bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation on Emission Characteristics of Diesel N-Pentanol Blend in Homogeneous Charged Compression Ignition Engine
Authors: Mathavan S. , Mothilal T. , Andal V. , Velukumar V.
Published: August 2021

The invention of internal combustion engines is undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions of the modern era. There has been steady scientific research to look for alternative fuel which is economical, renewable and less harmful to nature and man compared to fossil fuels. The present project is one such experimental work to investigate the performance of a blend of diesel / N-pentanol in an appropriate combustion technique and to establish its suitability as a renewable fuel. The relative performance of diesel fuel and the blend of diesel / n-pentanol will also be analyzed. Diesel fuel blended with 30 percentage n-pentanol is the fuel blend that is proposed to be used in the experiment. Researchers have established that the application of Homogeneously Charged Compression Ignition (HCCI) technique could result in in-cylinder reduction of NOx and PM. Higher thermal efficiency could also be attained. The project also covers studying the emission effect of the diesel/n-pentanol fuel blend for various fuel injection timing, various fuel injection pressure, different EGR rates and different inlet air temperature.
Optimization and Mechanical Characterization of AA5083 and AA7075 Dissimilar Aluminium Alloy Joints Produced by Friction Stir Welding
Authors: Rajeshkannan S. , Vigneshkumar M. , Gopal V. , Ramesh S.
Published: August 2021

In this research work the aluminium alloys including AA7075 and AA5083 are combined with friction stir welding method. This contrasts with factors such as alloy segregation, hot cracking and porosity which result from fusion welding process in the welded area. In order to generate high quality joint of aluminium alloy, friction-stir welding (FSW) an assuring welding method is followed. To achieve the determined strength, an entire control over the relevant process is needed to increase the tensile vitality. The welding factors like welding speed (WS), axial force (AF) and rotational speed (RS) are examined for optimisation. In order to measure the impact of the factors on tensile strength of FS welded joints, Taguchi L9 orthogonal array technique is employed. The amount of involvement of these factors on weld quality is determined by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The utmost ultimate tensile strength (UTS) attained for AA7075 and AA5083 joint is 256MPa. ANOVA results show that the quality-wise effectiveness of the weld as welding speed (5.48percent), axial force (15.18percent), then the rotational speed (79.32percent). This is due to the presence of fine equiaxed grains in the microstructures of the stir zones at different FS welding circumstances. However, a decrease in the grain size of the process zone is observed when the frictional heat flow is decreased while friction-stir welding.
Oral health related quality of life among HIV positive patients attending two HIV outpatient clinics in Nigeria - a cross sectional study
Authors: Adesola Umeizudike Kehinde , Bamidele Osagbemiro Babatope , Oluwayemisi Daramola Opeyemi , Adenike Adeyemo Titilope
Published: August 2021

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus infection remains a devastating disease of public health importance.

Objectives: To assess the association between oral health and quality of life and the factors affecting the oral health related quality of life among HIV positive patients in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study of HIV positive patients attending two HIV outpatient clinics in Nigeria. Impact of oral health on quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14. Oral health status was assessed by the DMFT and Simpli- fied OHI indices. Level of significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results: Three hundred and fifty-two patients were seen, 64.2% being females. Prevalence of impact was 8.5%; and the mean OHIP scores was 8.05±9.54. Highest impact was “painful aching” 67(19.1%) with the domain of physical pain scoring the highest mean impact of 2.32. Most patients (88.6%) were on HAART. Following logistic regression, after controlling for potential confounders, independent factors associated with poor OHRQoL were perceived need for dental treatment, HAART use, and higher DMFT (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The domain of physical pain had the highest impact, while perceived need for dental treatment, HAART use and higher caries index were contributory to poor OHRQoL.

Keywords: HIV infection; Oral health; OHRQoL.
Prevalence and factors associated with self medication with antibiotics among University students in Moshi Kilimanjaro Tanzania
Authors: Baltazary Chuwa Bernard , Abraham Njau Linna , Ivo Msigwa Kaizali , Shao Elichilia
Published: August 2021

Background: Self medication is a common practice of using medicines without a medical supervision by the people them- selves. Self medication is likely to happen when people feel unwell, it is worse in the population with poor helth seeking be- havior. Therefore it is important to assess the prevalence and factors associated with self medication with antibiotics among University students in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Tanzania.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from April-August 2019 at two Universities in Moshi, including one med- ical and one non medical. The study population were undergraduate students aged 18 and above, A self-filled questionnaire was used for data collection and data analyzed using the SPSS version 16 and association was tested using chi square.

