bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Autism Biosolids Conundrum
Authors: Lewis David
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

 Before Congress passed the Clean Water Act of 1972, municipalities throughout the United States discharged hazardous municipal and industrial wastes directly into rivers and other waterways. Every chemical and biological agent linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including those linked to “autism spectrum disorders” (ASDs), spilled into coastal waters and settled on the bottoms of the oceans. The solution to pollution was dilution. To comply with the Clean Water Act of 1972, President Carter created wastewater treatment plants throughout the United States to extract heavy metals and toxic organic chemicals from water and concentrate them in sewage sludges that were dumped offshore and buried in landfills. In 1988, Congress banned ocean dumping of sewage sludges because of their potential for causing vaccine-derived polio epidemics. Suddenly, high concentrations of every heavy metal, toxic organic chemical and vaccine-derived viruses linked to autism, including rubella and cytomegalovirus, had no place to go but land. The solution to pollution shifted from diluting pollutants in water to concentrating them on land at hundreds of thousands to millions of times higher concentrations, including on commercial farms that produce our nation’s food supplies. Now, all of the most dangerous pollutants regulated by EPA no longer require biomagnification up the food chain to harm public health. Promoted by EPA and the USDA as safe and environmentally beneficial, land application practices quickly spread worldwide. Here, the author relies largely, albeit not exclusively, on EPA’s own research to address the implications. As a whole, it indicates that the global shift that EPA’s 503 Sludge Rule created in the accumulation of pollutants from ocean sediments to populated land surfaces is causally related to sharp increases in the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide. Autism in its severe infantile form is more or less at the center of this entire class of disorders that appears to have become epidemic beginning in late 1988. EPA dismissed controversial claims linking MMR vaccination to autism, but never addressed the role that widespread land application of sewage sludges (a.k.a. biosolids), which contain highly virulent strains of vaccine-derived measles, rubella and other viruses, may play in autism. Notwithstanding this glaring omission, the global shift that EPA policies on biosolids created in human exposures to complex mixtures of measles, rubella and other viruses derived from live vaccines, combined with high concentrations of potentially every heavy metal and chemical pollutant linked to autism, could explain sharp increases in the incidences of autism and other ASDs that began in 1988.
Toll-like Receptor 9 Agonists in HPV Vaccine Gardasil9
Authors: Lee Sin
Published: May 2022

Gardasil9 is a recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent vaccine, containing purified major capsid L1 protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 re-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) as the active ingredients. Since the antigens are purified recombinant proteins, in theory Gardasil9 needs a potent adjuvant to generate high and sustained levels of antibodies. Historically, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate (AAHS), listed as the adjuvant for Gardasil9, was known to require one or more Toll-like receptor agonists, such as the phospholipids in the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, Recombivax HB®. However, there are no phospholipids in the purified HPV L1 proteins or in Gardasil9. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that Gardasil4 does contain recombinant HPV L1-specific DNA fragments, and they may serve as Toll-like receptor 9 agonists in Gardasil9. The author has tested 5 samples of Gardasil9 from 4 manufacturing lots by PCR amplification with a set of degenerate primers followed by heminested PCR or by another 5 sets of non-degenerate nested PCR primers in an attempt to detect all 9 vaccine-relevant HPV type-specific L1 gene DNAs bound to AAHS in the vaccine. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of HPV 18, 11, 16 and 6 L1 gene DNA bound to insoluble AAHS nanoparticles, but they were unevenly distributed even within the same vaccine sample. Also, these fragments were at least partially in non-B conformations. Since no L1 gene DNA of HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 was amplified by the commonly used degenerate PCR primers, the results suggest that these may all be in non-B conformations or may have been removed as contaminants by a purification protocol. Further research is warranted to standardize the HPV DNA fragments in Gardasil which are known to be potent Toll-like receptor 9 agonists.
Worse Than the Disease? Reviewing Some Possible Unintended Consequences of the mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19
Authors: Seneff Stephanie , Nigh Greg
Published: May 2022

Operation Warp Speed brought to market in the United States two mRNA vaccines, produced by Pfizer and Moderna. Interim data suggested high efficacy for both of these vaccines, which helped legitimize Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. However, the exceptionally rapid movement of these vaccines through controlled trials and into mass deployment raises multiple safety concerns. In this review we first describe the technology underlying these vaccines in detail. We then review both components of and the intended biological response to these vaccines, including production of the spike protein itself, and their potential relationship to a wide range of both acute and long-term induced pathologies, such as blood disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune diseases. Among these potential induced pathologies, we discuss the relevance of prion-protein-related amino acid sequences within the spike protein. We also present a brief review of studies supporting the potential for spike protein “shedding”, transmission of the protein from a vaccinated to an unvaccinated person, resulting in symptoms induced in the latter. We finish by addressing a common point of debate, namely, whether or not these vaccines could modify the DNA of those receiving the vaccination. While there are no studies demonstrating definitively that this is happening, we provide a plausible scenario, supported by previously established pathways for transformation and transport of genetic material, whereby injected mRNA could ultimately be incorporated into germ cell DNA for transgenerational transmission. We conclude with our recommendations regarding surveillance that will help to clarify the long-term effects of these experimental drugs and allow us to better assess the true risk/benefit ratio of these novel technologies.
Knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in secondary schools of Herat, Afghanistan
Authors: Odey Goodness Ogeyi , Adegbite Moriam Adesola , Razaqi Nosaibah , Faizi Gulalai , Afzali Habibah , Ahmadi Mozhgan , Frough Zahra , Bhattacharya Sudip , Lucero-Prisno III Don Eliseo
Published: May 2022

