bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Um Estudo da Formulação Clássica de Campos em Física
Authors: Cartier Renan Flaneto , Rufino Elzimar de Oliveira , Oliveira Fabricio de Figueredo , Araújo Ijanílio Gabriel de
Published: January 2022

Teoria de Campo, em geral, serve para formular novas teorias em Física, visando unificações de Leis bem estabelecidas e, desempenhando papel importante na ciência, civilização, e na atividade humana, com destaque sobreo avanço da tecnologia e informação. Assim, nesta proposta, faremos uma abordagem introdutória aos formalismos presentes na teoria clássica de campos, com uma breve contextualização histórica, mostrando o desenvolvimento e a evolução da Teoria de Campos. Estes formalismos são muito relevantes tanto no ramo da Mecânica Clássica, quanto na Mecânica Quântica. O objetivo é auxiliar o estudo para alunos de graduação de quaisquer áreas das ciênciasexatas e da natureza, além de possibilitar aperfeiçoamento profissional para desenvolver futuros trabalhos em Física Matemática. Nesta proposta, inserimos os formalismos newtoniano, lagrangiano e hamiltoniano, além de mencionar a abordagem relativística.Palavras-chave: Teoria de Campos, Formalismos Newtoniano, Lagrangiano e Hamiltoniano.
Peningkatan Kualitas Kimia Tanah Sulfat Masam dengan Aplikasi Kombinasi Bahan Organik Lokal dan Limbah Agroindustri
Authors: Abdillah Muhammad Helmy , Widiyastuti Dewi Amelia
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this research was to assess effect of compost treatment from various local organic materials combined with agro-industrial waste to improved chemical quality of acid sulfate mineral soils, to compare of root dry weight and grain weight milled dryness of Inpara-3. This research was conducted at screen house of Polytechnic Hasnur, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan from November 2020 to June 2021. This study used Compeletely Randomized Design (CRD) with Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test a=5%. There were 7 treatments used as, K0 = control. JKD = paddy straw compost 4 t ha-1 and solid decanter 2 t ha-1; JKR = paddy straw compost 4 t ha-1 and solid crumb rubber 2 t ha-1; SKD = empty fruit bunch compost 4 t ha-1 and solid decanter 2 t ha-1; SKR = empty fruit bunch compost 4 t ha-1 and solid crumb rubber 2 t ha-1; PKD = compost of purun tikus (Eleocharis dulcis) 4 t ha-1 and solid decanter 2 t ha-1; PKR = compost of purun tikus 4 t ha-1 and LPKR 2 t ha-1. The treatment was 5 replication so that 35 experimental plant units. The results showed compost paddy straw combinated solid decanter reducing concentration of soluble Fe and Al and can increasing availability of P and K. Treatment of compost empty fruit bunch combinated solid decanter can be increasing pH and total N-mineral. Compost paddy straw combinated solid crumb rubber gave increasing weight on root dry and grain milled dryness.

 

Keywords: acid sulfate soil; agroindustrial wasted; compost
Control and Automation: Insmoaf (Integrated Smart Modern Agriculture and Fisheries) on The Greenhouse Model
Authors: Siskandar Ridwan , Santosa Sesar Husen , Wiyoto Wiyoto , Kusumah Billi Rifa , Hidayat Agung Prayudha
Published: January 2022

A greenhouse is an agricultural management system that has shown the efficiency of food production. This system is an effective alternative to ensure maximum production results. Agriculture with greenhouse technology can create the desired environmental/climatic conditions. The rapid development of technology and science has led to the birth of communication between devices using IoT and AI. This technology can be applied to greenhouses in agriculture and fisheries. Research on greenhouse and microcontroller-based automation systems has been carried out, and it is interesting to be developed. Researchers make a more efficient system and can increase the quality and quantity of production. The measurement data of both modes are monitored using the web. The greenhouse prototype is supported by DHT22, DS18B20, a fan to control the greenhouse cooler, RFID as the key access to the greenhouse. DHT22 & DS18B20 sensor readings in the prototype greenhouse use an AI system with the fuzzy method. IoT and AI have been successfully implemented in models of rice fields, hydroponic farming, and fisheries using automatic modes of RTC devices and sensors. The fuzzy approach method is used to find the optimum temperature and humidity values. The fuzzy approach was successfully carried out until the temperature and humidity conditions were "ideal," "high," and "very high." This condition provides information to the microcontroller to activate which fan should turn on. In manual mode, the smartphone application controls the system properly.