Results: Out 374 students enrolled 187 from each University, 126 were female and 248 were male with age ranging from 19 to 35 years with mean age of 23.91 years. The prevalence of self medication with antibiotics was 57% and the most com- mon used antibiotics was amoxicillin with prevalence of 32.08%. The common reported symptoms/diseases were headache (31.02%) followed by malaria and coughing with prevalence of 15.24% and 10.96% respectively. The commonest reasons of self medication reported to be emergency illness (38.77%) and delaying of hospital services (24.33%). The commonest effects reported among respondents which practiced self medication with antibiotics were worsening of the condition that they were suffering in (4.55%) and body rashes (2.67).There was no significant difference between self medication practices among medical and non medical students(p = 0.676).

Conclusion: The prevalence of self medication with antibiotics was high among University students and there is no signif- icant difference in both medical and non medical students. The most feared outcome on self medication with antibiotics is antibiotic drug resistance which leads to treatment failure along with high financial costs and increase mortality rate following microbial infections.

Keywords: Self-medication; antibiotics; University students; Moshi; Tanzania.
The role of body temperature on respiratory rate in children with acute respiratory infections
Authors: Ozdemır Beril , Songül Yalçın Sıddıka
Published: August 2021

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of tachypnea as a proxy to the diagnosis of pneumonia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body temperature alterations and respiratory rate (RR) difference (RRD) in children with acute respiratory infections(ARI).

Methods:This cross-sectional study included 297 children with age 2-60 months who presented with cough and fever at the pediatric emergency and outpatient clinics in the Department of Pediatrics, Baskent University Hospital, from January 2016 through June 2018. Each parent completed a structured questionnaire to collect background data. Weight and height were taken. Body temperature, respiratory rate, presence of the chest indrawing, rales, wheezing and laryngeal stridor were also recorded. RRD was defined as the differences in RR at admission and after 3 days of treatment.

Results: Both respiratory rate and RRD were moderately correlated with body temperature (r=0.71, p<0.001 and r=0.65, p<0.001; respectively). For every 1°C increase in temperature, RRD increased by 5.7/minutes in overall, 7.2/minute in the patients under 12 months of age, 6.4/minute in the female. The relationship between body temperature and RRD wasn’t statistically significant in patients with rhonchi, chest indrawing, and low oxygen saturation.

Conclusion: Respiratory rate should be evaluated according to the degree of body temperature in children with ARI. How- ever, the interaction between body temperature and respiratory rate could not be observed in cases with rhonchi and severe pneumonia.

Keywords: Fever; tachypnea; pneumonia; respiratory rate difference; children.
Allium sativum aqueous extract does not have chemo-protective effect on etoposide induced therapy-related DNA damage leading to Acute Myeloid Leukemia in albino-wistar rats
Authors: F Ndiokwelu Ugochi , A Ogunkanmi Liasu , B Minari Joseph , C Uzoma Ijeoma
Published: August 2021

Background: Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is a well-recognized clinical syndrome occurring in a signif- icant fraction of patients who have undergone previous chemotherapy for a solid tumour.

Objectives: We aim to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of fresh Allium sativum cloves on haematological parameters, bone marrow and DNA of etoposide treated albino wistar rats. Decoction method was used to prepare plant extracts and the rats were weighed and divided into experimental and control groups. Blood and bone marrow sample were analysed and DNA fragment analysis was carried out.

Results: There was progressive increase in the weight of animals that received distilled water only for the duration of the experiment while those that received etoposide only showed a sharp decrease in weight by the end of week 3. There was no significant difference in the mean of the haematological parameters in the test and control groups except for platelet count. The bone marrow smears showed no prevention of erythroblast fragmentation by the extract, in the same vein, DNA dam- age was not abated.

Conclusion: Aqueous extract of fresh Allium sativum cloves may not be the option for the prevention of etoposide induced acute myeloid leukemia.

Keywords: Allium sativum aqueous; chemo-protective effect; acute myeloid leukemia; albino-wistar rats.
Level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disease patients in Jos, North-Central Nigeria
Authors: OD Ofakunrin Akinyemi , S Okpe Edache , O Afolaranmi Tolulope , R Olaosebikan Rasaq , U Kanhu Patience , Adekola Kehinde , Dami Nantok , S Sagay Atiene
Published: August 2021

Background: Hydroxyurea is underutilized by sickle cell health-care providers in Nigeria despite available evidence of its effectiveness in reducing the manifestations and complications of sickle cell disease (SCD).

Objectives: To assess the level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in SCD therapy in Jos, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 132 medical doctors providing care for SCD patients. Data on so- cio-demographics, utilization and barriers to hydroxyurea use were obtained. The barriers were fed cumulatively into the logistic regression model as predictors of utilization.

Results: Of the 132 care providers, 88 (67%) had been in medical practice for ≥6years. The level of utilization of hy- droxyurea was 24.2%. The significant barriers that predicted the non-utilization of hydroxyurea included lack of expertise (OR=5.1; 95% CI=2.65–9.05), lack of clinical guidelines (OR=3.84; 95% CI=2.37-14.33), fear of side-effects (OR=0.50; 95% CI=0.22–0.68) and doubt about its effectiveness (OR=0.30; 95% CI=0.20–0.90).

