bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing Environmental Intelligence to Enhance Crop Management by Leveraging Deep Learning Technique
Authors: Usha S. Gandhimathi Alias
Published: August 2023

This chapter aims to enhance crop management practices by harnessing environmental intelligence through the power of deep learning techniques. Efficient and sustainable crop management is crucial for meeting the increasing demand for agricultural products while minimizing environmental impact. In recent years, the integration of deep learning techniques with environmental data has shown great potential in improving crop management practices. The proposed approach involves training deep learning model Dense Net 121 to predict important crop management factors, including yield estimation, disease, and pest outbreaks. The models are trained using historical and real-time data, enabling them to adapt and respond to dynamic environmental conditions. By capturing complex patterns and interactions, deep learning models can provide valuable insights and recommendations to farmers, enabling them to optimize resource allocation, reduce input wastage, and improve overall crop productivity.
An Integrated Approach for Selection and Design of Sustainable Farmers' Protective-Hat in India
Authors: Satapathy Suchismita
Published: August 2023

Normally, the farmers in India are required to work in adverse climatic conditions while performing their agricultural activities. Though a number of preventive measures are available for the protection of farmers, the nominal and small scale farmers are still unable to bear these expenses. Therefore, an attempt was made in this study to the select the most appropriate material using Fuzzy-TOPSIS method to carry out the design of the head-cap for farmers in terms of parameters like stiffness, cost, durability, and availability in India. Further, for a sustainable design of these head-cap, the genetic algorithm (GA) as well as Sun Flower Optimization (SFO) method were use to obtain the best fitness values based on the anthropometric dimensions of farmers' head.
Implementing STEAM Projects in Schools in Nepal Through Participatory Action Research Approach
Authors: Pant Binod Prasad , Luitel Bal Chandra , Gjtterud Sigrid , Bjønness Birgitte
Published: August 2023

The first author conducted participatory action research (PAR) with schoolteachers to design STEAM-based pedagogical approaches in two of the schools in a rural part of Nepal. This study's initial objective was to investigate innovative pedagogy contributing to improved teacher and student performance. The authors collaborated with schoolteachers and to develop integrated projects for students. The entire endeavor went on for three cycles and took approximately three years on the research site to complete. The fieldwork was initiated prior to COVID-19, in February 2019, and proceeded throughout COVID-19 and beyond. In the first cycle, inquiry-based approaches were used, in the second cycle, integrated projects were developed and implemented, and in the third cycle, the STEAM approach was initiated through several real-world projects (such as save the species). This book chapter discusses how the authors devised and implemented the ‘Save the Species' project in the third cycle with a short synopsis of the first and second cycles.
Fostering Ownership and Sustainability of School-Based Nutrition Education Intervention
Authors: Upreti Yadu Ram , Duwadi Krishna Prasad , Magar Devi Thapa , Aryal Bikash Chandra , Devkota Bhimsen , Bastien Sheri , Bjønness Birgitte
Published: August 2023

Promoting healthy nutritional behaviors in schoolchildren is still challenging since students' nutritional behaviors are influenced by multilevel determinants. This chapter unpacks a range of contextualized approaches that were the hallmarks of fostering ownership and sustainability of school-based nutrition education intervention (SBNEI) to transform nutritional behaviors in basic-level schoolchildren in a public school in Nepal. The chapter discusses three approaches to fostering the ownership and sustainability of the intervention undergoing a participatory action research (PAR) framework. The first approach is developing the intervention following the five-step bottom-up model. The second approach is considering the multilevel and multicomponent SBNEI. And the third approach is owning transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration. This chapter offers insightful learning space to the related field's teachers, educators, and researchers to consider contextualized approaches undergoing a PAR framework for fostering the ownership and sustainability of the school-based interventions.
Reviving a Forsaken Entrepot Using Integrated School Gardening
Authors: Pant Sanjaya Kumar , Luitel Bal Chandra , Pandey Manoj Kumar , Pant Binod Prasad
Published: August 2023

This chapter presents success stories from an integrated school gardening undertaken in a community school at an old Newari settlement- Dapcha. These stories depict how once a bustling commercial hub and a historic trade route located high in the hillsides have been set in a state of revival while the authors worked with co-researchers for more than a year. The chapter reflects the research journey of the first author while pursuing the Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) program made possible with concomitant support from the NORHED ‘Rupantaran' project. While working on valuing tenets of participatory action research, school gardening was discovered as an evolving pedagogical model as this contributed primarily to curriculum contextualization, and also realized its potential to revive the region's social, ecological, and economic aspects. In a bigger picture, stories evolved considering ecological sanitation (eco-san) based school gardening as roots while shooting up into multiple facets of entrepreneurism under an integrated school gardening project, as a promising pedagogical model.
Transforming Sanitation and Hygiene Behaviour of Basic-Level Students Through Participatory Classroom Pedagogy in a Public School in Nepal
Authors: Devkota Govinda Prasad , Devkota Bhimsen , Pandey Manoj Kumar , Maharjan Shyam Krishna
Published: August 2023

