bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Frobenius problem for special progressions
Authors: Dai Enguo , Cheng Kaimin
Published: November 2023

Let $ S $ be a given finite set of positive and relatively prime integers. Denote $ L(S) $ to be the set of integers obtained by taking all nonnegative integer linear combinations of integers in $ S $. It is well known that there are finitely many positive integers that are not in $ L(S) $. Let $ g(S) $ and $ n(S) $ represent the greatest integer that does not belong to $ L(S) $ and the number of nonnegative integers that do not belong to $ L(S) $, respectively. The Frobenius problem is to determine $ g(S) $ and $ n(S) $. In 2016, Tripathi obtained results on $ g(S) $ and $ n(S) $ when $ S = \{a, ha+d, ha+db, ha+db^2, \ldots, ha+db^k\} $. In this paper, for $ S_c: = \{a, ha+d, ha+c+db, ha+2c+db^2, \ldots, ha+kc+db^k\} $ with $ h, c $ being nonnegative integers, $ a, b, d $ being positive integers and $ \gcd(a, d) = 1 $, we focused the investigation on formulas for $ g(S_c) $ and $ n(S_c) $. Actually, we gave formulas for $ g(S_c) $ and $ n(S_c) $ for all sufficiently large values of $ d $ when $ c $ is any multiple of $ d $ or certain multiples of $ a $. This generalized the results of Tripathi in 2016.
Research hotspots and trends of artificial intelligence in rheumatoid arthritis: A bibliometric and visualized study
Authors: Zhang Di , Fan Bing , Lv Liu , Li Da , Yang Huijun , Jiang Ping , Jin Fangmei
Published: November 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are becoming increasingly popular. In this bibliometric study, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of publications relevant to the research of AI in RA, thereby developing a thorough overview of this research topic. Web of Science was used to retrieve publications on the application of AI in RA from 2003 to 2022. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed using Microsoft Excel (2019), R software (4.2.2) and VOSviewer (1.6.18). The overall distribution of yearly outputs, leading countries, top institutions and authors, active journals, co-cited references and keywords were analyzed. A total of 859 relevant articles were identified in the Web of Science with an increasing trend. USA and China were the leading countries in this field, accounting for 71.59% of publications in total. Harvard University was the most influential institution. Arthritis Research & Therapy was the most active journal. Primary topics in this field focused on estimating the risk of developing RA, diagnosing RA using sensor, clinical, imaging and omics data, identifying the phenotype of RA patients using electronic health records, predicting treatment response, tracking the progression of the disease and predicting prognosis and developing new drugs. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms were the recent research hotspots and trends in this field. AI has potential applications in various fields of RA, including the risk assessment, screening, early diagnosis, monitoring, prognosis determination, achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes and new drug development for RA patients. Incorporating machine learning and deep learning algorithms into real-world clinical practice will be a future research hotspot and trend for AI in RA. Extensive collaboration to improve model maturity and robustness will be a critical step in the advancement of AI in healthcare.
The Contextual Environment as a Catalyst for Change in the Learning Process and Learning Styles of Students
Authors: Sousa Marina , Mendonça Jorge , Fontão Eunice
Published: November 2023

This study aims to assess whether students’ learning styles have changed due to the environmental context changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. This analysis is important because learning styles, in addition to predicting vocational outcomes, must inform the design of pedagogical practices and supports used in the teaching environment. To achieve this objective, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted on three cohorts of students who enrolled in an engineering course. Students in group 2 have been under confinement conditions during the previous year, while students in group 3 have been under confinement conditions for the previous two years. Group 1 consists of students who did not experience any confinement. The obtained results lead to the following conclusions: (i) The pandemic outbreak has led to environmental changes, pedagogical practices, and changes in the personality profiles of students, which can significantly impact the learning styles of students entering an engineering degree. (ii) While some learning styles are more susceptible to change, others remain resilient. (iii) The duration of exposure to the environmental changes caused by the pandemic outbreak has a greater impact on the changes in these learning styles.
Enhancing Finance Students’ Learning Effectiveness and Motivation: Application of Financial Simulation Game
Authors: Wang Jui-Sheng
Published: November 2023

Financial issues have been the source of divorce, psychological diseases, and unhappiness in the past few years. A person with good financial literacy ability could therefore avoid and effectively solve financial problems. Simulation and games have been gradually emphasized by educators in the past years, stressing active learning and learner-centeredness and expecting to help learners understand complicated ideas and effectively promote learning effectiveness. The simulation game materials and multimedia interactive web materials for financial education are designed and compared to the effects on students’ financial learning effectiveness and motivation in this study. College students in southern Taiwan were selected as the research objects for the 16-week experimental teaching. The total number of valid samples is 168. “Nonequivalent group design in quasi-experimental design” is adopted in this study, where the teaching model, including “simulation game materials” and “multimedia interactive web materials”, is the independent variable and financial learning effectiveness and learning motivation are dependent variables. Research findings reveal that (1) financial simulation games are an effective teaching strategy, (2) students with financial simulation games present higher learning effectiveness, and (3) students using financial simulation games show higher learning motivation. Finally, suggestions are proposed in this study, expecting to apply such characteristics to design game software for learning finance and effectively improve the dilemmas of practicing financial teaching in class.
Using Technology Acceptance Model to Discuss Factors in Distance Learning Behavior
Authors: Shieh Meng-Dar , Hsieh Hsin-Yin
Published: November 2023

