bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tableau clinique de colique néphrétique révélant une malformation vasculaire rénale
Authors: Tomboravo Christian , Ony Narindra Lova Hasina Rajaonarison Ny , Andrianjakamanana Tolojanahary Herizo , Ahmad Ahmad
Published: February 2022

Renal arteriovenous malformation is a rare embryonary’s dysplasia We report the case of a 44-year-old woman, who presented left-sided renal colic Uroscanner did not show any obstructive syndrome of urinary tracts associated with either lithiasis or tumoral syndrome However, it revealed a left renal arteriovenous malformation.

La malformation artério-veineuse rénale est une dysplasie d’origine embryonnaire rare Nous rapportons le cas d’une femme de 44 ans, qui a présenté un tableau clinique de colique néphrétique gauche L’uroscanner ne révélait pas de syndrome obstructif des voies urinaires ni de lithiase ni de syndrome tumoral Par contre, il a montré une malformation artério-veineuse rénale à gauche.
Épilepsie et natation en piscine privée dans les pays en voie de développement, une pratique à haut risque vital : une observation clinique
Authors: Nomo Serge Vivier Nga , Bifouna Christella Raissa Iroume , Njeumji Aristide Gilles Kuitchet , Tamchom Dominique Djomo , Chewa Gisèle Berline , Nkoumou Samson
Published: February 2022

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the brain that affects all segments of the population around the world. It is characterized by recurrent seizures manifested by brief episodes of involuntary tremors affecting one part of the body or the whole body. These seizures are the result of excessive electrical discharges from a neuronal population. According to the World Health Organization, 50 million people are currently living with epilepsy worldwide. Almost 80 % of people with epilepsy live in low-income countries The management of this pathology remains difficult in sub-Saharan Africa for various reasons Sports activities, including swimming, are said to be beneficial in children and adolescents with epilepsy. But the practice of these activities is not without vital risk, it must be regulated accordingto the socio-economic, cultural and medical environment We report here a case of drowning in a 10-year-old adolescent girl, epileptic since earlychildhood and who takes depakine as a background treatment She was drowned while  swimming in a private pool, following an epileptic seizure. The interest of this presentation is tounderline the need to formulate recommendations adapted to sub-Saharan Africa concerning the practice of certain sports activities, such as swimming in a private pool for adolescents with epilepsy. The second objective is to highlight the importance of the chain of survival in the event of drowning, as a guarantee of the vital prognosis.

L’épilepsie est une affection chronique du cerveau qui touche toutes les tranches de la population dans le monde Selon l’organisation mondiale de la santé, 50 millions de personnes vivent actuellement avec l’épilepsie dans le monde, près de 80% de personnes souffrant d’épilepsie vivent dans les pays à revenu faible. Sa prise en charge demeure laborieuse en Afrique subsaharienne (ASS). Les activités sportives, parmi lesquelles la natation, seraient  bénéfiques chez les adolescents épileptiques. Mais la pratique de ces activités n’est pas dénuée de risque vital, elle doit être régulée en fonction du contexte socio-economique, culturel et de l’environnement médical. Nous rapportons un cas de noyade chez une adolescente, épileptique depuis la tendre enfance et qui prend la dépakine en traitement de fond Elle a été victime de noyade en piscine privée, à la suite d’une crise d’épilepsie L’intérêt de cette présentation est de souligner la nécessité de formuler des recommandations adaptées à l’ASS au sujet de la pratique de certaines activités sportives à risque, comme la natation en piscine privée pour les adolescents épileptiques Le second objectif est de relever l’importance de la chaine de survie en cas de noyade, comme gage du pronostic vital.
Lassa virus persistence in body fluids after recovery from acute Lassa fever: a 2-year interim analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Ogbaini-Emovon E.
Published: February 2022

Background: There is anecdotal evidence for Lassa virus persistence in body fluids. We investigated various body fluids after recovery from acute Lassa fever and describe the dynamics of Lassa virus RNA load in seminal fluid. The primary objective of this study was to quantitatively describe virus persistence and clearance and assess the infectivity of seminal fluid. Methodology: In this prospective, longitudinal, cohort study, we collected plasma, urine, saliva, lacrimal, vaginal and seminal fluids from Lassa fever survivors at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, Nigeria. Inclusion criteria for participants were RT-PCR-confirmed Lassa fever diagnosis and age 18 years and above. Samples were taken at discharge from hospital (month 0) and at months 0·5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 after discharge. Lassa virus RNA was detected using real-time RT-PCR. Infectivity was tested in cell culture and immunosuppressed mice. We used a linear mixed-effect model to analyse the dynamics of virus persistence in seminal fluid over time. Results: Between Jan 31, 2018, and Dec 11, 2019, 165 participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 159 were eligible for analysis (49 women and 110 men). Low amounts of Lassa virus RNA were detected at month 0 in plasma (45%, n=49/110), urine (34%, 37/110), saliva (5%, 5/110), lacrimal fluid (9%, 10/110), and vaginal fluid (21%, n=7/33 female participants). Virus RNA was cleared from these body fluids by month 3. However, 35 (80%) of 44 male participants had viral RNA in seminal fluid at month 0 with a median cycle threshold of 26·5. Lassa virus RNA remained detectable up to month 12 in seminal fluid. Biostatistical modelling estimated a clearance rate of 1·19 log₁₀ viral RNA copies per month and predicted that 50% of male survivors remain Lassa virus RNA-positive in seminal fluid for 83 days after hospital discharge, and 10% remain positive in seminal fluid for 193 days after discharge. Viral RNA persistence in seminal fluid for 3 months or more was associated with higher viraemia (p=0·006), more severe disease (p=0·0075), and longer hospitalisation during the acute phase of Lassa fever (p=0·0014). Infectious virus was isolated from 48 (52%) of 93 virus RNA-positive seminal fluid samples collected between month 0 and 12. Conclusion: Lassa virus RNA is shed in various body fluids after recovery from acute disease. The persistence of infectious virus in seminal fluid implies a risk of sexual transmission of Lassa fever.
Leptospirosis: A need for increased awareness and improved laboratory testing
Authors: Maness L.R.
Published: February 2022

