bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Teacher Candidates’ Technology Competencies and Perceptions in Terms of Various Variables
Authors: Yazar Aysenur
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study is to examine the teacher candidates’ technology competencies and perceptions in terms of various variables (gender, type of education, department, whether they have their own computers or not, the situation of connecting to the Internet). The study is a survey model, and the research group consists of five hundred eighteen teacher candidates studying in nine different departments in the spring term of 2018–2019 academic year at Atatürk University Kazım Karabekir Education Faculty. “Technology Perception Scale” and “Computer Competency Scale”, which is developed by Tınmaz (2004), were used as data collection tools. The Cronbach alpha value of the Technology Perception Scale was calculated as ninety-four, and the Computer Competency Scale was eighty-eight. Independent Samples “T” test and Kruskal Wallis “H” test were used for data analysis. It has been concluded that there is no significant difference in terms of technology competencies of the teacher candidates in terms of education type, department, having own computer or not, and internet connection variabilities but there is a significant difference in terms of technology competencies in terms of gender (in favor of male) and there is a significant difference in terms of perceptions of gender (in favor of men), type of education (in favor of evening education), department, whether having a computer or not (in favor of having a computer) and the variables of connecting to the Internet. 
Leisure Involvement and Happiness Levels of Individuals Having Fitness Center Membership
Authors: Demirel Mehmet
Published: November 2019

The aim of the study is to investigate the leisure involvement and happiness levels of the individuals who have any fitness center membership. Screening model was used in the research. The sample group of the research was composed of a total of 599 voluntary participants, 260 being “females” and 339 being “males”, who were using fitness centers and were selected using improbable purposeful sampling method. “Oxford Happiness Scale Short Form—OHS-F”, developed by Hills and Argyle (2002) and adapted into Turkish by Doğan and Cotok (2011) along with “Leisure Involvement Scale—LIS-F”, developed by Kyle et al. (2007) and adapted into Turkish by Gurbuz et al. (2018) were used in the study in addition to “Personal Information Form”. Descriptive statistical method (frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation) was used for the identification of the distribution of the participants’ information. In order to determine if the data had normal distribution or not, Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was conducted and in consequence of this test, t-test, single factorial MANOVA, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation tests were administered upon determining that the data were in accordance with parametric test conditions. According to the findings, while there was no significant difference found in the happiness levels in line with the gender, marital status and education levels of the participants; a significant difference was determined in the leisure involvement levels according to education level and gender, and yet no significant difference was found between the leisure involvement level and marital status. Besides, a positively significant relationship was determined between the level of happiness and leisure involvement. The restraints as well as the evaluations for future studies were discussed in this sense.
Does the presence of conflict affect maternal and neonatal mortality during Caesarean sections?
Authors: Gil Cuesta J. , Trelles M. , Naseer A. , Momin A. , Mulamira L. Ngabo , Caluwaerts S. , Guha-Sapir D.
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Conflicts frequently occur in countries with high maternal and neonatal mortality and can aggravate difficulties accessing emergency care. No literature is available on whether the presence of conflict influences the outcomes of mothers and neonates during Caesarean
sections (C-sections) in high-mortality settings.Objective: To determine whether the presence of conflict was associated with changes in maternal and neonatal mortality during C-sections.Methods: We analysed routinely collected data on C-sections from 17 Médecins
Sans Frontières (MSF) health facilities in 12 countries. Exposure variables included presence and intensity of conflict, type of health facility and other types of access to emergency care.Results: During 2008–2015, 30,921 C-sections were performed in MSF facilities;
of which 55.4% were in areas of conflict. No differences were observed in maternal mortality in conflict settings (0.1%) vs. non-conflict settings (0.1%) (P = 0.08), nor in neonatal mortality between conflict (12.2%) and non-conflict settings (11.5%) (P = 0.1). Among the C-sections
carried out in conflict settings, neonatal mortality was slightly higher in war zones compared to areas of minor conflict (P = 0.02); there was no difference in maternal mortality (P = 0.38).Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal mortality did not appear to be affected
by the presence of conflict in a large number of MSF facilities. This finding should encourage humanitarian organisations to support C-sections in conflict settings to ensure access to quality maternity care.
The Tingathe Surge: a multi-strategy approach to accelerate HIV case finding in Malawi
Authors: Simon K. R. , Hartig M. , Abrams E. J. , Wetzel E. , Ahmed S. , Chester E. , Chembezi C. , Chavula B. , Zinkanda S. , Kavuta E. , Chikoti C. , Beyene T. , Nkhono Z. , Kabwinja A. , Nyirenda R. , Kazembe P. N. , Kim M. H.
Published: November 2019

