bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of loss of anesthesia management opportunities and procedural skills due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: An experience of six months from a tertiary care cancer teaching institute
Authors: Wajekar Anjana S. , Pargunde Sagar D. , Thota Raghu S.
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims:

COVID-19 has necessitated restrictions on elective surgical workload, which could adversely affect the learning of the core clinical competencies of the postgraduate anesthesiology trainees. The aim was to assess and compare the loss of elective cases requiring anesthesia management and associated procedural skills in six months since lockdown compared to the same duration in 2019.

Material and Methods:

We compared the data, obtained from electronic medical records, of the total number of elective surgeries requiring anesthesia management and the following procedural skills in both adults and pediatric patients in 6 months duration in 2019 and 2020: 1) Laryngoscopy and Intubation 2) Laryngeal mask airway 3) Arterial and central line cannulations and 4) Spinal, Epidural, Other Regional blocks.

Results:

A total of 8458 and 3561 elective procedures were performed in the six-month period in 2019 and 2020 respectively, reflecting a 57.9% reduction due to lockdown. There was a proportionate reduction in the adult and pediatric procedures, operating room and non-operating room procedures, and surgeries performed under general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care. There was a significant increase in the number of surgeries performed under regional anesthesia (486%). Epidurals blocks and other regional blocks also showed a proportionate reduction respectively. Although the total number of video-laryngoscopy assisted intubations show an absolute reduction, when compared to the total number of cases performed in the respective years, we found an increase (2.06% in 2019 vs 3.8% in 2020). The arterial cannulations reduced by 43.29% but the central line cannulations reduced by only 12.28%.

Conclusion:

There was a significant reduction in both the anesthesia management opportunities and in the total number of associated procedural skills due to COVID-19 lockdown which could adversely affect the learning of core clinical competencies of postgraduate trainees.
Evaluation of Immunohistochemical Expression of Topoisomerase II Alpha Protein in Patients with Breast Cancer and Its Correlation with Different Prognostic Factors
Authors: Al-Alawchi Mohammed Saeed Sharif Fadhil , Alkafaji Haider Abdul Ridha
Published: July 2022

Background:

There are indications to support the knowledge about the prognosis of breast cancer. One of these markers is regarded as a prognostic factor and related to the proliferation rate. Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A), encoded by the TOP2A gene, is a molecular target for anthracycline therapy.

Aims:

The aim of this article is to establish any association of the status of topoisomerase IIa immunohistochemistry with different prognostic clinicopathological and molecular parameters in breast cancer.

Settings and Design:

A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Babylon University, during the period from January 2020 through December 2020.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty cases with invasive breast carcinoma have been obtained from surgical modified radical mastectomy specimens from the Laboratory of Histopathology in Al-Kafeel Specialized Hospital, Karbala for the last 3 years (2017–2019). Different clinicopathological variables were estimated. The expression of TOP2A was stained by using the PathnSitu PolyExcel Detection System of Immunostaining.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Immunostaining with TOP2A expression used a cut-off value of 10%. The results were considered statistically significant if the P-value was ≤ 0.05.

Results:

Fifty cases of TOP2A overexpression were classified as follows: 28 cases (56%) had 3+ expression, 4 cases (8%) with 2+ expression, and 4 cases (8%) with 1+ expression, whereas 14 cases had no expression of TOP2A (28%). TOP2A overexpression was shown to be associated with a higher grade (P = 0.023) and molecular subtypes (P = 0.057), but not with other clinicopathological parameters (age of patients, type of histology, number of lymph nodes involved, tumor size).

Conclusion:

According to these results, TOP2A plays a major role in the aggressive nature of tumors. This may support the suggestion to be used as a prognosis marker.
Understanding the Significance of High Stakes and Low Stakes Assessments in Medical Undergraduate Training
Authors: Shrivastava Saurabh RamBihariLal , Shrivastava Prateek Saurabh
Published: July 2022

Assessment is a crucial part of the medical curriculum and is present throughout the duration of undergraduate training. Assessments should be planned in such a way that something should always be at stake (means the consequence of the assessment). Conducting assessments without keeping anything at stake makes the students adopt a casual approach toward examination, while using the results of the assessment for promotion to the next professional year accounts for an immense amount of stress and anxiety. To conclude, both high stakes and low stakes assessments have pros and cons, and the ideal approach will be to employ them as a continuum and use a mix of them. This will significantly aid in improving the learning outcomes of the students and in the attainment of the desired competencies.
Tubularized Preputial Free Graft One-Stage Repair for Proximal Hypospadias
Authors: Al-Hajjar Bassam Khalid
Published: July 2022

Background:

One of the most frequent urogenital malformations in newborn boys is hypospadias. After undescended testis, in boys, it is the second most popular congenital abnormality. There are different one-stage surgical procedures used to repair proximal hypospadias, each has its own advantages and outcome. One of them is tubularized preputial free graft, which is first tried by the urologist team of Horton and Devine who used full thickness preputial grafts tubularized in a single-stage operation.

