bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnic spice use and perceived health benefits among women in a Suburb of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Authors: Asante Matilda , Asante Precious , Nkumsah-Riverson Portia , Amokao-Mensah Anna , Dogbe Yauniuck
Published: March 2023

Background: Spices have a long history of both culinary use and health benefits. Ethnic spices are spices specific to a particular geographic location. In Ghana, there are varying perceptions and uses of ethnic spices which are mostly not documented.

Objective: To assess the use and perceived health benefits of ethnic spices among women in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 women in randomly selected churches in Accra, Ghana. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data and information on ethnic spice use. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics of participants and perceived health benefits of ethnic spice usage.

Results: The most commonly consumed spices out of the 19 spices explored in this study were onion (98.4%), garlic (97.6%), ginger (96.8%) and chili pepper (84.1%). Majority of the participants perceived ginger (74.6%) and garlic (73.8%) as having health benefits. Age (p=.001) and self-reported health status (p=0.010) were significantly associated with perceived health benefits of the spices.

Conclusion: Onion, garlic, ginger and chili pepper were the four most commonly consumed ethnic spices. Age and self-reported health status of participants influenced perceived health benefits of ethnic spice usage.

Keywords: Spices; health benefits; perception; flavour.
Experiences of LGBTI+ individuals in accessing right to health; a survey study from Turkey
Authors: Gunbegi Meltem , Sazak Uygul Elif , Turla Ahmet , Aydin Berna
Published: March 2023

Background: In Turkey, LGBTI+s is experiencing discrimination in all areas of their lives.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the problems experienced by LGBTI+s living in Turkey in accessing their right to health.

Methods: An online questionnaire containing 37 open-ended and multiple-choice questions about respondent’s demographic characteristics, experiences in accessing and receiving health services was prepared. Between October 2018 and December 2019, the survey was disseminated via social media platforms and sent to LGBTI+ friendly institutions. 81 people responded to the survey.

Results: 43.2% had at least one chronic disease. Participants stated that 44.5% of them go to a health institution <3 times in a year. 91.4% of the participants declared that they never or rarely said their sexual identity/orientation at the health institutions, and 39.2% of them encountered negative behaviour when they did. 98.8% of the participants said that they think physicians do not have enough information about LGBTI+s.

Conclusions: The knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals are one of the essential determinants of LGBTI+s' use of their right to health. Alienating and homophobic behaviors against LGBTI+s is the biggest problem for LGBTI+s to receive quality health care in Turkey.

Keywords: LGBTI+; health service; right to health; discrimination; access to health services.
Gender disparities in the socio-economic burden of HIV/AIDS among patients receiving care in an HIV clinic in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: O Charles-Eromosele Titilope , J Kanma-Okafor Oluchi , O Sekoni Adekemi , O Olopade Bolatito , B Olopade Oluwarotimi , E Ekanem Ekanem
Published: March 2023

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, women are bearing a heavier burden than men in terms of rate of infection and socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS. This study was aimed at assessing gender disparities in the socio-economic burden of HIV/AIDS.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 HIV-positive adult patients attending an HIV clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, selected by multi-stage sampling and interviewed using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate analysis was used to assess how the socioeconomic constructs differed by gender.

Results: This study revealed that females suffered more of the socio-economic consequences of having HIV/AIDS than males; cruelty and isolation were significantly higher among the females (p<0.0001), more females (50.0%) were discriminated against at the workplace compared to males (32.1%) (p=0.005), physical abuse (p=0.002) and extortion (p=0.029) were experienced by more of the females than the males. Also, the cost of care outside of antiretroviral therapy was significantly higher among the females (p= 0.002).

Conclusion: Quantifying the social and economic disparities between HIV-infected men and women has shown that the burden is by far higher among women than men. Focused interventions are therefore needed to control the spread of the disease and improve the quality of life of HIV-infected women.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; gender disparities; women; Lagos; Nigeria.
Compliance and approach to voluntary HIV testing in a high-risk region for HIV transmission in Europe
Authors: Milic Marija , Dotlic Jelena , Stevanovic Jasmina , Mitic Katarina , Nicholson Desmond , Karanovic Andrijana , Vujacic Amila , Gazibara Tatjana
Published: March 2023

Background: The Kosovo province is being considered as a high-risk region for the spread of HIV.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with HIV testing in a sample of university students from the Serbian northern Kosovo province.

Material and Methods: A questionnaire examining socio-demographic characteristics, HIV–related knowledge, attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV testing was used in data collection. A total of 1,017 students from the University of Priština temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica completed the questionnaire.

