bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of a global marine particulate organic carbon-13 isotope data set
Authors: Verwega Maria-Theresia , Somes Christopher J. , Schartau Markus , Tuerena Robyn Elizabeth , Lorrain Anne , Oschlies Andreas , Slawig Thomas
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Marine particulate organic carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13CPOC) provide insights into understanding carbon cycling through the atmosphere, ocean and biosphere. They have for example been used to trace the input of anthropogenic carbon in the marine ecosystem due to the distinct isotopically light signature of anthropogenic emissions. However, δ13CPOC is also significantly altered during photosynthesis by phytoplankton, which complicates its interpretation. For such purposes, robust spatio-temporal coverage of δ13CPOC observations is essential. We collected all such available data sets and merged and homogenized them to provide the largest available marine δ13CPOC data set (https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.929931; Verwega et al., 2021). The data set consists of 4732 data points covering all major ocean basins beginning in the 1960s. We describe the compiled raw data, compare different observational methods, and provide key insights in the temporal and spatial distribution that is consistent with previously observed large-scale patterns. The main different sample collection methods (bottle, intake, net, trap) are generally consistent with each other when comparing within regions. An analysis of 1990s median δ13CPOC values in a meridional section across the best-covered Atlantic Ocean shows relatively high values (≥-22 ‰) in the low latitudes (<30∘) trending towards lower values in the Arctic Ocean (∼-24 ‰) and Southern Ocean (≤-28 ‰). The temporal trend since the 1960s shows a decrease in the median δ13CPOC by more than 3 ‰ in all basins except for the Southern Ocean, which shows a weaker trend but contains relatively poor multi-decadal coverage.
Mapping global forest age from forest inventories, biomass and climate data
Authors: Besnard Simon , Koirala Sujan , Santoro Maurizio , Weber Ulrich , Nelson Jacob , Gütter Jonas , Herault Bruno , Kassi Justin , N'Guessan Anny , Neigh Christopher , Poulter Benjamin , Zhang Tao , Carvalhais Nuno
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Forest age can determine the capacity of a forest to uptake carbon from the atmosphere. However, a lack of global diagnostics that reflect the
forest stage and associated disturbance regimes hampers the quantification of age-related differences in forest carbon dynamics. This study provides
a new global distribution of forest age circa 2010, estimated using a machine learning approach trained with more than 40 000 plots using forest
inventory, biomass and climate data. First, an evaluation against the plot-level measurements of forest age reveals that the data-driven method has
a relatively good predictive capacity of classifying old-growth vs. non-old-growth (precision = 0.81 and 0.99 for old-growth and non-old-growth,
respectively) forests and estimating corresponding forest age estimates (NSE = 0.6 – Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency – and RMSE = 50 years – root-mean-square error). However, there are systematic
biases of overestimation in young- and underestimation in old-forest stands, respectively. Globally, we find a large variability in forest age with
the old-growth forests in the tropical regions of Amazon and Congo, young forests in China, and intermediate stands in Europe. Furthermore, we find
that the regions with high rates of deforestation or forest degradation (e.g. the arc of deforestation in the Amazon) are composed mainly of
younger stands. Assessment of forest age in the climate space shows that the old forests are either in cold and dry regions or warm and wet regions,
while young–intermediate forests span a large climatic gradient. Finally, comparing the presented forest age estimates with a series of regional
products reveals differences rooted in different approaches and different in situ observations and global-scale products. Despite showing
robustness in cross-validation results, additional methodological insights on further developments should as much as possible harmonize data across
the different approaches. The forest age dataset presented here provides additional insights into the global distribution of forest age to better
understand the global dynamics in the forest water and carbon cycles. The forest age datasets are openly available at
https://doi.org/10.17871/ForestAgeBGI.2021 (Besnard et al., 2021).
Ground-based vertical profile observations of atmospheric composition on the Tibetan Plateau (2017–2019)
Authors: Xing Chengzhi , Liu Cheng , Wu Hongyu , Lin Jinan , Wang Fan , Wang Shuntian , Gao Meng
Published: October 2021