Despite having good intentions, participatory pedagogy and research can still impose agendas of what constitutes appropriate classroom teaching and behavioral change action. This chapter draws together participatory classroom pedagogy and students' health behavior change. Through the classroom sanitation and hygiene session with the participation of students, not only the knowledge co-creation but also the changes in sanitation and hygiene behavior of the students, as expected, have been taken as the main result of this chapter. Educational, technological, and behavioral interventions need to be conducted for sustainable sanitation and hygiene behavior change, and adequate content related to sanitation and hygiene education in the mainstream curriculum and attention should be paid to participatory pedagogy.
TRIVENI
Authors: Sunar Pushpa Kumari , Bastola Priska , Maharjan Babita , Dhungana Parbati
Published: August 2023

This book chapter attempts to share the authors' understanding and experience of exploring, knowing, and doing participatory action research (PAR) for transformative learning in the context of Nepal. With more than fifteen years of teaching-learning experience, the authors have realized that participation and collaboration can transform our educational practices, school community, and society; and emphasized PAR as one such research approach that helps to bring all the stakeholders together to solve the issues related to the school community and improve their practices. Nevertheless, doing PAR also has some challenges. Hence the primary purpose of this chapter is to mitigate those challenges in PAR by proposing the framework of 'TRIVENI': engage, enact, and empower as a tool for PAR for transformative learning. Subscribing collaborative inquiry, this chapter presents the authors' conceptual understanding of PAR and its connection with transformative learning and challenges in PAR. With the help of empirical studies, the authors propose a framework for overcoming challenges in PAR.
Truck Fuel Consumption Prediction Using Logistic Regression and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Shamuyarira Sheunesu Brandon , Tawanda Trust , Munapo Elias
Published: August 2023

Rising international oil costs and the transport industry's recovery from the effects of Covid-19 resulted in the efficient management of fuel by logistics companies becoming a significant concern. One way of managing this is by analyzing the fuel consumption of trucks so as to better utilize the costly resource. Twenty-three driving data variables were gathered from 210 freight trucks and analyzed this data. Relevant variables that impact truck fuel consumption were extracted from the initial 23 variables gathered using stepwise regression, and then a prediction model was built from the identified relevant variables utilizing a binary logistic regression model. In addition, a back propagation neural network was employed in this study to create a second model of truck fuel use, and comparisons between the two models were made. The outcomes showed that the binary logistic regression model and the back-propagated neural network model prediction accuracy were 68.4% and 77.2%, respectively.
Exploring Totalitarian Elements of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education With Hannah Arendt
Authors: Watanabe Alice
Published: August 2023

From the perspective of political philosophy, this article examines the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) applications in higher education contain totalitarian elements. Drawing on the theoretical considerations of Hannah Arendt, the author first identifies the key characteristics of total domination and then relates these to two AI applications in the field of higher education: adaptive learning systems and AI-based text generators. On this basis, the article elaborates on the similarities between concrete AI technologies and totalitarian structures. Finally, the author formulates questions that can be used to examine if concrete AI applications exhibit totalitarian traits. The aim of this theoretical contribution is to provide a perspective that will help to identify new dangers of AI or to see already known dangers in a new light, leading to a deeper and broader discourse on the consequences of AI.
Socio-economic effects on informal caregivers of long-term hospitalized adult patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: De Silva G. P. Upul , Varun S. , Kariyawasam Sachini T. , Jayawardane Malaka D. , Lakmal M. A. Chamila , Kariyawasam Maneesh D. , Nandasena Malith Sachintha , Pathirana Aloka , Weerasekera Deepaka
Published: August 2023

