bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Development of Air Quality Monitoring System for Solapur City Using Smart Technologies: WSN and IoT
Authors: Hanif Mujawar Tabbsum , Prabhkar P. , Chaudhary Vijendra , Deshmukh Lalasaheb
Published: August 2021

Owing to enhancement in technology there is inclination in miniaturization of devices which demands to build up stumpy expensive sensor, least powered and hardy devices. Accordingly, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) has gained significance in diverse applications: Farming, household, industries and environmental monitoring. Wireless sensor network system worn to monitor and control the air quality of an environment is developed. The air pollution monitoring system that measures temperature, humidity, SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter), NOx and CO are proposed. The conventional air quality monitoring system, prescribed by the Pollution Control Department, is tremendously pricey. Analytical measuring paraphernalia is lavish, time and power overriding, and can seldom be used for air quality exposure in real time. Endeavor has been completed to develop state of art monitoring system using commercially available standard pollutant gas sensors incorporated into a mote. An exact program made with LabVIEW is formed to constitute the measurements of sensing used in the established network. Remote monitoring of the system is made possible using IoT.
Enhanced Lipocontouring of the Arms
Authors: Khanna Julie , Saheb-Al-Zamani Maryam
Published: August 2021

The visibility of arm contour in both men and women has been a source of discussion throughout time. Arm strength and athleticism is not limited to the male physique only. Iconic women such as Madonna and Michelle Obama have made discussions about arm contour more and more commonplace. Over the years arm contour has been a difficult area to address due to the thinness of the skin which often required surgical excision and unsightly scars. Liposuction of the arm has advanced to not only allow for improved contour but also options of refining muscular definition. With the addition of energy-based technologies such as radiofrequency, we can offer less invasive options to patients who may have previously only been candidates for excisional procedures. Liposuction of the arms can be performed under local anesthesia. This chapter introduces a new algorithm for assessment and treatment of arm contour which incorporates newer energy-based devices along with surgical options.
Bi-Ellipse Microstripline Antenna Array Varians
Authors: Artawan Putu
Published: August 2021

The objectives of this research include obtaining and verifying the impedance formula of the designed bi-ellipse microstrip antenna and correlating the results obtained through simulation and experimentation. The research also aims to obtain the structure and dimensions that provide optimal characteristics of the designed bi-ellipse microstrip antenna and produce a prototype at S, C and X-Band frequencies. This research produced the structure and dimensions of a bi-ellipse microstrip antenna that provide optimal characteristics of antenna. The characteristics results of the antenna parameters in this research include a 8x2 array, with a bandwidth value of around 100.0 MHz obtained at a working frequency of 7.09GHz (7.04 GHz - 7.14 GHz), with a reflection coefficient value of 0.02, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of 1.06, return loss of −30.00 dB and a gain of 7.30 dB. For the 8x4 array, a bandwidth value of approximately 210.0 MHz is obtained at a working frequency range of 2.85GHz, which ranges from 2.74GHz - 2.95GHz, with a reflection coefficient value of 0.04, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of 1.09, return loss of −27.06 dB and a gain of 8.19 dB. The results presented above fulfill the indicators of good antenna characteristics parameters applicable to radar communication systems.
Probiotics as Potential Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Infections: Current Reality or Remote Future?
Authors: Romario-Silva Diego , Akira Souza Sakaguchi Otavio , Cristina Barbosa da Silva Andrea , Orlandi Sardi Janaína , Parolina de Carvalho Rafaela , Magri Roque Sindy , Pires Silva Borges Lincoln , Barros Esteves Lins Rodrigo , Targino Campos Letícia , Maria Melo de Brito Costa Edja
Published: August 2021

Probiotics are microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the human body. The intake of probiotics in adequate amounts can improve biological functions bringing improvements in the health of the host. Many studies have demonstrated the indisputable antimicrobial activity of probiotics and their potential for an alternative treatment of infections. Nevertheless, the forms of encapsulation, as well as clinical trials on the clinical use of these microorganisms as a recognized and well-established protocol, are still incipient. In this chapter, we provide a general approach to the topic and point to future directions in the probiotics field for this purpose. Moreover, microbial resistance is a current public health problem and the search for new therapeutic alternatives is urgent. Probiotics and other natural therapies have been considered very promising. The approaches of future research should focus mainly on the isolation of new probiotic microorganisms, the definition of inoculum, forms of encapsulation for controlled delivery, and clinical trials for the definition of doses and mechanism of action in the fight against infections.
UK House Prices – Connectedness or Ripple Effect?
Authors: Choudhry Taufiq , S. Hassan Syed , Shabi Sarosh
Published: August 2021

