bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Legal Impact of Plea Bargain in Settlement of High Profile Financial Criminal Cases in Nigeria
Authors: Aidonojie Paul Atagamen , Odojor Anne Oyenmwosa , Agbale Patience Omohoste
Published: September 2021

Plea bargain has been globally accepted as a useful criminal prosecutorial tool in accelerating the prosecution of minor criminal cases. However, it has been observed that the introduction of a plea bargain into the Nigerian criminal justice system tends to aid the ruling class in looting from the public treasury and escaping justice. Given these legal anomalies, the study used online survey questionnaires sent to four hundred and five respondents (randomly selected) residing in Nigeria in ascertaining the Nigerian citizens view on the legal effect of using a plea bargain in resolving high profile financial crime cases. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyse the respondents’ responses. The study, therefore, found that though plea bargain is a useful criminal prosecutorial tool in resolving minor criminal cases, it is unsuitable in resolving high profile criminal financial cases as it tends to involve a hide and seek game which makes a mockery of the Nigeria Legal System. It is, therefore, concluded and recommended that the concept of a plea bargain in Nigeria legal system should not be used in resolving high-profile criminal financial cases, as it tends to give leverage to those looting public funds.
Relação entre teoria e prática pedagógica
Authors: Cézar Isamary Roberta Ferreira , Crusoé Nilma Margarida de Castro
Published: September 2021

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar alguns aspectos que atravessam a relação teoria e prática, na formação de professores, dilema antigo e ainda presente nesse contexto. Trata-se de um estudo teórico, com base nos seguintes referenciais:  sobre formação de professores (GATTI, 2000; 2013; 2014; 2017; 2019; PIMENTA, 1999; 2001, NÓVOA 1992; 1995; 2009) e prática pedagógica (LIBÂNEO, 2005; TARDIFF, 2002; CRUSOÉ, 2014;  ALARCÃO, 2001).Os resultados apontaram para uma formação que deve considerar: a) a retroalimentação entre o campo acadêmico e profissional; b) as subjetividades, crenças e valores que atravessam a prática escolar e que interferem na conduta pedagógica do profissional professor; c) as identidades forjadas no campo da formação e da prática pedagógica.
Marxist-inflected praxis in Paulo Freire's political pedagogy
Authors: Mayo Peter
Published: September 2021

This paper discusses and explains Freire's Marxist-inflected concept of praxis as developed throughout his oeuvre.  A key feature, deriving from Marx and others, notably Gramsci, is the positing of a dialectical relationship between consciousness and the world.  This is at the heart of his celebrated pedagogical approach. Praxis dates back to the time of the ancient Greek ‘civilisation’ Aristotle in primis. It involves an intellectual effort, a reflection on one’s individual and collective lifeworld. These are the reflecting on action processes that can ultimately collectively lead to political change. Praxis lies at the heart of Marxian and Gramscian political thought and strategy.  It is the kernel of Paulo Freire's pedagogical politics; it differs from simply practice. This pedagogical politics involves the codification of this reflection on action into theory.  It, in turn, entails evaluating relevant theory against the very reflection on everyday action. The world of action is life itself with all its dimensions, including community living and work, but extends well beyond.
PENGARUH INTERACTION ENVIRONMENT DAN LEARNER CHARACTERISTIC TERHADAP KEPUASAN DALAM PENGGUNAAN SISTEM E-LEARNING
Authors: Widjaja Andrianto , Widjaja Yosua Giovanni , Harianto Jeni
Published: September 2021

Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui ada tidaknya pengaruh yang signifikan antara interaction-environment dan learner-characteristic sebagai variabel independen terhadap e-learning satisfaction sebagai variabel dependen. Disini faktor interaction- environment direpresentasikan melalui variabel-variabel Learner-content interaction, Learner- instructor interaction, dan Learner-learner interaction. Sedangkan faktor learner- characteristics direpresentasikan melalui variabel-variabel Self-efficacy dan Self- directed. Studi dilakukan pada sebuah perguruan tinggi swasta di Jakarta, dan sebagai sampel penelitian dipilih para mahasiswa di institusi tersebut dengan teknik purposive sampling. Metode analisis data menggunakan teknik regresi linier berganda. Hasil olah data menunjukkan bahwa semua variabel independen berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap variabel dependen, kecuali Learner-learner interaction tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap E-learning satisfaction.
DIVERSITY AES IN MIXCOLUMNS STEP WITH 8X8 CIRCULANT MATRIX
Authors: Chen Yan-Wen , Wang Jeng-Jung , Chen Yan-Haw , Lee Chong-Dao
Published: September 2021

In AES MixColumns operation, the branch number of circulant matrix is raised from 5 to 9 with 8´8 circulant matrices that can be enhancing the diffusion power. An efficient method to compute the circulant matrices in AES MixColumns transformation for speeding encryption is presented. Utilizing 8´8 involutory matrix multiplication is required 64 multiplications and 56 additions in in AES Mix-Columns transformation. We proposed the method with diversity 8´8 circulant matrices is only needed 19 multiplications and 57 additions. It is not only to encryption operations but also to decryption operations. Therefore, 8´8 circlant matrix operation with AES key sizes of 128bits, 192bits, and 256 bits are above 29.1%, 29.3%, and 29.8% faster than using 4´4 involutory matrix operation (16 multiplications, 12 additions), respectively. 8´8 circulant matrix encryption/decryption speed is above 78% faster than 8´8 involutory matrix operation. Ultimately, the proposed method for evaluating matrix multiplication can be made regular, simple and suitable for software implementations on embedded systems.
DR. YASHODHAR MATHPAL’S PORTRAIT AS A DOCUMENT
Authors: Shukla Annpurna , Sah Jagati Srishti
Published: September 2021