Setting: Nineteen health facilities in rural, southeastern Malawi.Objective: To describe the implementation and results of a 6-week intervention to accelerate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) case finding.Design: Six HIV testing strategies were simultaneously
implemented. Routinely collected data from Ministry of Health registers were used to determine the number of HIV tests performed and of new cases identified. The weekly averages of the total number of tests and new cases before and during the intervention were compared. Testing by age group
and sex was described. The percentage yield of new cases was compared by testing strategy.Results: Of 29 703 HIV tests conducted, 1106 (3.7%) were positive. Of the total number of persons tested, 69.5% were women and 75.5% were aged >15 years. The yield of positive test results
was 3.5% among women, 4.3% among men, 4.4% among those aged >15 years and 1.5% among those aged 15 years. The average weekly number of tests increased 106.7% from 3337 to 6896 (P = 0.002). The average weekly number of positive cases identified increased 51.9% from 158 to 240 (P
= 0.017). The testing strategy with the highest yield resulted in a 6.0% yield; the lowest was 1.3%. The yield for all strategies, except one, was highest in adult men.Conclusion: A multi-strategy approach to HIV testing and counseling can be an effective means of accelerating HIV
case finding.
Overcoming limitations of tuberculosis information systems: researcher and clinician perspectives
Authors: van der Heijden Y. F. , Hughes J. , Dowdy D. W. , Streicher E. , Chihota V. , Jacobson K. R. , Warren R. , Theron G.
Published: November 2019

Setting: Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment requires patients to have multiple encounters with health care systems and the different stakeholders who play a role in curing them to coordinate their efforts. To optimize this process, high-quality, readily available data
are required. Data systems to facilitate these linkages are a neglected priority which, if weak, fundamentally undermine TB control interventions.Objective: To describe lessons learnt from the use of programmatic data for TB patient care and research.Design: We did a
survey of researcher and clinical provider experiences with information systems and developed a tiered approach to addressing frequently reported barriers to high-quality care.Results: Unreliable linkages, incomplete data, lack of a reliable unique patient identifier, and lack of
data management expertise were the most important data-related barriers to high-quality patient care and research. We propose the creation of health service delivery environments that facilitate, prioritize, and evaluate high-quality data entry during patient or specimen registration.Conclusion:
An integrated approach, focused on high-quality data, and centered on unique patient identification will form the foundation for linkages across health systems that reduce patient management errors, bolster surveillance, and enhance the quality of research based on programmatic data.
APOCALYPSE LAKARDOWO: ECOCRITICAL ANALYSIS IN THE FILM LAKARDOWO MENCARI KEADILAN
Authors: Maulida Aulia , Basid Abdul
Published: November 2019

Human-nature interaction today enters a worrying stage. Film as a literary work begins to record this interaction. The film Lakardowo Mencari Keadilan to be one of them. This research uses the content analysis method with an ecocritical approach. This film is a research primary data source supported by various related references. The analysis emphasizes the study of environmental literature which focuses on apocalyptic reading with pastoral views that surround it through Creswell spiral analysis methods: data management, reading, and note-taking, classification and interpretation, then data visualization. In this research, Lakardowo's environment in the film Lakardowo Mencari Keadilan reflects the impact of B3 waste pollution that's not carried out by the community. Pollution of B3 waste on land, water, and air in Lakardowo clearly record through analysis of the apocalyptic narrative as a disaster for Lakardowo village. Whereas the hopes of the community of responses to B3 waste in Lakardowo is conveying in aspects of the reading of pastoral narratives.
INTERJECTIONS IN THE INDONESIAN COMIC SERIES NEXT G AND THE DUTCH COMIC SERIES Kik
Authors: Dewi Ni Wayan Putri Shanty , Djarwo Andrea Pradsna Paramita
Published: November 2019

Interjections are the words frequently found in both Indonesian and Dutch comic books. This study focuses on the types of interjection that have meaning and express feelings in a comic series published in Indonesia, Next G. This study aims to describe the types of interjection that express feelings in the comic series Next G in terms of the number and the syllable pattern and explains other characteristics of the use of interjection in the comic series. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative using literature review as its data collection technique obtained from the comparison of the analysis and the interjection (Haeseryn, 1997) in the Dutch comic book Kik. The result of the study shows that the interjections that express feelings in the comic Next G and the comic Kik are similarly dominated by fear and the highest number of syllable consists of one to two syllables The functions of the interjection in both comic series are similar, to add excitement and to express strong emotions to the story. The use of interjections that comes from foreign languages can be found more in the Indonesian comic series Next G compared to the Dutch comic series Kik.
WOMEN'S REBELLION AGAINST POVERTY
Authors: Widyastuti Thera
Published: November 2019

Women's lives are generally in the domestic, where women do to raising children, taking care of their families, and husbands. Women are under the rule of men who always dominate their lives. Male domination applies among patriarchal. Many women are unable to resist this situation and surrender to accepting their situation. Novel Gadis Pesisir written by Ninuk Y Kusmiana in 2014 raised the story of women's lives and their problems. It tell the lives of fishermen on the island of Irian in 1970. They live poorly, and are very dependent on nature and the sea to feed them. The main character in this novel is Halijah, a young girl who lives as a poor fisherman child. She must work hard to help her parents do homework. She wants to rebel against the poor life she lived during her life. The problem in this article is the way of women motivate themselves to be better positioned in fishermen village on the island of Irian. While the purpose of this research is to find out the position of women among fishermen village. The research method used in this article is descriptive analysis and it uses literature study as the technique to collect the data. Gender role theory, symbolic capital, and sociology of literature are used to examine the existing problems, besides the theory of character in this novel. The description of existing data is done so that this article can run as expected. The findings data are described in such a way that they are analyzed.
Characteristics of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Flour and Its Application in Cake
Authors: A. Afoakwah Newlove , Owusu John , Owusu Victoria
Published: November 2019

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical, sensory and functional properties of coconut flour (CF), coconut wheat composite flour (CWCF) and Cake produced from CF and CWCF.