 

Keywords: artificial intelegent, control and automation, fuzzy logic, greenhouse, IoT
Kuantitas Mikrob Tanah pada Lahan Jagung dengan Aplikasi Ekstrak Alga
Authors: Amaliah Nur Azizah , Anisa Nurul , Norna Norna , Ahmad Muhammad Habil , Rusli Fitratul Insaniah , Karim Hilda , Azis Andi Asmawati , Junda Muhammad , Jumadi Oslan
Published: January 2022

Organic fertilizers contain complete nutrients needed by plants, such as humic acid and fulvic acid, that can promote plant growth and increase the population of beneficial microbes in the soil. Algae can be an organic fertilizer in extract preparations that can increase plant growth and improve soil composition. The calculated number of microbes from the soil on corn land with the application of algae extracts affects the population of soil microbes both by standard plate count (SPC) and most probable number (MPN) methods. The total number of bacteria by SPC in the control soil was 3.1 × 105 CFU/g, while the total fungus was only 1.7 × 104 CFU/g upon applying 5% algae extract. The most microalgae by MPN in the control ground was estimated to be 2.6 × 104 cells/g. Therefore, the application of algae extract affects the number of soil microbes on corn land compared to control soil. The algae extract reduces the number of bacteria and algae but increases the number of fungi on cornfields.

 

Keywords: algae extracts, cornfields, soil microbes
Ketebalan Daun dan Laju Transpirasi Pada Tanaman Hias Dikotil
Authors: Dacosta Yuliana Ovan , Daningsih Entin
Published: January 2022

Transpiration rate internally depends on the water content that occupies the tissue in the leaves, which is reflected in the thickness of the leaves. This study measured the transpiration rate and leaf thickness of ornamental dicotyledon plants. The experiment used Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Six species of dicotyledon plants and three parts of the plant were the main factors. The interaction between plant species and plant parts was a combination factor. The transpiration rate was measured using a weighing method and leaf thickness was measured from the upper to the lower epidermis. Leaf thickness was measured before and after transpiration rate measurement. Data were analyzed using SAS with Factorial CRD model and continued with the LSD test if there was a significant treatment. The species of plant and plant parts had significant effects on the transpiration rate and leaf thickness, but the combination or interaction of the two did not affect the transpiration rate and leaf thickness. Aerva sanguinolenta Bi. had the highest transpiration rate followed by Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn., Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R. Br. ex Roem. & Schult., Excoecaria cochinchinensis Lour., Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, and Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss while the leaves at the bottom of the plant had the highest transpiration rate compared to the middle and upper parts of the plant. Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss. had thick leaves and less transpiration rate than the other plants. The leaves at the top had a higher thickness than those at the middle and bottom parts of the plant. This occurs because the transpiration rate of the lower leaf was faster than the upper and middle parts. Leaf thickness was inversely correlated to the rate of transpiration.

 

Keywords: dicotyledon, leaf thickness, transpiration rate
Viabilitas dan Vigor Benih Kacang Tanah (Arachis hypogaea L.), Kacang Hijau (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek), dan Jagung (Zea mays L.) pada Temperatur dan Tekanan Osmotik Berbeda
Authors: Zidny Fatikhasari  , Lailaty Intani Quarta , Sartika Dian , Ubaidi Muhammad Aldian
Published: January 2022

Viability and vigor are components of seed quality assessment which are influenced by internal and external factors of the seed, i.e., salinity and temperature. Salinity is related to the interaction between osmotic pressure and seed germination. This study used 3 types of seeds, they are peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek), and corn (Zea mays L.). The purposes of this study were to determine seed viability by using Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), to analyze the effects of different osmotic pressures and temperatures on seed viability and vigor. Peanut seed viability test was conducted by using 1% TTC solution. Testing the effect of osmotic pressure on seed viability and vigor was conducted by using various concentrations of NaCl (0.01 M; 0.05 M; 0.5 M; 0.1 M; 1 M). The germination test of the three seeds was conducted by using temperatures of 30°C and 35°C, each with three replications. The test parameters measured included germination, germination rate, germination speed index, vigor index, simultaneous growth, and the speed of seed growth. The results showed that TTC solution was effectively used to determine seed viability. Mung bean had the highest germination rate, LP, IKP, IV, simultaneous growth, and speed of seed growth compared to the other tested seeds in all salinity and temperature treatments. The 30 ⁰C temperature treatment resulted in the best viability and seed vigor for the three tested plants. Treatments of temperature and salinity affect the quality of the three plant seeds which can then be used to determine the quality of peanut, mung bean, and corn seeds.

 

Keywords: germination, salinity, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, viability, vigour
Różnicowanie pierwszych linii komórkowych w zarodkach ssaków - różnice i podobieństwa międzygatunkowe
Authors: Filimonow Katarzyna , Chołoniewska Anna , Michniak Katarzyna , Piliszek Anna
Published: January 2022