Conclusion: The level of utilization of hydroxyurea in the treatment of SCD among the care providers is sub-optimal with the lack of expertise in its use identified as the most prominent barrier. There is an urgent need for the training of sickle cell care-providers and the development of clinical guidelines on hydroxyurea use.

Keywords: Hydroxyurea utilization; barriers to hydroxyurea; sickle cell disease; Nigeria.
Psycho-social problems of adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Omotosho Adegboyega Lateef
Published: August 2021

Background: Sickle-cell disease comprises a group of genetic disorders characterized by the inheritance of sickle haemo- globin from both parents. Sickle-cell disease carries a huge psycho-social burden which has impacts on the physical, psycho- logical, social and occupational well-being as well as levels of independence on adolescents.

Objective: To investigate the psycho-social problems of adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia in Ekiti State. The study also examined whether the variables of age and educational level would influence the psycho-social problems of adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia in Ekiti State.

Methods: Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to draw a total of 121 respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Mean and rank order was used to answer the research question while Analysis of Variance was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: Findings revealed that psycho-social problems of adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia are limited in the choice of career, find it difficult to get suitable partner in marriage and SCD adolescents usually manifest emotional upset, misbehav- iour, and have learning problems. Findings also revealed that there were significant differences in the psycho-social problems of adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia based on age and educational level.

Conclusion: Majority of the respondents attested to the psycho-social problems facing adolescents with sickle-cell anaemia. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that social workers should be employed in health sectors; govern- ment should offered standard health care for all adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Keywords: Psycho-social problems; sickle-cell anaemia; adolescents.
Genetic influence of Apolipoprotein E gene ε2/ε3/ε4 isoforms on odds of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhang Hui , Qiu Xueliang , Meng Yuping
Published: August 2021

Objective: The potential correlation between the ε2/ε3/ε4 variants of the ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) gene and the odds of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy was investigated.

Methods: The database searching for eligible studies was performed in October 2020. A series of pooling analyses were conducted.

Results: We enrolled a total of twelve case-control studies for pooling. Within the pooling analysis of ε4, there was an in- creased risk of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy in cases under the models of carrier ε4 vs. ε3, ε3ε4 vs. ε3ε3, and ε3ε4+ε4ε4 vs. ε3ε3 [P < 0.05, odds ratio (OR) > 1], compared with controls. Moreover, we observed similar positive results in the subgroup analyses of “China” and “Population-based control” under the genetic models of ε4 (P < 0.05, OR > 1). Nevertheless, we did not detect the significant difference between the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy cases and controls in the pooling analyses of ε2 (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The ε3ε4 genotype of ApoE seems to be linked to the risk of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy for patients in China. More sample sizes are required to confirm the potential role of ApoE isoforms in the susceptibility to diverse types of epilepsy from different origins.

Keywords: Epilepsy; ApoE; isoforms; susceptibility.
Bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients admitted at MaddaWalabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study
Authors: Mitiku Gemechu Meseret , Assefa Tadesse Tesfaye , Negash Takele Getahun , Solomon Bisetegn Fithamlak , Alem Gesese Yonas , Zenebe Zelelie Tizazu
Published: August 2021

Background: Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are one of the global concerns in resource limited settings. The aim of the study was to determine bacteria profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients admitted at surgical and medical wards.

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to July 2017 in MaddaWalabu Uni- versity Goba Referral Hospital. Urine and wound swabs were processed and standard disk diffusion test was done to assess susceptibility pattern. Association among variables was determined by Chi-square test.

Results: Among 207 patients enrolled, 24.6% developed HAI, of which, 62.7% and 37.3% were from surgical and medical wards, respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The age ranged from 19 to 74 years with a mean of 41.65(±16.48) years. A total 62 bacteria were isolated in which majority of the isolates were gram negative bacteria. Most isolates were re- sistance to most of the antibiotics tested but sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin.

Conclusion: Due to the presence of high level drug resistant bacteria, empirical treatment to HAI may not be effective. Therefore, treatment should be based on the result of culture and sensitivity.

Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns; bacterial profile; hospital acquired infections.
Psychological ailments and their treatment protocols: a case study of Swati traditional healers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: Ngobe Anastasia , Semenya Sebua , Sodi Tholene
Published: August 2021

Background: Evidence suggests that South African traditional healers (THs) treat various mental complaints. However, there is little literature on Swati THs’ accounts on this subject. The current study therefore, sought to address this gap.