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an essential role in modulating regional and
global climate, and its influence on climate is also affected by human-related processes, including changes in atmospheric composition.
However, observations of atmospheric composition, especially vertical
profile observations, remain sparse and rare on the TP, due to extremely
high altitude, topographical heterogeneity and the grinding environment.
Accordingly, the forcing and feedback of atmospheric composition from
rapidly changing surrounding regions to regional environmental and climate
change in the TP remains poorly understood. This paper introduces a high-time-resolution (∼15 min) vertical profile observational dataset of atmospheric composition (aerosols, NO2, HCHO and HONO) on the TP for more than 1 year (2017–2019) using a passive remote sensing technique. The diurnal pattern, vertical distribution and seasonal variations of these pollutants are documented here in detail. The sharing of this dataset would benefit the scientific community in exploring source–receptor relationships and the forcing and feedback of atmospheric composition on the TP to the regional and global climate. It also provides potential to improve satellite retrievals and to facilitate the development and improvement of models in cold regions. The dataset is freely available at Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5336460; Xing, 2021).
Estimating global land system impacts of timber plantations using MAgPIE 4.3.5
Authors: Mishra Abhijeet , Humpenöder Florian , Dietrich Jan Philipp , Bodirsky Benjamin Leon , Sohngen Brent , P. O. Reyer Christopher , Lotze-Campen Hermann , Popp Alexander
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Out of 1150 Mha (million hectares) of forest designated primarily for production purposes in 2020, plantations accounted for 11 % (131 Mha) of this area
and fulfilled more than 33 % of the global industrial roundwood demand. However, adding additional timber plantations to meet increasing timber
demand intensifies competition for scarce land resources between different land uses such as food, feed, livestock and timber production. Despite the
significance of plantations with respect to roundwood production, their importance in meeting the long-term timber demand and the implications of plantation
expansion for overall land-use dynamics have not been studied in detail, in particular regarding the competition for land between agriculture and
forestry in existing land-use models. This paper describes the extension of the modular, open-source land system Model of Agricultural Production and its Impact on the Environment
(MAgPIE) using a detailed representation of forest land, timber production and timber demand dynamics. These extensions allow for a better understanding of the
land-use dynamics (including competition for land) and the associated land-use change emissions of timber production. We show that the spatial cropland patterns differ when timber production is accounted for, indicating that timber plantations compete with cropland
for the same scarce land resources. When plantations are established on cropland, it causes cropland expansion and deforestation elsewhere. Using the
exogenous extrapolation of historical roundwood production from plantations, future timber demand and plantation rotation lengths, we model the
future spatial expansion of forest plantations. As a result of increasing timber demand, we show a 177 % increase in plantation area by
the end of the century (+171 Mha in 1995–2100). We also observe (in our model results) that the increasing demand for timber amplifies the
scarcity of land, which is indicated by shifting agricultural land-use patterns and increasing yields from cropland compared with a case without
forestry. Through the inclusion of new forest plantation and natural forest dynamics, our estimates of land-related CO2 emissions better match with observed data, in particular the gross land-use change emissions and carbon uptake (via regrowth), reflecting higher deforestation with
the expansion of managed land and timber production as well as higher regrowth in natural forests and plantations.
FLOWERS: An integral approach to engineering wake models
Authors: LoCascio Michael , Bay Christopher , Bastankhah Majid , Barter Garrett , Fleming Paul , Martínez-Tossas Luis
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Annual energy production (AEP) is often the objective function in wind plant layout optimization studies. The conventional method to compute AEP for a wind farm is to first evaluate power production for each wind direction and speed using either computational fluid dynamics simulations or engineering wake models. The AEP is then calculated by weighted-averaging (based on the wind rose at the wind farm site) the power produced across all wind directions. We propose a novel formulation for time-averaged wake velocity that incorporates an analytical integral of a wake deficit model across every wind direction. This approach computes the average flow field more efficiently, and layout optimization is an obvious application to exploit this benefit. The clear advantage of this new approach is that the layout optimization produces solutions with comparable AEP performance yet is completed about 700 times faster. The analytical integral and the use of a Fourier expansion to express the wind speed and wind direction frequency create a more smooth solution space for the gradient-based optimizer to excel compared with the discrete nature of the existing weighted-averaging power calculation.
Serving the Unemployed: Do More Generous Social Insurance Programs Provide Better Quality Service?
Authors: Compton Mallory E.
Published: October 2021

The role and capacity of public administration in contributing to economic security is an increasingly important question. More generous social welfare programs may have greater capacity to insure households against risk, but those programs can effectively provide economic security only to the extent that public organizations deliver benefits promptly and properly to families in need. Administrative performance matters. Given that governments with more generous social programs have demonstrated social welfare to be a priority, are those governments also more likely to put effort towards better administration of welfare programs? This question is addressed here using administrative performance data from U.S. state-level unemployment insurance programs, from 2002-2015. Evidence points to a positive association between generosity and administrative quality: more generous states make fewer administrative errors and that relationship is driven by their making fewer underpayments. If unemployment insurance replacement rates reflect an institutionalized commitment to more generously protecting individuals from economic insecurity, that commitment is also evident in the types of administrative errors agents make.
Mononuclear Copper(I) Schiff Base Complex Cu((Cl-NO2-ba)2en)I(CH3CN): Synthesis and Crystal Structure
Authors: Aliakbar Dehno Khalaji Aliakbar Dehno Khalaji , Michal Dusek Michal Dusek , Vaclav Eigner and Seyyed Javad Peyghoun Vaclav Eigner and Seyyed Javad Peyghoun
Published: October 2021

