bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering genetic basis of developmental and agronomic traits by integrating high‐throughput optical phenotyping and genome‐wide association studies in wheat
Authors: Gao Jie , Hu Xin , Gao Chunyan , Chen Guang , Feng Hui , Jia Zhen , Zhao Peimin , Yu Haiyang , Li Huaiwen , Geng Zedong , Fu Jingbo , Zhang Jun , Cheng Yikeng , Yang Bo , Pang Zhanghan , Xiang Daoquan , Jia Jizeng , Su Handong , Mao Hailiang , Lan Caixia , Chen Wei , Yan Wenhao , Gao Lifeng , Yang Wanneng , Li Qiang
Published: July 2023

Dissecting the genetic basis of complex traits such as dynamic growth and yield potential is a major challenge in crops. Monitoring the growth throughout growing season in a large wheat population to uncover the temporal genetic controls for plant growth and yield‐related traits has so far not been explored. In this study, a diverse wheat panel composed of 288 lines was monitored by a non‐invasive and high‐throughput phenotyping platform to collect growth traits from seedling to grain filling stage and their relationship with yield‐related traits was further explored. Whole genome re‐sequencing of the panel provided 12.64 million markers for a high‐resolution genome‐wide association analysis using 190 image‐based traits and 17 agronomic traits. A total of 8327 marker‐trait associations were detected and clustered into 1605 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including a number of known genes or QTLs. We identified 277 pleiotropic QTLs controlling multiple traits at different growth stages which revealed temporal dynamics of QTLs action on plant development and yield production in wheat. A candidate gene related to plant growth that was detected by image traits was further validated. Particularly, our study demonstrated that the yield‐related traits are largely predictable using models developed based on i‐traits and provide possibility for high‐throughput early selection, thus to accelerate breeding process. Our study explored the genetic architecture of growth and yield‐related traits by combining high‐throughput phenotyping and genotyping, which further unravelled the complex and stage‐specific contributions of genetic loci to optimize growth and yield in wheat.
Genomic insights into selection for heterozygous alleles and woody traits in Populus tomentosa
Authors: Li Peng , Xiao Liang , Du Qingzhang , Quan Mingyang , Song Yuepeng , He Yuling , Huang Weixiong , Xie Jianbo , Lv Chenfei , Wang Dan , Zhou Jiaxuan , Li Lianzheng , Liu Qing , El‐Kassaby Yousry A. , Zhang Deqiang
Published: July 2023

Heterozygous alleles are widespread in outcrossing and clonally propagated woody plants. The variation in heterozygosity that underlies population adaptive evolution and phenotypic variation, however, remains largely unknown. Here, we describe a de novo chromosome‐level genome assembly of Populus tomentosa, an economic and ecologically important native tree in northern China. By resequencing 302 natural accessions, we determined that the South subpopulation (Pop_S) encompasses the ancestral strains of P. tomentosa, while the Northwest subpopulation (Pop_NW) and Northeast subpopulation (Pop_NE) experienced different selection pressures during population evolution, resulting in significant population differentiation and a decrease in the extent of heterozygosity. Analysis of heterozygous selective sweep regions (HSSR) suggested that selection for lower heterozygosity contributed to the local adaptation of P. tomentosa by dwindling gene expression and genetic load in the Pop_NW and Pop_NE subpopulations. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) revealed that 88 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 63 genes are associated with nine wood composition traits. Among them, the selection for the homozygous AA allele in PtoARF8 is associated with reductions in cellulose and hemicellulose contents by attenuating PtoARF8 expression, and the increase in lignin content is attributable to the selection for decreases in exon heterozygosity in PtoLOX3 during adaptive evolution of natural populations. This study provides novel insights into allelic variations in heterozygosity associated with adaptive evolution of P. tomentosa in response to the local environment and identifies a series of key genes for wood component traits, thereby facilitating genomic‐based breeding of important traits in perennial woody plants.
Public health nursing: Challenges and innovations for health literacy in rural area
Authors: Pailaha Aprianto Daniel
Published: July 2023

Health literacy is a critical component of public health nursing, particularly in rural areas where access to health services is severely limited. As it relates to quality of care, cost of care, safety of care, and appropriate decision‐making in general public health, health literacy can also be seen as an important public policy issue. Several challenges that can be found in rural communities in terms of access to health literacy, such as limited access to healthcare services, limited resources, low literacy rate, cultural and language barriers, financial constraints, and digital divide. Based on these challenges, several innovations can be pursued such as community‐based health education, health literacy training among healthcare professionals, digital health technology, partnerships with community‐based organizations, health literacy radio programs, and community health ambassadors. This reflection highlights the challenges and innovations that nurses can do to overcome the problem of low‐health literacy in rural communities. In the future, the development of community empowerment and technology will be needed to refine the progress made so that a gradual increase in health literacy in rural communities can be seen.
The effect of vitamin D on neurocognitive functions in older vitamin D deficient adults: a pilot longitudinal interventional study
Authors: Turkmen Banu Ozulu , Can Busra , Buker Seda , Beser Birsu , Büyükgök Deniz , Dernek Bahar , Bovatekin Sevilay , Kucukdagli Pınar , Ilhan Birkan , Kalem Şükriye Akça , Erten Nilgun , Karan Mehmet Akif , Bahat Gulistan
Published: July 2023

Background

The relationship between vitamin D and cognitive status remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D replacement on cognitive functions in healthy and cognitively intact vitamin D deficient older females.

