bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritization Matrix for the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
Authors: Ramani Vinod K.
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

The narrated NCD program is being implemented by KHSDRP in collaboration with the World Bank, New Delhi. This pilot project will involve NCD education and mobilization at the community level, provision of screening, and treatment services at the primary health-care level and strengthening diagnostic, specialist treatment services at the secondary and tertiary levels of care. This paper lists the activities of the diabetes component of the NCD program, and the prioritization matrix describes weighting of the important criteria.

Materials and Methods:

“Precede-Proceed” planning model is the better fit for our Diabetes Program. The prioritization matrix will enable weighting of each criterion against another (comparing each row heading consecutively with all the column headings), in order to decide upon its importance.

Results:

The matrix shows that awareness activities, beneficiary enumeration, mobilization of beneficiary, and behavior change interventions are the important criteria for this health promotion program.

Discussion:

The matrix shows that a large proportion of the budget should be invested in field-related activities for the success of the Program.

Conclusion:

Prioritization matrix enables the examination of all potential opportunities in a Program, by ranking the opportunities by two characteristics: importance and changeability. It systematically compares the choices through selection, weighting, and application of criteria.
Cardiovascular Safety of Hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Pareek Anil , Joshi Shashank , Das Ashok K. , Mehta Ravi Tejraj
Published: March 2021

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), widely used in rheumatology since decades and in type 2 diabetes (T2D) since 2014, has garnered special attention in the current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. HCQ appears to be effective in early COVID-19 and prophylaxis, and more studies are ongoing; its efficacy in severe disease is unclear. Few studies evaluating usage of HCQ in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have raised concerns about the cardiovascular safety of HCQ, particularly QT-prolongation. It is important to understand the distinct clinical settings where HCQ is being used and appraise the data on cardiac effects of this commonly used drug. Although COVID-19 is an acute pro-arrhythmogenic state, HCQ is extensively used in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and T2D. In these indications, data from clinical studies, real-world experiences, and exhaustive pharmacovigilance database inspires confidence and suggests the cardiac side-effects of HCQ to be rare in frequency. The physicians and patients using HCQ in approved indications at recommended doses need to be reassured of its clinical importance and risk-benefit profile.
Weak Estimates for the Maximal and Riesz Potential Operators in Central Herz–Morrey Spaces on the Unit Ball
Authors: Mizuta Yoshihiro , Ohno Takao , Shimomura Tetsu
Published: March 2021

Morrey spaces are the powerful tool for the study of partial differential equations. Recently, weak Morrey spaces and weak Herz spaces are known to be useful for the study of Navier–Stokes equations. In this paper we introduce weak central Herz–Morrey spaces

W\mathcal H^{p(\cdot),q,\omega}(\mathbf B)

and establish the weak estimate for the maximal and Riesz potential operators in the central Herz–Morrey space

\mathcal H^{p(\cdot),q,\omega}(\mathbf B)

. We also treat generalized Riesz potential operators. Further we obtain the strong estimate for Sobolev functions.
Detailed Proof of Classical Gagliardo–Nirenberg Interpolation Inequality with Historical Remarks
Authors: Fiorenza Alberto , Formica Maria Rosaria , Roskovec Tomáš G. , Soudský Filip
Published: March 2021

A carefully written Nirenberg's proof of the famous Gagliardo–Nirenberg interpolation inequality for intermediate derivatives in

\mathbb R^n

seems, surprisingly, to be missing in literature. In our paper, we shall first introduce this fundamental result and provide information about its historical background. Afterwards, we present a complete, student-friendly proof. In our proof, we use the architecture of Nirenberg's argument, the explanation is, however, much more detailed, also containing some differences. The reader can find a short comparison of differences and similarities in the final chapter.
Весовые неравенства для рядов Фурье и ограниченность вариации
Authors: Tikhonov Sergei Yur'evich
Published: March 2021

Изучаются тригонометрические ряды $\sum _{n=1}^\infty \lambda _n \cos nx$ и $\sum _{n=1}^\infty \lambda _n \sin nx$, где $\{\lambda _n\}$ - последовательность ограниченной вариации. Находятся необходимые и достаточные условия справедливости весовых неравенств $(\int _0^\pi |\psi (x)|^q \omega (x) dx)^{1/q} \le C(\sum _{n=1}^\infty u_n(\sum _{k=n}^\infty |\lambda _{k}-\lambda _{k+1}|)^p )^{1/p}$, $0<p\le q<\infty $, для суммы $\psi $ такого ряда в терминах веса $\omega $ и весовой последовательности $\{u_n\}$. Рассматриваются приложения этих результатов к рядам с обобщенно монотонными коэффициентами.
О двумерных билинейных неравенствах с прямоугольными операторами Харди в весовых пространствах Лебега
Authors: Stepanov Vladimir Dmitrievich , Shambilova Gul'dar'ya Ermakovna
Published: March 2021

Дана характеризация двумерного билинейного неравенства с прямоугольными операторами Харди в весовых нормах пространств Лебега.
Слабо сокращающие операторы и сингулярные интегралы
Authors: Stolyarov Dmitriy Mikhailovich
Published: March 2021