Background: The experience of menarche is often confusing and causes ambivalence among adolescent girls due to their lack of information on the menstruation cycle and menstrual vaginal bleeding. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of menstruation and menstruation hygiene in Afghanistan.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire administered from 10 March 2021 to 15 April 2021 among secondary school girls in Herat, Afghanistan.  It evaluated their knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices.  768 girls responded to the survey.  Data was encoded and statistically analysed using SPSS.
Results: 53.3% of girls surveyed had a good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene.  15.9% of girls surveyed who did not experience menarche showed a good knowledge score. In terms of practice, 32.9% took a rest and missed school during menstrual bleeding.  2.1% of the participants mentioned that teachers were the first source of information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene.
Conclusion: Knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene among girls surveyed was lower than in other countries. Awareness campaigns regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene are recommended.  It is suggested to add a subject on these for secondary school girls to learn more and encourage them to openly discuss among themselves.
Loose Canons: The Epistemic Problems of Scriptural Testimony
Authors: Lancaster-Thomas Asha ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: May 2022

In Abrahamic theism scripture is essential to belief-forming, yet scripture as an epistemic evidence source is plagued with difficulties. In the following article, I argue for a specific reductionist model of scriptural proposition justification utilising an account of scripture as testimony. I contend that for an individual to be justified in a belief sourced from a scriptural proposition, she must appeal to external evidence to “prop up her epistemic bar.” Accordingly, I consider some potential “epistemic bar-proppers.”
Newly discovered species of cheilostomatid Bryozoa from the Miocene of western Kachchh, Gujarat, India
Authors: Sonar Mohan A. , Pawar Ravi V. , Wayal Dnyaneshwar V.
Published: May 2022

Cheilostomatid bryozoans are present in large quantities in Miocene sediments of western Kachchh. A detailed investigation, as presented here, has yielded 11 species. Among them, two species – Canda ukirensis sp. nov. and Antropora ramaniaensis sp. nov. – are new to science. Five species had already been reported from the same region, while a genus and the remaining three species are left in open nomenclature pending an exhaustive study using better preserved material.
Sumerian Texts from Ancient Iraq
Authors: Studevent-Hickman Benjamin
Published: May 2022

The 145 tablets presented in this volume are among a larger group of 302 tablets confiscated by U.S. customs which were being stored in a World Trade Center building when it was destroyed on 9/11. The 145 tablets, which come from an unknown site near Nippur in southern Iraq, are the documents of a high official named Aradmu that detail routine agricultural operations, including receipts and grain loans. The group was repatriated to Iraq in late 2010, after the tablets were conserved and the author had completed his study. The editions offered in this volume complete an incredible journey for the tablets and the stories they hold.
The evolution of the idea of national human rights institutions: From the first drawing to the Geneva guidelines (1946-1978)
Authors: Glušac Luka
Published: May 2022

The concept of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) as known today originated under the auspices of the United Nations. Although national human rights institutions in the contemporary context have been the subject of a growing body of literature, the evolutionary path of the very idea of their creation has remained largely unexplored. The aim of this paper is to fill this literature gap by analysing key United Nations documents from the end of World War II to the adoption of the 1978 Geneva Guidelines. The paper reveals how the very concept of national human rights institutions had evolved over time, how it had been understood, which functions had been tied to these institutions, and which organizational forms had been taken as models. The paper explores the changes in the attitudes of UN Member States in relation to a given issue and provides a better understanding of the context in which this idea developed. In this regard, the paper also offers new insights into how the process of negotiating the core UN human rights conventions has influenced the evolution of the idea of creating national human rights institutions, a factor that has been rarely considered.
DECISION SUPPORT FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY TEST REQUISITION: THE UTILITY OF ICD-10 CODING
Authors: Hathorn Fergus Kenyon , De Kock Imke H , Wasserman Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