Methods

This study was designed as a prospective interventional study. A total of 30 female adults aged ≥60 with a serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level of <10 ng/ml were included. Participants were administered 50 000 IU vitamin D3 weekly for 8 weeks followed by a maintenance therapy of 1000 U/day. Detailed neuropsychological assessment was performed prior to vitamin D replacement and repeated at 6 months by the same psychologist.

Results

Mean age was 63 ± 6.7 years and baseline vitamin D level was 7.8 ± 2.0 (range: 3.5–10.3) ng/ml. At 6 months, vitamin D level was 32.5 ± 3.4 (32.2–55) ng/ml. The Judgement of Line Orientation Test (P = 0.04), inaccurate word memorizing of the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.02), perseveration scores of the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.005), topographical accuracy of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test (P = 0.002), and the spontaneous self‐correction of an error in the Boston Naming Test (P = 0.003) scores increased significantly, while the delayed recall score in the Verbal Memory Processes Test (P = 0.03), incorrect naming of words in the Boston Naming Test (P = 0.04), interference time of the Stroop Test (P = 0.05), and spontaneous corrections of the Stroop Test (P = 0.02) scores decreased significantly from baseline.

Conclusion

Vitamin D replacement has a positive effect on cognitive domains related to visuospatial, executive, and memory processing functions.
Incremental validity of ERP correlates of self‐referential processing in predicting emerging depressive symptoms in late childhood: Evidence from a community‐dwelling sample
Authors: Liu Pan , Tan Jaron X. Y.
Published: July 2023

Depressogenic self‐referential processing (e.g., self‐schemas reflecting shallower processing of positive, and deeper processing of negative, self‐descriptive words) is an established cognitive vulnerability to depression. Alterations of event‐related potentials (ERPs) during self‐referential processing have been observed in adolescents with depression risk or clinical depression. However, no study has examined ERPs associated with self‐referential processing in typical‐risk youth with emerging depressive symptoms during late childhood, a high‐risk period for depression. It is also unclear to what extent ERPs provide incremental validity in predicting symptoms beyond performance on self‐referential processing tasks. Sixty‐five community‐dwelling children (38 girls; mean age/SD = 11.02/1.59 years) completed a self‐referent encoding task (SRET) with EEG recorded. Children showed a larger P2 and a larger late positive potential (LPP) in response to positive SRET stimuli versus negative stimuli. Hierarchical regression showed that in the positive condition only, including ERP correlates (P1, P2, LPP) and interactions between the ERPs and positive SRET score increased the explained variation in depressive symptoms beyond behavioral SRET performance. The LPP in response to positive words was associated with lower depressive symptoms. The P1 and P2 in response to positive words interacted with positive SRET score, such that the association between positive SRET score and symptoms was significant in children with greater P1 but smaller P2. We provide novel evidence supporting the incremental validity of ERPs beyond behavioral makers in predicting emerging depressive symptoms in children. Our findings also highlight the moderating role of ERP activity in strengthening the association between behavioral markers of self‐schemas and depressive outcomes.
Can roscovitine and trichostatin A be alternatives to standard protocols for cell cycle synchronization of ovine adult and foetal fibroblast cells?
Authors: Yagcioglu Selin , Ersoy Nur , Demir Kamber , Birler Sema , Pabuccuoglu Serhat
Published: July 2023

Synchronization of donor cells is an important step for the success of somatic cell nuclear transfer application and facilitates the development of embryos. Contact inhibition, serum starvation and different chemical agents are used in synchronizing different types of somatic cells. In this study, to synchronize the primary ovine adult (POF) and foetal (POFF) fibroblast cells to G0/G1 phases, the contact inhibition, the serum starvation, roscovitine and trichostatin A (TSA) methods were used. In the first part of the study, roscovitine (10, 15, 20 and 30 μM) and TSA (25, 50, 75 and 100 nM) were applied for 24 h to determine the optimal concentration for POF and POFF cells. In the second part, optimal concentrations of roscovitine and TSA for these cells were compared with contact inhibition and serum starvation methods. Cell cycle distribution and apoptotic activity analysis were performed by flow cytometry to compare this synchronization methods. Serum starvation method resulted in higher cell synchronization rate in both cells compared to other groups. Although contact inhibition and TSA also achieved high success rates of synchronized cell value, it was observed that the difference between serum starvation and these groups was significant (p < .05). When the apoptosis rates of the two cell types were examined, it was observed that the early apoptotic cells in contact inhibition and late apoptotic cells in the serum starvation were higher than the other groups (p < .05). Although the 10 and 15 μM concentrations of roscovitine gave the lowest apoptosis rates, it was observed that it failed to synchronize both the ovine fibroblast cells to G0/G1 phase. As a result, it was concluded that while roscovitine was not successful to synchronize both the POFF and POF cell lines, TSA (50 nM for POF cells and 100 nM for POFF cells) can be used efficiently as an alternative to the contact inhibition and the serum starvation methods.
An introduction to rural and agricultural development in the digital age
Authors: Ma Wanglin , McKay Andy , Rahut Dil B. , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: July 2023