Methods: Data was gathered using qualitative research methods, namely semi-structured interviews with 10 purposely sampled Swati THs practicing in the Kanyamazane peri-urban township (Mpumalanga Province, South Africa). Data was thematically analysed.

Results: Results showed that THs treat seven psychological aliments, viz. adjustment disorders, depression, mental illness due to ancestral calling, mental illness due to bewitchment, mental illness due to breaking of taboos, psychotic disturbance and substance induced mental illness. Generally, an integrated treatment protocol was utilised by THs to treat and manage these disorders. Most of these procedures are acceptable from either folkloric or scientific viewpoint, and have demonstrat- ed certain level of efficacy in treating mental illness.

Conclusion: Taken together, the evidence presented indicates that Swati THs use different traditional methods to manage various mental complaints. In doing so, they carry a large share of the community caseload for mental health, whilst admit- ting patients in their homes for extended periods of time, and also referring some (patients) for additional care within the Western health sector.

Keywords: Mental illness; Mpumalanga; Swati; traditional healers; treatment methods; psychological ailments.
Availability of low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake in Ghana: practitioners’ perspectives
Authors: Kyeremeh Sylvester , P Mashige Khathutshelo
Published: August 2021

Background: Provision and uptake of low vision services are essential.

Objective: To assess the availability of low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana from the perspective of eye care practitioners.

Methods: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study design using semi-structured questionnaires was used to collect information from eye care practitioners selected from 58 eye care facilities in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana.

Results: Forty-four eye care practitioners from Ashanti region and 10 from Brong Ahafo region responded to the question- naire. Seventeen (34%) of the 50 eye care facilities who reported having patients seeking low vision services in their facilities provided such services. Lack of low vision devices (94.4%) and equipment (87%) were reported to be the main barriers to the provision of low vision services. Major barriers to low vision services uptake were lack of awareness (88.7%), high cost (70.4%) and social unacceptability of low vision assistive devices (59.3%).

Conclusion: Lack of adequate low vision services and barriers to their provision and uptake impact negatively on efforts to prevent visual impairment and blindness in Ghana.

Keywords: Low vision services; provision; barriers.
Hearing healthcare gaps in LMICS: snapshot from a semi-urban community in Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemo Adebolajo , Ogunkeyede Segun , Dania Oluyinka
Published: August 2021

Background: Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) have high prevalence of hearing loss which are mainly due to pre- ventable causes. While urban communities in LMICs are likely to have functional hearing healthcare delivery infrastructure, rural and semi-urban communities may have different reality.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide: (i) a snapshot of the burden of ear diseases and (ii) a description of available hearing healthcare resources in a semi-urban Nigerian community.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of households selected by multistage random sampling technique. Seventy-four partici- pants: 39 males and 35 females with mean age of 34 years ± 5.24 were recruited and answered a structured questionnaire. In addition, the availability of hearing healthcare services in 15 health centers within the community were determined.

Results: All participants reported recent occurrence of ear complaints or gave similar history in a household member. Com- mon complaints were ear discharge, ear pain and hearing loss. Medical intervention was sought from patent medicine stores, hospitals and traditional healers. None of the assessed hospitals within the study site was manned by an ENT surgeon or ENT trained nurse.

Conclusion: Despite the heavy burden of ear complaints there is inadequate hearing healthcare delivery in a typical LMIC community. This highlights the need for urgent improvement of hearing healthcare.

Keywords: Hearing loss; healthcare delivery; disease burden; ear diseases; developing countries.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Eastern Uganda: a 10-year retrospective analysis
Authors: J Doe Matthew , Bua Emmanuel , SO Obbo John , Bisso Fred , Olupot-Olupot Peter
Published: August 2021

Background: Endoscopy is required for formal diagnosis of many upper gastrointestinal (UGI) conditions including oe- sophageal cancer (OC). There is a paucity of data on endoscopy findings in East Africa as access to testing is challeng- ing for patients. We describe the findings of 10 years of UGI endoscopy in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).

Method: Records of patients that underwent UGI endoscopy in MRRH, November 2009 – March 2019 were retrospective- ly analysed. Indication, macroscopic findings, histology and patient demographics were retrieved. Sub-group analyses were performed on those with a histological diagnosis of oesophageal cancer.