This study examined the possibility of a strong relationship between ICD-10 codes and the panel of clinical laboratory tests requested. Decision-tree learning principles were used to determine whether requisition event attributes had a useful relationship with laboratory tests. A recommender system was designed and tested using ICD-10 codes as a core predictor. The results showed an average requisition accuracy upwards of 74 per cent. If such a system were to be deployed, health professionals would be able to draw from a vast and accessible pool of knowledge when selecting clinical laboratory tests, improving the effectiveness of clinical laboratory operations.This study examined the possibility of a strong relationship between ICD-10 codes and the panel of clinical laboratory tests requested. Decision-tree learning principles were used to determine whether requisition event attributes had a useful relationship with laboratory tests. A recommender system was designed and tested using ICD-10 codes as a core predictor. The results showed an average requisition accuracy upwards of 74 per cent. If such a system were to be deployed, health professionals would be able to draw from a vast and accessible pool of knowledge when selecting clinical laboratory tests, improving the effectiveness of clinical laboratory operations. Keywords healthcare analytics; data mining; big data; decision support; smart laboratories
EXPLORING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE BODIES OF LITERATURE PERTAINING TO SOCIO-TECHNICAL TRANSITIONS AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (PART 2): A LINKAGE ANALYSIS
Authors: De Kock Imke , Brent Alan C
Published: May 2022

The importance and value of integrating the concepts of technology management with that in the socio-technical transitions literature has been highlighted in the literature. However, a disconnect still exists between these two bodies of literature. Therefore, this series of two papers investigates this disconnect from two perspectives. Part 1 investigates the disconnect by means of a bibliometric analysis that highlights the limited overlap and integration between technology management and socio-technical transitions. This paper, Part 2, enriches the investigation with a systematic and in-depth exploration of the literature bases used by the respective bodies of literature to gain additional insights into the level of integration (or the lack of it) between the socio-technical transitions literature and that on technology management. Similar to Part 1, this paper also finds that, even though these two fields are not integrated from a conceptual or theoretical perspective, it is evident that, to some extent, they share scholarly roots. Keywords Technology management; socio-technical transitions; linkage analysis
Les jeunes confiés et l’écriture de leur histoire. Une analyse du contexte français
Authors: Chapon Nathalie
Published: May 2022

In 2020, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights noted significant issues with the child protection system in France, including inconsistencies between departments, that undermine the defence of children's rights. For instance, ensuring that young people enjoy the right to take charge of their own stories has not been a priority for French child protection services, despite the guarantees provided in Article 7 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and recent commitments by French political authorities. In this context, how should the issue be addressed through the practice of social work? How can family support workers guide the young people they work with in writing their life
stories? How do foster children experience the process? We explore these questions through a preliminary analysis of the results of a mixed methodology research study on the life narratives of foster children. Responses to a questionnaire distributed to 250 family support workers and data collected
during 15 interviews point to difficulties with putting stories into words, given the complexities associated with the construction and transmission of foster children’s life narratives. The results highlight how the opportunity to discuss their lives with family support workers helps children put their life stories into written form and adopt a narrative identity capable of overcoming difficult memories, unspoken
truths, and institutional ignorance.
Source depth estimation using angle-range interference pattern in deep ocean bottom bounce area
Authors: Zhu Qi-Xuan , Sun Chao , Liu Xiong-Hou ,   School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China,   Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Underwater Information Technology, Xi’an 710072, China
Published: May 2022

Passive sonar limits the ability to sample vertical scale spatiotemporally, and the received signal is indistinct by noise, resulting in the performance degradation or even failure of the source depth estimation method in deep ocean bottom bounce area. When vertical line array is arranged near the sea surface to locate the source by matched-field processing in bottom bounce area, there is great ambiguity in depth dimension. In this work, the problem of source depth estimation in bottom bounce area is addressed. The peak stripe of angle-range interference pattern is modeled and analyzed based on the ray theory, and a source depth estimation method is proposed, which comprises two parts: estimating sound source depth by utilizing peak stripe fluctuation characteristic combined with spatial spectrum analysis, and reconstructing interference pattern using principal component analysis. The flowchart of the method is listed as follows. Firstly, the spatial spectrum corresponding to each range is spliced to obtain the original angle-range interference pattern. Secondly, the original interference pattern is denoised by principal component analysis to obtain the reconstructed interference structure. Finally, the fluctuation period of peak fringes is extracted from the reconstructed interference pattern to calculate the source depth. Under the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) condition, the peak stripe destroyed by noise will reappear in the reconstructed interference pattern and the estimation result of sound source depth will be more accurate, making the source depth estimation method suitable for bottom bounce area. The method combines the space-time cumulative gain of the array and the low-rank characteristic of the interference pattern. The simulation results obtained by Bellhop indicate that the fluctuation period of peak stripe depends on the depth and frequency of the source, which is consistent with the modeling result, and the source depth can be estimated precisely by spatial Fourier transform. The simulation results also show that the rank of the interference pattern is very low and the peak stripe can be composed of a few principal components. Monte Carlo experimental results indicate that the estimated results of the source depth by using reconstructed interference pattern are more accurate than those without using principal component analysis at low SNR condition. The proposed method can achieve more than 80% accuracy at –3 dB SNR.
E161111 is an ultra-short-acting etomidate analogue with stable haemodynamics that elicits only slight adrenocortical suppression in rats
Authors: Wang Bin , Gong Deying , Kang Yi , Liu Jin , Yang Jun , Zhang Wen-sheng
Published: May 2022

Purpose

We report on a novel ultra-short-acting etomidate analogue, E161111, which has the same primary metabolite as etomidate.