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning is required during school closures and group classes for students’ continuous education during quarantine. There are various distance learning platforms, each with distinct characteristics, whose functions are unknown. The application of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to discuss distance learning behavior is therefore studied. University students in Taiwan took part in this research. In total, 450 copies were prepared from the questionnaire to implement in the sample. The invalid and incomplete forms were removed, and in total, 364 copies were subjected to the data analysis. The valid forms’ ratio was found to be 81%. The research results are summarized below. 1. Students consider the user-friendliness of distance education to be the system design, response time, and display being simple and convenient with a fast response and few mistakes. 2. The impact of information value on perceived user friendliness explains that distance learning with correct, conforming to needs, complete, and real-time information could have students consider the ease of use of distance learning. 3. For students, distance learning is helpful for learning or easy to operate, as they would enjoy using it and further enhance their willingness to continuously use it. According to the results of the proposed discussions, it is expected to help teachers, when using digital technologies for teaching, successfully apply media to enrich traditional teaching environments and integrate various resources to achieve effective learning.
A Data Mining-Based Approach to Managing Intercultural Teaching Activities in Online Classrooms
Authors: Wang Ru , Zhao Xin , Jiao Fengming , Song Jiao , Wu Xinyuan
Published: November 2023

Driven by globalization and technological advances, online education is coming into its own form, opening a window for students to learn across cultural boundaries. In such a context, the intercultural teaching activities in online classrooms are particularly important, as they provide students with a good opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and merge into different backgrounds. However, most of the currently available methods of intercultural teaching activity management focus on conventional education modes or strategies, and there isn’t a deep enough analysis about the features of network environment. Aiming at these matters, this study gave an in-depth discussion on the current status of the management of intercultural teaching in online classrooms, and introduced the technology of data mining to propose a more comprehensive and systematic solution for educational issues caused by cultural differences.
A Machine Learning Based Method to Evaluate Learning in Gamification Practices
Authors: Bai Xiuyan , Shi Jiawen
Published: November 2023

With the integration of advanced methods and technologies in higher vocational education, educational gamification has emerged as a new approach to encourage students’ active participation in learning. However, it is difficult to accurately evaluate student participation in this environment and delve into the process of interactive evolution. Most existing research methods primarily focus on qualitative analysis, while attempts to conduct quantitative analysis are often constrained by traditional statistical methods. Moreover, these methods frequently fail to consider the interactive dynamics that occur between teachers and students. This study proposes a method to evaluate learning participation in educational gamification. K-means clustering was used, and a framework for educational gamification was constructed using a process interaction evolutionary game. By conducting a thorough analysis of the interactive dynamics between teachers and students, this study offers practical guidance and strategies for educators.
Learning Analytics in Education: A Social Network-Based Approach for Analyzing the Interaction and Influence of Collaborative Learning Communities
Authors: Ren Chunling , Qi Zheng
Published: November 2023

Collaborative learning is viewed as an increasingly important learning mode in higher vocational education these days. In this mode, students are no longer passive receivers of knowledge, but take the roles of creators and sharers, and figuring out the interactive and collaborative relationships between students is particularly important for understanding the pattern and structure of student interaction. With the help of social network analysis methods, this study investigated the social network features of collaborative learning communities, measured the parameters of these network features, analyzed the accessibility of community members, and revealed the influence of members in the community based on the Lead index. The findings of this paper give deeper understandings and new insights into the collaborative learning mode and provide useful evidences for the optimization of collaborative learning strategies.
Seeing like a routier: routiers’ borderscapes between Southern Europe and West Africa
Authors: Neto Pedro Figueiredo , Falcão Ricardo
Published: November 2023

Routier is the self-designation employed by Senegalese men driving decades-old vehicles overloaded with mostly second-hand items from Southern Europe to be sold in West Africa. This activity involves navigating a constellation of overlapping politico-administrative, socio-economic, cultural and geographical borders. Building on the concept of borderscapes, whose plasticity and aesthetic qualities allows us to interrogate diverse border universes, this essay visually explores routiers border(ing) enactments and contingent meanings. By seeing like a routier, the piece seeks to feed an on-going debate not only on how to depict borders writ large but also on how certain groups of people embody, see and are seen by contemporary borders.
Três mulheres, um povo: histórias akuntsú
Authors: Coelho Aragon Carolina , Mezacasa Roseline
Published: November 2023

