bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cell cultures in virology: from the past to the future
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatyana A. , Besednova Natalia N. , Aliev Maxim R. , Shchelkanov Michail Y.
Published: March 2024

The aim of the review is to give a brief characteristic of cell cultures obtained from mammalian tissues and to consider the current possibilities and prospects for their use in virology.
The analysis of the literature data presented in the main databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Google Scholar and RSCI (as of July 2023), indicates that various types of cell cultures are currently used in virological studies. The use of cell culture has a number of advantages over other in vitro and in vivo methods of virological research. The review provides numerous examples on the development of new methods of obtaining cell cultures for the cultivation of viruses. Among them are sensitive and reporter cell systems, the design of which can be a promising tool for diagnostics of existing and new unknown viral infections. Cell cultures are characterized as potential in vitro models in virology for developing new diagnostic test-systems and antiviral drugs. An important area of cell cultures application is their use as a substrate for the production of culture-derived vaccines. Another aspect of the cell cultures application is also highlighted, such as the study of the effect of the viruses on the host immune system or the mechanisms of immunopathogenesis of viral infections. It is concluded that the use of cell cultures remains currently and in the near future one of the most important methods in practical virology and in scientific research.
Life is in profession, profession is in life (to the 120th anniversary of Professor I.I. Elkin)
Authors: Briko Nikolay I. , Sokolova Tatiana V.
Published: March 2024

The life and the career of a well-known Russian epidemiologist, health care organizer, public figure, authoritative scientist and pedagogue Professor I.I. Elkin has been portrayed in the article.
Nanocomposites consisting of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, antisense oligonucleotides, and photoactive groups as agents for effective action on nucleic acids
Authors: Levina Asya S. , Repkova Marina N. , Mazurkov Oleg Y. , Makarevich Elena V. , Mazurkova Natalya A. , Zarytova Valentina F.
Published: March 2024

Relevance. Studies on model systems have confirmed the effectiveness of antisense oligonucleotides, including those that contain photoactive groups, for the modification of nucleic acids. However, this strategy has not yet found wide application due to the lack of successful methods for the cellular delivery. The development of effective preparations capable of acting on target nucleic acids in cells is an urgent task.
The objective of the work is to create nanocomposites consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles, antisense oligonucleotides, and photoactive groups and to study their effect on target nucleic acids by the example of inhibition of influenza A virus replication in the cellular system.
Materials and methods. Influenza virus A/Aichi/2/68 (A/H3N2), N-succinimide ether of p-azidotetrafluorobenzoic acid, TiO2 nanoparticles, and oligodeoxyribonucleotides have been used in the work. The antiviral activity of the proposed nanocomposites has been studied on the MDCK cells infected with the A/H3N2 virus.
Results and discussion. Unique nanocomposites have been created, which consist of three functional components, i.e., titanium dioxide nanoparticles, antisense oligonucleotides, and the photoactive tetrafluoroarylazide group, respectively, providing penetration into cells, selective interaction with target nucleic acids, and photomodification of the targets. A significant antiviral site-specific action of the nanocomposites has been demonstrated against the influenza A virus in the cellular system, which exceeds the effect of the analogous samples that contain no photoactive groups.
Conclusion. The biological activity of the created nanocomposites has been demonstrated by the example of highly effective suppression of influenza A virus replication in the cellular system. The results indicate the prospects of using the proposed drugs to affect target nucleic acids inside cells.
Retrospective evaluation of the results of immunodiagnostics for tuberculosis in children
Authors: Volkova Natalia A. , Mikheeva Irina V. , Melnikova Albina A. , Akimkin Vasily G.
Published: March 2024

Introduction. For early immunodiagnostics of tuberculosis (TB) in Russia, the Mantoux test (MT) has been used for decades; since 2013, the recombinant tuberculosis antigen (RTA) test has seen widespread use.
The objective of this retrospective analytic observational cohort study was to evaluate the results of immunodiagnostics for TB in children with newly diagnosed active TB.
Materials and methods. We studied data from Russian TB institutions on the results of MT and RTA assay in children with active and inactive TB first detected in 2013–2018, as well as children with active TB first detected in Moscow in 2017–2022.
Results and discussion. In 2013–2018, out of 12,902 examined children with active TB, 11,673 (90.5%) had positive results of both skin tests and 198 (1.5%) had negative results. A negative RTA assay result with positive MT was found in 861 (6.7%) patients, and a positive RTA assay result with negative MT in 170 (1.3%). The sensitivity of the RTA assay in detecting active TB was 91.3%, while the sensitivity of MT was 97.2% (p 0.01). Similar data were obtained in the same regions in 14,127 children with inactive TB: the sensitivity of MT was higher than that of the RTA assay — 97.2% versus 95.2% (p 0.01). In Moscow, due to the small number of observations in 2022, it was not possible to show statistical reliability of the difference between the sensitivity of MT and RTA assay in detecting active TB in 2017–2022 (95.8% and 92.1% respectively; p 0.5). For the results obtained in 2017–2021, the difference was significant (p 0.05).
Conclusion. The sensitivity of MT is higher than that of the RTA assay in screening children for TB. It is recommended to use the more sensitive MT test for screening children; screening with the RTA assay will increase the number of undetected and undiagnosed cases of active TB in children. Currently, MT cannot be excluded from the algorithm of early TB diagnosis in children.
Secondary School Students’ Interest in the Core Components of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Implications for Instruction Readiness
Authors: Aliu Abdulrahaman , Isma’il Akilu
Published: March 2024

The implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in secondary school has important role in scientific and technological advancement of a nation and students are the main receiver of the instruction. This study investigated the students’ interest as an implication of students’ readiness for STEM instruction in Gusau, Zamfara state. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 students of SS 2 from private and public schools making total of 200 students. An instrument title Senior Secondary School Readiness for STEM Instruction was used to collect data. The instrument was validated and pilot tested which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.86. Three research questions were raised and answered and two hypotheses were stated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The result of the study showed that senior secondary school students in Gusau, Zamfara state are ready for STEM instruction. There was no significant different between the responses of students based on gender and school type. It was therefore recommended that education stakeholder should expedite the implementation of STEM in senior secondary school to harvest students’ readiness for better achievement.
Activities of Intellectual Property Propaganda in the Vocational Education System
Authors: Dangnguyen Anlong
Published: March 2024

Currently, intellectual property violations are serious and tend to increase, especially in the education system, including the vocational education system. Lack of understanding of intellectual property regulations has unintentionally led to many cases of violation without even knowing it. This is necessary to improve people’s understanding of intellectual property and have appropriate behavior. This shows that appropriate propaganda activities are needed to improve this situation. Based on reference to State documents on intellectual property; surveying 300 people who are students, teachers, staff, and administrators at several vocational education institutions, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the current situation, point out the position, role, and importance the importance of intellectual property propaganda activities in the vocational education system, pointing out the causes of limitations and inadequacies; from there, propose solutions to improve the quality of intellectual property propaganda activities in the vocational education system in the future.
Recent Advances in the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Batta Anil
Published: March 2024

In the last decade, significant advancements in CAD treatment have been made. The existing treatment is medical, surgical, or a combination of both depending on the extent, severity, and clinical presentation of CAD. The collaboration between different science disciplines such as biotechnology and tissue engineering has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies such as stem cells, nanotechnology, robotic surgery, and other advancements (3-D printing and drugs). These treatment modalities show promising effects in managing CAD and associated conditions. Research on stem cells focuses on studying the potential for cardiac regeneration, while nanotechnology research investigates nano-drug delivery and percutaneous coronary interventions including stent modifications and coatings.
Therapeutic Group Therapy for Temper Tantrum in Toddler
Authors: Kumalasari Galuh
Published: March 2024

Temper tantrums in children Toddlers often cause parents frustration so a solution is needed to overcome this. This study aims to determine the effect of therapeutic group therapy on the incidence of temper tantrums in toddler-aged children. The research design used in this research is a quasi-experimental research design with a pretest–posttest approach using a control group. This research was conducted in October 2023 in Pakisaji, Malang Regency. This research involved 9 children (aged 2-3 years) in the Pakisaji sub-district area as the treatment group and 9 other children as the control group. The treatment group was given 6 sessions of therapeutic group therapy over a period of 3 weeks. The results of the analysis using the paired sample test showed that in the treatment group there was a significant difference in the value of children's temper tantrums before and after being given treatment, namely with a value of p=0.039 (<0.05). Meanwhile, in the control group, the p value = 0.085 (> 0.05) was obtained, which indicated that there was no significant difference. The results of the analysis of differences in the incidence of temper tantrums before and after treatment between the treatment group and the control group were carried out using an independent sample t test and the results obtained were p=0.387 (>0.05). These results show that there is no significant difference in the incidence of pre and post temper tantrums between the treatment and control groups. The conclusion of this study proves that there is no significant influence from the application of Therapeutic Group Therapy on the incidence of temper tantrums in toddler. because there are many factors that can influence it including the parenting style of parents.
Internações hospitalares de motociclistas traumatizados: Um estudo ecológico na região sudeste
Authors: Basolli Gomiero Julia , Itapary Pedro Gabriel Araujo Pereira , Filho Ribeiro de Assunção Alfredo , De Brito Fernandes Maria Carolina , Ellen Souza Santana Rebeca , Braga Rodrigues de Castro Juliana
Published: March 2024