Introduction: A significant proportion of patients are being treated at hospitals in the government sector in Sri Lanka. Informal caregivers play a major role in taking care of hospitalized surgical patients while facing physical, social, and psychological challenges.Objective: To describe the socio-economic effects on informal caregivers of long-term hospitalized adult patients.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 202 informal caregivers of long-term hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Sociodemographic assessment of both caregiver and care recipient, the health status of the care recipient, effects on social life, and economic aspect of informal caregiver were assessed.Results: Most of the caregivers were married (n=164, 81.2%), first degree relative of the care receiver (n=139, 68.8%), employed (n=115, 56.9%) and sole caregivers (n=130, 64.4%). Four out of 5 caregivers (n=181, 89.6%) showed moderate to severe socio-economic maladaptation. Increasing age (p=0.00), marital status (p=0.00) and sole caregiving (p=0.01) are significantly associated with the level of maladaptation.Conclusion: Moderate to severe levels of maladaptation is present among a substantial number of informal caregivers of long-term hospitalized patients. Sole caregiving is one of the contributing factors and can be addressed by adequate formal caregivers appointed by health care authorities or from voluntary services to minimize informal caregiver burnout.
Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among vaccinated individuals: A hospital-based study
Authors: Govindapala Dumitha , Jayasekara Priyamali , Rajramanan Rajmohan , De Silva Nipun
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Post-vaccination infections impart the need for real-world data on protection conferred by the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to evaluate the severity of post-vaccination COVID-19 and the predictors of severe disease.Methods:This cross-sectional study analysed data from 307 patients admitted to the University Hospital KDU with confirmed COVID- 19 from March 1st to November 1st, 2021, after receiving at least a single dose of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination status and the disease severity were classified using standard definitions. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to investigate severe/critical disease predictors.Results: Of the surveyed patients, 122(39.7%) were fully vaccinated, 127(41.4%) were partially vaccinated and 58 (18.9%) had developed the disease within 14 days of the first vaccine dose. Most were Sinopharm vaccine recipients (52.4 %). Non- severe disease was observed among 249(81.1%) patients and 47(15.3%) had severe disease, while 11(3.6%) needed ICU care (critical illness). Severe/critical disease was reported among 32(25.2%) partially vaccinated and 13(22.4%) patients who developed the disease within 14 days of the first vaccine dose. Of the patients deemed to have vaccine breakthrough infections (122 fully vaccinated patients), 13(10.6%) suffered severe/critical disease. Patients with comorbidity experienced more severe/critical illness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 3.684, P=0.003) than those without pre-existing medical conditions. Disease progression to severe or critical illness was significantly higher among Sinopharm recipients than Covisheild recipients (AOR:2.064, P=0.048).Conclusions: Comorbidity was the most important predictor of severe COVID-19 irrespective of the vaccination status. Observed higher incidence of severe disease among Sinopharm recipients warrants more extensive population studies.
Evaluation of the Occupational Radiation Exposure from C-arm Fluoroscopy during Common Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures: DAP-based Dose Simulation Method
Authors: Liyanage Sudeeptha , Wickramarathne Hiran Tharanga , Kalpana Udari , Hewavithana Badra
Published: August 2023

The use of fluoroscopy in orthopaedic operations cause a risk for radiation-induced carcinoma for the theatre staff. Thus, the aim of the study was to calculate the occupational radiation doses (ORD) for the orthopaedic theatre crew during fluoroscopy-guided surgeries and to compare them with accepted reference standards. The end Dose Area Products (DAP) were recorded for the commonest 3 types of orthopaedic surgeries by observing 50 surgeries in 2 hospital. The ORD for 4 types of theatre personnel were simulated using. ORDs were statistically analyzed. The calculated mean annual dosage was 0.977mSv. All dosages fell significantly below the reference threshold (20mSv) or less annually. The mean doses that each member of the staff received during the same surgery was different from one another. The orthopaedic surgeon predominantly receives the highest ORD (88.89%), whilst the anaesthetist receives the least (77.78%).
Knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care among medical officers at National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayake Ruchira Sarangi , Nilaweera Irosha , Vithana Chiranthika , Dilhani Sachintha , Nawaratne Sashiprabha , Perera Suraj
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Though palliative care is an essential component in the continuum of cancer care, it is still at an evolving phase in Sri Lanka.Objective: To identify knowledge, attitude, self-perceived competencies in practicing palliative care and factors associated among medical officers in National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among doctors in National Cancer Institute in 2020/21 using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care. Doctors worked less than 3 months and directly not involved in patient care were excluded. Scoring systems were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies. A descriptive analysis of data was done using SPSS 21 using median scores, frequencies and chi- square test. Ethical clearance was taken from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.   Results: Out of 120 doctors included in the study, 83 (69.3%) were females and 37 (30.7%) were males. Majority 101(84.2%) were Sinhalese. Sixty (60%) were 31-40 years. Eleven (9.2%) had training in service. Five (4.2%) had a percentage score for knowledge ≤50 while 57 (47.5%) had > 75. Only 3 (2.5%) had a percentage score for attitudes of 51-75 while 116 (96.7%) had > 75. For competency level 57 (47.5%) had percentage score ≤50 while 23 (19.2%) had > 75. Ethnicity, age, work experience, receiving undergraduate training were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (p > .05).Conclusion: Though level of knowledge and attitudes were high, self -perceived competencies were low which highlights the need of training in palliative care. Eg: undergraduate curricular and in-service.
A rare case of multidrug resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata catheter-related bloodstream infection and an updated brief literature review
Authors: Colangelo Cosimo , Tiecco Giorgio , Di Gregorio Marco , Capone Susanna , Allegri Roberto Luigi , De Francesco Maria , Caccuri Francesca , Caruso Arnaldo , Castelli Francesco , Focà Emanuele
Published: August 2023

Leclercia adecarboxylata is a gram-negative bacillus, a ubiquitous microorganism, which may be found in both aquatic environments and soil, it was first described by H. Leclerc in 1962 and was reclassified thanks to more sensitive testing methods. L. adecarboxylata has been recently recognized as an emerging pathogen that causes several clinical syndromes not only in immunocompromised patients.
Принцип инвариантности для чисел частиц в ячейках обобщенной схемы размещения
Authors: Fazekas Istvan , Chuprunov Alexej Nikolaevich
Published: August 2023

