bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palestinian University Students' Perceptions of Distance Education in Light of the Coronavirus Crisis
Authors: Daraghmeh Rima Wajih Hamed
Published: August 2021

A study aimed to identify Palestinian university students' perceptions of using distance education in light of the Coronavirus crisis from the students' point of view, depending on the differences between gender or the university in which they study. The descriptive approach was used for the current research. The 25-paragraph questionnaire was distributed electronically through social media sites due to the closure of universities. The sample of the study was formed from (73) distributed among (16) males and (57) females and distributed to universities came (42) students of Palestine Technical University Khudouri, and (19) students of Al-Najah University and (12) students of Arab American University.

The study found that Distance Education was a problem for students because of the constant need for Internet service, while Distance Education helped them with multiple sources of information. Moreover, Distance Education did not make it easier to understand teaching subjects better, nor did it make education popular for students. They preferred education that was more remote than Distance Education. The study also did not find any differences in the perceptions of Palestinian university students to use distance education in light of the Coronavirus crisis due to the variable of gender or university.

The most important recommendations are providing an appropriate educational structure for implementing e-learning in Palestinian universities and removing all human, material and technical obstacles that prevent its spread in the educational system in various stages and fields. And that there is a need for Palestinian universities to offer materials that provide students with e-learning skills and techniques to facilitate the process of interaction and benefit by students with Educational materials provided electronically.
ON THE COEFFICIENTS OF ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS OF FAST GROWTH REPRESENTED BY DIRICHLET SERIES
Authors: RANI SUNITA , SRIVASTAVA G. S.
Published: August 2021

ON THE COEFFICIENTS OF ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS OF FAST GROWTH REPRESENTED BY DIRICHLET SERIES
Metoda planowania
prac renowacyjnych obiektów sakralnych
Authors: Nowogońska Beata , Mielczarek Magdalena
Published: August 2021

Prace renowacyjne w budynkach sakralnych często są prowadzone nieprawidłowo, terminy są przesuwane, zakres ograniczony, występują błędy w kolejności prac. Główną przyczyną takich działań jest brak funduszy. Jednak w przypadku obiektów, które są wpisane do rejestru zabytków, regularne i konsekwentne wykonywanie prac naprawczych oraz remontów jest niezwykle istotne, aby uniemożliwić ich degradację. Celem badań jest opracowanie strategii prac renowacyjnych, która umożliwi utrzymanie zabytkowych budynków sakralnych w jak najlepszym stanie technicznym przez jak najdłuższy czas.
Propozycja metody oceny diagnostycznej w podczerwieni termomodernizowanych budynków wielorodzinnych
Authors: Ostańska Anna Ewa
Published: August 2021

Utrzymanie budynków wielorodzinnych zrealizowanych z elementów prefabrykowanych to szczególne wyzwanie dla zarządców ze względu na skalę, jaką stanowią one w Polsce. Tym bardziej istotna wydaje się wiedza, w jakim aktualnie stanie termicznym znajdują się takie zasoby mieszkaniowe w Polsce po wielokrotnym podejmowaniu działań termomodernizacyjnych i ewentualnie pozostawionych lub nowo powstałych potrzebach działań naprawczych ukierunkowanych na oszczędzanie energii cieplnej. W tym celu wykorzystano powszechnie znane możliwości nieniszczącej metody badań w podczerwieni, dzięki której możliwe było podanie algorytmu mającego na celu sprawdzenie skuteczności działań termomodernizacyjnych za pomocą podanego w artykule schematu postępowania. Celem podjętego monitorowania było sprawdzenie skuteczności szczelności wielorodzinnych budynków poddanych już wielokrotnej termomodernizacji lub będących przed tym procesem. Wykorzystano nieniszczącą autorską metodę oceny diagnostycznej termomodernizacji z użyciem termowizji na dwóch poziomach (z powietrza – lotnicza i z lądu – naziemna). Otrzymane wyniki badań, uzyskane z wykorzystaniem obrazu w podczerwieni, będą mogły stanowić podstawę do poszerzenia wiedzy na temat dobrych przykładów we współczesnych tendencjach termomodernizacyjnych. Zaproponowany algorytm wydaje się odpowiedni do zastosowania również w innych obszarach i obiektach budowlanych znajdujących się w Europie.
Fabrication of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Gelatin Biomimetic Electrospun Nanofibrous Composites and Its Bioactivity Assessment for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Rashidi Somayyeh , Asadi Asadollah , Latifi-Navid Saeid , Zahri Saber , Khodayari Ali , Abdolmaleki Arash
Published: August 2021