Methods

The metabolic rate of E161111 was determined in rat plasma and liver homogenate. Rats were infused for 30 or 60 min to maintain light sedation at Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) for −2 to 0 score. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored during 30 min infusion. The serum corticosterone was determined during and 3 h after infusion as a measure of adrenocortical function.

Results

E161111 was not detected in rat plasma at 1 min (t1/2 = 6.69 ± 0.07 s) and in rat liver homogenates at 5 min (t1/2 = 10.20 ± 3.76 s); its main metabolic product was etomidate acid. The recovery time from loss of righting reflex (LORR) was 4.3 ± 1.5 min after 1-h infusion of E161111. During 30 min infusion, E161111 did not cause MAP changes. The stimulated serum corticosterone levels after 1-h infusion of E161111 were significantly higher than that after 1-h infusion of etomidate at all time points tested for the 3 h study.

Conclusions

E161111 was metabolised rapidly, the metabolites were same as etomidate, and the recovery time after 1-h infusion was short. It elicited haemodynamic stability and milder suppression of corticosterone than that elicited by etomidate.
The effects of isometric hand grip force on wrist kinematics and forearm muscle activity during radial and ulnar wrist joint perturbations
Authors: Mannella Kailynn , Forman Garrick N. , Mugnosso Maddalena , Zenzeri Jacopo , Holmes Michael W. R.
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this work was to investigate forearm muscle activity and wrist angular displacement during radial and ulnar wrist perturbations across various isometric hand grip demands. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from eight muscles of the upper extremity. A robotic device delivered perturbations to the hand in the radial and ulnar directions across four pre-perturbation grip magnitudes. Angular displacement and time to peak displacement following perturbations were evaluated. Muscle activity was evaluated pre- and post-perturbation. Results showed an inverse relationship between grip force and angular displacement (p ≤ 0.001). Time to peak displacement decreased as grip force increased (p ≤ 0.001). There was an increase in muscle activity with higher grip forces across all muscles both pre-and post-perturbation (p ≤ 0.001) and a greater average muscle activity in ulnar as compared to radial deviation (p = 0.02). This work contributes to the wrist joint stiffness literature by relating wrist angular displacement to grip demands during novel radial/ulnar perturbations and provides insight into neuromuscular control strategies.
Estrategias discursivas de las instituciones públicas en la web: nuevas formas de comunicar las políticas públicas
Authors: Martínez Romagosa Maite , Zukerfeld Gilda Lucía
Published: May 2022

Este trabajo se enmarca en un proyecto UBACyT que se propone estudiar las transformaciones en los sistemas semióticos de las prácticas políticas en la Argentina pos 2001.Creemos que el uso de nuevas plataformas para la distribución de información y la interacción entre las instituciones públicas y los ciudadanos ha dado lugar a modificaciones que afectan tanto al funcionamiento de las mismas instituciones como a la constitución de la ciudadanía. Si bien estos cambios han sido estudiados desde otras ciencias sociales, no se ha focalizado en los cambios en el uso lingüístico desde una perspectiva discursiva. En particular, en este trabajo nos interesa indagar en las prácticas comunicacionales de las instituciones gubernamentales, que llamaremos, con algunos autores (Agar, 1985; Iedema, 1998; Wodak, 1997), discurso institucional.Sostenemos que el Análisis del Discurso nos permite acceder a los contenidos de las representaciones sociales (Raiter, 2016) y observar los cambios discursivos y la lucha por la acentuación de los signos (Voloshinov, 2009). Nos interesa en particular estudiar cómo los cambios en los textos y en las prácticas discursivas pueden anticipar cambios en la clasificación de sectores de la sociedad y en las prácticas sociales (Fairclough, 1992).Nuestro corpus de análisis está conformado por las páginas de inicio de dos sitios web que dependen del Gobierno de la Nación Argentina y del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, respectivamente, en los que se presentan lineamientos de políticas públicas que llaman a la “participación” de la ciudadanía mediante plataformas digitales
Profitability Determinants Analysis at Sharia Guarantee Company in Indonesia
Authors: Prasetyo Suka Edi , Effendi Jaenal , Arsyanti Laily Dwi
Published: May 2022

Aims: To research the internal and external factors that influence it in order to conduct an in-depth analysis of the condition of the sharia guarantee company in Indonesia and the company's management strategy in Indonesia.

Study Design: Quantitative-qualitative design with data obtained from the monthly Management Reports of PT Jaminan Pembiayaan Askrindo Syariah and PT Pembiayaan Jamkrindo Syariah, Indonesian Guarantee Statistics 2014-2019.

Place and Duration of Study: PT Jaminan Pembiayaan Askrindo Syariah and PT Pembiayaan Jamkrindo Syariah, Indonesian Guarantee Statistics 2014-2019.