Rozwój zarodkowy ssaków łożyskowych zachodzi wewnątrz organizmu matki, co wymaga wytworzenia odpowiednich struktur dla podtrzymania tego rozwoju zarówno przez organizm matki, jak i rozwijającego się zarodka. Pierwsze etapy rozwoju zarodkowego ssaków, poprzedzające implantację, to okres różnicowania pierwszych linii komórkowych – epiblastu (z którego rozwinie się ciało płodu), oraz linii pozazarodkowych: trofektodermy (odpowiedzialnej za implantację i powstanie łożyska) i endodermy pierwotnej (dającej początek pęcherzykowi żółtkowemu). Ich powstanie jest konieczne dla dalszego rozwoju, i jest cechą wspólną rozwoju wszystkich ssaków łożyskowych, jednak ramy czasowe i mechanizmy molekularne odpowiedzialne za te procesy różnią się u różnych gatunków ssaków.
New-onset hyperglycaemia and prolonged systemic corticosteroids therapy in mild COVID-19 patients as major risk factors for invasive mucormycosis: a preliminary study
Authors: Khichar Satyendra , Samantaray Subhashree , Kumar Deepak , Mobarsa Veena , Jain Vidhi , Sharma Vidhu , Soni Kapil , Choudhary Bikram , Goyal Amit , Meena Durga Shankar , Srinivasan Srikanth , Dutt Naveen , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Agarwal Ashwini , Garg Mahendra Kumar , Misra Sanjeev
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose: Rapid surge of invasive mucormycosis has surprised the Indian healthcare system amidst the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, there is an urgent need to find the risk factors for the sudden rise in cases of invasive mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to find crucial risk factors for the sudden surge of invasive mucormycosis in India.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 77 cases of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) who matched the controls (45 controls) in terms of age , gender, and COVID-19 disease severity. The control group included subjects that matched controls without mucormycosis confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at our tertiary care center during April-May 2021. Probable predisposing factors, such as duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), history of recent hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, mode of the received oxygen supplementation, and use of steroids, zinc, vitamin c, and any other specific drugs were collected and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the laboratory parameters, like glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were analyzed to find out the significant association with CAM.
Results: DM (Odds ratio=7.7, 95% CI 3.30-18.12; P=<0.0001) and high glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c>7.5 gm %) (odds ratio=6.2, 95% CI 1.4-26.7; P=0.014) were significant risk factors for the development of invasive mucormycosis among the COVID-19 cases. A higher number of mild COVID-19 cases developed CAM, compared to the moderate to severe cases (59.7% vs 40.3%). Use of systemic corticosteroids (odd ratio=5 with 95% CI 1.5-16.9; P=0.007) was found to be a risk factor for invasive mucormycosis only in mild COVID-19 cases. Use of oxygen, zinc, and vitamin C supplementation, and proprietary medicine did not lead to a significant risk of invasive mucormycosis in cases, compared to controls. Cases with invasive mucormycosis had a higher level of inflammatory markers (hsCRP and ESR, P=<0.001 and 0.002,respectively), compared to the controls.
Conclusion: Uncontrolled and new-onset DM and the use of systemic corticosteroids in mild cases were significantly associated with a higher risk of invasive mucormycosis in COVID-19 cases. There should be a strong recommendation against the use of systemic corticosteroids in mild COVID-19 cases.
High incidence of azole resistance among Candida albicans and C. glabrata isolates in Northeastern Iran
Authors: Zarrinfar Hossein , Kord Zahra , Fata Abdolmajid
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose: Resistance to antifungal drugs is increasing among Candida isolates from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Lack of correct diagnosis of Candida causing VVC and the experimental use of antifungal drugs are the main causes of this resistance. This study aimed to determine the susceptibility of antifungal drugs against Candida species isolated from VVC in Northeastern Iran.
Materials and Methods: Among women suspected of VVC, 189 vaginal discharge specimens were evaluated. Candida isolates detected by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism were examined by standard antifungal disk diffusion susceptibility testing method for voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and ketoconazole. The susceptibility pattern of these antifungals was reported as sensitive, susceptible dose-dependent, and resistant. The results were evaluated by SPSS software and analyzed by Pearson chi-squared test.
Results: Among the vaginal specimens, 108 out of 189 Candida isolates were identified as C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. The susceptibility rates of Candida isolates to voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole were 92.6%, 90.7%, 68.5%, and 63.9%, respectively. Moreover, the resistance rates to fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole were 15.7%, 8.3%, 1.9%, and 1.9%, respectively. The C. glabrata and C. albicans isolates were resistant to antifungal discs among 93% and 20% of the specimens, respectively.
Conclusion: The C. glabrata and C. albicans species showed the highest resistance to antifungal drugs. Furthermore, Candida isolates showed the highest sensitivity to voriconazole and ketoconazole and the lowest sensitivity to fluconazole.
Coinfection of disseminated cryptococcosis and BK Virus, a casualty of missed diagnosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Benelli Jessica Louise , Basso Rossana Patrícia , Rodrigues Márcia de Lima , Poester Vanice Rodrigues , Munhoz Lívia Silveira , Aquino Valerio Rodrigues , Stevens David A. , Xavier Melissa Orzechowski
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an overload of health services and healthcare professionals. The result is a setback in health promotion and prevention, delays in diagnosis, and deaths from other diseases that are currently receiving inadequate attention. This article illustrates the risk of this negligence.
Case report: This study aimed to report a case of coinfection of disseminated cryptococcosis and BK virus in a patient without a previous diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection and COVID-19 negative in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite receiving antifungal therapy, the patient died.
Conclusion: This fatal case is a warning regarding delay of diagnosis and neglect ofother serious illnesses owing to the current pandemic, including fungal diseases and neglected diagnoses.
Corona and Misery: Sixth Epidemiologic Transition by COVID-19 and Its Consequent Cardiovascular Complications
Authors: Mehrpooya Maryam
Published: January 2022