Предложен элементарный подход с позиций гармонического анализа к феномену сокращающих и слабо сокращающих дифференциальных операторов, позволяющий распространить эти понятия на анизотропную ситуацию, а также заменить дифференциальные операторы мультипликаторами Фурье более общего вида с малыми требованиями гладкости. В такой более общей постановке с анизотропно однородными мультипликаторами Фурье доказаны неравенство $\|f\|_{L_\infty } \lesssim \|Af\|_{L_1}$ в случае, когда $A$ - слабо сокращающий оператор порядка $d$, и неравенство $\|f\|_{L_2} \lesssim \|Af\|_{L_1}$, где $A$ - сокращающий оператор порядка $d/2$; здесь $f$ - функция $d$ переменных.
Case Report: Development of Miliary Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Patient with Peritoneal Tuberculosis after COVID-19 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Authors: Elziny Moustafa M. , Ghazy Ahmed , Elfert Khaled A. , Aboukamar Mohamed
Published: March 2021

We report a 29-year-old patient who presented with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) upper respiratory tract infection in addition to clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings highly suggestive of peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) without pulmonary involvement. Two weeks after the resolution of COVID-19 infection, he presented with shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation requiring intubation and admission to the intensive care unit. The workup confirmed miliary pulmonary TB. The patient subsequently improved on antitubercular treatment. We discuss the possible contribution of COVID-19 infection to the rapid progression of TB infection to involve the lung in a miliary pattern, and how the coexistence of the two diseases might have led to a worse outcome.
Assessment of knowledge on functional values of edible insects in Peri urban communities of Ijebu Ode Local Government area, Ogun State Nigeria
Authors: Olarewaju T.O. , Orumwense L.A. , Oke O.S. , Idowu A.B. , Adeboye T.E.
Published: March 2021

This study examined the knowledge on functional value of edible insect in per urban communities of Ijebu Ode Local Government Area (LGA) in  Ogun State. Sixty residents were selected through purposive sampling from 11 communities in the LGA. Primary data collected through   administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and frequency count were used. Hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that about half (48.3%) of the respondents were between 31-40 years. A larger percentage was male (61.7%) and Christian (61.7%). Majority (68%) was married and 63.3% possess tertiary education. About one third of the respondents (33.3%) were civil servants and 28.3% earn between ₦41,000-₦60,000. Cricket, termite, palm weevil, yam beetle, caterpillar, silkworm, and locust respectively were the identified indigenous species of insects being consumed by the people. Also, more of the respondents eat crickets followed by locust and then termites. The results further revealed respondents’ knowledge of functional values of edible insects’ consumption and constraints to edible insects’ consumption. The results of the Pearson Product Moment  Correlation revealed that there is no significant relationship between respondent’s socio-economic characteristics’ and their edible insect  consumption at p < 0.05. This study concludes that residents of peri urban communities have good knowledge of functional values of edible insects. It is therefore recommended that there should be more awareness on consumption of edible insects since it is nutritious so that people can benefit from the numerous nutrients of these edible insects.

Key words: functional value, edible insect, Ijebu Ode, pearson product moment correlation
Factors affecting households’ choice of cooking energy in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Onyekuru N.A. , Ifejirika C.A. , Onuigbo D.M. , Mebo R.A. , Eboh E.C.
Published: March 2021

Households need energy for various activities, chief among these is cooking, which accounts for a greater percentage of the total domestic energy consumption. In Nigeria, household cooking energy accounts for a major part of the total energy consumed. This study was designed to explore the determinants of cooking energy use and preferences among households in Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, the aims of the study were; to ascertain the differences in the quantities of cooking energy sources used by households, determine the preferences of each of the energy sources by the households, reasons for preferences for each of the energy sources, and the problems associated with the use of each of the energy source. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in this study. One hundred and sixty-six respondents were used for the study. Primary data were collected and analyzed using a t-test and descriptive statistics. Results showed that the mean quantities of kerosene used in the rural and urban areas were about 26 and 36 litres per month that of fuel wood were about 231 and 306 kg, respectively. The t-test result showed that there exist significant differences between the quantities of kerosene and fuel wood used in the rural and urban areas. The likert-type scale result showed that the cooking energy with the highest perceived level of efficiency was liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while the energy with the highest level of preference was kerosene. The major reasons for the preference for LPG was because it cooks fast and clean, that of kerosene was lower chances of fire accident than LPG. For fuel wood, preference was due to fast cooking and better taste of food, while that of charcoal was due to clean cooking and reduced cases of fire accident. The major constraints militating against the use of different cooking energy sources, even when they are  preferred, were scarcity, expensiveness and risk of fire outbreak for LPG and kerosene, while for fuel wood and charcoal, they were pollution and  the fact that it produces a lot of black soot. There is need to implement incentive-based policies to encourage the use of LPG and kerosene, through targeted subsidies and cost reduction.