Methodology: The data is gained from four respondents of Presidents Director of PT Askrindo Syariah, Presidents of Director of PT Jamkrindo Syariah, Head of Business Department of PT Askrindo Syariah, and Head of Assurance Business Division of PT Jamkrindo Syariah.

Results: From the panel data analysis, the variables that affect the company's profitability are Claim Ratio (CR), Return on Investment (ROI), Subrogation Level (SUBR), Company Size (Total Assets) and total Islamic financing carried out by Islamic Commercial Banks (LKS). Based on the results of the analysis of the relationship between internal and external factors above as well as a SWOT analysis, several strategic recommendations for the development of the sharia guarantee industry can be described, including collaboration/synergy with the parent company, business expansion, utilization of information technology, improvement of sharia guarantee product quality, strengthening of asset management functions, developing human resource capabilities, strengthening capital, building communication and seeking support from various relevant stakeholders.

Conclusion: In order to be able to implement the strategy as intended and in order to increase profitability or maintain business continuity, sharia guarantee companies need the ability of managers to formulate company strategies in the form of appropriate work programs and receive support from various parties including the Government or Regulators (Financial Services Authority) and Shareholders, especially in facing challenges in the current pandemic. For academics, the authors recommend that further research is needed on sharia guarantee companies from other aspects outside of financial performance such as the amount of the multiplier effect resulting from economic growth due to sharia guarantee activities.
Improvement of Public Cab Transportation System through Computer Simulation
Authors: Caballero-Morales Santiago-Omar , Sánchez-Partida Diana , Barreto-Maceda María-Fernanda
Published: May 2022

Aims: Public transportation is a dynamic problem which depends of different variables such as service schedules, route times, demand rates, and traffic density. Due to these features, mathematical modelling for improvement purposes is a difficult and complex task. Thus, computer simulation is proposed as a more comprehensive and efficient approach.

Study Design: A transportation case study is considered with the main feature variables. Data was obtained from a cab system within a town in Mexico. The reported problems consisted of economic losses due to low service level and cab utilization,

Methodology: The transportation problem consists of a cab system with four main routes which are served twice a day. Data associated to route times, demand rates, cab capacities, fleet size, service restrictions and fare costs was collected to develop a simulation model and analyze the current state of the real system. Once validated, an improvement approach was performed on the simulation model.

Results: The validated simulation model corroborated the problems reported by the case study. The proposals to improve performance, which consisted of reduction of cab fleet and route length led to reduce operative costs without affecting service level.

Conclusion: Simulation is an important tool to improve complex logistic systems which cannot be addressed by standard mathematical modelling.
Application Effect of Chicken Manure on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)
Authors: Agustanto Rizky , Herawati Netti , Warnita W.
Published: May 2022

The research of application of chicken manure to growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) was conducted in the experimental farm at the Faculty of Agriculture Andalas University, Limau Manis Padang, from June to September 2017.  The location of the study is at an altitude of ± 256 meters above sea level (as this research aim was to find out the best chicken manure dose for the growth and yield of okra treatments. Treatment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications. The treatment level is the dose of chicken manure A: 0.0 ton / ha, B: 10 ton / ha, C: 20 ton / ha and D: 30 ton / ha.  The data were analyzed using the F test at 5% if of F Calculate > F table then followed by DNMRT test at 5%. The results showed that the application of chicken manure with the dosage of 20 tons/ha had an effect and gave the best result on the number of leaves, the number of branches, the number of fresh pods per plant, the number of fresh pods per plot, the fresh weight of pods per plant, the fresh weight of pods per plant and the fresh weight of pods per hectare.
Clustering Coefficient of the Tensor Product of Graphs
Authors: Damalerio Remarl Joseph M. , Eballe Rolito G.
Published: May 2022

Clustering coefficient is one of the most useful indices in complex networks. However, graph theoretic properties of this metric have not been discussed much in the literature, especially in graphs resulting from some binary operations. In this paper we present some expressions for the clustering coefficient of the tensor product of arbitrary graphs, regular graphs, and strongly regular graphs. A Vizing-type upperbound and a sharp lower bound for the clustering coefficient of the tensor product of graphs are also given.
An Assessment of Land Use and Cover Changes in the Kainji Lake Basin, Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Gwari B. M. , Dantata D. , Jeminiwa O. R. , Owolabi E. S. , Ewosuyi J. B. , Mubarak U. J.
Published: May 2022

