bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilising redundancy in musculoskeletal systems for adaptive stiffness and muscle failure compensation: a model-free inverse statics approach
Authors: Almanzor Elijah , Sugiyama Taku , Abdulali Arsen , Hayashibe Mitsuhiro , Iida Fumiya
Published: May 2024

Vertebrates possess a biomechanical structure with redundant muscles, enabling adaptability in uncertain and complex environments. Harnessing this inspiration, musculoskeletal systems offer advantages like variable stiffness and resilience to actuator failure and fatigue. Despite their potential, the complex structure presents modelling challenges that are difficult to explicitly formulate and control. This difficulty arises from the need for comprehensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, including details such as muscle arrangement, and fully accessible muscle and joint states. Whilst existing model-free methods do not need explicit formulations, they also underutilise the benefits of muscle redundancy. Consequently, they necessitate retraining in the event of muscle failure and require manual tuning of parameters to control joint stiffness limiting their applications under unknown payloads. Presented here is a model-free local inverse statics controller for musculoskeletal systems, employing a feedforward neural network trained on motor babbling data. Experiments with a musculoskeletal leg model showcase the controller’s adaptability to complex structures, including mono and bi-articulate muscles. The controller can compensate for changes such as weight variations, muscle failures, and environmental interactions, retaining reasonable accuracy without the need for any additional retraining.
Safeguarding the Environment: A Review of Functional Coating Systems for Rapid COVID-19 Inactivation
Authors: Adeboye S.A. , Adebamiro O.M. , Arigbede O.E. , Irorevbo H.E. , Siyanbola T.O.
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic was a worldwide disaster in the health industry, millions of human deaths were recorded. The spread of the virus led to the shutting down of the world economy. The most prevalent is people communicating in close contact. Measures such as the use of nose masks and social distancing help to reduce the infection rate. The second is infection from substrates like tables, automated teller machine buttons, staircase rails, door nubs, etc. This paper is poised to review how surface-infected (substrates) platforms can be inactivated using modified functional coating systems. These coating composite systems are prepared by functionalizing the polymer matrix with suitable nanoparticles that could inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, this piece discusses the challenges and future directions in the development of advanced coating technologies, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and applicability in diverse settings, including healthcare facilities and public spaces. This review serves as a valuable resource for scientists, engineers, and policymakers involved in the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Radon Concentration Level in Selected offices at Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State
Authors: Soyinka B. A. , Usikalu M. R.
Published: May 2024

Radon, a radioactive gas that emanates naturally from the earth crust is accountable for about 50% of the effective dose of ionizing radiation received by humans. Most radon susceptiveness occurs in homes and work places, it comes from the natural disintegration of uranium in soil, rock and water and escalate to the air that we breath, hence it is important to monitor the actual level of exposure in most buildings. This work analysed the indoor radon concentration in air at twenty different offices of different building at Bells University of Technology using Rad7 detector. The mean measured radon concentration ranges from 0-56.7 Bq/m3 for all the study locations. The mean absorbed dose, equivalent dose and effective dose were calculated with the radon concentration which are 0.152 mGy/y, 3.045 mSv/y and 0.365 mSv/y respectively. The results obtained are below the world set limit as recommended by International Commission on radiological protection, except for office 7 which slightly exceed the recommended limit. Thus, the study concluded that good ventilation is very important in the reduction of radon concentration level in our work places.
Half Metallic Properties of the Polymorphs of Rubidium Selenide Compound
Authors: Jolayemi O. R. , Wabululu E. N. , Duke A. E. , Idiodi J. O. A.
Published: May 2024

Half-metallic ferromagnets denote a specific category of compounds where one spin channel exhibits a gap at the Fermi level, contrasting with the metallic nature of the other spin channel. This distinction results in complete carrier spin polarization, reaching 100% at the Fermi level. A first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave method is utilized to examine the structural, electronic, and magnetic characteristics of RbSe across various polymorphs. Our investigation covers the RbSe compound in the CsCl (B2), NaCl (B1), ZnS (B3), NiAs (B81) and wurtzite (B4) phases. The calculations were done using the quantum ESPRESSO code within the generalized gradient approximation. The lattice parameters, bulk moduli, and their pressure derivatives agrees with prior theoretical data for cubic structures. The electronic band structures and density of states indicate the emergence of half-metallic and magnetic properties in RbSe, which stem from the existence of spin-polarized p orbitals within the Se atom. RbSe shows half-metallic behaviour in all structures studied with an integer magnetic moment of 1μB
per formula unit for CsCl, NaCl, ZnS; and 2μB
for NiAs and wurtzite. Results showed that most energetically stable phase of all five crystal structures studied is the CsCl-type of RbSe.
A Comparative Study on the Sustainability of Groundnut Oil Storage Stability using Ethylacetate Extract from Piliostigma reticulatum and Butylated Hydroxyanisole
Authors: Adeyanju A.A. , Iranloye Y.M. , Aderogba M.A. , Falade O.S.
Published: May 2024