Aim:

The aim of this article is to assess the outcome of a one-stage tubularized preputial free graft.

Materials and Methods:

The present case series study provides a prospective analysis of 88 proximal hypospadiac boys operated on primarily over more than 5.5 years (from March 2014 to September 2019) using preputial skin as a tubularized free graft in one stage. Ethical approval for this review was obtained.

Results:

The present study includes 88 boys with hypospadias with mean age 20.6 months (ranging from 5 months to 7.5 years). The proximal hypospadias represents 33 (37.5%), penoscrotal 51 (58.0%), and scrotal 4 (4.5%) boys. Thirty-three boys out of 88 are under 12 years, 29 are between 12 and 24 years, and 26 above 24 years. The postoperative complications reported are fistula which occurs in 9 (10.3%), glans dehiscence in 3 (3.4%), meatal stenosis in 3 (3.4%), and diverticulum in 2 (2.3%), and numbers of complications with respect to age groups were six complications under 12 years, two complications between 12 and 24 years, and nine complications above 24 years.

Conclusion:

One-stage correction using a tubularized preputial free graft is an appropriate choice for repairing proximal hypospadias with chordee when compared with other widely used procedures for proximal cases.
Effect of the Dietary Protein Intake on Urea Reduction Rate in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis in Merjan Teaching Hospital
Authors: Al-Shibly Khalid H. , Al-Diwan Jawad K.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) constitutes a major health problem worldwide. The mainstay of nutritional treatment in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is the provision of an adequate amount of protein and energy.

Objective:

The present study aims to assess the correlation of protein consumption with dialysis adequacy in patients on hemodialysis.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dialysis Unit of Merjan Hospitals, Babil Governorate, Iraq on 64 hemodialysis patients from April to August 2021. The tools used for the data collection were anthropometry, medical information, and 24-h dietary recalls. A descriptive analysis was performed.

Results:

The food intake was evaluated and compared with the recommended intake. The patients’ average energy intake was 18.7 ± 7.2 kcal/kg/day, which represents 53.4% of the recommended daily energy intake for dialysis patients. About 75% of the consumed energy was provided by carbohydrates, 12.2% was provided by fats, and the rest 14.6 was provided by protein. The average dietary intake of protein was 0.71 ± 0.29 g/kg/day. Only 7.8% of the patients had met the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein intake. In the study sample, the measures of the delivered dose of hemodialysis therapy are directly correlated to the amount of consumed protein per kilogram body weight. But this correlation is only significant for patients who consume 1.2 g/kg body weight or less.

Conclusion:

The energy and protein intake were significantly low when compared with specific recommendations for individuals in hemodialysis; a dietician has an important role in providing nutritional education to the patients to improve the nutrient intake.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Heart Failure with Preserved, Mildly Reduced, and Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Rahman Goran Adnan , Al-Othman Abdulkareem Abdulwahab
Published: July 2022

Background and Objective:

Heart failure is a major public health problem with 64.3 million people affected all over the world, and it is an important cause for hospital admission and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical characteristics, frequency of hospitalization, and outcomes of heart failure with preserved, mildly reduced, and reduced ejection fraction.

Materials and Methods:

This is a prospective study of 91 patients aged more than 18 years of both genders with clinical features of heart failure supported by transthoracic echocardiography, who had been admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of Hawler Teaching Hospital for the period from October 2019 to February 2021. Heart failure patients were classified into preserved, mildly reduced, and reduced ejection fraction according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines 2021 for the diagnosis of heart failure. The hospital outcomes, echocardiographic variables, the frequency of hospitalization, and mortality over 6 months were compared.

Results:

Among the 91 patients, the majority were females 48 (52.7%), the male: female ratio is 1:1.1, and the majority had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction 68 (75%). Ischemic heart disease 27 (30%) accounts for the majority of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Hyperlipidemia 17 (18.9%), orthopnea 15 (16.7%), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea 15 (16.5%), cardiovascular hospitalization 13 (14.3%), and mortality 6 (6.6%) were higher in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Conclusion:

The high frequency rate of ischemic heart disease was reported in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Cardiovascular hospitalization and mortality rate were higher among heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.
To Identify the Risk Factors Associated with Development of Anterior Abdominal Wall Hernia
Authors: Kumar Mohnish , Shankar Manu , Joshi Richa , Prasad Shobhit Kumar
Published: July 2022

Background:

Numerous risk factors for the development of hernia have been identified, including abnormal collagen fiber organization and increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to investigate if one or both of these factors (arrangement of collagen fibers and increased intra-abdominal pressure) contribute to the formation of hernias.

