bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphometric parameters of clavicles among adult Black people in Tanzania
Authors: Alexander A.G. , Russa A.D. 
Published: June 2020

Morphological clavicular variation has been studied extensively by orthopaedic surgeons, anatomic and forensic experts to explain developmental, gender and age-related differences. The design of fixation devices for displaced clavicular fracture management depends largely on anatomic characteristics of clavicle. Eighty-one unpaired clavicles of unknown sex were studied, 42 clavicles were of right side and 39 clavicles of left side. All the clavicles were collected from adult cadavers which were dissected in Departments of Anatomy at Muhimbili and Herbert Kairuki Memorial Universities. The length of clavicle was measured by a vernier calliper; the middle point of this length was taken as the point where midclavicular circumference was measured with the help of a measuring thread and the angle of curvature of clavicle was measured by using protractors. The average lengths of the left and right clavicles were 15.23±1.12 cm and 15.43±1.01cm respectively. The average medial angle of curvature of left clavicle was 155.33° ± 4.39°and that of right clavicle was 153.40° ± 3.96°. The mean total angle of curvature of left clavicle was 293.54˚± 9.55°and the average total angle of curvature of right clavicle was 290.05±8.94°. The average midclavicular circumference of left clavicle was 3.88cm ± 0.33cm and that of right clavicle was 3.94cm±0.33cm. The right clavicle was longer than the left clavicle, the average medial angle of curvature of left clavicle was greater than medial angle of right clavicle, the average lateral angle of curvature of left clavicle was more than the average lateral angle of curvature of right clavicle and the mean of midclavicular circumference of right clavicle was greater than that of left clavicle.
Keywords: Morphometric, clavicle, curvatures, circumference
Effect of pretreatments on the germination and early growth performance of Moringa oleifera seeds (Lam) at nursery stage
Authors: Esor P.E. , Alobi A.O. , Aboh A.A. 
Published: June 2020

Some fruits have difficulties in germination hence their propagation is adversely affected by seed coat dormancy resulting in poor inhibitions and germination potential. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of pre-treatments on the germination and early growth performance of Moringa oleifera seedlings at nursery stage. The pre-treatment included soaking 24hours, 48 hours, 72hours and control seed not soaked. The experiment was arranged in a Complete Randomize Design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications. A total of 360 seeds (Three replications of 90 seeds) per treatment weresown. The growth parameters such as number of leaves, numbers of branches, stem height, stem width and leaf area were assessed. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Germination percentage across the various pre- germination treatments revealed that Moringa seeds soaked for 24hours had the highest percentage germination of 87.7% closely followed by seeds soaked in cold water for 48hours (68.8%). The least percentage germination was observed in Moringa seeds soaked in water for 72hours (53.3%). The results also indicated that pre-treatments of Moringa seeds significantly (P<0.05) improved the performance of the seedlings with regards to number of leaves, branches, plant height, stem width and leaf area with 24hours Moringa oleifera seeds soaked in cold water.
Keywords: Pre-treatment, Germination, Growth performance, Nursery, Moringa oleifera
Assessment of combined toxic effects of potassium bromateand sodium nitrite in some key renal markers in male Wistar rats
Authors: Adewale O.O. , Aremu K.H. , Adeyemo A.T. 
Published: June 2020

Objective: Potential combined nephrotoxic effect following simultaneous administration of two food additives: potassium bromate (PBR) (20 mg/kg of body weight, twice weekly) and sodium nitrite (SNT) (60mg/kg of body weight as a single dose) orally was investigated.
Methods: Nephrotoxicity was assessed by determining urea, creatinine and electrolyte concentrations in the serum. In addition, concentrations of nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, total thiol, malondialdehyde and activities of arginase, adenosine deaminase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione perioxidase in the kidney were investigated.
Results: The results revealed that individual exposure to PBR or SNT significantly induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats however, this was enhanced by co-exposure as evidenced by significant alteration in these kidney markers when compared with the control.
Conclusion: This study accentuates the risk of enhanced nephrotoxicity in food containing both additives.
Key words: Potassium bromate, sodium nitrite, renal markers.
Design and construction of the thin vault for the reinforced concrete ceiling of the Public Hall of the Cassa di Risparmio Bank headquarters in L’Aquila
Authors: Di Giovanni Gianni 
Published: June 2020

