bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Internet of Things (IoT) as Persuasive Technology
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan, Faryad Shagufta , Batool Hira , Asif Muhammad , Yasin Affan
Published: December 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) adds a new dimension to how people and things can communicate and collaborate. Society and the Internet are now being interconnected tightly and purposely. The research aims to analyze how IoT as a persuasive technology can affect human behavior and increase the awareness and effectiveness of IoT products among users. How will the Internet of Things infrastructure facilitate humans to change their attitudes and behaviors towards specific routine work? Our objective is to analyze which factors influence the acceptance and rejection of particular behaviors and the core motivators that persuade people to do something or to avoid something. We aim to determine whether IoT will facilitate humans to change their focused behaviors or not. Because of the rapid convergence of digital and physical worlds and the advent of digital technology, the Internet and social media have opened up a new world of affordances, constraints, and information flows from a design perspective. This article discusses how digital architecture affects behavior and the ramifications for designers who want to influence behavior for social and environmental good. In this paper we aim to give a brief introduction to persuasive technology, especially as it pertains to human adoption of IoT technology. We discuss a number of current research opportunities in IoT gadgets and their adoptions [1]. Our results indicate that persuasive (IoT) infrastructure can be expected to achieve a change of driving behaviour among their adopters. Furthermore, attention should be paid to an appropriate selection and implementation of persuasive strategies.
Myers-briggs Personality Prediction and Sentiment Analysis of Twitter using Machine Learning Classifiers and BERT
Authors:   Department of Computer Science and Engineering, BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Bengaluru, India, Kaushal Prajwal , B P Nithin Bharadwaj , M S Pranav , S Koushik , Koundinya Anjan K
Published: December 2021

Twitter being one of the most sophisticated social networking platforms whose users base is growing exponentially, terabytes of data is being generated every day. Technology Giants invest billions of dollars in drawing insights from these tweets. The huge amount of data is still going underutilized. The main of this paper is to solve two tasks. Firstly, to build a sentiment analysis model using BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) which analyses the tweets and predicts the sentiments of the users. Secondly to build a personality prediction model using various machine learning classifiers under the umbrella of Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. MBTI is one of the most widely used psychological instruments in the world. Using this we intend to predict the traits and qualities of people based on their posts and interactions in Twitter. The model succeeds to predict the personality traits and qualities on twitter users. We intend to use the analyzed results in various applications like market research, recruitment, psychological tests, consulting, etc, in future.
Defending Unconditional Forgiveness: A Reply to Brookes
Authors: Kleinig John ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2021

My differences with Derek Brookes reflect an alternative understanding of what forgiveness is intended to achieve, and how it achieves it. I express some skepticism about his account of wrongdoing as an expression of contempt, of wrongdoing posing an ongoing threat, of resentment as a protective shield, and apology/remorse as the only morally acceptable means for removing such a threat. I remain unconvinced that forgiveness in the absence of an apology is likely to evidence condonation or a failure of self-respect. In emphasizing that forgiveness is a morally discretionary gift, I depart from the idea that it must somehow be earned (by apology, etc.) to be morally laudable. Its character as forgiveness is therefore not morally impugned if not made dependent on the wrongdoer’s repentance.
A review of the digger wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Scoliidae) of Hong Kong, with description of one new species and a key to known species
Authors: Taylor Christopher , Barthélémy Christophe
Published: December 2021

We provide keys, descriptions and illustrations for 16 species of Scoliidae Latreille, 1802 found in Hong Kong, of which nine are new records for the territory, one is new to China and one is new to science: Scolia pakshaoensis sp. nov. The status of one species (Megacampsomeris sp. 1) remains uncertain; it may represent an additional new species.
Strategic Alliance and Acquisition Performance: Impact of Interfirm Synergies and Motives in the Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Jambulingam Thani , Saxton Todd
Published: December 2021

This study draws on transaction cost, resource dependence, and organizational learning theories to posit relationships between transaction performance and transaction structure (alliances versus acquisitions), interfirm synergies, and motives. The study involves analysis of 66 international and intra­national alliances and acquisitions that were undertaken in the pharmaceutical industry. An initial survey was administered to firms involved in these transactions to gather information regarding motives, transaction structure, and interorganizational synergies. A second survey was administered two years after the transaction to gather information on transaction performance. Findings support the importance of transaction structure and strategic synergies between firms. Specifically, transaction structure and high levels of strategic fit between the firms had a positive impact on performance. There is also some evidence that synergies must be linked to the motives driving the transaction. The study yields meaningful results regarding factors leading to success of transactions (alliances and  acquisitions)  in a  longitudinal  study  of  intranational and international transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Drug Repositioning as a Pharmaceutical Strategy: The Obvious Benefits are Real but Beware of Pitfalls That May be Less Apparent.
Authors: Reaume Andrew G.
Published: December 2021

For the last 15 years the drug discovery strategy referred to as “drug-repositioning” has been a recognized approach towards bringing new therapeutics to market and has continued to grow in popularity over this time frame.  Melior Discovery is a company with a founding mission centered on drug repositioning.  The author shares his perspective on lessons learned over 15 years of conducting drug repositioning efforts, complete with advantages and disadvantages that he has encountered using this approach and why, overall, this means of drug discovery provides a compelling business rationale.
Use of the Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offense version (VRS-SO) within sexually violent persons evaluations
Authors: Kelley Sharon M.
Published: December 2021