Materials and Methods:

Adolescents and adults with anterior abdominal wall hernia were admitted to the hospital and underwent surgery after completing a standard preoperative evaluation protocol that included a detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Prior to anesthesia induction in the operation room, intra-abdominal pressure was measured using a Foley's catheter attached to a pressure transducer. According to their condition, the patients underwent routine surgery, either laparoscopic or open. Excision of the sac and submission to the histo-pathological examination for collagen analysis using two different stains, Masson's trichrome and Gomori's reticulin. Categorical variables were quantified using numbers and percentages (percent), whereas continuous variables were quantified using the mean, standard deviation, and median. The chi-square test was used to ascertain correlations between qualitative variables. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

We considered a total of 200 patients, 50 of whom served as controls. Elevated intra-abdominal pressure has been identified as a risk factor for ventral wall hernia. Collagen fibers in patients with hernias were found to be disorganized at the microscopic level. Obesity and elevated intra-abdominal pressure were found to be statistically significant predictors of collagen disorder and the development of hernias. Hernias are more likely to occur as people age. Although chronic cough has been linked to metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, we found no statistically significant link.

Conclusions:

Intra-abdominal pressure elevation, disordered collagen fiber arrangement, obesity and increasing age are risk factors associated with hernia development.
Effect of Isometric Exercise on Heart Rate Variability in Prehypertensive Young Adults
Authors: Kotwal Suresh K. , Charak Garima , Rafiq Nadeema , Shekhar Sudhanshu , Nabi Tauseef
Published: July 2022

Background and Objective:

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a sensitive and specific non-invasive tool to evaluate the degree of heart rate variation under the balanced influence of sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the cardiac autonomic nervous system. The aim was to study the effect of isometric hand grip exercise on HRV in prehypertensive young adults and to find a correlation of HRV with body mass index (BMI).

Materials and Methods:

This observational study was done on 60 healthy young adults aged 18–30 years. All the subjects were divided into three groups of 20 each on the level of their BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Group I were subjects with BMI <25 and normotensive, group II with BMI <25 and prehypertensive, and group III with BMI >25 and prehypertensive. HRV analysis (Chart HRV module, ADInstruments Pty Ltd) was performed with the following parameters calculated: low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and LF/HF ratio.

Results:

LF/HF ratio was significantly increased (P<0.001) in prehypertensive subjects (groups II and III) when compared with the normotensive subjects (group I), which indicates a heightened sympathetic discharge in prehypertensives. A positive correlation between anthropometric parameters and cardiac autonomic activity parameters and increased sympathetic activity in obese subjects were noted.

Conclusion:

An increase in anthropometric indices is associated with a change in cardiac autonomic activity, especially toward sympathetic activity. Regular anthropometric assessment can prevent the development of cardiac abnormalities and the incidence of sudden cardiac death.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Hussein Zahir Salih
Published: July 2022

Background:

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, currently the top cause of infectious death from a single pathogen worldwide.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of clinical and radiological presentations of pulmonary TB on mortality.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective case series study was performed on 215 patients (120 females and 95 males) using the recorded files of patients who were registered as pulmonary TB at the Chest and Respiratory Disease Center in Erbil, Iraq. Recorded files were studied from January 2018 to December 2019.

Results:

The mean age ± SD of the patients was 44.03 ± 21.57 years (ranged from 1 to 91 years), and female to male ratio was of 1.16:1. The right lung [97 (45.1%)] and upper zones [148 (68.8%)] were involved more frequently than other zones. Infiltration [120 (56%)] was the most common lung lesion. Clinical symptoms such as hemoptysis, weight loss, night sweat, shortness of breath, and chest pain were associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality. The right upper zones were affected more than other zones, and its involvement was statically significant. The involvement of both lungs had significant higher mortality [9 (25.7%)] than a single lung involvement [right lung: 2 (2.1%) versus left lung: 3 (3.9%)]; P value was <0.0001. The lower lung zone involvement has higher mortality [7 (19.4%)], and the type of lung lesion such as miliary distribution and cavitation has higher mortality, 2 (100%) and 3 (14.3%), respectively; P value was <0.016.

Conclusion:

Poor predictors of the outcome of pulmonary TB include clinical (hemoptysis, weight loss, night sweat, shortness of breath, and chest pain) and radiological (both lung involvement, upper zones especially the right upper zone, miliary distribution, and cavitation) presentations.
Factors Contribute to Elevated Blood Pressure Values in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Akram Nabeeha Najatee , Abdullah Wasnaa Hadi , Ibrahim Basma Adel
Published: July 2022

Hypertension is common in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Although the exact prevalence of hypertension in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus is unknown, many studies show rates ranging from 6% to 16%. Several studies looked at the variables that impact blood pressure levels in type 1 diabetes. However, articles in pediatric age group are limited. Upon reviewing the recently published articles, the factors which found to have a significant relationship with blood pressure readings in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus are as follows: patient age, gender, body composition, total fat percentage, body mass index, diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin levels, and diabetic nephropathy.
Diabetic Nephropathy in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus with Vitamin D Deficiency and Dyslipidemia as Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Abdullah Wasnaa Hadi , Kadhum Ausama Jamal , Baghdadi Ghazwan Abdulsalam
Published: July 2022

Background:

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and significant chronic complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is linked to poor control of diabetes and its complications including the microvascular one such as DN. Dyslipidemia is believed to play a role in DN progression.