The article's abstract is not available.
The Vicious and Virtuous Facets of ICU Structure
Authors: Alibabaei Ahmad , Salami Alireza , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Nateghinia Saeedeh
Published: January 2022

Background: In the provision of medical facilities, intensive care units are very critical and it seems almost difficult to use the new therapeutic strategies without Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There are two types of ICU structure, known as the open or closed model. The aim of this study was to assess the variables driving the selection of the appropriate ICU management structure and modeling of the appropriate ICU management structure.Methods: This descriptive-exploratory study was performed among all resident doctors, consultants, therapists and neurosurgeons, ICU specialists, internal medicine specialists, respiratory diseases specialists, heads of associated units and head nurses, neurosurgery ICU workers and staff, and doctors of the Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2018. The influence of independent variables on dependent variables and the effect of observed variables on latent variables were tested using the Structural Equation Technique (SEM technique) and the data collected in the LISREL program was analyzed.Results: This research included one hundred persons, including 91 men and 9 women. The factors affecting the performance and structure of the ICU were structural context (including open, semi-closed, and closed structure), organizational context, strategic context, treatment economics context, processes, and quality improvement.Conclusion: There is a good association between quality management and the application of the closed system of the ICU and each of the organizational, strategic, care economics, and processes factors.
The Condition of COVID-19 and Schizophrenia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Situation with Escalating Concerns
Authors: Badrfam Rahim , Zandifar Atefeh
Published: January 2022

The article's abstract is not available.
Assessment of Nutritional Risks in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Mohammadi Parsa , Aldin Varpaei Hesam , Mohammadi Mostafa
Published: January 2022

The article's abstract is not available.
Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia Severity in Afflicted Patients
Authors: Yarahmadi Masoomeh , Hafezi Fariba , Makvandi Behnam
Published: January 2022

Background: Based on the proven role of sleep quality in promoting health, the treatment of insomnia should be premised on identification of characteristics and severity of insomnia symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in improving sleep quality and reducing  insomnia severity among the afflicted patients.
Methods: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design and control group. The statistical population included all patients visiting the Sleep Disorder Clinic of Rasoul Akram Hospital and two private psychiatric clinics, selected using convenience sampling in Tehran in 2020. Twenty out of 60 patients with insomnia disorder, diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Insomnia, were randomly selected using a lottery method. The participants were divided into the experimental and control groups. In the cognitive-behavioral group, each participant individually received a 6-week treatment intervention. All participants in both groups were evaluated at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and one month after the treatment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and  Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used for data collection.
Results: The results showed a significant between-group difference in the scores of sleep quality and insomnia severity at post-test stage (p<0.05). Moreover, the follow-up test results suggested the stability of the effect of treatment interventions on sleep quality and insomnia severity among the experimental and control groups relative to their pre-test scores (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicated that CBT-I could improve sleep quality and insomnia severity in afflicted patients.
Analysis of Human Factors Influencing Error Occurrence Using RCA And HFACS-OGI in a Gas Company
Authors: Boroun Sara , Gholamnia Reza , Jabari Musa
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Human factors are central and vital issues in different working environments, including industries. The operational processes of a gas company are among the processes in which several accidents have occurred. Accidents are of the most important causes of direct and indirect costs to the industry, so it is necessary to identify the human factors which have the greatest effect on the occurrence of errors regarding accidents, recognize them, and adopt control and preventive strategies to prevent them from happening again. Accordingly, the study of human factors affecting error occurrence is of great importance in industry. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the human factors affecting the occurrence of errors in the operational processes of the gas companies.
Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a gas company. Statistics and documents of the accidents from a 10-year period in the gas company were received from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) of this center, and examined and analyzed through the methods of human factor analysis and system classification for the oil and gas industry (HFACS-OGI) and root cause analysis (RCA).
Results: The results of applying HFACS-OGI method showed that in level one, error section, subgroup of "perceptual error" ; in level two, subgroup of "human resource management"; in level three, "inadequate supervision"; in level 4, "safety culture" section ;and at level 5, the "legal framework" had the highest percentage. Through the RCA method, the highest frequency was for defects related to work requirements and the lowest frequency was related to disqualification.
Conclusion: Human factors affecting the occurrence of error include cognitive and behavioral characteristics of employees, defects in the operational processes of safety management system, inadequate and proper supervision, lack of/deficiency in training and the employees' practical experience, non-compliance with general safety principles, lack of/deficiency in implementation of control measures regarding the management of the risks approved by the organization , the lack of/defect in the optimal implementation of human resource management, which can be reduced by improving the performance indicators, executive procedures, proper planning, providing  monitoring courses ,and proper supervision .Finally, it was found that HFACS-OGI and RCA methods can be used in similar working environments due to their consistency in presenting the results.
Identifying and assessment the health hazards of the petrochemical industry using the localized JHA method
Authors: Majidi Eisa , Zarei Mahmoud Abadi Hadi , Fattahi Bafghi Hamed , Ahmadi Soodabeh , Sharifi Morteza , Moradi Behnam
Published: January 2022