Methodology: Flour was prepared from matured ripe coconut fruit (CF). It was then blend with wheat flour (WF) into coconut wheat composite flour (CWCF) to produce cake. The CF and CWCF were subjected to proximate composition and functional properties analyses. Also, the physical properties, proximate composition and the sensory attributes of the cakes produced from CF and CWCF were determined.

Results: The moisture content of CF and CWCF ranged from 4.5 to 9.04 g/100 g, the ash content of CF and CWCF ranged from 4.10 to 6.41 g/100 g and the dietary fiber content of CF was 11.16 g/100 g. CWCF exhibited a higher (87.1± 0.6) water absorption capacity and packed bulk density (0.79 ± 0.3 g/ mL). In this study, the cake volumes increased significantly (P < 0.05) in wheat flour (WF) as compared to CWCF and CF. The specific cake volume observed ranged from 1.48 to 2.01 mL/g. The blend of 50% coconut and 50% wheat flour increased significantly (P < 0.05) the moisture content of the CWCF cakes. The total carbohydrate content of the cakes varied from 20.40 ± 0.02 g/ 100 g to 63.05±0.14 g/ 100 g. Fat, ash and crude fiber and minerals (Ca, K, P Zn, Mg and Fe) increased in CWCF cakes. The sensory analysis conducted showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between CF cakes, WF cakes and CWCF cakes in the sensory qualities of appearance, texture, flavour and overall acceptability. In terms of appearance, the panelists scored coconut cake highest, but was significantly different (P < 0.05) from coconut wheat cake and wheat one. The least liked sample in terms of texture was wheat one.

Conclusion: The present study underscored the potential application of coconut flour in the production of cake and possibly other bakery products.
Control of Aflatoxin Production in Cassava Produced by Dry Fermentation in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Yalala Masika , Tshilenge-Lukanda L. , Yandju D. L. , Kalonji-Mbuyi A.
Published: November 2019

Traditionally, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is transformed by fermentation in water (retting) or in the open air (dry fermentation) in the DRC. In the east of the country (North Kivu), dry fermentation is the main technique for processing cassava for its detoxification and conservation. The Congolese farmers ferment the cassava to the open air using a preselected microferment contained in the scrapings of the fermented cassava previously called "MUSIYIRO". These fermentations are spontaneously directed by the microorganisms of the uncontrolled autochthonous flora. Unfortunately, toxinogenic molds are often more active in the fermentation process during which they also produce aflatoxins. This study was undertaken to help prevent the production of aflatoxins in cassava during this process. To do this, we substituted the traditional ferment with a strain of Rhizopus oryzae used as starter (microferment). Six successive replications, in controlled fermentation and uncontrolled fermentation, in a peasant environment (Beni, North Kivu) and fermentation directed by the strain of R. oryzae were carried out. Aflatoxins were then dosed in both groups of cassava flours. The results of the assay revealed an absence of aflatoxins in cassava fermented by scrapings from fermentation led by R. oryzea, while the non-directed fermentation controls were all contaminated with aflatoxins. These results show that it is possible to prevent the production of aflatoxins in cassava during fermentation when an aflatoxin-inhibiting microbial biomass is used which can progressively invade and colonize the fermentation site and thereby control the fermentation activities of cassava.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Two Commonly Consumed Fresh and Smoked Fishes in Ekiti State and their Effects on Human Health
Authors: Asaolu S. S. , Adesina A. J. , Adebawore A. A. , Araromi A. A.
Published: November 2019

Background and Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have received substantial consideration as an environmental organic pollutant in many continents such as Africa, Europe, and Asia as well as parts of America. Many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds have been proven, identified and quantified in nearly all segments of the environment due to their carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and cytotoxicity even at very low concentrations. The objective of the study was to look at the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fresh and smoked Scomber scombrus (Atlantic mackerel or Titus) and Trachurus trachurus (horse mackerel or kote in southwestern Nigeria) sold in Ado-Ekiti major markets, Nigeria and also assess the risks involved in their exposure and consumption.