While leptospirosis is currently described as an emerging pathogen, there have likely been numerous cases worldwide each year for centuries. Hurricanes and other flooding events contribute to its spread through rodent urine, many cases of which go undiagnosed. This is especially problematic in developing countries where laboratory techniques may be out of date. There are over 100 cases per year in the United States of America, but millions of cases occur worldwide annually. Caused by many different species of fastidious, spiral-shaped Leptospira, it is difficult and slow to culture. Strides have been made to improve culture techniques in order to reduce the time to grow this genus of bacteria. Greater understanding of this disease by laboratorians, physicians, and other healthcare workers and improved laboratory identification techniques will help increase diagnoses and decrease morbidity and mortality of leptospirosis.
A review of the implications of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria in human and animal diseases
Authors: Bamidele T.A. , Odumosu B.T. , Shittu O.B. , Adeniyi B.A. , Ogunshe A.O.
Published: February 2022

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacteria are taxonomically distinct groups of bacteria with proven biotechnological properties such as anti-cancer, immune-stimulating, anti-microbial, maintenance of normal flora balance, probiotics, anti-inflammatory, vaccine carriers, among others. However, studies have implicated some of them, including the ones under the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) qualified presumption of safety in fatal human and veterinary diseases. We performed online database searches of publications on Google, Google Scholar and PubMed using the criteria, “lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria as causative agents of human, animal diseases”. Data generated showed LAB across genera and Bifidobacteria either primarily or opportunistically involved in diseases of both immuno-competent and immuno-depressed humans and animals. The members of lactobacilli such as Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus oris, Lactobacillus gasseri and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, were mainly implicated in nosocomial infections, endophthalmitis, neonatal meningitis, and bacteraemia while Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Bifidobacteria, specifically, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium animalis were implicated in urinary tract infections (UTIs), necrotizing pancreatitis, fatal pulmonary infections, sepsis, and epidural abscess. The animal diseases, neonatal sepsis in foal, was caused by Weissella confusa while the fish pathogen, Lactococcus garvieae caused various zoonotic cases such as acute acalculous cholecystitis in human. In conclusion, this review showed the up-to-date reports on LAB and Bifidobacteria implicated in serious humans and animal diseases.
Outcomes of tuberculosis treatment in a tertiary health facility in north-central Nigeria
Authors: Audu E.S. , Adiukwu C.V. , Dick S.N. , Bello S.O. , Aboki D.M. , Ashuku Y.A. , Tomen E.A.
Published: February 2022

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern despite being a curable and preventable disease. The treatment of TB using a cocktail of drugs over a period of six months under the directly observed treatment short-course strategy has led to a reduction in cases but is plagued by some challenges that leads to unsuccessful or poor outcomes, which can ultimately result in spread of infections, development of drug resistance and increase in morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study are to determine outcomes of TB treatment in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria and the factors that may be associated with the outcomes.

Methodology: This was a retrospective study using the medical records of patients who were registered for TB treatment over a five-year period between 2016 to 2020. Data from TB registers including demographic and relevant clinical information, and treatment outcomes, were extracted into a structured data extraction format, and analysed with SPSS version 21.0 software package. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted, and Chi square test was used to determine association between TB outcomes and independent variables at 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 was considered as the significant value.

Results: Records of 1,313 patients were studied, 744 (56.7%) were males while 569 (43.3%) were females. The age range of the patients was ≤ 1 year - 96 years, with a mean age of 30±16.7 years. Most were pulmonary TB cases (88.8%, n=1,166), newly diagnosed (95.5%, n=1254), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative at the time of TB diagnosis (63.7%, n=837). Eight hundred and seven (61.5%) patients had successful treatment, and 34% (n=446) had unsuccessful outcomes made of ‘loss to follow-up’ 25.8% (n=339), deaths 7.8% (n=102) and treatment failure 0.4% (n=5), while 2.3% (n=30) were transferred out and 2.3% (n=30) removed from TB register. Treatment success rate was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary TB (p=0.0024), residents in Lafia LGA (p=0.0005), those treated in 2016 (p=0.0006) and bacteriologically confirmed cases (p<0.0001), while death rate was significantly lower among patients who were HIV-negative at the time of TB diagnosis (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: TB treatment success rate in this study fell short of the WHO average rate. High rates of ‘loss to follow-up’ and deaths in this study is a wake-up call to all stakeholders in the facility and the State to put in place measures to reduce poor outcomes of TB treatment.
Assessment of aquaculture development programmes in Nigeria
Authors: Issa Fadlullah Olayiwola , Aderinoye-AbdulWahab Sidiqat , Kagbu Joyce Hauwa
Published: February 2022