The performance of the housing market is currently considered a measure of economic activity. This research explores the connectedness vs. the ripple effect hypothesis in the current house pricing literature. Using linear causality and nonlinear causality tests we show significant bidirectional dependence between the London house prices and other UK regions’ house prices except for Northern Ireland and Wales in contrast to the existing literature where more evidence of ripple effect is reported. Furthermore, linear and non-linear forecasting tests back these results. This result has important implications for policymakers and investors.
Smartphone and Surgery, Reality or Gadget?
Authors: Boughizane Sassi , Bannour Badra , Bannour Imen , Hacheni Faten , Bannour Imen , Masmoudi Marwa , Boughizane Jalel , Youssef Sabri
Published: August 2021

Surgical care is an essential component of health care. This basic universal right is not available to everyone. Indeed, countries with low economic resources suffer from a lack of access to surgical care and the most developed countries will have to reduce the cost of health care to ensure the sustainability of provided care quality. New communication technologies have invaded the field of health and have led to the development of a new concept of mobile health. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following question: Can these new tools, and in particular the Smartphone, remedy, even partially, the lack of health care in poor countries and reduce the cost of health care in rich countries? New communication tools, led by the Smartphone, have the capacity to capture, store, retrieve and transmit data to provide instant and personalized information to individuals. This information could be a key element in health systems and can contribute to monitoring health status and improving patient safety and care quality. Mobile telephony via applications and connected objects can facilitate the pre-, intra- and post-operative management of patients. These mobile systems also facilitate the collection and transmission of data. This will allow better analysis of this data and will greatly pave the way to the introduction of artificial intelligence in medicine and surgery. The Smartphone can be used as an important tool for both, diagnosis care and surgical training. Surgeons must adapt their equipment to local resources while respecting safety standards. Covid-19 has put health systems around the world under severe strain. Decision-makers are being forced to make adjustments. The long-vaunted digital health is becoming a reality and a necessity. Healthcare authorities and strategy specialists face challenges in terms of disease prevention and therapy, as well as in terms of health economics and management.
Return Stroke Process Simulation Using TCS Model
Authors: Heidler Fridolin
Published: August 2021

The Traveling Current Source (TCS) model describes the electrical processes during the lightning return stroke phase. The TCS model assumes that the lightning current is injected at the top of the increasing return stroke channel represented by a transmission line. The electric and magnetic field is calculated based on the spatial and temporal distribution of the lightning current along the return stroke channel. It is shown that the main characteristics of the measured electric and magnetic fields can be reproduced with the TCS model. These are the Initial Peak of the electric and magnetic fields for near intermediate and far distances, the Ramp (up to the maximum) of the near electric field, the Hump of the near magnetic field after the initial peak, and the Zero Crossing of the far distant electric and magnetic fields. The fundamentals of the model are presented, and the model is extended to consider the current reflections occurring at the ground and the upper end of the return stroke channel. To this end, the ground reflection factor ρ and the top reflection factor R are introduced. Due to the increasing return stroke channel, the top reflection factor is a function of the return stroke velocity. The total current is composed of the source current according to the TCS model and the reflected currents. It is shown that the ground reflection causes significant variation in the waveform of the channel-base current and the electric and magnetic fields.
Pharmacometabolomics: A New Horizon in Personalized Medicine
Authors: Emwas Abdul-Hamid , Szczepski Kacper , T. McKay Ryan , Asfour Hiba , Chang Chung-ke , Lachowicz Joanna , Jaremko Mariusz
Published: August 2021

Pharmacology is the predominant first-line treatment for most pathologies. However, various factors, such as genetics, gender, diet, and health status, significantly influence the efficacy of drugs in different patients, sometimes with fatal consequences. Personalized diagnosis substantially improves treatment efficacy but requires a more comprehensive process for health assessment. Pharmacometabolomics combines metabolomic, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches and therefore offers data that other analytical methods cannot provide. In this way, pharmacometabolomics more accurately guides medical professionals in predicting an individual’s response to selected drugs. In this chapter, we discuss the potentials and the advantages of metabolomics approaches for designing innovative and personalized drug treatments.
Rice Aroma: Biochemical, Genetics and Molecular Aspects and Its Extraction and Quantification Methods
Authors: Varatharajan Nirubana , Chandra Sekaran Deepika , Murugan Karthikeyan , Chockalingam Vanniarajan
Published: August 2021

Aroma in rice is unique and a superior grain quality trait, varieties especially Basmati and Jasmine-type are fetching a high export price in the International markets. Among the identified volatile aroma compounds, 2AP (2 acetyl-1-pyrroline) is believed to be the distinctive biochemical compound contributing the flavor in rice. Genetically, aroma in rice arises by the phenotypic expression of spontaneous recessive mutations of the OsBadh2 gene (also known as fgr/badh2 /osbadh2/os2AP gene) which was mapped on chromosome 8. An 8-bp deletion in the exon 7 of this gene was reported to result in truncation of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenease enzyme whose loss-of-function lead to the accumulation of a major aromatic compound (2AP) in fragrant rice. Among the different sampling methods and analytical techniques for the extraction and quantification of scentedness, simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) is traditional and normalized, whereas solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are new, very simple, rapid, efficient and most importantly solvent-free methods. These methods are coupled with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and/or Gas chromatography olfactometry (GC-O) and also with sensory evaluation for readily examining 2AP compound found in rice. The major factor affecting the aroma in rice was their genetic makeup. However, the aroma quality may be differed due to different planting, pre-harvest and postharvest handling and storage. For a more extensive elucidation of all effective and fundamental factors contributing to fragrance, it is essential to explore target quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and their inheritance and locations.
Phase Change Materials for Renewable Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Srinivasaraonaik Banavath , Sinha Shishir , Pratap Singh Lok
Published: August 2021