Пусть $\eta_1,…,\eta_N$ - обобщенная схема размещения $n$ частиц по $N$ ячейкам, определенная независимыми случайными величинами $\xi_1,…,\xi_N$, которые имеют распределение степенного ряда с параметром $\beta$. Обозначим через $m(\beta)$ и $\sigma^2(\beta)$ математическое ожидание и дисперсию случайной величины $\xi_i$ и будем считать, что $\frac{n}{N}=m(\beta)$. Рассматриваются случайные процессы $X_{n,N}(t)=\sum_{i=1}^{[tN]}\eta_i $ и $Y_{n,N}(t)=n^{-1/2}(X_{n,N}(t)-[tN]\frac{n}{N})$, $0\le t\le 1$. Указаны условия, при которых случайные процессы $\sigma_{-1}(\beta)\sqrt{\frac{n}{N}}Y_{n,N}$ сходятся по распределению при $n,N\to\infty$ в пространстве Скорохода к броуновскому мосту, а также условия, при которых случайные процессы $X_{n,N}$ сходятся по распределению (когда $n$ фиксировано, а $N\to\infty$) в пространстве Скорохода к случайному процессу $nF_n$, где $F_n$ - эмпирический процесс.
О линейной эквивалентности кусочно-линейных подстановок поля $\mathbb{F}_{2^{n}}$
Authors: Menyachikhin A V
Published: August 2023

Изучаются условия линейной эквивалентности кусочно-линейных и частично заданных кусочно-линейных подстановок поля $\mathbb{F}_{2^{n}}$.
Новые границы нелинейности PN-функций и APN-функций над конечными полями
Authors: Ryabov Vladimir Gennadievich
Published: August 2023

Нелинейность векторной функции над конечным полем в статье определяется как расстояние Хэмминга от нее до множества аффинных отображений в пространстве значений всех векторных функций. Для произвольного поля из $q$ элементов получены нижние границы нелинейности PN- и APN-функций от $n$ переменных, равные $q^n - \sqrt { q^n - 3 \cdot 2^{-2}} - 2^{-1}$ и $q^n - \sqrt { 2q^n - 7 \cdot 2^{-2}} - 2^{-1}$ соответственно и улучшающие ранее известные границы для булевого случая. Показано, что в качестве верхней границы нелинейности таких функций может быть использована величина $q^n - n - 1$. При $q = 2,3,4$ получены точные значения нелинейности PN- и APN-функций малой размерности.
Атака Винера и слабые ключи криптосистемы RSA
Authors: Trishin Andrei Evgen'evich
Published: August 2023

Доказано, что обобщенная атака Винера на криптосистему RSA позволяет находить не только малые, но и некоторые большие показатели расшифрования $d$, а доля слабых относительно данной атаки показателей $d$ эвристически оценивается величиной $O(N^{-1/2})$.
Ветвящиеся процессы в случайной среде с замораживаниями
Authors: Korshunov Ivan Dmitrievich
Published: August 2023

Известно, что ветвящийся процесс в случайной среде тесно связан с соответствующим случайным блужданием $S_n = \xi_1 + \dotsb + \xi_n$, где $\xi_k = \ln \varphi_{\eta_k}'(1)$. Здесь $\varphi_x (t)$ и $\{ \eta_k \}_{k = 1}^{\infty}$ - производящая функция числа потомков и случайная среда соответственно. В статье изучается вероятность вырождения ветвящегося процесса в случайной среде с замораживаниями при $\mathsf{E} \xi_1 > 0$, отличающегося от обычного ветвящегося процесса в случайной среде тем, что каждое значение среды устанавливается на несколько поколений. Оказывается, что такой процесс также тесно связан со случайным блужданием $S_n = \tau_1 \xi_1 + \dotsb + \tau_n \xi_n$, где $\xi_k = \ln \varphi_{\eta_k}'(1)$. Здесь $\varphi_x (t)$ и $\{ \eta_k \}_{k = 1}^{\infty}$ - производящая функция числа потомков одной частицы при условии среды $x$ и случайная среда соответственно, а $\tau_k$ - длительность $k$-го замораживания. Статья содержит несколько условий, достаточных для невырождения процесса с положительной вероятностью, и несколько условий, достаточных для вырождения процесса с вероятностью $1$.
Сходящаяся теория возмущений и предел сильной связи в квантовой электродинамике
Authors: Komarova Marina Vladimirovna , Nalimov Mikhail Yur'evich
Published: August 2023

Известный формализм построения сходящейся квантово-полевой теории возмущений с конечным радиусом сходимости модифицирован для получения сходящихся рядов в квантовой электродинамике. Доказано, что построенные ряды сходятся, определен радиус сходимости. Сходящаяся квантово-полевая теория возмущений использована для исследования предела сильной связи в квантовой электродинамике и в модели критического поведения $\varphi^4$. Получены пределы сильной связи для $\beta$-функций рассматриваемых теорий. Подтверждено, что полюс Ландау в квантовой электродинамике действительно существует и не является артефактом теории возмущений.
Will We Tire of Case Reports?
Authors: Wamalwa Alex Okello
Published: August 2023