Introduction: In the petrochemical industry, there are various harmful factors that lack of attention and proper management will have adverse consequences for the organization and employees. The aim of this study was to Identifying and assessment the health hazards of the petrochemical industry using the localized JHA method.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study that conducted in one of Iran's petrochemicals, in order to assess the health risk caused by harmful factors was used from localized JHA method. First, after determining the desired job and dividing it into job duties, the number of tasks was specified. Then, in order to calculate the Risk Priority Number (RPN), from multiplication of 3 factors of probability of occurrence, severity and frequency of exposure was used. All calculations were performed by Excell.
Results: The results showed that from 353 calculated risks, 93.48% of the total risks are at the acceptable risk level, 4.82% of the risks are at the low importance level and 1.7% is at risk level with medium importance. Also, at between the studied hazards, ergonomic harmful factors with 22%, had the highest frequency and biological harmful factors with 1% had the lowest frequency of hazards.
Conclusion: Regarding to importance of health hazards, in addition to identifying and evaluating them, it is necessary to determine and implement appropriate management measures to reduce and control of risk levels to prevent from accidents and related occupational diseases and the heavy costs.
Hepatitis B and C virus reactivations under biologic treatments in patients with rheumatic diseases: long-term results from a single-center
Authors: COSKUN Belkis Nihan , YAĞIZ Burcu , ÖZBOZ Ezgi Sezen , TUFAN Ayşe Nur , ERMURAT Selime , PEHLİVAN Yavuz , DALKILIÇ Hüseyin Ediz
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To find out the effects and prevalence of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-TNF agents on hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients with rheumatic diseases (RD).
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 1,548 RD patients. Patients’ medical records regarding immunological profiles, clinical courses, and outcomes, were obtained. In this research, the patient used conventional DMARDs (cDMARDs) and biological DMARDs (bDMARDs). A drug exposure was considered when a patient was administered GC, cDMARDs, or bDMARDs for > 4 weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin were measured. HBsAg, HBV DNA assay, anti-HCV and HIV were identified.
Results: HBsAg was positive in 19 (37.3%) patients. Anti-HBs  in 5 (9.8%) patients and anti-HBc IgG in 35 (68.6%) patients were positive. All patients with HBsAg positivity were receiving antiviral prophylaxis. Anti-HCV was positive in 25.5% (n = 13) of individuals . There was not any reactivation among the patients. No HBV reactivation was observed. 
Conclusions: Screening before treatment and give prophylaxis to patients who have occult hepatitis or hepatitis B, may be an important factor in the absence of reactivation. Hepatitis screening should be performed in all patients prior to biological treatment is initiated.
Physical, chemical and sensory properties of cookies produced from sweet potato and mango mesocarp flours
Authors:   University of Agriculture, Nigeria, Sengev IA , Gernah DI , Bunde-Tsegba MC
Published: January 2022

This study was a result of the need for utilization of local raw materials for food production and diversification as well as an attempt to reduce the rising cost of wheat imports. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical, chemical and sensor y properties of cookies produced from sweet potato and mango mesocarp composite flours. Sweet potato tubers and partially ripe mango fruits were processed into flours. Cookies were prepared from blends of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 sweet potato flour (S PF) to mango mesocarp flour (MMF), with cookies prepared from 100% sweet potato flour (SPF) and 100% wheat flour (WF) serving as control and standard respectively. Thereafter, all the cookie samples were subjected to chemical, physical and sensory analyses using standard methods. The moisture, fat, fibre, ash, energy values as well as beta carotene contents increased significantly (p < 0.05) as the level of substitution increased . The standard recorded the highest protein value with the control having the l east value. However, the control had highest value in terms of carbohydrate. The crude protein increased significantly (p < 0.05) between the blends with increasing levels of mango mesocarp flour . Conversely, the carbohydrates content decreased as substitution levels increased . The diameter and spread ratio of the cookies decreased with increased substitution levels while the thickness increased. Cookies prepared from whole sweet potato flour were rated higher in terms of colour (8.1), crispiness (8.8 ), flavour (7.9), texture (7.2), taste (7.1) and overall acceptability (8.5) followed by cookies from whole wheat flour. Preference for the cookies decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the percentage of mango mesocarp flour (MMF) increased . Cookies from 60% SP F: 40% MMF had the least acceptability, though they had the highest β – carotene content. Generally, cookies produced from 100% SPF and the blends had good nutritional value except for protein which decrease d with increasing levels of substitution with MMF .
Performance, carcass, haematology and blood chemistry of broilers fed on cooked wild cocoyam [Colocasiaesculenta (L.) Schott] corms as partial substitutes for maize
Authors:   Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Nigeria, Olajide R , Akinsoyinu AO ,   University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Published: January 2022