In many parts of the United States, individuals can be civilly committed as Sexually Violent Persons (SVP) to a secure treatment center based on their history of sexual offenses, current mental disorder, and current risk for sexual recidivism. While the specific criteria vary between jurisdictions, SVP civil commitment is indefinite, and periodic examinations occur to determine if ongoing commitment is necessary. Release recommendations may be made in part based on patients’ treatment progress. Therefore, incorporating treatment change into periodic risk assessments is an important role of the SVP evaluator. The current paper sought to explore the benefits of using an actuarial tool within SVP populations to measure decreased sexual recidivism risk as a result of treatment change. Specific discussion of the use of the Violence Risk Scale – Sexual Offense version (Olver et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.19.3.318) is provided.
Estirpe de perpetradores (pequeñas mujeres rojas de Marta Sanz, novela negra de la memoria histórica)
Authors: Naval María Ángeles
Published: December 2021

pequeñas mujeres rojas de Marta Sanz es una novela de la memoria histórica, comprometida con la construcción de la memoria democrática española, que se centra en la figura del perpetrador Jesús Beato –un delator– y su estirpe. El móvil de Beato es la codicia. Sus descendientes heredan los bienes logrados con el crimen y también la condición codiciosa y criminal. En cuanto que novela de la memoria, se inscribe en el giro victimario y busca una relación clara y unívoca con el pasado, con las exhumaciones de fosas y su significado histórico. Las marcas de novela negra otorgan centralidad al corpus delicti, al cuerpo lacerado y asesinado de Paula Quiñones, que se convierte en testimonio de la perpetuación de la violencia en la historia reciente de España (1936-2012). Esta novela negra de significado histórico se proyecta sobre el cine y la literatura fantástica y de terror como forma de representar el mal y de corregir la banalidad del mal.
¿Víctimas o verdugos? El perfil de los perpetradores en La paloma de Ravensbrück
Authors: Álvarez Ana Belén
Published: December 2021

La historia de Neus Català, recogida en La paloma de Ravensbrück (2019) de Carme Martí, es el hilo conductor de este artículo. El objetivo es demostrar que durante la Guerra Civil española y la Segunda Guerra Mundial hubo perpetradores no normativos y, a su vez, personas no presentadas como perpetradores que sí cumplieron con las características de estos. Por un lado, busco un acercamiento al concepto de perpetrador mediante los indicios que se encuentran en la obra de Martí teniendo en cuenta no solo a policías, guardias o soldados, sino también a los testigos y las propias presas. Y, por otro lado, mediante la teoría de la disciplina y el castigo de Foucault, analizo las acciones llevadas a cabo por las diferentes figuras como parte del ejercicio de definición del concepto vehicular.
A matter of nerves
Authors: Duerr Timothy J , Monaghan James R
Published: December 2021

Regrowing new body parts requires neural input to restore appropriately sized limbs in salamanders.
"Coronaslöjd”
Authors: Porko-Hudd Mia , Hartvik Juha
Published: December 2021

Syftet med studien var att utreda vad omställningen till distansundervisning inom den grundläggande utbildningen medförde för lärarna och läroämnet slöjd i Finland våren 2020. Distansundervisning där lärare och elever var fysiskt åtskilda från varandra tillämpades för att begränsa spridningen av det nya coronaviruset, covid-19. Studiens empiri bestod av videomaterial från två tankesmedjor med 93 lärare från 56 olika skolor. Tankesmedjorna hade som målsättning att stöda lärarna att bemästra situationen och erbjuda forum för kollegial samverkan. Innehålls­analyserna genomfördes i förhållande till betingelser som påverkar undervisningen. Varje kodning granskades i relation till slöjdpedagogiska teorier om lärande och undervisning. Resultaten indelades i fem särdrag för distansundervisning i slöjd. Analyserna visade att den snabba övergången till distansundervisning medförde att fokus försköts mot tidsmässigt kortare slöjdprojekt och elevernas aktiverande fram­om långsiktiga hela slöjdprocesser. Även slöjdsalens mångsidiga kommunika­tion ute­blev i digitala miljöer.
Slöjdämnet och karriärreformen
Authors: Westerlund Stina
Published: December 2021

En karriärstegsreform introducerades 2013 i svensk skola med den nya befattningen förstelärare. Reformen avsåg förbättra elevers resultat genom stärkt lärar­professio­na­lism. Syftet med denna artikel är att undersöka hur slöjdlärares professionella identiteter framträder i berättelser om deras arbete som förstelärare och diskutera vilka förutsättningar karriärreformen ger för utveckling av undervisning i slöjd­ämnet. Med utgångspunkt i narrativ teori och Mishlers definition av berättelser som identitets­framträdanden har analys genomförts i tre steg av positionering, vänd­punkts­analys och kontextualisering där lärarnas berättelser relaterats till meta­narrativ om den professionella läraren. Resultatet visar hur lärarna i sina berättelser tar stöd i metanarrativen och hur detta kan relateras till varierande grad av stabilitet i den professionella identiteten, till variationer i det uppfattade handlingsutrymmet och det personliga engagemanget samt i det strukturella stödet för arbetet. I artikeln diskuteras vilken professionalism och vilka utvecklings­satsningar karriärreformen tenderar att stödja samt vilka konsekvenser detta får för slöjdlärares möjligheter till utveckling av slöjdämnet.
Forming i barnehagen – et tilbakeblikk for framtida
Authors: Carlsen Kari
Published: December 2021