This paper assessed the various aquaculture development programmes of succeeding Nigerian Government. It particularly focused on the Fish Seed Multiplication Project (FSMP) and the pilot Fish Farm Project (PFFP); drawing lessons from their implementation. Literature review was carried out using reports of Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as agricultural institutions for this analysis. Poor growth rate in fishery output as well as unavailability and inadequate access to modern fish-farming technologies was found to be the major challenges confronting the Nigerian aquaculture development. The paper concludes that despite some noteworthy efforts of government interventions in the fisheries sub-sector of the Nigeria economy; the growth rates of fishery output have been relatively low as manifested in the large importation of fish over the years. It recommends a proper exploitation of the aquaculture system by ensuring fish-farmers’ access to modern fish-farming technologies through policy instrument.
Extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in Meru Region, Kenya
Authors: Kirimi Florence Kaumi , Onyari Charles Nyambane , Njeru Lucy Karega , Mogaka Hezron Rasugu
Published: February 2022

The study examined the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation among smallholder farmers in the Meru region, Kenya. The study sampled 400 farmers from a target population of 288,802 from the Meru region. The Tobit model was used to analyse the effect of extension-market linkages on banana commercialisation. The results revealed that sources of marketing information (Coef. -0.06) had a negative influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The result showed that the reliability of local extension service providers in enabling farmer’s access to market information (Coef. 0.04) had a positive influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The findings also showed that users of marketing information in the commercialisation banana business (Coef. 0.63) had a positive influence on farmers commercialising banana production. The study concludes that there was an association between extension marketing linkages and banana commercialization among smallholder farmers in Meru region, Kenya. Government should create and implement more policies that will favour and encourage farmers to commercialise bananas. This will help farmers increase their income.
Factors influencing inorganic fertilizer use among rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Iwuchukwu Juliana Chinasa , Obazi Sunday Alagba , Opata Patience Ifeyinwa , Madukwe Michael Chukwuneke
Published: February 2022

This study examined factors influencing inorganic fertilizer use among rice farmers in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. A total of 120 rice farmers were purposively selected and used for the study. Data were collected by use of interview schedule and analyses were conducted using frequency, percentage, mean score and regression. Results showed that the respondents applied mostly urea fertilizer (54.2%) usually once (55.8%) on rice farm using broadcast method (100%). The amount of fertilizer applied per hectare in rice farm was 85.63kg. Rice farmers’ inorganic fertilizer use were influenced by number of years spent in school, years of experience in rice production, total size of farm used for rice, total annual income earned from rice production and number of extension agent visit. Surprisingly, rice output (t =1.243; p≥0.05) had no significant influence with inorganic fertilizer use. Government through the ministry of agriculture should organize workshops and train farmers on inorganic fertilizer use so as to enhance adequate use. Also, government and other relevant stakeholders in agriculture should ensure that inorganic fertilizers are available, accessible and affordable to farmers at all time so that they could maximally utilize it in rice production.
Retinol exerts therapeutic effect on myocardial infarction through regulation of immune inflammatory cells and Cx43 expression
Authors: Sun Hao , Zhong Jiuchang , Yang Xinchun , Guo Zongsheng , Liu Jiamei , Xie Boqia , Zhang Yuan , Wang Xin , Shi Linying , Chen Mulei
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of retinol on cardiac fibroblast proliferation in vitro and on fibrosis formation in mice in vivo.

Methods: Proliferative potential of fibroblasts was determined using cell counting kit-8 assay. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced in mice via ligation of the left side coronary artery. In myocardial tissues, concentration of TNF-α was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay.

Results: Exposure to retinol significantly suppressed cardiac fibroblast proliferation under ischemia, when compared to untreated fibroblasts (p < 0.05). However, exposure of cardiac fibroblasts to retinol did not produce toxicity at a dose of 10 μM under normal conditions. In contrast, exposure to normal levels of oxygen, glutamine and glucose significantly reversed the inhibitory potential of retinol against fibroblasts during ischemia (p < 0.05). Treatment of mice with retinol at a dose of 5 mg/kg reversed the AMI-mediated increase in hydroxyproline level in myocardial tissues. Retinol treatment of AMI mice caused significant elevation in the number of CD31+ capillaries in myocardial tissues. Increase in TNF-α by AMI in cardiac tissues of mice was reversed by treatment with retinol at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The retinol treatment also caused significant reversal of AMI-induced down-regulation of Cx43 protein (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Retinol enhanced the proliferation of fibroblasts under ischemic conditions and prevented fibrosis in mice with AMI. Moreover, retinol targeted TNF-α production and upregulated Cx43 expression in myocardial tissues of mice with AMI. Thus, retinol may be useful for the management of myocardial infarction.
Analysis of the effect of the Chinese herbal pair, Semen Persicae–Carthami Flos, on psoriasis using network pharmacology
Authors: Wang Shibo , Lei Jiehao , Song Xiuzu
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the underlying effect of the Chinese herbal pair, Semen Persicae–Carthami Flos (PC), on psoriasis using network pharmacology.