Results: Only 5.4% of students have previously been tested for HIV, even though the majority (70.9%) had a positive approach to HIV testing. Factors associated with having been tested for HIV were being male and younger, having interest in HIV testing and having previous contact with PLHIV. Being more knowledgeable about HIV and having stronger positive attitude towards PLHIV, being older, receiving information about HIV through friends and special educational programs, using condom at last sexual intercourse, having positive opinion on gays/lesbians and previous contact with PLHIV were associated with positive approach to HIV testing.

Conclusion: Having a positive approach to HIV testing does not suggest that students would take the HIV test. However, students who have low HIV-related knowledge, negative approach or lack of interest in HIV testing (believing that there is no need to take it) would likely never take the HIV test. Increasing HIV-related knowledge, acceptance of PLHIV and access to testing facilities should be public health priorities to raise HIV testing rates.

Keywords: HIV testing; attitude; knowledge; University students.
Predictors and factors associated with stunting among under- five-year children: a cross-sectional population-based study in Rwanda of the 2014-2015 demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Rugema Joselyne , Mukantwari Joselyne , Twagirayezu Innocent , Jeanne Tuyisenge Marie , Rutayisire Reverie , Katende Godfrey
Published: March 2023

Background: Globally, stunting affects 159 million Under-five-years-old (U-5) children. Stunting affects the physical, mental, and cognitive development of children increasing the risk of suffering and death. This paper aimed to determine the predictors and factors associated with stunting among under-five children in Rwanda.Methods: We retrieved data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2014-2015 data set. A sample of 3599 U-5 eligible children with complete and valid anthropometric data was taken. Stata software was used to analyze the data extracted using a developed checklist. Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analysis were performed to test the association between study variables.Results: Of 3599 U-5 children, 37.5% of children were stunted. The demographic characteristics: age (p< 0.001), sex (p<0.001), and place of residence (p< 0.001) and Household wealth index (p <0.001) were associated with stunting. Age, sex, and household wealth index were predictors of stunting.Conclusion: Stunting is still a burden in Rwanda. Age and sex were predictors of stunting among children under 5 years of age.Household wealth index was a predictor and significantly associated with stunting among children U-5 years in Rwanda. Investing in the interventions that target maternal and nutrition health support is imperative.Keywords: Predictors; Stunting; children; under five years; Rwanda.
Multiple myeloma with unexplained isolated anaemia in a 24year old man- a case report
Authors: Wale Aworanti Oladapo , Peter Ogundeji Sunday , Asake Adeoye Olateni , Adebola Shokunbi Wuraola
Published: March 2023

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly with a median age at presentation of 70 years. It is rare to diagnose MM in individuals less than 40 years and even extremely rare in those less than 30 years of age. MM is usually suspected in those aged 50 years and above having a combination of hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anaemia and bone lesions. Although anaemia is a common clinical feature of MM, it is very rare that anaemia would be the only clinical presentation, hence the need to report this index case.

Case Presentation: We present a rare case of MM in a 24-year- old male who presented with only symptomatic anaemia.Investigations for the cause of anaemia, including Bone marrow aspiration cytology revealed a diagnosis of MM ISS stage II.Here, we highlighted the need to seek early haematologist consultation in investigating patients’ whose cause of anaemia is notimmediately obvious from the clinical presentation and routine laboratory investigations.

Conclusion: MM can present at a younger age with unexplained anaemia without bone pains or renal insufficiency. High level of suspicion for MM is required in young patients with unexplained anaemia

Keywords: Multiple myeloma; isolated anaemia; young patient.
Impact of Agricultural Development Project on Participating Women Farmers in Naari, Kenya
Authors: Shileche Anne , VanLeeuwen Charlene , VanLeeuwen John , Walton Colleen , Ogola Lucy Kathuri
Published: March 2023