Background: Bone tissue engineering aims to heal bone defects that do not repair on their own. To construct an implantable osteogenic implant in tissue engineering, cells and bioactive molecules are seeded onto three-dimensional (3D) biomaterial scaffolds. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide an appropriate micro-environment for hUC-MSCs attachment and proliferation over a biocompatible and non-toxic nanofibrous scaffold in order to differentiate into osteoblast cells. Methods: In this work, a poly(vinylalcohol)/gelatin (PVA/GE) nanocomposite scaffold was prepared using the electrospinning method. Glutaraldehyde/methanol was used as the treating medium to prevent the rapid dissolution of the PVA/GE scaffold in a physiological fluid. The chemical, physical, and morphological characterizations of the prepared scaffold were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. In addition, the porosity, swelling ratio, pH changes, degradation profiles, and hydrophobic-hydrophilic nature of the scaffold were investigated. Biocompatibility of the scaffold was evaluated by using MTT assay. Finally, under osteogenic conditions, the differentiation potential of the human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) cultured on the crosslinked scaffold was assessed for 21 days. Results: The obtained results demonstrated that crosslinking treatment changed water solubility of the PVA/GE scaffold. Also, additional investigations showed good biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, and appropriate degradation rate of the crosslinked scaffold in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: The results indicated that the PVA/GE crosslinked scaffold with good biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, and appropriate degradation rate can be used for bone tissue engineering aims.
A Survey on Medication Adherence and Its Associated Factors in Antibiotic-Takers Following Their Discharge from Hospital
Authors: Zabihi Ali , Qanbari Qalehsari Mojtaba , Jafarian Amiri Seyedeh Roghayeh , Arzani Afsaneh , Aziznejadroshan Parvin , Padehban Valiollah
Published: August 2021

Background: High adherence to antibiotic therapy is essential for complete cure, reduction of treatment costs, and prevention of drug resistance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to antibiotic treatment and its associated factors in patients after hospital discharge. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted on 313 patients discharged from the hospital on antibiotics from October 6 to December 21, 2020. Demographic information of the participants was obtained at the time of discharge from the hospital, and the Morisky medication adherence scale was completed one week after discharge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test at a significance level of < 0.05. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.17 ± 19.51 years, and 95% of them were discharged with only one oral antibiotic. The mean score of drug adherence in this research was 6.45 ± 1.41. Those under 40 years of age had poorer adherence to antibiotic treatment than patients aged over 40 years (P = 0.04). The patients who should have consumed antibiotics thrice a day forgot taking their medications more than others (P = 0.02). The patients who received antibiotics twice a day were less likely to discontinue their medication without informing their physicians (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Adherence to antibiotic treatment after hospital discharge is poor among patients. All patients, especially those under 40 years of age and those who should receive medications more often, must be given serious considerations for treatment adherence.
Nález severoamerického druhu Menetus dilatatus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) v jižních Čechách (Česká republika) [Record of Menetus dilatatus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Southern Bohemia (Czech Republic)]
Authors: Beran Luboš
Published: August 2021

The record of the North-American gastropod Menetus dilatatus in the Southern Bohemia is mentioned in this paper. This finding is more than 80 km distant from known localities in the Elbe River Lowland and is the first one in the Southern Bohemia. This species was found in the mapping field for faunistic grid mapping No. 6551 (see Fig. 1) in the Otava River in the Orlík Dam Lake by diving in the water depth of ca. 2 m.
Měkkýší fauna rybníka Strašík u Libouně (střední Čechy, okres Benešov) a poznámky k fauně rybníků na Podblanicku [The Molluscan Fauna of Strašík Pond by Libouň Village (Central Bohemia, Benešov District) and Several Notes to Malacofauna of Ponds in Podblanicko Region]
Authors: Vrabec Vladimír
Published: August 2021

In the pond Strašík by Libouň (Czech Republic, WGS 84: 49°37'50"N, 14°49'30"E) 14 species of water molluscs were documented by the research executed on 8 June 2001: Radix peregra, Lymnaea stagnalis, Anisus vortex, Bathyomphalus contortus, Gyraulus albus, Gyraulus crista, Hippeutis complanatus, Musculium lacustre, Pisidium casertanum, Pisidium milium, Pisidium nitidum, Pisidium obtusale, Pisidium personatum, Pisidium subtruncatum. The basic characteristics of the community were determined: quantitative composition and dominance. The index of the concentrated dominance modified according to Simpson (c = 0,33) was counted and compared with available data. The pond fauna was compared to the fauna of other examined ponds in Podblanicko. The total of 12 ponds were examined in this region or its closest surroundings so far and 21 species of water molluscs were found in them. The pond Strašík, analysed in this study, is richest in species variety, as it has 14 species, the least occupied are the ponds Splav by Bystřice (2 species) and the first pond above the pond Utopenec by Vlašim (3 species). In the case of these ponds the result is probably due to the fact that they are relatively little known. The species Anisus vortex, Lymnaea stagnalis and Gyraulus albus have the highest frequency of occurrence in the ponds examined so far in Podblanicko, the least frequent are the species Bithynia tentaculata, Acroloxus lacustris and Pisidium personatum. The similarity of the species composition of the ponds fauna was evaluated according to the Jaccard’s index. The pond most similar to the Strašík pond analyzed in this study is from the point of view of the species presence the pond Utopenec on the stream Orlina (8 and 12), which is situated nearby.
Inventarizační malakozoologický výzkum PR Bažantnice u Pracejovic (Jižní Čechy, okres Strakonice) [Malacozoological inventory of the Bažantnice u Pracejovic Nature Reserve (Southern Bohemia, Strakonice District)]
Authors: Hlaváč Jaroslav Čáp
Published: August 2021