Solar energy is utilizing in diverse thermal storage applications around the world. To store renewable energy, superior thermal properties of advanced materials such as phase change materials are essentially required to enhance maximum utilization of solar energy and for improvement of energy and exergy efficiency of the solar absorbing system. This chapter deals with basics of phase change material which reflects, selection criteria, PCM works, distinguish thermal energy storage system, commercially available PCM, development of PCM thermal properties and durability of PCM. In addition to this chapter focused on PCM in solar water heating system for buildings particularly in India because 20–30% of electricity is used for hot water in urban households, residential and institutional buildings. Discussed Flat plate collectors (FTC) in detail which is suitable for warm water production in household temperature 55 to 70 °C owing to cost effective than the Evacuated Tube collectors (ETC), Concentrated collector (CC) and integration of different methods PCM in solar water heating system.
Post-Covid Ideology and Dimensions in Language Teaching
Authors: Prasad Gyawali Yadu , Parajuli Babita
Published: August 2021

The chapter entitled Post-Covid Ideology and Dimensions in Language Teaching aims to explore the possible educational intervention in post-covid classrooms. It focuses on the role of teachers, stakeholders, curriculum, and technologies in the field of language teaching in the new-normal classroom situation after the Covid-19 pandemic. The chapter reviews the cultural and linguistic ideology of community developed as a possible way out in the new learning situation in the context of Nepal. Additionally, it discusses the paradigm shift in teaching-learning ideologies from the theoretical to practical perspectives for language teaching.
The Relationship between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease and Sleep Disorders: Pathophysiological and Clinical Approach
Authors: Ullah Aqsa , Alani Mays , Chaudry Omar , Janarious Afra , Tsakadze Nina , Nunes Michele , Sharma Umesh , Benes-Lima Lourdes , Marie Rossi Elisa , Rodriguez-Nazario Carlyn , Rossi Fabian
Published: August 2021

This chapter focuses in the interrelationship between sleep and two neurodegenerative disorders: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS] and Parkinson’s disease [PD]. Sleep disorders have deleterious effect on the quality of life and survival in these neurodegenerative disorders, while the reverse is also true where neurodegenerative disorders significantly impair the sleep, leading to a vast sleep complains that worsen the clinical course of these conditions. Other neurodegenerative disorders such as dementias, spinocerebellar ataxias, atypical parkinsonism, etc. will not be cover in this chapter.
Phenolic Compounds – An Emerging Group of Natural Compounds against Leukaemia:in vitro,in vivoand Clinical Applications
Authors: Gatt Lucienne , Schembri Wismayer Pierre
Published: August 2021

Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children under 15 years of age as well as the most common blood cancer in people older than 55. The use of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in combination with arsenic trioxide (ATO) for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) respectively, have improved survival rates. However, new, natural therapies are constantly being sought after to overcome issues with resistance, side effects and specificity. As a result of their range of health benefits, including anticancer properties, phenolic compounds have been extensively studied over the past two decades. One on hand, in vitro and in vivo studies highlight both the inhibitory as well as differentiation inducing effects of phenolics on different leukaemia types. On the other hand, clinical trials to date have shown their beneficial effects (decrease in the absolute lymphocyte count and lymphadenopathy) in CLL (Chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia) patients. Promising therapeutic candidates for future use include epigallocatechin-3-gallate, coumarin, and gallic acid, with the latter ideally used in combination with the conventional drugs daunorubicin and cytarabine.
Femoral Hernia: Open and Laparoscopic Surgery Approaches
Authors: Shamim Muhammad
Published: August 2021

Femoral hernia comes out of abdominal cavity through the femoral canal and descends vertically to saphenous opening, and once escapes this opening it expands considerably, sometimes rising above the inguinal ligament. Due to its tortuous course, the hernia is usually irreducible and liable to strangulate. There are different open surgery choices. In low (Lockwood) operation, the sac is dissected out below the inguinal ligament via a groin-crease incision. In high (McEvedy) operation, the hernia is accessed via a horizontal (or vertical) incision made in lower abdomen at the lateral edge of rectus muscle. In Lotheissen’s operation, the hernia is approached through the inguinal canal. The last one is my preferred approach, as it also helps in dealing if the contents are strangulated. The laparoscopic approaches include both transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) and total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). This chapter will give an account of the advantages and disadvantages of these different surgical techniques.
Solid State Humidity Sensors
Authors: Kumar Rajesh
Published: August 2021