This special issue contributes to the development economics literature by highlighting the role of information communication and technologies (ICTs) in supporting rural and agricultural development. It is comprised of nine papers. Key findings from this special issue include: (1) internet use increases rural consumption diversity and agricultural productivity; (2) smartphone use empowers rural women in household decision‐making and off‐farm work participation; (3) smartphone‐based agricultural extension services boost rural income growth; (4) a lack of ICT infrastructure and inadequate skills to use digital technologies are two key factors that lead to digital poverty traps for smallholder rural farmers; (5) ICT adoption increases the probability of rural households' access to credit and empowers rural women and farm households in relatively less developed regions to access credit; (6) digital financial inclusion reduces farmers' vulnerability to poverty; and (7) e‐commerce adoption increases both sales prices and marketing costs, but the magnitude of increasing the former is higher than the magnitude of increasing the latter, which finally contributes to a higher gross return. This special issue also proposes practical instruments and implications for advancing the application of ICTs in rural areas to accelerate rural and agricultural development in the digital age.
The comparison of paricalcitol and calcitriol effects on pulse wave velocity, osteocalcin, and fetuin‐A in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Karakose Suleyman , Bal Zeynep , Sezer Siren
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Vascular calcification is an intervenable factor in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Treatment‐related factors might worsen the arterial stiffness in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of 1‐year treatment with paricalcitol or calcitriol on pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is an indicator of arterial stiffness and osteocalcin and fetuin‐A levels.

Methods

Seventy‐six hemodialysis patients who had similar PWV1 at the beginning were evaluated after a 1‐year treatment of paricalcitol or calcitriol. PWV2, serum osteocalcin, and fetuin‐A levels were measured at the end of the study.

Results

At the end of the study, PWV2 of paricalcitol group was statistically lower than the calcitriol group. Osteocalcin levels were statistically lower and fetuin‐A levels were statistically higher in the paricalcitol group than the calcitriol group at the end of the study. The number of patients with PWV2 > 7 m/s and using paricalcitol was 16 (39%) but 25 (41%) patients were using calcitriol; the differences were statistically significant.

Conclusions

The long‐term benefits of paricalcitol were superior to the benefits of calcitriol. Paricalcitol has protective effects from vascular calcification in chronic hemodialysis patients.
Investigating the democracy and environmental sustainability nexus in 52 African countries: Evidence from two‐stage least squares and quantile regression
Authors: Iheonu Chimere O. , Muoneke Obumneke Bob , Agbutun Shedrach A.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This study has investigated the impact of democracy on the sustainability of the environment in 52 African countries between 1990 and 2020.

Methods

The study utilized the ordinary least square as the baseline estimation technique, the two‐stage least square to account for endogeneity, and the quantile regression to account for existing levels of carbon emissions (CO2), which is a proxy for environmental sustainability.

Results

Our findings show that improving the quality of African democracies will see a significant reduction in the level of CO2 emissions. Electoral and egalitarian democracy have a greater impact on reducing CO2 emissions in Africa and thus improving environmental sustainability. Further findings show that improving the quality of Africa's democracy will better dampen the level of CO2 emissions in African countries where the existing level of CO2 emissions is at its highest levels.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the importance of political institutions in improving environmental sustainability in Africa.
Bureaucratic Portraiture and Practices of Citizenship
Authors: Raheja Natasha , Strassler Karen , Gürsel Zeynep Devrim
Published: July 2023

In lay and academic discourse, bureaucracy almost seems coterminous with the production and circulation of paper, writing, and type. Indeed, the flows of bureaucratic paperwork and documentation weigh heavy, but how are other media and material forms implicated in bureaucratic relationships and encounters? This Special Section considers the photographic portrait as an enduring bureaucratic technology across different histories and geographies. How are people's likenesses key media of social recognition and aspirational performances of citizenship? Given that making and circulating images is now widely accessible across the globe, how has photography become a significant means through which subjects struggle for recognition in the contemporary moment? Focusing on state borders and categories, we argue that bureaucracy's demand for identification documents has not only sustained photographic practices but also shaped the ways people in liminal positions advance claims of citizenship.
Keberkesanan Penggunaan Inovasi Top Assistant Dalam Mempelajari Perakaunan di Kolej Vokasional
Authors: Md Tahir Nurhuda , Husain Rohiza , Ahmad Normaliza , Ameen Atan Muhammad , Phang Fatin Aliah
Published: July 2023