Results: 833 eligible patients received single UGI procedures during the study period. Mean age was 54.8 years, range 16-93 years and 56.9% of patients were male. The main indication was dysphagia (42%) and the most common findings OC (34%) and gastritis (28%). 151 patients had histologically proven OC with a median age of 60 years and a 2:1 male to female ratio. 145/151 (96%) of samples tested revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Conclusion: Those undergoing endoscopy in MRRH are most commonly male patients presenting in their 5th decade with dysphagia. There is a high proportion of significant findings including gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and oesophageal cancer.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal; OGD; LMIC; oesophageal cancer.
Case Report: Levodopa - induced creative awakening in a patient with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: George Sanju , Chacko Jacob , Cyriac Sheetal
Published: August 2021

Parkinson’s disease is primarily a neurodegenerative disorder and presents with neurological symptoms but it can also have  accompanying psychiatric symptoms. In addition, in some patients with Parkinson’s disease there can be an awakening of their creativity, which can take several forms. Such creativity can be seen in art-naïve patients or in whom the creativity lay dormant. Although the precise mechanism for this phenomenon is not understood, treatment with levodopa and dopamine agonists have been considered responsible in some cases. Here, we describe a patient with Parkinson’s disease in whom levodopa treatment triggered a latent creative skill that was dormant since childhood. Through the patient’s own and his wife’s eyes, we discuss the clinical benefits of this phenomenon.
Self-reported psychological distress and its relationship with religiousness of Nigerian physicians: A multicenter study
Authors: Akanni Oluyemi O. , Osundina Adeagbo F. , Agbonile Imafidon O. , Olotu Sunday O. , Ayilaraa Olaniyi O. , Akhigbeb Kingsley O.
Published: August 2021

Physicians are prone to psychological distress, and this has been poorly studied in association with religiousness. As a result, the prevalence of psychological distress among physicians and its relationship with religiousness was investigated. The study was conducted at two neuropsychiatric centers, and two teaching hospitals in the South-South and South-West regions of Nigeria. Demographics and practice-related characteristics of 231 physicians were collected in addition to report on psychological distress using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and a religiousness measuring scale, Ironson–Woods Spirituality/Religiosity Index. Chi-square and t-test analyses were done using SPSS version 19. The prevalence rate of significant psychological distress among physicians was 19.05%. The physicians’ specialty of practice fell short of statistically significant association with religiousness (X2=9.02, p=0.06). There was no significant association between physicians’ state of health and religiousness. Psychological distress is fairly common among physicians and shows no relationship with religiousness.
Impacts of population growth in relation to changes in aquaculture and fisheries prices
Authors: Garba A.A.
Published: August 2021

The paper reviewed the impacts of population growth and the ways it affects aquaculture and fisheries prices. As the world population  continues to grow arithmetically, great pressure is placed on arable lands, water, energy, and biological resources to provide an adequate supply of food while maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem. In 2010, FAO projected the world population to double from 6.2 billion in October, 1999 to 12.5 billion in the year 2050. This had created serious negative impacts on the aquaculture and fisheries prices. At present fertile crop lands had been lost at an alarming rates while some abandoned during the past 50 years because erosions made it unproductive. Other vices such as food crisis, political unrest and war (Mexico, Uzbekistan, Turkistan, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Morocco and Sudan), civil strife and multiple years of draught (Niger, Mauritania and Senegal), impacts of HIV/AIDS Ebola, Lassa fever and Coronavirus the world over, clashes between cattle rearers and farmers and boko haram issues (Nigeria) as well as kidnapping and  corruptions have severely affected aquaculture and fisheries production and accompanied prices. Thus, this review was conducted to raise a cry for farmers and citizens to engage and participate in intensive culture and fisheries practices in order to fill the demand - supply gap so as to make fish food products available for the teeming masses.
Organoleptic properties and shelf-lives of differently dried fowl eggs
Authors: Idahor K.O.
Published: August 2021

Poultry eggs are perishable, hence could lose their quality rapidly between storage and consumption. Maintaining fresh quality is a major problem which is aggravated by temperature, humidity, storage method and time. Several methods of altering these environmental conditions to prolong the shelf-life of the eggs have been reported, yet little is known about kiln, solar and oven methods of drying boiled fowl eggs. This study was targeted at creating awareness, evaluating the organoleptic properties and determining the shelf-life of kiln-, solar- and oven-dried fowl eggs, stored under different environmental conditions. A total of 160 Isa brown freshly laid eggs were obtained and weighed, and were divided into four different groups of 40 eggs each, designated as control, kiln-, solar- and oven-dried. The eggs were boiled for 30 minutes and dried at 100 – 120oC overnight (kiln dried), 45 – 50oC for 5 days (solar dried) and 100oC for 24 hours (oven dried), but those in the control group were not dried. Panelists were used in obtaining information on awareness of fowl eggs drying/drying methods and organoleptic evaluation. Twenty-seven eggs each from the control, kiln-, solar- and oven-dried groups were kept in locally fabricated egg packs and stored for 30 days in a sales outlet, deep freezer and kitchen for shelf-life determination. Results showed that egg weight loss was highest (52.3%) in the kiln-dried, followed by oven-dried (38.9%), solar-dried (27.4%) and control (20.6%) groups. All the panelists (100%) were aware of the different forms of storing boiled fowl eggs and have eaten fowl eggs in different forms, but none (0.0%) was aware of kiln, solar and oven method of drying fowl eggs, or has eaten kiln-, solar- and oven-dried fowl eggs before then. Some of the panelists liked the appearance, taste, aroma, mouth feel, after-taste and overall acceptability of the dried eggs. All (100%) of the eggs in the sales outlet spoilt, but none (0.0%) among the dried eggs stored in the deep freezer was spoilt. In the kitchen, all the control eggs (100%), 22.2% (kiln dried), 88.9% (solar dried) and 66.7% (oven dried) spoilt. Kiln- and oven-dried eggs had more water loss, apparently implying better effectiveness of the drying methods. Therefore, fowl eggs could be boiled, dried and refrigerated to elongate their shelf-lives.
Mushroom-mediated delignification of agricultural wastes for bio-ethanol production
Authors: Ahmed El-Imam A. , Akoh P. , Saliman S. , Ighalo E.
Published: August 2021