O presente artigo aborda trajetórias de três mulheres indígenas, sobreviventes do grupo akuntsú (tupi, tuparí). Apresentamos uma abordagem histórica sobre o território tradicional do povo, localizado entre os rios Caubá e Trincheira – tributários da margem direita do rio Corumbiara, afluente da margem direita do rio Guaporé, na Amazônia brasileira –, com destaque para os processos de ocupação empenhados por levas migratórias de não indígenas em diferentes contextos ao longo do século XX. Posteriormente, desdobramos as trajetórias de Pugapia, Aiga e Babawro, que atualmente vivem na Terra Indígena Rio Omerê, no estado de Rondônia, Brasil. É nesse território que expressam seus conhecimentos na construção de materialidades, nas práticas alimentares e nas experiências contemporâneas do cuidar. Entretanto, levam consigo narrativas de perseguições e de violências contra seu povo.
Usos discursivos emergentes y prácticas comunicativas digitales entre los chanés
Authors: Morando María Agustina
Published: November 2023

El surgimiento de las nuevas tecnologías masivas de la información y la comunicación ha dado origen a nuevos espacios discursivos, y las lenguas indígenas de Sudamérica no han quedado al margen de estos procesos. El propósito de este trabajo es realizar una revisión preliminar acerca de los usos discursivos que los chanés del noroeste argentino hacen de su lengua y del castellano valiéndose de estos nuevos espacios comunicativos, poniendo especial énfasis en la utilización contemporánea de las redes sociales. La relación entre lengua y estos modos de comunicación es compleja dado que la naturaleza mediada de estos intercambios plantea la posibilidad de interactuar con un interlocutor que está físicamente ausente. Además, pretendemos abordar los modos en los que esos espacios discursivos se consolidan en la actualidad como un vector de comunicación relevante, tomando como ejemplo la creación y circulación de información sobre la prevención de la Covid-19 bilingüe en guaraní chaqueño y castellano.
Examining Rental House Data With MRL Analysis
Authors: Rastogi Rohit
Published: November 2023

In today's scenario, we all are surrounded with technologies. As the world is shifting towards technology with great pace, and technology is also showing its efficiency and strength, we must appreciate its power. Now the world is shifting towards digitalization. So, it's also important to think that ideas should lie towards e-business to get full advantage of the system. The housing sector is one of the important fields which must get the support of the technological domains to overcome many challenges. So, there is a requirement to bring a system that can direct the work of renter and customer easier. To bring this idea into the real world, the author's team has come up with the idea of a rental house portal system. This portal is a web application which acts as an e-platform to search flats, apartments, property, etc., with scientific analysis-based data. In this system, the owner provides the details of flats with its features and using ML (machine learning) technology, the price of flat is calculated and the customer can check the availability of flat according to his/her requirement and to provide benefits to both parties. As the details of the flat are available on site, there is no need to explain the features of the house to the owner. Customers also have the benefits of searching for the desired house in less time and at a very reasonable price. Therefore, the rental house system is a very nice step towards the finding of flats online. The present manuscript has new thoughts of prediction of house rent price according to the features provided using statistical techniques and has come as one of the best platforms to search the property at a reasonable price.
Development of a Performance-Based Specification Model of Combat Clothing for the Procurement Process in Estonia
Authors: Traumann Ada , Beilmann Merje , Peets Teele , Keefe Allan , Saartok Piret
Published: November 2023

The topic of the research article is the development of an evaluation method of an ergonomic-based test battery to evaluate the ease of use, cutting solution and materials of the combat clothing uniform of defence forces, which can be added to the procurement sample evaluation system. Evaluation of the ergonomics of the new combat clothing uniform was performed using military recruits who completed a Military Pentathlon test battery in outdoor conditions with eight different obstacles. The comfort and fit of the tested clothes were evaluated using observation and questionnaire. This process was carried out using 47 military personnel of the Estonia Defence Force battalions. Each soldier was measured manually with a tape measure to clarify clothing size and to characterize the test population. From the measurement results, test persons 14, whose measurements corresponded to the size number and height of the two sample combat clothing, were selected. With selected 14 test persons was performed testing of combat clothing outside, which were carried out on the test battery of ergonomic. Their performance evaluated by two external observers with relevant education. After completing the test battery, both, test subjects and observers individually filled the closed-ended questionnaire with a 3-point attitude scale with emoticons about the ergonomic aspects of the combat clothing. The analysis of the answers to the questionnaire showed that the opinions of both the subjects and the observers agreed. Among the 14 subjects, 11 were conscripts. This shows that if a corresponding test track has been prepared for testing the ergonomics of clothing, then giving an assessment to the clothing is understandable to the respondent. The method also facilitates the verification of clothing criteria as performance-based procurement assessment. Not a separate test battery was prepared during this study. This helps to save costs, as it does not require the construction of a specific test battery and is available to many military recruits.
Sensor Systems for Extremely Harsh Environments
Authors: Kappert Holger , Schopferer Sebastian , Saeidi Nooshin , Döring Ralf , Ziesche Steffen , Olowinsky Alexander , Naumann Falk , Jägle Martin , Spanier Malte , Grabmaier Anton
Published: November 2023

Sensors are key elements for capturing environmental properties and are today indispensable in the industry for monitoring and control of industrial processes. Many applications are demanding for highly integrated intelligent sensors to meet the requirements on safety, clean and energy efficient operation or to gain process information in the context of industry 4.0. While in many everyday objects highly integrated sensor systems are already state of the art, the situation in an industrial environment is clearly different. Frequently the use of sensor systems is impossible, due to the fact that the extreme ambient conditions of industrial processes like high operating temperatures or strong mechanical loads do not allow a reliable operation of sensitive electronic components.