Data about Recent molluscan fauna of the Bažantnice u Pracejovic Nature Reserve are given. Altogether 32 species (27 terrestrial, 5 freshwater) were recorded. The Nature Reserve (geographical position see Fig. 1) represents a fragment of well-preserved alluvial woodland in the middle Otava River region. Woodland communities consisting of species with various relations to moisture of habitats dominate terrestrial molluscan fauna. The elements of aquatic habitats are poorly represented while open grounds species totally absent.
Fenomén prameništních slatinišť a malakologické konsekvence [The uniqueness of spring fens and malacological consequences]
Authors: Horsák Michal
Published: August 2021

The objective of this paper is to (a) summarize the results of malacological investigations of the West Carpathian treeless spring fens and (b) show how unique sites these fens are. The mollusc communities were studied from several ecological points of view such as: response to the poor-rich mineral gradient, calcicole-calcifuge behaviour, geographical distribution, and historical development. The published or prepared articles concerning above-mentioned topics are cited in the text.
Images in Archaic Thinking
Authors: Spitzer D. M. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2021

Images permeate and propel archaic thinking in diverse ways. How do philosophic texts from the Greek archaic period (ca. eighth through early-fifth centu­ries BCE) conceive of images and what do images accomplish in archaic philosophies? In what ways can attention to images in philosophic texts open perspectives onto the relations of myth, poetry, and philosophy in the archaic Greek period? With these questions guiding the inquiry, this paper explores texts from various traditions jointly related within the archaic Aegean cultural matrix. Texts from what might be termed philosophy’s prehistory, such as the ancient Egyptian Leiden Hymns and Odysseia, pro­vide important context for understanding the continuity and development of images.
« She was a remarkable woman » : l’héritage afro-féministe d’Efuru (1966) de Flora Nwapa dans Purple Hibiscus (2003) de Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie et Sky-High Flames (2005) d’Unoma Azuah
Authors: Courtois Cédric
Published: August 2021

Purple Hibiscus (2003) et Sky-High Flames (2005), premiers romans appartenant au genre du Bildungsroman des écrivaines nigérianes-igbo de la troisième génération Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie et Unoma Azuah, entrent en résonance avec Efuru (1966) de l’autrice nigériane-igbo Flora Nwapa. En ce début de xxie siècle, cette dernière demeure une figure littéraire tutélaire pour les écrivaines contemporaines qui s’y réfèrent plus ou moins implicitement. Adichie et Azuah, ouvertement féministes, dialoguent avec leur prédécesseure, laquelle occupait une position ambivalente vis-à-vis du féminisme, à l’instar de quelques-unes de ses contemporaines sur le continent. Réponse féminine, voire féministe à Things Fall Apart (1958) de Chinua Achebe, Efuru a permis le passage des femmes depuis les marges vers le centre de la narration et des considérations littéraires, ce qui a contribué à ce que les écrivaines actuelles – dont Adichie et Azuah – décrivent à leur tour des processus de construction identitaire féminins dans la société patriarcale nigériane-igbo.
Joan Morgan et le « féminisme hip-hop » : les enjeux d’une proposition pour son époque et pour la nôtre
Authors: Vettorato Cyril
Published: August 2021

L’ouvrage de Joan Morgan, When Chicken Heads Come Home to Roost (1999), a fait date dans la réflexion sur le hip-hop d’un point de vue féministe, au point de cristalliser autour de lui les promesses et paradoxes propres à l’expression de « féminisme hip-hop ». En adoptant un double point de vue à la fois rétrospectif et spéculatif, cet article vise à replacer l’ouvrage de Morgan dans son contexte de parution tout en s’interrogeant sur les portes qu’il nous ouvre pour une réflexion ultérieure. L’émergence ici d’une voix présentée comme générationnelle, qui poursuit tout en les reformulant les revendications des « mères » africaines américaines des seventies, mérite d’être analysée dans sa spécificité états-unienne ; mais nous voyons aussi ce que nous pouvons tirer d’une lecture plus exploratoire de cet essai, ce qui nous mène à envisager avec Morgan le rôle possible de la culture dite « urbaine » comme contrepoint heuristique salvateur à la partialité élitiste qui menace le champ intellectuel.
Djamila Ribeiro et la place des féminismes noirs au Brésil
Authors: Manera Giulia
Published: August 2021