A variety of humidity sensors have been developed to address the problem of humidity measurement in instrumentation, agriculture and systems which are automatic. Various types of humidity sensors have been reviewed along with their mechanisms of humidity detection. Thin and thick film preparation processes are quite flexible. This flexibility provides advantages over other technologies. After comparing all the aspects of different humidity sensors, it has been observed that there are still some shortcomings left, which need to be removed to enhance the humidity sensing capability, recovery and response times of the sensor elements.
Lymphocytes in Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Vázquez-Mendoza Alicia , Vannan Danielle , G. Morales Evelin , I. González Marisol , Luis Reyes Hernández José
Published: August 2021

The eye is a delicate organ that, along with other tissues such as the testicles and brain, is considered immune-privileged. Immune cells that reside in the eye must create a tolerogenic microenvironment to prevent unwanted aggressive inflammatory reactions that can compromise function. However, the eye is exposed to persistent environmental insult that may overwhelm immune tolerance and result in eye diseases from diverse origins (autoimmune, infectious, and inflammatory). The immune system plays a central role in the different phases of eye diseases, as alterations in immune cells in response to mechanical, chemical, or infectious stimuli initiate and amplify the immune response that lead to ocular tissue damage. Both resident and infiltrating immune cells also actively inhibit the immune response and promote tissue repair. Emerging evidence is leading to a better understanding of how and when lymphocytes, amongst other immune cells, contribute to inflammatory diseases such as dry eye disease (DED). We have compiled literature identifying the presence and participation of lymphocyte subpopulations that modulate DED from studies in both mice and humans. Notably, most mouse studies have relied on desiccant-stress-induced models (non-autoimmune DED), whereas human studies are predominantly in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (autoimmune DED).
Romanian Organic and Conventional Red Grapes Vineyards as Potential Sources of High Value-Added Products, in a Circular Economy Approach
Authors: Mihaela Nicolescu Cristina , Bumbac Marius , Radulescu Cristiana , Claudia Buruleanu Lavinia , Lucian Olteanu Radu , Monica Gorghiu Laura , Teodorescu Gabriela , Georgeta Holban Carmen
Published: August 2021

The use of natural ingredients with active functions has been intensively studied in the last years, as a consequence to consumer preferences for organic products. Application of circular economy principles determined a significant research activity in the viticulture field. The use or re-use of vines parts for so-called nutraceuticals or other consumer-goods applications, are basically centered on their phytochemical and microbiological characterization. Eurostat updates ranks Romania fifth among the EU member states, with a total area under vines of 183,717 hectares. Characterization of four Vitis vinifera L. varieties, out of which one pure Romanian variety (Feteasca Neagra), cultivated in organic and conventional vineyards, together with pedoclimatic conditions have been provided. Data on phytochemical parameters and antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from different anatomic parts of grapes were included. Analytical protocols and techniques applied were presented, together with data and results interpretation. Several chemometric algorithms have been used as complementary tools for interpretation of the instrumental analytical data.
Biological Characteristics of Native Grape Cultivars of Crimean Region and Availability of Their Use in Breeding
Authors: Levchenko Svetlana , Vasylyk Irina , Volynkin Vladimir , Likhovskoy Vladimir , Polulyakh Alla
Published: August 2021

In the context of the global climate change, manifested in a rapid increase in environment temperature and a constant increase in freshwater deficiency, the problem of breeding new grapevine cultivars that would correspond to the present-day biosphere conditions emerged. The endurance of native cultivars to adverse soil and climatic conditions and their drought tolerance are of particular value in development of generative breeding. It is known that most of the Crimean native cultivars have a functionally female type of flower, low resistance to biotic environmental factors that affects the stability of fertilization, yield and directly depends on the climatic conditions of cultivation. The adaptive ability of Crimean native grape cultivars is possible to increase by method of hybridization. So, the specific objectives of the study include, definition of agrobiological parameters of native grape cultivars of Crimean region; assessment of vegetative and generative potential; calculation of the profitability of cultivation of Crimean native grape cultivars in comparison with the classic cultivars. The result of the research was the selection of genotypes from the group of native cultivars - traits donors and obtaining hybrids of the first generation, which are improved analogs of the Crimean native cultivars.
Chirality in Anticancer Agents
Authors: Valentová Jindra , Lintnerová Lucia
Published: August 2021

Many drugs are chiral and their therapeutic activity depends on specific recognition of chiral biomolecules. The biological activity of enantiomers can also differ drastically in terms of toxicity and pharmacokinetics. Chiral natural biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, enzymes are targeted molecules for the development of anticancer drugs. The interest in chiral agents is logically a result of the different interaction with biomolecules leading in the end consequence to improve anticancer activity and maybe to less undesirable effects. This review outlines the effects of chirality on the efficiency of anticancer metal-based agents and potential organic drugs. A variety of up-to-date examples of structurally diverse chiral agents exhibiting different mechanisms in their antitumor activity is presented.
Can Solidarity Paradigm Be a Catalyst for the Sustainability of Tourism?
Authors: Doğan Mustafa
Published: August 2021