Objetivo: Descrever e analisar as internações hospitalares de motociclistas traumatizados na região Sudeste do Brasil entre 2019 e 2023. Métodos:  Estudo epidemiológico ecológico, quantitativo e descritivo baseado na coleta de dados através do sistema de informações hospitalares do SUS por causas externas (SIH/SUS), na plataforma do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). Foram calculadas taxas de mortalidade e proporção de internações hospitalares.  Resultados: Os residentes do estado de São Paulo tiveram maior destaque, principalmente no ano de 2021, assim como houve uma maior incidência em pacientes entre 20 e 29 anos do gênero masculino e de raça autodeclarada parda, gerando mais custos ao sistema público de saúde. Conclusão: É necessário fomentar uma fiscalização mais rigorosa e a conscientização dos motoristas para minimizar os acidentes, internações e óbitos nas vias públicas.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION: THE EMERGING TRENDS IN EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG ENGINEERING GRADUATES: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Dr. V. Tulasi Das  , Dr. B. Sreedhar Reddy
Published: March 2024

We are living in a fast-paced competitive world where new technologies are being introduced almost every day, trends are evolving, manual jobs are becoming obsolete, and new tech jobs are on the rise. Technology has eased its way into our lives, it has given rise to uncertainty. The rapid changes in the technologies have also transformed the need for in-demand skills in the industries. In addition, newer domains are emerging in the market and this is fuelling the demand for talent with the required skills that are capable of driving the organizational growth. Organizations and educational institutes need to cater to the requirements of the industry for upcoming generations and lay foundations for devising solutions that support rapid skill development. Industry 4.0 was in the recent past in 2011, its focus was on digitalization and included automation, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, connected devices, data analytics, cyber-physical systems, digital transformation, and more., India needs to invest in constant upskilling of human resources and stay agile. Industry 5.0, seems to have already set in, 2020. The focus is personalization and humanization, emphasizing collaboration between humans and machines to create sustainable products and services and to deliver value-added tasks to customers. Hence, it is essential for us to keep learning and constantly upskill ourselves. The importance of upskilling for leaders by stating, When a person stops learning, they start falling behind. Therefore, we must learn new skills in such uncertain times to adapt to rising jobs in the era of industrial transformation. Over the past few years, the world is experiencing rapid changes in every sector. New employment avenues have opened and due to this, the demand for tech-savvy new-age skills has also grown. Keeping this in view this article is focus on to study the emerging trends in reskilling, upskilling and capacity building programmes.
KEY WORDS: Uncertainty, Technological Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Digital Transformation, Upskilling, Reskilling, Capacity Building.
Mathematical Analysis of the Causes of Examination Malpractices in Nigeria: An Epidemic Modelling Approach
Authors: Ayoade Abayomi Ayotunde , Agboola Sunday Olanrewaju
Published: March 2024

Examination malpractice is a social disease that derails the entire process, conduct and outcome of examinations. In this study, the entire causes of examination malpractice in Nigeria are categorised into four and a deterministic compartmental mathematical model is built around the four classes in order to identify the factors to be addressed to curb the menace of examination malpractice in the country. The solutions of the model are proved to exist, unique and positive. The equilibrium analysis is conducted and the stability theory of nonlinear differential equations is employed to show that the examination malpractice endemic equilibrium of the model is locally asymptotically stable. The societal disposition reproductive ratio, a quantity that measures the rate at which societal values influence the rate of indulgence in examination malpractices, is also derived following the approach of epidemic modelling and the results obtained from the study reveal that the causes of examination malpractice in Nigeria can be brought under control if there is a radical change in the norms and institutions of the society as well as drastic reduction in the population of examination contractors.
Plant Dispersal Mode at Different Urbanization Levels in Ipoh City Council, Perak
Authors: Alue Balqis Aqila , Salleh Hudin Noraine , Mohamed Fatimah , Mat Said Zahid , Ismail Kamarul
Published: March 2024