I nordisk barnehagepedagogikk har aktiviteter med materialer hatt stor plass historisk sett. Faget forming, fagbetegnelsen i norsk barnehagetradisjon og barne­hagelærerutdanning, inngår i definisjonen av sløyd, slik denne er beskrevet av det nordiske fag- og forskermiljøet (NordFo). I norsk utdanning omfatter dette både håndverket og det bildeskapende området i spennet mellom det materiale og digitale. Nyere forskning viser at skapende virksomhet med materialer utgjør en mindre del av innholdet i barnehagen enn tidligere (Carlsen, 2015; Fredriksen, 2011 m.fl). Målsettingen med artikkelen er 1) å gi et historisk tilbakeblikk der fagets egenart tydeliggjøres, 2) å sette dette tilbakeblikket inn i en kunnskapsteoretisk kontekst som peker framover mot 3) en aktualisering av fagfeltet i forhold til FNs bærekraftsmål og barns rett til ytring ifølge FNs barnekonvensjon. Artikkelen bygger på empirisk materiale fra en etnografisk studie i barnehagen (Carlsen, 2015), og omfatter en analyse av styrings­dokumenter og historisk skriftlige kilder knyttet til faget, relevante barnehagepedagogiske tekster og nyere forskning om fagets praksis. Drøftingen i artikkelens tredje del belyser gjennom eksempler hvordan fagets forankring i natur- og kulturmaterialer kan løftes inn i et framoverrettet bærekraftperspektiv, og diskuterer hvordan en forskyvning i kunnskaps­teoretiske perspektiver gir mulighet til nye forståelser av formingsfagets bidrag til barnehagens innhold.
Reinvestigating the phylogeny of Myriapoda with more extensive taxon sampling and novel genetic perspective
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Bai Yu , Zhao Haifeng , Mu Ruinan , Dong Yan
Published: December 2021

Background

There have been extensive debates on the interrelationships among the four major classes of Myriapoda—Chilopoda, Symphyla, Diplopoda, and Pauropoda. The core controversy is the position of Pauropoda; that is, whether it should be grouped with Symphyla or Diplopoda as a sister group. Two recent phylogenomic studies separately investigated transcriptomic data from 14 and 29 Myriapoda species covering all four groups along with outgroups, and proposed two different topologies of phylogenetic relationships.

Methods

Building on these studies, we extended the taxon sampling by investigating 39 myriapods and integrating the previously available data with three new transcriptomic datasets generated in this study. Our analyses present the phylogenetic relationships among the four major classes of Myriapoda with a more abundant taxon sampling and provide a new perspective to investigate the above-mentioned question, where visual genes’ identification were conducted. We compared the appearance pattern of genes, grouping them according to their classes and the visual pathways involved. Positive selection was detected for all identified visual genes between every pair of 39 myriapods, and 14 genes showed positive selection among 27 pairs.

Results

From the results of phylogenomic analyses, we propose that Symphyla is a sister group of Pauropoda. This stance has also received strong support from tree inference and topology tests.
Identifying biomarkers for evaluating wound extent and age in the contused muscle of rats using microarray analysis: a pilot study
Authors: Li Na , Li Chun , Li Dan , Dang Li-hong , Ren Kang , Du Qiu-xiang , Cao Jie , Jin Qian-qian , Wang Ying-yuan , Bai Ru-feng , Sun Jun-hong
Published: December 2021

Wound age estimation is still one of the most important and significant challenges in forensic practice. The extent of wound damage greatly affects the accuracy and reliability of wound age estimation, so it is important to find effective biomarkers to help diagnose wound degree and wound age. In the present study, the gene expression profiles of both mild and severe injuries in 33 rats were assayed at 0, 1, 3, 24, 48, and 168 hours using the Affymetrix microarray system to provide biomarkers for the evaluation of wound age and the extent of the wound. After obtaining thousands of differentially expressed genes, a principal component analysis, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and a time-series analysis were used to select the most predictive prognostic genes. Finally, 15 genes were screened for evaluating the extent of wound damage, and the top 60 genes were also screened for wound age estimation in mild and severe injury. Selected indicators showed good diagnostic performance for identifying the extent of the wound and wound age in a Fisher discriminant analysis. A function analysis showed that the candidate genes were mainly related to cell proliferation and the inflammatory response, primarily IL-17 and the Hematopoietic cell lineage signalling pathway. The results revealed that these genes play an essential role in wound-healing and yield helpful and valuable potential biomarkers for further targeted studies.
“Por más que yo trabaje, trato de acomodar todo a mi hijo”: Usos de la visualización de líneas de tiempo para comprender desigualdades de género en la academia
Authors: Ortiz Ruiz Francisca , Moyano Dávila Camila , Moyano Dávila Daniela
Published: December 2021