Djamila Ribeiro, journaliste, écrivaine et militante, est considérée comme une porte-parole du féminisme noir brésilien contemporain. Elle s’inscrit dans des mobilisations féministes croissantes qui, numériques ou non, suscitent l’intérêt des médias. Par son activité littéraire et éditoriale et sa présence sur les réseaux sociaux et dans les médias, l’auteure contribue à diffuser, voire à vulgariser, les savoirs noirs et postcoloniaux. La lecture de ses ouvrages, et notamment de Lugar de Fala (2017), essai traduit en France sous le titre La Place de la parole noire, révèle un ensemble de références intellectuelles qui ne sont pas circonscrites aux auteur·e·s brésilien·ne·s, mais incluent des textes fondateurs de la pensée féministe noire, états-unienne et globale. L’analyse des modèles théoriques de Djamila Ribeiro, ainsi que de la réception et de la circulation de ses ouvrages, permet de comprendre la posture intellectuelle et militante de cette figure marquante de la troisième vague féministe au Brésil.
Le « Sud » face à ses clichés : un regard du Brésil sur l’Afrique
Authors: Botaro Mirella
Published: August 2021

Cet article propose d’analyser l’usage de stéréotypes raciaux dans Verre Cassé (2005) d’Alain Mabanckou et Pelourinho (1995) de Tierno Monénembo, afin d’observer ensuite les effets de sens qu’ils produisent une fois traduits au Brésil. Certaines catégories essentialistes concernant la « race » ou l’« identité » semblent parfois être disloquées par les opérations de traduction, grâce notamment au potentiel d’interprétation des lecteurs visés.
A new chaotic signal based on deep learning and its application in image encryption
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Peng , Zhou Shuang , Wang Xing-Yuan ,   School of Mathematical Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China,   School of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
Published: August 2021

To improve the security of image encryption in singular chaotic systems, an encryption algorithm based on deep-learning is proposed in this paper. To begin with, the chaos sequence is generated by using a hyperchaotic Lorenz system, prior to creating new chaotic signals based on chaotic characteristics obtained from he simulations of the powerful complex network structure of long-short term memory artificial neural network (LSTM-ANN). Then, dynamic characteristics of the new signals are analyzed with the largest Lyapunov exponent, 0-1 test, power spectral analysis, phase diagrams and NIST test. In the end, the new signals are applied to image encryption, the results of which verify the expected increased difficulty in attacking the encrypted system. This is attributable to the differences of the new signals generated using the proposed method from the original chaotic signals, as well as arises from the high complexity and nonlinearity of the system. Considering its ability to withstand common encryption attacks, it is hence reasonable to conclude that the proposed method exhibits higher safety and security than other traditional methods.
Improving the sensitivity of an optically pumped rubidium atomic magnetometer by using of a repumping laser beam
Authors: Zhang Lu-Lu , Bai Le-Le , Yang Yu-Lin , Yang Yong-Biao , Wang Yan-Hua , Wen Xin , He Jun , Wang Jun-Min ,   State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Decices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Department of Physics, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Department of Opto-Ectronics Engineering, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Published: August 2021

For the experimental implementation of an optically pumped atomic magnetometer, the magnetic resonance signal with a narrow linewidth and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is required for achieving a high sensitivity. Using 795-nm laser as both the pumping and the probe laser, we compare the magnetic resonance signals from different rubidium atomic vapor cells and investigate the variations of magnetic resonance signals with temperature. Optimized magnetic resonance signal is achieved with a paraffin-coated rubidium atomic vapor cell. Then the 780-nm laser at rubidium D2 line is introduced as a repumping laser, and we explore the changes of linewidth and SNR of the magnetic resonance signal under different power of the pumping laser and the repumping laser. Owing to the 780-nm repumping laser beam, the signal amplitude of rubidium-85 magnetic resonance signal is improved remarkably because more rubidium-85 atoms are spin- polarized by the 795-nm pumping laser beam. At the same time, the linewidth of rubidium-85 magnetic resonance signal is roughly not broadened anymore. We realize a closed-loop optically pumped rubidium-85 atomic magnetometer with a bandwidth of ~1.2 kHz, and the sensitivity is calibrated to be ~245.5 pT/Hz1/2 only with the 795-nm pumping laser beam. Owing to the employment of the 780-nm repumping laser beam, the sensitivity is improved to be ~26.4 pT/Hz1/2 which is improved roughly by one order of magnitude. We also calibrate the measurement accuracy and deviation of a commercial fluxgate magnetometer by using the enhanced rubidium magnetic resonance signal.
Mott transition of fermions in anisotropic ruby lattice
Authors: Bao An ,   School of Education, Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330108, China
Published: August 2021

In this work, the Hubbard model is adopted to describe fermions with on-site repulsive interaction and the nearest-neighbor hopping in anisotropic ruby lattice. The combination of cluster dynamical mean field theory and continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo algorithm is used to solve the theoretical model.

It is widely accepted that the density of states and the double occupancy are two important quantities for determining the phase transition of two-dimensional strongly correlated system. Therefore, based on the self-consistent calculation, using the maximum entropy method to calculate the single particle density of states and double occupancy of fermions in anisotropic ruby lattice. Here in this work, there are 6 sites in a cluster.