Pelajar Kolej Vokasional menghadapi masalah dalam pembelajaran mata pelajaran perakuanan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menguji keberkesanan penggunaan inovasi TOP Assistant (Table of Period) dalam kalangan pelajar Kolej Vokasional. Melalui satu kajian pemerhatian awal, data menunjukkan masalah yang dikenal pasti adalah pelajar tidak dapat melihat dengan teliti tempoh perakaunan dan tarikh transaksi perniagaan bermula bagi sesebuah urusniaga perniagaan. Hal ini telah menyebabkan majoriti pelajar membuat kesilapan dalam menentukan tarikh bagi starting period, closing date dan closing period. Menyedari hal ini, satu inovasi yang dihasilkan berdasarkan garis masa iaitu TOP Assistant telah dihasilkan. Data keberkesanan alat bantu mengajar ini telah diukur melalui penilaian ujian pra dan pos. Sampel kajian terdiri sebanyak 127 orang pelajar kursus DBE 2243 Sistem Perakaunan Berkomputer di 11 Kolej Vokasional di Malaysia. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah analisis deskriptif iaitu frekuensi dan peratusan berdasarkan data ujian pra dan pos. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan bahawa semua pelajar dapat menentukan tarikh bagi starting period, closing date dan closing period dengan tepat. Kajian ini mencadangkan penggunaan TOP Assistant untuk disebarluaskan kepada semua Kolej Vokasional dan juga pelajar perakaunan kolej matrikulasi seluruh Malaysia.
Effectiveness of WhatsApp in Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Sivabalan Kasturi , Ali Zuraina
Published: July 2023

Vocabulary is the backbone and prominent feature in language acquisition. Limited vocabulary causes a major breakdown in both written and oral communication which inflicts inefficiency among Malaysian students despite being exposed to the vocabulary for more or less than 11 years. In order to tackle students’ eagerness to acquire vocabulary, teachers are to be creative and aware of the current changes in the teaching and learning process. The mushrooming of technologies including mobile phones has provided students with learning mobility in recent years and has a great influence in the education field. The use of instant messaging mobile applications has become an epidemic among generation Z (Gen-Z). The current study attempts to explore the effect of WhatsApp in assisting tertiary level students to learn vocabulary. A quasi – experimental study was employed which lasted for six weeks with the participation of Psychology students from a private educational institution. The participants were given a vocabulary pre-test before receiving vocabulary instruction via WhatsApp. Later, they sat for a post-vocabulary test. The t-test results indicated that WhatsApp had a significant effect on assisting students to learn vocabulary. It is clear that WhatsApp has a wide range of possibilities in class that needs further exploration.
Pengintegrasian Permainan Berkomputer Dalam Pembelajaran Kesusateraan Bahasa Tamil Bagi Penguasaan Kemahiran Abad ke-21 Murid Sekolah
Authors: Manugaran Sumithara , Atan Noor Azean , Md Yusof Sanitah
Published: July 2023

Pendidikan Komponen Sastera dilaksanakan melalui bimbingan murid-murid untuk menghayati, menghargai, mencintai serta membanggakan Bahasa, seterusnya berfikir secara analitis, kritis dan kreatif. Namun, sehingga kini penghayatan nilai-nilai kesusasteraan ini masih belum sepenuhnya dikuasai oleh murid-murid yang disebabkan oleh kurangnya meminati dan menyertai dalam aktiviti pembelajaran Kesusasteraan Bahasa Tamil. Berdasarkan kajian literatur, mendapati kaedah pembelajaran Kesusasteraan Bahasa Tamil memerlukan penambahbaikan agar murid dapat menguasai Komponen Sastera dengan baik selaras dengan Pembelajaran abad ke-21 serta keperluan pengintegrasian teknologi seperti yang dinyatakan dalam DSKP. Justeru kajian ini dilaksanakan dengan merekabentuk aktiviti pembelajaran Kesusasteraan Bahasa Tamil melalui suntikan elemen Pembelajaran abad ke-21 serta penggunaan teknologi berdasarkan strategi permainan berkomputer bagi menggalakkan murid untuk terus meminati dan aktif menyertai dalam pembelajaran, sekaligus meningkatkan kefahaman murid-murid. Penguasaan Kemahiran abad ke-21 dengan elemen kemahiran komunikasi, kolaboratif, pemikiran kreatif dan kritis dalam kalangan murid sekolah rendah disokong menerusi aktiviti pembelajaran yang disediakan. Seterusnya, kesan pengimplementasian aktiviti pembelajaran ini terhadap tahap kemahiran Abad ke-21 murid di kenalpasti menerusi rubrik penilaian dan tahap kefahaman diperolehi menerusi ujia- pra dan ujian-pos. Persepsi murid beserta temubual terhadap pengintegrasian strategi permainan berkomputer dengan elemen Pembelajaran Abad ke-21 turut didapatkan. Seramai 30 murid dari Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil terlibat dalam kajian ini berdasarkan rekabentuk kuasi-eksperimental. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif dan inferensi, serta dapatan yang diperolehi memaparkan terdapat kesan yang signifikan dengan nilai p<0.05 iaitu secara keseluruhan murid-murid menguasai dengan baik kemahiran Abad ke-21 dalam pembelajaran Kesusasteraan Bahasa Tamil dengan strategi permainan berkomputer. Selain itu, merujuk kepada persepsi murid-murid turut memaparkan respon yang positif terhadap penglibatan aktif pelajar dalam aktiviti pembelajaran. Kesimpulannya, pengintegrasian strategi permainan berkomputer dalam pembelajaran Kesusateraan Bahasa Tamil dengan elemen Pembelajaran Abad ke-21 dapat membantu meningkatkan kefahaman murid-murid serta penguasaan kemahiran Komunikasi, Kolaboratif, Pemikiran Kreatif dan Kritis dengan baik.
Kesediaan Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Terhadap Penggunaan Aplikasi Google Classroom dalam Pembelajaran Norma Baru
Authors: Che Ghazali Roshasfarizan , Abd Halim Noor Dayana
Published: July 2023