Lipid oxidation poses a significant challenge, adversely affecting the long-term stability of vegetable oils. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ethyl acetate extract from Piliostigma reticulatum leaves and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in preserving freshly extracted groundnut oil during a four-month storage study. The groundnut oil was divided into five treatment groups and the progression of oxidative changes in each of these groups was diligently monitored every two weeks over the course of four months. Key parameters, including free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), total phenolic content (TPC), and total carotenoid, were analyzed. The results of the stability study revealed that FFA and PV increased in all treatment groups over time, but the oil protected with P. reticulatum plant extract exhibited the lowest values. IV, TP, and total carotenoid were also observed to decrease in all groups, with the plant extract-protected oil sample showing the least reduction. This study concludes that the ethyl acetate fraction of P. reticulatum demonstrates superior antioxidant properties compared to BHA and can be considered a promising natural alternative for safeguarding vegetable oil against lipid oxidation.
Investigation of Proximate Analysis and Phytochemical Screening of Dry Orange Waste (Citrus sinensis) Extract: From Agrowaste to Sustainable Development
Authors: Akinlabu K.D. , Owoeye T. F. , Emetere M. E. , Jonathan H. O. , Owoeye D. I. , Akinlabu P. O.
Published: May 2024

In the 21st century, where the amount of garbage produced is a nuisance to both man and his environment, the waste to wealth program should be a fundamental part of sustainable living. Therefore, the purpose of this effort is to turn waste to wealth by extracting oil from orange peel (waste) and investigate its nutraceutical potential and usefulness to human. Phytochemicals and proximate analysis of dry peel orange were herein investigated. The result obtained are as follows: moisture content 10.30%±0.04; ash 5.51%±0.02; crude fat 2.78%±0.01; protein 16.51%±0.10, crude fiber 12.47%±0.05 and carbohydrate 52.43±0.42%. Phytochemically speaking, the extract contained alkaloids, phenol, tannin, flavonoid, Carbohydrate, Quinones, Glycosides, Steroids and Saponin. These phytoconstituents implied that the extract exhibits good pharmaceutical potential while the result of its proximate composition revealed its nutritional tendency. Hence, it is conceivable to know that from this agrowaste (orange peel), it is possible to derive nutraceutical benefits which could support wealth and wellbeing of mankind for sustainable development. This will increase economic growth (SDG-8), ensure zero hunger (SDG-2), provide responsible consumption and production (SDG-12). Nutraceutical potential of this agrowaste from orange peel will also engender good health and well-beings (SDG-3).
Utilization of Bituminous Sand in the Production of Eco-friendly Sandcrete for Sustainable Construction
Authors: Ezenkwa C. S. , Ede A. N. , Ogbaga C. K. , Ogagaoghene O. E.
Published: May 2024

Sandcrete is a construction material composed of cement, fine aggregate, and water. The constituent materials are in great demand due to their use in various buildings. The increasing demand in turn has led to astronomical increases in the cost of procuring these materials thereby making it very difficult to meet the shelter provision requirement of the teeming population of a country such as Nigeria. There have been various attempts to address this issue by substituting different materials for river sand in the production of sandcrete, either entirely or in part, one such material which is used in this research is bituminous sand. Bituminous sands are composed of sands, heavy oil and clay that are rich in mineral and water. Ordinary Portland cement was mixed with both river sand (as control) and bituminous sand in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 100% replacement levels. Seventy-two sandcrete cubes were cast in all for this study and tested for compressive strength. From the investigation, the samples compressive strengths increased with increase in curing age and decreased with increase in percentage replacement though at a different rate with the sample containing 0% bituminous sand and 100% river sand denoted SC0,100 gaining the highest strength of 8.59N/mm2 at the 28th day of curing. The SC10,90, SC20,80, SC30,70 and SC40,60 attained 98.5%, 50%, 42.3% and 3.5% more strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing, respectively. While the SC100,0 attained 43.5% lower strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing. This research has revealed the possibility of using bituminous sand for developing eco-friendly sandcrete for construction purposes for up to 0-40% river sand replacement with bituminous sand.
Assessment of Emergency Response in the Incident of Building Collapse in Selected Location in Lagos State
Authors: Ojelabi R.A. , Oladiran O.J. , Omuh I.O.
Published: May 2024

