, Lagos and Oyo States, Nigeria
Authors: Ajayeoba A. O. , Yekini I. B. , Badmus B. S. , Ojo O. O.
Published: May 2022

Bakers are exposed to flour dust; thence, they face various tremendous health problems such as asthma and some other respiratory illnesses, which may be aggravated when combined with improper awareness of ways of protection and ignorance by bakery employers and employees. This study focused on bakers' speed of expiration in the selected geographical locations by assessing the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) of the bakers and also establishing equations involving their anthropometric parameters. A total of 435 subjects were considered for each group, classified as a test group and a control group. The PEFR and anthropometric data which includes age, height, weight, and length of chest of bakers and non-bakers were collected using a Mini-Wright peak flow meter and Detecto PD300MDHR column scale. A self-reporting questionnaire was administered to each of the bakers. SPSS (version 21) and MS Excel (version 2016) were used to analyze the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as T-test analysis, were used to compare the data of the two groups. The study showed that bakers in Agege, Osogbo, and Ibadan have mean PEFR of 372.37, 386.44, and 389.31l/min, respectively, while non-bakers in Agege, Osogbo, and Ibadan have mean PEFR of 487.50, 473.32, and 473.80l/min, respectively. It was observed that some of the factors that affect the low level of PEFR are lack of personal protective equipment, negligence to health tips, carefree attitude to guides, and the principle of safety in bakery industries. It is therefore recommended that require training/retraining, awareness creation, and use of personal protective equipment should be employed as safety interventions highly necessary in the baking industry.
UAV for Agrochemical Application: A Review
Authors: Uche U.E. , Audu S. T.
Published: May 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are tools for mechanized agriculture: they are used to alleviate maladies in a variety of fields through commercial, scientific, agricultural, and infrastructure enhancement. The purpose of the paper is to illuminate knowledge on mechanized agriculture using unmanned aircraft systems for pesticides and fertilizer application in obstacle rich farm. Various journal papers were reviewed to ascertain the state-of-the-art in agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles. X-rayed are unmanned aerial vehicle agrochemicals spraying architecture and efficacy, deployment and control strategies, obstacle sensing and avoidance systems, development/studies, and the limitations of the technology. The review shows that great strides have been made to develop agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles that can autonomously identify obstacle type, realize desired avoidance actions, and carry out variable rate agrochemical application. It is however noted that studies should continue on developing protocols and standard operation procedure, more human friendly interface platform, power technology, higher payload, real time quality imagery and robust mechanical features as well as enhanced sense and avoidance technology to meet the requirement of agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle for real time autonomous actions, flight endurance, low speed and low altitude. The paper therefore addressed the lack of awareness and absence of dedicated education on precision agriculture in the farming sector that has since ensured that its adoption level as a preferred system of farming remains very low in Nigeria despite the many benefits of unmanned aircraft vehicle farming technology
Fuzzy-logic modelling for quality prediction of smoked Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish
Authors: Adeyi A. J. , Adeyi O. , Ajayi O. K. , Oke E. O. , Ogunsola A. D. , Oyelami S.
Published: May 2022

Statistical modelling of hot smoke processing of pre-treated Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish was reportedly inaccurate, making it difficult to design, predict, and reproduce the finished product’s quality; hence, accurate modelling of this process is a gap in study. This study filled this gap and extended the literature by investigating the accuracy of artificial intelligent based model for the same process. Fuzzy inference system (FIS) model was developed using the already presented dataset in the literature from where inaccurate statistical models were reportedly derived. The dataset is on the effect of smoke temperature (80, 90 and 100OC) and smoke time (2.00, 2.50 and 3.00 h) on the gross energy value (GEV) (Kcal/g) and the overall acceptability (OA) properties of brined pre-solar dried and brined non-dried Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish. The efficiency of FIS membership function types (pimf, trimf and gbellmf) on the accuracy of the developed FIS model was also investigated. Coefficient of determination, root mean square error, individual percentage error and model accuracy were used to discern the model accuracy. Results showed that FIS had a modelling accuracy (𝑅2 value) between 0.9873 and 0.9999 as against 0.1072 and 0.5800 reported for the statistical model. The results suggested that FIS model outperformed the statistical model of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) smoke processing and it is recommended for process/product design, control, and standardization.
Design modification and CFD formulation of 1D3D mechanical cyclone for optimal particle collection efficiency
Authors: Azike N. D. , Onyegegbu S.O.
Published: May 2022

Standard 1D3D mechanical cyclone with standard inlet velocity of 16m/s and cylinder diameter of 0.1524m was modified using Downhill simplex method to develop four modified cyclone designs. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) formulation involving model design, meshing, CFD simulation and postprocessing was carried out on the mechanical cyclones. ANSYS Fluent software was used for the CFD formulation using fine mesh of the default minimum mesh size of the CFD mesher. Cornstarch was used as inlet particulate matter. Reynolds Stress Turbulence Model (RSTM) was used to model the swirling turbulent flow while Discrete Phase Model (DPM) was used to track about 10,000 particles through the simulated cyclones. The DPM result of each mechanical cyclone was used to calculate it’s CFD, particle collection efficiency result. Standard 1D3D mechanical cyclone obtained particle collection efficiency result of 87.38% using cornstarch and default minimum mesh size for CFD simulation while modified 1D3D mechanical cyclone one (1) recorded the optimal CFD particle collection efficiency result among modified 1D3D mechanical cyclones with 94.00%. Its convergence iteration point also showed improvement in simulation time compared to the standard 1D3D mechanical cyclone. Consequently, it was concluded that, design modification in line with CFD formulation offers an alternative and powerful approach to modeling 1D3D mechanical cyclones performance.