A 28 - day feeding experiment was carried out to investigate the performance, carcass and health status of broilers fed Cooked Wild Cocoyam [ Colocasi a esculenta ( L. ) Schott ] Corm ( CWCC ), as partial substitutes for maize . One hundred and twenty (120) 4 - weeks old Hybro broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments of three replicates each. There were 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. Four diets were formulated such that diet 1 contained no CWCC and served as the control, while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 10, 20 and 30% C WCC respectively. Results indicated that t he highest weight gain (304.48g/b/wk) obtained in the control reduced to 260.87, 254.58 and 253.03g/b/wk respectively for birds fed 10, 20 and 3 0% CWCC - based diets ( P < 0.05 ) . The feed conversion ratio (2.56) of birds fed with 0% CWCC - based diet increased to 2.92, 3.12 and 3.24 respectively f or those fed 10, 20 and 30% CWCC - based diets ( P < 0.05 ) . Mortality was the same across all dietary treatments. The dress ed weight (64.78%) of the control decreased to 62.93, 61.01 and 60.57% respectively for birds fed 10, 20 and 30% CWCC - based diets ( P < 0.05 ) . The heart weight (HW) and gizzard weight (GW) differed significantly (P < 0.05) across the dietary treatments. All the haematological parameters did not differ (P > 0.05 ) among the dietary treatments . The value of cholesterol w as 134.54, 132.80, 125. 48 and 121.91mg/dl respectively at 10, 20 and 30% CWCC. Cost of a kilogramme of feed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from N 50.01 (control) to N 38.42 (10% CWCC), N 36.84 (20% CWCC) and N 35.26 (30% CWCC) respectively. Cost of feed per kilogramme weight gain ( N 127.86) obtained in birds on control (0% CWCC - based diets) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than N 112.19, N 114.82 and N 114.36 respectively for 10, 20 and 30% CWCC - based diets. Although substitution of maize with CWCC at 10 - 30% was cheaper than control with no adverse effect on bird’s health , however, the weight gain, dressed weight, cost per kg feed and cholesterol level decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing substitution levels and birds fed 10% CWCC - based diets had the least cost of feed per kg live weight gain. Therefore, 10% level of substitution was recommended for optimum profitability .
Nutritional knowledge and dietary diversity of cancer patients at the cancer treatment centre, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
Authors:   University of Nairobi, Kenya, Muthike CW , Imungi J ,   University of Nairobi, Kenya, Muchemi G ,   University of Nairobi, Kenya
Published: January 2022

Cancer cases are on the increase in Kenya and have become one of the leading public health issues. This increase is possibly attributed to change in behavior and adoption of predisposing factors such as increase in environmental carcinogens and unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer patients undergo treatment regimes such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment regimes are aggressive and result in side effects that lead to cancer cachexia. However, cancer patients are not equipped with the necessary information to handle these side effects in the required way to ensure a good nutrition status as treatment progresses. The purpose of the study was to show the relationship between nutritional knowledge and dietary diversity among cancer patients. Dietary diversity was used as an indicator of dietary practice. A cross sectional study was done on 132 patients selected through simple random sampling technique, attending the cancer treatment centre clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital from October to November 2012. Patients interviewed were either undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Interviewer administered questionnaires were administered voluntarily to the patients. Each questionnaire captured information on the patient’s socio-demographic and economic status, type of cancer, nutritional knowledge, and dietary diversity. The data was analyzed using SPSS Version16.0 (2007) statistical software. The patients were predominantly middle-aged (36-59yrs) with cancer most prevalent being breast cancer (55%) among women and prostate cancer among men (21%). The mean of total nutrition knowledge score among the cancer patients was 46±2%. The average dietary diversity score was 4±1. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between nutrition knowledge and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 0.15 (P>0.05). The patient’s nutritional knowledge was positively correlated with the dietary diversity score. This meant that patients with good nutrition knowledge had more diverse diets. However, the correlation was not statistically significant. Therefore, nutrition knowledge should be included during dietary counseling of patients to enable them improve their dietary practice.
Hidden salt in breads of Blantyre (Malawi) and labelling practices: A national wake-up call
Authors:   Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bunda College Campus, Malawi, Gama AP , Ching’anda C ,   University of Malawi, Malawi
Published: January 2022