Aplikasi Google Classroom merupakan salah satu aplikasi yang sering digunakan oleh para pendidik untuk menyampaikan ilmu dan bahan-bahan pengajaran secara dalam talian. Ia telah dibangunkan oleh pihak Google untuk kegunaan dalam sistem Pendidikan pada tahun 2014 supaya memudahkan para pendidik merancang, melaksanakan dan mentaksir hasil tugasan pelajar secara “paperless”. Selain itu, Google Classroom juga digunakan sebagai platform pembelajaran dalam norma baru bagi pelajar. Justeru itu, kajian ini telah dilaksanakan menggunakan kaedah tinjauan untuk mengenal pasti tahap kesediaan pelajar sekolah menengah terhadap penggunaan aplikasi Google Classroom daripada aspek pengetahuan, sikap, motivasi dan kemudahan infrastrutktur di Pasir Mas, Kelantan. Seramai 288 orang pelajar menengah rendah dan 192 orang pelajar menengah atas telah dipilih secara rawak sebagai sampel kajian. Kajian ini menggunakan soal selidik secara dalam talian sebagai instrumen kajian untuk mengumpul data daripada responden. Perisian SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) telah digunakan untuk menganalisis data secara deskriptif. Borang soal selidik telah melepasi proses kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan min tahap kesediaan daripada aspek pengetahuan, sikap, motivasi dan kemudahan infrastruktur berada pada tahap sederhana dengan nilai 3.67, 3.29, 3.55 dan 3.33. Ini menunjukkan bahawa pelajar telah bersiap sedia namun tahap pengetahuan, sikap, motivasi dan kemudahan infrastruktur pelajar perlu ditingkatkan lagi dalam menjalankan pembelajaran secara norma baru bagi meningkatkan keberkesanan pembelajaran dalam talian.
The Opportunities and challenges in virtual reality for virtual laboratories
Authors: Alnagrat Alnagrat Ahmed Jamah , Che Ismail Rizalafande , Syed Idrus Syed Zulkarnain
Published: July 2023

The use of extended reality (XR) technologies, namely Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality(MR) in education, has attracted much attention in recent years. Since the middle of the 20th century, virtual reality (VR) has been a part of our lives. Today, technology has made virtual reality accessible to everyone. In the last ten years, virtual reality equipment has become suitable for individual use and has started to be used by large numbers of people. Virtual reality can now be used for educational purposes, including education virtual laboratories. The studies were carried out to reveal the advantages of virtual reality compared to traditional media tools, as well as the conclusion that a successful instructional design process plays a major role in the success of technology in education. In line with what has been mentioned, we review in this paper the historical development of virtual reality technologies, followed by the use of Extended reality technology in the field of education, including virtual laboratories. This paper is to argue and present evidence from extensive research that VR can be a valuable tool in engineering, such as virtual laboratories. As a result of the review we conducted, we were able to conclude that VR has a positive pedagogical and cognitive impact on engineering education, thus increasing students' understanding of the subjects, their grades and performance, and overall satisfaction with their education. Furthermore, VR, as a replacement for physical laboratories, can reduce university liability, infrastructure, and costs. It was also discovered that VR applications for education currently lack the integration of learning theories and objectives in engineering education. In this research, we aim to provide recommendations and guidelines for researchers who want to work in the field of virtual reality and to offer suggestions for virtual laboratories.
Perception of History of Education Students on Virtual Teaching-Learning Process During Covid-19 Pandemic in Kwara State Nigeria
Authors: Oniye Masud Ibrahim , Hassan Zainudin , Quadri Adedayo Taofeek , Abdulrahman Yusuf Maigida , Masud Tawakalitu Oniye
Published: July 2023

In Nigeria, the need for the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the introduction of a virtual teaching-learning process as an alternative to the face-to-face instructional approach. This study thus investigated the perception of history education students on the virtual teaching-learning process during COVID-19 pandemic in Kwara State, Nigeria. It examined the challenges of the virtual teaching-learning process during Covid-19 pandemic as perceived by history education students in Kwara State, and the level of the respondents’ willingness to further use virtual teaching-learning process after the pandemic. The research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 248 respondents and the “Perception of Virtual Teaching-Learning Process Questionnaire” (PVTLPQ) was used to collect data for the study. At the end of the questionnaire administration, 235 copies were valid for data analysis. The method used to analyse the data collected were descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that some of the benefits of the virtual teaching-learning process were flexibility to the study at the time convenient to the learner and accommodating different types of learning styles. Lack of internet connectivity, epileptic power supply and lack of computer/phone devices were some of the identified challenges of the virtual teaching-learning process. Also, gender, age and level of study did not influence respondents’ perception of the virtual teaching-learning process. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that government and curriculum planners should integrate the virtual teaching-learning approach into the classroom instructional process so that both the students and their lecturers can be well acquainted with the use of ICT and be able to explore the benefits embedded in its usage.
CELLULOSIC FIBER REINFORCED HYBRID COMPOSITE (PxGyEz) OPTIMIZATION FOR LOW WATER ABSORPTION USING THE ROBUST TAGUCHI OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUE
Authors: Samuel Bassey , Sumaila Malachy , Dan-Asabe Bashar
Published: July 2023