Materials and Methods: Fresh and smoked samples of two selected fishes (Kote and Titus) were taken for this study. They were cleaned and wrapped in aluminium foils, then refrigerated and the homogenized samples were extracted simultaneously by solvent-solid and Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were analyzed for sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the Agilent 6890N GC-FID/MS. One and 2-way ANOVA and SPSS were employed for the statistical analysis. Results: The mean total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons levels in the fish samples ranged from 0.028 and 0.145 μg/kg. High molecular weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) were generally predominant compared to low molecular weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs). The LMWPAH/HMW-PAH ratios were < 1 for both samples, indicating anthropogenic, mainly pyrogenic, the origin of PAHs in the sourced environment. Risk assessment conducted using benzo(a)pyrene carcinogenic and mutagenic toxicity equivalency factors (TEF and MEF, respectively) showed low risk (8.69e-08 – 5.93e-07 and 1.02e-07 – 1.83e-07 μg/kg, respectively for carcinogenicity and mutagenicity) associated with consuming both smoked and fresh fish samples were below USEPA guideline (1.0e-05) for potential cancer risk. The mean hazard indexes ranged from 6.77e-08 – 4.61e-07 and were below 1 in line with an acceptable cumulative threshold. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 < P > 0.05 levels (2-tailed). 

Conclusion: This study showed that there are no adverse health effects of PAHs content on consumers of these two fish samples, however, levels of PAHs present in smoked fish may pose elevated cancer risks if consumed at high consumption rates over a long period.
An Empirical Relationship between Foreign Exchange Rate, Inflation and Interest Rate in Nigeria
Authors: Kuhe David Adugh
Published: November 2019

This paper investigates the empirical relationship between naira/US dollar exchange rate, inflation and interest rate in Nigeria. The study uses annual time series data from 1970-2017. Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, Johansen cointegration, fully modified least squares; Error correction model and Granger causality test based on Toda-Yamamoto procedure were employed in this study as methods of analysis. The results reveal that all variables are integrated of order one and hence cointegrated. The study finds inflation as having negative and significant impact on exchange rate while interest rate was found to have positive and significant impact on the foreign exchange rate in Nigeria in the long-run. The economic impacts of inflation and interest rate on the exchange rate in the short-run are found to be low, temporal and not long lasting. The ECM model has identified a moderate speed of adjustment by 50.39% for correcting disequilibrium annually for achieving long-term equilibrium steady-state position. The Granger causality test result shows statistical evidence of unidirectional causality between exchange rate and inflation and between exchange rate and interest rate in the short-run. There is also a unidirectional causality that runs from interest rates to inflation meaning that inflation is Granger caused by interest rates in Nigeria. The study recommends that lowering the lending interest rate and targeting inflation to single digit is a better exchange policy strategy for Nigeria.
Issues and Application of Linearized Models in Geomorphic Properties of the Ikpa Watershed, Nigeria
Authors: Sunday Umo, Ikpong , Ike M. C. , Chux Ojinma, C.
Published: November 2019

Though more geomorphological researches are being conducted and previous ideas are being reviewed among geographers and earth scientists, only limited attempts are focused on coupling the relationships among geomorphic attributes on the watersheds in the Humid Tropics. These invariably induced new trends and research directions at diverging scales. This paper is guided by three specific objectives: (1) to employ the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in deriving the morphologic attributes of the Ikpa Watershed (11) to assess the association and effect of discharge on basin texture, infiltration rate, length of overland flow, and rainfall amount in the Ikpa Watershed, Akwa Ibom State. (111) To describe the relationship between discharge, rainfall amount, and morphologic attributes of the Ikpa Watershed. The watershed was stratified into six sub-basins and data (rainfall and discharge) systematically generated for three months each during the dry and rainy seasons; while the topographic attributes were generated indirectly using SRTM, backup with the four topographic maps. The analysis using multiple linear regression yielded a coefficient of 0.986. Also, the R square value of 0.859 implied that 85.9 percent of the proportion of variation in discharge amount of the Ikpa watershed is accounted for by the four independent variables. A comparison of the computed ANOVA result of 8.469 with the Table value of 7.7086 implied that variation in mean discharge is attributed to the significant effect of basin texture, infiltration rate, length overland flow, and rainfall amount in the Ikpa watershed. The results of the curve estimate for linear, logarithmic, and quadratic equations suggested normal predictive ability and each significant at 0.05 confidence level. This study concluded that the dominances of gully erosion at the upstream and peak-flood discharge at the middle and downstream areas of the watershed are directly influenced by the rainfall events and morphology of the landform.
Properties of Generalized Fifth-Order Pell Numbers
Authors: Soykan Yüksel
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we investigate the generalized fifth order Pell sequences and we deal with, in detail, three special cases which we call them as fifth order Pell, fifth order Pell-Lucas and modied fifth order Pell sequences.
Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies on Alangium salvifolium (Alanginaceae) as a Target for Anti-oxidant Enzyme
Authors: Nadeem Khan Mohammad
Published: November 2019

Objectives: The present studies pursue at retrieve and draws the active phytocompounds structure of Alangium salvifolium and assessing its simulation anti-oxidant enzyme activities.

Methods: Retrieve/draws of the compounds were carried out using chem.-sketch software. The 3-D structures of the Phytocompounds were visualized based upon the UV, NMR spectral data along with their energy simulation studies. The antioxidant and enzyme simulation activity were evaluated in-silico using the ACD labs,PyRx, RASMOL,PYMOL,Aragslab and Discovery 3.1 studio.