An agricultural development project with university and community partners from Kenya and Canada was implemented in Naari, Kenya. Development agencies such as non-governmental organizations design and implement projects that can enhance people’s capacity and living conditions. Many studies have focused mainly on the direct and economic effects of development projects. There is a need to understand the diverse impacts of development projects, especially from those benefiting from such interventions. This paper evaluated the impact of an agricultural development project on participating women farmers' emotional and civic engagement status. Study objectives were to investigate the level of influence of the agricultural interventions on the emotional and civic engagement status of women participants and to examine the demographic factors influencing the emotional and civic engagement status of women participants. The study occurred in the Naari region of Kenya between 2015 and 2017 and included 40 randomly selected women participants and 3 purposively selected women leaders. Data were collected using focus group discussions (FGD; n=1 per group), one-on-one surveys (n=43), and in-depth interviews (n=5 per group) in the local native Kimeru language and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings revealed that women within the project experienced emotional empowerment and disempowerment, but that women’s overall civic engagement increased over the project course. Also, age, income, education levels and belonging to community groups were found to predict various aspects of women’s emotional and civic engagement status. In conclusion, our findings show that development projects can influence women’s emotional and civic status; leaders need to assess and modify the delivery of their projects to enhance the positive effects and minimize harms. Our study may be helpful to managers implementing women-focused projects in two ways; (1) assessing outcomes beyond monetary gains; and (2) understanding challenges and opportunities to women’s empowerment in rural Kenyan communities.
Influence of Social Factors on Teenage Pregnancy in Secondary Schools in Turkana Central Sub County Kenya
Authors: Ameripus Hosea , Atoni Rose , Munyua Jeniffer K
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between social factors and teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub County, Kenya. The study was guided by classical liberal theory of equal opportunities and social Darwinism. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study were school principals, teachers and female students who were drawn from mixed and single girls’ public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub County. Stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select the study sample. Data was collected using Document analysis guide and Questionnaire. Validity of research instrument results was determined by consulting experts. Reliability was determined by use of test re-test technique. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages and means) and inferential statistics (ANOVA and t-test) to test hypotheses. Data was presented using tables. Findings of the study revealed that teenage pregnancy was high in mixed secondary schools and low in single girls’ secondary schools. The researchers concluded that social factors such as social media, peer pressure, home environment and drug and substance abuse influenced teenage pregnancy.
Predicting likely diabetics among taxi drivers in Algeria based on risk factors prevalence
Authors: Madouni Mourad
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the probability of developing type 2 diabetes among the” taxi drivers of the county of Tlemcen in the next 10 years based on risk factors prevalence and give them feedback as an incentive to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. To evaluate the potentially existing risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the Finnish Diabetes Risk score was used to design a questionnaire that was randomly administered to 178 taxi drivers. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v.26 at 0.05 and our survey was performed in September 2019. We found that the probability of developing the disease among the taxi drivers who were over 55 years was higher than those who were under 55 years. In addition, eating fruits and vegetables regularly had no significant impact on reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes whereas physical activity showed a significant impact. Also, taxi drivers were characterized by a lack of physical activity and 35.3% of them did not have health insurance. An active policy can be initiated by including discounts in sports clubs for people below 55 years old, and free access for those over 55.
Assessment of school based management committees' involvement in managing public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Sani Maryam
Published: March 2023

The study assessed school based-management committees' (SBMCs') involvement in Managing public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis Borno State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to assess: SBMCs' involvement in provision of educational resources; maintenance of educational resources and SBMCs' involvement in maintenance of discipline among pupils in public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. Three research questions were answered. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 19 head teachers out of the population of 39 head teachers of public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated and pilot tested. The validity index yielded a coefficient of 0.78, while the reliability index yielded a coefficient of 0.72. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that there were passive SBMCS' involvement in the provision of educational resources, there were active SBMCS' involvement in the maintenance of educational resources, as well as active involvement in maintenance of discipline among pupils in public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis Borno State, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should create awareness to enlighten parents, alumni, community leaders, religious leaders on the importance attached to SBMCs involvement in provision and managing educational resources as well as maintenance of discipline among pupils in public primary schools in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria.
Rolling back malaria in South Sudan: what have we missed?
Authors: Luka Edward Eremugo
Published: March 2023

No Abstract
A medical elective in Uganda
Authors: Taylor Madeleine
Published: March 2023

No Abstract
Fucosterol improves palmitic acid-induced oxidative stress, lipid droplet formation and insulin resistance in liver cells by mediating Keap1-Nrf2-lipocalin 13 axis
Authors: Xiong Zhekun , Gan Liming , Sun Chuntian , Zhang Hui , He Yanshan , Su Huixia , Zheng Yiyuan , Liao Fanglian
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To determine the possible effects of fucosterol (FST) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the mechanisms involved.

Methods: The NAFLD model was constructed using palmitic acid (PA) induction, and the expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), lipocalin 13 (LCN13) and Keap1 were analyzed by immunoblot. The oxidative stress of hepatocytes was determined via ELISA assay. In addition, the role of FST on lipid content and metabolism were evaluated by Oil Red O staining and immunoblot, while the levels of p-AKT, p-IRS1, and p-PI3K were evaluated by immunoblot assay.

Results: The data revealed that FST significantly increased the viability of PA-induced hepatocytes, and the expression levels of Nrf2 and LCN13 (p < 0.05). Fucosterol enhanced Keap1-Nrf2 mediated LCN13 expression, and alleviated PA-induced oxidative stress by contributing to Keap1-Nrf2-LCN13 axis. In addition, it significantly reduced (p < 0.05) lipid droplet formation, promoted lipid metabolism, and lowered insulin resistance by enhancing Keap1- Nrf2-LCN13 axis.