The destructive effects of tourism on society, the environment, and the economy are among the phenomena that are widely known and discussed, like many other industries. Tourism, as one of the most reckless events of consumption fetishism, has a dynamism that affects sectoral development too on a demand basis. In these respects, it is considered that tourism should be rehabilitated in order to be sustainable despite its many positive effects. Although the “consumer and individualist spirit” of tourism is distant to collective, solidaristic, and restrictive-controlling approaches, it is expected that there will be a need for more interaction and association with these aspects in the new paradigm areas of the future. This study focuses on the habitual attitudes of tourism with the possible expectations of the future and discusses the solidarity tourism forms for the sustainability of tourism. It is clear that is needed to ask the economic, egocentric approaches in tourism. The paper predicts the more responsible, acceptable, fair, and conscious tourism can be possible if the spirit and face of tourism are able to turn to the solidaristic, and sustainable direction.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Machine Learning: Analysis and Classification Methods of Rice
Authors: S. Sampaio Pedro , M. Brites Carla
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, the conventional biochemical methods used to differentiate and characterize rice types, biochemical properties, authentication, and contamination issues are difficult to implement due to the high cost of reagents, time requirement and environmental issues. Actually, the success of agri-food technology is directly related to the quality of analysis of experimental data acquired by sensors or techniques such as the infrared-spectroscopy. To overcome these technical limitations, a rapid and non-destructive methodology for discrimination and classification of rice has been investigated. Near-infrared spectroscopy is considered as fast, clean, and non-destructive analytical tools and its spectra present significant biomolecular information that must be analysed by sophisticated methodologies. Machine learning plays an important role in the analysis of the spectral data being used several methods such as Partial Least Squares, Principal Component Analysis, Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis, Support Vector Machine, Artificial Neuronal Network, among others which can successfully be applied for food classification and discrimination as well as in terms of authentication and contamination issues. The quality control of rice is extremely important at every stage of production, beginning with estimation of raw agricultural materials and monitoring their quality during storage, estimating food quality during the production process and of the final products as well as the determination of their authenticity and the detection of adulterants.
Perinatal COVID-19 Pandemic: Short- and Long-Term Impacts on the Health of Offspring
Authors: Nery Melo Cavalcante Ana , Raquel Jucá Parente Ana , Lívia Freitas de Almeida Rosa , Nunes Oliveira Denise , Torres de Melo Bezerra Cavalcante Candice , Borges Cavalcante Marcelo
Published: August 2021

Currently, the consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children of mothers affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy are unknown. In addition to pregnancy risks, the impact of COVID-19 on the health of these children can occur in the short, medium, and long term. Initial data reveal a low risk of vertical transmission during the third trimester of pregnancy and through breastfeeding. However, despite this low risk, cases of neonatal COVID-19 have already been reported in the literature. Historically, other viral infections during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric diseases in the offspring of affected pregnant women, even in the absence of fetal infection. This study aimed to review the impact of viral infections on the offspring of mothers affected in the perinatal period and discuss and determine measures for the possible consequences of COVID-19 in the offspring of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Refrigerant Mixtures
Authors: Pandian Ebenezer Selva
Published: August 2021

Evolution of refrigerants has a history since the introduction of air conditioning systems by Sir Willis Carrier. The first generation air conditioning systems used natural refrigerants like air, water, carbon dioxide etc. But the need of low temperature requirements in residential and industrial air conditioning systems has forced the air conditioning field to use chloro flouro carbon type refrigerants, which was introduced by Dupon in the previous century. Physical and chemical properties of CFC type refrigerants were very good and satisfactory and so it was used in almost all refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The main disadvantage of CFC type refrigerants is harming the ozone layer and contributing much to the global warming. This chapter reviews the use of CFC type and introducing alternate type of refrigerants.
Phytobiotics, a Natural Growth Promoter for Poultry
Authors: Krauze Magdalena
Published: August 2021