The manufacturing process of a material is a strong determinant of its performance in service. Different applications like ships, wind turbine blades, oil rigs, etc demand materials with low water absorption due to their operational environment. Previous studies have reported the water absorption behavior of cellulosic fiber-reinforced composites but the optimization of the water absorption properties of pineapple leaf/glass fiber hybrid reinforced epoxy composites by optimizing its manufacturing parameters have not been studied even with its possible wide range of application. This paper presents the optimization of the water absorption properties of a material PxGyEz (with x, y, and z representing the volume fraction of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) (P), the volume fraction of glass fiber (G), and fiber length respectively in an epoxy matrix) using the Taguchi robust optimization technique and statistical analysis. The material at x=15%, y=15%, and z=20mm which is, P15G15E20 was the optimum having the lowest water absorption of 0.2667%. A notable observation was that fiber length had a significant contribution to the water absorption properties of the material. The interaction effect of fiber length with the cellulosic fiber and the glass fiber at mean values was found to be 49.37% and 14.24% respectively. SEM and FTIR analysis showed microstructural and chemical formations that explained the water absorption behavior of the optimized hybrid composite. The water absorption property of the material was modeled and the equations proved to be 95.6% accurate in predicting the water absorption of the material at different combinations.
MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF A NATURAL ESTER BASED NANO FLUID FOR A HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
Authors: Edamaku Ovye , Dan-asabe Bashar , Abdullahi Umma
Published: July 2023

In recent times, due to environmentally friendly issues, sustainable resources, and higher concerns regarding safety, research in the area of alternative liquid insulation in high voltage apparatus has been necessary. To actualize this goal, vegetable oil has been studied extensively and it has the potential to replace mineral oil in power transformers. In addition, the incorporation of nanoparticles has been remarkable in producing improved characteristics of insulating oil. In this study optimization of the Thermophysical properties which include viscosity, and the flash point was done using the Taguchi approach of design of experiment. The concentration of the nanoparticles, mixing, and drying time were varied and an optimal combination of parameters was observed and recorded. The optimum parameter combination for flash point is 0.9wt% concentration, 45 minutes mixing time, and 3hrs drying time. Viscosity has its optimum parameter combination at zero concentration of nanoparticles, mixing, and drying time. The optimized values of the thermophysical properties of the nanofluid reveal that the natural ester-based nanofluid is a suitable replacement for mineral oil in transformer cooling and insulation because of its improved properties. A mathematical model for the combination of concentration of nanoparticles, mixing and drying time for viscosity and flash point was developed and statistically validated. Hence can be used to navigate and predict the viscosity and flash point of the nanofluid within and outside the experimental design space.

Keywords: Methyl ester, Viscosity, Flash Point, Optimization
FLUID BEHAVIOR INVESTIGATION ON A SINGLE-PHASE EJECTOR USING NUMERICAL APPROACH
Authors: Mat Mohamad Nur Hidayat , Ahmad Noordin Muhammad Nurashman
Published: July 2023

This study aims to determine fluid flow behaviors and its property inside of an ejector for a single-phase system. Numerical simulation has been employed to investigate the efficiency of the ejector. The numerical process begins with model creation, mesh sensitivity study, turbulent model selection and validation study. Seven parts of ejector that can be optimized to achieve the objectives namely nozzle diameter, venturi tube neck diameter, nozzle distance, venturi tube neck length, straight pipe length, mixing chamber diameter, and mixing chamber length. Through these seven aspects, a total of 82 design points has been generated by CFD software and have obtained a candidate that provides optimized parameters that are 2.12mm, 18.93mm, 3.12mm, 80.71mm, 195.9mm, 138.63mm and 165.64mm. These parameters that contribute to the optimized output have contributed 0.0462% efficiency than before. This also shows that this ejector model does not require significant changes because this model is said to be close to the optimized ejector. Through these seven modifiable parameters, a total of 82 design points has been generated by MOGA algorithm and have obtained a candidate that provides optimized parameters that are 2.12mm, 18.93mm, 3.12mm, 80.71mm, 195.9mm, 138.63mm and 165.64mm. These parameters that contribute to the optimized output have contributed 0.0462% efficiency.
POTENTIAL NATURAL FIBER POLYMER COMPOSITES FOR WIND TURBINE BLADE DEVELOPMENT: A SHORT REVIEW
Authors: Samuel Bassey , Malachy Sumaila  , Bashar Dan-Asabe
Published: July 2023