Eight Fraunhofer Institutes have bundled their competencies and have run the Fraunhofer Lighthouse Project ‘eHarsh’ to overcome this situation. The project goal was to realize sensor systems for extremely harsh environments, whereby sensor systems are not only pure sensor elements, rather containing one or multiple sensor elements and integrated readout electronics.

Various technologies which are necessary for the realization of such sensor systems have been identified, developed and finally bundled in a technology platform. These technologies are e. g. MEMS and ceramic based sensors, SOI-CMOS based integrated electronics, board assembly and laser based joining technologies. All these developments have been accompanied by comprehensive tests, material characterization and reliability simulations. Based on the platform a pressure sensor for turbine applications has been realized to prove the performance of the eHarsh technology platform.
Location dependent down-rating of voids in high power solder connections for automotive power modules
Authors: Ottinger Bettina , Murk Simon , König Sebastian , Zangarro Antonio , Müllmaier Michael J. , Müller Dr. Lars , Franke Prof. Dr. Jörg
Published: November 2023

The development of cost-effective, void- and lead-free high-power die attach for automotive power modules has been a major challenge for the last decades. Particularly voids at the die attach have the potential of reducing the lifetime of the interconnection between the die and the direct copper bonded (DCB) substrate demonstrably, caused by overheating of the die [1]. This study evaluates a method to determine the influence of the void position and size on the local thermal resistance of the solder interconnection. The formular of the local thermal resistance generated by using FEM simulation shows, that the permitted local maximum void size depends on the position of the void. The defined correlation factor reduces the individual void areas according to their position and thus the permitted thermal resistance is not exceeded.
AlGaN High Electron Mobility Transistor for High Temperature Logic
Authors: Klein B.A. , Allerman A.A. , Baca A.G. , Nordquist C.D , Armstrong A.M. , Van Heukelom M. , Rice A. , Patel V. , Rosprim M. , Caravello L. , DeBerry R. , Pipkin J.R. , Abate V.M. , Kaplar R.J.
Published: November 2023

We report on AlGaN HEMT-based logic development, using combined enhancement- and depletion-mode transistors to fabricate inverters with operation from room temperature up to 500°C. Our development approach included: (a) characterizing temperature dependent carrier transport for different AlGaN HEMT heterostructures, (b) developing a suitable gate metal scheme for use in high temperatures, and (c) over-temperature testing of discrete devices and inverters. Hall mobility data revealed the GaN-channel HEMT experienced a 6.9× reduction in mobility, whereas the AlGaN channel HEMTs experienced about a 3.1x reduction. Furthermore, a greater aluminum contrast between the barrier and channel enabled higher carrier densities in the two-dimensional electron gas for all temperatures. The combination of reduced variation in mobility with temperature and high sheet carrier concentration showed that an Al-rich AlGaN-channel HEMT with a high barrier-to-channel aluminum contrast is the best option for an extreme temperature HEMT design. Three gate metal stacks were selected for low resistivity, high melting point, low thermal expansion coefficient, and high expected barrier height. The impact of thermal cycling was examined through electrical characterization of samples measured before and after rapid thermal anneal. The 200 nm tungsten gate metallization was the top performer with minimal reduction in drain current, a slightly positive threshold voltage shift, and about an order of magnitude advantage over the other gates in on-to-off current ratio. After incorporating the tungsten gate metal stack in device fabrication, characterization of transistors and inverters from room temperature up to 500°C was performed. The enhancement-mode (e-mode) devices’ resistance started increasing at about 200°C, resulting in drain current degradation. This phenomenon was not observed in depletion-mode (d-mode) devices but highlights a challenge for inverters in an e-mode driver and d-mode load configuration.
Investigation of using BSPT for ring-dot piezoelectric transformers for use in high-temperature resonant power supplies
Authors: Forrester Jack , Li Linhao , Davidson Jonathan N. , Foster Martin P. , Stone David A. , Reaney Ian M. , Sinclair Derek C.
Published: November 2023