Este artículo tiene por objetivo dar cuenta cómo, en términos metodológicos, las trayectorias de vida en su componente cualitativo entregan información valiosa aprovechada mediante el uso de la visualización de líneas de tiempo. En general estas han sido ampliamente utilizadas por estudios cuantitativos, y esta investigación se develará su utilidad en un proyecto cualitativo en la recolección de datos, análisis y posterior presentación. Esto, debido a que una de las características principales de la visualización de las líneas de tiempo es emplazar la información a escala humana, y así promover la plausibilidad de las comparaciones entre casos. Así este artículo espera mostrar la utilidad de la visualización de datos cualitativos a través de su ejemplificación en la comparación de cuatro líneas biográficas de académicos de una universidad chilena. Se utiliza una definición particular de trayectoria académica, a saber, la imbricación de aspectos laborales, familiares y de pareja que se desarrollan en el contexto de la academia. Con esta definición como punto de partida, se articularon estas líneas de tiempo con las biografías narrativas de los/as académicos/as. La utilización de colores, símbolos según el evento, y citas de las entrevistas en cada uno de los momentos en las líneas biográficas, permite dar cuenta que, en el caso de los hombres, la trayectoria laboral sigue una linealidad progresiva y distanciada de la trayectoria familiar. Al contrario, en el caso de las mujeres, su trayectoria laboral se ve puesta en evaluación y/o tensionada respecto de la trayectoria familiar. Así se concluye, que la visualización de las líneas de tiempo es una herramienta flexible pues puede actuar como una ayuda memoria a los/as entrevistados/as durante el trabajo de terreno. Además, permite dar cuenta de aspectos subjetivos para ser trabajados analíticamente, hacer comparaciones, y mostrar de una forma amable la información para diversas audiencias y grupos de investigación.
Transparencia algorítmica ¿un problema normativo o tecnológico?
Authors: Araya Paz Carlos Fernando
Published: December 2021

Con la evolución de las tecnologías, cada vez va a ser más frecuente que ciertas decisiones tales como selección de personal, otorgamiento de crédito o selección de parejas, sean adoptadas por sistemas de inteligencia artificial estructurados sobre la base de algoritmos de aprendizaje automático. Muchas de esas decisiones pueden contener sesgos que derivan en decisiones discriminatorias que afectan al sujeto sobre el que recae dicha decisión.
Para revelar cómo se adoptaron dichas decisiones, se ha recurrido a la idea de transparencia en materia de algoritmos, implementándola a través de regulaciones. Dicho enfoque normativo o regulatorio resulta insuficiente para resolver el problema planteado, principalmente, porque ignora una premisa básica: la transparencia no es solamente un problema legal, sino también un problema tecnológico, que adquiere relevancia cuando se considera la naturaleza de los algoritmos involucrados, esto es, algoritmos de aprendizaje automático.
Los algoritmos de aprendizaje automático, por su parte, constituyen una tecnología idónea para obtener una automatización de procesos más sofisticada, pues supone acceder a reglas más inteligentes, potentes y flexibles, que se van corrigiendo a medida que los datos de la muestra van evolucionando y reconociendo variaciones en función de muchísimos factores. Sin embargo, el grado de sofisticación de estos algoritmos conlleva una complejidad de sus modelos que, a su vez, inciden en la dificultad para su interpretación.
El enfoque normativo desconoce la complejidad antes mencionada, generando un marco regulatorio insuficiente y rígido. El presente artículo propone superar dicha visión a través de propuestas flexibles, comprendiendo el rol de la tecnología, reconociendo su valor y estimulando su uso. En definitiva, propuestas que fomenten y fortalezcan la innovación en Chile.
Experiencias de relegación urbana post-desastre. El caso de los damnificados del gran incendio de Valparaíso 2014
Authors: Campos Medina Luis
Published: December 2021

Tras el mega incendio de 2014 que afectó los cerros de Valparaíso, diversos habitantes fueron reubicados en otras localidades de la región en el marco del proceso de reconstrucción. El presente artículo explora las experiencias de relocalización de un grupo de familias empobrecidas en la ciudad de Villa Alemana, cuyos relatos y significaciones evidencian procesos de relegación social y urbana. A partir de una investigación cualitativa desarrollada durante dos años junto al grupo de población relocalizada – que consideró entrevistas en profundidad, entrevistas en movimiento y observación participante – se argumenta que, en el contexto de una política habitacional viviendista como la chilena, la relocalización post-desastre tiene como resultado agudizar los efectos subjetivos nocivos derivados de la condición de damnificado. Ello se evidencia en cuatro dimensiones principales: (1) sentimiento de abandono del Estado; (2) estigmatización socio-territorial; (3) sociabilidad barrial; y (4) merma del capital espacial. Finalmente, se concluye en torno al daño subjetivo producido por los procesos de relegación post-desastre y su vínculo con la política pública de reconstrucción.
Desplazamientos, silencios y materialidad. La comunidad de Basilio Curruhuinca, en el sudoeste de chubut, patagonia argentina.
Authors: Casanueva María Laura
Published: December 2021