Conclusion: Fucosterol regulates Keap1-Nrf2-mediated LCN13 to aid the ameliorate palmitic acid-induced oxidative stress, lipid droplet formation and insulin resistance in liver cells.
Ellipticine induces apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in human endometriosis cell lines by activating MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Fenyun , Wang Qianqian
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To assess the effect of ellipticine (EPT), an alkaloid isolated from the Oleaceae family, on endometriosis, and to identify its possible mechanisms of action.

Methods: Human endometriosis-like cell lines exposed to EPT were subjected to bromodeoxyuridine/5-bromo-2´-deoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Flow cytometry and immunoblot analyses were used to assess the effect of EPT on cell apoptosis. Mitochondrial damage was determined by JC-1 staining and immunoblotting. Immunoblot assays were performed to determine the effects of EPT on the MAPK pathway.

Results: Ellipticine inhibited the viability of human endometriosis cell lines and stimulated cell apoptosis (p < 0.01). It further induced mitochondrial damage in human endometriosis cell lines (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, EPT acted on MAPK pathway, and induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction (p < 0.01) in human endometriosis cells.

Conclusion: Ellipticine is a potential treatment strategy for the management of endometriosis. However, further exploration of this potential should be explored via in vivo studies.
Carnosic acid attenuates inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons via activation of AMPK/SIRT1 pathway
Authors: Liao Ou , Xie Keqi , Zhang Xianjie , Jiang Wencai , Li Wen , Xie An
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To determine the effects and mechanism of action of carnosic acid (CA), a natural diterpenoid compound, on the neuroprotective roles of anesthetics.

Methods: The effects of carnosic acid (CA) on cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Its effects on mitochondrial damage was assessed by JC-1 staining, while oxidative stress and inflammatory response were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot assays, respectively. Immunoblot assays were performed to evaluate the effect of CA on AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.

Results: Carnosic acid (CA) increased the survival rate of isoflurane-induced neuronal cells, but inhibited isoflurane-induced mitochondrial damage in neurons (p < 0.01). CA also suppressed isoflurane-induced oxidative stress in neurons, and inhibited isoflurane-induced neuronal inflammatory response (p < 0.01). Furthermore, CA activated AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, and also attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons induced by isoflurane (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Carnosic acid attenuates inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons via activation of AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. Thus, it has potentials for use in the treatment of neurotoxicity
Effect of combined application of apatinib and perioperative quality nursing based on Orem’s self-care theory in patients undergoing cholangiocarcinoma resection
Authors: Li Xinsheng , Zhong Weina , Zhang Limin
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of application of perioperative quality nursing based on Orem’s self-care theory, in combination with apatinib in patients who underwent cholangiocarcinoma resection.

Methods: Ninety patients who underwent cholangiocarcinoma resection in The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from Feb. 2019 to Feb. 2020 were assigned to control group (CG) and study group (SG) based on their order of admission, with 45 patients in each group. Conventional nursing in combination with conventional treatment was applied to CG, while perioperative quality nursing based on Orem’s self-care theory was used in combination with apatinib therapy in SG patients. Comparison was made between CG and SG regarding clinical efficacy, self-care ability and quality of life (QoL, based on QLQ-C30 score).

Results : Disease control rate (DCR) and Barthel index (BI) score were higher in SG than in CG (p < 0.05). After treatment, QoL score was higher in SG than in CG (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Implementation of perioperative quality nursing along with apatinib therapy in patients undergoing cholangiocarcinoma resection improves their QoL and enhances their self-care ability. Thus, this treatment modality has high utility and treatment potential.
MiR-493-5p alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in ATDC5 chondrogenic cells by targeting TAB2
Authors: Chen Xuan , Li De , Chen Mangmang
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of miR-493-5p in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced ATDC5 chondrogenic cells.

Methods: The MTT assay was used to determine the viability of LPS-induced ATDC5 cells. ENCORI (starbase.sysu.edu.cn/) was used to predict the target of miR-493-5p. Quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine miR-493-5p expression in ATDC5 controlled cells and cells treated with various combinations of LPS, negative control miRNA (NC), miR-493-5p mimic, TAB2 overexpression vector, and miR-493-5p inhibitor. qRT-PCR, while western blot was used to assess TAB2 mRNA and protein expression levels in control, LPS, LPS + NC, LPS + miR-493-5p mimic, and LPS + miR-493-5p inhibitor groups. The qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to evaluate TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β expressions in control, NC, LPS, LPS + NC, miR-493-5p mimic, and LPS + miR-493-5p mimic. Furthermore, the two techniques were also used determine LPS + miR-493-5p inhibitor, LPS + TAB2 overexpression, and LPS + TAB2 overexpression + miR-493-5p mimic groups.