SiC and GaN devices are gaining in popularity in both research and commercial applications. One of the many benefits of these devices is the possibility of power converter operation at temperatures in excess of that possible with Si-based devices (>200°C). A bismuth scandium lead titanate (BSPT) piezoelectric transformer is analysed for use in high temperature (up to 250°C), resonant converters using impedance spectroscopy and power converter measurements. The PT shows declining losses with temperatures during testing, translating into an improvement of 15% points in efficiency whilst more than doubling the output power across the temperature range. A peak performance of 0.7W output power and 53% efficiency at 225°C was achieved, giving comparable performance to previous work but at higher temperatures.
Postoperative pulmonary complication as an emerging complication in major head and neck cancer surgery: A retrospective study
Authors: Bhowmick Ritoban S. , Sarkar Aniket , Ghosh Samiran , Gope Shamik , Chakraborty Rittika
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are one of the most significant complications following head and neck cancer surgery (HNCS). Patients requiring tracheostomy, free tissue transfer reconstruction, and postoperative ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) may have a high incidence of PPCs. This study aimed to identify the most likely situations for developing PPCs in HNCS.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 40 patients who had undergone HNCS has been conducted. We individually traced each patient for 7 days postoperatively and collected data on various parameters.

Result:

The incidence of PPCs after HNCS is more with free flap reconstruction. Patient-related risk factors with PPCs were advanced age, smoking, body mass index (BMI) >25, and bilateral or unilateral neck dissection. Postoperative ICU stay was significantly related to an increased incidence of PPCs. In terms of specific surgical sites, both the maxilla and mandible also showed significant relationship with PPCs. Tracheostomy was also considered a related factor in developing PPCs.

Conclusion:

To reduce PPCs in HNCS, patients with one or more of these risk factors should be subjected to exaggerated postoperative pulmonary care.
Comparative analysis of various Evolutionary Algorithms: Past three decades
Authors: Srikumar A , Pande Sagar Dhanraj
Published: November 2023

INTRODUCTION: The Evolutionary algorithms created back in 1953, have gone through various phases of development over the years. It has been put to use to solve various problems in different domains including complex problems such as the infamous problem of Travelling Salesperson (TSP).OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this research is to find out the advancements in Evolutionary algorithms and to check whether it is still relevant in 2023.METHODS: To give an overview of the related concepts, subdomains, pros, and cons, the historical and recent developments are discussed and critiqued to provide insights into the results and a better conception of the trends in the domain. RESULTS: For a better perception of the development of evolutionary algorithms over the years, decade-wise trend analysis has been done for the past three decades.CONCLUSION: Scope of research in the domain is ever expanding and to name a few EAs for Data mining, Hybrid EAs are still under development.
Implication of Pre- and Post-radiotherapy ctDNA Dynamics in Patients with Residual Triple-Negative Breast Cancer at Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Findings from a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Lee Tae Hoon , Kim Haeyoung , Kim Yeon Jeong , Park Woong-Yang , Park Won , Cho Won Kyung , Kim Nalee
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study aims to determine the association between pre- and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics and oncological outcomes in patients with residual triple-negative breast cancer who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).Materials and MethodsBetween March 2019 and July 2020, 11 nonmetastatic patients with residual disease who underwent surgery after NAC were prospectively enrolled. In each patient, tumor specimens obtained during surgery and blood samples collected at three time points during PORT (T0: pre-PORT, T1: 3 weeks after PORT, T2: 1 month after PORT) were sequenced, targeting 38 cancer-related genes. Disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated and the association between DFS and ctDNA dynamics was analyzed.ResultsAt T0, ctDNA was detected in three (27.2%) patients. The ctDNA dynamics were as follows: two showed a decreasing ctDNA variant allele frequency (VAF) and reached zero VAF at T2, while one patient exhibited an increasing VAF during PORT and maintained an elevated VAF at T2. After a median follow-up of 48 months, two patients experienced distant metastasis without any locoregional failures. All failures occurred in patients with ctDNA positivity at T0 and a decreased VAF after PORT. The 4-year DFS rates according to the T0 ctDNA status were 67% (positive ctDNA) and 100% (negative ctDNA) (p=0.032).ConclusionMore than a quarter of the patients with residual disease after post-NAC surgery exhibited pre-PORT ctDNA positivity, and ctDNA positivity was associated with poor DFS. For patients with pre-PORT ctDNA positivity, the administration of a more effective systemic treatment should be considered.
Experimental Study on Ship Squat in Intermediate
Channel
Authors: Long Liji , Miao Jilun , Zhao Wanxing , Huang Chenglin
Published: November 2023

The sinking and trimming of the hull in the channel would directly affect the
handling and navigation safety of the ship. In view of the ship sinking, a
series of empirical formulas to estimate the subsidence have been put forward
for vessel in spacious shallow water areas. However, most of the equations are
based on seagoing vessels. They are not suitable for inland ships with small
scales, shallow drafts, and narrow navigation width. Till now, research on ship
squat in intermediate channel has not yielded more practical results. Here, a
generalized physical model is used to study the sinking of 500t class ships in
restricted intermediate channel under different channel widths, water depths,
and speeds. The main factors affecting the squat are analyzed, the empirical
relation is compared with the measured squat. The Barrass
equation is modified, and the calculation relation of the settlement suitable
for inland river ships is proposed. The correlation coefficient
R2 of the modified equation is 0.818, the
standard error is 0.046, and the maximum error is 0.14 m, which can be used as a
reference for inland waterway design research.
Improvement of Torque Density Using Output Reduction Method in Transmission
Authors: R Manikandan , K Barathi Raja , Kumar Aneesh , Ostwal Amit
Published: November 2023