New mononuclear copper(I) Schiff base complex Cu((Cl-NO2-ba)2en)I(CH3CN) (1) containing a bidentate Schiff base ligand (Cl-NO2-ba)2en = 2,4-dichloro-5-nitro-benzylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, was prepared in an acetonitrile solution and characterized by elemental analyses (CHN), FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Suitable dark-orange single crystals were obtained by slow evaporation of solvent at 5 and#186;C for several days. Crystal structure of the title compound 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex 1 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pna21, a = 16.8634 (5) and#197;, b = 8.4460 (5) and#197;, c = 17.4786 (2) and#197;, V = 2489.45 (17) and#197;3 and Z = 4. In addition, the title compound 1 was used as new precursor for the synthesis of copper(II) oxide nanoparticles via solid state thermal decomposition. The as prepared CuO product was characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM.
Massive distributed IRS aided wireless communication with ON/OFF selection
Authors: Riku Ohmiya  , Tomoki Murakami  , Masaaki Nishino  , Yoghitha Ramamoorthi  , Masashi Iwabuchi  , Tomoaki Ogawa  , Yasushi Takatori
Published: October 2021

The mobile communication system beyond fifth-generation (beyond 5G) is required to maintain higher transmission capacity and reliability than existing 5G systems. To meet these requirements, one promising solution is to incorporate an Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS). The IRS involves reconfiguring the wireless propagation environment and exploiting the radio resources, not only in the conventional frequency and time domains but also in the spatial domain by controlling the reflection amplitude and phase of the incident electromagnetic signal. However, increased deployment of IRSs brings about interference and greater complexity. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an ON/OFF IRS selection method on massive IRS aided wireless communications that can simultaneously achieve interference suppression and capacity improvement. In addition, the proposed method reduces operational complexity using a simple 1-bit control. The results of computer simulation and experiment show that the proposed method can improve the desired channel capacity beyond directly Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) communication without IRS while maintaining the interference level of an interfered receiver below a certain threshold.
SIoT for cognitive logistics: Leveraging the social graph of digital twins for effective operations on real-time events
Authors: Miha Cimperman  , Angela Dimitriou  , Kostas Kalaboukas  , Aziz S. Mousas  , Salvatore Quattropani
Published: October 2021

Over the years, with the migration of organizations towards the concepts of logistics 4.0, a paradigm shift was necessary to guarantee logistics efficiency. The challenge is to dynamically cope in real time with vast number of shipments and destinations, which need to be realigned both with a determined lead time and with a finite of available resources. Although a number of standards have already been adopted for the management of transport and logistics operations, taking advantage, for instance, of Decision Support Systems and Geographic Information Systems, new models are required for achieving effective handling of the dynamic logistics environment that is shaped today. In this paper, an integrated logistics framework addressing the previous challenges is presented, for the first time, as a result of the activities of the H2020 COG-LO project. This novel approach exploits Social Internet of Things (SIoT) and the digital twins technique to realize the concept of the Cognitive Logistics Object (CLO). A CLO is defined as an entity that is augmented with cognitive capabilities, it is autonomous, and bears social-like capabilities, which enable the formulation of ad hoc communities for negotiating optimal solutions in logistics operations.
Simulation of machine learning-based 6G systems in virtual worlds
Authors: Ailton Oliveira  , Felipe Bastos  , Isabela Trindade  , Walter Frazao  , Arthur Nascimento  , Diego Gomes  , Francisco M�ller  , Aldebaro Klautau
Published: October 2021

Digital representations of the real world are being used in many applications, such as augmented reality. 6G systems will not only support use cases that rely on virtual worlds but also benefit from their rich contextual information to improve performance and reduce communication overhead. This paper focuses on the simulation of 6G systems that rely on a 3D representation of the environment, as captured by cameras and other sensors. We present new strategies for obtaining paired MIMO channels and multimodal data. We also discuss trade-offs between speed and accuracy when generating channels via ray tracing. We finally provide beam selection simulation results to assess the proposed methodology.
mmWave massive analog relay MIMO
Authors: Kei Sakaguchi  , Takumi Yoneda  , Masashi Iwabuchi  , Tomoki Murakami
Published: October 2021

Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) communications are a key technology to realize ultra-high data rate and ultra-low latency wireless communications. Compared with conventional communication systems in the microwave band such as 4G/LTE, mmWave communications employ a higher frequency band which allows a wider bandwidth and is suitable for large capacity communications. It is expected to be applied to various use cases such as mmWave cellular networks and vehicular networks. However, due to the strong diffraction loss and the path loss in the mmWave band, it is difficult or even impossible to achieve high channel capacity for User Equipment (UE) located in Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) environments. To solve the problem, the deployment of relay nodes has been considered. In this paper, we consider the use of massive analog Relay Stations (RSs) to relay the transmission signals. By relaying the signals by a large number of RSs, an artificial Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) propagation environment can be formed, which enables mmWave MIMO communications to the NLOS environment. We describe a theoretical study of a massive relay MIMO system and extend it to include multi-hop relays. Simulations are conducted, and the numerical results show that the proposed system achieves high data rates even in a grid-like urban environment.
EFL Teaching and Learning in the Rural Areas of Bangladesh: Addressing Obstacles to Teaching L2
Authors: Faisal Khondaker Omer , Ali Yeakub
Published: October 2021