Key words: energy consumption, efficiency, preference, pollution, income
Organ weights and biochemical indices of broiler chickens fed diets containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Osita C.O. , Ani A.O. , Ugwuowo L.C. , Akuru E.A. , Njoku S.
Published: March 2021

A study was conducted to evaluate the organ weights and biochemical indices of broiler chickens fed diets containing varying levels of  Saccharomyces cerevisiae. One hundred and twenty (120) broiler birds were used for the experiment. The birds were weighed and randomly allocated into four treatment groups. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Treatment 1 served as the control and  did not contain any S. cerevisiae supplement, while treatments 2, 3 and 4 contained 0.7, 1.2 and 1.7 g/kg of S. cerevisiae supplement, respectively. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. At the end of the feeding trial (day 56), two birds were randomly picked from each replication for carcass evaluation and another two birds were randomly selected from each pen and 5mlblood was collected f from the wing vein using sterile disposable syringe for biochemical analysis. The result of this study showed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences among treatments in kidney, spleen and pancreas weights while significant (p < 0.05) differences among treatments existed in the heart, gizzard and liver weights. The study also revealed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences among treatments in total protein, globulin and high density lipoprotein levels while albumin, total cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride were significantly (p < 0.05) affected. In T3 highest heart weight (0.33 % of live weight) and lowest  blood cholesterol concentration (91.77 mg/dl) were recorded and therefore T3 was recommended. Low blood cholesterol enhances broiler production.

Key words: albumin, cholesterol, kidney, liver, yeast
Perceived extension needs of rubber production among farmers in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Adebayo S.A. , Ogunlade I. , Ede E.E.
Published: March 2021

The need to develop a sustainable exploitation system for the Nigerian rubber farmers requires that extension services should be available to assist the farmers in specific areas that can help them function effectively and improve productivity. The study investigated the perceived extension needs of rubber production farmers in Delta state Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine sources of information on rubber production, varieties of rubber clones cultivated by the respondents, perceived extension needs of rubber farmers, and constraints to rubber production. A multi stage sampling technique was used to select 120 rubber farmers as respondents for the study. Data were analysed using frequency, percentages, means and Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis. Results showed that majority of the respondents (85.5%) were male, married (83.3%) and had average farming experience of 14 years. The NIG801 and NIG800 varieties were the local clones majorly cultivated and the GT1 and PB217 varieties were the exotic clones majorly cultivated. Findings also showed that respondents need production information on use of formic acid for latex coagulation (66.7%), use of ammonia for latex preservation (73.3%) and marketing information (60.8%). The constraintsindicated by the respondents were problem of land tenure (81.7%), lack of adequate credit facilities (70%), fire outbreaks (72.5%) among others. The result of the hypothesis showed that age (r = 0.199) had a positive significant relationship with farmers’ extension needs. It was recommended that extension personnel should be trained on techniques of rubber production in order to deliver effectively to the farmers.

Key words: extension needs, rubber, farmers, Delta, Nigeria
Soil fertility indices of tropical loamy sand as influenced by bambara groundnut variety, plant spacing and fertilizer type
Authors: Umeugokwe C.P. , Ugwu V.U. , Umeugochukwu O.P. , Uzoh I.M. , Obalum S.E. , Ddamulira G. , Karwani G.M. , Alenoma G.
Published: March 2021

Agricultural sustainability ensues when cultivation of field crops and associated techniques improve not just crop yields but also management-responsive soil properties. Bambara groundnut as an underutilized crop lacks research-based information on its agronomic requirements. This paper reports the key fertility indices of a loamy-sand soil in southeastern Nigeria as influenced by soil and agronomic management practices involving factorial combinations of two bambara groundnut varieties (Caro and Olokoro), two plant spacings (30 cm × 75 cm and 45 cm × 75 cm) and four organic/inorganic fertilizer options. These fertilizer options were NPK 15-15-15 (NPK), single super phosphate (SSP), poultry manure (PM) and Control. The plots under Caro variety spaced 30 cm × 75 cm and grown with NPK or SSP fertilizer showed the highest CEC (8.40 cmol kg–1) and exchangeable K (0.15 cmol kg–1), respectively. Olokoro variety spaced 45 cm × 75 cm and grown with PM or SSP gave the highest total nitrogen (0.14%), soil pHwater (6.35), available phosphorus (107.60 mg kg-1) and exchangeable Ca (3.70 cmol kg-1). The interactions plant spacing × fertilizer type and crop variety × fertilizer type affected all the soil fertility indices studied, while crop variety × plant spacing affected soil pHwater, available phosphorus, CEC and exchangeable Ca and Mg. Generally, as main factors, Olokoro variety, NPK and 45 cm × 75 cm improved soil properties better than their counterparts.
Molecular identification of fungi associated with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruits
Authors: Iyanyi N.G. , Ataga A.E. , Rotimi I.S. , Blessing I.
Published: March 2021