Whenever we look at an artwork, we often don’t know about what the difference is in between, seeing and observing. We often perceive the overall effect created by that work of art, without noticing the details. Off course, the effect created by that artwork in total plays an important part in evoking both positive and negative emotions. But there are few images which speak to the mind and inner self within minutes or seconds. In Visual Art the artists have ben recording, incidents, ideas, and messages. The reason why it has been labelled for documenting, illustrating and narrative qualities.There is no possible way in which we understand a work of art through magic. We cannot imagine reading novel/ book just by looking at its cover. With the same note we should conclude that every painting has some hidden message to it. Which cannot be seen all at once, unless and until if one tries to look. By looking I mean observing carefully and with enough curiosity, to understand the characters and the story that it narrates. There can be no ascertain way where we see that certain paintings affect us deeply while others leave us cold, no criteria for a painting as to why it becomes a famous work of art, later known as a masterpiece to the world.
Synthesis, Characterization, Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties of Pyridine Based Ruthenium Complexes
Authors: SAHIN Cigdem
Published: September 2021

New pyridine based ruthenium complexes with different substituents were synthesized and characterized by Uv-Visible, fluorescence, FTIR and NMR spectroscopies. The substituents and solvent effects of the synthesized compounds on photoluminescence properties have been investigated. The compounds exhibit solvatochromic effect in different solvents. The electrochemical studies of the compounds were performed by cyclic voltammetry. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels are in the range (-5.51)-(-5.52) eV and (-3.04)-(-3.07) eV, respectively. These results indicate that there is no an important effect of side groups on electrochemical properties.
enfeite nosso de todo dia
Authors: Machado Sany Karla
Published: September 2021

Tweens são consideradas as crianças incluídas em uma faixa etária que pode variar de sete a quatorze anos e, portanto, estão em um estágio entre a infância e a adolescência. Amparado por teorias sobre a participação das crianças no universo do consumo e sobre a atribuição de significado aos bens, o estudo aqui alvitrado apresenta, por meio de análise interpretativista, com método de pesquisa de inspiração etnográfica, os significados que dez tweens atribuíramm a acessórios pessoais. Os resultados convergem para o uso dos acessórios como instrumentos importantes de ajuste social. Em nível mais particular, os acessórios se prestam igualmente a práticas performáticas lúdicas e de competências, e ainda são instrumentos bastante úteis à aproximação e reforço de laços afetivos.
FATORES DETERMINANTES DA ACEITAÇÃO DE MERCADO DA TECNOLOGIA DO BANCO DIGITAL NO CONTEXTO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Borges Lis , Figueiredo Paulo , Uchoa Passos Francisco , Marques dos Santos Ernani
Published: September 2021

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar os fatores que influenciam a intenção de uso dos bancos digitais pelos potenciais consumidores no Brasil. O referencial teórico fundamenta-se no Modelo de Aceitação da Tecnologia (TAM). Muito embora já tenham sido realizados estudos semelhantes sobre este tema, em vários contextos e em outros países, este é um estudo pioneiro no contexto brasileiro, sobre este tema específico. Por meio de uma abordagem descritiva e quantitativa, dados foram coletados a partir de um questionário, em uma amostra não representativa de 113 potenciais usuários. A análise dos dados foi feita através de regressão linear multivariada. Os resultados indicaram que a percepção de utilidade, a percepção de satisfação, percepção de segurança e privacidade, bem como a renda afetam positivamente a intenção de uso do banco digital e são os fatores mais significativos para a amostra estudada. Além da contribuição acadêmica para os estudos sobre aceitação de tecnologias bancárias, as conclusões contribuem para que os bancos digitais construam estratégias que agreguem valor à percepção desses fatores pelos potenciais consumidores de produtos bancários.
#visitedepois. Os desafios do turismo em tempos de pandemia de COVID-19. O caso da Região da Catalunha, Espanha".
Authors: De Faria Nogueira Maria Alice
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo procura refletir sobre os desafios da retomada do turismo em tempos de pandemia. Como ponto de partida, o texto apresenta algumas ações de demarketing (Kotler & Levy, 1971) veiculadas em março de 2020, que conclamavam os turistas a não viajarem durante o período da pandemia para destinos turísticos. Indexadas pelas hashtags #visitedepois, #visitlater, #yomequedoencasa, #fiqueemcasa, #stayhome, as campanhas “para não ir” apontam para a principal questão da investigação: como a atividade do turismo vai dar conta da circulação de pessoas em busca do escape à vida ordinária (Urry, 2001), ao mesmo tempo em que a própria circulação desses sujeitos é vetor potencial de contaminação por COVID-19? Orientado por uma abordagem metodológica hermenêutica (Thompson, 2000; Nogueira, 2015), em termos teóricos o artigo trabalha com um referencial multidisciplinar e coloca em diálogo autores das áreas de Turismo da Comunicação Social, das Ciências Sociais e do Marketing (Urry, 1995; 2001; 2007; Urry & Larsen, 2011; Bessa & Alvarez, 2014; Freire-Medeiros, 2007; Esteves, 2016; Harvey, 1996; entre outros), para analisar o caso da Região da Catalunha, na Espanha. A campanha “Visit Catalonia Later” e, posteriormente, a ação global de marketing chamada “Catalunya és Casa Teva”, mostraram claramente os desafios do turismo em tempos de pandemia, a partir do momento em que o sucesso de uma ação de marketing de lugares pode indicar, como nesse caso, um fracasso sanitário que colocou em risco toda a população do país.
Gambling with the Windigo: Theorizing Indigenous Casinos and Gambling in Canada
Authors: Manitowabi Darrel
Published: September 2021