Method: The core components and targets of the Chinese herbal pair were screened using TCMSP and BATMAN databases. Psoriasis disease targets were searched in OMIM and GeneCards databases. The common targets of the herbal pair and psoriasis were identified using a Venn diagram. The component–psoriasis-target network map was constructed using Cytoscape software. Protein interaction analysis, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed on STRING website, R Project, and DAVID 6.8 database. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina software to predict the binding of herbal pair PC to psoriasis targets.

Results: A total of 45 components and 105 potential targets of PC, as well as 3729 psoriasis-related genes, were screened from the databases. Venn diagram shows that there were 62 common targets of PC and psoriasis. These common targets involved biological processes such as DNA transcription factor receptor binding, cytokine receptor binding, and regulation of molecular function. The targets also involved apoptosis and the advanced glycation end-products (AGE)-receptor for AGEs (RAGE), tumor necrosis factor, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways. In addition, the main active components of PC spontaneously bound to the targets.

Conclusion: The Chinese herbal pair PC provides an alternative clinical therapeutic strategy for patients with psoriasis.
Therapeutic potential of essential oil of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae) in a rat model of ethanol-induced peptic ulcer
Authors: Cilingir-Kaya Ozlem T. , Gurler E. Bihter
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of M. quinquenervia extract on ethanol-induced peptic ulcer in rats.

Methods: The following three groups of (n = 6) Sprague Dawley rats were included in this study: vehicle (C), ethanol-administered (E) and ethanol + M. quinquenervia-treated (MQ). MQ group rats received 100 μg/mL M. quinquenervia essential oil just before 96 % ethanol induction (1 ml/kg). One hour after ulcer induction, the animals were euthanized, and gastric and duodenal tissues were removed. Tissue samples were analysed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and histopathological examinations were performed by light microscopy.

Results: Gastric and duodenal GSH levels that decreased in the ethanol-administered ulcer groups (p < 0.001), rose following MQ treatment (p < 0.5). Moreover, elevated MPO and MDA levels (p < 0.5) in gastric tissues decreased after MQ-treatment. Similarly, the MQ-treated group showed recovery and control-like morphology compared to the ethanol group in both gastric and duodenal tissues when examined by microscopy.

Conclusion: The results indicate that M. quinquenervia extract has a positive impact on gastric injury in rats due to its antioxidant activity. Thus, the plant has a potential for the clinical management of gastric ulcer.
Tetramethyl pyrazine exerts anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects in a mouse model of MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease via regulation of the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Nrf2 and GCLC
Authors: Dai Lixing , Diao Ruiqing , Zhang Jinghua , Cao Mengying , Gao Hongli , Tang Bibo
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) on MPTP)-mediated neuronal apoptosis and oxidative imbalance in mice, and the mechanism of action involved.

Methods: Forty-five mice were assigned evenly to blank control, MPTP and TMP groups. The protein concentrations of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C (Cyt c), Nrf2, GCLC and cleaved caspase-3; and levels of glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive products (TBARS) were evaluated and compared amongst the groups.

Results: Cyt c, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels in TMP group were significantly lower than those in MPTP group, while Bcl-2 protein expression was higher in TMP group than in MPTP mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TBARS was lower in TMP group than in MPTP group, while GSH level increased, relative to MPTP mice. The levels of Nrf2 and GCLC were significantly higher in TMP group than in MPTP group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tetramethyl pyrazine exerts anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects on MPTP-mediated Parkinsonism via regulation of the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Nrf2 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. Thus, TMP has potential for use in the treatment Parkinson’s disease.
A decade of experience in prescribing hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin: A retrospective analysis of medication queries in a Saudi drug and poison information center
Authors: Althemery Abdullah U. , AL-Najjar Amal H. , Almalki Mesfer S. , Alfaifi Abdullah A. , Ahmed Nehad J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To analyze drug information queries related to treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), chloroquine (CQ), and azithromycin submitted to a local drug and poison information center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This retrospective study explored HCQ-, CQ-, and azithromycin-related inquiries submitted to the Drug and Poison Information Center at the Security Forces Hospital Program, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These inquiries were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative analysis included the frequency of each request per year, the profession of the requesters, and the source material classification. A thematic analysis was also performed to categorize requests from healthcare professionals.

Results: The Drug and Poison Information Center received 10,685 usable inquiries between 2005 and 2018. There were 160 CQ-, HCQ-, and azithromycin-related queries. Most requests were made by pharmacists (61.25 %). The main sources used to answer the queries were tertiary (92.31 %) and primary (7.69 %) sources. In the dataset, three major topics were identified: administration and dosing, safety, and pregnancy and lactation, each associated with a query subset.