Genetic advance aimed at accelerating the growth rate of slaughter birds have reduced the natural resistance of poultry to infections. It also increased susceptibility to stress, which resulted in deterioration of the welfare and productivity of poultry. Additionally, intensive poultry production poses a risk of exposure of chickens to unfavorable zoo-hygienic conditions and contamination with pathogens from the external environment (bedding, water, feed, hen house staff, sick birds in the flock). Due to the potential production losses, measures are taken to improve the health and effectiveness of bird rearing, for example by using growth stimulants and improving the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome and improving metabolism and the work of the immune system. The addition of phytobiotics to feed or drinking water supports digestion and metabolism in the body, stimulates the growth and development of a useful microbiome, limits the multiplication and adhesion of pathogens, and improves the structure and functioning of enterocytes. The aim of this study is to present the health benefits resulting from the use of phytobiotics in poultry production, as well as to make people aware of the dangers of incompetent incorporation of herbs into feed mixtures or into drinking water. Due to the fact that not all species of animals react equally to a given plant, the selection of plant materials should be carefully considered and matched to the expected benefits. By using phytobiotics you can improve growth and performance of broiler chickens, through greatly improve digestion and nutrient assimilation. Plant additives can improve health through stimulate immunity and increase resistance to stress. Using of phitobiotics improve the quality of meat and eggs, increase the weight of valuable parts of carcass (pectoral and leg muscles) and stimulate laying. Unfortunately, due to the potentially toxic effect of an excess of certain herbs on the work of the liver, and the adverse changes in the palatability of eggs, use caution in the use some herbs e.g. of garlic, turmeric, rapeseed, alfa alfa, shiny privet or moringa.
Vehicles Power Consumption: Case Study of Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) in Tanzania
Authors: Aliila Greyson Kenedy
Published: August 2021

Energy consumption and its environmental impact are now among the most challenging problems in most developing cities. The common sources of energy used as the fuel in transportation sector include gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, biofuels, electricity, coal, and hydrogen. However, in Tanzania, diesel and gasoline are still the dominant source of energy used by public and private vehicles. We have experienced significant efforts of converting conventional vehicles (gasoline engines) to operate on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or on hybrid system (gasoline and natural gas) as an alternative source of energy in Tanzania. The CNG is considered as cleaner combustion energy used as a vehicular fuel alternative to gasoline or diesel. In this chapter, the amount of energy consumption from the fuel combustion, the impact of environmental health (toxicity gas emission), the cost of fuel used by the transit buses in terms of fuel energy consumption, and driving profile are discussed. The scope of this work is based on the total energy contained in the fuel only. The ability of the engine to transform the available energy from the fuel into useful work power (efficiency) is left to the designers and manufacturers.
Understanding the Stages of the Product Life Cycle
Authors: Kenneth Udokporo Chinonso
Published: August 2021

Originally formulated in the context of biological studies, the Life cycle (LC) concept was and now has become widely adopted as a framework for the interpretation and evaluation of phenomena that are subject to, and bound by the inevitability of change. The application of the LC concept to the development of industrial products is an important element in the administration of technological innovation. On this basis, therefore, it is referred to as the product life cycle (PLC). The concept of the PLC is used to support decision making in the management of product development. It may also be used in corporate strategy development, as well as the planning of activities and can be adapted to focus on technology deployment.
Characteristic on the Stability of Haloxylon ammodendron Plantation in the Southern Fringe of Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwest China
Authors: Luo Qinghong , Chen Qimin , He Miao , Li Na
Published: August 2021

Using chronosequence theory and method, the characteristics of vegetation-soil coupling and structure stability of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in the southern fringe of Gurbantunggut Desert were analyzed. The results showed, the canopy storey of H. ammodendron plantation experienced three stages, rapid growth (the age of 7 to 20), then slow growth (the age of 20 to 28) and last decline (over the age of 28). The best natural regeneration started from 17-yr-old plantation. Vegetation-soil system coupling degree (C) and coupling coordinative degree (D) of plantations with different age were not one-to-one correspondence. The system of H. ammodendron plantations always stayed in disorder recession, vegetation and soil were prone to loss type during the process of sand-fixation. Five principal components evaluated that the first rank was 42-yr-old plantation. It was inferred that the trend of the vegetation and soil system was from senescence to harmonious development. So the trend of coordinated development between vegetation and soil would be promoted, if the artificial tending and management measures strengthened.
A Zero-Waste Process for the Treatment of Spent Potliner (SPL) Waste
Authors: I. Abu-Eishah Samir , D.M. Raheem Manal , A.S. Aljasmi Fatma , M.O. Alameri Fatima , G.R. Alblooshi Amna , F.R. Alnahdi Intesar
Published: August 2021

This work presents a deep analyses of an environmentally friendly process to recover all valuable minerals contained in the spent potliner (SPL) such as graphite carbon and aluminum fluoride (AlF3) and production of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and gypsum (CaSO4) when H2SO4 is used as the leaching agent. The level of emission of hazardous gases such as HCN (weak acid) and HF are minimized by direct scrubbing of the HCN in aqueous AgNO3 solution to produce a stable silver cyanide (AgCN) product. The HF can be recovered as a liquid by condensation and used within the process and/or in production of metal fluorides such as the highly-soluble potassium fluoride (KF); a main source of fluoride in industry. Almost pure CO2 gas is also recovered from the process gas streams.
Characterization, Comparative, and Phylogenetic Analyses of Retrotransposons in Diverse Plant Genomes
Authors: Brown Aloysius , B. Yllano Orlex , D. Arce Leilani , A. Evangelista Ephraim , A. Esplana Ferdinand , Harris R. Catolico Lester , Christine L. Pedro Merbeth
Published: August 2021