The incidence of building collapse is one of the emergency events that requires urgent attention due to the loss of lives that usually accompany its occurrence. The study aims at examining the response time and challenges impacting emergency events like building collapses in Lagos. A questionnaire survey was adopted, and a total of eighty (80) respondents were drawn from construction professionals using cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Sixty-one (61) questionnaires were completed and returned, representing a 76% response rate. The data generated were subjected to descriptive analysis using mean scores and inferential statistical analysis using ANOVA. The findings from the study indicated that 30–120 minutes are rated as the appropriate response time to emergency events like building collapses to forestall the loss of lives. The results also indicate that among the top barriers slowing down emergency response, the incidence of collapse includes poor resources and funding, a complex network of governing bodies, poor road and network issues, and a lack of emergency toll-free lines. The results further revealed that none of the factors limiting emergency response is more significant than the others. Hence, the study recommends that to ensure prompt emergency response to the incidence of building failures in Lagos State, every local government area should have an emergency management office with a well-equipped team. It also recommends that the government should not only provide infrastructural facilities such as a good road network; they should also create emergency routes to aid ease of accessibility in the incidence of emergency events like building collapses. Also, the use of ICT like drones and robotics, among others, should be deployed in managing rescue operations in building collapses.
Prediction of Noise Level in Ota Metropolis Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Babalola P.O. , Kilanko O. , Babalola I.D.
Published: May 2024

Capturing noise data is laborious, time-consuming, expensive and dangerous due to the exposure of the investigator to the menace. Also, appropriate software, computational skill and computational time are also required before the captured data could be of any use. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN) was deployed to learn and train noise data in Ota Metropolis. Data were captured from forty-one (41) locations for the morning, afternoon and evening in Ota Metropolis. ANN with Levenberg Marquardt algorithm and architectural configuration of 2-21-9 (input-hidden neuron-output) was used to predict noise descriptors for Ota Metropolis with 73% accuracy. The two input variables were the latitude and longitude of the location measured in degrees while the nine output variables are the noise descriptors such traffic noise index (TNI), noise pollution level (LNP), and average equivalent noise levels (LAeq) computed for each selected location for morning, afternoon and evening periods. The results could be used in mobile applications, Google Earth and other platforms to guide residence dwellers, travellers, industrialists and technocrats in selecting travelling routes, choice of apartment location and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in unavoidable noisy locations.
Awareness and Implementation Challenges of the Green Retrofitting in Building Enclosure in the Nigerian Construction Industry
Authors: Ojelabi R. A. , Mohammed T. A. , Oladiran O. J.
Published: May 2024

This research work aims at examining awareness and implementation challenges of green retrofitting in building enclosures among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. The study identifies the varying green retrofitting used in building enclosures and investigates its level of awareness and the factors affecting its adoption among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. The sample was 100 comprising professionals in the construction industry selected randomly using cluster and purposive sampling techniques; and the response was 60%. Data were analyzed using frequency, mean and rank. The findings from the study revealed that out of the 20 green retrofitting used in building enclosures, the construction professionals are more aware of green roofs, high-quality glazing, reflective roofs, energy-efficient windows and doors, and shading device which include louvers. Also, top among the implementation challenges of green retrofitting used in building enclosure among construction professionals include limited knowledge, cost of fixing green retrofitting, skills gap, reluctance to adapt, and poor infrastructure are the major factors. The study recommend that government and professional bodies should sponsor innovative training approaches aimed at addressing skill shortages. This could be in form of schemes such as micro credentials and on-the-job training.
Appraisal of Universal Design Strategies for Enhancing Social Inclusion in The Development of Sporting Facilities
Authors: Sholanke A. B. , Eleagu J. C.
Published: May 2024

Sporting facilities are essential components of public recreational infrastructure for engaging in physical exercise, participating in sporting games, or witnessing sporting events. To design sporting facilities, an important consideration is to ensure that individuals of diverse abilities can fully participate and enjoy sporting events. One way this can be achieved is through the application of universal design ideology in the development of sporting facilities. The aim of universal design is to create products, services and environments that are accessible, usable, and accommodating for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. This paper presents an appraisal of universal design parameters, in order to provide insight on specific design strategies suitable for fostering social inclusion in sports facility development. The research is a literature review paper that relied on secondary sources to gather data. The data were content analysed using thematic approach and the findings descriptively presented in themes, with the aid of a plate, table and figures. The review revealed themes, trends, technical details, challenges, and success parameters for achieving social inclusion through the application of universal design strategies in the creation of sporting facilities. The study aligns with the 11th target of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that promotes developing safe communities and cities to be resilient, inclusive and sustainable.
Evaluation of Sustainable Maintenance and Security of Green Spaces in Public Housing Schemes in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Jegede O. F. , Adewale A. B. , Akinola O. A.
Published: May 2024