Desde una mirada microhistórica, el enfoque arqueológico, histórico y antropológico puesto en práctica, busca traer a la memoria el asentamiento de la comunidad del Cacique Basilio Curruhuinca y sus vivencias cotidianas, luego del traslado forzado hacia Chubut como consecuencia de las campañas militares de finales del siglo XIX. Esta comunidad, desprendimiento de la de Bartolomé Curruhuinca de la zona del lago Lacar, logró asentarse logrando tener viviendas, siembras y ganados, sin embargo el destino de estas familias fue el corrimiento paulatino hacia áreas marginales. A poco más de 100 años de su establecimiento en el sudoeste de Chubut, el recuerdo endeble de su presencia se contrapone a los vestigios materiales que quedaron de su asentamiento, junto a fragmentos de la memoria local. La investigación arqueológica aquí presentada intenta recuperar la forma de vida y la cotidianeidad de los hoy casi desconocidos y olvidados habitantes mapuches de Alto Río Mayo, a escasos kilómetros de Aldea Beleiro.
La continuidad cultural en el Wallmapu
Authors: Reyes Sanchez Juan Francisco
Published: December 2021

Se plantea que existen elementos de continuidad cultural más allá de lo material entre las poblaciones que han habitado el Centro Sur de Chile y Norpatagonia argentina dentro de los últimos 2000 años. Para lograr integrar y vincular aspectos simbólicos del registro arqueológico se toma como referente el área lingüística del chezungun. Desde un punto de vista bioantropológico se analiza la amplia variabilidad mortuoria desde el período Alfarero Temprano al período histórico.
A Cadaveric Study of Superficial Palmar Arch with Surgical Importance
Authors: Shetty Hemamalini , Pushpalatha K
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Arterial supply of hand is by two arterial anastomotic arches formed by radial and ulnar arteries and their branches. The anastomoses between the branches of radial and ulnar arteries such as palmar carpal and dorsal carpal arches at the wrist and superficial and deep palmar arches in the palm, maintain a rich arterial supply to the wrist and palm. Effective collateral circulation in palm is essential in peripheral arterial diseases such as Raynaud’s disease and in harvesting radial artery or the ulnar artery for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Aim: To observe the variations in the formation of superficial palmar arch. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was performed on 45 formalin fixed upper limbs of both sex in the Department of Anatomy, JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India. The study was conducted during routine dissection of upper limbs for undergraduates as per the Cunningham’s manual for practical anatomy. Few rare variations in the formation of superficial palmar arch and the arterial pattern of hand were noticed. The variations found were classified according to Coleman and Anson classification. Results: Out of 45 limbs, complete arch was found in 36 limbs and incomplete arch in nine limbs. In complete arch type, we found an arterial arcade, bifurcation of ulnar artery and in incomplete arch type, radial-radial anastomosis. Another rare findings of highly tortuous ulnar artery in forearm and in the palm. Conclusion: The findings in the variations of superficial palmar arch are essential in microvascular surgery, forearm fasciocutaneous flap, radial artery and ulnar artery harvesting in coronary artery bypass graft procedure.
Nutrient and Anti-Nutrient Composition of Four Rice Varieties in Port Harcourt Metropolis
Authors: Wordu Gabriel O. , Orisa Achese Catherine , Hamilton China Mercy Ameka
Published: December 2021

This study evaluated the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of four rice varieties in Port Harcourt metropolis. Four rice varieties (Tomato gold TG, Mama’s pride MP, Ultimate gold UG and daily choice DC) were used in this study. The rice varieties were purchased, milled into fine flour and evaluated for proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient analysis using standard methods. Proximate composition of the rice varieties revealed that moisture content ranged from 11.51-12.80%, ash (0.45-0.60%), fat (0.39-1.39%), crude protein (5.73-6.07%), crude fibre (0.90-6.85%) and carbohydrate (73.67-80.09%). Mama’s pride rice variety contained higher ash and fat contents while Tomatoes gold had significantly higher crude fibre. On the other hand, ultimate gold rice variety contained higher protein and carbohydrate; however, ash, protein and moisture contents did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between the rice varieties. Mineral composition of the rice varieties also showed that magnesium content ranged from 6.28-9.63 mg/100 g, calcium (3.74-8.23mg/100g) and iron (1.50-5.48mg/100g). The concentration of these mineral elements was found to be superior in ultimate gold rice variety. Phenol content of the rice varieties ranged from 9.92-14.58mg/100g, phytate (1.22-1.53g/kg), saponin (5.86-6.37%), tannin (47.03-66.89 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (2.29-2.80%). Ultimate gold rice variety also contained higher concentrations of phenol and tannins while saponin content was higher in daily choice rice variety. Phytate content on the other hand did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between the rice varieties. The result therefore revealed that ultimate gold rice variety contained a considerable amount of nutrients and should be highly recommended to consumers for derivation of the above-mentioned nutrients.
Queing Theory, a Tool for Polio Eradication in Nigeria
Authors: Ayan Adeleke Raphael , Ismaila Itopa Ibrahim , Bashiru Sule Omeiza
Published: December 2021