The influences of temperature, interaction and anisotropic parameter on metal-insulator phase transition of fermions in anisotropic ruby lattice are discussed based on the calculations of single particle density of state and double occupancy. Finally, the metal-Mott insulator phase diagram which shows the competition between temperature and on-site repulsive interaction in the phase transition of fermions in anisotropic ruby lattice is presented. The results shows that the system is in metallic state for the regime of weak interaction and low temperature, and the Mott insulator appears in the regime of strong interaction and high temperature. The metallic state and Mott insulating one are separated by the second-order transition line in the phase diagram.
Measurement of spatiotemporal coupling characteristics of ultra broadband pulsed laser beam based on spatial spectrum interferometric scanning
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Xiao , Mu Jie , Hu Bi-Long , Zeng Xiao-Ming , Zuo Yan-Lei , Wu Zhao-Hui , Wang Xiao-Dong , Li Zhao-Li , Su Jing-Qin ,   Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Research Center of Laser Fusion, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China,   Department of Optics and Optical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China,   Graduate School of China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100088, China
Published: August 2021

Optical elements such as stretcher, compressor and thick lenses will lead to spatially-dependent temporal properties of a large aperture laser pulse, which is called spatiotemporal coupling (STC). Beyond pure temporal characterization measurement, a measure of spatiotemporal coupling distortion based on spatial-spectral interference is proposed in this study. Full one-dimensional spatiotemporal coupling characteristics can be obtained in a single-shot measurement, and the complete spatiotemporal coupling characteristics in the near field can be obtained by scanning along another spatial dimension. The spatiotemporal coupling characteristics introduced by the wedge glasses are measured, and the experimental results accord well with the theoretical results.
Real-time simulation of realistic fluid animation based on stable SPH-SWE numerical model
Authors: Shao Xu-Qiang , Mei Peng , Chen Wen-Xin ,   School of Control and Computer Engineering, North China Electric Power University (BaoDing), Baoding 071003, China
Published: August 2021

The reality and real-time performance have always been the research hot-point of fluid simulation. Aiming at the unstable fluid surface motion in the scenes with complex terrain, in this paper, we propose an adaptive fluid velocity control force calculation model based on terrain difference, and a stable SPH numerical model for solving the shallow water equations is established. In this proposed numerical model, firstly we reduce the simulation domain from three-dimensional space to two-dimensional surface for reducing calculation quantity, and the water depth is represented by the density of particles at the meantime. Secondly, to ensure that the number of neighborhood particles is stable within a fixed range and to improve the accuracy of simulation, we apply a variable smoothing length to our numerical model. Then, an adaptive fluid velocity control force calculation model is introduced based on terrain difference, in which the velocity and position of particles are corrected by calculating the terrain difference caused by particle movement between each time step. The coordinates on terrain used for the calculation of terrain difference are dynamically chosen by the density of the particles. To improve the real-time performance of simulation, a screen space fluid rendering method is used to refrain the extraction and reconstruction of fluid surface. The numerical calculation and fluid surface rendering both load on the GPU for parallel execution. The simulation result shows that the proposed method can effectively improve the unstable fluid surface movement in scenes with complex terrain while reaching a real-time interaction level. The density and pressure are evenly distributed during the simulation.
Thermal rectification enhancement based on porous structure in bulk materials
Authors: Shao Chun-Rui , Li Hai-Yang , Wang Jun , Xia Guo-Dong ,   Beijing Key Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion, MOE Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Published: August 2021

Thermal rectification effect refers to an asymmetric heat transfer phenomenon (namely, the amount of heat flux depends on the direction of temperature gradient). A two-segment bar made of two materials that have thermal conductivities with different temperature-dependence, can realize the thermal rectification effect. In the present paper, we propose to use porous structure on the bulk material to modify the thermal conductivity of bulk material. It is found that the thermal rectification effect can be enhanced by the porous structure. The finite element method and effective medium approximation are used to analyze the influence of porosity on the thermal rectification ratio of the two-segment system. The calculation results are consistent with each other. Under low temperature bias, the effect of the porosity is weak, while its influence becomes very significant when the temperature difference is high. Usually, thermal rectification ratio decreases if the porous structure is made on the segment whose thermal conductivity increases with temperature increasing. If the porous structure is made on the segment with negative temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, an optimal porosity can be found. For low porosity, the forward heat flux keeps almost unchanged while the reverse heat flux decreases by more than half, and the thermal rectification ratio can be increased to twice or more than thrice that in the case of no porous structure. For a fixed temperature difference, the influence of porosity on the thermal rectification ratio increases with the augment of the power exponent value.
Factors infl uencing consumers’ behaviour towards organic food purchase in Denmark and Tanzania
Authors: Pacho Frida Thomas , Batra Madan Mohan
Published: August 2021

This paper adds to the debate about factors infl uencing consumer behaviours that lead to the actual purchase of organic food in both developed and developing countries. Accordingly, authors seek to understand how consumers’ knowledge about organic food and consumers’ overall health consciousness play out as mechanisms for consumers’ behaviours leading to actual purchase. Samples from Tanzania as a developing country and Denmark as a developed country are used. A total of 1393 consumers fi lled the questionnaire. The study found that consumer knowledge and health consciousness function as underlying mechanisms in the relationship of attitude and subjective norms for actual purchase of organic food behaviour in Tanzania. In addition, consumer knowledge and health consciousness function as an underlying mechanism in the relationship of attitude and perceived behaviour control for actual purchase of organic food in Denmark. The study argues for enhancing consumers’ knowledge of organic food as the latter has been championed for its perceived health benefi ts in both developed and less developed countries.
Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Extract on Diabetic Rats
Authors: Sani Na’ima Musa , Abubakar Abdulhamid , Jude Nwagu
Published: August 2021

Aims: Ocimum gratissimum is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in the management of many diseases including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this research was to evaluate hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extracts on diabetic rats.