Urbanization is rapidly expanding, and many forests are being cleared. The loss of crucial ecological functions, including dispersal and pollination, in urban settings can have detrimental effects on individual species and the sustainability of entire ecosystems. Nevertheless, how urbanization affects seed dispersal is still largely unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between plant dispersal mode and urbanization intensity in Ipoh City Council, Perak. The percentage of built-up area within a 1km2 area was measured using ArcGIS software to establish the urbanization gradient. To reflect distinct urbanization, a total of 12 sampling plots, with the sized of 1km2 for each plot were designed. 40 subplots were randomly selected in each plot to create a complete sampling site of 0.1 hectare, and any plants discovered in the subplots were identified at the species level. To characterize the mode of dispersion for each plant species recorded, a few reports from literature have been used as a guideline. Endo-zoochory and hemerochory were more prevalent in urban settings than in other study areas. Significant abundance of zoochory-dependent plants in this study area, it shows urbanization does not always reduce the nature conservation value of places in Ipoh. In the future, policymakers, and town planners could use the findings of this study to help them continuously improve urban development and generate more sustainable urban expansion.
The Detection of Phytochemical Properties from Freeze Dried Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy Extracts and Its Potential as a Bacterial Inhibitor
Authors: Abd Latib Norshahidah , Desa Shakinaz , Che Wan Ngah Che Wan Zanariah
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to detect the secondary metabolites and chemical components in the freeze-dried extract of Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy. In addition, discovering the extract could have potential as a bacterial inhibitor by determination of the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) carried out in extracts. Determination of antimicrobial potential of freeze-dried extracts was conducted through phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) test, agar disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The study shows this extract has bacterial inhibitors’ potential since it contained phytochemical compounds such as alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid and tannin, while 9 chemical components have been displayed through GC-MS analysis. The disc diffusion method was done at different concentrations, at 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml. The result also shows that the extracts are able to inhibit the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Freeze-dried extract presented significant differences in 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml, p=0.05. The MIC value was found at 2.0 mg/ml in the agar plate containing methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus, while Vibrio parahaemolyticus was at 5.0 mg/ml. While the MBC value showed 2.0 mg/ml in MRSA and S. aureus (since the plates containing A. hydrophila and V. parahaemolyticus had bacterial growths, thus, it demonstrated that the plant extracts were only able to inhibit the bacterial growth but could not kill them). In conclusion, the freeze-dried method can be applied for water removal during plant extraction and possess bacterial inhibition activity. This study implicated that O. nodosa extract is a natural source of antibiotic substances for bacterial infection treatment.
Analysis of Green Chemistry Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Among the University Students
Authors: Ghazali Muhammad Zulhilmi , Yahaya Asmayati
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the level of green chemistry knowledge, awareness, and practices among university students. This study also aims to analyze the relationship between green chemistry knowledge and awareness, green chemistry knowledge and practices, and also green chemistry awareness and green chemistry practices. This study employed survey as research design, and data was collected by distributing the questionnaires to 392 university students in Kuala Lumpur and Tanjung Malim by using the 44-questions questionnaire, which consists of 16 multiple-choice questions for green chemistry knowledge construct, and 14 questions which uses 5-point Likert scale questions for green chemistry awareness and practices respectively. Data were analysed descriptively to investigate the level of green chemistry knowledge, awareness and practices. This study has successfully revealed that the level of green chemistry knowledge and practices among university students is high, while the level of green chemistry awareness is very high. The correlation between the green chemistry knowledge, awareness and practice constructs seemed small when the data were analysed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. However, there seems to be no significant difference between education students and non-education students in their overall green chemistry knowledge, awareness and practices when the data was tested using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The multiple-choice questions for the green chemistry knowledge construct have been converted into a new instrument to be used for analyzing the university students’ knowledge levels, and further enables us to study the green chemistry knowledge, awareness, and practices using another factor.
Chemical Constituents from Piper magnibaccum C.DC.
Authors: Hashim Nur Athirah , Ahmad Farediah
Published: March 2024

The chemistry of Piper species has been widely investigated and phytochemical investigations conducted in all parts of the world have led to the isolation of a number of physiologically active compounds. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the phytochemicals from Piper magnibaccum from Malaysia. Fractionation and purification of the leaves led to the isolation and identification of linoleic acid (1), 24S-ethylcholesta-5,22,25-trien-3β-ol (2), oleic acid (3), β-sitosterol (4), cepharadione A (5), piperumbellactam A (6), and stigmast-3,6-dione (7). The structures of these compounds were obtained by analysis of their spectroscopic data, as well as the comparison with that of reported data.
Isolation and Characterization of Friedelin and 5-DodecylResorcinol from the Stem Bark Extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus
Authors: Ibrahim Marwan , Idris Musa Maikudi , Dauda Usman , Ali Umar , Muhammad Aminu
Published: March 2024