The legacy of colonialism in Canada manifests through land dispossession, structural violence and assimilative policies. Casinos are an anomaly emerging in Canada, becoming major economic engines, generating capital for housing, education, health, and language and cultural rejuvenation programs. On the other hand, the literature on Indigenous casinos raises crucial questions about compromised sovereignty, addiction, and neocolonial economic and political entrapment. This article theorises Indigenous casinos as a modern expression of the windigo. In Algonquian oral history, the windigo is a mythic giant cannibal. The underlying meaning of the windigo is the consumption of Indigenous peoples leading to illness and death. One can become a windigo and consume others, and one must always be cautious of this possibility. I propose casinos and Indigenous-provincial gambling revenue agreements are modern-day windigook (plural form of windigo).  This framework provides an urgently needed new theorisation of casinos, grounded in Indigenous epistemology and ontology.
SINTESIS ZEOLIT DARI EKSTRAK SEKAM PADI DAN KALENG BEKAS SEBAGAI ADSORBEN PENURUNAN KESADAHAN AIR
Authors: Oktavianty Herawati , Sunardi Sunardi , Wardani Rejang Musi Agastya Arianda Saputra
Published: September 2021

Sekam padi dan kaleng bekas merupakan limbah yang banyak ditemui dan belum dimaksimalkan pemanfaatannya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memanfaatkan limbah sekam padi dan kaleng bekas menjadi zeolit sebagai adsorben penurunan kesadahan air (ion logam Ca2+ dan Mg2+). Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan blok lengkap dengan dua faktor, yaitu faktor massa kaleng bekas (1 gr; 2 gr; 3 gr) dan faktor massa ekstrak sekam padi (60 gr; 80 gr; 100 gr). Percobaan ini terdiri atas dua tahap, yaitu pembuatan zeolit dan penggunaan zeolit untuk penurunan kesadahan air. Analisis XRD dilakukan untuk zeolit dan analisis AAS untuk kesadahan air. Dari hasil percobaan didapatkan penyerapan ion logam Ca2+ dan Mg2+ optimal pada kondisi zeolit dengan komposisi massa kaleng bekas 2 gr dan massa ekstrak sekam padi 80 gr, yaitu sebesar 94,48% dan 89,26%.
Estudo do Potencial de Ação utilizando o Modelo de Hodgkin-Huxley
Authors: Breno da Silva Morais Isaac , Henrique Sant'Ana Costa Flávio , Perpétua Ferreira Lucimara
Published: September 2021

O sistema nervoso processa, recebe e transmite informações dos mais diversos componentes sensoriais, permitindo o controle e a integração das atividades internas e externas de um organismo. Suas unidades básicas de funcionamento são células altamente especializadas denominadas neurônios, capazes de conduzir os sinais neurais. Tais sinais são transmitidos por meio de potenciais de ação, que são variações rápidas do potencial elétrico da membrana celular dos neurônios, devido ao movimento de íons através de canais iônicos presentes nas membranas. Uma forma de compreender os processos biofísicos por trás do potencial de ação é através do estudo do modelo de Hodgkin-Huxley (HH), que apresenta um conjunto de equações capaz de descrever a dinâmica temporal das condutâncias dos íons presentes no interior e exterior da membrana, a fim de determinar a corrente iônica e o potencial de ação. Embora o modelo HH descreva de forma satisfatória o potencial de ação, seu sistema de equações é determinístico. Uma vez que o fenômeno do movimento dos íons pode ser compreendido como um processo probabilístico, uma descrição mais acurada poderia ser realizada utilizando um formalismo estocástico, como o método Monte Carlo dinâmico (método DMC). Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo utilizar do método DMC para estudar o modelo HH do ponto de vista estocástico. Mostramos que o método DMC se mostra uma ferramenta viável e com resultados satisfatórios a respeito do modelo HH, possibilitando observá-lo sob uma perspectiva estocástica.
Predição de pressão sanguínea através de sinais de fotopletismografia usando redes neurais MLP e LSTM
Authors: Dos Santos Cardoso Gustavo , Gomes Lucas Mateus , Dos Santos Cardoso Samuel
Published: September 2021