No abstract.
Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction Post Resection of a Giant Malignant Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: A Case Report
Authors: Dahir Mohamed , Ojuka Daniel , Hungu Eric , Wamalwa Alex
Published: August 2023

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) are a rare group of mammary fibroepithelial lesions accounting for up to 1% of breast tumors. They display biologic diversity, ranging from benign to malignant. PTs of the breast are mostly found in females aged 35–55 years and are rare in adolescents and the elderly. They usually present as a fast growing, painless breast mass. The treatment of choice for PTs is complete excision with clear margins. In patients with large PTs, breast reconstruction results in better outcome and increased satisfaction.Our patient, a 39-year-old female presented with an enlarging breast mass over a period of 6 months. Physical examination showed a large, ulcerated mass involving the entire right breast. Histopathology revealed features of a malignant PT. Total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with a pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and symmetrization reduction mastopexy of the left breast was done. At 6 months, the patient has not shown any gross tumor recurrence with acceptable cosmesis.
Stereological evaluation of volume densities of ovarian follicular components in hyperprolactin rats treated with immature coconut water.
Authors: Airat Bakare , Benedict Falana , Ini-ibehe Okoko , Oladayo Babalola , Victor Ukwenya , Temitayo Abdulkareem
Published: August 2023

Background: Hyperprolactinaemia distorts ovarian structural and functional development, causing anovulation and infertility. The evaluations of volume densities (VDs) of structural components of the ovary such as; granulosa cells, theca cells and antrum have been previously used to measure folliculogenesis and determine the physiological status of ovaries. Immature coconut water (ICW) has been found to contain β-sitosterol, a compound capable of synthesizing steroid hormones in-vivo. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of ICW on VDs of follicular components in hyperprolactin rats. Methods: Mature female Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with hyperprolactinaemia and withdrawn to check for recovery status of an experimental induction and another set of rats were post-treated with ICW for 8, 16 and 28 days. The animals were sacrificed at the end of administration, ovarian tissues were harvested and histologically processed for the stereological evaluations of follicular components. Results: VDs of the antrum, granulosa cells and theca cells in the 16 and 28 days post-treated groups (19.25±7.46 ;43.22± 5.10;15.22±3.40 at16 days and 17.70±3.56; 42.75±5.23;15.10±3.60 at 28 days for the antrum, granulosa cells and theca cells respectively) were statistically comparable with the control group (19.76 ± 6.15; 43.75 ±5.71; 15.10± 3.81 for the antrum, granulosa cells and theca cells respectively) while the 16 and 28 days recovery groups (38.57±4.00*;27.20±6.32*;13.66±2.54 at 16 days and 36.58±4.00 *;24.39±5.77*;14.71±2.49 at 28 days for the antrum, granulosa cells and theca cells respectively) were not comparable with the control. Conclusion: These indicate that ICW stimulates follicular growth in hyperprolactin post-treated rats in the same structural pattern as the control group, which can depict a physiological approach.
Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Mimosa pudica on insect repellent-induced injury in the lungs of adult Wistar rats
Authors: EHI-Omosun Mabel Bilu , Bello Jimoh
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Mimosa pudica in the lungs of adult Wistar rats exposed to insect-repellent mist. 30 adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups; group A-E comprising of 6 rats per group. Group A rats were placed on rat food and water only. Group B rats were exposed to insect repellant only via inhalation. Group C rats were given Mimosa pudica extract orally at 500mg/Kg body weight per day (BWT/D) and Group D rats were exposed to Mosquito repellent and received low dose of the plant extract at (250mg/kg BWT/D) and Group E rats were exposed to mosquito repellent and received (500mg/kg BWT/D) of extract. The dosages were given for 30 consecutive days via orogastric method. There was significant increase in body weight in all treated groups. The haematological outcome showed that insect repellent caused some derangements in haematological parameters especially haematocrit, plateletcrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Histologically, Group D showed an expanded lumen of the bronchioles and shrunken activated immune system. Group E showed a more activated immune system and contracted bronchial artery. Mosquito repellant induced vascular ulceration, bronchiolar mucosal ulceration and activated lymphoid tissue in Group B. These effects were reversed by Mimosa pudica leaf extract. In conclusion, Mimosa pudica had ameliorative effect against mosquito repellant induced injury in the lungs.
A review of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
Authors: Medugu N. , Imran J. , Musa-Booth T. O. , Makun B. , Adegboro B.
Published: August 2023

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is characterized by widespread epithelial necrosis and/or superficial blistering of the skin following infection by some toxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The disease primarily affects children under the age of 5 years, but it can also occur in adults. Due to the recent increase in reported cases of SSSS, we have reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including the development of vaccines for S. aureus infections. Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and websites of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), were searched for publications on SSSS written in English language. Our review showed that SSSS is more common in children, amongst whom it carries a mortality rate of <5%, as opposed to mortality rate of >50% in affected adults. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins are recommended for the treatment of SSSS, and administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may aid early recovery. Important staphylococcal vaccine candidates are also highlighted in the review.
Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections by ELISA in donors testing negative with rapid ICT in Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwo C. G. , Obazee Y. D. , Sanni E. O. , Ezike N. K. , Adegboro B. , Asalu A. F.
Published: August 2023