This paper assesses the land-use and land-cover changes within the Kainji Lake basin between 1975 and 2018 – a period of 38 years, using remotely sensed data and geographic information systems (GIS). Since 1968 when the River Niger was impounded and Kainji Lake created, various anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, irrigation deforestation, fishing, and tion environmental degradation and the damage of the ecosystem of the lake basin. Landsat MSS image of 1975, Landsat TM of 1987 and Landsat ETM+ images of 1999 and 2005 and Landsat Operational Land Imager OLI of 2018 were acquired, classified and analysed between 1975 and 2018. Area calculations of the arc GIS 10.2.2 software were used to derive the trends, rates and magnitudes of changes, while map overlay was employed for assessing the nature and location where the changes have taken place. The study reveals that the rate of deforestation and erosion in the study area is linked to population increase that lead to expansion of agricultural lands. Uncontrolled human settlement and demand for fuel wood were some other issues to contend with. If this issue of land degradation is not appropriately dealt wiith, power supply and fisheries production will further reduced and this is detrimental to the development od Nigeria as a whole.. Finally, it is hoped that the findings from the study will provide useful insight into the current state of the environment, and the recommendations proposed in this paper would equally be helpful to mitigate, control and to improve the management of the basin. The federal government should take the lead in implimenting the management options for the benefits of fisherfolks and farmers in the Lake Basin in general.
Anti-Oxidative Impact of Liquid Smoke and Thyme Essential Oil on the Quality Characteristics of Chicken and Turkey Meatballs Products during Frozen Storage
Authors: Sorour Mohamed A. , Abd El-Hamied Adel A. , Mohamoud El Sayed A. , Mahmoud Ahmad Rashad
Published: May 2022

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of liquid smoke (LS) produced from beech sawdust and thyme essential oil (TEO) as natural antioxidants in chicken and turkey meatballs during frozen storage. The LS and TEO were added to chicken and turkey meatballs at levels of 1% and 0.1%, respectively, and storage at -18 ± 1°C for 6 months.  pH value, water holding capacity (WHC), total volatile nitrogen (TVN), thiobarbituricacid (TBA) value, peroxide values (PV), total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH %) were determined. The results demonstrated that the addition of LS or TEO had a positive effect on storage stability and a little change in the physical properties, quality attributes, and significantly (p≤0.05) increased the values of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of chicken and turkey meatballs during frozen storage compared to the control sample. The data revealed that the application of liquid smoke had decreased the value of TBA, TVN, and PV as well as increased shelf life and could be useful to achieve high stability of activity of chicken and turkey meatballs during storage and was better accepted compared to TEO and control.
Effects of Helianthus annuus and Anthocleista djalonensis on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Authors: Ilori Olasupo John , Okeke Esther Chidima , Adeneye Adesola Esther , Afolayan Temiloluwa Folasayo , Emmanuel-Akerele Abiola Hilder , Bassey Omolola Abiola
Published: May 2022

Plant based medicines have been a part of traditional healthcare in most parts of the world for thousands of years. The medicinal plants are of great interest to human health. It has been proven that antimicrobials of plant origin work more efficiently with fewer side effects. The study aimed to identify the phytochemicals in the extracts of Helianthus annus and Anthocleista djalonensis and examine the effects of extracts of these plants on the growth of clinical bacterial isolates. Leaves of Helianthus annus and Anthocleista djalonensis were extracted in methanol, distilled water and hot water. The extract solution (100%) was further diluted to various concentrations (75%, 50%, and 25%). The data obtained were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine significant (P< 0.05) effects. Significant differences between means were determined using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, phenols, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and quinone. The extracts of the plants inhibited the growth of the bacteria tested with varied effectiveness. The maximum antibacterial activities were observed in the aqueous extracts. Thus the extracts of Helianthus annus and Anthocleista djalonensis can be used in the development of new pharmaceuticals that address unmet therapeutic use.
Study of Some Hematological Markers of Systemic Inflammatory Response in Preeclampsia
Authors: Abd-Elaziz Ayman M. , Elbasyuony Heba R. , Mabrouk Maaly M. , Balaha Magdy H.
Published: May 2022

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the major health problems during pregnancy, which is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and features of multi-organ disease, and it complicates about 2 to 8% of pregnancies with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, aim of this study was to evaluate the following blood markers in preeclampsia; neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume and platelet value.

Subjects and Methods: This was diagnostic research, observational method and cross-sectional design that was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tanta University Hospitals, from 1-7-2020 to 1-11-2021. After fulfilling the Research and Ethics Committee guidelines, pregnant women were counseled to be enrolled in this study.

Results: There was significant decrease in PLR in severe preeclampsia group compared to control group (P<0.001) as well as mild preeclampsia group (P<0.001); while there was no statistically significant difference between control group and mild preeclampsia group (P>0.05). There was significant elevation in RDW in severe preeclampsia group compared to control group (P=0.005) as well as mild preeclampsia group (P<0.001); There was significant reduction in MPV in severe preeclampsia group compared to mild preeclampsia group (P<0.001) as well as control group (P<0.001); while there was no statistically significant difference between mild preeclampsia group and control group (P>0.05). There was significant decrease in PCT in severe preeclampsia group compared to control group (P=0.034) as well as mild preeclampsia group (P=0.009); while there was no statistically significant difference between control group and mild preeclampsia group (P>0.05).