The wind turbine blade which is currently developed with carbon and glass fiber-filled composites, is a key part of the wind turbine system used in the production of wind energy. Present-day realities have necessitated the need for the replacement of these materials which are costly, scarce, non-biodegradable, non-eco-friendly, with natural fibers which are more available, and eco-friendly, hence, this research. This study gives an overview of the wind energy industry, the systems of production with the blades in particular. It describes the attributes of natural fibers, their composites, and hybrids of the natural fibers, their defects, and their possible application in the development of wind turbine blades.
TAGUCHI OPTIMISATION ON EFFECT OF WATER ENVIRONMENT IN JOINING DISSIMILAR AL5083 AND AL6061-T6 ALUMINIUM ALLOY USING FRICTION STIR WELDING
Authors: Muhammed Zakariya Hasnol  , Mohd Faridh Ahmad Zaharuddin  , Safian Sharif  , Sehun Rhee
Published: July 2023

Water cooling has the potential to improve the mechanical qualities of weldment joints in butt welding configurations. However, the joining procedure on such a configuration faces a challenging defect-free joining issue with the standard approach. This project investigates the effect of welding conditions on the joint quality using three different tool pin profiles (cylindrical straight, cylindrical threaded and tapered cylinder) during dissimilar underwater friction stir welding of a 6 mm thick plate. An experimental method following Taguchi parametric design is carried out to optimise the technique on hardness and microstructure at the weld nugget. ANOVA is used to assess the effect of each process parameter, namely tool pin profiles, welding speed, welding speed, and hardness responses. The water environment approach lowers thermal flow by maintaining consistent temperature from tool pin profiles. The combination of ongoing process parameters and fast-cooling rate induced heat input improves the welded joint's mechanical characteristics and microstructural grain. The experiment revealed the appropriate process parameters of 900 rpm, 60 mm/min, and tapered cylinder pin profile. Consequently, water-cooling significantly contributes to welded joints' mechanical properties and microstructure at the optimal parameter level, resulting in improved strength performance.
DESIGN OF A DROP IMPACT TEST RIG FOR ACCELEROMETER VALIDATION FOR TURBOCHARGER APPLICATION
Authors: Meng Soon Chiong , Mohammad Mahadhir , Nyan Mohd Aizuddin , Md Sah Muhammad Hanafi , Balakrishnan Malarvili
Published: July 2023

Automotive turbochargers increase internal combustion engine power and efficiency in passenger and commercial vehicles. The vibrational characteristics need to be closely monitored during testing as it indicates the state of the turbocharger and its components. For this purpose, an accurate accelerometer is a must. This paper presents the design of a drop impact test rig for accelerometer validation. The design is based on ASTM E1876 standard and able to cover a frequency range of 0-6000 Hz. This represents a typical turbocharger operating speed of up to 120,000 rpm, with four common types of vibrational mode expected – synchronous, sub-synchronous, harmonic, and non-synchronous. Three materials have been selected for the specimen plate, namely ABS, Copper and AISI 1050 steel. The abovementioned frequency range can be satisfied by varying the specimen thickness. The drop impact test rig allows four different drop heights. Further combined with four different steel ball sizes, the magnitude of induced acceleration can be manipulated during the drop test. This drop impact test rig enables on-site accelerometer validation before any turbocharger gas stands testing, which is crucial for an accurate vibrational measurement.
ASSESSMENT OF FRICTION STIR WELDING: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Hasnol Muhammed Zakariya , Ahmad Zaharuddin Mohd Faridh , Wan Ali Wan Fahmin Faiz , Sharif Safian , Rhee Sehun
Published: July 2023

Friction stir welding (FSW) has an advanced technique in solid-state conditions that joins from different materials compared to the fusion welding process and is eco-friendly. This  ignificant advancement involves aluminium (Al) alloys which facilitate the FSW of distinguished flow patterns in the weld zone. Technically, heat energy and stirred material resulted in softening areas, affecting joint efficiency, mechanical properties, and metallurgical characterisation. This paper has concerns comprehensively covering and summarising the development and application of the topic in different aspects of the performance and quality of the FSW welded joint. The proper tools can create sufficient heat under the shoulder for excellent performance to deal with the welding parameter. All these tools have their literature and journal, which extensive discussion.Furthermore, alloy positioning, defect formation,rotational speed and transverse feed are essential analytical tools for FSW to control the significant weld quality. Furthermore, the mechanical properties associated with microstructural evolution highly dependent on welding technique have remarkably contributed to product development. Finally, a previous study has shown the interest in the topic to enhance the knowledge for further investigation with emerging technology for future recommendations in the FSW discipline.
OTEC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION USING DIFFERENT WORKING FLUIDS AND VARIATIONS IN OPERATING ORC CONDITIONS
Authors: Wahinuddin Muhammad Ajwad , Nik Mohd Nik Ahmad Ridhwan , Mohd Nasir Mohd Nazri , Othman Norazila , Mat Shabudin , T. Thirugana Sathiabama
Published: July 2023