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is grown for its nutritious fruit. However, the quantity and quality of these fruits are threatened by some fungal organisms which can cause health complications when it is consumed by man. DNA extraction provides a unique tool for identification of organisms. This study was conducted to isolate and identify fungal species associated with avocado fruit using both morphological and molecular techniques. Fungal species were isolated from Persea americana purchased from Choba market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) as a growth medium. The morphology of isolated fungi on PDA were cotton-like blackish grey spots, white villous colonies, greyish powdery spores and black spores for isolates 1 to 4 respectively. Extraction of DNA from fungal isolates was carried out using Zymo Fungal/Bacteria DNA Miniprep Kit. PCR amplification of the ITS1-2 regions of isolates was carried out using fungal universal primer pair; ITS4 and ITS5.PCR amplification of the ITS1-2 gene sequences yielded amplicons between 537-580 base pairs. PCR products were sequenced and the sequencing result after BLAST search revealed the identity of the four fungal species as follows: Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium proliferatum, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger. This study will promote the knowledge of specific fungal species associated with Persea americanna and help plant pathologists to proffer preventive and control measures to enhance fruit protection and yield quality.
Phytochemical analysis, antibacterial activity of hydromethanol extracts from stems of Ximenia americana, Côte d’Ivoire species on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Affi Kakou Baudelaire , Benie Anoubile , N’Guessan Alain Hugues , Fernique Konan K. , Guessennd N.K. , Bekro Yves-Alain
Published: March 2021

The emergence of bacteria resistant to several families of antibiotics is nowadays a public health problem in the world. To overcome this, it appeared necessary to explore sources of active molecules from natural substances. Thus, the objective of this study was to carry out the phytochemical sorting of hydromethanol extracts from Ximenia americana stems and to evaluate their antibacterial activities on the in-vitro growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The phytochemical screening performed allowed us to identify saponins, sterols and polyterpenes, polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids. HPLC-MS/MS analysis lead to the identification of a variety of flavan-3ol, quercetin and derivatives. The study of antibacterial activity carried out on 5 multi-resistant clinical strains and on a reference strain by the Muller-Hinton agar medium diffusion and dilution method showed that the extracts were active on all the strains with MICs ranging from 6.25 to 100 mg and MBCs ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg. The antibacterial potential of these extracts highlighted in this study could make this plant a candidate for in-depth investigations that could lead to the discovery of new antibacterial molecules.

L’apparition de bactéries résistantes à plusieurs familles d’antibiotiques constitue, de nos jours, un problème de santé publique dans le monde. Pour y remédier, l’exploration de sources de molécules actives à partir des substances naturelles s’est avérée nécessaire. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette étude était de réaliser le tri phytochimique des extraits hydrométhanoliques de tiges de Ximenia americana et d’évaluer leurs activités antibactériennes sur la croissance in-vitro des Staphylococcus aureus résistant à la méticilline. Le screening phytochimique réalisé a permis d’identifier des saponines, des stérols et polyterpènes, des polyphénols, des tanins et des flavonoïdes. L’analyse à la HPLC-MS/MS a permis d’identifier une variété de flavan-3ol, de la quercétine et dérivées. L’étude de l’activité antibactérienne réalisée sur 5 souches cliniques multirésistantes et sur une souche de référence par la méthode de diffusion et de dilution en milieu gélosé Muller-Hinton a montré que les extraits étaient actifs sur toutes les souches avec des CMI variant de 6,25 à 100 mg et des CMB variant de 12,5 à 100 mg. Le potentiel antibactérien de ces extraits mis en évidence dans cette étude pourrait faire de cette plante une candidate à des investigations approfondies pouvant aboutir à la découverte de nouvelles molécules antibactériennes.
Investigating reading comprehension strategies used by teachers during English First Additional Language reading instruction
Authors: Olifant Tilla , Cekiso Madoda , Boakye Naomi , Madikiza Nophawu
Published: March 2021

Since the purpose of reading is comprehension, the major goal of reading comprehension instruction is to help learners develop knowledge, skills, and strategies so that they become strategic readers who read for comprehension. Language teachers use reading comprehension strategies as an instruction tool to assist learners to develop into strategic readers. However, the range of strategies used by teachers is crucial. This paper presents classroom observations of reading comprehension strategy instruction used by four purposively selected English First Additional Language (FAL) teachers. The study was qualitative in nature and a case study design was chosen. The findings of the study reveal that teachers did not provide opportunity to support learners’ independent comprehension strategy use. Furthermore, the study has disclosed that the teachers’ inability to engage learners in reading comprehension strategies might signify the teachers’ lack of knowledge of how to incorporate reading comprehension strategies as an instructional tool during reading comprehension lessons. The authors recommend that the Department of Basic Education institute interventions to empower teachers on how to teach reading comprehension strategies.
Influence of polyethylene from waste pure water sachet on properties of hot mix asphalt
Authors: Murana A.A. , Abdulkarim A.A. , Olowosulu A.T.
Published: March 2021