Conclusion: In differentiation of preeclampsia, the highest sensitivity was achieved with MPV, while the highest specificity was achieved with PLR. In the differentiation of severe preeclamptic cases, the highest sensitivity was achieved with lymphocytes and MPV, while the highest specificity was achieved with PLR.
Perancangan dan Pembuatan Mesin Penyemprot Desinfektan Otomatis
Authors: Jonoadji Ninuk , Widjaya Dylan James
Published: May 2022

Pandemi virus COVID-19, merupakan permasalahan yang cukup besar dan terasa dampaknya secara global. Virus yang menyebar melalui kontak fisik maupun droplets di udara ini menyebabkan banyak aktivitas menjadi terganggu. Untuk mencegah penyebaran dari virus yang mematikan ini, berbagai cara dilakukan, salah satunya adalah penggunaan cairan disinfektan untuk melakukan disinfeksi pada permukaan benda yang terkontaminasi. Pengaplikasian cairan disinfektan secara manual tentu merepotkan dan tidak efisien. Oleh karena itu, rancangan sebuah mesin yang dapat membantu pengaplikasian cairan disinfektan pada benda mati sangat berguna untuk membantu aktivitas masyarakat, khususnya pada lingkup rumah tangga. Perancangan mesin disinfektan otomatis ini memerlukan sebuah sistem konveyor yang dapat melakukan item handling dari satu titik ke titik lainnya, melewati sebuah area penyemprotan. Untuk mendapatkan alat dan bahan yang dibutuhkan untuk membuat mesin disinfektan otomatis ini, diperlukan perhitungan menggunakan ilmu statika struktur untuk menghitung kebutuhan torsi, serta ilmu otomasi untuk membantu pengendalian mesin disinfektan otomatis menggunakan Arduino.
Perbaikan Kesetimbangan Robot Arm Balancing untuk Proses Loading-Unloading Lembaran Plat dengan Metode Kaizen
Authors: Sugondo Amelia , Rahardjo Cedric , Siahaan Ian H.
Published: May 2022

Kaizen merupakan suatu perbaikan secara terus menerus untuk meningkatkan keselamatan kerja, kualitas, produktivitas dan biaya. Salah satu perusahaan elektronik rumah tangga yang memproduksi produk berupa AC menerapkan metode kaizen pada proses produksinya. Dari pengamatan dengan metode kaizen, didapatkan bahwa mesin feeder kurang efektif karena umur komponen yang lebih kecil dari yang telah dirancang. pada mesin feeder dengan sistem pneumatik didapatkan jika distribusi beban tidak seimbang dan menyebabkan keausan dini pada piston. Keausan dini menyebabkan peningkatan frekuensi kerusakan dan waktu henti karena pemeliharaan. Untuk mengimplementasikan kaizen, dilakukan modifikasi untuk menciptakan distribusi beban yang lebih seimbang. Modifikasi penyeimbangan lengan robot feeder menghasilkan frekuensi breakdown yang lebih rendah dan meningkatkan usia pakai piston.
Poder e memória no livro “Incidentes da Vida de uma Escrava”
Authors: Jesus Samuel de
Published: May 2022

A identidade, oralidade, memória e tradição estão presentes no livro Incidentes da vida de uma escrava de Harriet Jacobs. O livro tinha como objetivo denunciar a escravidão, fazer um combate histórico. Ao contar suas memórias Harriet de forma sutil acaba por revelar todas as representações simbólicas criadas para a manutenção da escravidão. Este artigo procura analisar esse percurso simbólico que está intimamente ligado ao poder de transformarem seres humanos em escravos e seu combate através da construção de uma nova narrativa contra a escravidão.
Tradução e comentário à Diatribe de Epicteto 1.2: como manter o caráter próprio em todas as ocasiões
Authors: Dinucci Aldo
Published: May 2022

Tradução e comentário à Diatribe de Epicteto 1.2.
Mucosomes: Intrinsically Mucoadhesive Glycosylated Mucin Nanoparticles as Multi‐Drug Delivery Platform
Authors: Butnarasu Cosmin , Petrini Paola , Bracotti Francesco , Visai Livia , Guagliano Giuseppe , Fiorio Pla Alessandra , Sansone Ettore , Petrillo Sara , Visentin Sonja
Published: May 2022

Mucus is a complex barrier for pharmacological treatments and overcoming it is one of the major challenges faced during transmucosal drug delivery. To tackle this issue, a novel class of glycosylated nanoparticles, named “mucosomes,” which are based on the most important protein constituting mucus, the mucin, is introduced. Mucosomes are designed to improve drug absorption and residence time on the mucosal tissues. Mucosomes are produced (150–300 nm), functionalized with glycans, and loaded with the desired drug in a single one‐pot synthetic process and, with this method, a wide range of small and macro molecules can be loaded with different physicochemical properties. Various in vitro models are used to test the mucoadhesive properties of mucosomes. The presence of functional glycans is indicated by the interaction with lectins. Mucosomes are proven to be storable at 4 °C after lyophilization, and administration through a nasal spray does not modify the morphology of the mucosomes. In vitro and in vivo tests indicate mucosomes do not induce adverse effects under the investigated conditions. This study proposes mucosomes as a ground‐breaking nanosystem that can be applied in several pathological contexts, especially in mucus‐related disorders.
Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels Formed Using Antibiotics as a Dynamic Crosslinker for Treatment of Infected Wounds
Authors: Fu Mengjing , Gan Yingying , Jiang Fenglin , Lv Xue , Tan Nathanael , Zhao Xiaomiao , Yang Yi Yan , Yuan Peiyan , Ding Xin
Published: May 2022