To curb the spread of contagious diseases and the recent polio outbreak in Nigeria, health departments must set up and operate clinics to dispense medications or vaccines. Residents arrive according to an external (not necessarily Poisson) Arrival process to the clinic. When a resident arrives, he goes to the first workstation, based on his or her information, the resident moves from one workstation to another in the clinic. The queuing network is decomposed by estimating the performance of each workstation using a combination of exact and approximate models. A key contribution of this research is to introduce approximations for workstations with batch arrivals and multiple parallel servers, for workstations with batch service processes and multiple parallel servers, and for self service workstations. We validated the models for likely scenarios using data collected from one of the states vaccination clinics in the country during the vaccination exercises.
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine in the University of Port Harcourt Community
Authors: David Lekpa Kingdom , Njoku Chigozie , Paul John Nwolim
Published: December 2021

Background: Vaccine acceptance is one thing that must be achieved before the masses can volunteer to be vaccinated. Vaccine acceptance is defined as the individual or group's decision to accept or refuse when presented with an opportunity to vaccinate. Acceptance can be active (adherence by an informed public that perceives the benefit of and needs for a vaccine) or passive (compliance by a public that defers to recommendations and social pressure). It will not be out of place to state that the University of Port Harcourt will not be spared in the distribution of the cases as such if no drastic action for vaccination is taken. Therefore, vaccine acceptance is essential. Hence, this study was done to survey the acceptance of the covid-19 vaccine amongst the lecturers and teachers in the University community. 

Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional carried out at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The study population was the public tertiary institutions in Rivers State which comprised only the teaching staff. The sample size used for the study was four hundred and sixty persons calculated using the Taro Yamane formula for a population less than ten thousand; the sampling technique used was simple random sampling. The data collection tool used for the study was a self-structured closed-ended questionnaire. 

Results and Discussions: The results of the study showed that the acceptance rate of COVID 19 vaccine by the UPWA staff members was 7.4%, UNIPORT lecturers was 8.7%, and UDSS staff members were 9.1%. The UDSS staff members had the highest level of acceptance. The total acceptance rate for COVID 19 vaccine in this population was 25.2%. The difference in the proportion is statistically significant at p<0.001. 

Conclusions: The comparison of the variables showed that age category, occupation, sex, marital status, educational level, and insurance were all statistically significant (p=0.001) with the acceptance COVID 19 vaccine by UPWA staff, UNIPORT staff members and UDSS staff. The result showed that about a quarter of the sampled population was willing to take the vaccine. This study recommends the intensification of a campaign that is geared towards enhancing COVID 19 vaccine acceptance and uptake.
Molecular Characterization of Virus Infecting Momordica charantia Linn and the Application of Trichoderma viride as Biocontrol Agent in Baccocco Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Etim D. O. , Okon N. I.
Published: December 2021

Momordica charantia Linn, commonly called bitter-melon or ampalaya, is a vigorous, tendril-bearing, frost tender, annual vine of the cucurbitacae family reported to play significant role in health and nutrition. Chlorotic spot symptoms were observed on this plant during a visit to some Gardens in Baccocco Cross River State, Nigeria in 2021. The aim of this study was to identify the virus infecting this plant and investigate the ability of Trichoderma viride to control the virus. Infected leaf samples of M. charantia were collected and maintained on young seedlings of cucumber through mechanical inoculation which was further used to test the ability of Trichoderma viride as biocontrol agent, the sample was further tested against RT-PCR. Result obtained from Gene sequence analysis revealed 87 % nucleotide sequence identity with Morroccan watermelon mosaic virus. This is the first report of MWMV infecting M. charantia in Nigeria. The result further showed that Trichoderma viride was very effective in the control of virus the pathogen.
Origin and Dynamics of Termite Mound Soils in Southern India
Authors: Harit A. K. , Jouquet P.
Published: December 2021

Aims: In Southern India, termite above-ground nests can have the shape of cathedral (CAT) or lenticular (LENT) mounds. Although CATare built by the fungus-growing species Odontotermes obesus, the origin and evolution of LENT remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of to study was to estimate the origin and dynamics of LENT from their specific physical and chemical properties.

Study Site: This study was carried out in the Bandipur Tiger reserve (dry deciduous forest), Karnataka, Southern India.

Methodology:  All the soil samples were collected in a Fluvisol in the Mule Hole experimental watershed.Only large size mounds between 1.5 - 1.8m high were considered in this study. Soil samples were collected from the outer wall of CATnest and from the soil surface layer (0-5 cm deep) and surrounding soil. Particle-size distribution and dispersion were obtained by process of sedimentation. All the statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) were calculated using R studio and R version 3.2.1.

Results: Using elemental physical and chemical properties, this study showed a gradient of soil properties from the soil sampled between 50-100 cm depth to CAT, LENT and the surrounding topsoil (CTRL, Fluvisol), suggesting that: (i) CAT can be considered patches in the landscapes with specific physical and chemical properties in comparison with CTRL and LENT; (ii) LENT mounds can result from the progressive modification of CTRL (autogenic origin of LENT) and their degradation leads to a progressive recovery of CTRL properties or (iii) they originate from the colonization of abandoned CAT by other termite species (exogenic origin of LENT).