Security of lives and property in housing environments is one of the basic necessity in the provision of public housing. The nature of maintenance given to green spaces in public housing environment can affect the level of security of lives and property. However, due to the antecedents of public housing, its unique population and the problems it creates for law enforcement agencies on security issues, there is need to evaluate how sustainable maintenance of green spaces within public housing could affect the level of security of lives and property. The public housing constructed by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) in Lagos State, Nigeria was used for this study. Primary data was collected from 1036 housing units in 12 different estates of the LSDPC in Lagos State, using the research tools of the questionnaire and structured observation schedule. Descriptive statistics and categorical regression analyses were carried out on the data. The results showed that the green spaces around each housing units were sustainably maintained, than jointly owned green spaces by all residents of the housing estates and this has implications to the level of security of lives and property in the housing estates. It is recommended that public housing estate’s green spaces be designed to allow for sustainability in maintenance by each housing units, which would lead to a general sustainable maintenance view of all green spaces available in the public housing environment.
Satisfaction with Maintenance of the Public Sector Employee Housing Schemes in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Akinola A. O. , Ibem E.O. , Opoko A.P. , Oluwatayo A.A. , Aduwo E.B. , Ugah U.K.
Published: May 2024

The Public sector employee housing is a kind of housing arrangement, which accentuates the role of the employer (government as well as its agencies) in assisting to deliver housing, mainly for the public sector workers. However, not much is known of the occupants’ satisfaction with the maintenance features of housing provided through this scheme in a large metropolitan area such as Lagos State. This study investigated the Maintenance Satisfaction features in nine public-sector employee housing estates in Lagos state, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design involving quantitative research approach was adopted. The survey was carried out between September, 2020 and March, 2021. Using stratified sampling technique, the estates were grouped into the local government area. Cluster sampling was used to select the local government area. Also, purposive sampling technique was used to select 688 housing units in the nine purposively selected housing estates. 500 copies of the administered questionnaire were correctly filled and returned by the participants and the information were subjected to descriptive statistics. Statistical package for Social Science(SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The results pointed out that the respondents were most satisfied with the promptness of response to security issues in the estate, frequency of collection and disposal of refuse, frequency of maintenance of power supply facilities and least satisfied with the frequency of maintenance of roads within the estate, frequency of maintenance of drainage facilities and frequency of fumigation of the estate environment. Therefore, to improve maintenance satisfaction of inhabitants in public sector employee housing schemes, the key stakeholders such as the architects, builders and so on should give priority attention to the key features that ensure residents’ satisfaction.
Radiological Risk Exposure to the Residential Area Adjacent to Liquor Company in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Omeje M. , Adewoyin O. O. , Ekwueme B. N. , Soheil S. , Okafor I. F. , George G. C. , Olowoeshin B. , Ukaegbu T. M.
Published: May 2024

Background radiation levels and radionuclides assessment was conducted around the residential area adjacent to the Intercontinental Distillers (Liquor) Company located in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun state using Gamma Ray Semi-mobile Spectrometer (Super Spec RS-125 Radiation detector). This study was carried out to determine the background gamma dose rate and the associated radiological risk exposure to the public living around the study area. The activity concentrations vary from 2.47 to 25.935 Bq/Kg, 28.826 to 62.52 Bq/Kg, 4.0 to 250.4 Bq/Kg for 238U, 40K and 232Th respectively. The activity concentration of the radionuclides (238-U, 40-K, 232-Th) field data was used to determine the radiological parameters. All the radionuclide activity concentrations found in the study/research area were below the International Reference Standard (IRS) except for Thorium, which surpassed the IRS. The estimated values ranged from 57.27 to 125.98 Bq/kg, 0.15 to 0.34 Bq/kg and 0.19 to 0.38 Bq/kg for radium equivalent, external hazard and internal hazard respectively. The numerically measured values of gamma dosage rates ranged from 26.4 to 59.0 nGy/h. This highest value was 59 nGy/h, which is higher than the 54 nGy/h safe level suggested by the United Nations Scientific Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The research area’s hot spots that potentially endanger the health of nearby residents if proper precautions are not taken have been identified using a geospatial assessment of the background gamma radiation rate.
Assessment of Daylighting Strategies in Selected Convention Centres for Improved Sustainability
Authors: Adewale B. A. , Ewuoso E. A.
Published: May 2024

The study aims to assess the extent to which daylighting strategies are implemented in selected convention centres. The objectives are to identify daylighting strategies utilized in selected convention centres, and evaluate their adequacy. The study focused on convention centres as they are commercial buildings that consume large amounts of energy. Three convention centres were conveniently selected at random in Lagos State, Nigeria due to the easy access for observation. The study used the mixed-method approach. 100 questionnaires were issued to respondents in each centre and 131 were retrieved and used for analysis. The data collected were descriptively analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and the results were sorted from the highest to the lowest in terms of their mean item score (MIS), and presented in tables. The sizes and functions of the identified strategies in the case studies were analyzed in relation to standards, and the findings were discussed in relation to other researches. It was revealed that the selected convention centres did not utilize daylighting strategies effectively as they rely largely on artificial lighting. The findings further revealed that daylighting is not very well considered at the conceptualization stage of this building typology. The pieces of evidence show that as the elements in a space are considered, adequate daylight can enter that space and create the potential for energy savings in lighting. Further studies can be carried out in existing convention centres in other developing countries to explore the influence of daylighting on energy savings. This paper provides valuable information on acceptable daylighting strategies based on the observations made which could be incorporated in convention centres from the design stage, and insight into measuring the adequacy of daylighting strategies in convention centres in comparison with other researchers’ findings as discussed below.
Lead-cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils and health implications
Authors: Kayode O. T. , Oyeyemi K. D.
Published: May 2024