Gears are one of the vital components to transmit torque efficiently. Helical gears are chosen as they transmit higher torque with lesser noise compared to spur gears of same size. All new age gearboxes require to transmit maximum torque with minimum packaging space available to improve torque density. Ways of reducing weight are using lesser density material, decreasing centre distance, and thereby reducing pitch circle diameter of all gears, etc. However, they will also affect torque carrying capacity of gearbox which can lead to gear failure in conventional transmission architecture gearboxes with input reduction method. In input reduction method, torque gets multiplied from input shaft to countershaft. Countershaft torque is multiplied to output shaft gears requiring higher torque capacity gears on output shaft. In this research, output shaft reduction architecture is proposed to avoid torque multiplication from input shaft to countershaft gears. It helps to reduce gear sizing on input shaft and countershaft gears. By using modular calculation methods, face width, centre distance and number of teeth are optimized to get higher torque density.

This paper presents a discussion on types of transmission layout configuration and compares input reduction method and output reduction configurations. Weight, size, deflection, and efficiency for same torque output is calculated between input reduction and output reduction. It is observed that output reduction configuration offers significant weight reduction for same torque capacity compared to input reduction with slight deterioration in efficiency.
Effect of the “Naked neck” gene (Na) on the growth of indigenous chicken fed with suboptimal feed rations in Cameroon
Authors: Hako Touko Blaise Arnaud , Yoniwo Shey Ndogmi
Published: November 2023

The effect of the naked neck gene (Na) was assessed on growth parameters of the native chicken fed with two suboptimal rations (R1 and R2), and one optimal ration (R3) from 6 to 16 weeks of age. A total of 270 hens of 3 genetic types (homozygous (NaNa) naked neck, heterozygous (Nana) and normal type (nana) chicken) for three different feed rations including two sub-optimal rations (R1, R2) and one optimal ration (R3). Hence, 30 pullets per experimental unit for each genetic type receiving the same ration were used. The animals were subjected to the same experimental conditions except for the tested factor. The starter ration was served during the first six weeks then relayed by the experimental rations. A two-way ANOVA was used to test the main effects and interactions whereas the animal model was used for the estimates of the genotype and feed ration on the growth and related traits. Irrespective of the genotype, the highest growth parameter (p<0.05) was obtained with R3 with the lowest feed efficiency from 12 to 16 weeks. The mortality rate (MR) ranged from 3 to 9% cumulated at 6 and 8 weeks of age. The overdominance effect was confirmed for both the bodyweight (BW) and MR. The Na gene improved the weight gain from +1 to + 14 g from 10 to 16 weeks with optimal feed conditions against -6.67 to +4.33g with suboptimal feed. The more beneficial effect on FCR has been observed in homozygote NaNa with +1.07 to +1.27g and -0.43 to -1.63g for R3 and R1 respectively. This study confirms the importance of the Na gene as a good candidate to improve the growth rate and feed efficiency of native chickens. It also provides an effective protocol for the evaluation of major gene candidates for selection in low input production systems.
Outdoor cultivation of microalgae in a medium enriched with poultry droppings for biomass production
Authors: Ezea Ifeanyi Boniface , Ogbonna James Chukwuma
Published: November 2023

Microalgae require nutrients and optimal pH for good growth and metabolite production. Microalgae biomass has various applications in food and feed, pharmaceuticals, bio-energy, aquaculture, cosmetics and other related industries. However, the cost of media represents a significant percentage of the total production cost. The aim of this work was therefore, to develop a cheap medium for efficient outdoor cultivation of microalgae and to find the optimum pH for biomass production. Three Chlorella species designated A, B and C were isolated from three stagnant water bodies at Amoke Lane, University market road in Nsukka town by using BG-11 enriched with poultry droppings. Poultry droppings medium was prepared by drying under the sunlight for 5 days. The dried poultry droppings were crushed into a fine powder and 200 g was weighed and soaked in 1000 ml of distilled water for 3 days and filtered using a muslin cloth. A mixture of the poultry droppings medium and the conventional BG-11 medium was prepared by mixing equal volume of each medium. The growth and biomass productivity of the three local isolates in BG-11 medium were compared with those in poultry medium, and a mixture of poultry and BG-11 media. The results showed that the growth of the three isolates in poultry medium alone were significantly higher than the values obtained in BG-11 and a mixture of BG-11 and poultry medium (p< 0.05). With poultry medium, the maximum optical densities of the cultures were 2.10± 0.07, 2.56± 0.09 and 3.35± 0.11 for isolates A, B, and C respectively. However, with a mixture of BG-11 and poultry medium, the maximum optical densities were 0.83± 0.01, 1.67± 0.05 and 0.57± 0.02 respectively. BG-11 supported the least growth of the three isolates, giving maximum optical densities of 0.38± 0.01, 0.42± 0.03 and 0.52± 0.02 respectively. All the three isolates had their best growth in poultry medium at pH of 5.0. The results show that poultry medium, which is cheap and can be easily prepared from poultry droppings, is very good for cultivation of some species of microalgae.
Cissampelos pareira ethanolic extract modulates hormonal indices, lipid profile, and oxidative parameters in transient infertility-induced female albino rats
Authors: Oladimeji Samuel Olugbenga , Igbalaye Jimoh Olamilekan , Awote Olasunkanmi Kayode , Shodimu Basit Opeyemi , Oladeinde Daniel Toluwani , Omorowa Valencia Truth , Oluwole Sekinat Mosunmola , Akinyemi Yewande Adenike , Shobowale Aishah Yetunde , Jimoh Damilola , Balogun Subomi Thouleehath , Adekoya Elizabeth Aduragbemi
Published: November 2023