Background: Blood transfusion saves lives, but it is associated with many complications which include transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). The major objectives of this study were to determine; the prevalence of TTIs in the blood donated at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria from 01 January to 31 December 2019; investigate the accuracy of rapid immunochromatographic (ICT) tests for preliminary TTIs screening of blood donors’ samples and confirmed by ELISA test; and establish baseline data that will provide the impetus for improvement in equipment, infrastructure, and health system management, with the ultimate goal of ensuring safer blood transfusion practice.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of records of blood donors at the Blood Bank of Asokoro District Hospital, a quasi-tertiary centre situated at Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), northcentral Nigeria, between 01 January to 31 December 2019. The socio-demographic biodata (age and gender), blood parameters (PCV and blood groups), and TTIs test results (by rapid ICT kit and ELISA) of donors were manually extracted from the record books of the hospital’s blood bank. Only donor blood samples that initially tested negative for TTIs met the inclusion criteria. The data were entered into the spreadsheet of Microsoft Excel, and analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 23.0. Chi square test was used to determine association between variables and p value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

Results: A total of 1400 blood samples of donors, received within the study period, met the inclusion criteria of testing negative for TTIs on rapid ICT kit test. The mean age (± SD) of the donors was 35.6±6.7 years with age range of 18-67 years. The median age was 35 years, and the predominant age group was 30-39 years, accounting for 55.4% (775/1400). Majority of the donors (97.1%, 1359/1400) were males. In terms of ABO blood group distribution, group O Rh D positive was the commonest, followed by group A Rh D positive, while the least is group AB Rh D positive. The overall prevalence of TTIs by ELISA test was 4.9% (68/1400). This prevalence was highest for HCV (1.9%, 26/1400), followed by HIV (1.2%, 17/1400), HBV (0.9%, 13/1400) and syphilis (0.9%, 12/1400).

Conclusion: The detection of TTIs by ELISA test from false negative donor samples preliminarily screened with rapid ICT kit highlighted by our study speaks to the unreliability of rapid ICT kits in screening of blood donors for TTIs. There is need therefore for health authorities in Nigeria and other LMICs to ensure widespread availability of highly sensitive blood screening methods such as ELISA to the point where it will be possible to enforce legislation against the use of the less accurate rapid ICT screening kits.
On de facto moral friends and a two-level, multimodal account of moral considerability: A critique of Metzian relationalism
Authors: Ganya Wandile
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to ground an argument for a widened scope in regard to the motivations or reasons accounting for moral  considerability. Such a scope, it is here argued, would account not only for human persons but animals, ecosystems, hypothetical artificial  moral agents and so-called Martians as well. And it does so by first distinguishing between two categories of entities: members  of group X, and entities not of group X. This basic distinction is then employed to articulate the groundwork for a two-level, multimodal  account of moral considerability and gives signification to the idea of de facto moral friends. To achieve this, it appropriates much of its  central tenets from the affluence of African philosophical, and intellectual heritage, on this occasion, the notion of Ubuntu. Lastly, this  paper assumes the viewpoint of metaethical X-centrism, alternatively, metaethical anthropocentrism in constructing moral claims
“It” and personhood in African philosophy
Authors: Maraganedzha Mutshidzi
Published: August 2023

The question of the nature of “it” and the progression1 from “it” to an “it” in Ifeanyi Menkiti’s normative conception of a person has  created divisions amongst philosophers in African philosophy. In this article, I attempt to offer a charitable interpretation of Menkiti’s use  of an “it” to denote an individual’s life through the usage of epistemological and ontological tools to assess the individual’s  performance. In doing so, I argue that a better account of the progression is from an “it” to an “it+” rather than from an “it” to an “it-it”  as formulated by Edwin Etieyibo. This formulation of the nameless dead acknowledges that the latter “it” is significantly distinct from the  first “it” as it possesses a number of properties that are distinct from its former “it”, with the moral force as the significant factor in its  constitution. In this article, I seek to argue that accepting Etieyibo’s formulations of the latter “it” as an “it-it” risks complicating the  normative account of a person conceptually.
Complementary personhood and gender: An interrogation within African philosophy
Authors: Ofana Diana Ekor
Published: August 2023