Study Design: Mention the design of the study here.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Between february 2021 and June 2021.

Methodology: The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. The extract was administered orally (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, for 21 days) to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Hypoglycemic effects, change in body weight, lipid profile and antioxidant activities of diabetic rats treated with the extract were assessed and compared with normal, diabetic control and standard drug treated rats. Histological examination of the pancreas during 21 days of treatment was also carried out.

Results: The extract produced a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Significant differences were also observed in body weights, serum lipid profile and levels of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes of Ocimum gratissimum methanol extract treated diabetic rats, when compared with diabetic, normal and standard drug treated rats. Histopathological studies of the pancreas showed comparable regeneration of the cells by extract which were earlier necrosed by alloxan. Methanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum exhibit significant hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. The extract could be further processed towards the management of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: Ocimum gratissimum extract showed a promising good hypoglycemic effect, the extracts also exhibit hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities on diabetic rats. There was regeneration of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Therefore at acute dose the extracts can serve as an alternative in the management of diabetes mellitus.
Antimicrobial Activities of Cymbopogon citratus and Ximenia Americana Leaf Extracts Against Some Selected Bacterial and Yeast Clinical Isolates
Authors: Hassan A. U. , Madu A. H. , Ozojiofor U. O. , Galadanci A. H. , Mato I. B. , Jafaru R.
Published: August 2021

Increasing emergence of resistance to antibiotics by pathogenic microorganisms worldwide necessitates the need for finding new antimicrobial agents with minimal resistance and side effects. This study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical content and antimicrobial activities of two ethno-medicinal plants namely: Cymbopogon citratus and Ximenia Americana. Methanol and aqueous were used as solvent for a soxhlet and aqueous percolation extraction techniques to obtain the crude extracts of the named plant parts. Tannins, steroids, reducing sugars, tritapenoids and Flavonoids were found present in these plant extracts. GC-MS analysis done in this study indicates the presence of some basic phenolic compounds, such as; Cyclohexane-1-3,5-trione & 2-phenyl-1,4-benzopyrone, in the C. citratus extract and methyl guanidine & 3-meyhylheptyl acetate in the X. americana extract, which have been attributed with numerous antimicrobial effects onmicrobial pathogens. Using an agar well diffusion bioassay technique the C. citratus extracts shows; both the extracts are active against E. coli and P. aeroginosa. While X. americana extracts shows a higher activity against C. albican. However the MIC/MBC/MFC of all the extracts shows that known of the extracts has an active viability below 12.5µg/ml.
Arable Land Pollution in Ghana: A Look at Agrochemical Plastic Waste Handling among Farmers
Authors: Yeboah Frederick Kwame , Adingo Samuel , Xue-Lu Liu
Published: August 2021

The mishandling of agrochemical waste is a major environmental problem causing pollution and a threat to public health. Although the number of agrochemical companies in Ghana continues to grow exponentially, limited efforts are directed toward the proper disposal of plastic bottles after use. Consequently, the study explores the post handling activities of farmers concerning agricultural plastic waste. Using the Birim South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana as the case study, the descriptive statistics are employed to provide answers to the research questions by examining the survey responses of the 120 farmers sampled randomly from an estimated 850 farmers from 4 communities. The results suggest that farmers in the district are aware of the triple rinsing mechanism of ensuring safe disposal. Further, few farmers have had extensive training on the safe usage and disposal of pesticides. In spite, most farmers are willing to burn, bury, and reuse empty agrochemical bottles to properly dispose of after usage. The study reveals a knowledge gap in responsible usage and disposal of agrochemical bottles and the need for an appropriate management system to tackle the challenge.
Female Same-Sex Legal Status and Its Implications to Women Who have Sex with Women’s Health and Well-being in Tanzania: A Public Health Lens
Authors: Kamazima Switbert R. , Mbishi Jackline V. , Saronga Happiness P. , Bakar Saidah S.
Published: August 2021