A pressão arterial é um dos sinais vitais básicos dos seres humanos e sua aferição deve ser feita regularmente durante o dia por pessoas que possuam algum tipo de doença cardiovascular. Os métodos tradicionais de medição geralmente precisam realizar a oclusão de uma artéria, causando desconforto ao paciente. Isto impede o monitoramento contínuo de pressão e até mesmo desencoraja um monitoramento regular durante o dia. Tendo em vista tal problema, neste trabalho são apresentados e comparados dois algoritmos de aprendizado de máquinas que utilizam sinais de fotopletismografia (PPG) para estimar a pressão arterial sem a necessidade da oclusão da artéria. O primeiro algoritmo implementado foi uma reprodução do método proposto por Kurylyak et al., o qual serviu de referência para o desenvolvimento da rede LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) proposta neste trabalho, a qual utilizou as características temporais do sinal de PPG como parâmetros de entrada. Para o treinamento dos algoritmos foi utilizada a base de dados MIMIC II (Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care). Para avaliação desses métodos foram feitas análises estatísticas dos resultados obtidos com relação aos valores de referência da pressão arterial, já definidos nas bases de dados. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a arquitetura baseada na rede LSTM utilizando características temporais do sinal de PPG como parâmetro de entrada podem produzir melhores resultados quando comparado com a rede MLP (Multi Layer Perceptron).
Algumas questões a partir da prática das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base no Nordeste
Authors: Comblin José
Published: September 2021

O Nordeste tem as suas peculiaridades, também a nível eclesial. A minha experiência está limitada ao Nordeste. Por conseguinte não poderia extrapolar para outras regiões certas observações feitas aqui. É muito possível que os fenômenos observados em outras regiões sejam muito diferentes, e, por conseguinte, que as reflexões feitas a partir do Nordeste não se apliquem a outras regiões do país. Assim mesmo, elas podem suscitar reflexões ou comparações que poderão ser úteis também em outras regiões.
Pengembangan Aplikasi Dokter Pada Materi Rekam Medis di STIKes Bhakti Husada Bengkulu
Authors: Riyanto Agus
Published: September 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kelayakan aplikasi dokter sebagai media pelajaran materi rekam medis di STIKes Bhakti Husada Bengkulu. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian dan pengembangan (Research and Development) dengan mengadopsi prosedur ADDIE. Pengembangan produk awal merupakan proses pembuatan media yang didasarkan pada analisis kebutuhan. Uji ahli atau validasi dilakukan oleh 2 orang ahli media dan 2 orang ahli materi untuk menilai produk awal serta merevisi produk awal sesuai saran para ahli. Uji lapangan skala kecil dilakukan oleh 8 mahasiswa dan uji lapangan skala besar dilakukan oleh 46 mahasiswa yang menempuh mata kuliah Sistem Informasi Kesehatan. Metode pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini dengan observasi, wawancara dan angket. Instrumen penelitiannya berupa panduan observasi, panduan wawancara, dan angket. Hasil penelitian pengembangan ini berupa produk media pembelajaran aplikasi dokter materi rekam medis yang telah diuji kelayakannya oleh ahli media, ahli materi dan mahasiswa sebagai pengguna media tersebut. Keseluruhan hasil uji coba menunjukkan hasil yaitu memperoleh kategori sangat layak dengan rincian: (1) uji ahli materi mendapatkan hasil 3,53 atau 88,25% sangat layak, (2) uji ahli media mendapatkan hasil 3,51 atau 87,75% sangat layak, (3) uji skala kecil oleh siswa memperoleh hasil 3,56 atau 89% sangat layak, (4) uji skala besar oleh siswa memperoleh hasil 3,59 atau 89,75% sangat layak. Berdasarkan hasil uji kelayakan media dapat disimpulkan aplikasi dokter sangat layak untuk digunakan sebagai media pembelajaran materi rekam medis di STIKes Bhakti Husada Bengkulu
Prospects and Challenges of Bilingual Education in the Light of Pakistan’s Language Policy
Authors: Halo Lutif Ali
Published: September 2021

This research study explores prospects and challenges of bilingual education in the light of language policy of Pakistan. It directs the scholars and policymakers to revisit the notion of language and norms of traditional bilingual education. However, the researcher brings in light that translanguaging as a particular model facilitates for understanding dynamic multilingualism to promote social justice to languages and their speakers. The implementation of this model is viable in both theory and practice. The issue of monoglossic model of bilingual education in Pakistan is yet to be dealt with. Moreover, the researcher employed qualitative empirical method and used secondary data from previous studies to investigate the problem. Additionally, the findings reveal that the subtractive language policy, linguistic hegemony, politicians’ monolingual politics are challenges to the dynamic bilingual education. On the other hand, multilingual reality and its practice, speakers’ multilingual repertoire, transcultural interaction of students are important prospects of dynamic bilingual education policy in Pakistan. The study also highlights the research gap in Pakistani bilingual classrooms from the latest approach of translanguaging and dynamic model of bilingualism which can direct a multilingual language policy of Pakistan.
Automatic Positioned Controller Parabolic solar Dish Prototype
Authors: Rahimoon Asif Ahmed , Ahmed Izhar , Kunbhar Ali Abbas , Sohu Arslan Ahmed
Published: September 2021