This work evaluate the influence of waste pure water sachet (WPS) as a modifier in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). The properties of the constituent materials were determined. Modified HMA samples were prepared at varying concentration of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% WPS content by weight of the Optimum Binder Content (OBC). The properties of the modified HMA were determined using Marshall Method of mix design. The properties of the constituent materials showed that they are suitable for HMA production. The modified bitumen showed an increase in softening point (61 – 73.5%), flash point (258 – 2820C), fire point (289 – 3110C) and ductility (92.67 –118.67cm) as the WPS content increases from 2% to 10% while decrease in penetration (62.33 – 56.5mm) as WPS content increases from 2% to 6%. Stability and Bulk density increases from 4.64kN to 8.84kN and 2.21g/cm3 to 2.34g/cm3 respectively while flow, voids in mineral aggregates (VMA) and Air voids decreases from 3.6 to 2.98mm, 23.85 to 20.16% and 19.73 to 13.97% respectively as the WPS content was increased from 2 to 8%. An optimum polyethylene from WPS modifier content of 8% by weight of the OBC is  recommended for use in the HMA.

Keywords: Bitumen, Hot Mix Asphalt, Pure Water Sachet, modified bitumen, Marshall Properties, Polyethylene.
Modelling of clinker cooler and evaluation of its performance in clinker cooling process for cement plants
Authors: Oyepata J.S. , Akintunde M.A. , Dahunsi O.A. , Yaru S.S. , Idowu E.T.
Published: March 2021

Cement manufacturing requires cooling down of hot clinker at temperature of about 1350o C to temperature lower than 100 o C in a cooling system known as clinker cooler. Many plants are unable to cool the clinker below 250o C. This challenge led to scaling down of actual clinker cooler to a test rig size in the ratio 25:1 suitable for simulation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools (Solid-Works and ANSYS) were used to achieve the simulation. The clinker outlet temperatures obtained from simulations were validated with theoretical evaluation. Results showed that with clinker and cooling air flow rates of 0.2 kg/s and 0.54 kg/s respectively and with a clinker bed height of 0.6 m. An optimum cooler performance was achieved with clinker outlet temperature of 68 oC. The scaled down cooler was 15% higher than the existing cooler in terms of recoverable energy and 10% high in terms of energy efficiency.

Keywords: Clinker Cooler, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Mass flow rate clinker and Mass flow air and Clinker Furnace.
Techno-economic analysis of the influence of different operating conditions on gas turbine centrifugal compressor set performance
Authors: Agbadede R. , Kainga B.
Published: March 2021

In today’s world where fuel prices have increased drastically and there are great concerns about environmental issues, there is the  need to properly match centrifugal compressors to their Gas Turbine (GT) drivers, so as to achieve an efficient overall package, lower  turbine fuel consumption, longer time between overhauls, and most importantly, package operational flexibility in meeting alternate process conditions. This study highlights the influence of operating and environmental conditions on the overall performance of the  gas turbine compressor set. GasTurb and CMap simulation softwares were employed to model and simulate the performances of the GT and centrifugal compressors respectively. The outcome of the performance plots show that at a design inlet flow volume of 15928 cubic meters per hour, the compressor required power from the gas turbine drive to transport RaNatGas is approximately 7450kW as against 7065kW and 6500kW for MaNatGas and LaNatGas mixtures respectively. Techno-economic analysis of the gas turbine  compressor set shows that the fuel cost of transporting a given volume flow of RaNatGas to a specific location for a year gives about$13.5million when compared with MaNatGas and LaNatGas mixtures which cost about $13.02million and 12.3million respectively.

Keywords: Natural Gas, Performance Simulations, Polytropic Efficiency, Polytropic Head, Gas Compositions
Optimization of RBF-SVM hyperparameters using genetic algorithm for face recognit
Authors: Ibrahim Y. , Okafor E. , Yahaya B.
Published: March 2021

Manual grid-search tuning of machine learning hyperparameters is very time-consuming. Hence, to curb this problem, we propose the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) for the selection of optimal radial-basis-function based support vector machine (RBF-SVM) hyperparameters; regularization parameter C and cost-factor γ. The resulting optimal parameters were used during the training of face recognition models. To train the models, we independently extracted features from the ORL face image dataset using local binary patterns (handcrafted) and deep learning architectures (pretrained variants of VGGNet). The resulting features were passed as input to either linear-SVM or optimized RBF-SVM. The results show that the models from optimized RBFSVM combined with deep learning or hand-crafted features yielded performances that surpass models obtained from Linear-SVM combined with the aforementioned features in most of the data splits. The study demonstrated that it is profitable to optimize the hyperparameters of an SVM to obtain the best classification performance.

Keywords: Face Recognition, Feature Extraction, Local Binary Patterns, Transfer Learning, Genetic Algorithm and Support Vector  Machines.
Statistical tuning of cost 231 Hata model in deployed 1800mhz GSM networks for a rural environment
Authors: Omoze E.L. , Edeko F.O.
Published: March 2021

Radio propagation planning requires the use of propagation models in planning cell size as well as frequency assignment. This paper presents a comparative study of path loss predicted using COST 231 Hata model and ECC-33 model on received signal strength data collected from three deployed GSM networks at 1800MHz in Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research environment (NIFOR), Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the Mean Prediction Error (MPE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values obtained from the comparison, the COST 231 Hata model was tuned using the least square approach. The result obtained after tuning shows that for Network A; MPE andRMSE values reduces to 1.17 dB and 5.5dB. For Network B, MPE and RMSE values reduces to 2.26 dB and 7.16dB. While, for Network C; MPE and RMSE values reduces to 6.21 dB and 10.78dB. The results obtained show that the tuned COST 231 Hata model can be used for radio planning in the study environment as well as other environment with similar terrain profile.