The present article wants to report on the technological and constructive aspects related to the realization of the thin reinforced concrete vault for the reinforced concrete ceiling of the Cassa di Risparmio Bank Public Hall of L'Aquila; this work was carried out in the early 1950s on the occasion of the enlargement of the bank headquarters, built in the nineteenth-century . The intervention is seen peculiar because it can be considered representative of the application of the reinforced concrete technique to realize a small structural thickness reinforced concrete ceiling. In particular, the use of complex-shaped vaulted systems in reinforced concrete, in the post-war Italian period, was substantially reserved for the construction of road bridges in the post-war reconstruction context of the infrastructure system, less used in civil construction. The application of such construction systems, in architectural works, refers to buildings with a predominantly tertiary use, such as offices and exhibition halls. Among these, although of minor importance, there is the Public hall of the Cassa di Risparmio of L'Aquila which testifies that some reinforced concrete works, demanding from the constructive point of view, were carried out in the peripheral territorial areas as well, like the provincial ones. In particular, from the analysis of the archive sources, the re-enactement of the project phases as well as the construction ones, confirms the use of a building technique, which in that particular historical period, saw the transition from the structural calculation theories to the construction site practice and, its application not only in large Italian cities, but also in minor contexts.
Vasa (Justicia adhatoda L.) Leaves Best Procurement Time with Special Reference to Assay of Vasicine through HPLC and its Comparative Pharmacognosy
Authors: Sharma Neelima , Cheemalapati Venkata N , Mangal Anupam K , Rekha Prabhu , Srikanth Narayana 
Published: June 2020

Aim:

Vasa (Justicia adhatoda L.) is a well-known plant for its medicinal properties, e.g., ailments of asthma, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, external bleeding, etc. Different preparations of vasa are described in the Ayurvedic texts to pacify these disorders. In Ayurveda, the season of collection of its useful parts, i.e., leaves are not mentioned anywhere in the ancient texts. Since some researches claim higher concentration of its active metabolite in winter and rainy season, therefore, it has been planned to evaluate the suitable time of collection of plant parts.

Materials and methods:
The leaves of vasa (Justicia adhatoda L.) were collected from the same habitat in all six seasons described in Ayurveda, i.e., shishir (Jan and Feb), vasant (Mar and Apr), grishm (May and June), varsha (Jul and Aug), sharad (Sept and Oct), and hemant (Nov and Dec). The source of the collected plant materials was authenticated at Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, RARI, Jhansi, India, through the herbarium (accession no. 23595). Identification, comparative macroscopic, and microscopic along with powder microscopy of the leaves of the plant in each season were carried out besides extraction of various solvents such as alcohol, hydroalcohol, and methanol though Soxhlet and its comparative quantitative analysis for the extracted material in all six seasons through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the different seasons.

Results:
Pharmacognostical characteristics remain the same in all seasons, while the selected marker compound vasicine varied in quantity in each season. Extractive value was found maximum, i.e., 1.3456 g in vasant ritu sample and also evident in the quantitative HPLC estimation for the abundant vasicine in vasant ritu sample, i.e., 0.7330 to 1.0744 which is the clear indication for the best time to collect leaves in vasant ritu.

Conclusion:
In vasant ritu, vasa (Justicia adhatoda L.) is in flowering stage, and at this stage the abundance of the secondary metabolites and the extractive values clearly indicate to conclude that the suitable procurement time of collection of vasa leaves (Justicia adhatoda L.) is vasant ritu (Mar and Apr).
The complex care of a torture survivor in the United States
Authors: Berthold S. Megan , Polatin Peter , Mollica Richard , Higson-Smith Craig , Streets Federick J. , Kelly Caitrin M. , Lavelle James 
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Torture is an assault on the physical and mental health of an individual, impacting the lives of survivors and their families.The survivor’s interpersonal relationships, social life, and vocational functioning may be affected, and spiritual and other existential questions may intrude. Cultural and historical context will shape the meaning of torture experiences and the aftermath. To effectively treat torture survivors, providers must understand and address these factors. The Complex Care Model (CCM) aims to transform daily care for those with chronic illnesses and improve health outcomes through effective team care.

Methods: We conduct a literature review of the CCM and present an adapted Complex Care Approach (CCA) that draws on the Harvard Program in RefugeeTrauma’s five-domain model covering the Trauma Story, Bio-medical, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual domains.We apply the CCA to the case of “Joshua,” a former tortured child soldier, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment across the five domains of care.