Conclusion: These results emphasize the importance of continued education on antimicrobial agents in general, and HCQ, CQ, and azithromycin in particular. The three items have been identified as focus areas that policymakers can us to ensure the quality of future medication prescriptions.
Assessment of reef fish and benthic cover of the North and South Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves system before the 2016 El Niño
Authors: Julius Pagu , Ngoile Magnus , Benno Benaiah , Machumu Milali , Mbije Nsajigwa
Published: February 2022

The status of reef fish density, diversity, species richness, biomass and coral cover was evaluated by comparing the conditions in two Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves (DMRs); the North Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve (NDMR; gazetted in 1975), and the South Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves (SDMRs; gazetted in 2007), before the 2016 El Niño. A 10 m line-intercept transect was used to characterize benthic cover and a 50 m belt transect was used to assess reef fish population status. Sampling occurred between August 2014 and April 2015. The results showed that fish biomass in the (NDMRs) was 2.7 times higher than that in the (SDMRs) and live hard coral cover was 3 times higher. Higher reef fish density, biomass, diversity, species richness and live hard coral cover were revealed before 2016 El Niño in NDMRs as compared to the SDMRs. Differences in status are linked to differences in time of gazetting and level of effective management in the marine protected areas (MPAs), where NDMRs has a General Management Plan (GMP) while SDMRs does not, and the differences in management are likely to have contributed to the differences in fish biomass and coral cover.
Improvement of live coral shipping conditions using an illuminated box
Authors: Todinanahary Gildas G. B. , Batigny Antoine , Lavitra Thierry , Grosjean Philippe
Published: February 2022

The transportation of live coral nubbins is a major constraint of the coral trade. Corals must be transported within a timeframe of <20 hours using concentrated oxygen to avoid high post-transportation mortality. To understand the effects of transportation water quality on coral nubbin growth and post-transportation mortality, a series of transportation simulations were performed on Seriatopora hystrix. Different water volumes (dry method, 125 ml, 190 ml, and 325 ml) and oxygen concentrations in the gas phase (21 %, 40 %, and 85 %) were tested, and a 24 LED Handy Lamp was added to provide light irradiance of >100 µmol m-2 s-1 in the transportation box. During transportation nubbins extracted calcium carbonate for growth reducing water alkalinity and consequently pH to 6.67. Dissolved oxygen concentration also rapidly decreased to 0.19 mg L-1. The concentration of inorganic nitrogen, particularly ammonium ions, increased after 24 hours and reached very high concentrations after 48 hours. Before 48 hours, the larger the water volume and oxygen concentration, the faster the nubbin growth after transportation. Beyond 48 hours, in all cases, reduction in water quality became critical for nubbins and resulted in partial mortality. Illuminating the transportation box improved water quality for 72 hours using normal air.
Integrated approach to analyse benthic images from an autonomous underwater vehicle deployed at Pemba Island, Tanzania
Authors: Osuka Kennedy E. , Aboud Swaleh A.
Published: February 2022

Manual analysis of large amounts of benthic images is time consuming and costly. This challenge has led to the development of automated image analysis techniques such as CoralNet. The technique combines an online repository and machine learning to completely or partially automate classification of benthic images. Here, the integration of Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions (CPCe) and CoralNet is showcased. CPCe was applied to manually annotate images captured by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) deployed at Pemba Island, Tanzania and then to train and build confidence in CoralNet to automatically annotate more images. Further, possible outputs that can be derived from assessing the relationships between the cover of benthic variables and depth are demonstrated.
Freezing, Bounded-Change and Convergent Cellular Automata
Authors: Ollinger Nicolas , Theyssier Guillaume
Published: February 2022

This paper studies three classes of cellular automata from a computational point of view: freezing cellular automata where the state of a cell can only decrease according to some order on states, cellular automata where each cell only makes a bounded number of state changes in any orbit, and finally cellular automata where each orbit converges to some fixed point. Many examples studied in the literature fit into these definitions, in particular the works on cristal growth started by S. Ulam in the 60s. The central question addressed here is how the computational power and computational hardness of basic properties is affected by the constraints of convergence, bounded number of change, or local decreasing of states in each cell. By studying various benchmark problems (short-term prediction, long term reachability, limits) and considering various complexity measures and scales (LOGSPACE vs. PTIME, communication complexity, Turing computability and arithmetical hierarchy) we give a rich and nuanced answer: the overall computational complexity of such cellular automata depends on the class considered (among the three above), the dimension, and the precise problem studied. In particular, we show that all settings can achieve universality in the sense of Blondel-Delvenne-K\r{u}rka, although short term predictability varies from NLOGSPACE to P-complete. Besides, the computability of limit configurations starting from computable initial configurations separates bounded-change from convergent cellular automata in dimension~1, but also dimension~1 versus higher dimensions for freezing cellular automata. Another surprising dimension-sensitive result obtained is that nilpotency becomes decidable in dimension~ 1 for all the three classes, while it stays undecidable even for freezing cellular automata in higher dimension.
Weight Annotation in Information Extraction
Authors: Doleschal Johannes , Kimelfeld Benny , Martens Wim , Peterfreund Liat
Published: February 2022