Results: MiR-493-5p expression was downregulated in LPS-induced ATDC5 cells (p < 0.001). Overexpression of miR-493-5p increased LPS-induced ATDC5 cell viability but decreased expression of inflammatory factors (p < 0.001). MiR-493-5p targeted and inhibited TAB2 expression in LPS-induced ATDC5 cells (p < 0.001). TAB2 overexpression reversed the suppression of TAB2 by miR-493-5p in LPS-induced ATDC5 cell injury (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: MiR-493-5p alleviates LPS-induced inflammation of ATDC5 chondrogenic cells by targeting TAB2. Thus, miR-493-5p and TAB2 have potentials for use as clinical therapeutic targets for OA.
FOXN3 attenuates doxorubicin resistance of bladder urothelial carcinoma via SIRT6/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Han Yinan , Wang Shengxing , Xia Rurui , Chen Jinhuo , Zhou Bangfen
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) protein on doxorubicin (DOX) resistance of urothelial carcinoma (BLCA).

Methods: Bioinformatics prediction and immunoblotting were used to evaluate FOXN3 expression in BLCA tissues and cells. The FOXN3 overexpression was achieved by cell transfection. The effects of FOXN3 on DOX resistance and cell apoptosis were determined by immunoblotting, DOX resistance assay, and flow cytometry, while immunoblotting was applied to evaluate SIRT6/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling activity. Finally, SIRT6 overexpression and exogenous addition of a PI3K/AKT activator were used to investigate the molecular mechanism by which FOXN3 regulates DOX resistance phenotype.

Results: The FOXN3 was downregulated in DOX-resistant BLCA tissues and cells while its overexpression attenuated doxorubicin resistance (p < 0.01). Furthermore, apoptotic cell ratio increased from 7.54 to 26.83 % in J82/DOX cells and from 6.31 to 17.89 % in T24/DOX cells (p < 0.01) after FOXN3 overexpression. Moreover, FOXN3 upregulation inhibited sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) expression and inactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Both SIRT6 overexpression and PI3K/AKT activation abrogated the FOXN3-mediated inhibition of DOX resistance in BLCA cells.

Conclusion: The FOXN3 attenuates the DOX resistance of BLCA through SIRT6/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thus providing a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of BLCA.
Supplementation of probiotics in Nile tilapia fingerling cultivation subjected to microbial challenge
Authors: Jossefa Angélica A. , Nerantzoulis Ivan C. , Mussagy Aidate
Published: March 2023

The intensification of aquaculture has brought about the need to find alternative feed supplement sources to reduce production costs. One of the alternative sources of feed in fish farming is animal manure. However, the use of animal manure may cause health problems in fish cultures. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of probiotics on Nile tilapia fingerlings subjected to microbial challenge using swine manure. Three hundred (300) fingerlings weighing 2±0.05g and measuring 5±0.06 cm, were distributed among four treatments with three replications each. Swine manure was inoculated in water in the proportion of 10 % of fingerlings live weight. Probiotics Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum were used as ration supplements in the proportions of 0.5 % per 100 g of ration. The results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in terms of growth between treatments. The inclusion of S. cerevisiae reduced the number of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine of fingerlings and resulted in better production performance. Feed supplementation with L. plantarum had no effect, neither on production, nor on intestinal microbial population. The fingerlings under study showed typical signs of yersiniosis, edwardiellosis and mycobacteriosis. From the experiment it was concluded that the supplementation of the probiotic S. cerevisiae on the Nile tilapia fingerlings treated with swine manure showed a positive effect in the sense that this probiotic avoided the intestinal colonization of fingerlings by pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the presence of the probiotic seems to promote better grow performance and hence reinforce the results of previous studies on the role of probiotics in aquaculture. More experimental studies are required, particularly in situ experiments, with the addition of other performance analyses linked to the immune response of the fingerlings.
A checklist of the southwestern Madagascar sponge fauna with taxonomic updates based on the current systematics
Authors: Razafinampoinarivo Aro Ny A. , Pérez Thierry , Boury-Esnault Nicole , Ranivoarivelo Lantoasinoro , Fauvelot Cécile
Published: March 2023

Sponges are important components of coral reefs with diverse ecological roles. They can be dominant in certain ecosystems of the western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, but their biodiversity remains poorly studied. Most of the knowledge from this region originates from studies conducted 50 years ago in the South Western (SW) region of Madagascar, near Toliara, prior to the degradation of coral reefs and associated ecosystems caused by large environmental disturbances. Here, a reference list is presented including all sponge species that were recorded at that time in different marine habitats of Toliara. This state-of-the-art work includes taxonomic updates. So far, the sponge fauna of Toliara accounts for 267 species, belonging to 3 classes, 23 orders and 68 families, a remarkable diversity when compared to other tropical locations. More than 50 % of the past taxonomic names needed to be updated and with this new baseline it will be possible to allow assessment of long-term changes in sponge biodiversity in relation to environmental stressor changes that have occurred in the SW of Madagascar during the last 50 years.
Simulation of spatiotemporal interannual variability of oceanic subsurface temperature off East Africa
Authors: Manyilizu Majuto C.
Published: March 2023