Findings: The CCA is described as an effective approach for working with torture survivors. We articulate how a CCA can be adapted to the unique historical and cultural contexts experienced by torture survivors and how its five domains serve to integrate the approach to diagnosis and treatment. The benefits of communication and coordination of care among treatment providers is emphasized.
Discussion / Conclusions: Torture survivors’ needs are well suited to the application of a CCA delivered by a team of providers who effectively communicate and integrate care holistically across all domains of the survivor’s life.
Influence of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf) on the Organoleptic Acceptability and Shelf Stability of Yoghurt
Authors: Ibrahim A. N. , Igwe C. E. , Asogwa I. S. , Agbaka J. I. , Ajibo Q. C. 
Published: June 2020

Aim: To investigate the preservative efficiency of Ocimum gratissimum or its extracts on yoghurt.
Study Design: Ten yoghurt samples were prepared, furthermore, nine (9) samples were treated with scent leaf in different forms at different concentrations.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, between September 2015 and June 2016.
Methodology: Yoghurt was prepared from instant filled milk while Direct Vat Inoculum (DVI) was used as the starter culture. Proximate and phytochemical analyses were carried out following standard procedures. Sensory evaluation was carried out using a 15-man panelist with a seven point hedonic scales and results were statistically analyzed using IBM® SPSS 21.0, at 0.05 probability level. pH and microbial analysis were conducted while bacterial characterization involved biochemical tests and isolation of probable microorganisms employed morphological and structural characteristics.
Results: Result for proximate analysis indicated differences in the nutritional composition of the raw milk and yoghurt (control). Moisture content increased considerably from 10.00% to 69.75%, while a reduction in protein content was reported (8.7% - 4.95%). The lipid content classified the produced yoghurt as a low-fat yoghurt, and expectedly, the carbohydrate content reduced from 58.20% - 22.30%. Phytochemical screening of the different forms of scent leaf indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and steroids, in different concentrations. Sensory scores showed that the panelists preferred yoghurt formulated with 3 mL of squeezed scent leaf extract. pH values decreased with storage period, while microbial load ranged between 0.5× 104 – 2.0 × 104, where Klebsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Bacillus, S. aureus, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter, and Proteus spp. were isolated.
Conclusion: The yoghurt samples formulated with squeezed scent leaf extracts had the best organoleptic acceptance, while the sample treated with 3 mL had the lowest microbial load, hence, it can be inferred that the squeezed scent leaf extracts had the best preservative effect.
Microbiological Evaluation of Ready-to-Drink Tigernut Drinks Sold within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Ire Francis Sopuruchukwu , Benneth Goziem Kim , Maduka Ndukwe 
Published: June 2020

Aims: Tigernut drink are made from tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.) and rich in nutrients. This drink is locally produced and widely consumed in Nigeria irrespective of social status. This study is aimed at evaluating the microbial quality and physicochemical property of tigernut drinks sold within Port Harcourt metropolis.
Methodology: Thirty (30) samples of freshly prepared and packaged tigernut drinks were randomly purchased from different vendors in five locations of Port Harcourt metropolis (Agip Estate, Abuja Campus (Uniport), Choba, Mile 1 and Mile 2 Markets). The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological and physicochemical methods. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used to analyze the data.
Results: Results obtained showed that the pH of the samples ranged from 4.2 to 4.6 while the total heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 6. 54-6.74 log10 CFU/mL. Total fungal count of tigernut drinks ranged from 6.0-6.2 log10 CFU/mL. A total of nine (9) bacterial genera namely Staphylococcus sp. (37.3%), Escherichia sp. (21.3%), Salmonella sp. (12%), Pseudomonas sp. (12%), Klebsiella sp. (4%), Bacillus sp. (4%), Micrococcus sp. (4%), Enterobacter sp. (2.7%) and Corynebacterium sp. (2.7%) were isolated from the samples. Six (6) fungal genera were also encountered in the drink sampled which include Rhizopus sp. (1.4%), Saccharomyces sp. (4.4%), Aspergillus sp. (30.9%), Fusarium sp. (26.5%), Penicillium sp. (30.9%) and Candida sp. (5.9%). The result revealed that Staphylococcus sp. had the highest percentage of occurrence (37.3%) followed by E. coli (21.3%), while Enterobacter sp. (2.7%) and Corynebacterium sp. (2.7%) recorded the least. Among the fungal isolates, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. had the highest percentage of occurrence (30.9%) whereas Rhizopus sp. had the least (1.4%). The results of this study revealed that all the samples from the five (5) locations were heavily contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and found not suitable for human consumption based on the standard recommended by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). NAFDAC stipulated that mesophilic aerobic count of locally prepared beverages should be < 5.0 log10 CFU/mL.
Conclusion: The huge contamination recorded in all the samples irrespective of the location could be linked to poor hygienic levels during processing. Therefore, good manufacturing practices, public health enlightenment campaign and strict regulations from relevant agencies are recommended to avoid foodborne infections, diseases and possible deaths which could result from consumption of such contaminated tigernut drinks.
Effect of Cow Urine Foliar Spray on Quality Attributes and Chemical Characteristics of Byadgi chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in a Vertisol
Authors: Shaziya K. L. , Bidari B. I. , Hundekar S. T. , Pushpalatha M. 
Published: June 2020