Pterocarpus erinaceus (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of several diseases such as, fever, diarrhea, and dysentery. The aim of this research work is to isolate phytochemicals, evaluate antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the extract/isolated compounds from the stem bark of Pterocarpus erinaceus. The plant material was air dried and extracted with a polarity gradient of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Purification of the methanol extract using column chromatography yielded two compounds: friedelin (1) and 5-dodecylresorcinol (2). Antimicrobial screening of the extracts and isolated compounds was conducted using the disc diffusion method, while the cytotoxicity was tested on the extracts using Brine Shrimp larvae. The methanol extract was more toxic (LC50 of 0.93 µg/mL) than petroleum ether (PER-PE) and ethyl acetate (PER-EA) extracts. Antimicrobial screening of the plant extracts and compounds revealed a moderate activity at 1000 µg/mL.
Agent Navigation based on Boundary Value Problem using Iterative Methods
Authors: Musli Farhah Athirah , Saudi Azali
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the simulation of numerical solutions to the navigational problem of an agent traveling safely in its environment. The approach is based on the numeric solutions of the boundary value problem (BVP) that generate harmonic potential fields through a differential equation whose gradient represents navigation routes to the destination. Two methods, namely KSOR and KAOR, were tested to solve the BVP. KSOR and KAOR are variants of the standard SOR and AOR methods, respectively. In this work, the KSOR and KAOR methods were used to solve the BVP by applying Laplace's equation to obtain harmonic functions. The generated harmonic functions are then utilized by the searching algorithm to find a smooth navigational route for an agent to travel in its environment without colliding with any obstacles. The numerical results from the solutions of BVP demonstrate that the KAOR provides a faster execution time with fewer iterations compared to the KSOR method.
Development and Effectiveness of I-Algebra Module Towards Malaysian Year Five Pupils’ Achievement and Motivation
Authors: Subramaniam S. W. Sathiyan Mooruthy , Arbin Norazman , Adnan Mazlini
Published: March 2024

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the I-Algebra module, which employed the Normative Algebra Strategy (NAS). The development of the module was based on the adaptation of the Sidek model. The study also analyses the effect of the module on year five pupils' achievement and motivation. Quantitative approaches with the quasi-experimental design used for this study. Module was developed based the two phases stated in Sidek model, first phase is the draft phase of the module and the second phase is the phase that tries and evaluates the module. The module was evaluated by a panel of three experts to determine the content validity of the module. To determine the reliability and effectiveness of I-Algebra module, a pilot study was conducted which involved 30 year five pupils. The respondents were chosen using cluster sampling methods where they were divided equally into the treatment and the control groups. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 25 for inferential analysis, which involved the independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test. The findings showed I-Algebra teaching module had the values of Cohen's Kappa 0.86 and Cronbach Alpha 0.95. The comparison of mean scores for the control group and treatment group showed a significant improvement in post-test but the mean scores for the treatment group were higher. All the treatment group pupils had a high level of intrinsic motivation after the post-experiment. In a conclusion, the validity content and reliability of the I-Algebra teaching module are satisfactory and high respectively, and this module can have a positive impact in terms of achievement and motivation. The use of the I-Algebra teaching module implies the improvement of pupils' learning on the selected topics. As an implication, this study provides new ideas, guidance and information to teachers, especially Mathematics teachers. I-Algebra teaching module can help the pupils to master the selected topics more effectively.
Phytochemicals and Antibacterial Activity of Zingiber zerumbet Growing in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Authors: Preshahdin Nur Atielia , Jani Nor Akmalazura , Iberahim Rashidah
Published: March 2024

The present study is aimed at analysing the chemical composition of essential oil and screening the phytochemicals in crude extracts from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. (Zingiberaceae) as well as determining their antibacterial activity. The essential oil was extracted from the fresh rhizomes using the hydrodistillation method and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemicals from the dried rhizomes were extracted by sequential maceration technique using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, while phytochemical screening was carried out using standard chemical tests. Antibacterial activity was screened using the disc diffusion method. A total of 31 components (94.5%) were detected in the rhizome oil with zerumbone (28.4%), terpinen-4-ol (16.5%) and α-humulene (11.1%) as the main components. Phytochemical screening of the extracts obtained from the dried rhizomes disclosed the existence of steroids, terpenes, quinones, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins, coumarins and glycosides. The rhizome oil showed potent antibacterial activity towards Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli with inhibition zone diameters of 20.66 and 16.66 mm, respectively. Among the extracts, the methanol extract demonstrated high inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus (14.00 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (9.00 mm), and Salmonella typhi (10.66 mm), while the ethyl acetate extract gave the biggest inhibition zone on E. coli (10.33 mm). The findings from this study indicate that Z. zerumbet might be one of a promising source of natural chemicals that can act as antibacterial agents.
Comparative Phytochemical and Antioxidant Analysis of the Leaf Extracts of Two Nigerian Medicinal Plants
Authors: Olalekan Michael Afolayan
Published: March 2024