Keywords: Propagation model, Path loss, COST 231 Hata model, ECC-33 model, Least square tuning approach, MPE and RMSE
An efficacy of Zobe dam for hydroelectricity generation in Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Nuhu I. , Abdulsalam H.
Published: March 2021

The quest for other alternative and sustainable energy prompted the feasibility assessment of Zobe dam meant for irrigation to  produce electricity; In this write-up the scheme is designed to operate with two turbines; turbine T1 to operate all year round to take account of the irrigation need downstream, The second turbine T2 will operate on a spill discharge, and to be available for four months with a generation capacity of 0.969 MW. T1 is expected to discharge 55,500,000m3 within six months to cater for irrigation need with an average discharge rate of 3.6m3 /s. it was found that, the dam has the potential to generate a minimum 0.671MW all year round and a maximum of 1.5MW of power during Peak discharge period. The scheme was designed with minimum modification of the existing infrastructure at site which translate to minimum cost implication in construction, system operation and maintenance.

Keywords: Economic transformation, Energy, hydropower, Irrigation farming, Zobe dam,
Determination of optimal parboiling conditions for nigerian FARO-44 rice variety
Authors: Muochebe A.B. , Nwajinka O.C. , Nwatu I.E.
Published: March 2021

Optimization study was carried out on the parboiling process variables for improving the milling quality of FARO-44 rice variety using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in Central Composite Design (CCD). The variables studied were initial soaking temperature (IST), soaking time (SKt) and steaming time (STt) including their interactive effects.The range of the input variables studied were 70-90oC, 8-12hrs and 40-50minsfor initial soaking temperature, soaking time and steaming time respectively. For thisstudy, a total of twenty (20) randomized experimental runs comprising one (1) replicate of factorial point, one (1) replicate of axial point (alpha 2.7) and six (6) centre point in the design space. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed on the experimental data sets and models were fitted for all the response variables generated. The result showed that the optimal parboiling variables were, 90 0C, 46mins and 10 hours,for initial soaking temperature, steaming time and soaking time respectively with their corresponding optimum response 58.7%, 6.7% and 58.1% for Head rice yield (based on parboiled paddy weight), breakage ratio and milled rice colour (based on illumination). The  composite desirability is 0.793 which maximized the percentage Head rice yield (HRY) and milled rice colour (MRC) but minimized the percentage Breakage Ratio (BR).

Keywords: optimization, Response Surface Methodology, FARO-44, Rice,Head rice, parboiling
Modeling water demand in a growing public university in Nigeria
Authors: Sobowale A. , Adeyemo K.S.
Published: March 2021

Nigerian university campuses are facing the twin problems of providing portable water of adequate quantity and quality and the  sustainability of such supply. This paper examines the water demand status of a public University in Nigeria. Domestic, Public and Industrial water uses were considered while population forecasting was done using regression analysis for a 30 years design period (2018 – 2048). Results reveals possible population increase of 53.8 % by 2048 when the institution will clock 60 years. Water demand is also expected to rise sharply from 5,206 m3 day -1 (2018) to 10,959 m3 day -1 (2048); existing storage capacity cannot satisfy the current needs not to talk of the projected demand hence, a reservoir of about 11,000 m3 will be needed to service the university for the next 30 years; attracting more investments into the water supply system becomes imperative as the existing supplies from groundwater is unsustainable.

Keywords: Water Demand; Population; University; Sustainability; Growth
A Novel Approach For Identification Of Exon Locations In DNA Sequences Using GLC Window
Authors: Kumari P. Kamala , Seventline J.B.
Published: March 2021

The application of signal processing techniques for identification of exons in Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence is a challenging task. The objective of this paper is to introduce a combinational window approach for locating exons in DNA sequence. In contrast to the traditional single window function for evaluation of short time Fourier transform (STFT), this work proposes a novel method for evaluating STFT coefficients using a combinational window function comprising of Gaussian, Lanczos and Chebyshev (GLC) windows. The chosen combinational window GLC has the highest relative side lobe attenuation values compared to other window functions introduced by various researchers. The proposed algorithm incorporates GLC window function for evaluating STFT coefficients and in the design of FIR bandpass filter. Simulation results revealed its effectiveness in improving the evaluation parameters like Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, Area under curve (AUC), Discrimination Measure (DM). Furthermore, the proposed algorithm has been applied successfully to some universal benchmark datasets like C. elegans, Homosapiens, etc., The proposed method has shown to be an efficient approach for the prediction of protein coding regions compared to other existing methods. All the simulations are done using the MATLAB 2016a.
An Optimized Method of Wind Speed Prediction with Support Vector Machine and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Guan-fa , Zhu Wen-sheng
Published: March 2021