A study was carried out to the determine amount of salt in breads sold in five major retail shops in Blantyre (Malawi). Determined salt concentrations were compared with declared values on labels. In addition, the study also assessed labelling practices among bread manufacturers to check compliance with labelling regulations in Malawi. Six brands of breads were sampled from the five major retail shops. Twelve samples were collected for each of the six brands of bread herein designated as bread 1, bread 2, bread 3, bread 4, bread 5 and bread 6. The study found that average concentration of sodium in the breads ranged from 1.7 g/100 g to 2.6 g/100 g. Significant differences of sodium content were observed in four brands of bread; bread 1, bread 2, bread 4 and bread 5 (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between bread 3 and bread 6 (p>0.05). None of the sampled breads had declared sodium content. All the breads complied with Malawi requirements for general labelling of breads. However, all the breads did not comply with nutrition labelling guidelines. The study reveals policy gap, in Malawi, on salt reduction in foods. The study also reveals regulation and regulation enforcement gaps that need to be urgently addressed to improve the current situation. Considering the results in this study, the authors recommend that Malawi should develop policies to support reduction of salt in food products such as bread to minimise risks associated with high salt intake. The authors also recommend enforcement of Malawi standard for nutrition labelling by the relevant authorities and a complete national survey to assess understanding of nutrition labelling among manufactures. Furthermore, the authors recommend urgent revision of 1985 Malawi standard for common bread, currently in use, to include sodium content limits as one way of initiating a reduction of sodium content in breads being sold on the market.
Impact evaluation of positive deviance hearth in Migori county, Kenya
Authors:   University of Eldoret, Kenya, Anino OC , Were GM , Khamasi JW
Published: January 2022

A Positive Deviance (PD) Hearth intervention is a home and neighborhood-based nutrition program for children who are at risk for protein-energy malnutrition in a low resource community. The intervention uses the ‘Positive Deviance’ approach to identify those behaviors practiced by the mothers or caretakers of well-nourished children from poor families and transfers such positive practices to other mothers who are equally disadvantaged economically. Positive Deviance Hearth intervention is designed to treat malnourished children, enable the families to sustain their rehabilitation at home on their own and to prevent malnutrition in younger siblings. However, PD Hearth intervention monitoring system in Migori only assesses a program’s ability to treat, one of the three PD Hearth objectives. Thus, there was need for impact evaluation to measure outcomes of the PD Hearth intervention to sustain rehabilitation and prevent malnutrition in younger siblings. The objectives of the study were to determine the level to which PD Hearth enables families to sustain rehabilitation at home on their own and to identify the practices which influence PD Hearth outcomes. The study was designed as a pipeline quasi-experimental and mixed method was used to collect data and perform statistical analyses. Single stage cluster sampling was used to identify 53 and 54 children on the intervention and comparison group in five communities. Weight measurements of the children on the intervention aged 6 to 59 months at the entry, exit and graduation stages were retrieved from Kenya Medical Research Institute Family AIDS Care and Education Services programme activities reports. Anthropometry (height measurements) for the children on the intervention and comparison children was taken. Caregivers filled in a questionnaire, assisted by the researchers as necessary. At entry, 18.9% children on the intervention had moderate underweight while 43.4% had mild underweight. At current status though, 3.8% and 34.0% had moderate and mild underweight respectively. The regression model predicted that Weight-for-Height (WAZ) of the children on the intervention at current status lied on 51.5 percentile, thus, normal for underweight. Increased feeding frequency made the largest contribution to weight gain than other caregiver practices. Therefore, the Migori County government in collaboration with the Ministry of Health needs to scale up PD Hearth intervention to reverse cases of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and prevent Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in the County.
Influence of hypo and hyper methionine supplementation on growth performance and immunological responses to Newcastle disease vaccinations of broiler chickens.
Authors:   Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, Faluyi OB , Adebayo IA , Agbede JO
Published: January 2022

This study was carried out to determine the effect of varying levels of methionine supplementation in di et of broiler chickens on their immunological response to Newcastle disease , growth performance , organ characteristics and haematological parameters . A total of two hundred birds were raised from day - old to six (6) weeks . T hey were distributed into four treatments A, B, C and D with five replicates per treatment, each replicate having 10 birds. At both starter and finisher phases of the experiment, there were four experimental diets A, B, C and D. Diet A was the control diet and contained a standard of 0.38% methionine , diet B wa s the diet containing 0.5% methionine as permitted by National Research Council ( NRC ) standards while diet s C and D contained 0.63 % and 0.75% methionine supplementary levels , respectively. By the third week of the experiment, some of the general observations made include d leg weakness which later progressed to complete paralysis in about 40% of the birds placed on diet C and D . Mortality occurred in 70% of the paralysed birds. The immunological responses after vaccination with Newcastle disease vaccine intra - ocular ( NDV i/o ) revealed that chickens fed with 0.5% methionine ( treatment B) recorded the highest antibody titre value ( log 2 7 ) while treatment D (fed with 0.75% methionine) had the lowest mean titre value (log 2 5 ). Thereafter, administration of NDV LaSota elicited immune responses with antibody titre values being highest in treatment B (log 2 9 ) and least in both treatments A and D (log 2 7 ). T he performance characteristics such as the final body weight (FBW) , weight gain (TWG) , feed intake (TFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed significant (p<0.05) differences among the various dietary treatments , with birds on NRC requirement methionine based diet having significantly (p<0.05) higher FBW, TWG, FCR and TFI than those fed the rest test diets throughout the experimental period. Relative weight of the organs liver and gizzard were also significantly (P< 0.05) different between treatment groups. Among the haematological variables only the red blood cell count ( RBC ) , mean corpuscular haemoglobin ( MCH ) and mean corpuscular volume ( MCV ) values were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatment groups in the starter phase of the experiment and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) , basophil and eosinophil in the finisher phase . It was concluded that methionine supplementation at this high inclusion levels is detrimental to the immune response, growth performance, nutrient utilization and organ characteristics of broiler chickens .
Knowledge Tracing: A Review of Available Technologies
Authors: Dai Miao , Hung Jui-Long , Du Xu , Tang Hengtao , Li Hao
Published: January 2022