Same-sex relationships and marriages are increasingly becoming legal in some parts of the globe, in the United States and Europe, in particular. However, opposition is strong and same-sex marriage remains banned in many countries leading to uneven expansion of broader lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning rights globally. Researchers conducted a formative qualitative cross-sectional descriptive and retrospective study with women who have sex with women to, among other objectives, assess and document female same-sex legal status and its implications to these women’s daily lives, health, and wellbeing in Tanzania. Results indicate that female same-sex is illegal in Tanzania and same-sex activities are punishable on conviction by life imprisonment. As a result, female same-sex behaviors and practices are pushed underground due to fear of stigma, rejection, abandonment, discrimination, and violence from the law enforcement machinery and the general public. In turn, this situation restricts these women from utilizing healthcare services available, which endangers women who have sex with women’s health and wellbeing. Recommend for further multidisciplinary, comprehensive, and informative public health research among women who have sex with women to generate data that would facilitate improving healthcare professionals’ ability to diagnose, treat, control, and prevent illnesses among women who have sex with women in Tanzania.
Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis IgA, IgM and IgG Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors among Sexually Active Individuals at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, West Cameroon
Authors: Tadongfack Thomas Djifack , Nitcheu Irina Lydia Sudeu , Ngoune Rodrigue , Nkouayep Vanessa Rosine , Selabi Aline Camerl Nzeffouo , Manhafo Viany Nankeng , Enangue Blanche Lydie Bebe Moussango , Tedjieu Romeo Hervis , Kenfack Carine Tsoplifak , Keubo François Roger Nguepy , Kamtchueng Monique Odette , Chadou Michael Junior Piameu
Published: August 2021

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Infections caused by this pathogen are usually symptomatic in men and asymptomatic in about 2/3 of women resulting in a variety of clinical complications.

Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of immunological markers and the risk factors associated with the seropositivity to C. trachomatis infection in sexually active individuals visiting the Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, West region Cameroon

Study Design: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted between July and September 2020 at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital in Dschang, Cameroon.

Methods: A total of 154 participants were recruited during the data collection period. An indirect ELISA method was used to analyse participant’s serum samples. Risk factors were assessed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS 25.

Results: The seroprevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 38.3% (95%CI: 30.6 - 46.0). Only 39.6% (95%CI: 31.6 - 47.3) of the study population had never been in contact with the bacterium. The reinfection rate among participants was 8.4% (95%CI: 4.0 - 12.8). Results revealed that being Male is a protective factor against the infection [aOR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.56; P ꞊ .007]. The non-use of condom [aOR: 21.58; 95% CI: 3.53 – 132.06; P ꞊ .001] and having encountered three or more sexual partners [aOR: 9.90; 95%CI: 1.07 – 91.60; P ꞊ .043] were the significant predictors of Chlamydia seropositivity.

Conclusion: The implementation of proactive strategies to curb down the spread of the infection is necessary in this locality. This can be done by providing NAATs to as many health facilities as possible, educating the population and standardizing treatment protocols.
Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Madhumidha K.
Published: August 2021

Thyroid problems are more common in people with type 2 diabetes. They have microvascular problems as a result of hypothyroidism. Patients with diabetes and hypothyroidism have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetic individuals who are screened for thyroid dysfunction will be able to receive early therapy for hypothyroidism. The goal of this study was to determine the extent of thyroid dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes and the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and diabetic complications. This study is to be conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai for a period of 1 year 200 patients were selected 100 were diabetics and 100 were controls (non-diabetic). 24 patients out of 100 subjects were detected to have thyroid dysfunction. 17 patients were detected to have SCH, 6 had primary hypothyroidism and I had primary hyperthyroidism. No case of subclinical hyperthyroidism was detected. TSH values were significantly higher in diabetics. Thyroid dysfunction especially SCH was prevalent in diabetics. There was a poor glycemic control in diabetics with thyroid dysfunction.
Development and Evaluation of Nanoemulsions for Phenytoin Drug Loading
Authors: Joshi Neha , Juyal Vijay , Joshi Himanshu , Dang Shweta
Published: August 2021

Aims: To understand about the nanoemulsion types and the process formation of spontaneous emulsification method by phase inversion. Then to test the different combinations of Oil, Surfactants and Co-surfactants for formation of suitable nanoemulsions for phenytoin drug loading.

Study Design: Spontaneous emulsification method by phase inversion used to form the nanoemulsions.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.

Methodology: Phenytoin is a widely used drug in anticonvulsants class for epilepsy which comes under BCS Class II of drug category. Phenytoin has high permeability property but it also shows low solubility property which makes it difficult to absorb from GI tract hence make a poor penetration into the brain to target disease in the CNS. To overcome the situation of poor delivery of phenytoin, the requirement of nanoparticulate drug delivery as an innovative and effective drug delivery system from nose to brain raised. The objective of our study was to find the best combination of oil and Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant mixture) to form o/w (Oil in Water) nanoemulsions suitable for loading phenytoin drug using spontaneous emulsification method for brain targeting.