This paper discusses the development of dual axis parabolic dish tracker application for automatized position power system. This prototype tackles solar light in solar sterling design system or concentrated photovoltaic design by implementation of digitalize control circuit to enhance CSP and CPV applications. A normally 121.92cm dish is designed with H-bridge controller technique & Slew drive actuator mode to capture solar irradiances. The surface of dish is polished with 12 aluminum bars to concentrate the solar irradiance in one reflective axis. Economic justification for Pakistan’s industries would be possible if these automated based renewable prototypes are promoted in market in compare of single PV panel. This prototype controls the all weather conditions, utilizing real time flexible timing control strategy and photoelectric tracking scheme to provide cost effective product for industrial power generation applications. This locally adaptive material based prototype encouraged the result about 33% efficient with compared to photovoltaic panel.
A Deep Learninag based Non-invasive and Real-Time Fault Detection System for 3-Phase Induction Motors
Authors: Fahim Muhammad Abdullah , Soother Dileep Kumar , Harijan Bharat Lal , Kumari Jotee , Qureshi Areesha
Published: September 2021

Induction motor plays a major role in industry. Despite of its strong structure, induction motors are often prone to faults. There are different types of faults that occurs in the induction motor such as bearing faults, winding faults, etc. Thus motors in major applications require continuous and effective monitoring. In this paper, a stand-alone and non-invasive condition monitoring system that can monitor the condition of 3-phase induction motor using motor current signatures with aid of deep learning (DL) approaches. The proposed system extracts the features using non-invasive current sensors it further samples the features using an analog to digital converter (ADC) and organizes the data acquired from ADC using Raspberry-pi microcomputer. The current data acquired from induction motor is used to train and test the DL models including Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Long Short-term Memory (LSTM), and One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (1DCNN). The comparative analysis is demonstrated and the LSTM model as best fault classifier among all with accuracy up to 100%. Finally, the real-time testing of the device showed that the developed system can effectively monitor the conditions of motor using non-invasive current sensors.
Energy Efficient Crypto Suit for Secure Underwater Sensor Communication using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Khan Fozia Hanif , Waheed Urooj , Awan Samia Masood , Shams Rehan , Inayatullah Syed
Published: September 2021

With the advancement in technology, there has been a keen interest of researchers and industrial institution in the use of Underwater Sensors Networks (UWSN). This study is devoted to the secure communication between the underwater sensors networks which is now a day’s most widely used for oceanographic abnormalities, and to track submarines that perform the surveillance and navigation. But UWSNs has its limitations such as multipath, propagation delay, low bandwidth, and limited battery as compared to traditional WSNs that causes a low life in comparison with WSNs. Secure communication in UWSNs is more difficult due to the above-mentioned limitations which need ultralightweight components. There are many miscellaneous attacks due to which sensors can be able to lose both data availability and integrity that is why this study is basically to design an efficient algorithm that possesses less computation and use less space for secure communication. The proposed algorithm will initially establish the first half of the key through a genetic algorithm and then will develop the remaining part. After that encryption algorithm is proposed for the secure communication between UWSNs and its performance will be evaluated based on throughput, running time, space usage, and avalanche effect.
Assessment of Rainwater and Groundwater Quality in Izombe Town, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State
Authors: Akopunwanne S. I. , Oparaocha E. T. , Onwuka C. D.
Published: September 2021

Rainwater and groundwater quality in Izombe were assessed. Five water samples were collected from five (5) different locations, with at least one location from one of the four autonomous communities in Izombe, Oguta L.G.A of Imo State. The physicochemical and microbial parameters of rainwater and groundwater samples from Umuakpa, Ndeuloukwu, Ugbele, Ndioko, and Orsu were assessed using Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The study was aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbial qualities of groundwater and rainwater in Izombe and how these affect their health as individual members of the community, and their environment when compared to WHO standards. The water samples were collected from five different locations, with at least one location from each of the four autonomous communities, and were assessed. The result indicated that rainwater and groundwater pollutants in the community were turbidities, ammonia, copper and temperatures 7.59±0.02 ph, 6.42±0.28 nitrate, 59.56±0.50 ammonia, 0.29±0.07 phosphate, 0.88±0.03 iron, copper, lead, nickel, aluminum, mercury, manganese, cadmium, bacteria count, coliform count, and E-coli. Also, all the pollutant parameters were identified, only iron, copper, aluminum, and bacteria count were not identified as being associated with petroleum products and exploratory activities. This research has broadened the understanding of the suitability of Izombe water sources for both consumption and other purposes. The findings show that the rain and groundwater sources of the community are not fit for human consumption, due to the contaminants inherent in them, attributed majorly to the oil production activities in the area which corroborates other research studies.
Opportunities and Challenges of Rehabilitating Degraded Land in the Case of Cheha Woreda, Gurage Zone, SNNP Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Wolde Tekilil
Published: September 2021