Key Findings: Phytochemicals structure drawing of A. salvifolium resulted in the structured and recognition of four phytochemicals. The plant phytochemicals showed significant anti-oxidant enzymes activity enhancer and ROS eliminator through binding to its metal domain receptor.

Conclusion: Phytochemicals were drawing from A. salvifolium. To the best of our knowledge, among these phytochemicals, were studied anti-oxidant enzymes metals binding domain to increase the ROS scavenging activity for the foremost time from mimic with molecular docking. Moreover, study of phytochemicals simulation was for the first time from this plant. The plant revealed auspicious increase the antioxidant activities virtual screening. This gives thinking to some of its pharmacological properties and suggests additional antioxidant effects, for as a scavenger as well as anti-oxidant enzyme stimulator, which have not been reported yet.
In vitro Antisalmonellal and Antioxidant Activities of Leaves Extracts of Tectona grandis L. F. (Verbenaceae)
Authors: Kamsu Gabriel Tchuente , Simo Tagne Richard , P. C. Fodouop Siméon , Ndel Famen Louis-Claire , Kodjio Norbert , Endeguele Ekom Steve , Gatsing Donatien
Published: November 2019

Aim: Study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antisalmonellal and antioxidant properties of Tectona grandis, a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional Cameroonian medicine for the treatment of typhoid fever.

Study Design: In vitro Antimicrobial and antioxidant analyses of plant extract using established protocols.

Place and Duration of Study: Plant materiel collection at Loum (Moungo Division, Littoral region of Cameroon), identification at the National Herbarium of Cameroon, extraction of plant and all analyses at the Research Unit of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang-Cameroon, between August 2018 and April 2019.

Methodology: In vitro antisalmonellal activity of Tectona grandis extracts was evaluated by the liquid microdilution method as well as their antioxidant activity using by standard methods of H2O2 trapping, FRAP, DPPH radical trapping and OH radical trapping. Quantification test of total phenols and flavonoids and phytochemical screening of extract were also done.

Results: The results showed that most of the Tectona grandis extracts had minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 64 to 1024 μg/mL. Ethanolic extract, 70% ethanol extract and aqueous decoction are the most effective compared to aqueous extracts with activities between 64 and 128 μg/mL on the bacteria tested. Antioxidant tests showed that all extracts except macerated and aqueous infused extracts exhibited high DPPH trapping activities. The antioxidant activities of the extracts are proportionally linked in most cases to their flavonoid and total phenol contents at a concentration of 200 µg/mL. Aqueous decoction showed better H2O2 trapping activity at concentrations less than or equal to 25 µg/mL.

Conclusion: These results show that the ethanolic extract and decocted aqueous of Tectona grandis leaves can be used as an alternative to treat salmonellosis.
Study on Physico-chemical Properties of Kokum Seed (Garcinia indica) Full Fat Flour and Defatted Flour
Authors: R. Chate Manoj , Saxena D. C. , Kakade Subhash B.
Published: November 2019

Kokum (Garcinia Indica) is an ancient fruit of India which is mostly consumed in the form of sarbat. It is mainly found in the western ghats in the state of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Kokum fruit is widely used in culinary, pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals uses. Kokum has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine as it was traditionally used to cure sores, dermatitis, diarrhoea, dysentery, ear infection and to facilitate digestion. The present study conducted to study Physico-Chemical Properties of Kokum Seed (Garcinia indica) Full Fat Flour and Defatted Flour and it reveals that defatted kokum seed flour is superior in quality in terms of protein, carohydrates, crude fiber and Vitamin B3 contain as compared to kokum seed flour. We can utilise the Kokum seed defatted flour to overcome protein malnutrition problems in developing countries.
Assessment of Some Physicochemical Properties of Cellulosic Fabric Esterified Using Varying Volume of Jatropha curcas Seed Oil
Authors: Omizegba F. I. , Bello K. A. , Abayeh J. O. , Adamu H. M. , Boryo D. E. A. , Barambu A. U.
Published: November 2019

This paper presents the results of the assessment of some physicochemical properties of cellulosic fabric esterified using varying volume of Jatropha curcas seed oil. The oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus under reflux with hexane as solvent. The percentage yield and moisture content was 47.25% and 0.56% respectively. The fabric (10 cm x 10 cm and 21 cm x 2.5 cm) was identified to be cellulose; it was subjected to purification processes before esterification. The purification processes are scouring, bleaching and mercerization, after which the fabrics were esterified using 10 cm3 through 60 cm3 of oil. The results of esterification gave improvement in dry and wet crease recovery angles, and yarn twist. The highest values of dry crease (130º warp and 122º weft), wet crease (74º warp and 68º weft) and yarn twist (25 TPI warp and 23 TPI weft) were obtained with 50 cm3 of oil. The unesterified (control) fabric recorded lower values of dry crease recovery angles (50º warp and 45º weft), wet crease (37º warp and 35º weft) and yarn twist (14 TPI warp and 12 TPI weft). These revealed that esterification is the reason for the observed improvements and was generally better in warp direction than in weft direction. This may be attributed to the difference in the fabric construction. There was increase in bending properties but did not optimize within the volume of oil used. The air permeability and percentage water imbibition was reduced compared to the control fabric; revealing a structural modification and the formation of a hydrophobic ester bond. This may be an indication that the esterified fabric will be more resistant to the formation of mildew during storage. Hence the seed oil of Jatropha curcas is recommended for easy care finish in textile industries.
Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp Isolated from Post-weaned Piglet Faeces under Penicillin-streptomycin Combination Therapy (Penstrep®) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Koné A. N. T. , N’gbesso N. K. , Guédé B. K. , Ouattara M. B. , Konan F. K. , Dadié A. , Guessennd N. K.
Published: November 2019