Retrotransposons are transposable elements that use reverse transcriptase as an intermediate to copy and paste themselves into a genome via transcription. The presence of retrotransposons is ubiquitous in the genomes of eukaryotic organisms. This study analyzed the structures and determined the comparative distributions and relatedness of retrotransposons across diverse orders (34) and families (58) of kingdom Plantae. In silico analyses were conducted on 134 plant retrotransposon sequences using ClustalW, EMBOSS Transeq, Motif Finder, and MEGA X. So far, the analysis of these plant retrotransposons showed a significant genomic relationship among bryophytes and angiosperms (216), bryophytes and gymnosperms (75), pteridophytes and angiosperms (35), pteridophytes and gymnosperms (28), and gymnosperms and angiosperms (70). There were 13 homologous plant retrotransposons, 30 conserved domains, motifs (reverse transcriptase, integrase, and gag domains), and nine significant phylogenetic lineages identified. This study provided comprehensive information on the structures, motifs, domains, and phylogenetic relationships of retrotransposons across diverse orders and families of kingdom Plantae. The ubiquitousness of retrotransposons across diverse taxa makes it an excellent molecular marker to better understand the complexity and dynamics of plant genomes.
Catalytic Isomerization of Olefins and Their Derivatives: A Brief Overview
Authors: Ma Wangjing , Liu Bonan , Wang Duanda , Zhao Jun , Zhang Lu , Zhang Lei
Published: August 2021

Carbon–carbon double bond (CCDB) isomerization is a method for synthesizing new organic compounds from olefins and their derivatives, which was based on C=C migration along carbon chain and cis/trans transform, and it plays a vital role in the fields of organic synthesis, synthesis of daily chemicals, raw oil’s development and synthesis of natural products and so on. In this paper, advances of five types of catalytic methods for CCDB of olefins and their derivatives since the 1960s were discussed in detail; Based on his recent work, the author mainly introduces the application and development of photocatalysis in CCDB of olefins and their derivatives.
Rainfall Trends in Humid Temperate Climate in South America: Possible Effects in Ecosystems of Espinal Ecoregion
Authors: Alberto Sabattini Julian , Alberto Sabattini Rafael
Published: August 2021

In central Argentina, the annual rainfall regime shows increasing since the 2nd half of the 20th century. The aim of this work was to evaluate the long-term changes in the intensity of rainfall in the central-north region of Entre Ríos between 1945 and 2019, based only on daily precipitation records aggregated at yearly, monthly and seasonal levels. We used monthly rainfall data for the period 1945–2019 from 6 localities in Province of Entre Rios, Argentina. The change detection analysis has been conceded using Pettitt’s test, von Neumann ratio test, Buishand’s range test and standard normal homogeneity (SNH) test, while non-parametric tests including linear regression, Mann-Kendall and Spearman rho tests have been applied for trend analysis. Like the regional results, this study observed a sustained increase in monthly rainfall to the breaking point in the 1970s, but then the annual rate of increase was even higher. The average annual rainfall in the region prior to that date was 946 mm, while after the same 1150 mm, equivalent to 21.5% higher than the 1945–1977 average and 8.5% higher according to the historical average 1945–2019.
Review of the Current State-of-the-Art of Dovetail Massive Wood Elements
Authors: Emre Ilgın Hüseyin , Karjalainen Markku , Koponen Olli-Paavo
Published: August 2021

Engineered wood products (EWPs) have been progressively more being utilized in the construction industry as structural materials since the 1990s. In the content of EWPs, adhesives play an important role. However, because of their petroleum-based nature, adhesives contribute to toxic gas emissions such as formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds, which are detrimental to the environment. Moreover, the frequent use of adhesives can cause other critical issues in terms of sustainability, recyclability, reusability, and further machining. In addition to this, metal connectors employed in EWPs harm their end-of-life disposal, reusability, and additional processing. This chapter is concentrating on dovetail massive wood elements (DMWE) as adhesive- and metal connector-free sustainable alternatives to commonly used EWPs e.g., CLT, LVL, MHM, Glulam. The dovetail technique has been a method of joinery mostly used in wood carpentry, including furniture, cabinets, log buildings, and traditional timber-framed buildings throughout its rich history. It is believed that this chapter will contribute to the uptake of DMWE for more diverse and innovative structural applications, thus the reduction in carbon footprint by increasing the awareness and uses of DMWE in construction.
Promising Food Ingredients: Milk Proteins
Authors: Lajnaf Roua , Attia Hamadi , Ali Ayadi Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Milk, well known for its nutritional properties, has also good functional properties as foaming, emulsifying and biological activities due to proteins. Milk proteins are then considered as promising food ingredients due to their particular structural characteristics leading to various interesting properties in the industrial field. Thus, the examination of the biological activities and techno-functional properties (foaming and emulsifying properties) of some milk protein fractions revealed interesting ingredients for food industry due to their nutritional value, which is of a great scientific and industrial relevance. This chapter presented an overview of the studied functional properties of some milk proteins.
Application of Ex-Vivo/3D Organoid Models in COVID-19 Research
Authors: Thayakumar Basanthakumar Allen
Published: August 2021