Antibacterial hydrogels, particularly antibiotic‐loaded hydrogels, are promising wound dressing materials for treatment of bacteria‐infected wound. However, it is challenging to achieve sustained release of antibiotics from hydrogels through physical encapsulation of the antibiotics. Herein, an interpenetrating polymer network P(AA‐co‐HEMA)Genhydrogel is reported with double crosslinking formed by free radical polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA), while using the antibiotic gentamicin (Gen) as the dynamic physical crosslinker. Gentamicin is incorporated into the hydrogel networks via electrostatic interaction between the carboxyl groups of poly(acrylic acid) and the amino groups of gentamicin, which leads to pH‐responsive drug release and a significant increase in mechanical strength (i.e., elastic modulus, viscous modulus, and compressive modulus). More importantly, the hydrogels with optimal compositions demonstrate long‐lasting antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) over 28 d. The in vivo studies that are conducted in anS. aureus‐infected full‐thickness skin wound model demonstrate that the double crosslinking hydrogels loaded with gentamicin eliminate bacteria in the wounds more effectively and significantly accelerate wound healing as compared to 3M dressing and the control without any treatment. Taken together, this antibiotic‐loaded interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel is potentially a promising wound dressing material for the treatment of bacteria‐infected wound.
Engineering a Kesterite‐Based Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Ammonia Synthesis from NOx Reduction
Authors: Zhou Shujie , Sun Kaiwen , Toe Cui Ying , Yin Jun , Huang Jialiang , Zeng Yiyu , Zhang Doudou , Chen Weijian , Mohammed Omar F. , Hao Xiaojing , Amal Rose
Published: May 2022

Ammonia is a key chemical feedstock for industry as well as future carbon‐free fuel and transportable vector for renewable energy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) ammonia synthesis from NOx reduction reaction (NOxRR) provides not only a promising alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch process through direct solar‐to‐ammonia conversion, but a sustainable solution for balancing the global nitrogen cycle by restoring ammonia from wastewater. In this work, selective ammonia synthesis from PEC NOxRR by a kesterite (Cu2ZnSnS4 [CZTS]) photocathode through loading defect‐engineered TiOx cocatalyst on a CdS/CZTS photocathode (TiOx/CdS/CZTS) is demonstrated. The uniquely designed photocathode enables selective ammonia production from NOxRR, yielding up to 89.1% Faradaic efficiency (FE) (0.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) with a remarkable positive onset potential (0.38 V vs RHE). By tailoring the amount of surface defective Ti3+ species, the adsorption of reactant NO3− and *NO2 intermediate is significantly promoted while the full coverage of TiOx also suppresses NO2− liberation as a by‐product, contributing to high ammonia selectivity. Further attempts on PEC ammonia synthesis from simulated wastewater show good FE of 64.9%, unveiling the potential of using the kesterite‐based photocathode for sustainably restoring ammonia from nitrate‐rich wastewater.
An NIR‐II Photothermally Triggered “Oxygen Bomb” for Hypoxic Tumor Programmed Cascade Therapy
Authors: Zhang Sidi , Li Zhenhua , Wang Qingbing , Liu Qian , Yuan Wei , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou
Published: May 2022

Hypoxia, as a characteristic feature of solid tumors, has a close relationship with tumor resistance to photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy. Perfluorocarbon (PFC) is reported to relieve hypoxic in solid tumors by acting as an oxygen carrier via several nanostructures. However, the oxygen delivery process is mostly driven by a concentration gradient, which is uncontrollable. Herein, a photothermally controlled “oxygen bomb” PSPP‐Au980‐D is designed by encapsulating a PFC core within a functionalized bilayer polymer shell. Near‐infrared second window photothermal agent gold nanorods with excellent photo‐to‐heat energy‐conversion ability are fabricated on the surface of the polymer shell via an innovative modified two‐step seedless ex situ growth process to thermally trigger O2 release. Then, a programmed cascade therapy strategy is customized for hypoxic orthotopic pancreatic cancer. First, PSPP‐Au980‐D is irradiated by a 980 nm laser to photothermally trigger O2 infusing into the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, which is accompanied by local hyperemia and doxorubicin release. Subsequently, a 680 nm laser is used to generate singlet oxygen in the oxygenated tumor microenvironment for PDT. This choreographed programmed cascade therapy strategy will provide a new route for suppressing hypoxic tumor growth under mild conditions based on controllable and effective oxygen release.