English as a language is an essential tool in the negotiation of power and relationship at the interpersonal, social and the global level as well. The importance of learning English has increased significantly as a useful communication tool in the age of globalization. In the existing scenario, English language learning and teaching in the rural areas of Bangladesh has become a prime concern. This study aims to present the current English language education policy, language learning and teaching obstacles pertaining to the poorly equipped classroom, lack of trained language teachers, and inadequate use of technology and non-availability of learning materials in Bangladesh. To analyze and to find the solution to the language teaching and learning obstacles, the researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research was carried out in ten rural colleges far from the capital city Dhaka. The population of this study was higher secondary level students in the academic year 2019-2020. The number of populations was 25 students from intermediate class and 10 teachers from same school and colleges, and data were collected through a questionnaire. The findings show that though CLT based English language curriculum has been operating at the higher secondary level in Bangladesh, most of the teachers are not familiar with CLT guidelines and CLT related activities. Besides this, there are some crucial factors which demand great attention to change the current scenario. As a result, there are inconsistencies between the stated objectives of Teaching English and the actual teaching techniques.
Stability Analysis of Mathematical Model of a Relapse Tuberculosis Incorporating Vaccination
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Odetunde O. , Ibrahim M.O. ,   Department of Mathematics, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Published: October 2021

A general SIQRM epidemic model with vaccination and relapse possibility is proposed for analysis in this work. The idea behind the proposed model is to check the effect of immunity obtained from vaccine or treatment, quarantine effect as well as waning effect of immunity on the transmission rate of Tuberculosis within a population that is subjected to proper education without restricted access. Some other infectious diseases in this category include measles and Ebola. Two equilibrium states of the proposed model are obtained as well as the effective reproduction number(Reff). Stability analysis of the model at the Infection Free Equilibrium(I.F.E) state is established on the condition that Reff<1. Numerical simulation for the general SIQRM model was done using specific data for Tuberculosis disease and the result shows that proper education, vaccination and early diagnosis of an infectious individual for quarantining is an efficient way by which the spread of Tuberculosis can be reduced in the population while adequate medical attention yield better result for detected cases
Task Scheduling Strategy Based on Queueing Model in Cloud Computing and Its Energy Consumption Optimization Analysis
Authors: Kai-Yu Wang Kai-Yu Wang , Kai-Yu Wang Hai-Tao Li
Published: October 2021

In order to reduce the energy consumption of the cloud computing system while ensuring the response performance of the cloud users, a task scheduling strategy is proposed. In the strategy, the local processor of the mobile device continues to work, the virtual machines in a physical machine sleep synchronously, and the virtual machines in different physical machine sleep asynchronously. For the heterogeneous physical machines in cloud computing, a queueing model with a synchronous multiple vacation is established. By using the quasi-birth-death process and the matrix geometric solution, the steady-state distribution of the queueing model is given, and the expressions of the average response time of the tasks and the average power of the system are derived. The numerical results show that there is a power-performance trade-off for cloud computing when setting the assigning probability of the tasks to the local processor. Through the improved whale optimization algorithm, the task scheduling strategy is optimized with the minimum system cost.
ENHANCING GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS: APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN INDUSTRIES
Authors: Mital Dr.Neena
Published: October 2021

Despite maintaining high standards in product quality during the production process, continuous run of machines and vibrations may send out defects that can result in poor quality output. The continuous monitoring and detection of the causes of error are required to bring the process back to acceptable quality levels. The implementation of statistical techniques such as quality control and design of experiments are needful for the industries to make an effective control process during production. The present study has carried out a survey to elicit the opinions of the executive engineers in the industries in regard to quality cognizance for producing quality products and the use of statistical techniques for achieving the target quality.  The study findings recommend to an industry perspective in statistical techniques in the course curriculum and enhance the employability skills in the students of higher educational institutions (HEI).
Rezension von: Peter Schiffer (Hg.): Aufbruch in die Neuzeit. Das nördliche Württemberg im 16. Jahrhundert
Authors: Göpfert Eberhard
Published: October 2021

Peter Schiffer (Hg.): Aufbruch in die Neuzeit. Das nördliche Württemberg im 16. Jahrhundert (Forschungen aus Württembergisch Franken Band 53). Herausgegeben vom Historischen Verein für Württembergisch Franken und dem Hohenlohe-Zentralarchiv Neuenstein. Ostfildern (Thorbecke) 2012. 139 S., Abb., Karten
Rezension von: Wolfgang Schlauch: Das Kriegsende in Langenburg und Umgebung. Tagebuchaufzeichnungen, Zeitzeugenberichte, Erinnerungen
Authors: Beutter Wilfried
Published: October 2021

Wolfgang Schlauch: Das Kriegsende in Langenburg und Umgebung. Tagebuchaufzeichnungen, Zeitzeugenberichte, Erinnerungen (Veröffentlichungen zur Ortsgeschichte und Heimatkunde in Württembergisch Franken 25, hg. vom Historischen Verein für Württembergisch Franken). Crailsheim (Baier) 2012. 235 S.
Rezension von: Sönke Lorenz / Peter Rückert (Hg.): Wirtschaft, Handel und Verkehr im Mittelalter. 1000 Jahre Markt- und Münzrecht in Marbach am Neckar
Authors: Bittel Christoph
Published: October 2021