COVID-19 treatment methods based on 3D organoids and ex-vivo platforms are analyzed in this chapter. Initially, the platforms available for cell culture and its working characteristics are explained. Subsequently discusses the organoids with their definition and included their uses in various applications. Further, the chapter extends to describe the uses of different organoids with their use in different stages. Most of these methods utilized the 3D ex-vivo cell culture method to develop organoids and test them over infected tissues. Based on the study in this chapter, it is found that the demonstration of active replication of the human organoids culture system of lungs is found to be more helpful for COVID-19 treatment.
Teaching and Learning Mathematics for Understanding, Enjoyment and Everyday Life Experiences
Authors: Deng Tap William
Published: August 2021

This chapter expresses the views of a teacher-researcher who advocates and argues for the use of humor in the classroom setting, especially in the mathematics classroom. While existing research based literature has shown the use of humor to be promising and encouraging effecting teaching and learning tool, very little instructional humor or classroom humor–an appropriate type of humor often related to the content materials being discussed–has been used in the classroom setting–especially in the mathematics classrooms. The chapter explores, surveys and highlights ways in which the existing-related literature about the effective and appropriate use of humor in the classroom setting can be implemented in practice, especially in the teaching and learning of mathematics, in this challenging era of the increasingly rapid technological advancements referred to as 21th century technological revolution or the re-engineering of industrial education 5.0 relative to STEM subjects study areas. The use of humor as teaching and learning tool in the classroom setting has been shown to have so many associated benefits ranging from but not limited to a conducive-relaxed learning environment, enhanced students’ learning experience, motivating and inspiring the students to learn more and even the improvement of student-teacher classroom rapport, just to mention a few. Hence, the literature recommends that classroom teachers should make more use of humor as an effective teaching and learning tool, especially the contextualized-appropriate humor types that are related to the content materials being discussed.
The Phenomenon of Friction Resistance Due to Streamwise Heterogeneous Roughness with Modified Wall-Function RANSE
Authors: Ketut Aria Pria Utama I. , Ketut Suastika I. , Luqman Hakim Muhammad
Published: August 2021

Surface roughness can reduce the performance of a system of fluid mechanics due to an increase in frictional resistance. The ship hull, which is overgrown by biofouling, experiences a drag penalty which causes energy wastage and increased emission levels. The phenomenon of fluid flow that passes over a rough surface still has many questions, one of which is the phenomenon of frictional resistance on heterogeneous roughness in the streamwise direction. In the ship hull, biofouling generally grows heterogeneous along the hull with many factors. RANSE-based Computational Fluid Dynamics was used to investigate the friction resistance for heterogeneous roughness phenomenon. The modified wall-function method represented equivalent sand grain roughness (ks) and a roughness function were applied together with k-epsilon turbulence model to simulate rough wall turbulent boundary layer flow. As the heterogeneous roughness, three different ks values were denoted as P (ks = 81.25 μm), Q (ks = 325.00 μm) and R (ks = 568.75 μm), and they are arranged by all possible combinations. The combined roughness, whether homogeneous (PPP, QQQ, or RRR) and inhomogeneous (PQR, PRQ, QPR, etc.), results in unique skin friction values. The step-change in the height of the heterogeneous roughness produced a sudden change in the local skin friction coefficient in the form of overshoot or undershoot, followed by a relaxation where the inhomogeneous local skin friction is slowly returning to the homogeneous local one, which was explained in more detail by plotting the distribution of the mean velocity profile near the step-up or step-down. The order of roughness arrangement in a streamwise heterogenous roughness pattern plays a key role in generating overall skin friction with values increasing in the following order: PQR < PRQ < QPR < QRP < RPQ < RQP. Those inhomogeneous cases with three different values of ks can be represented by a single value (being like homogeneous) by the calculations provided in this paper.
A Ray of Hope: Resilience Amidst Uncertainty and Other Psycho-Social Issues during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hamza Shuja Kanwar , Mubeen Arfa , Tariq Shazia
Published: August 2021

The chapter explored the various psycho-social issues that the general masses are still suffering from due to the sudden arrival of COVID-19 pandemic and how the impending uncertainties, regarding almost every aspect of routine life and their own existence, played a major role in moderating the effects of these psycho-social issues. Additionally, amidst all of these uncertainties, how resilience of people whether social, mental or religious helped people in overcoming their different fears and psycho-social issues. The chapter incorporated findings achieved from different samples such as that of students, employees, health workers etc. And the role of resilience throughout the history in helping humankind overcoming such disastrous situations. Moreover, the chapter also tried to incorporate the protective strategies which can be useful in overcoming the prevalent uncertainties that still remain.