The use of pesticides in farms has made agricultural soils often contaminated with heavy metals, excess of which the soils could pollute the environment and potentially damage human health through accumulation in the food chain. The geochemical compositions in agricultural soils from two commercial farms were analysed using ICP-MS. Trace elements are needed in minute quantities in soils but can be toxic to plants and humans with health implications at elevated rates. Soil samples from the study area were analysed and the result revealed that lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the study sites were within the FAO/WHO standard limits. The implications of elevated rates on crops and humans alike are highlighted in this paper.
Groundwater Exploration Within Shallow Depths Around Distinct Litho-Petrological Contact Zones
Authors: Ejiga E. G. , Nur A. , Izuwa N. C. , Olabode O.
Published: May 2024

The world’s increasing demand for freshwater has put a strain on existing reserves in recent years, necessitating further exploration of new groundwater reserves. However, geologic provinces located within the contact boundary of Sedimentary Basin-Basement Complex region are somewhat faced with the problem of shallow sediment thickness. As a result, exploring for groundwater poses a challenge as the sediment thickness might be insufficient to host productive aquifers. Hence, exploring for faults and fractures zones that are embedded on the hard rock underneath the sediment is very essential and complimentary. In this study, high resolution aeromagnetic data over a litho-petrological contact zone of the Middle Benue Trough (MBT) and the Adamawa Massif were analyzed to delineate groundwater exploration areas using a simplified qualitative and quantitative approach. Visual inspection of isolated and aggregate anomalies is performed by analyzing their shapes, dimensions, lateral extents, and discontinuities. Lineaments were then extracted from the residual magnetic map to determine faults, fractures, and joints. A two-source-depth model is indicated by the Spectral Analysis technique used to determine the thickness of the sediments in the area. The deeper source (Z1) has a thickness of 0.9 - 3.6 km, while the shallow source (Z2) has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.8 km. While in some areas the overburden thickness may be sufficient for groundwater exploration, in others it was not, as indicated by the shallow magnetic depth, Z2. Nonetheless, areas of shallow thickness but with aggregates of faults, fractures, and joints were identified as possible locations for groundwater accumulation through magnetic lineament exploration.
Petrophysical analysis to determine the hydrocarbon prospectivity of sands in AA field, Niger Delta
Authors: Adagunodo T. A. , Akinlabi I. A.
Published: May 2024

Petrophysical analysis is a crucial process in the oil and gas industry. It entails the analysis and interpretation of well logs, fluid samples or core smaples to understand the behaviour of the embedded reservoirs in the subsurface. Three well logs from AA field were provided for this study, but two well data were finally loaded to the workstation due to absence of key well logs (such as gamma ray and density logs) from the third well. The quality control check of the data was done prior to the uploading of data. Delineation of lithologies and identification of hydrocarbon reservoirs were done; the identified reservoirs were correlated across the two wells; and the petrophysical evaluation (such as estimations of shale volume, porosity, permeability and water/hydrocarbon saturation) of the three pay zones (that is, Sand A, B and C) in AA field were done. The porosity of Sands A, B and C varied from 0.27 to 0.28, 0.24 to 0.30 and 0.27. The permeability of Sands A, B and C varied from 1012 to 1314 md, 884 to 1013 md and 692 to 892 md. Meanwhile, the hydrocarbon saturation for Sands A, B and C varied from 1 to 89%, 45 to 80% and 79 to 80%, respectively. It can be concluded that the order of hydrocarbon prospectivity of the reservoir sands correlated across Well AA-1 and Well AA-2 is Sand C > Sand B > Sand A.
Development and Evaluation of Efficient Smart Solar Lawn Mower
Authors: Onuabuchi E. M. , Ekeopara J. U. , Sule R. , Ayanbisi O. , Akinwumi S.A. , Olawole O.C. , Ogunwale E.
Published: May 2024

Solar powered lawn mower has offered a more convenient way of trimming the lawn due to the advancement in its technology. As the world gradually moves towards green technology, research has geared towards making solar powered mover readily available, efficient, and economical. However, few reports were available on the effect of grass types on battery voltage drop. In this paper, solar powered lawn mower was structured into phases which include, power supply phase, Arduino phase, motor phase and integration of the components. The 550-motor was sufficient to produce the required torque needed to drive the solar panel mower. The average efficiency of the solar panel was found to be 93 %. The battery voltage drop was investigated upon cutting different types of grasses to determine the rate at which power is dissipated in the solar powered lawn mower. The voltage drop of 0.34 V was recorded when cutting stubborn grass while that of soft grass was found to be 0.17 V. Rain sensor was incorporated to provide the user with a notification via Buzzer whenever raindrops are detected.
Active and passive cooling techniques of graphical processing units in automotive applications - a review
Authors: Praveen S M , A Rammohan
Published: May 2024