Wirtschaft, Handel und Verkehr im Mittelalter. 1000 Jahre Markt- und Münzrecht in Marbach am Neckar. Hg. von Sönke Lorenz und Peter Rückert (Tübinger Bausteine zur Landesgeschichte 19). Ostfildern (Jan Thorbecke) 2012. 198 S., zahlreiche Abb., teilw. farbig
Level and distribution of heavy metals in Miri River, Malaysia
Authors: Maharjan Amit Kumar , Wong Dick Rong En , Rubiyatno Rubiyatno
Published: October 2021

Heavy metal pollution in water resources has become a serious and hazardous environmental problem all over the world because of its non-biodegradability, emanating from multiple sources, easy accumulation, and biological toxicity. This research was carried out to study the level and distribution of heavy metals at different sampling locations (upstream, midstream, and downstream), at different depths (0.5 m and 1.5 m from surface water level), and during low tide and high tide conditions in the Miri River of Miri City in Malaysia. The river water samples were collected and analyzed for Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration of Ca was found to be the highest in the Miri River, followed by Mg and Fe, and with traces of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. An increase in the concentration of heavy metals, such as Cu, Mg, and Ni, was observed while flowing from upstream to downstream of the Miri River. Concentrations of heavy metals, such as Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn, were clearly lower at 1.5 m depth than at 0.5 m depth. High tides in the river decrease the concentration of heavy metals, such as Ca, Cu, Mn, and Ni, compared to low tides. From this research, it gets clear that using the Miri River water for domestic and recreational purposes, washing, and fishing is detrimental to human health and the environment.
Potential Applications of Antibacteria in Edible Coating as Fish Preservative
Authors:   Sebelas Maret University, Firdaus Maulidan , Rahmana Desy Nila ,   Sebelas Maret University, Carolina Diah Fitri ,   Sebelas Maret University, Firdausi Nisrina Rahma ,   Sebelas Maret University, Afiifah Zulfaa ,   Sebelas Maret University, Sugiarto Berlian Ayu Rismawati ,   Sebelas Maret University
Published: October 2021

Fish is a product that breaks down quickly due to biochemical reactions that cause a decrease in the quality of its nutritional and sensory values. Natural preservatives make fish safer for consumption than fish preserved with formalin. Edible coating is a preservative that can be eaten, can prevent biological, chemical and physical changes, is able to prevent mass transfer, acts as a moisture barrier, be contained antimicrobial/antibacterial and antioxidants, increases shelf life, as well as protects food from microbial contamination. Antimicrobial/antibacterial compounds added to edible coatings are able to inhibit food degradation and/or remodel toxic compounds such as free radicals. Antimicrobials can be obtained from plant extracts such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolic acids, and eugenol. These compounds can slow the growth of bacteria in fish namely Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Psychrotrophic and Psychrophilic bacteria counts, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria. This article reviews the application of various antibacterial compounds from various plants that are added to edible coatings as preservatives in fish.
Prevention of Articulation Disorders in Preschool-Age Children
Authors:   St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Tsaneva Yoanna
Published: October 2021

Articulation disorders have been a most common disorder in recent years. They are the reason for the delayed mental, communicative, and emotional-behavioural development of preschool-age children. Of particular importance for the personal development of children are early diagnosis and treatment of articulation disorders. The purpose of this article is to present and analyse practices for the prevention, diagnosis, and elimination of speech disorders from an early age.
Evaluation of Training Course on “Integrated Management of Neonatal & Childhood Illness” (IMNCI) Using Kirkpatrick Model at Level-2
Authors: Hamid Muhammad Haroon , Afzal Muhammad Faheem , Khan Saira , Yasmeen Rahila
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMNCI), taught by a 6-day training course, is an important initiative to decrease childhood mortality. Level 2 of the Kirkpatrick model entails the assessment of the learning achieved by training activity.Objective: To assess improvement in the knowledge of IMNCI content among the participants of the 6-day IMNCI training program.Methods: After taking approval from IRB, this one-group pre-test-post-test study was carried out in the Paediatrics Medicine Department, King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital Lahore over 3 months. By non-probability consecutive sampling, all 77 participants of three 6-day courses (with no previous formal training of IMNCI) were included in the study. To assess any improvement in the knowledge (Kirkpatrick Model Level 2), each participant filled a pre-test and a similar post-test after the training.Data was analyzed by SPSS software. As the data was not normally distributed, the Wilcoxon test was applied to compare the overall median scores of pre-test and post-test. Kruskal-Wallis Test was applied for the comparison of the median scores of pre-test and post-test scores of each professional group. While Mann-Whitney U-test was applied for pairwise comparison of the pre-test and post-test scores between different pairs of professional groups.Results: Of the 77 participants, there were 35 doctors, 20 nurses, 20 Lady Health Visitors, and 2 midwives. The overall median score was 3 (IQR 3) of the pre-test and 8 (IQR 2) for the post-test (p-value < 0.001). Except for the midwives, there was a statistically significant improvement in the median score of each group. Item-analysis of the questions showed that compared to the pre-test, the proportion of correct answers in the post-test showed statistically significant improvement for all the 10 questions. Pairwise comparison of the median pre-test and post-test scores between different professional groups did not show statistical significance except for the doctor-nurse pair.Conclusion: IMNCI training program significantly increased the knowledge of health care providers with no statistical difference between the post-test scores of doctors, LHVs, and midwives.