Objective:

The aim of this article is to estimate the prevalence of DN in children and adolescents with type 1 DM and its association with VD deficiency and dyslipidemia as risk factors.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months on 45 patients (children and adolescents) who attended the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic of the National Diabetic Center/Al-Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad city, Iraq. The age of study participants ranged from 10 to 17 years, with the duration of type 1 DM of 5 years or more. Data including age, gender, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose per kilogram body weight, growth measurements, and blood pressure (BP) were reported. A venous blood sample was collected for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, VD level, whereas a urine sample was collected for albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Two of the three specimens were obtained within a 3–6-month period due to variability in urinary albumin excretion.

Results:

The majority of diabetic children (71.1%) had DN. There were no significant differences in age, gender, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and BP between patients with diabetes and nephropathy and those with only diabetes. Both insulin dose and the HbA1c levels were significantly greater in diabetic patients with nephropathy (P-value 0.018 and 0.04, respectively) compared with diabetic patients without nephropathy. Insufficient and deficient VD levels were significantly higher among diabetic patients with nephropathy, whereas the sufficient level was higher among diabetic patients without nephropathy (P = 0.020). Diabetic patients with nephropathy had significantly higher levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL but lower high-density lipoprotein levels than diabetic patients without nephropathy (P-values 0.004, 0.047, 0.024, and 0.030 respectively).

Conclusion:

DN was not significantly associated with age, gender, disease duration, BMI, and BP of patients. Patients with DN need higher doses of insulin therapy and had higher HbA1c levels. VD deficiency is linked to a higher risk of DN. Patients with nephropathy had more significant dyslipidemia than patients without nephropathy.
Bone Marrow Examination
Authors: Majumdar Arijit , Biswas Soumali , Jana Angshuman
Published: July 2022

Background:

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) is a common diagnostic dilemma that needs a number of diagnostic modalities to arrive at a diagnosis. Bone marrow examination is one of the common tests implicated in the diagnosis in combination with others. Authors, in this study, have attempted to explore the role of bone marrow morphological study in determining the various causes of PUO in children.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted at Dr. B. C. Roy PGIPS, Kolkata, West Bengal over the period of 2 years. Bone marrow aspiration was performed and evaluated morphologically in 100 patients. Marrow trephine biopsy was also performed in some cases, undiagnosed in aspiration smears, to reach at a conclusion.

Results:

Besides reactive hyperplasia (25%), other frequent outcomes were acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 15 (15%), marked hemophagocytosis in 15 (15%), and visceral leishmaniasis in 5 (5%) patients.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis of PUO can be aided by the morphologic examination of bone marrow. Bone marrow biopsy is a complementary and in some respects, better diagnostic tool than aspiration in patients with PUO. This study will help to know the current spectrum of diseases causing PUO in children in this region.
How Obesity Affects Female Fertility
Authors: Al-yasiry Rabab Zahir , Jwad Mufeda Ali , Hasan Muhjah Falah , Alsayigh Haythem Ali
Published: July 2022

Obesity and excessive weight affect not only overall health but also reproductive health. Many obese women are infertile, and multiple research have demonstrated the link between obesity and infertility. In addition to anovulation and menstrual abnormalities, obesity has been linked to reduced conception rate, as well as a reduced responsiveness to fertility treatment. It also raises the risk of miscarriage and increases the likelihood of neonatal and maternal complications. Treatment of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity treatment, is linked to improved reproductive function thus treating obesity must be the first priority in infertile obese women before considering drugs of ovulation induction or procedures of assisted reproduction.
Methodology to eliminate errors in machining processes through Augmented Reality Applications
Authors: MERAZ MÉNDEZ Manuel , REYNOSO JARDON Elva Lilia
Published: July 2022