Due to the randomness of wind speed and direction, the output power of wind turbine also has randomness. After large-scale wind power integration, it will bring a lot of adverse effects on the power quality of the power system, and also bring difficulties to the formulation of power system dispatching plan. In order to improve the prediction accuracy, an optimized method of wind speed prediction with support vector machine and genetic algorithm is put forward. Compared with other optimization methods, the simulation results show that the optimized genetic algorithm not only has good convergence speed, but also can find more suitable parameters for data samples. When the data is updated according to time series, the optimization range of vaccine and parameters is adaptively adjusted and updated. Therefore, as a new optimization method, the optimization method has certain theoretical significance and practical application value, and can be applied to other time series prediction models.
Misuse-Free Key-Recovery and Distinguishing Attacks on 7-Round Ascon
Authors: Rohit Raghvendra , Hu Kai , Sarkar Sumanta , Sun Siwei
Published: March 2021

Being one of the winning algorithms of the CAESAR competition and currently a second round candidate of the NIST lightweight cryptography standardization project, the authenticated encryption scheme Ascon (designed by Dobraunig, Eichlseder, Mendel, and Schläffer) has withstood extensive self and third-party cryptanalysis. The best known attack on Ascon could only penetrate up to 7 (out of 12) rounds due to Li et al. (ToSC Vol I, 2017). However, it violates the data limit of 264 blocks per key specified by the designers. Moreover, the best known distinguishers of Ascon in the AEAD context reach only 6 rounds. To fill these gaps, we revisit the security of 7-round Ascon in the nonce-respecting setting without violating the data limit as specified in the design. First, we introduce a new superpoly-recovery technique named as partial polynomial multiplication for which computations take place between the so-called degree-d homogeneous parts of the involved Boolean functions for a 2d-dimensional cube. We apply this method to 7-round Ascon and present several key recovery attacks. Our best attack can recover the 128-bit secret key with a time complexity of about 2123 7-round Ascon permutations and requires 264 data and 2101 bits memory. Also, based on division properties, we identify several 60 dimensional cubes whose superpolies are constant zero after 7 rounds. We further improve the cube distinguishers for 4, 5 and 6 rounds. Although our results are far from threatening the security of full 12-round Ascon, they provide new insights in the security analysis of Ascon.
Quantum Free-Start Collision Attacks on Double Block Length Hashing with Round-Reduced AES-256
Authors: Kumar Chauhan Amit , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Sanadhya Somitra
Published: March 2021

Recently, Hosoyamada and Sasaki (EUROCRYPT 2020), and Xiaoyang Dong et al. (ASIACRYPT 2020) proposed quantum collision attacks against AES-like hashing modes AES-MMO and AES-MP. Their collision attacks are based on the quantum version of the rebound attack technique exploiting the differential trails whose probabilities are too low to be useful in the classical setting but large enough in the quantum setting. In this work, we present dedicated quantum free-start collision attacks on Hirose’s double block length compression function instantiated with AES-256, namely HCF-AES-256. The best publicly known classical attack against HCF-AES-256 covers up to 9 out of 14 rounds. We present a new 10-round differential trail for HCF-AES-256 with probability 2−160, and use it to find collisions with a quantum version of the rebound attack. Our attack succeeds with a time complexity of 285.11 and requires 216 qRAM in the quantum-attack setting, where an attacker can make only classical queries to the oracle and perform offline computations. We also present a quantum free-start collision attack on HCF-AES-256 with a time complexity of 286.07 which outperforms Chailloux, Naya-Plasencia, and Schrottenloher’s generic quantum collision attack (ASIACRYPT 2017) in a model when large qRAM is not available.
On the Relationships between Different Methods for Degree Evaluation
Authors: Chen Siwei , Xiang Zejun , Zeng Xiangyong , Zhang Shasha
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we compare several non-tight degree evaluation methods i.e., Boura and Canteaut’s formula, Carlet’s formula as well as Liu’s numeric mapping and division property proposed by Todo, and hope to find the best one from these methodsfor practical applications. Specifically, for the substitution-permutation-network (SPN) ciphers, we first deeply explore the relationships between division property of an Sbox and its algebraic properties (e.g., the algebraic degree of its inverse). Based on these findings, we can prove theoretically that division property is never worse than Boura and Canteaut’s and Carlet’s formulas, and we also experimentally verified that the division property can indeed give a better bound than the latter two methods. In addition, for the nonlinear feedback shift registers (NFSR) based ciphers, according to the propagation of division property and the core idea of numeric mapping, we give a strict proof that the estimated degree using division property is never greater than that of numeric mapping. Moreover, our experimental results on Trivium and Kreyvium indicate the division property actually derives a much better bound than the numeric mapping. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to give a formal discussion on the relationships between division property and other degree evaluation methods, and we present the first theoretical proof and give the experimental verification to illustrate that division property is the optimal one among these methods in terms of the accuracy of the upper bounds on algebraic degree.
Senderos de El capital en América Latina
Authors: Ortega Jaime
Published: March 2021