Graphical Processing Units (GPU) have become a vital source for data processing in many advanced or intelligent technologies. They have proven to be faster and more efficient than the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in computing large data sets. The automotive industry has adopted GPUs for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), but other systems like electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles will also employ GPUs soon. Although GPUs are faster at computing large data sets, a substantial increase in core temperature is challenging during the process. This review paper primarily focuses on active and passive cooling methods for GPUs in the automotive industry. The paper commences by addressing the role and need for GPUs in the automotive industry and explores the challenges they face and the factors that lead to an increase in temperature. The paper further reviews various cooling methods that original equipment manufacturers (OEM) use in the automotive industry. The outcomes of the review are a detailed understanding of the use of GPUs in automotive, a brief interpretation of heating issues in GPUs and what causes them, a comprehensive understanding of the cooling methods used to reduce the core temperature, and a perception of an anticipated technology to resolve the heating problem.
The omission of seed banks in demography as an example of bias in ecology
Authors: López-Borghesi Federico , Quintana-Ascencio Pedro F
Published: May 2024

Despite enthusiasm for big data in the life sciences, challenges arise because of biases and incomplete data. Demographic studies often overlook dormant life stages, which can skew inferences. They also tend to focus on few populations and short time spans. We assessed omissions of seed banks in demographic studies, exploring trends across life forms, climates, and taxonomic groups. We compared 172 species (192 cases) with independent seed bank and demographic studies. Approximately 25% of the demographic studies excluded known seed bank stages. The probability of omissions was lower for annuals and shrubs and higher for perennial herbs. We found no evidence that ecoregion or phylogeny explained these omissions. Modeling choices and study designs may explain patterns of seed bank omissions. Considering more populations reduced the chance of omissions. Omissions raise concerns for ecological analyses using databases. Leveraging large data is important, but we must be careful to understand their biases and limitations.
Optimized system for combined production of electricity/green hydrogen for multiple energy pathways: a case study of Egypt
Authors: Ragab Reda , Hamdi Mohamed , El Salmawy Hafez A , Ismail Mohamed A
Published: May 2024

By optimal sizing of a wind/photovoltaic hybrid renewable-energy (RE) system, trimming the surplus capacity to reduce the fluctuations in the electricity supplied to the grid, and using it to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, a stable output with maximum possible capacity factor (CF) is generated to maintain the electricity grid stability. Simultaneously, the trimmed energy is used in a secondary conversion path that minimizes the weighted average cost of the energy generated from the entire plant. This surplus power-to-gas conversion allows the use of green hydrogen to produce electricity, methanol, or ammonia subject to the resource availability, site characteristics, and financial feasibility. Based on robust site selection criteria, the best performance is obtained at two sites: Ras Ghareb and Minya, achieving the lowest energy cost with some variance in their performance. For the Ras Ghareb site, the optimally sized RE plant provided the grid with a quasi-steady capacity of 423 MW with a CF of 80.04% and was capable of injecting 2965.8648 GWh throughout the year with the lowest cost of 2.4355 ¢/kWh. A surplus of 3.9% of the total energy produced from the plant was directed to produce 1922-ton H2/year, achieving the lowest cost of hydrogen production of $1.9745/kg H2. For the other selected site, Minya, the clipped energy is used to produce 3330.47-ton H2/year with an optimized lowest cost of $3.5268/kg H2. The difference in hydrogen costs was attributed to the number of full operating hours of the electrolyser in both sites. The cost is mainly affected by the electricity price and the electrolyser cost. With both tending to decrease, future forecasts show hydrogen cost reductions.
Chromatic Cardinalities via Redshift
Authors: Ben-Moshe Shay , Carmeli Shachar , Schlank Tomer M , Yanovski Lior
Published: May 2024

Using higher descent for chromatically localized algebraic $K$-theory, we show that the higher semiadditive cardinality of a $\pi $-finite $p$-space $A$ at the Lubin–Tate spectrum $E_{n}$ is equal to the higher semiadditive cardinality of the free loop space $LA$ at $E_{n-1}$. By induction, it is thus equal to the homotopy cardinality of the $n$-fold free loop space $L^{n} A$. We explain how this allows one to bypass the Ravenel–Wilson computation in the proof of the $\infty $-semi-additivity of the ${T(n)} $-local categories. “Cardinalis sinuatus – the Pyrrhuloxia” by Dick Culbert licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for prevention of urinary retention in hip surgery patients: a multicentre observational study
Authors: Winberg Madeleine , Hälleberg Nyman Maria , Fjordkvist Erika , Eldh Ann Catrine , Joelsson-Alm Eva
Published: May 2024