The research was conducted in chaha wereda gurage zone SNNP region of Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess opportunity and challenges of degraded land rehabilitation. From the total population of the study area 20% (73) respondents were selected in order to achieve the objective of the study at hand, for the study both primary and secondary data was generated. The primary data collection was started with a preliminary survey followed by a key informant interview, focus group discussion, and household survey with questionnaires. The secondary data were collected from books, unpublished thesis, project report, and workshops, open ended questionnaire and checklists for interview. The households were selected using stratified sampling technique (Cochran) sample size formula the process of analysis of the study was carried out using qualitative description and quantitative analysis. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the quantitative data were analyzed frequency and percentage when appropriate the qualitative data were discussed to substantiate the study. And the results were expressed in the form of tables and graphs. The findings of the study indicated that limited labor availability, high cost of maintenance. Lack of knowledge, soil conditions, high surfaces runoff, poor vegetation coverage, poor monitoring and evaluation, poor implementation and poor training on the technology use are major challenges.
An overview: Importance of lignin and different analytical approaches to de-lignify it from plants
Authors: Zeyad Fadhil  , Dheaa Shamikh Zageer  , Abbas Hasan Faris  , Mohammed H Al-Mashhadani
Published: September 2021

In this short review, it is going to discuss the chemical structure of lignin. Hence the chemical structure of lignin is phenolic high crossed linking polymer so this type of polymers has high rigidity and not so easy to decay. Thus Lignin is insoluble in most organic solvent and water but slightly soluble in basic solutions. Mono-lignols are monomers to form crosslink polymer (lignin) and there are three main types (paracoumaryl. coniferyl and sinapyl) of these monomers. Lignin’s separation process is called delignification which is the procedure of extraction lignin from botanical source. Several analytical methods have been reviewed of delignification process and the most two common approaches are kraft pulping process by utilizing alkaline solution and organosolv pulping process by utilizing organic solvents.
Rate and reasons for discarding blood and blood product units at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Centre in Tanzania
Authors: Ibrahimu Sugwa Mathias  , Mhembe Malongo Tanu  , Swabra Mohammed Issa  , Orgeness Jasper Mbwambo
Published: September 2021

Blood transfusion is an essential component in modern healthcare. Blood being an irreplaceable resource needs to be appropriately utilized with preferably minimal or zero percent wastage. Only one third of required blood units are collected in a Northern Tanzania Hospital, demanding the need for zero rate of discard of blood and blood products. This study aimed to determine the rate and reasons for discarding blood and blood products at Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Centre in Tanzania. From the current study the discard rate of blood and blood component units was 2.48% and the main reason for discarding blood and blood components was Transfusion Transmitted infections, followed by plasma prepared after 24 hours of collection of blood. . Furthermore, the common discarded blood product was packed red blood cells in Northern Tanzania.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic activity of aqueous and methanolic extract of Houttuynia cordata: an in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Careen Liza Pakyntein  , Donkupar Syiem  , Daiahun Thabah  , Shelareen Ediemi Sunn
Published: September 2021

Available synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyl anisole, butylated hydroxyl toluene, propyl gallate, and ascorbic acid exhibit several side effects. To curb these side effects, more effective, less toxic, and cost-effective drugs are required. Therefore, this study aims to screen and evaluate the antioxidant as well as the anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic potential of Houttuynia cordata collected from Mairang village, West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India using several standard methods. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of H. cordata were evaluated by screening their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-dipicrylhydrozyl, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide. Total phenol and flavonoid content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteau and by AlCl3 colorimetric method respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity of the plant was determined using the protein denaturation method. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Houttuynia cordata exhibit varying free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity. Among the extracts used in the study, the methanolic extract of Houttuynia cordata elicited a higher activity than the aqueous extract. Houttuynia cordata also elicited a marked reduction in blood glucose level of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Flavonoids, which have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiallergy, and antioxidant properties may contribute towards the free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effect of Houttuynia cordata.
Assessment of environmental impacts of Rabak cement factory on vegetation and soil by cement dust
Authors: Mazahir Elhadi Abdallah Mohammed Ali  , Bashir Mohamed Elhassan  , Mutaman Ali A Kehail  , Abdelaal Ali Hammad Ali
Published: September 2021

Globally, the cement industry has been identified as a factor which causes significant pollution. This study is conducted to assess environmental impacts of cement industry - Rabak Cement Factory on vegetation and soil. Standard methods were followed in collecting, preparation and examination of some plant and soil samples from the study areas. The results showed that, the mean values of soil pH, electric conductivity and moisture contents, were (7.58, 449.38 µs/cm, 4.56%), respectively in the exposed area, and (7.28, 343.63 µs/cm, 4.31%) in the unexposed area. There were significance differences between exposed and unexposed areas with regard to concentrations of oxides of elements (Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Mn2O, Na2O and K2O) in soil and in different vegetables (Radish, Jews mallow, Fennel, Rocket) in the study area. The factory management should further provide the latest technologies to reduce industrial emissions to protect the environment and population living around the factory. Further studies are needed to investigate the impacts of cement industry on environment.
Convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19
Authors: Heena Bholaram Choudhary  , Rohan Rajkumar Patekar  , Akshita Pramod Jain  , Pratiksha Davkare  , Samkit Dilip Soni  , Shreyans Pravin Chorbele  , Sachin Devidas Rede
Published: September 2021