Aim: The current study was aimed at evaluating the antibiotic resistance profile of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp isolated from post-weaned piglets treated with penicillin-streptomycin combination therapy.

Study Design:  Bacteriological study.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of the National Reference Center for antibiotics at Institut Pasteur Côte d’Ivoire, between March 2018 and June 2018.

Methodology: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species were isolated from post weaned piglets stool on Mac Conkey medium added up separately with penicillin, streptomycin and combined penicillin-streptomycin and identified. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using disk diffusion method on Müller-Hinton agar.

Results: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species resistance to penicillin, streptomycin and combined penicillin-streptomycin evaluated, respectively, reached 80.5% (Day 0) to 92.0% (Day 4); 17.0% (Day 0) to 39.9% (Day 4) and 31.3% (Day 0) to 70.9% (Day 4) for piglets treated with Penstrep®. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility test carried out for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp strains isolated from piglets treated with Penstrep® revealed resistance to amoxicillin for each bacterial species at a rate of 86.0% and 89.0%. Furthermore, control piglets showed lesser resistance to streptomycin (E.coli 31.0% and Klebsiella spp 38.0%) than those treated with the combination therapy Penstrep® (E. coli 73.0% and Klebsiella spp 48.0%). As for netilmicin, imipenem and colistin, no resistance was detected for treated piglets as well as untreated ones.

Conclusion: The combination therapy with Penstrep® has increased Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species resistance to antibiotics tested in the current study.
A Stochastic Model with Jumps for Smoking
Authors: Coulibaly Mohamed , N'Zi Modeste
Published: November 2019

Some stochastic epidemiological models are less significant. They do not take into account some sudden events that could disrupt the behavior of the studied phenomenon. In this work, we introduce a white noise and jumps in a deterministic SIRS model for smoking to take into account of the effects of randomly fluctuation and such sudden factors respectively. First of all we prove that the solution of the stochastic differential equation with jumps of the new modelis positive. Then we study the asymptotic behavior around the smoking-free equilibrium state and the smoking-present equilibrium state of the original deterministic model. Under certain conditions, we show that the solution oscillate respectively around these equilibrium states. We prove that the intensity of these oscillations depends on the magnitude of noise and the jump diffusion coefficient of our stochastic differential equation with jumps. To support our theoretical results, we realise numerical simulations. The observations confirm our conclusions.
Trait Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield Traits in Myanmar Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Germplasm
Authors: Aye Myint , Htwe Nyo Mar
Published: November 2019

The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during the dry season, 2014 at Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar to determine the extent of genetic variability for important yield attributes and to determine interrelationship among the traits and their direct and indirect effects on yield of forty Myanmar sesame germplasm. All genotypes were phenotyped for ten agronomic traits. All basic statistical parameters and phenotypic correlation were generated using STAR v2.0.1 and PBTools v1.4. Genotypic correlation and path analysis between yield and yield components were evaluated by SPAR 2.0 and R software package. Wide variations were observed for all traits studied in all germplasm. Primary branches, capsules and seed yield per plant showed high genotypic and phenotypic variances, PCV and GCV estimates that are enough scope for selection. Progeny selection will be effective to improve plant height and number of capsules per plant indicating high heritability with high genetic advance. In both genotypic and phenotypic correlation analysis, main seed yield contributing traits in sesame production were days to first and 50% flowering, plant height, primary branches, capsules per plant and capsule length. According to path analysis, positive direct effect on seed yield was contributed by days to first flowering followed by 1000 seed weight, capsules per plant, no. of primary branches per plant and capsule length. Therefore, days to first flowering, 1000 seed weight, capsules per plant, primary branches and capsule length may be good selection criteria for further sesame breeding programs related to high yielding varieties.
Infrastructure Investment as a Panacea for Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Granger Causality Tests Analysis
Authors: Clement Abur Cyprian
Published: November 2019