Results: Based on different compositions of oil (sunflower), surfactants (Tween-20), and co-surfactants (Transcutol P), forty-five test mixtures were made, water titration technique was employed for preparing the pseudo-ternary-phase diagrams. On the basis of these phase diagrams twenty-five phenytoin loaded nanoemulsions were formulated and further examined. After physicochemical characterization of these formulations the viscosity, pH, RI and % transmittance was found (6.149 ± 0.084 to 9.114 ± 0.027), (6.546 ± 0.018 to 6.656 ± 0.017), (1.395 ± 0.003 to 1.41 ± 0.005) and (94.53 ± 1.4% to 95.58 ± 1.2%) respectively. The release rate of phenytoin was found very satisfactory i.e., 98.51 ± 0.25 % to 99.82 ± 0.28 % after 24 hrs. The four formulations showed best release rate had further taken for particle size analysis. The particle size analysis showed that all the properties were in the desired range i.e., droplet size (18.9 to 21.9), zeta potential (-12.4 to -28.8), PDI (0.334 to 0.363). The study shows that the phenytoin loaded nanoemulsion is possible to make by water titration method and shall have a good drug release rate.

Conclusion: The nanoemulsion formulations passed through stress testing had also showed good release rate of phenytoin. Also, the other parameters like viscosity, pH, RI and percentage transmittance were in a quit satisfactory range to proceed further with these formulations. The particle size analysis confirms the formation of nanoemultions which had very good drug release rates.
Study to Determine the Complications and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors: Shah Ghazanfar Ali , Keerio Niaz Hussain , Khanzada Aftab Alam , Joyo Muhammad Rafique , Ahmed Nizam , Afzal Tanveer , Noor Syed Shahid
Published: August 2021

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is a solitary most costly and severe complication of diabetes mellitus. Foot ulcers are the after-effect of a combination of various causes, counting peripheral arterial disease and peripheral neuropathy. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers for the most part require lower limb amputation.

Objective: The purpose of this examination is to survey the outcomes and complications of diabetic foot ulcers in diabetic patients and to explore the impacts of certain hazard factors on ulcer healing.

Place and Duration: In the Orthopedic unit, Dow University Of Medical and Health Sciences, SMBBIT Karachi, for nearly a two-year duration from March 2018 to April 2020.

Methods: This study was conducted on 120 patients. All patients with diabetes and DFU 18 to 90 of age were selected. 120 grown-up patients with DFUs were selected for the analysis. The diabetes duration and demographic data were recorded. Clinical proof of infection has been accounted for, as indicated by the American Association for Infectious Diseases. At that point debridement and careful treatment were begun to evacuate all the dead tissue. Follow-up was done week by week for two-year. SPSS 22 was utilized for data collection and statistical analysis. Data are introduced as a percentage and p < 0.05 was considered as the significance level. The Fisher’s test and χ2 test were utilized to test the variables relationship. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to change different variables when testing the impact of each risk factor on the outcome of DFU.

Results: A sum of 120 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were selected. 60% of patients had relieved ulcers, 8% still not resolved; In 27% of patients, minimum amputation, 7% more protuberant amputation, 2% repetitive ulcer and mortality rate was 1%. The investigation indicated that there is a measurably noteworthy connection between the foot ulcers healing with diabetes and the accompanying factors: HbA1c level, patients’ age, diabetes duration, diabetes complications (ulcer size and peripheral neuropathy).

Conclusion: The outcomes and complications of diabetic foot ulceration can be anticipated by a few factors, some of which can be changed. Changing compatible factors, for example, better diabetes control, peripheral neuropathy treatment and early treatment of ulcers can reduce complications and encourage healing of ulcers.
Activation of ERK–Drp1 signaling promotes hypoxia‐induced Aβ accumulation by upregulating mitochondrial fission and BACE1 activity
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Chen Jingjiong , Ge Xuhua , Deng Jiangshan , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhao Yuwu , Wang Hongmei
Published: August 2021

Hypoxia is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides, mitochondrial fission is increased in response to hypoxia. In this study, we sought to investigate whether hypoxia‐induced mitochondrial fission plays a critical role in regulating amyloid‐β (Aβ) production. Hypoxia significantly activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), increased phosphorylation of dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1) at serine 616, and decreased phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 637. Importantly, hypoxia triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated β‐secretase 1 (BACE1) and γ‐secretase activities, and promoted Aβ accumulation in HEK293 cells transfected with β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) plasmid harboring the Swedish and Indiana familial Alzheimer's disease mutations (APPSwe/Ind HEK293 cells). Then, we investigated whether the ERK inhibitor PD325901 and Drp1 inhibitor mitochondrial division inhibitor‐1 (Mdivi‐1) would attenuate hypoxia‐induced mitochondrial fission and Aβ generation in APPSwe/Ind HEK293 cells. PD325901 and Mdivi‐1 inhibited phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 616, resulting in reduced mitochondrial fission under hypoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction, BACE1 activation, and Aβ accumulation were downregulated by PD325901 and Mdivi‐1. Our data demonstrate that hypoxia induces mitochondrial fission, impairs mitochondrial function, and facilitates Aβ generation. The ERK–Drp1 signaling pathway is partly involved in the hypoxia‐induced Aβ generation by regulating mitochondrial fission and BACE1 activity. Therefore, inhibition of hypoxia‐induced mitochondrial fission may prevent or slow the progression of AD.