Cissampelos pareira is a medicinal plant with conflicting local claims regarding its usage in the management of fertility disorder. This study investigates the effect of the ethanolic extract of C. pareira on fertility indices in female albino rats. Ethanolic extract of C. pareira was administered orally for 14 days to female rats placed in different groups. Levonorgestrel (0.14mg/g) was orally administered to certain rat groups for 7 days to induce transient infertility before other treatments. The rats were sacrificed at the completion of their respective oral administration route. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for hormonal and lipid profiling, which were analysed using commercial standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Organs were harvested for the assessment of oxidative parameters. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloid, saponin, glycoside, tannin, steroid and flavonoid in the extract. The extract has no significant effect on progesterone, significantly reduced testosterone (p<0.05), but increased prolactin and estradiol concentrations (p<0.05). No significant hormonal difference in groups pre-administered levonorgestrel. The extract significantly elevated serum triglyceride, but reduced cholesterol level (p<0.05), even in groups pre-administered with levonorgestrel. The extract significantly reduced H2O2 and SOD activities (p<0.05) in the ovary and kidney respectively. Following levonorgestrel pre- administration, the extract significantly reduced H2O2 and GSH in the liver and kidney, elevated SOD activities in the liver, ovary and brain (p<0.05). This study demonstrated the antifertility properties of the ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira, shown by its effects of the hormonal and lipid profile, with moderate antioxidant effect.
A review of the antifungal activities of mint plant extracts against fungal isolates
Authors: James Stephen Among , Ikani Peace Ebiojo
Published: November 2023

Mint an aromatic plant is rich in essential oil and widely used for its condiment in foods. It has medicinal potential in traditional medicine. Fungi infection and its management can be challenging due to the adverse effect of presently available drugs. This paper discusses the potential of mint as an antifungal agent. A literature search using PubMed and the keywords that relates to “Mentha” “mint” “antifungal activity”, among others was carried out and data obtained was analyzed using a bibliometric tool. Relevant articles included in our studies were restricted to mint family, fungi of clinical importance, assessment and extraction methods, among others. Here, analysis shows Candida albicans is the must studied appearing in 39 studies, followed by Candida glabrata (12 times). Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus appeared in 9 and 8 studies, respectively. Mentha piperita was the most abundant mint species used in 28 studies tested against Candida albicans. Other mint, Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata, and Mentha pulegium, among other were identified. Antifungal susceptibility measurement with the highest zone of inhibition was 90 mm from M. piperita exerted on C. albicans growth. Also, zone of inhibition measured at 10 mm was exerted by M. pulegium, Lavandula stoechas. ssp. stoechas, Nepeta cataria oil extract against Candida spp., and Aspergillus spp. at MIC values of 0.25mg/ml and 125μg/ml. The MIC value of 0.001 to 0.06 mg/ml M. piperita inhibit growth of Candida species. With respect to percentile inhibition Mentha piperita and Origanum vulgare demonstrated anti-fungal activity at 70 to 100% on various fungi species, suggesting these mint species to be an effective source of fungicidal agents. Mentha piperita and other mint species extracts show a wide range of inhibitory activities against fungi growth, the various identified extracts and their antimicrobial activity were compared for different solvents and are then so discussed.
Characterization and antimicrobial evaluation of biomimetically synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract of Morinda lucida Benth. (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Egonu Sheily Nneka , Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Kenechukwu , Udengwu Obi Sergius
Published: November 2023