Conclusion: This study confirms the complexity of CAT and LENT fates and the need for long-term datasets to determine the origin and evolution of termite mounds.
Geospatial Effect on the Mining Operation in Joda/Barbil Area of Odisha, India
Authors: Mishra Siba Prasad , Barik Kamal Kumar , Panda Smruti Ranjan
Published: December 2021

The study aims to investigate the Geospatial effect on the extraction operation in Joda and Barbil mining areas of Keonjhar district, Odisha, India. Present work involves the topography, soil, climate, and stratigraphy investigation of the area. The acquisition of Landsat 8 TIRS (Thermal Infrared), Landsat 5 TM (Thematic Mapper), and CARTOSAT DEM data of temporal and spatial satellite images from various websites. ARC GIS and ERDAS IMAGINE 9.2 software used to find the land use and land cover images (accuracy average 90%). Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Surface air Temperature (SAT) of Barbil area for 2003, 2007, 2017 and 2018 have been estimated. Comparison of the results have shown that, there is increase in built up, and mining areas whereas the agricultural land and vegetation cover are down scaled. There is constant average SAT rise of 1-2°C in all the land cover classification between 2007 and 2018. The NDVI values show conversion of sparse from dense vegetation in the area. Poor operational strategies in mines operation, like corruption, illegal mining, lack of accountability, overburden wastes/ trailing disposal, ecologic degradation, waterlogging in mine pits, and human rights violations are the root causes of environmental deterioration of the study area. It is pertinent to implement strictly, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, India, 2021, regular GIS application to assess the mines volume of extraction, strict vigilance and fixation of accountability for losses of existing mines values, and afforestation/ reforestation of degraded/lost forests in Barbil area.
Ecological Adaptation of Endemic Anthocleista Species under Moisture Gradient in Parts of Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Nsirim Lucky Edwin-Wosu , Theresa Ebia Omara-Achong , Praise Idogun Ejiro
Published: December 2021

Background: Knowledge of the anatomy of Anthocleista species is crucial for understanding how these plants adapt to the environment.

Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the adaptive relationship of moisture gradient influence on the anatomy of four species in the genus Anthocleista (A djalonesis A Chev; A.  liebrechtsiana De Wild & Th.Dur; A. nobilis G.Don; and A. vogelii Planch) in light of ecological niche adaptation. Place of Study: parts of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States in the Niger Delta. Methods: Conventional classical anatomical techniques for structural sectioning were used.

Results: Though there are similarities and differences in vascular structure among the species, the study has revealed variance in anatomical responses to moisture gradient (ranging from dry mesophytic to mesophytic and wetland conditions) of adaptation. The most important and distinct features observed are the presence of sclerenchymatous idioblast, air sacs and sclereidal idioblast. Sclerenchymatous idioblasts are numerous in A liebrechtsiana, few in A.  nobilis and A. vogelii but lacking in A. djalonesis. The sclerenchymatous idioblast in A. liebrechtsiana, A. nobilis, and A. vogelii confirmed these species to be mesophytic to semi-aquatic in their habitat adaptation; while A. djalonesis is dry-mesophytic in adaptation with thicker epidermal layer, multiple hypodermal layers, thicker mesophyll tissues with increased number of palisade layers and thick leaves. The stem and root modification had abundance sclereidal idioblast distribution in A. liebrechtsiana, and A. nobilis, moderate in A. vogelii and very low in A. djalonesis.

Conclusion: The variation observed in the leaf, petiole, stem and root anatomical characters are due to moisture gradient influence with the resultant effect of plant species evolving structures such as idioblast and modification to adapt to the niche and environment where they find themselves.
Trans Vaginal Versus Trans Abdominal Ultrasound Guided Embryo Transfer in In vitro Fertilization and Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF–ICSI)
Authors: Mohamed Aya Medhat , El Khyat Ahmed Mahmoud , El Gergawy Adel El Shahat , El Halwagy Ahmed El Sayed , Deen Hamouda Mahmoud Salah El
Published: December 2021

Background: Embryo transfer (ET) refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction in which one or several embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy. This technique, which is often used in connection with in vitro fertilization (IVF), has widely been used in animals or human. The aim of this study was to compare Trans abdominal ultrasound (TAUS) with Trans vaginal ultrasound (TVUS) methods for guidance of (ET) regarding clinical pregnancy rate and patient appreciation of pain during embryo transfer.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing cryopreserved or fresh morula or blastocyte who were randomized (computer generated program) into 2 groups. Group I (the study group): 50 patients were subjected to embryo transfer under trans abdominal ultrasound guidance and Group II (controlled group): 50 patients were subjected to (ET) under (TAUS).

Results: There were no statistically significant differences regarding fresh and cryopreserved. TVUS group demonstrated significant reduction of duration compared to TAUS ones. Minimal pain was observed in TVUS cases compared to TAUS ones. Higher success rate and lower failure rate were demonstrated in TVUS group compared to TAUS group.