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in China represents a significant threat to global health. Unfortunately, effective therapeutic drugs and vaccines to cure SARS-CoV-2 are still lacking. Convalescent Plasma therapy which induces passive immunization seems a successful treatment for COVID-19 patients and also proves to be of huge value in terms of saving the severely ill patient. Plasma therapy acts by Blocking the Virus (Neutralization), Enhancing Phagocytosis (Opsonization), Immune System Activation (Complement Activation), and finally killing Virus (Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity). Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States was also given the stamp of approval for use of plasma therapy on 23 August 2020. In this review, we introduced the effective level of antibodies, potential mechanisms of CPT, WHO criteria for donating the plasma as well as future uncertainties of convalescent plasma therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Electronic patient medical records: Agility in the management of medical-expert information in the aeronautical health boards
Authors: Patrícia Mesquita Vilas Boas  , Adriana Geórgia Davim Bastos  , Walter Kischinhevsky
Published: September 2021

The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) is already a reality in the practice of many offices, diagnostic centers and hospitals. The Federal Council of Medicine (FCM) regulated its use, through FCM Resolution n° 1,821/2007 In the Health Boards (HB) of the COMAER, agencies responsible for doing the medical-expert examinations of the military force, the paper record is still the rule. There is no automatic sharing of information between HB. In this context, it is perceived the need for the implementation of the unified EPR for the COMAER HB, because it speeds up the sharing of medical-expert information of the military and allows the military to carry out their health inspections in different locations, not interfering in the planning of missions so peculiar to the force, saving time and costs, speeding up the release of the results and control of inspections. The research thus consists of the qualitative approach, with exploratory objective and bibliographic procedure, carried out in the Scielo and Google Scholar databases, based on the discussion in ten articles, in addition to the FCM Resolutions. It was noted that the perspective that EPR has direct advantages for the Institution, however, requires an abrupt cultural change to the model that is made today, to provide a greater speed among the HB, even if in the transition phase, it is chosen to use in parallel in paper and Information and Communication Technologies. Therefore, the implementation of EPR in HB can provide both multidisciplinary teams and users of COMAER HB, a more efficient medical-expert assistance by promoting information sharing and agility in the performance of Health Inspections.
Bioactivity and uses of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I.M. Johnst
Authors: Marina Silalahi
Published: September 2021

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius has been long used by ethnic groups in Indonesia for vegetables and traditional medicine. This study aims to explain the benefits of C. aconitifolius for food and its bioactivity. The method for writing is library research on scientific articles published online at Google Scholar by using the keywords: uses of C. aconitifolius and bioactivity of C. aconitifolius. All available articles were synthesized to provide comprehensive information on C. aconitifolius for food and its bioactivity. C. aconitifolius has two to three times more nutrients than spinach, spinach, Chinese cabbage, and lettuce. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius bioactivity includes antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antihypercholetrol, analgesic, antianemia, and kidney protection. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves contain macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals so that they have the potential to be developed for cheap and easily available food. On the other hand, C. aconitifolius also contains anti-nutrients such as phytate and oxalate but with proper processing the antinutrients will be degraded.
The Predictors of Multicentricity in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Mohamed Hegazi  , Waleed El Nahas  , Mohamed Elmetwally  , Amr Hassan  , Waleed Gado  , Islam Abdou  , Ahmed Senbel  , Mohamed Samir Abou-Sheishaa
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The detection of the multicentericity of thyroid cancer is essential to provide the appropriate surgical decision for the patients aiming to decrease the rate of redo surgery and recurrence Methods: A cohort study was conducted at the surgical unit of the oncology center, Mansoura university on fifty patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, all of them underwent total thyroidectomy then entire gland dissection technique for histopathological examination. Results: Preoperative radiology revealed unicentric suspicious nodules in 40 cases (80%) and no suspicious nodules in 10 cases (20%). Among the ten patients those showed no suspicious nodules radiologically, multicentricity was confirmed in 5 patients (50%) pathologically, and unicentric tumors was seen in 5 patients (50%). FNAC was done in the 40 mentioned cases and was diagnostic for them as papillary thyroid carcinoma. Among many variants of prediction during searching for the true incidence of multicentricity, only isthmic invasion and, the extra thyroid extension were the significant variants. Conclusion: Among many variants of prediction during searching for the true incidence of multicentricity, only isthmic invasion and, the extra thyroid extension were the significant variants.
Chronic Inflammatory Mediators Induced Malignant Changes in Inflammatory Microenvironment of Oral Potentialy Malignant Conditions - An Emerging Concept
Authors: T.G. Shrihari
Published: September 2021