Today, precision machining companies must implement new technologies to meet the requirements of the aerospace and automotive industries to maintain their competitiveness in the market and create new business opportunities. It has currently been observed that machining companies face errors in their processes that affect the quality of the products, the operation of the process, the useful life of the machines, and the tools. This research project aims to develop a methodology to reduce errors in Computerized Numerical Control machining (CNC) processes with Augmented Reality Applications (AR-Apps) that help operators interpret manufacturing drawings and assembly operations optimize Setup operations and ensure the reliability of the machining. It begins with a questionnaire applied to a sample of machining companies from Chihuahua Mexico City. To identify the factors that generate critical errors in the machining processes. The main results obtained in this paper are reduction of downtime, elimination of scrap, increment cutting tools life, optimize the machining process, increase productivity, and improved product quality. AR -apps implementation offers a low-cost alternative solution that operators and technicians can use very easily because it is a powerful tool that helps work more efficiently through virtual environments, reducing errors and optimizing the process of machining.
Homogeneous quasimorphisms, $C^0$-topology and Lagrangian intersection
Authors: Kawamoto Yusuke
Published: July 2022

We construct an example of a non-trivial homogeneous quasimorphism on the group of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms of the two and four dimensional quadric hypersurfaces which is continuous with respect to both the

C^0

-metric and the Hofer metric. This answers a variant of a question of Entov–Polterovich–Py which is one of the open problems listed in the monograph of McDuff–Salamon. Throughout the proof, we make extensive use of the idea of working with different coefficient fields in quantum cohomology rings. As a by-product of the arguments in the paper, we answer a question of Polterovich–Wu regarding homogeneous quasimorphisms on the group of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms of the complex projective plane and prove some intersection results about Lagrangians in the four dimensional quadric hypersurface.
Handlebody diagram algebras
Authors: Tubbenhauer Daniel , Vaz Pedro
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we study handlebody versions of some classical diagram algebras, most prominently, handlebody versions of Temperley–Lieb, blob, Brauer, BMW, Hecke and Ariki–Koike algebras. Moreover, motivated by Green–Kazhdan–Lusztig’s theory of cells, we reformulate the notion of (sandwich, inflated or affine) cellular algebras. We explain this reformulation and how all of the above algebras are part of this theory.
Editorial: Les gènes et la maladie
Authors: Mubungu Gerrye Lumbono
Published: July 2022

Editorial-Genes and disease
Use of Traffic Signal Lights in Vehicle– to– Vehicle Communication on Underground Mine Ramps
Authors: Normanyo E. , Ainoo C. L.
Published: July 2022

To minimise collisions and road accidents, road safety systems require Vehicle– to– Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle–    to– Road (V2R) communication infrastructure. Two-way traffic flow dynamics in single-lane underground mine haulage ramps do affect productivity of ramp in times of ore transportation to the surface for processing. Optical wireless communication offers no health hazard, low power consumption, non-licensed channels and high bandwidth. In this research, V2V communication on an underground mine ramp has been actualised making use of traffic signal lights, Radio Frequency (RF) Transmitters (Tx) and Receivers (Rx), and a traffic signal lights module. Simulation outcomes confirm orderly movement of two heavy vehicles on the haulage ramp. This development stands to minimise the incidents occurrence rate in mine ramp haulage systems.
Performance of Equilibrium Zeolite in Water-Based Mud at Elevated Temperature Conditions
Authors: Amarfio E. M. , Amorin R. , Brobbey O. , Ikiensikimama S. S.
Published: July 2022

This study looks at the performance of nano equilibrium zeolite treated drilling fluids at high temperatures conditions, and their potential as alternatives for oil-based muds (OBM). Mud samples for this study were prepared and aged with the equilibrium zeolite nanoparticles concentrations of 0.0 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g and 1.5 g. Tests were performed to determine the rheological, filtration control properties, the pH and consequently the thermal stability of the study mud samples over a temperature range of 120 °F to 360 °F. One sample without the equilibrium zeolite served as a control for the study. From the results obtained, all the nano samples had their rheological properties not exhibiting much significant variation with temperature, thus they were more thermally stable, with the optimum nanoparticle concentration being 1.5 g. It was also hypothesized that the nano equilibrium zeolite behaved as thinners, since they were able to reduce the shear stresses, yield points, plastic viscosities and gel strengths of the mud samples as temperature was varied incrementally. It was therefore concluded that the optimum concentration of aged equilibrium zeolite has the potential to act as a thermal stability additive for Water Based Mud systems (WBMs).
Evaluation of the Push-pull Model on the Effect of COVID-19 on the Employment Stability in the Private and Informal Sector in parts of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Adebayo O. L. , Nkemnole E. B. , Adewara J. A.
Published: July 2022

This study tends to examine the push-pull model on the effect of covid-19 on the employment stability in the private and informal sector in parts of Lagos state, Nigeria. Survey method was adopted and population was drawn from employees across the low income private and informal sector in some of the LGA of Lagos state, Nigeria. Questionnaire was sent through the Google form via e-mails and WhatsApp to about 245 target respondents and 229 was returned completed. A Push-Pull model was developed using stochastic statistical model to obtain the transition probabilities and the stationary distribution. The results revealed that 132, with transitional probability of 0.5788, of low-income private sector employees remain on the job and are willing to pull back to work while 92 individuals with transitional probability of 0.4057 wish to explore other industries and only 5 employees with transitional probability of 0.0165 were ready to defect to other industry.
Microbial Analysis and Sensory Attributes of Garri Produced and Marketed in Bida Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Obi P. U. , Mohammed Y. M. , Okeke K. S. , Ibrahim N. J. , Ajayi M. A. , Benedict A. U. , Umar M.
Published: July 2022