Biological pretreatment is a cost-effective method of delignifying lignocellulosic biomass, making it less recalcitrant to hydrolysis into fermentable sugars. In this study, selected agricultural wastes were pretreated with mushrooms (Lentinus squarrosulus and Pleurotus ostreatus) to delignify them for bioethanol production. The substrates were supplemented with 0.2 % CaCO3, inoculated with 12 % (w/w) L. squarrosulus and Pleurotus ostreatus spawns and incubated at 25 oC for 21 days. The highest lignin removal and highest bioethanol yield of 77.45 % and 13.98 % were obtained from bean husks pretreated with L. squarrosulus. Similarly, 64.29 % and 60.92 % lignin were removed from the Pleurotus ostreatus-pretreated banana leaves and sawdust, respectively, while 12.08 % and 13.05 % bio-ethanol yields were recorded, respectively. These findings demonstrate that affordable and straightforward mushroom delignification of abundant and cheap biomass can improve hydrolysis outcomes, thus easing bioethanol production.
Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on parasitaemia and haematological parameters in mice infected with Plasmodium ber ghei
Authors: Ebenyi L.N. , Yongabi K.A. , Ali F.U. , Ominyi M.C. , Anyanwu C.B. , Benjamin E. , Ogbanshi M.E.
Published: August 2021

Medicinal plants are proven sources of many useful drugs in our modern world. Jatropha tanjorensis, known as hospital too far, is consumed highly in Africa as herbal medicine. This research work was done to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on parasitaemia and haematological parameters in mice infected with Plasmodium ber ghei. The leaves of J. tanjorensis were extracted with distilled water and qualitative phytochemical analysis carried out. Acute toxicity studies were carried out using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline. The curative activity of the extract was examined using Rane’s test. A total of forty (40) mice were used for the study and they were infected with Plasmodium berghei. The infected mice were subdivided into five groups of six mice each and treated with different doses of standard drug (artemether/lumefantrine 25mg/kg) and extract (200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight) for 4 days. After treatment, blood was collected and used for percentage parasitaemia, packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpe noids, cardiac glycosides and anthra quinones. The result of the acute toxicity showed the signs of neither neurological, behavioral nor mortality at concentrations of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg oral doses within the first 24 hours and during the 14 days study period. A dose- dependent increase was observed in Total haemoglobin (Hb) and Packed cell volume (PCV) levels which was collaborated with increase in weight as compared with negative control. The leaf extract of J. tanjorensis also revealed a significant (p<0.05) suppression activity and mean survival time at the doses of 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg when compared with the negative control. The extract of Jatropha tanjorensis showed reasonable levels of anti-anaemia and antimalarial activities with no signs of acute toxicity.  Therefore this study may support its use as an anti-prophylactic and blood tonic nutraceutical.
Derivation of volatile fatty acids concentration-independent optimum trace elements configuration and elucidation of optimization kinetics of biomethanization processes
Authors: Ezebuiro N.C.
Published: August 2021

Trace elements (TEs) requirements for improved volatile fatty acids (VFA) degradation during biomethanization depend on VFA  concentration of a reactor and the temperature of the process. While temperature remains relatively constant, VFA concentrations change in the course of biomethanization and this implies that for efficient VFA degradation, different trace elements configurations (TEC) should be supplemented. While this is the most efficient approach, it is impractical and constitutes a challenge for the effective use of TEs in the optimization of biomethanization processes. To alleviate this challenge, we modelled the biomethanization efficiency of various VFA  concentration-dependent (VCD) TEs configuration as scenarios and derived a TEs configuration that produced optimum biomethanization across a wider range of VFA concentrations. The study was carried out at 37oC using different concentrations of fixed VFA composition and TEs configurations as scenarios. Response surface model and desirability function were used to determine and compare the  biomethanization efficiency of the scenarios, and to derive a VFA concentration-independent (VCI) TEs configuration. Michaelis-Menten kinetics for two parameters was used to ascertain that the mechanism by which TEs supplementation enhanced mesophilic biomethanization was through an increase in maximum reaction rate (MRR). However, the enhancement was accompanied by an  insignificant decline in inverse affinity (IA).
Amylase-Producing Fungi and Bacteria Associated with Some Food Processing Wastes
Authors: Okunwaye T. , Uadia P.O. , Okogbenin B.O. , Okogbenin E.A. , Onyia D.C. , Obibuzor J.U.
Published: August 2021