The framework of document spanners abstracts the task of information
extraction from text as a function that maps every document (a string) into a
relation over the document's spans (intervals identified by their start and end
indices). For instance, the regular spanners are the closure under the
Relational Algebra (RA) of the regular expressions with capture variables, and
the expressive power of the regular spanners is precisely captured by the class
of VSet-automata -- a restricted class of transducers that mark the endpoints
of selected spans.
In this work, we embark on the investigation of document spanners that can
annotate extractions with auxiliary information such as confidence, support,
and confidentiality measures. To this end, we adopt the abstraction of
provenance semirings by Green et al., where tuples of a relation are annotated
with the elements of a commutative semiring, and where the annotation
propagates through the positive RA operators via the semiring operators. Hence,
the proposed spanner extension, referred to as an annotator, maps every string
into an annotated relation over the spans. As a specific instantiation, we
explore weighted VSet-automata that, similarly to weighted automata and
transducers, attach semiring elements to transitions. We investigate key
aspects of expressiveness, such as the closure under the positive RA, and key
aspects of computational complexity, such as the enumeration of annotated
answers and their ranked enumeration in the case of ordered semirings. For a
number of these problems, fundamental properties of the underlying semiring,
such as positivity, are crucial for establishing tractability.
Regular matching problems for infinite trees
Authors: Camino Carlos , Diekert Volker , Dundua Besik , Marin Mircea , Sénizergues Géraud
Published: February 2022

We study the matching problem of regular tree languages, that is, "$\exists
\sigma:\sigma(L)\subseteq R$?" where $L,R$ are regular tree languages over the
union of finite ranked alphabets $\Sigma$ and $\mathcal{X}$ where $\mathcal{X}$
is an alphabet of variables and $\sigma$ is a substitution such that
$\sigma(x)$ is a set of trees in $T(\Sigma\cup H)\setminus H$ for all $x\in
\mathcal{X}$. Here, $H$ denotes a set of "holes" which are used to define a
"sorted" concatenation of trees. Conway studied this problem in the special
case for languages of finite words in his classical textbook "Regular algebra
and finite machines" published in 1971. He showed that if $L$ and $R$ are
regular, then the problem "$\exists \sigma \forall x\in \mathcal{X}:
\sigma(x)\neq \emptyset\wedge \sigma(L)\subseteq R$?" is decidable. Moreover,
there are only finitely many maximal solutions, the maximal solutions are
regular substitutions, and they are effectively computable. We extend Conway's
results when $L,R$ are regular languages of finite and infinite trees, and
language substitution is applied inside-out, in the sense of Engelfriet and
Schmidt (1977/78). More precisely, we show that if $L\subseteq
T(\Sigma\cup\mathcal{X})$ and $R\subseteq T(\Sigma)$ are regular tree languages
over finite or infinite trees, then the problem "$\exists \sigma \forall x\in
\mathcal{X}: \sigma(x)\neq \emptyset\wedge \sigma_{\mathrm{io}}(L)\subseteq
R$?" is decidable. Here, the subscript "$\mathrm{io}$" in
$\sigma_{\mathrm{io}}(L)$ refers to "inside-out". Moreover, there are only
finitely many maximal solutions $\sigma$, the maximal solutions are regular
substitutions and effectively computable. The corresponding question for the
outside-in extension $\sigma_{\mathrm{oi}}$ remains open, even in the
restricted setting of finite trees.
Assessment of postoperative pain intensity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Comparative analysis of three rating scales in terms of scores and patient preferences
Authors: Leblebici Metin , Dincer Berna , Savcı Cemile , Soyhan Filiz , Alimoğlu Orhan
Published: February 2022

Objective: To compare three rating scales in assessment of postoperative pain intensity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy Methods: A total 102 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were participated on a voluntary basis in this cross-sectional questionnaire survey. The questionnaire form elicited items on sociodemographic characteristics of patients, pain characteristics and the pain intensity assessment via three scales including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS). Results: Mean(SD) VAS, VDS and NRS scores were 4.7(1.3), 2.8(0.7) and 4.5(1.2), respectively. VDS (67.6%) was the most commonly preferred scale by patients, as followed by VAS (23.5%) and NRS (8.8%). Positive significant correlations were noted between each scale (r: ranged from 0.809 between VAS and VDS to 0.865 between VDS and NRS, p<0.001 for each). There was a high level of inter-scale concordance overall (Cronbach's alpha: 0.910), including VAS x VDS (Cronbach's alpha: 0.820), VAS x NRS (Cronbach’s alpha=0.906) and VDS x NRS (Cronbach’s alpha=0.868). Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that all three scales (VAS, NRS, VDS) provide reliable and valid data with strong correlations and a high level of inter-scale concordance in assessing postoperative pain intensity in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. However, VDS appears to be the best scale in assessing pain intensity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery with respect to patient preference rates as well as its strong correlation with other scales, particularly the NRS.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Gene Variations And Expression Levels In Breast Cancer Development
Authors: ALKANLI Nevra , Ay Arzu
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and represents approximately 30% of all cancers in women. This type of cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths and is characterized by proliferation and metastasis of transformed cells. Extracellular matrix plays an important role in the growth, progression, prognosis, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Extracellular matrix degradation occurs by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in invasive and metastatic breast cancers. MMPs are important proteolytic enzymes and are effective in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Various genetic variations have been identified in MMP genes and these genetic variations have been associated with changes in MMP enzyme activities, promoter activity, cell proliferation, and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, cell proliferation and tumor migration can be affected in breast cancer. Single nucleotide gene variations such as MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-12 have been associated with susceptibility to various cancer types such as breast cancer. The aim of this review is to provide general information about the pathogenesis of breast cancer as well as to examine the roles of MMP gene variations and expression levels in the development of breast cancer.
UJI RESISTENSI KLON-KLON INTRODUKSI TERHADAP PENYAKIT GUGUR DAUN Pestalotiopsis sp. DI LABORATORIUM
Authors: Sayurandi Sayurandi , Kusnedy Didi Kusnedy , Febrianto Eka Bobby , Dalimunthe Cici Indriani
Published: February 2022

The rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) comes from Brazil. The first rubber tree grew only in South America. Rubber plantations in Indonesia were introduced in 1864, since Hofland established a rubber plantation company in Tanah Panunukan and Ciasem, West Java. Attacks caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. showed brown spots on rubber leaves and a clear boundary between the spots and the healthy leaves. Infected leaves fall prematurely. Generally, those that are heavily attacked are rubber plants that have produced and are not maintained. The aim of the study was to determine the resistance level of introduced clones (PB 217, PB 260, PB 330, PB 340, RRIC 100, IRR 220 and GT 1) to leaf fall disease, namely Pestalotiopsis sp. The research was conducted at the Plant Protection Laboratory of the Sungai Putih Research Institute, using a non-factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The observation result showed that clones PB 217 and GT 1 had the highest attack intensity after 8 days of inoculation namely 89.96% and 89.96%. The lowest attack intensity was found on clone IRR 220 namely 81.64%.
ANALISIS PERHITUNGAN PENDINGINAN TRAFO MENGGUNAKAN ISOLATOR CAIR MINYAK SAWIT
Authors: Mustangin Muhamad
Published: February 2022

The transformer that functions to increase/decrease the voltage is heated due to the flow of electric current. The heat must be removed so as not to damage the winding. The heat dissipation method uses a liquid to propagate heat into the air. Currently, mineral oil is generally used, but to improve the environment and be more sustainable, it can be replaced with palm oil (CPO). The heat transfer palm oil of the transformer can be calculated.  The heat propagates from the heat source through the paper to the CPO, then to the iron casing of the transformer and then to the free air. In order for CPO to cool properly, CPO needs to be cooled using forced air so that the heat transfer process is optimal. Based on the assumption of transformer parameters and CPO parameters such as heat capacity, conductivity, density, viscosity and others, it is obtained that the flow properties of CPO are laminar with Reynolds number of 293. Pradle number of 173.99 and Prandtl number of 30, then the convection coefficient CPO heat is 509.4 W/m2.oC. Based on the temperature in the coil of 80oC, the temperature calculation on the coil wrapping paper is 72oC, the temperature on the inside wall of the casing is 54.17oC and the temperature on the outer wall of the transformer or in the free air is 53.53oC so that it is still below the standard or acceptable. This shows that a 5,000 Watt heat source with a transformer casing length and width of 0.5 meters and a total radiator pipe length of 10 meters can reduce heat in the transformer. The comparison of the outside temperature in the air compared to the standard is 53.5oC/60oC or 89.2%.
PEMANFAATAN BAHAN PENGGUMPAL ORGANIK SEBAGAI KOAGULAN LATEKS
Authors: Nopri Rizki Riyan , Rangkuti Ika Ucha Pradifta , Raja Pada Mulia
Published: February 2022

Latex is a white, milky liquid that comes out of injured plants from the Hevea brasiliensi plant. Hevea brasiliensi latex can be processed into rubber because it has good properties which contain rubber particles in the form of poly isopropene hydrocarbons which are the main components of rubber. In this study, latex coagulation used an organic coagulant as a latex coagulant, namely extract from pineapple fruit and liquid smoke from rubber wood, oil palm midrib, coconut shell. The results of coagulation were measured by the quality of dry rubber content (KKK) and PRI. Supported by secondary data, namely literature taken from journals and browsing on the internet. The results showed that the best coagulant material was produced by pineapple extract 80%, liquid smoke of coconut shell with a pH of 4.1, liquid smoke of palm fronds with a pH of 3.2, and liquid smoke of rubber wood with a pH of 2.6.
SELECCIÓN DE TRES HÍBRIDOS DE PIMIENTO (CAPSICUM ANNUM L.) PARA PUERTO LA BOCA, ECUADOR
Authors: Gabriel Ortega Julio , Erazo Cajape Eber , Vera Velázquez Raquel , Narváez Campana Washington , Castro Piguave Carlos
Published: February 2022

Esta investigación se realizó en un invernadero de la zona de Puerto La Boca de la Parroquia Puerto Cayo, Cantón Jipijapa, en la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador. El objetivo fue evaluar y seleccionar tres híbridos de pimiento por sus características agronómicas y de producción. El experimento se implementó en un diseño experimental de filas y columnas con 10 repeticiones, cada hilera tuvo 80 plantas y cada unidad experimental estuvo constituida por 27 plantas/tratamiento, de las cuales se eligieron cinco plantas al azar de cada una de las unidades experimentales en cada repetición para la toma de datos de las variables de respuesta. Las variables de respuesta fueron el número de frutos, peso del fruto, alto del fruto, ancho del fruto, grosor de tallo, altura de planta y daño por oídium (hongo). El hibrido que presentó el mayor rendimiento de pimiento fue el Macantro con un peso del pimiento de 143,75 g en promedio, lo que indica que este híbrido se adaptó bien a las condiciones de invernadero de Puerto la boca. Los resultados mostraron que el mejor pimiento según las características agronómicas y de preferencia por el mercado y que tuvo una buena relación entre peso de frutos, altura de planta y días a la cosecha fue el híbrido Macantro, seguido de Tandara.
Pengaruh Konsentrasi POC Air Cucian Beras dan Kulit Kentang Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Kacang Hijau
Authors: Taher Yonny Arita , Fitri Anisa , Desi Yulfi
Published: February 2022