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are silver atom masses that are attracting widespread interest due to their diverse applications, particularly their activity as antimicrobial agents. Physico-chemical methods of AgNP synthesis are associated with high costs, high temperatures and toxic byproducts. Thus, the plant mediated pathway represents a better option. The indigenous medicinal plant Morinda lucida was employed in the fabrication of AgNPs. The nanoparticles were characterized using different analytical techniques and also evaluated for their antimicrobial potential. Phytochemical screening of the plant was also carried out. For the synthesis, 10 ml of aqueous M. lucida leaf extract was added to 90 ml of freshly prepared 3 mM silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution in a flask. The mixture was allowed to stand at ambient temperature, in a dark cupboard for 48 hours. Positive AgNP synthesis, indicated by a colour change from red to brown was further validated by UV-vis spectroscopy wherein an absorption peak at 460.51 nm was recorded. The utilitarian aspects of the particles were further characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The SEM images showed that particles were round to irregular in shape. Amide, amine, alkene and alkynes were the most occurring functional groups from the FTIR spectra. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, reducing sugars and alkaloids in varying amounts, which play a significant role in the synthesis and stabilization of the AgNPs. The XRD diffractogram of AgNPs showed two peaks at 45.53° and 77.17° that correspond to miller indices of (200) and (311) respectively and an average crystalline size of 62.60 nm obtained using the Debye-Scherrer’s formula. The DLS result indicated a Z–average size of 235.1 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.4. EDX analysis showed that elemental silver (Ag) had the highest atomic concentration of 64.50 %. Using the agar well diffusion assay, the nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa (bacteria) and A. flavus (fungi). It can be concluded that M. lucida is capable of synthesizing stable, small-sized AgNPs with antimicrobial potential.
Histological and morphometric analysis of skeletal muscle in some vertebrates
Authors: Manye Sunday Joseph , Dibal Nathan Isaac , Attah Martha Orendu Oche
Published: November 2023

The skeletal system is primarily driven by the skeletal muscles to produce kinematic movements. The study evaluates the histological and morphometric properties of skeletal muscle in Clarias gariepenus (Cl. gariepinus), Bufo bufo (B. bufo), Agama agama (A. agama), Columba livia domestica (C. domestica) and Rattus rattus (R. rattus). The study was carried in order to relate the similarities and differences of skeletal muscles in these species with evolutionary trend. The epaxial muscle of Cl. Gariepinus, the biceps femoris muscle of B. bufo, R. rattus, puboischiotibialis of A. agama, and pectoral muscle from C. domestica were removed and assessed grossly for physical appearance then processed for histological analysis. The diameters of the muscle fibers were measured and one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences. The muscles of Cl. gariepinus, B. bufo and A. agama appeared whitish with scanty fusiform nucleus and large intermuscular space. However, the muscles of C. domestica and R. rattus appeared red with distinct round nucleus and small intermuscular space. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the muscle diameter of Cl. gariepinus (8.86±0.13µm) compared to B. bufo (8.25±0.27µm). The muscle diameter of A. agama (10.18±0.25µm) was significantly higher (P<0.05) relative to Cl. gariepinus (8.86±0.13µm), B. bufo (8.25±0.27µm), C. domestica (3.38±0.13µm) and R. rattus (4.66±0.15µm). Conclusively, non-tetrapod vertebrates (Cl. gariepinus, B. bufo, and A. agama) have simple, white-colored skeletal muscle with few flat-shaped nuclei and large fiber diameters while higher vertebrates (C. domestica and R. rattus) have complex, red-colored skeletal muscle with numerous oval-shaped nucleus and small fiber diameter.
Effect of flamboyant flower (Delonix regia) powder on root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) infestation on tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum) in Yola, Adamawa State
Authors: Adamu Maryam Yahaya , Peter Philip , Yusuf Mustapha Imrana
Published: November 2023

Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPN) are regarded as one of the major challenges of sustainable tomato production in the world. Their control which involves the use of synthetic chemicals is being restricted because of their toxicity coupled with the environmental risk associated with their use. To this effect this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of flamboyant flower powder on M. incognita inoculated on tomato plants as an alternative control strategy of PPN. Screen house experiment (potted experiment) was conducted at the landscape garden of Modibbo Adama University Yola to evaluate the efficacy of plant powder for the control of root- knot nematode in tomato plant. The experimental design used was the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments replicated three times. D. regia powders were incorporated at different levels into the bucket each containing 4kg of sterilized soil. The plant powder was incorporated at the rate of 40g, 30g, 20g and 10g (T1, T2, and T3) respectively and T4 with no level of powder 0g. D. regia powder and 40g gave the best effect on M. incognita in the potted experiments as higher plant height, number of leaves; fresh shoot weight, galling index and least final nematode of both soil and roots were recorded. Therefore, from these findings, D. regia at 40g exhibited nematicidal effect on M. incognita in tomato plant followed by 30g, 20g, and 10g respectively. The nematicidal characteristics exhibited by this plant material (flamboyant flower) might be due to some phytochemical constituents present in the plant material. The control plant has least plant height, number of leaves, fresh shoot weight, plant fruit and higher fresh root weight as well as galling index and highest final root and soil nematode population.