Garri is one of the most preferred cassava products due to its less expensive nature, less bulky, easy to cook and not readily perishable. This study was carried out to ascertain the microbial analysis and sensory attributes of garri produced and marketed in Bida Niger state, Nigeria. The collected samples were analyzed using standard methods and procedures. The results show moisture content of the garri sample ranged from 7.0 to 11.0%. The swelling index ranged from 2.0 to 4.0%.  The mean bacteria count ranged from 4.04±3.98 to 4.11±3.98 Cfu/g and the mean fungal count ranged from 3.57±3.50 to 3.62±3.50 Cfu/g. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mean bacterial and fungal count observed among the samples from the studied garri production area. The bacterial isolates encountered were Micrococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella sp. While the fungal isolates were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. Most of the isolates are of public health importance and there is need to maintain a clean, safe personal and environmental hygiene in garri producing areas of Bida Niger state to avoid microbial contamination.
Early Prediction of Cerebrovascular Disease using Boosting Machine Learning Algorithms to Assist Clinicians
Authors: Abdullahi S. D. , Muhammad S. A.
Published: July 2022

Clinicians are required to make an early prediction of diseases to save a  life, especially cerebrovascular diseases. The objective of this research is to use mathematical models such as boosting machine learning algorithms as a tool to be applied by clinicians for cerebrovascular disease. This paper particularly, considered XGBoost, AdaBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost Classifiers to predict cerebrovascular disease using age, gender, BMI, hypertension, heart disease, residence type, ever married, smoking status, and average glucose level of the patients. Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique Edited Nearest Neighbors Under-sampling (SMOTE-ENN) and Feature Engineering were applied to the dataset to enhance the performance of the algorithms. The result obtained showed that XGBoost Classifier is the best model with an accuracy of 98% and an AUC of 0.983.
Impact of Processing on Physical, Chemical and Pasting Properties of Tamarind (T. indica) Seed Flour
Authors: Makinde F. M. , Ayodele T. I.
Published: July 2022

Tamarind seed is a discarded waste material from the tamarind pulp industry. The seed contains plethora of nutrients, however its application as food ingredient in Nigeria is limited. This study investigated the impact of processing techniques on physical (colour), proximate, mineral, anti-nutrient and pasting properties of tamarind seed flour using standard methods. Unprocessed seeds (sample A) served as the control, soaked seeds (sample B), roasted seeds (sample C) and autoclaved seeds (sample D). The obtained flour samples were analysed for the physical (colour), proximate, mineral, anti-nutrient and pasting properties using standard methods. Colour values (L*) of seed flour decreased whereas a* and b* values increased in processed flours compared to the control. Raw and processed tamarind seed flours are composed mainly of carbohydrate (65.0-75.2%) and protein (2.3-12.7%) with minuscule quantities of dietary fibre (3.50-7.10%), fat (5.4-6.8%) and ash (1.25-2.08%). The results revealed the following ranges in mineral concentrations: calcium (11.72-18.76mg/100g), magnesium (125.48-152.55mg/100g), potassium (224.49-487.37mg/100g) and iron (22.34-31.04mg/100g). Boiling, autoclaving and roasting significantly (p≤0.05) altered the anti-nutritional contents of tamarind seeds. There exist variation in the pasting viscosities with the control and processed tamarind flours being significantly different (p≤0.05).  The study highlighted that roasting of the seeds could eliminate the anti-nutrients and improved the quality of seeds compared to soaking and autoclaving processes. Exploring the potential of tamarind seeds for human consumption will clearly reduce the over-dependence on common legumes as protein source in marginalised communities.
Exploring the cultural appropriateness of a psychosocial intervention, the Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered (THPP), for perinatal depression in Lilongwe, Malawi
Authors: Ng’oma Mwawi , Atif Najia , Meltzer-Brody Samantha , C. Stewart Robert , Chirwa Ellen
Published: July 2022