KEYWORDS: IMNCI, Training program, Kirkpatrick Model, Childhood mortality, Knowledge evaluation
Socratic Method of Teaching in Medical Education
Authors: Khan Rehan Ahmed
Published: October 2021

Socrates (469-399BC) is regarded as the founder of Western philosophy. His method of teaching was based on a shared discourse between teachers and students. He would ask thought-provoking questions from his students. This would result in motivating the students to think and generate debate. This was an iterative process and would continue till the answers to the questions were found or discussion was exhausted. This method is termed as the Socratic method of teaching (Birnbache, 1999). It also involves the zone of proximal development and scaffolding as advocated by Vygotsky. Many teaching methods, based on small group teaching such as problem-based learning, case-based learning, one minute preceptor rely on the philosophy ofSocratic method.The Socratic method relies on getting the answers from the students rather than telling them the answers directly. Socrates in his sessions would pick students randomly and ask them a question. The student would either answer the question if s/he knows it or would learn it from the discussion between her/his peers andthe teachers.
Perception of patient safety among Final year MBBS students at King Edward Medical University Lahore
Authors: Ahmad Nasir , Khan Aabish Mehreen , Asghar Muhammad Awais , Nasir Nosheen
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Patient safety is a vital part of healthcare. It is vital for the medical students that the concepts of the “Do no harm” theory must be understood. Those that do not understand this ultimately perform poorly in healthcare practice. Therefore, it is very important that medical students must be tutored for the concept of good medical practice.Objective: To assess the patient safety perception among medical students in a public sector Medical College.Methods: A sample size of 179 medical students (n=179) from the final year were selected. A questionnaire tool was used to calculate the understanding of medical students. Participants' responses were recorded and computed into SPSS 19 for descriptive analysis.Results: About 55% of participants indicated a lack of knowledge regarding patient safety.25% of the medical students could not understand the type and nature of the iatrogenic error in providing good healthcare and exercising good medical practice. Also, 57% and 48 % of medical students were unable to understand that how to explain the iatrogenic error to patients, their attendants,s and their superiors respectively and 59% did not know that patient safety can be improved by targeted medical practice.Conclusion: The majority of the medical students in final year MBBS were unaware of patient safety and how to improve it. However, they showed keen interest in understanding it and applying the concept of good medical practice to ensure patient safety.

KEYWORDS: Patient safety, undergraduates, knowledge, attitude
DISSOLUTION ENHANCEMENT OF ATOVAQUONE USING CYCLODEXTRINS AND FORMULATING TO ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS
Authors: Mahapatra A. K , Murthy P. N. ,   Dept. of Pharmaceutics, Royal College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Andhapasara Road, Brahmapur - 760002, Odisha, India.
Published: October 2021

The aim of the study was to enhance the dissolution rate of atovaquone by preparing inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins (β-CD/ HP β-CD) and formulating their orodispersible tablets. Phase solubility studies were conducted by adding 0.5, 1, 2 and 4% of cyclodextrins in water. The values of Gibb’s free energy were found increased. Inclusion complexes of atovaquone were prepared using β -CD/ HP β -CD by kneading method. Tablets were formulated using superdisintegrants i.e., sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone and Ac-Di sol at concentrations of 4, 8 and 12% of tablet weight by direct compression technique. The interaction studies were made by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and no significant interaction was observed. Inclusion complexes showed better dissolution than pure atovaquone and HP-β-CD established better than β-CD. Inclusion complexes of atovaquone at 1:0.25 w/w (drug: HP β -CD) in the tablets with 12% of crospovidone showed satisfactory results.
EXTRACTION AND ISOLATION OF EMBELIN USING FLASH CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Mali S. D. , Jadhav A. P. ,   Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Quality Assurance, Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Pharmacy, Sector - 8, C.B.D. Belapur, Navi Mumbai - 400 614, India.
Published: October 2021

A rapid and efficient flash chromatographic process for selective isolation of embelin from Embelia ribes was developed. The rate of extraction and purity of embelin depends upon the solvent used for extraction and optimized chromatographic separation. Ethyl acetate was found to be best solvent for highest possible recovery of the embelin from Embelia ribes. Flash chromatography speed up the purification process for quicker results. The purified sample of embelin was then characterized by UV, HPTLC, NMR and Mass.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NEW RP-HPLC METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF VITAMIN-D3 IN BULK DRUG AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Authors: Mohan T , Prabhakara S , Anbazhagan K , Pavithra Krishnan , Bhandare Basavaraj , Sahjahanand H. ,   Central Research Laboratory, Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Mysore Road, Bangaluru - 560 074, India.
Published: October 2021