In this paper, I argue for an Afro-communitarian account of personhood that considers the value of complementarity as a necessary part  of human existence. The reason for conceptualizing personhood as a complementary enterprise is to dispel the understanding of gender  that sustains gender inequality. I aim to explore the logic that characterizes complementary personhood as a specific kind of Afro-communitarian personhood that can account for gender complementarity. I argue that the universalized idea of patriarchy and gender,  as construed within Western feminist theorizing, cannot account for every society as these concepts differ from culture to culture. In this  paper, I use complementary personhood as a lens through which a fluid understanding of gender and gender relations can be drawn  against the backdrop of the hierarchy and binary opposition that undergird most Western interrogations of the concepts of gender and  patriarchy. To do so, I present an overview of what complementary personhood entails. The preceding elucidation would become the  basis for understanding the Afro-centric notion of gender relation. I then tease out an Afro- centric triangle of gender relations using the  Ezumezu logical system as its background logic.
Phytochemical and antibacterial studies of methanolic extract and fractions of Guiera senegalensis leaves
Authors: Abubakar Kasimu , Mikailu Aminu Y. , Sidi Abdulrahaman H. , Tukur Mukhtar , Abubakar Mudassir , Yusuf Muhammad M.
Published: August 2023

The aim of the research study was to carry out phytochemical and antibacterial studies of methanolic leaves extract and its fractions of Guiera senegalensis. The plant material was collected, identified, shed dried and pulverized to fine powder using pestle and mortar. The powdered plant material was subjected to maceration using methanol to obtained crude methanol leaf extract which was then partitioned using n-hexane, chloroform ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The extract and the fractions obtained were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedure, to detect the presence of secondary metabolites. The antibacterial assay of the extract and its fractions against S. aureus, B. subtilus, P.mirabilis and S. typhyrium were investigated using agar well diffusion method at different concentration (100 – 12.5 mg/mL). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites which varies in the extract and fractions. The extract and its fractions showed significant (p< 0.05) antibacterial activities against all the test isolates with the methanol extract having the highest mean zone of inhibition ranging from 2.00±1.00d-24.00±1.00* mm then followed by ethyl acetate fraction with the mean zone of inhibitions from 4.00±1.00d-22.00±1.00* mm the n-butanol fraction and the chloroform fraction had mean zone from 4.00±1.00d-18.50±1.00* mm and 4.00±1.00d-17.60±1.00d mm respectively while n-hexane fraction recorded lower mean zone of inhibition from 4.00±1.00a-15.00±1.00* The standard drug Ciprofloxacin had mean zone of inhibition from 16.20±0.00-39.0±0.00 mm. The most sensitive organism was S. aureus, while the least sensitive organism was S. typhyrium. The study has validated the ethnomedicinal claim for the use of this plant in treatment of antibacterial infections.
Spatial analysis of heavy metals in septic tank sewage
Authors: Oyem Hector H. , Oyem Ifeanyi M.
Published: August 2023

Heavy metals get to humans through food, water, air, and industrial activities. They arrive at septic tanks through the excretory products of man and undergo anaerobic bioremediation. Effluent and sludge sewage in both chambers of the tank contains various amounts of trace metals. The research analyses the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the effluent and sludge components of the septic tank during bioremediation. Effluent and sludge samples were randomly collected from three study locations in southern Nigeria, and composite samples were made for each of these study locations. Nine trace metals were analysed using standard methods by the American Public Health Association (APHA) for water and wastewater examination. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Cr were the most abundant. Effluent heavy metals concentrations were higher in the inlet chamber. There were strong positive correlation (r = 0.90, 0.99, and 0.99) between the effluent and sludge samples. P-values obtained from the ANOVA at a 0.05 significance level confirmed the correlation values. Multivariate charts and regression analysis gave R2-values in the range of 0.3045 – 0.3724 in the study with a mean value of 0.33. In conclusion, the effluent and sludge samples were strongly correlated and all the metal types analysed were also present in the sludge in similar proportions. The sludge contained significant levels of trace metals with dire implications for the environment.
Toxicity assessment of methanol extract of Combretum micranthum in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Abubakar Bilyaminu , Giaze Rabiu T. , Nasir Ibrahim , Aminu Nafiu
Published: August 2023

Combretum micranthum leaves have been used traditionally in West Africa to manage pyrexia, cough, bronchitis, diabetes, malaria and other related ailments. It has also been demonstrated to alleviate high blood pressure and skin inflammation. Drosophila melanogaster has been gaining acceptability in biomedical research because of homologs of its genes present in humans and the relative cost of research using the flies. The purpose of the study is to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of Combretum micranthum leaves in Drosophila melanogaster. The leaves were extracted using 90%v/v methanol. The extract was screened for presence of phytochemicals, acute and sub-acute toxicity using fruit flies. Doses between 5- and 100 mg/10 g diet for the acute toxicity study while 0 (Control), 1.5, 3 and 6 mg/10 g diet for the sub-acute toxicity study. The phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. The acute toxicity study revealed an LD50 of 26.42 mg/10 g diet. The methanol extract of Combretum micranthum have no effect on the weight of fruit flies (p<0.05) among the different interventions. It also did not affect negative geotaxis ability of the fruit flies irrespective of the dose. At 6 mg/10 g diet, the extract raised triglyceride and trehalose levels when compared to the other doses (p<0.05). Glucose and glycogen levels were not different among groups. Overall, the results indicated that the methanol extract of Combretum micranthum at a dose of 6 mg/ 10 g diet is tolerable in Drosophila melanogaster.
On Complemented Soft Group (S-Group)
Authors: Elijah Edeghagba E. , Muhammad Umar F. , Mohammed Abdullahi , Ibrahim Abubakar S.
Published: August 2023