This paper employed Granger causality tests amid infrastructure spending, economic growth, and employment in Nigeria for the period 1960-2017 using vector autoregression (VAR) model. The result showed a strong causality between infrastructure investment and economic growth in Nigeria. Findings of the study shows a strong underlying relationship between e infrastructure investment and job creation. Economic growth seems to be the key drivers of government jobs and that the private sector jobs drives growth, however, public jobs have not been able to translates into additional jobs in the economy. The bounds test results specify the presence of long-run equilibrium relationship between infrastructure investment, economic growth, job creation and output thereby providing a theoretical underpinning for the empirical results.
Analysis of Fiber Loss Mechanisms in Communication System to Simulate Different Attenuation
Authors: Tut Tahira Khadija , Omar Faruk Md. , Ruma Tanvina Aktar , Saha Tonusree , Rahman Md. Mostafizur
Published: November 2019

The fiber optic communication system can transmit data a rate of 10 GB/S or more, over a maximum possible distance with less attenuation. In this research a low loss optical fiber has been simulated. The simulation is done by MATLAB Software. This research deals with different loss mechanisms in optical fiber communication. A number of mechanisms are responsible for the signal attenuation within optical fibers. As the optical signal propagates over long stretch of fiber, it becomes attenuated because of absorption, scattering, fiber bends by material impurities, and other effects. The absorption loss at 1310 nm wavelength of light is significantly very low. It is also observed that the scattering loss decreases as the wavelength of light increases and the same case for bending loss; for link loss the fiber attenuation is increased gradually with the increasing fiber distance. In this research it is shown that the attenuation for multimode fiber is greater than single mode fiber at wavelength 1550 nm, attenuation level for 1550 nm wavelength is lower than 1310 nm wavelength. It is also shown that there are great attenuation between glass and plastic optical fiber and large attenuation between plastic and Plastic Clad Silica optical fiber. Different fiber types and their properties such as attenuation or loss are also observed. The performance improvement of the proposed different loss, such as absorption loss, rayleigh scattering, bending loss, link loss for different wavelength and different material within the various loss mechanisms in fiber optic communication is shown through simulations.
Neuroprotective Potential of Mahanimbine against Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-Induced Neuronal Deficits on SK-N-SH Cells and Antioxidant Potentials in ICR Mice Brain
Authors: Azahan Nur Syamimi Mohd , Mani Vasudevan , Ramasamy Kalavathy , Lim Siong Meng , Alhowail Ahmad , Sajid Sultan , Majeed Abu Bakar Abdul
Published: November 2019

Aims: Murraya koenigii commonly known as curry leaves, is traditionally used in India and other South Asian countries as a spice for its characteristic flavor and aroma. Mahanimbine is a major carbazole alkaloid derived from Murraya koenigii leaves. There are numerous reports that support the neuroprotective role of various alkaloids. The present study investigated the neuroprotective potential of mahanimbine against lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced neuronal deficits of SK-N-SH cells and antioxidant potentials in ICR mouse brain.

Study Design: The targeted compound mahanimbine was subjected to both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia and College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June 2015 and August 2017.

Methodology: For the in vitro study, SK-N-SH cells were induced with the 100µg/ml of LPS. Then, neuroprotection and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were conducted to assess cell viability and the formation of ROS. On the other hand, ICR mice were being fed with mahanimbine (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days for in vivo study. Neuroinflammation was thereafter induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (250 μg/kg) for 4 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed. The brain was collected for antioxidants assays, measuring oxidative biomarkers such as catalase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and thiobarbituric acid (TBARs).

Results: SK-N-SH cells exposed to 100 μg/ml LPS showed a significant cell viability loss and increased level of ROS.  However, pre-treatment of SK-N-SH cells with mahanimbine significantly prevented cell loss and consequently attenuated LPS-induced ROS formation. In addition, mahanimbine also inhibited β-secretase (BACE50 = 4µg/mL) that is important for production of β-amyloid (Aβ).  For in vivo study, the biochemical analysis of the whole brain detected increased catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GRD) levels, and significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in mahanimbine treated groups as compared to LPS-induced but untreated group.

Conclusion: The overall findings supported the neuroprotective and antioxidant potential of mahanimbine against LPS-induced neurotoxicity.
Antifungal Activity and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometric Characterization of Aqueous Extracts of Acacia senegal and Acacia tortilis on Phytopathogenic Fungi
Authors: Fatimah Al-Otibi
Published: November 2019

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of aqueous extracts of Acacia senegal (A. senegal) and Acacia tortilis (A. tortilis) against three phytopathogenic fungi (viz., Alternaria alternata [A. alternata], Helminthosporium rostratum [H. rostratum] and Fusarium solani [F. solani]).

Methods: Crude aqueous extracts of A. senegal and A. tortilis at 1%, 2.5% and 5% concentrations were used for screening. Antifungal activities of the extracts were evaluated against three phytopathogenic fungal strains (A. alternata, H. rostratum and F. solani) by poisoned food technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the treated and untreated mycelia was employed to analyze the ultrastructural changes and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry analysis was performed to identify important functional groups.

Results: Aqueous extract of A. tortilis at high concentrations exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against the selected fungal strains. The aqueous extract of A. senegal showed no effect on A. alternata, while exhibited very mild activity against H. rostratum and F. solani at high concentrations (2.5% and 5%). Scanning electron microphotographs of the untreated fungal cells showed no structural changes (well‒defined mycelium and conidia without any distortion), whereas the treated cells showed structural distortions, twisted and wrecked mycelia and showed the presence of vesicles on the surface. FTIR analysis showed the presence of important functional groups such as alcohols, carboxylic acids and aromatic compounds.

Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that the aqueous extracts of both A. senegal and A. tortilis have the potential to be used as natural fungicidal agents in the management of diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi.
Characterization and Correlation of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Oil Polluted Waters of Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State
Authors: Chinonye Iheonye , Leo Osuji , Mark Onyema
Published: November 2019

Forensic chemical analyses was used to characterize, determine the source and correlate  aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) in water samples collected from Bonny L.G.A, Rivers State. AHCs were extracted from the water samples with n-hexane in a separatory funnel, clean-up achieved by column chromatography using n-hexane and analysis by Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The GC chromatogram showed well resolved AHC peaks which distributed from nC9 –nC40. The GC chromatograms of AHCs, with a wide range of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, indicate minimal biodegradation of the oil hydrocarbons in the samples. CPI values from 0.68 to 0.78 for BY-A1, BY-A3, BY-A4 and 0.97 for BY-A2 suggest two sources of oil hydrocarbons. Calculated Pr/Ph ratios showed BY-A1 (2.08), BY-A3 (2.00) and BY-A4 (2.20) were derived from mixed marine and terrestrial source deposited in suboxic environment, while BY-A2 (3.70) was mainly terrigenous source in an oxic environment. A cross-plot of Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios also showed a tight cluster for samples BY-A1, BY-A3 and BY-A4 which were degraded with sample BY-A2 separate and slightly degraded. Results from this study revealed that the spilled oil was derived from mixed organic sources deposited in an oxic environment with different oil input from external sources showing more terrestrial contribution.
Dosimetric comparison of three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for left‐sided chest wall and lymphatic irradiation
Authors: Kivanc Huseyin , Gultekin Melis , Gurkaynak Murat , Ozyigit Gokhan , Yildiz Ferah
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare five different techniques for chest wall (CW) and lymphatic irradiation in patients with left‐sided breast carcinoma.

Methods

Three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), forward‐planned intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (FP‐IMRT), inverse‐planned IMRT (IP‐IMRT; 7‐ or 9‐field), and hybrid IP‐/FP‐IMRT were compared in 10 patients. Clinical target volume (CTV) included CW and internal mammary (IM), supraclavicular (SC), and axillary nodes. Planning target volumes (PTVs), CTVs, and organs at risks (OARs) doses were analyzed with dose–volume histograms (DVHs).

Results

No differences could be observed among the techniques for doses received by 95% of the volume (D95%) of lymphatics. However, the FP‐IMRT resulted in a significantly lower D95% dose to the CW‐PTV compared to other techniques (P = 0.002). The 9‐field IP‐IMRT achieved the lowest volumes receiving higher doses (hotspots). Both IP‐IMRT techniques provided similar mean doses (Dmean) for the left lung which were smaller than the other techniques. There was no difference between the techniques for maximum dose (Dmax) of right breast. However, FP‐IMRT resulted in lower Dmean and volume of right breast receiving at least 5 Gy doses compared to other techniques.

Conclusion

The dose homogeneity in CW‐CTV was better using IMRT techniques compared to 3DCRT. Especially 9‐field IP‐IMRT provided a more homogeneous dose distribution in IM and axillary CTVs. Moreover, the OARs volumes receiving low radiation doses were larger with IP‐IMRT technique, while volumes receiving high radiation doses were larger with FP‐IMRT technique. Hybrid IMRT plans were found to have the advantages of both FP‐ and IP‐IMRT techniques.
Skeletal Muscle Constructs Engineered from Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Myogenic Progenitors Exhibit Enhanced Contractile Forces When Differentiated in a Medium Containing EGM‐2 Supplements
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Mengen , Perlingeiro Rita C. R. , Shen Wei
Published: November 2019

Three‐dimensional (3D) skeletal muscle constructs engineered from myogenic progenitors derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have a wide range of applications, but to date, such constructs generate lower specific tetanic force than adult human muscles. Methods enhancing functional muscle differentiation and force generation of these constructs are highly desirable. The finding of this study is that addition of the supplements in the endothelial cell growth medium‐2 (EGM‐2) to the myogenic differentiation medium can substantially enhance contractile force generation. For constructs differentiated for 4 weeks, addition of the EGM‐2 supplements in the first 2 weeks leads to tenfold and sevenfold increases in twitch and tetanic forces, respectively. The specific tetanic force generated by these constructs is 33 mN mm−2, which is significantly higher than previously reported. These constructs show wider myotubes and higher gene expression levels for all skeletal muscle‐specific myosin heavy chain isoforms, suggesting that a more mature differentiation stage of the cells underlies the greater contractile force generation. The constructs exposed to these supplements for 4 weeks do not generate as high contractile forces, suggesting that prolonged treatment is not beneficial. These results suggest that temporal conditioning with the EGM‐2 supplements assists functional development of hPSC‐derived skeletal muscle constructs.