Conclusions: TVUS seems to have higher success rate with less pain sensation as well as shorter duration of the procedure in comparison with TAUS.
Research Status and Development Trend of Magnetic Fluid Acceleration Sensors
Authors: Xueyu Mu , Shaojie Yang , Xiangdong Kong
Published: December 2021

As a new type of accelerometer, in recent years, the magnetic liquid acceleration sensor has attracted widespread attention worldwide, and related research results have also continued to emerge. This article mainly introduces the theoretical basis and general structure of the magnetic liquid acceleration sensor, and according to the difference of inertial mass, briefly describes the research progress of the magnetic liquid acceleration sensor by national and foreign scholars in recent years and some in existing problems. Finally, suggestions and prospects for the future development trend of the magnetic liquid acceleration sensor are given.
The Consequence of COVID-19
Authors: Pandiyan Porkodi Arun , Mayilananthi Kaliannan , Durga Krishnan , Senthilnathan Pichaipillai
Published: December 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is the third and largest pandemic that emerged in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China in 2019. As per WHO 45,988,595 people have been infected and the COVID 19 has caused more than 1,194,979 deaths. The clinical spectrum of COVID 19 varies from asymptomatic presentation to multi-organ dysfunction. The pathophysiology behind the sequel of COVID 19 immuno-suppression is an area yet to be explored. Here, we report a case of 52 year old male with persistent pyrexia post his recovery from COIVD-19. On further evaluation, a diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess that resulted as a sequel of COVID-19 was made.
Correlation of Osteopontin, Oxidative Stress and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Hypothyroidism Subjects
Authors: Sah Sumesh Prasad , Batra Jyoti , Batra Aarushi , Arora Manisha , Sah Sonu , Kumar Sudeep
Published: December 2021

Aims: To find out the correlation between Osteopontin (OPN), oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in female hypothyroidism subjects.

Study Design: Case Control study

Place and Duration of Study: The present case control study was conducted with the collaboration of the Department of Biochemistry, Santosh Medical college, Ghaziabad and Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar from September 2018 to September 2020.

Methodology: The study includes 120 female hypothyroidism subjects and 120 age and sex matched normal healthy individuals as controls.  Serum OPN was estimated by commercially available ELISA kit, MDA by method described by Satoh et al. method, TAC by FRAP method and Ceruloplasmin was estimated on Access 2 Beckman Coulter clinical chemistry analyser.

Results: The anthropometric parameters, Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were increased significantly in all the female hypothyroidism subjects as compared to controls. Study showed increased levels of TSH and MDA and decreased levels of serum Osteopontin, T3, T4, TAC and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in hypothyroid subjects as compared to controls. A Significant positive correlation was found between OPN vs T3, OPN vs T4, OPN vs TAC and OPN vs Cp whereas significant negative correlation was found between OPN vs TSH, and OPN vs MDA.

Conclusion:  In the present study, we found decreased levels of Osteopontin in hypothyroidism subject. Pearson’s correlation analysis predicts, OPN negatively correlated with MDA and positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity and ceruloplasmin. Hence, Osteopontin, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity and ceruloplasmin should all be considered while assessing the hypothyroidism.
Effect of Mental Activity on Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Rate in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Bari Ahamed Basha Abdul , Subbalakshmi N. K.
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The link between mental stress and cardiac autonomic regulation plays a significant role in the patho physiological process of cardio neural feedback loop. This study assessed the effect of mental arithmetic and silent reading on heart rate variability, heart rate and respiratory rate in young healthy volunteers.

Materials and Methods: R-R intervals were recorded for five minutes in ten healthy volunteers aged 22-24 years of either sex while resting, doing mental arithmetic, and silent reading in a sitting position. Time and frequency domain approaches were used to measure heart rate variability (HRV). In them, heart rate and respiratory rate were also calculated. Using the paired ‘t' test, mean differences in values were evaluated between resting and mental arithmetic; resting and quiet reading conditions.

Results: Heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly higher during mental arithmetic (p = 0.012, p<0.0001 respectively) and silent reading compared to resting state (p=0.005, p=0.0002 respectively). There was no significant change in HRV during mental arithmetic and silent reading compared to resting state.

Conclusion: Mental arithmetic and silent reading primarily evoke a rise in respiratory rate and heart rate.
A Rare Case of Salmonella Typhi Presenting with Tonsillitis
Authors: Aarifaa S. , Mayilananthi Kaliannan , Krishnan Durga , Rao V. R. Mohan , Srinivas Praveen
Published: December 2021

Typhoid fever is an endemic infection in developing countries like India. Oral manifestations of enteric fever and typhoid tonsillitis have rarely been reported in the literature.   We report a 20 year old male, showing tonsillitis to be an integral part of clinical presentation of typhoid fever.The patient presented with fever, throat pain and oral ulcers. Blood culture and swab from tonsils showed significant growth of Salmonella typhi.This case report adds light to tonsillitis as a rare clinical manifestation of typhoid fever.
A Short on Ubrogepant
Authors: Padmaja S. , Mohan J.
Published: December 2021

Migraine is a mysterious disorder characterized by pulsating head ache, which is actually characterized to one side and comes in attacks which will be lasting for about 3-48 hours and can be associated with nausea,vomiting,sensitivity to sound,flashes of light,vertigoand diarrhoea [1]. Most of the drugs which are in current use for actue migraine like triptans, treats the disorder symptomatically. A novel group of drugs has been in research for the migraine which treats the disorder pathologically. Calcitonin gene – related peptide (CGRP) has a major role in the pathophysiology of the disorder and hence CGRP receptor antagonist, known as Gepants are in the research process [2]. Gepants are being studied for the efficacy of treating acute migraine [2]. This article will be a review article about the drug – Ubrogepant, which is approved for treatment of migraine with acute attacks in adults [3].