Urinary retention is a healthcare complication putting patients at risk of unnecessary suffering and harm. Orthopaedic patients are known to face an increased such risk, calling for evidence-based preoperative assessment and corresponding measures to prevent bladder problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate healthcare professionals’ adherence to risk assessment guidelines for urinary retention in hip surgery patients. This was an observational study from January 2021 to April 2021 with a descriptive and comparative design, triangulating three data sources: (I) Medical records for 1382 hip surgery patients across 17 hospitals in Sweden were reviewed for preoperative risk assessments for urinary retention and voiding-related variables at discharge; (II) The patients completed a survey regarding postoperative lower urinary tract symptoms, and; (III) data were extracted from a national quality registry regarding type of surgery, preoperative physical status, and perioperative urinary complications. Group differences were analysed with Chi-square/Fisher’s exact test, t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, or Mann–Whitney U-test. Logistic regression was used to analyse variables associated with completed risk assessments for urinary retention. Of all study participants, 23.4% (n = 323) had a preoperative documented risk assessment of urinary retention. Whether a risk assessment was performed was significantly associated with acute surgery [odds ratio (OR) 3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.48–5.12] and undergoing surgery at an academic hospital (OR 4.59, 95% CI 2.68–7.85). Acute patients were more often affected by urinary retention and had bladder issues and/or an indwelling catheter at discharge. More than every tenth patient (11. 9%, n = 53) completing the survey experienced intensified bladder problems after their hip surgery. The study shows a lack of adherence to risk assessment for urinary retention according to evidence-based guidelines, which negatively affects quality of care and patient safety.
The effect of novel aromatic heterocycle substituted aminamidine derivatives on Necator americanus
Authors: Huo Lele , Wei Yufen , Xue Jian , Jiang Bin , Yin Meng , Tao Yi , Zhang Haobing , Shen Yujuan
Published: May 2024

Background

The efficacy of current drugs against hookworms at a single dose is highly variable across regions, age groups and infection intensity. Extensive and repeated use of these drugs also leads to potential drug resistance. Therefore, novel drugs are required for sustained disease control.

Objectives

Novel aromatic heterocycle substituted aminamidine derivatives (AADs) were synthesized based on tribendimine (TBD), and their in vivo potency against Necator americanus was tested.

Methods

The efficacy of the AADs was tested in male hamsters. Oral and IV pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The proteomic profiles of N. americanus samples treated with AADs were compared using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analyses.

Results

Most AADs exhibited better anthelmintic activity than TBD at a single oral dose. Compound 3c exhibited improved solubility (>50×), and the curative dose was as low as 25 mg/kg. Similar to TBD, 3c was rapidly metabolized after oral administration and transformed into p-(1-dimethylamino ethylimino)aniline (dADT), an active metabolite against intestinal nematodes. dADT from 3c had better pharmacokinetic profiles than that from TBD and achieved an oral bioavailability of 99.5%. Compound 3c possessed rapid anthelmintic activity, clearing all worms within 24 h after an oral dose of 50 mg/kg. Quantitative proteomic analysis indicated that it might be related to ATP metabolism and cuticle protein synthesis.

Conclusions

Compound 3c is a novel and promising compound against N. americanus in vivo.
Neonatal sepsis due to NDM-1 and VIM-2 co-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Morocco
Authors: Daaboul Dina , Osman Marwan , Kassem Issmat I , Yassine Iman , Girlich Delphine , Proust Alexis , Mounir Chemsi , Zerouali Khalid , Raymond Josette , Naas Thierry , Oueslati Saoussen
Published: May 2024

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are being increasingly described worldwide. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying carbapenem resistance in an extremely drug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolate from a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco.

Materials and methods

P. aeruginosa strain O82J1 was identified using MALDI-TOF-MS. Carba NP, immunochromatographic assay NG Carba5 and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disc diffusion and microbroth were performed. Whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina and MinION technologies and different software packages available at the Center of Genomic Epidemiology were used to predict the resistome, sequence type and plasmid types.

Results

P. aeruginosa O82J1 co-expressed two metallo-β-lactamases, blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-2, and was susceptible to colistin and apramycin only. It belonged to ST773 that is frequently reported worldwide as a high-risk P. aeruginosa clone. The blaVIM-2 gene was integron-borne on a IncP-2 465-kb plasmid, whereas the blaNDM-1 gene was chromosomally encoded and embedded in an integrative conjugative element, probably at the origin of its acquisition. A total of 23 antimicrobial resistance genes were detected including a blaPER-1 ESBL gene, and an 16S-rRNA methyltransferase gene rmtB.