As a student modeling technique, knowledge tracing is widely used by various intelligent tutoring systems to infer and trace the individual’s knowledge state during the learning process. In recent years, various models were proposed to get accurate and easy-to-interpret results. To make sense of the wide Knowledge tracing (KT) modeling landscape, this paper conducts a systematic review to provide a detailed and nuanced discussion of relevant KT techniques from the perspective of assumptions, data, and algorithms. The results show that most existing KT models consider only a fragment of the assumptions that relate to the knowledge components within items and student’s cognitive process. Almost all types of KT models take “quize data” as input, although it is insufficient to reflect a clear picture of students’ learning process. Dynamic Bayesian network, logistic regression and deep learning are the main algorithms used by various knowledge tracing models. Some open issues are identified based on the analytics of the reviewed works and discussed potential future research directions.
Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices on Productivity and Profitability of Clusterbean under Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan
Authors: Meena O.P. , Kumar Vipin , Jain S.K. , Yadav M.R. , Meena B.R. , Meena Ravi Kumar , Yadav Saroj Kumari
Published: January 2022

Background: Adequate tillage checks and delays the emergence of weeds and provides a more favourable environment for early crop establishment. Slow growth of crop plant provides favourable environment for emergence of weeds. Cultural as well as mechanical practices such as hand weeding and intercultural are effective but unavailability of labour and continuous rainfall in rainy season does not permit for timely management of weeds Chemical weed control is effective weed management option which provides effective control of weeds. It is well known that weeds are ubiquitous but their presence in cropped area particularly in rainy season crops like clusterbean act as major limiting factor in achieving high potential yield. The current study aimed to study the impact of crop establishment methods and weed control practices on productivity and profitability of clusterbean. Methods: A field experiment was carried out to find out suitable method of crop establishment methods and weed management practices in clusterbean during kharif seasons of 2018, 2019 and 2020. The experiment was conducted in spilt plot design with three replications. The treatments were four crop establishment methods viz., conventional sowing, zero tillage sowing, broad bed sowing, zero tillage sowing with mulch as main plots and four weed control practices viz., weedy check, pendimethalin+imazethapyr 1000 g ha-1, T3- Imazethapyr 40 g ha-1, T4-Imazethapyr+imazamox 40 g ha-1 as sub plot treatments . Result: The broad bed sowing of clusterbean along with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin+ imazethapyr 1000 g ha-1 was found effective to achieve higher productivity and farm profitability.
The Debate Strategy And Its Contribution To The Arabic Learner’s Competence/ استراتيجيّة المناظرة و اسهامها على كفاءة المتعلّم اللغة العربية
Authors: Fikri Shofil , Machmudah Umi , Halimi Halimi , Ibrahim Faisal Mahmoud Adam
Published: January 2022

This research is based on a lack of confidence in the success achieved by language learners in the Arab debate competition at the ASEAN level at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia 2018. Language learners in the Arab debate competition at the international level in Doha - Qatar 2018 because not everyone can master debate easily and quickly. It needs To a unique strategy, numerous practices. Therefore, this study aims to: 1) Describe the strategies used by the successful learners in a debate competition. 2) Enhancing the contribution of debate learning to the competence of the learner. In this study, the researcher used the qualitative approach and the case study. This study concludes from the following results: First, the strategies of successful learners in the debate competition are of two types, 1) Debate learning strategy in the form of a Strategy Inventory for Language Learning, 2) Debate strategy, which is: (1) an organization strategy, (2) a rebuilding strategy,) 3) a strategy for clarification and detail, (4) a strategy for communication, (5) an argument strategy, (6) a strategy for working within groups. Second, learning to debate has contributed to improving the learner's three competencies (linguistic, communicative, and cultural competency) faster simultaneously, with two main aspects: 1) acquiring materials, 2) presenting the speech