Amylases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds present in starch to release simple sugars. They are one of the most important enzymes in numerous commercial processes. In this investigation, fungal and bacterial strains from the following agro-industrial wastes were isolated and screened for amylolytic ability: soil from oil palm plantation, shea seed, date fruit, coconut meat, cassava effluent, cassava peel, cassava tubers, yam and potato tubers, starch medium, parboiled water from noodles and rice. The results revealed the presence of Geotrichum, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhizopus and Fusarium spp. Five major genera of bacterial species namely Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Micrococcus and Bacillus were isolated and screened for amylase activity. Cassava soil had the highest heterotrophic bacterial count of 5.7 x105cfu/g and coconut meat waste had the lowest heterotrophic bacterial count of 1.3 x105cfu/g. All isolated microorganisms had the amylolytic ability. The fungal isolates had higher amylase activity when compared with the bacterial isolates. This investigation reveals organisms with high amylase activity.
Relative Risk Ranking and Mapping Method Using Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Data
Authors: Han Hyejeong , Shin Sungchul , Lee Keunwon , Jung Seungho
Published: August 2021

Objectives : According to Article 12 of the Chemical Control Act, the government must publish PRTR data to satisfy people’s right to know and reduce chemical emissions from chemical facilities. However, the database and annual reports are written in text and table that it’s difficult to understand at a glance. Risk scoring, ranking and mapping for easy understanding of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register data’s meaning and relative risk is the purpose of this study.Methods : Previous cases were investigated and analyzed. Also, many chemical screening methods were investigated to develop equation. A calculation formula was developed and the relative risk score for the top emissions substances and workplace was calculated using Gyeonggi Province PRTR data, which recorded the largest population, emissions, and number of emitters nationwide. The calculated points are graded and expressed on the map to easily grasp the information visually.Results and Discussion : It was confirmed at a glance that the distribution of the top emissions companies in province is concentrated in industrial parks. It was also confirmed that most of the sites with high risk scores were distributed along the West Coast. However, due to the lack of data available for risk calculation, many parts of the formula’s development process were simplified or replaced with generic data, which limited the quantitative accuracy of the risk score.Conclusions : The PRTR data was analyzed and processed to determine the relative risk ranking using a relatively simple formula. This allows us to express the meaning of the data more accurately. In particular, by expressing it on a map, it is possible to identify chemical substance emission sites that are of priority interest. It can be used to select priority targets for related implementing projects such as monitoring.
Invest in Research Supervision, Enhance Timely Completion of Postgraduate studies
Authors: Noel Japheth , Wambua Benjamin Kyalo , Ssentamu Proscovia Namubiru
Published: August 2021

Postgraduate research supervision and its impact on students’ completion of postgraduate studies continue to pose significant challenges to higher education managers, postgraduate students, university dons, funders of postgraduate education, and all stake holders. This literature review based article summaries the research findings across six dimensions of postgraduate research supervision: Student-supervisor relationship, Gender and research supervision, Allocating and matching students with supervisors, Pedagogy of research supervision, Roles and responsibilities of postgraduate students and supervisors and Effective supervision. Student- supervisor relationship is noted to have direct and indirect influence on all other dimensions of research supervision and consequently to timely students’ completion of postgraduate studies. It was found out that the reaction and impact of the other six dimensions would be driven by the student-supervisor relationship.  Students perceived that good working relationships with their research supervisors have an impact on their research progress. Studies concerning gender and research supervision are limited but the few available indicated that female candidates were largely affected in their progress due to gender-related challenges. It was revealed that effective supervision has a positive impact on timely students’ completion of postgraduate studies. Implications for postgraduate students and supervisors, schools, faculties, and departments of postgraduate education were identified.
Church Education Strategies in Overcoming Syncretism in the Dayak Tribe of Punan Lisum
Authors: Jhon Sona , Gideon Gideon , Widiyanto Mikha Agus
Published: August 2021