BackgroundPerinatal depression is a common and disabling mental health problem in Malawi and other Low- and middle-income countries. There is evidence for effective psychosocial interventions for perinatal depression, but no such intervention has been developed for use in Malawi. The broad aim of this study was to explore the cultural appropriateness of a psychosocial intervention for perinatal depression called the Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered for adaptation and use in Lilongwe, Malawi. MethodsA qualitative exploratory design was used. Data were collected through conducting five Focus Group Discussions, involving thirty-eight purposefully selected participants including pregnant women, community volunteers and their supervisors, the Health Surveillance Assistants and maternal health care workers at implementation and policy level following observations of video recorded role plays of the Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered sessions in theatre testing. A content analysis approach was used to analyse data.ResultsSix main themes were generated regarding the appropriateness of the content and delivery of the Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered intervention, including: 1) Focus of the intervention; 2) Cultural appropriateness of the content; 3) Language used; 4) Context; 5) Provider of the intervention; and 6) Flexibility in the delivery of the intervention. The Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered intervention was deemed appropriate for the target population, though with recommendations to: review illustrations to enhance clarity, use culturally appropriate stories and idioms, use daily spoken language, and adapt the number and duration of sessions to meet the needs of individual clients.ConclusionsThese findings highlight important areas to inform adaptation of the Thinking Healthy Programme-Peer delivered and add to the growing evidence of cultural adaptation of psychosocial interventions for perinatal depression.
The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Nutritional Status and Anxiety Levels in Turkish Young Adults
Authors: Yildiz Müberra , Esra Çitar Daziroğlu Merve , Akbulut Gamze
Published: July 2022

BackgroundThe pandemic called “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19), which first appeared in China, then spread to the whole world, has had negative consequences in many areas, especially in health. The long-term quarantine process caused by the pandemic and the experienced stress had a great impact on nutritional habits. AimIn this study, it was aimed to determine the change in anxiety levels and eating habits of young adults after the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThe data were obtained through an online questionnaire between April and July 2020. In the questionnaire, the general and health information of the individuals, their nutritional habits, and anthropometric measurements (height and body weight) were questioned. In addition, the food frequency questionnaire form and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied. ResultsA total of 823 (174 males and 649 females) participants were included in the study. The median ages of males and females were 27.0 (18.0) and 26.0 (8.0), respectively. According to the results of the food frequency questionnaire; it was found that among females, the consumption of egg, cheese, milk, yogurt, pickles, fruit, onion, garlic, lemon, salad, legumes, pastry, sweets, red meat, turmeric, and herbal tea were increased significantly in the post-pandemic period; and the consumption of milk, yogurt, garlic, and lemon significantly increased in males. It was also found that the anxiety levels of the females increased statistically significantly in the post-pandemic period. ConclusionIt was determined that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were statistically significant changes in the food intake patterns and anxiety levels of the participants. It is thought that the results obtained from this study may be a guide for further studies to determine the nutritional habits in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Folate levels in children with sickle cell anaemia on folic acid supplementation in steady state and crises at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria: a prospective, comparative study
Authors: C Nnajekwu Uchenna , O Nnajekwu Chukwubike , O Onukwuli Vivian , F  Chukwu Bartholomew , N Ikefuna Anthony , J Emodi Ifeoma
Published: July 2022

IntroductionFolic acid supplementation is an integral aspect of the management of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) especially in Africa. In spite of this, there have been concerns about lower folate levels, especially during crisis. AimTo determine red cell folate levels of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during crisis and compare with those with haemoglobin AA genotype. MethodThis study was prospective, hospital based, and comparative. Fifty children with sickle cell anaemia were recruited during crises and followed up until they met the criteria for attaining steady state. The controls were fifty children matched with those with SCA for age and gender and had haemoglobin AA genotype. Red cell folate estimation was done with the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) method using the automated Roche Cobas e411 equipment. ResultsThe median (IQR) red cell folate level in children during sickle cell crisis was 265.95 (134.50) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the median (IQR) of 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state. Most children with SCA (41 out of 50) had significantly higher folate levels during steady state (T=1081, Z-score= -4.660, p < 0.001). Median level of red cell folate was lower during anaemic crisis compared to vaso-occlusive crisis, though not significantly so (N(50), U = 214.00, Z-score= -1.077, p = 0.305). The median red cell folate level of normal controls was 343.55 (92.90) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state (N(50), U= 209.00, Z-score= -7.177, p <0.001). Conclusion Median red cell folate levels of the study participants were within normal limits, though most children with SCA had significantly higher levels during steady state compared to crisis. Normal controls had significantly lower red cell folate levels than the children with SCA during steady state.
A study on the Treatment of Hydrofluoric Acid Wastewater from Semiconductor Manufacturing Processes and the Possibility of Reuse of reclaimed water
Authors: Lee Sujeong , Han Ihnsup
Published: July 2022