Conclusions

The isolation of XDR P. aeruginosa isolates expressing several carbapenemases in a neonatal intensive care unit is of great concern due to the reduced treatment options, relying only on colistin, but not recommended in neonates, and apramycin, not yet approved for human therapy. Concerns were further elevated due to the resistance to cefiderocol and ATM/AVI, two novel and last-resort antibiotics recommended to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, particularly XDR P. aeruginosa in adults.
The comparison of the quality of selected brands of antibiotics in Tanzania sourced from different geographical regions
Authors: Mwalwisi Yonah Hebron , Fimbo Adam Mitangu , Hoellein Ludwig , Nandonde Moses , Sambu Gerald , Ahmed Babuali , Juma Abdalla , Augustine Siya , Shewiyo Danstan Hipolite , Kaale Eliangiringa Amos , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The quality of amoxicillin capsules, ceftriaxone for injection, and ciprofloxacin tablets was evaluated to determine whether there is any difference in quality when comparing the country of origin. This was undertaken because it has been claimed that antibiotics manufactured in Europe are of superior quality to those originating from Africa or Asia.

Methods

Samples of amoxicillin capsules, ceftriaxone for injection, and ciprofloxacin tablets were collected from three randomly selected wholesale pharmacies in each city, namely Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, Tanzania. The collected samples of collected brands were subjected to quality control testing as per their respective pharmacopoeial monographs. Amoxil 250 mg capsules (Glaxo Wellcome, Mayenne, France), Rocephin (Roche, Switzerland) and Cipro-Denk 500 (Allphamed Pharbil Arzneimittel GmbH, Gottingen, Germany) were used as reference brands for the other generic brands of amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, respectively.

Results

A total of 31 brands (10 different brands of amoxicillin capsules, 9 of ceftriaxone sodium injections, and 12 of ciprofloxacin tablets) were collected from the targeted regions and subjected to quality control testing. All samples of collected brands complied with the requirements of their respective pharmacopoeial monographs.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in quality between brands of amoxicillin capsules, ceftriaxone for injection, and ciprofloxacin tablets manufactured in Africa and Asia against those manufactured in Europe in terms of compliance with the respective pharmacopoeial monographs.
Evaluating the seasonal efficacy of commonly used chemical treatments on Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) population resurgence in honey bee colonies
Authors: Jack Cameron J , Boncristiani Humberto , Prouty Cody , Schmehl Daniel R , Ellis James D
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this research was to determine how common chemical treatments influence Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) population resurgence rates (defined as time posttreatment for mite populations to reach 3 mites/100 adult bees) in managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies seasonally. We conducted 2 experiments that followed the same basic protocol to address this purpose. We established 6 treatment groups in Experiment 1 in the fall of 2014: untreated control, Apivar, Apistan, CheckMite+, ApiLifeVar, and Mite Away II applied to 10 colonies per treatment. In Experiment 2, we applied 8 chemical treatments to each of 4 seasonal (spring, summer, fall, and winter) cohorts of honey bee colonies to determine how mite populations are influenced by the treatments. The treatments/formulations tested were Apivar, Apistan, Apiguard, MAQS, CheckMite+, oxalic acid (dribble), oxalic acid (shop towels), and amitraz (shop towels soaked in Bovitraz). In Experiment 1, Apivar and Mite Away II were able to delay V. destructor resurgence for 2 and 6 months, respectively. In Experiment 2, Apiguard, MAQS, oxalic acid (dribble), and Bovitraz treatments were effective at delaying V. destructor resurgence for at least 2 months during winter and spring. Only the Bovitraz and MAQS treatments were effective at controlling V. destructor in the summer and fall. Of the 2 amitraz-based treatments, the off-label Bovitraz treatment was the only treatment to reduce V. destructor populations in every season. The data gathered through this study allow for the refinement of treatment recommendations for V. destructor, especially regarding the seasonal efficacy of each miticide and the temporal efficacy posttreatment.
Faster-growing parasites threaten host populations via patch-level population dynamics and higher virulence; a case study in Varroa mites (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) and honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Bartlett Lewis J , Boots Michael , Brosi Berry J , Delaplane Keith S , Dynes Travis L , de Roode Jacobus C
Published: May 2024

Honey bee parasites remain a critical challenge to management and conservation. Because managed honey bees are maintained in colonies kept in apiaries across landscapes, the study of honey bee parasites allows the investigation of spatial principles in parasite ecology and evolution. We used a controlled field experiment to study the relationship between population growth rate and virulence (colony survival) of the parasite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman). We used a nested design of 10 patches (apiaries) of 14 colonies to examine the spatial scale at which Varroa population growth matters for colony survival. We tracked Varroa population size and colony survival across a full year and found that Varroa populations that grow faster in their host colonies during the spring and summer led to larger Varroa populations across the whole apiary (patch) and higher rates of neighboring colony loss. Crucially, this increased colony loss risk manifested at the patch scale, with mortality risk being related to spatial adjacency to colonies with fast-growing Varroa strains rather than with Varroa growth rate in the colony itself. Thus, within-colony population growth predicts whole-apiary virulence, demonstrating the need to consider multiple scales when investigating parasite growth-virulence relationships.