The oceanic subsurface variability off East Africa in the tropical western Indian Ocean plays a crucial role in ocean dynamics and living resources as well as weather and climate variability. A regional ocean model is applied to understand the oceanic subsurface interannual variability off East Africa. The region with the highest sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the offshore region lies adjacent to strong subsurface temperature variations located between 30 and 130 m corresponding with strong variations in the thermocline depth. The weakest SST variations in the Tanzanian shelf waters lie over the subsurface waters with the smallest temperature variations in the upper 200 m with weak variations in the thermocline depth. Such signals are associated with induced forcings from the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in both regions with different intensity and peaking times. The IOD-induced forcings are weaker, evolving in October and November-December in the region with the weakest and strongest SST variations, respectively. However, relatively stronger ENSO-induced forcings occur in both regions with stronger signals in the region with the strongest SST variations throughout the years except in August, and it peaks in January. The ENSO-induced forcings occur in January to May peaking in March and April in the region with the weakest SST. Consequently, anomalous Rossby waves as well as local Ekman downwelling and upwelling associated with both large-scale modes occur in the region leading to the subsurface temperature variations.
Media Management: The Attention Perspective
Authors: Jung Bohdan , Kowalski Tadeusz
Published: March 2023

With media being one of the first sectors of the information economy to be fully (i.e. with respect to its design, production, distribution, and consumption) digitized, an era of its management has come to an end. Existing boundaries between different media types have collapsed, as well as all limitations about time and space of media dissemination. However, this seemingly limitless expansion of media markets and media overabundance has come across a new barrier, which is that of human/consumers’attention needed for media consumption. Given shortening attention spans (as documented by empirical research), attention is increasingly perceived as the most valuable resource for the media sector and new strategies for attracting, retaining and sustaining attention must be devised and managed. Managing attention is now becoming the new core of media management.
Korzystanie z mediów społecznościowych przez pokolenie Z w czasie pandemii COVID-19
Authors: Werenowska Agnieszka , Jaska Ewa
Published: March 2023

Social media have become one of the most important sources of information, especially for the young generation of users. The article presents the results of research conducted at the beginning of 2021 among 311 representatives of the Generation Z. The survey method was applied using the CAWI online questionnaire technique. Based on the conducted research, the type of information sought in social media was determined, indicating also the most useful, i.e. accessible and credible media, regarding the time of the pandemic. Predominantly, the respondents searched for information related to the number of infections in Poland, quarantine procedures and infection rate around the world. In the opinion of respondents, the Internet, in particular, Twitter and Facebook, is more useful than traditional media.
Health Communication, Knowledge and Practice towards Prostate cancer in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Adedoyin Evaristus Adesina, , Adedoyin Precious , Adeyeye Babatunde , Amoo Emmanuel , Allo Tolulope , Ogundoyin Olayinka
Published: March 2023

In response to the global call for strategic information to comprehend prostate cancer, this study evaluated the health communication on behavioral practice of prostate cancer in Kwara state, Nigeria. Existing studies in Nigeria on prostate cancer have mostly focused on health practitioners and their patients, ignoring specific empirical data on semi-urban and urban context. This study looks at health communication channels as predictors of knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practices, with a focus on Ilorin, Nigeria’s Kwara state, which has the highest prostate cancer prevalence rate. A total of 336 respondents from Kwara State, Nigeria, were randomly selected using the multistage sample procedure for the survey. The findings show Knowledge of prostate cancer was highest amongst study participants who used the radio (4.00 ± 1.06) and television (3.64 ± 0.51) while it was low amongst those who relied on the internet (3.48 ± 0.50) and health professionals (3.16 ± 0.66) as their primary source of information. Contrastingly, practice was highest amongst persons who used the internet (3.60 ± 0.20) as their primary information source and lowest amongst those who used the television (2.50 ± 1.52) and Health Professionals (2.44 ± 0.65). Demographically, respondents in the 46-55 age group scored the highest (3.93 ± 0.71) as compared to those in the 26-35 (3.43 ± 0.68) who scored the lowest on the knowledge scale.The study concludes that health communication outlets such as television, the Internet, radio, newspapers, and health workers have a good impact on the people of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study suggests creating a nationwide prostate cancer communication system to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice of people, towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Effect of Oil and Selenium as Feed Supplement on Nutritional Content, Fatty Acid Profile, Cholesterol and Protein Productive Value in Nile Tilapia Meat
Authors: Haetami Kiki , Junianto Junianto , Abun Dan Abun
Published: March 2023