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a system that produce energy of electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between surface part of seawater and deep region of seawater. The thermal energy at the surface seawater is used to convert working fluid into vapor which expands in the turbine to generate electricity and revert into liquid state by rejecting heat to cold seawater pumped from deep region of seawater. Basically, there are various types of working fluids that can be applied in an OTEC system depending on its contribution towards the performance of the system. In this study, the thermodynamics efficiency and net power output of basic OTEC system will be evaluated by varying three parameters which are the turbine inlet temperature, turbine inlet pressure and condenser outlet temperature using various working fluids through simulation using MATLAB. Simulation results indicate that R717 excels in producing the highest net power output but R600a has the best average value in thermodynamic efficiency. The findings of this work can contribute in giving an insight on which working fluid has the optimal characteristics in obtaining the best performance of the OTEC system.
Finite Element Analysis of a Temporomandibular Joint Implant
Authors: Mall Vivek Kumar , Wahi Pankaj , Sinha Niraj
Published: July 2023

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a synovial joint that allows for movement of the jaw in relation to the skull. TMJs are located on both sides of the face, one on either side. It aids in performing of activities such as eating. TMJ disorder may sometime require an implant to replace this joint. Excessive stress on certain screws and implants may adversely affect the TMJ implant and may lead to breakage and requirement of replacement. Therefore, to predict stresses in the implant, finite element analysis has been used in this study. We have simulated a human bite by applying force to the teeth and allowing the condyle to rotate and translate over the fossa with the restrictions on the rigid body motions coming from flexible muscles which are modeled as axial connector elements. This method is novel because it eliminates the need to collect data on muscle forces in order to simulate the TMJ as was done conventionally. Each individual mandibular tooth can be loaded in this simulation. Because of the reduced amount of restriction placed on the TMJ implant, it is possible to better understand the true stresses that will be generated under the routine movement of the jaw.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Diisopropyl Ether Using Various Interatomic Potentials
Authors: Kashurin O. V. , Kondratyuk N. D. , Lankin A. V. , Norman G. E.
Published: July 2023

A comparative assessment of the accuracy of determining the density and viscosity has been carried out for diisopropyl ether using the method of classical molecular dynamics using three potentials. The accuracy of determining the viscosity coefficients when using equilibrium and nonequilibrium calculation methods was also investigated.
EUS-guided through the needle microbiopsy: a useful adjunct in the investigation of pancreatic cystic lesions
Authors: Ahmed Wafaa , Mirzaali Mikaeil , Young Caroline , Sanni Latifu , Everett Simon , Paranandi Bharat , Huggett Matthew T , On Wei
Published: July 2023

Objective

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided through-the-needle microbiopsy (EUS-TTNB) forceps is a recent development that facilitates sampling of the walls of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL) for histological analysis. We aimed to assess the impact of EUS-TTNB and its influence on patient management in a tertiary pancreas centre.

Design

A prospective database of consecutive patients who underwent EUS-TTNB from March 2020 to August 2022 at a tertiary referral centre was retrospectively analysed.

Results

Thirty-four patients (22 women) were identified. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Adequate specimens for histological diagnosis were obtained in 25 (74%) cases. Overall, EUS-TTNB led to a change in management in 24 (71%) cases. Sixteen (47%) patients were downstaged, with 5 (15%) discharged from surveillance. Eight (24%) were upstaged, with 5 (15%) referred for surgical resection. In the 10 (29%) cases without change in management, 7 (21%) had confirmation of diagnosis with no change in surveillance, and 3 (9%) had insufficient biopsies on EUS-TTNB. Two (6%) patients developed post-procedural pancreatitis, and 1 (3%) developed peri-procedural intracystic bleeding with no subsequent clinical sequelae.

Conclusion

EUS-TTNB permits histological confirmation of the nature of PCL, which can alter management outcomes. Care should be taken in patient selection and appropriately consented due to the adverse event rate.
Effect of positive emotion intervention during late pregnancy on improving colostrum secretion: a randomised control trial protocol
Authors: Xu Kechen , Xie Ying , Han Xiujun , Yu Ying , Liu Suqing , Wu Suliu , Yang Qian , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Though evidence has revealed the beneficial effects of cognitive improvement interventions on breastfeeding, the effect of psychological interventions has rarely been studied. This study aims to test whether promoting a positive emotion intervention, ‘Three Good Things’ intervention, during the last trimester of pregnancy can enhance early colostrum secretion and breastfeeding behaviours by modulating the hormones associated with lactation (prolactin and insulin-like growth factor I). We will attempt to promote exclusive breastfeeding by using physiological behavioural measures.

Methods and analysis

This study is designed as a randomised controlled trial conducted in the Women’s Hospital School of Medicine at Zhejiang University and the Wuyi First People’s Hospital. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups using stratified random grouping: the intervention group will receive ‘Three Good Things’ intervention, while the control group will write about three things that come to mind first. These interventions will be continued from enrolment until the day of delivery. Maternal blood hormone levels will be tested approaching delivery and the following day after birth. Behavioural information about breastfeeding will be collected 1 week afterwards.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Ethics Committees of the Women’s Hospital School of Medicine at Zhejiang University and the Wuyi First People’s Hospital. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals or international academic conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000038849.