ABSTRAC

The research of giving POC water from washing rice and potato peels on the growth and yield of mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L) was carried out in from February to May 2021. The aim was to obtain the best POC concentration for growth and yield of mung bean. The study used a randomized design).. The treatments were several POC concentrations, namely: A = 40 mℓ/ℓ water ; B = 50 m/ℓ water ; C = 60 mℓ/ℓ water D = 70 m/ℓ water E = 80 mℓ/ℓ l water F: 90 mℓ/ℓ water Observation data were statistically analyzed by F test and if significantly different, the test was continued with DNMRT with a significance level of 5%. The study showed that the POC of rice washing water and potato peels had no significant effect on plant height, flowering age, age of first harvest, number of pods per plant, percentage of pithy pods per plant, dry weight of harvest, and weight of 100 seeds, but significantly different to the number of primary branches. The best POC concentration as well as reduce production costs growth and yield of mung bean has not been obtained.

ABSTRAK

 Penelitian pemberian POC air cucian beras dan kulit kentang terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil kacang hijau (Phaseolus radiatus L dilaksanakan  di lahan percobaan Universitas Ekasakti Padang, dari Februari  sampai  Mei 2021.  Tujuan  untuk mendapatkan konsentrasi POC terbaik bagi pertumbuhan dan hasil kacang hijau. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok dengan 6 Perlakuan 5 Kelompok,.  Setiap plot percobaan terdiri dari 4 tanaman, semua tanaman diamati.  Perlakuan adalah beberapa konsentrasi POC yaitu: A =  40 mℓ/ℓ air. ; B = 50 mℓ/ℓ air ; C = 60 mℓ/ℓ air ; D = 70 mℓ/ℓ air; E = 80 mℓ/ℓ l air ; F : 90 mℓ/ℓ air  Data-data  pengamatan dianalisis secara statistik dengan uji F dan bila berbeda nyata, pengujian dilanjutkan DNMRT  taraf nyata 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa POC air cucian beras dan kulit kentang tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap tinggi tanaman, umur berbunga, umur panen pertama, jumlah polong per tanaman, persentase polong bernas per tanaman, berat kering panen, dan berat berat 100 biji, tetapi berbeda nyata terhadap jumlah cabang primer.  Belum diperoleh konsentrasi POC yang terbaik untuk pertumbuhan dan hasil kacang hijau Disarankan untuk  melakukan penelitian lanjut, dengan meningkatkan perbedaan konsentrasi POC air cucian beras dan kulit kentang yang akan diberikan.
Literasi Keuangan dan Literasi Digital UMKM Kuliner Kota Padang Sebagai Penggerak Pemulihan Ekonomi Masa Pandemi Global Covid 19
Authors: Rosa Yenni Del , Idwar Idwar , Abdilla Mohammad
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the study was to look at the effect of financial literacy and digital literacy on the turnover of culinary SMEs in Padang City during the covid 19 pandemic partially and simultaneously.  The research method used an associative method with a quantitative approach. The research population was 371 samples, 193 were taken by purposive sampling. Data collection techniques with field research, interviews, observations and questionnaires. All research variables meet all instrument tests and classical assumption tests. The results of the multiple linear regression equation obtained Y = 1.657 + 0.539X1 + 0.723X2 + e. Testing the hypothesis partially and simultaneously at a significance level of 5% shows that financial literacy and digital literacy have a significant positive effect on the turnover of culinary SMEs in the city of Padang. The correlation between financial literacy and digital literacy with culinary SMEs turnover is 0.796 (strong),  R2 = 0.633 and Adjusted R square = 0.625

 ABSTRAK

Tujuan penelitian melihat  pengaruhliterasi keuangan dan literasi digital terhadap omset UMKM kuliner kota Padang saat pandemic covid 19 secara parsial dan simultan. Metode penelitian memakai metode asosiatif dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Populasi penelitian 371sampel 193 diambil secara purposive  sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan field research, wawancara, observasi dan angket. Semua variabel penelitian  memenuhisemua uji instrumen dan uji asumsi klasik. Hasil persamaan regresi linier berganda  didapat  Y = 1,657 + 0,539X1 + 0,723X2+ e. Uji hipotesis secara parsial dan simultan  pada tingkat signifikansi 5% menujukkan literasi keuangan dan literasi digital berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap omset UMKM kuliner kota Padang. Korelasi literasi keuangan dan literasi digital dengan omset UMKM kuliner  0,796 (kuat)  dan R2 = 0,633 serta Adjusted R square = 0,625