Objectives : By eliminating fluorine and other ions through precipitation of fluoride and UF, RO membrane filtration using the hydrofluoric acid wastewater generated from the semiconductor production processes, this study aimed to investigate the possibility of the reuse of the reclaimed wastewater for the processes.Methods : For the experiment, firstly, the 2-stage precipitation of fluoride was done using Ca(OH)2 and PAC and it aimed to judge whether the water quality standards for reuse by each market were satisfied by eliminating colloidal particles and then other metal ions through the UF and RO membrane filtration.Results and Discussion : About 93 % of F- was removed through the 1st and 2nd precipitation. It can be also removed ammonium, phosphate ions, through the UF membrane filtration, about 95 % of particulate matter was removed and finally, the water quality for reuse was satisfied through RO filtration.Conclusion : This study found that the fluorine wastewater generated from the semiconductor production processes can be reused by precipitation and filtration methods without going through the existing complicated treatment methods. In the future, through such treatment procedures, it is expected to be able to secure the reuse of the reclaimed wastewater in the process.
Adsorption of Levofloxacin on Microplastics in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Lee Jooyoung , Park Jeong-Ann
Published: July 2022

Objectives : Recently, microplastics (MPs) is observed at surface water in worldwide because of massive use of plastics. Since MPs have a large specific surface area, they could provide adsorption sites to water contaminants such as Levofloxacin (LVF). LVF is one of widely used antibiotics and is detected in surface water. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate adsorption trend of LVF on polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene(PE) microplastics in aqueous solution.Methods : For kinetic adsorption experiment, 0.02 g of PP and PE MPs were placed in glass vials and mixed with LVF solution (10 mg/L) for 1-48 hours. And the experimental data was fitted to pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. For isotherm adsorption experiment, initial LVF concentrations were varied from 1 to 25 mg/L for 24 hours and the results were applied to Langmuir and Freundlich models. The Thermodynamic adsorption experiment was conducted in the temperature range of 298-318 K. Each cations (Na+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Pb3+) and LVF solution were both reacted with the MPs to determine effect of LVF adsorption when cations were coexistence.Results and Discussion : Based on the FT-IR analysis, it was confirmed that the prepared PP and PE MPs were consisted of the respective single polymer. The kinetic experiment results showed that LVF adsorption on PP and PE MPs reached equilibrium at 24 hours with adsorption capacities of PP (0.748 mg/g) and PE (0.801 mg/g) MPs, respectively. Kinetic data of PP MPs was well fitted to the pseudo-first order (R2=0.986) model, while the data of PE MPs was described well by the pseudo-second order (R2=0.992) model. The results of the isotherm experiments were explained well by the Freundlich model (R2>0.97), indicating that multilayer adsorption occurred in both MPs. The thermodynamic experiments showed that LVF adsorptions on each MPs were exothermic reaction and physical adsorption process. Cations can inhibit the adsorption of LVF to the MPs.Conclusion : This study shows that LVF could be adsorbed to PP and PE MPs in aqueous solution and its adsorption capacity can be changed according to the various factors: characteristics of polymer, reaction time, initial concentration of LVF, temperature, and coexistence of cations.
Educating for Democratic Citizenship: Views of Selected Jamaican Secondary Students
Authors: Davis-Morrison Vileitha
Published: July 2022

There have been numerous debates on the effectiveness of the education system in fostering the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes for active democratic citizens. This qualitative study investigated the views of secondary students in Jamaica on their perceptions of democracy, democratic citizenship, and citizenship education. The study also explored how the students viewed the state of democracy in their country and how their education has prepared them for their role as active democratic citizens. The sample was purposively selected and consisted of twelve grade eleven students who were interviewed through focus group interviews. The findings revealed that the students’ concept of democracy was based on political literacy including knowledge of democracy as a form of government and that democratic citizenship was related to the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Preparation for citizenship at school was effected mainly through school governance and the informal curriculum such as clubs and societies.
Toward TVET Certification: The Experiences, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Weekend Spa Therapy Trainees at the HEART College of Beauty Services
Authors: Heath Rosemarie
Published: July 2022

Any programme of sustainable development must include and should emphasize certification in technical, vocational education and training, and also create and support entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth. This research seeks to explore the perceptions, attitudes, experiences, and aspirations of twenty HEART Trust NTA Spa Therapy students while pursuing TVET certification at the HEART College of Beauty Services (HCBS) over 44 weekends. The researcher conducted qualitative research, employing a case study approach, using participant observation and interviews to determine students’ reasons for embarking upon the programme, their experiences during enrollment, reasons for withdrawal, and expectations upon successful completion. The researcher found that all participants wanted to start their own businesses but were daunted by the dim prospects of financial support. One recommendation was that the HEART Trust NTA should try to encourage organizations that are willing to take the risk of supporting a number of HEART graduates annually to start their own businesses (individually or collaboratively) through mentorship and financial aid; or encourage sponsorship in the form of business scholarships to outstanding HEART graduates. The research will be helpful in promoting the HCBS Spa Therapy programme; in assisting policymakers at the HEART Trust NTA and TVET stakeholders in general; as a guide for administrators at the HCBS; and as a consideration for macroeconomic planning by chief decisionmakers in government.