Se presenta una cartografía de las lecturas de El capital en América Latina a partir de grandes problemáticas. Así, historia y política son los grandes agregados a partir de los cuales se puede captar el devenir de un texto que atravesó múltiples senderos después de la revolución cubana. En la parte final se realiza un ejercicio de ejemplificación, partiendo de la propuesta de Alberto Parisí, uno de los pocos autores que ha pretendido realizar una lectura situada del texto de Karl Marx.
La cultura marxista en la Argentina de los últimos cuarenta años
Authors: Petruccelli Ariel
Published: March 2021

En este trabajo se realiza una cartografía de la producción intelectual marxista (tanto la producida dentro y fuera de las organizaciones políticas, como dentro y fuera del mundo académico) en la Argentina, en el período comprendido entre el retorno de la democracia, en 1983, y 2020.
Elisa Pastoriza y Juan Carlos Torre, Mar del Plata, un sueño de los argentinos (2019)
Authors: Ibánez Cornet Ignacio
Published: March 2021

Resumen de Elisa Pastoriza y Juan Carlos Torre, Mar del Plata, un sueño de los argentinos, Buenos Aires, Edhasa, 2019, 360 pp.
Editors’ Perspective on the Use of Visual Displays in Qualitative Studies
Authors: Scagnoli Norma , Verdinelli Susana
Published: March 2021

Research indicates that visual displays in qualitative research are under-utilized and under-developed. This study aimed to reach a clearer understanding of this fact by learning from the perspective of seven editors in qualitative journals. Using a qualitative descriptive design this study explored what constitutes an appropriate and helpful use of visual displays, including examples from current practices, and recommendations in the use and creation of visual displays. This paper reveals new insights by experts and very knowledgeable personalities in the area of qualitative research. The experts’ vision provided information that favors inclusion of visuals in qualitative studies as well as reckons the need for enhancement of curricula in qualitative research education to involve teaching about and practicing alternative representations of data analysis including the use of visuals. This paper concludes with a new classification of visual displays based on their occurrence within a research report, and a list of the main criteria points used by editors for assessing the validity of visuals in qualitative research articles. Additionally, we include implications for qualitative researchers and educators interested to increase the use of visuals in qualitative articles.
Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Implementation in the Emergency Department
Authors: Venkat Arvind , Shank Gary , Rickard-Aasen Sherry , Pringle Janice , Johnjulio William
Published: March 2021

We sought to qualitatively evaluate impediments in implementing a novel Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol into normal emergency department (ED) workflow for patients with at-risk drug/alcohol behavior. From 2010, administrative and nursing champions trained nurses at a single ED (census: 50,000 visits/yr) in SBIRT and incorporated SBIRT into normal ED nursing workflow in 2012. To qualitatively analyze impediments in SBIRT implementation, we created a semi-structured questionnaire for protocol champions with subsequent follow-up. Investigators analyzed responses using qualitative methodology based on a modified grounded theory framework. In 2012, 47693 visits by 31525 patients met SBIRT protocol initiation criteria with a protocol execution rate of 83.4%. Interview data identified the following impediments: (1) Need for multi-layer leadership support; (2) Application of an overarching vision to constantly address personnel attitudes towards SBIRT appropriateness in the ED; (3) Continuous performance monitoring to address implementation barriers close to real time; (4) Strategic and adaptive SBIRT training; and (5) External systemic changes through internal leadership. Qualitative analysis suggests that impediments to SBIRT implementation in the ED include views of SBIRT appropriateness in the ED, need for continuous reinforcement/refinement of personnel training / protocol execution, and fostering of additional administrative/financial champions.
Use of Research by Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Meherali Salima , Paul Pauline , Profetto-McGrath Joanne
Published: March 2021

Research utilization (RU) is crucial to preparing the next generation of registered nurses, since they are expected to stay abreast of research, read and use existing research to improve their ability to solve problems, and make decisions independently in clinical settings. Also, baccalaureate nursing programs often identify RU as an expected curricular outcome. The purpose of this study was to identify nursing students’ perceptions about RU. In this study, we used a sequential mixed methods approach. In this paper, only qualitative analysis related to RU is reported. A qualitative descriptive design was used to address the study questions. A purposive sample of 20 undergraduate students enrolled in their final year of study in BScN programs (four-year basic, honors, and accelerated programs) was recruited via e-mail to participate in the study. The study findings were categorized into the components of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework, which is comprised of evidence, context, and facilitation. Findings disclosed some key themes that nursing students perceive as facilitating or restricting their use of research. These themes include level of education preparedness, clinical experience and expertise, lack of time, theory practice gap, and clinical evaluation criteria, nursing faculty support for using research, and faculty’s’ competency in research. The majority of students stated that they did not utilize the research findings in clinical practice. Insufficient knowledge about RU was the most prominent reason. These results suggest that students should be encouraged and supported to utilize research findings in their practice settings.