An accurate, simple, rapid, sensitive and cost effective method for the determination of Vitamin-D3 in pharmaceutical dosage form was developed and validated by RP-HPLC method. Chromatographic separation was achieved on phenomenex C18 column (150 mm X 4.6 mm, 5μm) using methanol: acetonitrile: water (90:5:5 V/V/V) as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The retention time of Vitamin-D3 was found to be 8.3 minutes; the detection was monitored at 265 nm by using UV detector. The developed method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The linearity of Vitamin-D3 was in the range of 2.50 ppm to 6.00 ppm. This method showed an excellent linear response with the correlation coefficient (R2) value of 0.999 for the Vitamin-D3. The recovery of the drug ranged from 99.59% to 103.83% with an average of 101.34%. The percentage RSD was found to be less than two, indicating high degree of accuracy and precision of the proposed RPHPLC method. Due to simplicity, cost effectiveness, rapidity and accuracy of the method, we believe that the method will be useful for routine quality control analysis of Vitamin-D3 in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage forms.
IN VITRO SCREENING OF ACTINIOPTERIS DICHOTOMA FOR ENZYME INHIBITORY ACTIVITY RELATED TO TYPE 2 DIABETES
Authors: Telagari M , Hullatti K. K. ,   Department of Pharmacognosy, KLES College of Pharmacy, Belagavi – 590 010, Karnataka, India.
Published: October 2021

Actiniopteris dichotoma Mett. (Pteridaceae) is documented in Ayurveda for treatment of Prameha (Diabetes), Atisara and skin diseases. However, the antidiabetic properties of this plant have not been fully validated using scientific tools. The present study screens the A. dichotoma extract and fractions for enzyme inhibitory (α–amylase and α–glucosidase) activity related to type 2 diabetes. The extract was prepared using cold maceration followed by Soxhlation and finally fractionated the combined extracts. Different concentrations (0.1–0.5 mg/mL) of extract and four fractions were subjected to enzyme inhibitory assays. The absorbance was measured at 540 and 405 nm and IC50 values were calculated. Fraction 2 has shown highest α–amylase and α–glucosidase inhibitory activity, (IC50 values are 0.131 and 0.114 mg/mL) which was comparable with acarbose (0.125 and 0.093 mg/mL). Hence, further studies may throw light on the antidiabetic potential of A. dichotoma especially in the management of T2D.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TOPICAL MICROEMULSION GEL OF KARANJA OIL
Authors: Talele S. G , Gadhe L. T , Hire P. , Kapadi S. V. , Chaudhari G. N. ,   Department of Pharmaceutics, Sandip institute of pharmaceutical sciences, Mahiravani, Trimbak road, Nashik - 422 007, Maharashtra, India.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study was to formulate topical microemulsion gel of karanja oil suitable for topical delivery. Karanja oil microemulsion system with Tween 80 as surfactant, PEG 400 as cosurfactant and karanja oil as oil was developed for topical delivery. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the microemulsion region and a suitable composition was identified to formulate the microemulsion. Single isotropic region, which is considered as an o/w microemulsion, was found in the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams developed at various Tween 80 and PEG 400 ratios using phase titration method. The developed microemulsion was characterized for clearity, zeta potential, viscosity, globule size. Centrifugation studies were carried out to confirm the stability of the developed formulation. The formulation was thickened with a gelling agent, Carbopol 940, to yield a gel with desirable properties facilitating the topical application. The developed microemulsion based gel was characterized for pH, spreadability, viscosity. Optimized microemulsion based gel formulation was found to exhibit significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans species. Thus the present study indicates that developed topical microemulsion gel of karanja oil is effective for treatment of fungal infection.
FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HERBAL FORMULATION FOR ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY IN DIET INDUCED OBESE MICE
Authors: Semalty M , Kumar R. , Semalty A. ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, H.N.B. Garhwal (Central) University Srinagar, Garhwal - 246 174, Uttarakhand, India.
Published: October 2021

In the present study, an Aloe vera based herbal formulation of the ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum graecum (seed) was prepared and characterized for antihyperlipidemic and antiobesity activity. Ethanolic extract of the seeds of T. foenum graecum was obtained by the cold extraction method and then its Aloe vera based formulation was prepared. The prepared formulation was given orally (400 mg/kg) to the obese (high fat diet induced) mice for one month and at the end of one month the body weight, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL- cholesterol, serum creatinine and serum potassium were determined and compared with the control and standard group (received atorvastatin, 40.0 mg/kg). Standard group showed a total of 43.05 % body weight gain while the test formulation showed 39.54 % body weight gain only. In the in vivo study, the group which received the herbal formulation showed significantly lower serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-Cholesterol and higher values of serum HDL cholesterol. The test formulation showed better HDL/LDL ratio (0.86±0.02) as compared to the standard (0.66±0.09). The serum creatinine and serum potassium concentrations were also found to be lowered in the test group. The study suggested that the herbal formulation prepared from the ethanolic Trigonella extract possessed anti hyperlipidemic and anti obesity activity with efficacy even better than that of standard lipid lowering agent (atorvastatin). Hence, it was concluded that the herbal formulation may be a natural and safe remedy for the prevention and control of hyperlipidemia and obesity.
DEVELOPMENT & VALIDATION OF RP-HPLC-PDA METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF OPIPRAMOL HYDROCHLORIDE IN BULK AND TABLET DOSAGE FORMS
Authors: Prasanthi P. G , Vijaya Lakshmi M. , Mahesh K. , Nalluri B. N. ,   Department of pharmaceutical analysis, KVSR Siddhartha college of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada – 520 010, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Published: October 2021