Feed supplements of oil and selenium have been studied for their effect on absolute weight growth and a descriptive picture of the nutritional content of protein, fat, cholesterol in tilapia baby fish. Feed experiments using Complete Randomized Design (6x3), R1 (basal/protein ration 28%); R2 addition of a mixture of coconut oil and hazelnut oil without Se and R3 (oil mixture 4%+Se 0.15 mg/kg); R4 (4% coconut oil + Se) and R5 (4% hazelnut oil + Se) and Rs (standard ration of protein 32%). Coconut is dominated by saturated fatty acids (lauric acid 42.67%), while hazelnut is dominated by linoleic unsaturated fatty acids (34.4%) and oleic acid (48.99%). Basal ration with the addition of a mixture of vegetable oils + Se resulted in an absolute growth of 27.33 g and a daily growth rate (DGR) of 0.43 g/day, and matched the Ration with high protein (32%). The addition of vegetable fats and selenium provides fish meat protein content 54.62%-58.54% and meat protein conversion (protein productive value) 27.68-32.03%. The fat content of meat and cholesterol ranges from 7.15%-10.20% and 75.43-103.97 mg/dL, respectively, and Se in tilapia meat ranges from 0.502-0.753 mg/kg).
Spatial Distribution of PM10 and NO2 in Ambient Air Quality in Cape Town CBD, South Africa
Authors: Ndletyana O. , Madonsela B. S.
Published: March 2023

Fixed air quality monitoring stations generally monitor the air quality in developing countries. However, this practice, in addition to being costly, inherently contains drawbacks associated with the inability to capture the spatial distribution of air pollutants. Against this limitation, it is necessary to employ flexible and dynamic monitoring techniques that are fundamental and influential in comprehending the spatial distribution of pollutants. Because of this, in recent times, the application of GIS as a monitoring technique has proved to be more efficient than using fixed monitoring stations. Therefore, to this end, the current study mapped the spatial distribution of PM10 and NO2 pollutants in Cape Town CBD using the GIS technique. Subsequently, the GIS monitoring technique revealed that both pollutants had high spatial distribution between 2017 and 2018, irrespective of the season. Furthermore, high exposure concentrations of PM10 were generally observed across the CBD in contrast to NO2 exposure levels, which were relatively low. To contextualize the findings, compared with other studies, the current research discovered that spatial distribution of air pollution is associated with meteorological conditions, such as wind speed and temperature, that traditional techniques of monitoring exposure can’t capture.
Heavy Metal Removal from Contaminated Soil Using Soil Washing Techniques
Authors: Resmi G. , G. Thampi Santosh , Chandrakaran S.
Published: March 2023

Heavy metals are discharged into the soil around us from various anthropogenic sources and also by the use of fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc. In most cases, industrialization can be pointed to as the reason behind soil pollution. Contamination of soil leads to large-scale environmental degradation and health impacts. Many investigators have studied techniques for removing heavy metals from soil. Soil washing is an emerging area that can be implemented for this purpose. Studies were carried out in the controlled conditions of a laboratory environment to determine the suitability of soil-washing techniques for removing lead from polluted land. The results showing the influence of various parameters in soil washing, such as duration of washing, molar strength of the solution used, the weight ratio of soil to wash solution, etc., are presented in this paper. Batch studies were conducted to investigate the performance of chelating agents such as Na2EDTA, HCl, HNO3 and CaCl2 with regard to the removal of lead from artificially contaminated locally available soil. Based on the batch studies, it is observed that the strength of the washing solution, the proportion of soil and solution, the period of agitation, etc. influence the removal of contaminants. Based on the studies, it is concluded that, while recommending soil washing using chelating agents for remediating lead-contaminated soils, it is essential to identify the influencing parameters and determine the optimum conditions so that higher removal can be achieved without any adverse effect.
Assessment and Prediction of Air Quality Level Using ARIMA Model: A Case Study of Surat City, Gujarat State, India
Authors: Mahendra H. N. , Mallikarjunaswamy S. , Kumar D. Mahesh , Kumari Shilpi , Kashyap Shubhali , Fulwani Sapna , Chatterjee Aishee
Published: March 2023

Air quality has recently been a huge concern as it directly affects people’s lives. An air quality level assessment and prediction system is essential to keep track of air quality. Therefore, developing an efficient air quality assessment and prediction system has become one of the most important concerns. In the present work air quality level of Surat city, India is assessed and predicted for the period from 2020 to 2023 using the Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Experimental results show that the ARIMA model outperforms the other models. According to the findings, the maximum quantity of SO2 and NO2 present in the air in 2020 is 37 mm and 18 mm, respectively, with a maximum of 27 mm and 31 mm in 2021. Thus, we can observe that even though SO2 has reduced a bit, the amount of NO2 has increased, thus degrading the quality of air.
Forecasting Particulate Matter Emissions Using Time Series Models
Authors: Suresh S. , Sindhumol M. R. , Ramadurai M. , Kalvinithi D. , Sangeetha M.
Published: March 2023