Bridelia ferruginea (Benth., Euphorbiaceae), prominently found in Savannah regions, is commonly used as an ethnomedicine for the treatment of several ailments in many parts of Africa. Piliostigma thonningii (Schum., Fabaceae) is used for various medicinal purposes in African countries with some pharmacological activities established from the crude extracts including antibacterial, antihelminthic, antiinflammatory and antilipidemic activities. In the present study, crude methanolic extract and fractions of B. ferruginea and P. thonningii were examined for their phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity using standard protocols. Qualitative phytochemical screening of B. ferruginea crude extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, phlobatanins, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols and resins while it tested negative for triterpenoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids and anthraquinones; the quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that it contained 1.5% saponins, 5.3% flavonoids, 1.2% alkaloids and 0.9% phenols. P. thonningii crude extract tested positive for saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and phenols while tannins, phlobatanins, glycosides, triterpenoids, carbohydrates, resins and anthraquinones were absent. It contains 3.2% saponins, 1.6% flavonoids, 1.8% alkaloids, and 0.7% phenols. The concentration of the crude extract required for 50% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50) is 0.018 and 0.020 mg/ml for B. ferruginea and P. thonningii, respectively, compared to 0.015 mg/ml for vitamin C as a standard antioxidant. Both extracts showed potent inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity comparable to that of the Vitamin C standard and would be valuable sources of antioxidant compounds.
Flavonoids from the Borneo Plant Species: Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. & Binn
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Afiffikri , Rasol Nurulfazlina Edayah , Ab Ghani Nurunajah , Jim Shamsudin Kamsirah , Suleiman Monica
Published: March 2024

A new flavonoid, 7,3ˊ-dihydroxy-3,5,4ˊ-trimethoxyflavone, along with two known flavonoids,7-hydroxy-5,4ˊ-dimethoxyflavone and 7-hydroxy-3,5,4ˊ-trimethoxyflavone were isolated from the leaves ethyl acetate extract of Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. & Binn. (Lauraceae). Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, IR, and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.
Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Litsea resinosa Blume and Acetylcholinesterase Activity
Authors: Salihu Abubakar Siddiq , Ab Ghani Nurunajah , Rasol Nurulfazlina Edayah , Khamis Shamsul
Published: March 2024

The essential oil of Litsea resinosa Blume (Lauraceae) was obtained by hydrodistillation and was fully characterized by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of twenty-eight components were identified in the essential oil, which made up 90.8% of the total oil. The essential oil consists mainly of β-caryophyllene (22.5%), α-humulene (15.4%), caryophyllene oxide (9.2%), germacrene D (5.6%), and β-selinene (5.0%). The essential oil showed significant activity against acetylcholinesterase with a percentage inhibition of 72.4%.
Effect of Student-Lecturing Teaching Model on Eighth Grade Students' Attitude towards Mathematics in Shaoguan, China
Authors: Zhou Minglin , Deng Haizhen , Leong Kwan Eu
Published: March 2024

Student-lecturing is an innovative teaching model which allows students to express their problem-solving strategies and ways of thinking using mathematical language. It not only allows students to demonstrate their thinking process, but also creates a relaxed classroom environment for students to overcome their fear of expressing mathematics, thus changing their attitude toward mathematics. However, the traditional teaching methods place students in a passive accepting position, causing them to believe that mathematics is difficult and dull, leading to a loss of interest in Mathematics. This study analyzed the effect of the student-lecturing teaching model on student attitude toward mathematics through a one-and -half-year controlled-experiment with eighth-grade students in Shaoguan, China. The result of this study shows that the student-lecturing teaching model not only helps to develop students' problem-solving and communication skills, but also gives students the opportunity to express themselves with mathematical language, which in turn enhances their attitude toward learning mathematics.
Fuzzy Time Series Forecasting Accuracy Based on Hybrid Similarity Measure
Authors: Ramli Nazirah , Ab Mutalib Siti Musleha , Mohamad Daud , Othman Mahmod , Abd Nassir Asyura
Published: March 2024

The majority of fuzzy time series forecasting (FTSF) algorithms assess forecasting accuracy using an error-based distance. The predicted value is defuzzified to a crisp number and the error-based distance will be computed. Defuzzification causes some information to be lost, which leads to its inability to comprehend the level of uncertainty that has been preserved during the forecasting process. This paper proposes an enhanced FTSF model with forecasting accuracy developed based on a new hybrid similarity measure combining the centre of gravity and area and height. Three properties of the hybrid similarity measure are presented. The FTSF model is implemented in the case of the Malaysian unemployment rate. The findings indicate that, on average more than 94% of the predicted value was identical to historical data. The forecasting accuracy is produced directly from the forecasting value without undergoing the defuzzification process, which can preserve some information from being lost.
Optimal Lamb Feed Formulation using Mathematical Programming Model
Authors: Alwadood Zuraida , Yati Aiman Mohamad Din , Mohd Noor Norlenda
Published: March 2024