This research aims to find the appropriate strategy in overcoming syncretism in the lives of the Dayak Punan Lisum tribe so that their faith grows in the proper knowledge according to the Gospel. This research was conducted on the community in Muara Belinau Village, Tabang Districts, Kutai Kartanegata District, East Kalimantan. This study uses a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. Data collection was carried out using interviews. The results showed that the Dayak Punan Lisum Christians in Muara Belianu Village still believed in particular objects considered to have power from God. Even though they have become Christians for decades, they still hold on to their old beliefs. This research shows syncretism in the Dayak Punan Lisum community. However, teaching, preaching, pastoral counseling, discipleship, and involvement in prayer groups positively changed faith beliefs from old beliefs to Christian beliefs. In addition, faith-building in society reduced syncretism in the life of confidence in the Dayak Punan Lisum tribe.  ABSTRAKTujuan penelitian untuk menemukan strategi yang tepat dalam upaya penanggulangan sinkretisme dalam kehidupan Suku Dayak Punan Lisum agar iman percayanya bertumbuh dalam pengetahuan yang benar sesuai dengan Injil. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada masyarakat di Desa Muara Belinau, Kecamatan Tabang, Kabupaten Kutai Kartanegata, Kalimantan Timur. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode etnografi. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan wawancara, pengamatan dan kuesioner. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa orang Kristen Suku Dayak Punan Lisum di Desa Muara Belianu masih memercayai pada benda-benda tertentu yang dianggap memiliki kuasa dari pada Tuhan. Meskipun telah menjadi Kristen sudah usia puluhan tahun, namun masih berpegang pada kepercayaan lama mereka. Penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya sinkretisme dalam masyarakat Suku Dayak Punan Lisum. Melalui pengajaran, kotbah, konseling pastoral dan pemuridan serta kelompok doa memberikan kontribusi yang positif dalam perubahan kepercayaan iman dari kepercayaan lama kepada kepercayaan iman Kristen. Pembinaan iman di tengah-tengah masyarakat mampu mengurangi sinkretisme dalam kehidupan iman percaya Suku Dayak Punan Lisum.
Suppression of documents and objects prior to initiation of a criminal case in the distorting mirror of legislative regulation
Authors:   Yaroslavl State P. G. Demidov University, LEVINOVA T. A.
Published: August 2021

The article discusses what is provided for in Part 1 of Art. 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, suppression of documents and objects as one of the ways to verify a crime report. It is noted that the law does not provide for such an independent investigative action as suppression. Various positions of scientists, judicial practice on this issue are analyzed. The need to develop a detailed procedure for the reclamation, detection, suppression, procedural registration and storage of documents and objects at the stage of initiating a criminal case is substantiated.
Theoretical and practical aspects of correlation between operational searching and forensic science (forensic assessment of the results of operational searching on the example of test purchases)
Authors:   Russian State University of Justice, KUCHIN O. S.
Published: August 2021

Operative-search activity as a science in its theoretical and practical content is closest to forensic science. They have similar objects of research– criminal activity and the activities of authorized state bodies to identify, disclose and investigate it. Specialists in the field of operative-search activity and forensic science note a lot in common in the genesis of both sciences, theoretical positions, methods, tactical and methodological recommendations. In addition, examining the history of the formation of forensic science and operational-search activity, one can come to a reasonable conclusion that both sciences formed a single whole for a long time and then each developed in its own direction, intersecting and moving away from each other in its genesis.
Lokivetmab – a new option for the treatment and control of canine atopic dermatitis – review
Authors: B. Mascarenhas Mariana , Bazaga Botelho Cristiane
Published: August 2021

Monoclonal antibodies have been studied in human medicine for a while. They target specific receptors and cytokines, and are highly specific and effective in blocking their target molecule. Lokivetmab is a monoclonal caninised anti-IL-31 antibody that was recently approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs. Currently, no other therapeutic monoclonal antibody is used in veterinary medicine. The goal of this review of literature is to updte clinicians on this new biological option for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.
Human Resource Management Development in the Face of Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors:   Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, Ifeyinwa Stella Austin-Egole,
Published: August 2021

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, has caused numerous unprecedented changes recorded globally in all spheres of life especially in the work place. This has implications and influences on the companies and human resource management (HRM). Organizations have had to respond speedily by reviewing many operational matters and strategies so as to be able to manage the effects of the pandemic. Human resource management (HRM) plays the essential role of helping organisations navigate through both the iffy present and unpredictable future caused by the pandemic lockdown by managing people to cope with stress and to continue working, even remotely, when applicable, so that businesses can go on with their operations. This paper embraced analytical discussion of secondary data and using self-determination theory as its theoretical framework, it assessed the implication of HRM; having knowledge of the effects of autonomy, competence, and interrelatedness in their dealings with employees on sustained HRM development in the pandemic era. The aim of this research is to look into notable human resource management practices developed in the quest to accommodate and tackle the magnitude of HRM challenges faced by organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges encountered by employers and employees in imbibing them. The research recommended that HRM should help employees in their quest to develop their competences through trainings, consulting, and coaching as this will help in accomplishing the organizations’ goals and vision in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. An empirical research in this area is advocated to aid long-term HR policy.