Environmental pollution is a serious concern nowadays with its disastrous impact on living organisms. In several types of pollution, Air pollution takes on a crucial role by directly affecting the respiratory system and causing fatal diseases in humans. Air pollution is a mixture of gaseous and particulate matter interweaved by different sources and emanating into the atmosphere. In particular, particle pollutants are critical in growing air pollution in India’s main cities. Forecasting the particulate matter could mitigate the complications caused by it. The employment of a model to predict future values based on previously observed values is known as time series forecasting. In this paper, the PM2.5 pollutant emission data recorded at the Kodungaiyur region of Chennai city were forecasted using three-time series models. The standard ARIMA model is compared with the deep learning-based LSTM model and Facebook’s developed Prophet algorithm. This comparison helps to identify an appropriate forecasting model for PM2.5 pollutant emission. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) acquired from experimental findings is used to compare model performances.
Ancient World of Aerospace Technology: Technical Note
Authors: Padma Rao Anyam Veera Venkata Naga Padma Rao , Mishra Ankit Kumar
Published: March 2023

As per the great ancient Indian scripts over thousands of years back there are flying and levitating vehicles called as vimanas (e.g.: Pushpaka Vimana) with most efficient propulsion system (e.g.: mercury propulsion) and far more advanced than today’s technology which are even capable of travel from one planet to another planet. But even now also no one knows about manufacturing those Indian ancient vimanas.
Impact of Chemical reaction on Stagnation Point Flow of Powell Eyring Fluid: HAM Analysis
Authors: Ray Atul Kumar , Poonia Minakshi , Chaturvedi Divya , Kumar Amit , Tanwar Dig Vijay
Published: March 2023

In the present study, the mathematical modelling for stagnation point flow of non-Newtonian Powell-Eyring fluid over a stretching surface is considered. The effect of thermal radiation and chemical reaction is taken into account. The non-linear governing partial equations are transformed to ordinary differential equation by using stretching similarity transformation. Homotopy analysis has been done to the reduced boundary layer equations. Numerical solutions are obtained for the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles with influence of non-Newtonian fluid parameter, radiation and chemical reaction respectively. It is found from the study that non-Newtonian fluid performs shear thinning behaviour. Radiation enhances the temperature of non-Newtonian Powell Eyring fluid and concentration of the fluid rises as the effect of chemical reaction increases.
Method for determining the location of radio-emitting objects
Authors: Zhelyazov Mihail
Published: March 2023

The report examines the current state of methods and algorithms for determining the absolute and relative coordinates of radio emitting objects in single station onboard radar systems.
ASSESSMENT OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM DAIRY FARMING USING THE COOL FARM TOOL
Authors: VIDICAN Roxana , MALINAS Anamaria , MOLDOVAN Cristina , Anca PLEȘSA Anca , Mirela RANTA Mirela
Published: March 2023

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind has ever faced and could lead to potentially devastating global problems, with a need for urgent mitigation and adaptation. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a major driver of climate change through its contribution to the total emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The dairy sector has been identified as an important source of GHG emissions, mainly via carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). In this study, total CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions were assessed from a dairy farm (65 dairy cows) located in Romania using the Cool Farm Tool calculator (CFT). We specifically aimed to calculate: (1) the total CO2 equivalent (CO2e) and CO2e per kg FPCM (fat- and protein-corrected milk); (2) methane emissions from enteric fermentation; (3) GHGs resulting from feeding practices; (4) GHGs from manure management; and (5) a simulation of two different scenarios and their impact on GHG emissions. Our results showed annual GHG emissions of 553,170 kg CO2e, almost half of which were released through enteric fermentation. Lactating cows were the major contributor to total GHG emissions, while heifers released the lowest emissions. The two scenarios simulated in this study showed that both the changes made in dairy diet composition and livestock manure management could result in lower GHG emissions. These results confirm the importance and utility of the CFT for the quantification of GHG emissions in dairy farms and its important role as a decision support tool to guide the adoption of good agricultural practices.
Cow Milk Quality Grading using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Shubhangi Neware
Published: March 2023

Milk is considered as complete food as it contains rich set of proteins and vitamins. Therefore determining quality of cow milk plays an important role in today’s research. In this paper four methods are implemented to check quality of cow milk using dataset consists of 1059 milk samples taken from various cows. Three grades of milk grade A, B, C are considered based on different features of cow milk. Various machine learning methods K Nearest neighbors, Logistic regression, Support Vector machine and ANN are implemented. Accuracy of these methods is then compared. It has been observed that the results of KNN (n=3) is more accurate amongst all four methods implemented in the proposed research work.