Feed formulation is important in ensuring the quality of livestock production and sustaining the self-sufficient of the livestock industry in the country. Currently, local farmers have been feeding their lambs with goat pellets and this has caused an imbalance between nutrient feeding in lambs. In this study, a modified linear programming (LP) model is proposed to optimize a specific lamb feed formulation that satisfies the nutrient requirement at a minimum cost. The dietary nutritional requirements for lambs were derived from the standard criteria of the 1985 National Research Council. The modified LP model considers the nutrients needs of lambs according to their weight, the amount of nutrients to be consumed and the cost of each feedstuff. This study focuses on obtaining the optimal amount of feedstuff in the lamb feed that is determined based on the solution of a modified model. The analysis of the resulting price of goat pellets available in the local market was performed. The result shows that the new feed formulation for lamb recorded a price reduction of 53.65% compared to the commercial goat pellet yet fulfils the nutrient requirements for lamb.
Evaluation of Physiochemical, Nutritional, Sensorial, and Microbiological Properties of Juice Blends Produced from Parkia biglobosa Pulp and Ixora coccinea Fruits
Authors: Chiamaka Onukogu Stella , Ebenezer Ogunniyi Damilola
Published: March 2024

This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical, proximate, microbial, and sensory properties of juice blends made from Parkia biglobosa pulp and Ixora coccinea fruit. The P. biglobosa pulps and I. coccinea fruits were blended in different ratios of sample A (100% P. bigblosa pulp), sample B (100% I. coccinea fruit), sample C (50% P. bigblosa pulp; 50% I. coccinea fruit), sample D (30% P. bigblosa pulp; 70% I. coccinea fruit), E (70% P. bigblosa pulp; 30% I. coccinea fruit). The physicochemical parameters assessed include pH, titratable acidity, and vitamin C content. The proximate, sensory, and microbiological properties of the juice blends were also evaluated. The proximate analysis of the juice blend samples revealed that samples C, D, and E had higher moisture, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content compared to samples A and B. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, and alkaloids in the juice blends. The flavonoid and phenol content was found to be highest in sample E. The samples containing mixed juice blends (C, D, and E) had the highest vitamin C content. The microbial analysis of the juice blends showed no viable microbial counts in the samples. The sensory evaluation of the juice blends revealed that sample E, which contains the mixed blends, had the highest acceptability in terms of color, taste, texture, and aroma. This study revealed that the mixed blends of P. biglobosa pulp and I. coccinea fruit have improved nutritional and sensory acceptability, which could serve as potentially useful materials in the production of beverages.
Gender Variations in Social Media Usage and Its Perceived Impact on The Academic Performance of Nigerian Science Undergraduates
Authors: Ogundele Olusegun Emmanuel , Ogbonnaya Uchenna Nwoye , Awofodu Adebola Daniel , Odusanwo Esther Oluwayemisi , Zangonde Gbenga Seveho , Akhigbe Jeremiah Nosakhare , Agboola Oluwaseun Hannah
Published: March 2024

University students frequently use social media, which has an impact on their everyday life, but the impact may differ by gender and other circumstances. The purpose of this study was to examine how social media usage differs by gender and how this is believed to affect the academic performance of undergraduate science students in Nigeria. This descriptive survey comprises a sample of randomly selected 464 undergraduate science students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Nigeria. The students' social media usage was assessed with an adapted and validated questionnaire rated on a 4-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree (4), Agree (3), Disagree (2), and Strongly Disagree (1). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 21. Our results show that there are no gender differences in total time spent on social media daily (P= 0.275) and usage of social media during class (P= 0.487). Male versus female usage of Twitter (60.2% versus 30.6%, P= 0.000) and Youtube (62.2% versus 48.6%, P= 0.017) were significantly different but not in usage of Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram. Both males and females felt that social media had a high impact on their academic performance, but the impact was significantly higher in males than females (P= 0.049). Males use more social media applications than females and opined that social media highly impacted their academic performance. These findings could be explored for better academic performance.
Anti-feedant and Molluscicidal Activities of Selected Spices Against Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Achatinidae)
Authors: Daud Dzulsuhaimi , Setiawan Haris , Budin Kamsia
Published: March 2024