Potentially malignant conditions of the oral cavity are potential threat to mankind because of its malignant changes later. Oral potentially malignant conditions are chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder affecting oral mucosa. Inflammatory mediators induced by chronic inflammatory microenvironment of premalignant conditions are cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, released by inflammatory cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, activate transcriptional factors such as NF-kB, STAT-3 and HIF-1, promotes cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor promotion, resistant to apoptosis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, induced invasion and metastasis. Carcinoma associated fibroblasts in tumor microenvironment originated by activated fibroblasts secretes cytokines and growth factors promotes tumor progression by cell proliferation, angiogenesis, cell survival, genomic instability, invasion and metastasis. Myeloid derived suppressor cells are specialized heterogeneous immature myeloid progenitor cells that are dendritic cells, macrophages, granulocytes produced upon chronic inflammatory mediators. These cells responsible for immune evasion, immunosuppression and tumor progression by various mechanisms and interaction with other immune cells, activating transcriptional factors such as NF-kB and STAT-3. This article describe about roles of chronic inflammatory cells and their mediators in inflammatory microenvironment of premalignant conditions bring about malignant changes in oral sub mucous fibrosis and oral lichen planus.
Boldine Activates Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway in DU-145 Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Cardile Venera  , Avola Rosanna  , C.E. Graziano Adriana  , Madrid Alejandro  , Russo Alessandra
Published: September 2021

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and continues to be a problem in the developed world. The treatment approaches for androgen-independent prostate cancer are unsatisfactory and the survival of those patients remains poor. Thus, there is a strong demand to develop novel therapeutic agents to treat and prevent this advanced malignancy. The present study evaluated the effect of boldine (2,9-dihydroxy-1,10-dimethoxy-aporphine), an aporphine alkaloid occurs abundantly in the leaves of Boldo (Peumus boldus Molina), on growth and cell death of DU-145 androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line. The cell viability was measured by MTT test and LDH release was used to quantify necrosis cell death. Genomic DNA, caspase-3 activity, expression of cleaved caspase-9, Hsp70, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were analyzed in order to study the apoptotic process. The results showed that boldine was able to reduce cell viability in the range of 60-240 mM concentrations, and suggest this aporphine alkaloid induces cell death by intrinsic apoptotic pathway that probably involves the down-regulation of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). In fact, an increase of caspase-3 enzyme activity and Bax protein expression, in conjunction with the more pronounced decrease in Bcl-2 occurred in DU-145 cells treated with boldine at 60-120 mM concentrations. In addition, caspase-9 was shown to be observably activated. Moreover, boldine such as quercetin, a well-known Hsp70 protein inhibitor, induced a reduction of Hsp70 expression. The hypothesis of apoptosis induction in our experimental conditions was reinforced by a high DNA fragmentation at 60-120 µM concentrations, not correlated to LDH release. The present findings, starting point for further investigation, suggest that boldine structure might be used to design novel derivatives for the developing of potential new drugs for advanced prostate cancer therapy.
Evolution of Cancer, Adaptive Immunity, and Immunotherapy
Authors: Autumn Smith  , Emily Elias  , Gerald M. Higa
Published: September 2021

The first clinical trials to investigate the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer were problematic because of issues related to product availability, cost, and purity. Moreover, these factors could have contributed to the modest efficacy of these agents. The ability to clone specific genes coupled with the development of recombinant DNA technology removed some major barriers such that only 20 years later, approval of the first engineered monoclonal antibody (mAb) for clinical use occurred with practice-changing implications. Subsequent to rituximab, more than 30 additional mAbs have indications for a number of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Indeed, the application of adaptive immunity is now an integral component of therapy for many cancers. This paper delves into the complex science of immunology by investigating how the term evolution is applicable to tumorigenesis, the adaptive immune response, and cancer therapy.
Lentinan, a Shiitake Mushroom ß-Glucan, Downregulates the Enhanced PD-L1 Expression Induced by Platinum Compounds in Gastric Cancer Cells -
Authors: Hiroko Ina  , Kenji Ina  , Megumi Kabeya  , Satoshi Kayukawa  , Takashi Yoshida  , Masahiko Yoneda
Published: September 2021

Background: Despite recent therapeutic improvements, the prognosis of unresectable gastric cancer remains poor. Upregulation of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumor cells is believed to be an important mechanism to escape from the host immune response. The expression of PD-L1 in tumors is regulated in a highly complex manner by various upstream signaling molecules, depending on the cell type. Given that the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents for metastatic gastric cancer is limited due to immune escape caused by enhanced PD-L1 expression, PD-1/PD-L1 targeted immunotherapy may be a promising alterative for chemotherapy. However, immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy has shown clinical benefits in less than 20% of patients with gastric cancer and its underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. On the other hand, lentinan, a glucan purified from Shiitake mushrooms, has significant immune-stimulating effects and has been reported to improve survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer receiving chemotherapy. In the current study we investigated the mechanism by which lentinan increases the chemotherapeutic efficacy by focusing on the expression of PD-L1.
Methods: To evaluate the effects of lentinan as well as antineoplastic agents, the expression of PD-L1 and associated molecules was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting using the human gastric cancer cell lines, NUGC3, MKN1, and MKN45.
Results: Treatment with either cisplatin or oxaliplatin dose-dependently enhanced PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in gastric cancer cells. However, lentinan treatment inhibited the platinum drug-stimulated expression of PD-L1 in gastric cancer cells mainly by suppressing MAPK signaling without affecting the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT pathway or transcription factors.
Conclusions: Platinum-based drugs enhanced the expression of PD-L1 via the MAPK pathway in gastric cancer cells. Lentinan downregulated PD-L1 expression induced by either cisplatin or oxaliplatin, suggesting that a combination of this glucan and platinum-based chemotherapy could restore the chemosensitivity of cells.