In this study, we discuss the concept of complemented soft groups or S-groups in detail. We provide the definition of an S-group and a complemented S-group and investigate the properties of these groups. We also prove a theorem that characterizes the relationship between a complemented S-group and a normal subgroup of the group. Overall, this research aims to contribute to the development of the theory of complemented S-groups.
In vitro activity of the ethanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica on the management of some fungal diseases affecting carrots in Sokoto state, Nigeria
Authors: Sokoto Rabi’atu M.
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the effectiveness of the seeds of Azadrachta indica plant extract as botanical antimicrobials on some fungi isolates associated with carrot plant diseases in Sokoto State of Nigeria. The fungi were isolated from diseased carrot plants from selected farms (Moreh, Badageni and Ruggar Liman farms) in the area. Azadrachta indica plant was extracted using ethanol. The common fungi isolated were Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor hiemalis and Penicillium notatum. The seeds extract of the plant produced a zone of inhibition of 16.33 mm ± 2.52 mm against M. hiemalis. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of the plant extract on the fungi isolated were then determined. The MIC of the extract tested against the organisms inhibited the growth of the fungi at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 6.3 mg/ml for all the organisms. The highest Minimum Fungicidal Concentration was 12.5 mg/ml on A. alternata while the least MFC was on A. alternata at 6.3mg/ml. The MIC and MFC values were observed to vary with the type of organism tested. The findings revealed that Azadrachta indica could be effective in the treatment of fungi associated with carrot plant. The study recommends that the in-vivo study of the plants effectiveness in treating carrot diseases be undertaken.
Biochemical influence of Annona muricata on the basal renal profile of healthy adult Wistar rats
Authors: Agu Kingsley C. , Olubodun Stella O.
Published: August 2023

Numerous ethnopharmacological benefits have been attributed to Annona muricata, including, wound healing, anti-arthritic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective and antineoplastic effects. This study is a baseline investigation of the influence of A. muricata on renal profile of healthy adult Wistar rats. A total of 144 adult male Wistar rats of average weight (100 - 150 g) were randomly divided into six groups (1-6): Group 1 served as control (0 mg/kg), Groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were orally treated doses of methanol extracts of the leaf, stem-bark, fruit-pulp or root-bark of A. muricata (each) at 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively, for a total of twenty-eight days consecutively. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical assays were done, including, plasma electrolytes and plasma urea/creatinine. The results of rats treated with different parts of A. muricata exhibited various changes. The changes observed in plasma electrolytes and non-protein nitrogen compounds did not give information of any significant deleterious effects for the rats treated with leaf and fruit-pulp extracts, as there were relative decreases in plasma urea and creatinine levels at the highest administered dose (800 mg/kg) following an initial increase (600 mg/kg). Conversely, the plasma urea and creatinine levels of rats treated with stem-bark and root-bark extracts significantly increased at 800 mg/kg, when compared with control. The fruit-pulp caused a significantly increased plasma urea/creatinine, while the root-bark extract led to a decrease, both at 800 mg/kg. The study indicates that A. Muricata possess relatively safe toxicity influence on renal functions.
Design and construction of a DC – DC power supply for powering USB soldering iron
Authors: Yusuf Yahaya , Shehu Sani , Musa Anas , Anka Abubakar M. , Sa’adu Lawal
Published: August 2023

Power supply is an electrical device that converts electric current from a source to the desired voltage, current and frequency to power an electrical load. The universal serial bus (USB) soldering iron available in the market operates on a 5-volt direct current (DC) supply. Essentially, it can be powered by any cell phone charger that is capable of providing an output power of not less than 8 watts. Absence of constant power supply from the national grid at times inhibit effective use of this soldering iron. To power it directly from storage battery is inappropriate as most batteries are rated as 2.7, 3.7, 6, and 12 volts. This paper deals with the design and construction of an inexpensive portable regulated power supply to power a USB soldering iron from a 12 volt power supply. The circuit was designed and simulated using Proteus software “intelligent schematic input system (ISIS)” before the construction procedure. Deep discharge protection that safeguard storage battery against under voltage and reverse polarity protections were added to the design. These special features distinguished it from those available in the market. Two light emitting diodes (LED) serve as indicators for low and normal condition of battery while sound from a buzzer shows that the input terminals of the circuit were wrongly connected. The system was tested and found to work as anticipated.
The collision theory of unimolecular reactions: A second possibility to Lindemann’s proposal
Authors: Akpan Inemesit A. , Offiong Nnanake-Abasi O. , Akai Uwem P.
Published: August 2023

Lindemann’s collision theory of unimolecular reactions was studied theoretically with comparative real-life assumptions. The result holds that there is a second possibility to the Lindemann’s proposal by applying quantitative/mathematical models, and assuming that in a bimolecular collision, both molecules are equally energized. This represents the second possibility of Lindemann’s proposal and is hereby presented to enhance the study of chemical kinetics.