A simple and precise RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for the determination of opipramol hydrochloride in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Chromatography was carried out on Inertsil column(250 x 4.6mm, 5μm) using a mobile phase of acetonitrile: 10mM ammonium acetate (65:35% V/V) at a flow rate of 1.2mL/min. The analyte was monitored using UV detector at 254 nm. The retention time was found to be at 5.572 min for opipramol hydrochloride. The proposed method was found to be linear in the concentration range of 10-35 μg/mL with correlation coefficient of 0.998. The mean recoveries obtained for opipramol hydrochloride were in the range of 100.23-101.81%. Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.00842 and 0.0255 μg/mL, respectively. The developed method has been statistically validated according to ICH guidelines and found to be simple, precise, and accurate with the prescribed values. Thus the proposed method was successfully applied for the estimation of opipramol hydrochloride in routine quality control analysis in bulk and its formulations.
FORMULATION OF GEL CONTAINING PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAVES EXTRACTS TO DETERMINE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
Authors: Kasar N. S. ,   Department of Quality Assurance Techniques, MET’s Institute of Pharmacy, Bhujbal Knowledge City, Adgaon, Nashik 422 003, Maharashtra, India.
Published: October 2021

Psidium guajava Linn (Myrtaceae) has been used as traditional medicine. Due to no molecular pharmacological evidence of this herbal plant, we investigated the anti- inflammatory activity. Quercetin was taken as marker, an anti-inflammatory component which is major phytoconstituent of psidium guajava leaves. The comparative study of hydroalcoholic and methanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaves was carried out to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity. The major findings of the study demonstrated the antiinflammatory activity potential of Psidium guajava leaves extract gel formulation. Hydoalcoholic extract gel is more effective as compared with methanolic extract gel. The P value is < 0.0001 is considered as extremely significant by applying ANOVA test followed by Dunnett test. From the results it was concluded that Psidium guajava leaves extract when formulated in gel show significant anti-inflammatory activity and hydoalcoholic extract gel is more effective as compared with methanolic extract gel.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR BUDESONIDE ESTIMATION IN NASAL SPRAY FORMULATIONS
Authors: Chudiwal S. S , Dehghan M. H. G. ,   Y B Chavan College of Pharmacy, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Marg, Rauza Baug, N-12, CIDCO, Aurangabad - 431 001, Maharashtra, India.
Published: October 2021

The objective of the present research work was to develop and validate UV-spectrophotometric method for estimation of budesonide in nasal spray formulations. Budesonide was estimated at wavelength 243 nm. Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 10-100μg/mL (R2 = 0.997). The apparent molar absorptivity was found to be 1.72×104 L⋅mol−1⋅cm−1. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guideline Q2 (R1). The developed method was successfully applied for estimation of budesonide in commercially available nasal spray formulations. The results demonstrated that the method is accurate, precise and reproducible e (RSD < 1 %), while being simple, cheap and less time consuming.
Effects of Road Infrastructure on Plantain Production among Farmers in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwasusi Oluwatoyin J. , Adeyemo Abolade O.
Published: October 2021

Road infrastructure is crucial to farmers’ productivity, transportation, marketing of food produce and food security.Therefore, this study examined the effects of road infrastructure to plantain production among farmers in Ekiti South LocalGovernment Area. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 103 respondents for the study; data were collected usingstructured interview schedule. Data on respondents’ personal characteristics, perceived contribution of road infrastructureto plantain enterprise and constraints to plantain production and marketing were analysed with descriptive statistics, Chisquareand Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical tools. Majority (75.7%) of the respondents were males, largepercent (70.8%) were ageing (50-70years), 71.8% cultivated 4-6 acres with a majority (79.6%) having more than 20years offarming and marketing experience. Almost half (47.6%) of the respondents earned between #31,000-#40,000 monthly andmajority (78.6%) indicated that their farms to the market were far and not motorable. About (65%) indicated that poor roadinfrastructure had negative implication on production and marketing of plantain. Educational level (χ2=14.13), farm size(χ2=0.932), monthly income (χ2=7.938), farming experience (χ2=11.831), marketing experience (χ2=10.609), farmers age (r= -0.375) and constraints to production and marketing (r = 0.261) were significantly related to effects of road infrastructureon plantain production. Hence, it is recommended that government should ensure quality rural feeder roads linking urbanareas for sustainable farming practices, reduction of postharvest losses and efficient plantain marketing.