The application of biopesticides is progressively encouraged for its advantages associated with environmental safety and high biodegradability. The objectives of this study were to compare the phytochemical constituents, anti-feedant, and molluscicidal activities of spices against the giant African land snail, Achatina fulica. The spices evaluated were clove (Syzygium aromaticum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Phytochemical constituents of spices were screened by qualitative standard protocols. Anti-feedant activity was investigated by the leaf disc no-choice bioassay method and molluscicidal activity was evaluated by a 72-h contact toxicity test. The phytochemical screening showed positive results for tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenols in clove, cinnamon, cumin and coriander ethanolic extracts whereas only tannins, alkaloids and terpenoids were found in the black pepper ethanolic extract. The leaf disc no-choice bioassay revealed that all spices demonstrated anti-feedant activity (p<0.05, compared to control). However, only clove (85.33±3.09%), cinnamon (72.35±3.41%) and coriander (81.54±3.88%) ethanolic extracts showed high feeding inhibition activity, whereas black pepper (68.85±3.22%) and cumin (68.96±3.12%) had moderate anti-feedant activity. In the contact toxicity test, clove ethanolic extract (52.67±1.53%) showed moderate molluscicidal activity, meanwhile cinnamon (19.34±2.08%), black pepper (16.65±1.15%), cumin (18.96±1.42%) and coriander (22.67±1.37%) demonstrated low molluscicidal activity. In conclusion, all spices tested in this study showed the presence of important secondary metabolites that contribute to anti-feedant and molluscicidal activities at differening levels.
Antioxidant Potential of Different Parts of Three Pineapple Varieties N36, Madu and MD2
Authors: Wan Mohd Wan Zuraida , Zulpahmi Nur Diyana , Zukaimi Nur Fatin Nadzirah , Che Musa Siti Aisha Naí’lla , Hamid Nur ‘Amira , Ramli Nurul Wahida
Published: March 2024

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is widely consumed and appreciated not only due to its taste and aroma and to its nutritional and antioxidant properties, including its vitamin C and phenolic contents. In an attempt to explore new antioxidant leads, pineapple waste is often neglected in the pineapple industry. Fruit processing has considerably higher ratios of by-products and pineapple by-products are not exceptions as they consist basically of the residual pulp, peels, stem, and leaves. Pineapple waste is a by-product resulting from canning processing of pineapple that produces about 35% of fruit waste and leads to serious environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to determine whether different varieties and parts of pineapple waste (peel, core, crown, and stalk) can affect and give the highest amount of natural antioxidant activity. In this study, the antioxidant activities of different parts of three pineapples (N36, Madu, and MD2 were measured using the DPPH method. Methanol solvent has been used for extraction and various parts of pineapple were used to determine the effect of different plants on antioxidants. The samples were determined by using an ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer. The result for scavenging activity (DPPH) indicates Madu variety displayed high scavenging activity compared to MD2 and N36 varieties. Madu varieties demonstrated a significant free radical scavenging ability where their crown has IC50 and cores are merely IC50 at 175 ppm and 500ppm. The MD2 crown also demonstrates IC50 at 275 ppm. The results suggest that Madu varieties comprised of the crown of pineapple studied may be useful as potential sources of natural antioxidants.
Editorial Perspectives: Arts, Whiteness and Power in University 3.0
Authors: Boehm Carola
Published: March 2024

This special edition is a milestone, not quite an end, but certainly a marker in a much longer story that started with both my special issues co-editor Thushari Welikala and myself engaging in online informal but themed meetups, connecting with PaTHES members on topics around whiteness
and coloniality within the academy.
Decolonisation and the Risks of Exception in South African Higher Education
Authors: Davids Nuraan
Published: March 2024

Abstract Amid competing arguments of what it “looks like” and what it “should be doing”, decolonisation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa has become increasingly problematised and stultified. On the one hand, a coalescence between
decolonisation and Africanisation has taken root in a propagation of decolonisation-as-Blackness and, hence, by implication, anti-whiteness. On the other hand, there is a worrying resort to structural and epistemic violence, which has come to characterise student protests. I argue that decolonisation
can neither erase colonialism through a language of exception nor through a language of violence. Decolonisation calls for an epistemic re-prioritisation and restoration of what makes us all human. This means that until students (and others) liberate themselves from a discourse of dichotomous
binaries (as found in constructions of Blackness/whiteness), and until they unlearn the violence of colonialism, decolonisation will not evolve in South Africa.
Perceived Changing Academic Roles of Deans in Higher Education: A case of Makerere University
Authors: Lutaaya Bernadette , Ronald Bisaso , Nakamanya Florence
Published: March 2024

Existing literature shows that deans in higher education institutions are key in nurturing, facilitating growth, and setting high academic standards for faculty, staff, and students among other stakeholders to be able to achieve the academic goals and objectives in this changing and challenging higher education environment. They are also expected to create a positive work environment within schools, colleges, or departments. However, not much has been written on how these deans perceive their changing academic roles and how they reframe the same in the context of Makerere University. This qualitative and case study therefore set out to explore the perceived changing academic roles of deans in Makerere University. Findings reveal that deans perceive their changing academic roles as hectic, multiple, financially constraining, and politically constrained. The study concludes that the perceptions of deans are attributed to the growth and strategic direction of the university, the needs of the market, and the transformation of Makerere University to a collegiate system of governance and increased technology among others. The study recommends that deans can gradually draw on the associated benefits of the political frame including networking and partnerships to be able to manage financially and overcome financial constraints. Deans should leverage committees to establish grants and partnerships. The university and its governing body should withdraw or relieve the teaching loads from the deans to enable them to concentrate on curbing financial constraints