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 in the farmer’s field at Agadi village (Tq: Hubballi) in Dharwad district to investigate the “Effect of cow urine foliar spray on quality attributes and chemical characteristics of Byadgi chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in a Vertisol”. Experiment consisted of 12 treatments with three replications laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design. Results revealed that, two foliar applications of 15 per cent cow urine one each at 60 and 90 DAT recorded highest colour value (201.65 ASTA units), closely followed by treatment that received two sprays of 10 per cent cow urine on 60 + 90 DAT (194.50 ASTA units). Highest oleoresin content (20.23%) was noticed in the treatment that received 15 per cent cow urine spray on 60 + 90 DAT which was on par with treatment that received two sprays of 10 per cent cow urine (19.56%). Highest capsaicin content (0.16%) was recorded in the treatment that received 15 % cow urine spray at 60 DAT as well as cow urine spray at 60 DAT + 90 DAT and also 50 ppm NAA spray at 60 DAT.
Foliar spray of cow urine did not significantly influenced the total ash, total sugars and total ether extract contents in fruits which ranged from 5.95 to 6.96, 18.20 to 19.89 and 14.10 to 15.20 per cent respectively. Treatment that received one spray of 15 per cent cow urine on 90 DAT recorded numerically highest (6.96%) total ash closely followed by treatment (6.83%) that received five per cent foliar spray at 60 + 90 DAT. Treatment that received two sprays of 15 per cent cow urine recorded numerically highest (19.89%) total sugars closely followed by treatment (19.78%) that received 5 per cent foliar spray at 90 DAT. Treatment that received two sprays of 10 per cent cow urine recorded highest total ether extract (15.20%) closely followed by treatment (14.93%) that received 5 per cent foliar spray at 60 + 90 DAT.
Role of ultraviolet mutational signature versus tumor mutation burden in predicting response to immunotherapy
Authors: Pham Timothy V. , Boichard Amélie , Goodman Aaron , Riviere Paul , Yeerna Huwate , Tamayo Pablo , Kurzrock Razelle 
Published: June 2020

Hydrophobic neoantigens are more immunogenic because they are better presented by the major histocompatibility complex and better recognized by T cells. Tumor cells can evade the immune response by expressing checkpoints such as programmed death ligand 1. Checkpoint blockade reactivates immune recognition and can be effective in diseases such as melanoma, which harbors a high tumor mutational burden (TMB). Cancers presenting low or intermediate TMB can also respond to checkpoint blockade, albeit less frequently, suggesting the need for biological markers predicting response. We calculated the hydrophobicity of neopeptides produced by probabilistic in silico simulation of the genomic UV exposure mutational signature. We also computed the hydrophobicity of potential neopeptides and extent of UV exposure based on the UV mutational signature enrichment (UVMSE) score in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; N = 3543 tumors), and in our cohort of 151 immunotherapy‐treated patients. In silico simulation showed that UV exposure significantly increased hydrophobicity of neopeptides, especially over multiple mutagenic cycles. There was also a strong correlation (R2 = 0.953) between weighted UVMSE and hydrophobicity of neopeptides in TCGA melanoma patients. Importantly, UVMSE was able to predict better response (P = 0.0026), progression‐free survival (P = 0.036), and overall survival (P = 0.052) after immunotherapy in patients with low/intermediate TMB, but not in patients with high TMB. We show that higher UVMSE scores could be a useful predictor of better immunotherapy outcome, especially in patients with low/intermediate TMB, likely due to increased hydrophobicity (and hence immunogenicity) of neopeptides.
Recombinant Soluble TNF‐α Receptor Fusion Protein Therapy Reduces Insulin Resistance in Non‐Diabetic Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Wang Chrong‐Reen , Liu Ming‐Fei 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveCurrent evidence highlights a link between insulin resistance (IR) and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting that insulin sensitivity can be improved by treating patients with TNF‐α blockers. Although reduced IR has been shown in RA patients who receive monoclonal antibody treatment, the efficacy remains to be elucidated when using recombinant soluble receptor fusion proteins. In particular, etanercept (ETA) is capable of blocking lymphotoxin‐α, a cytokine‐related to IR‐associated disease status.MethodsA prospective study was carried out in nondiabetic active RA patients receiving a 25‐mg subcutaneous ETA injection twice weekly.ResultsThirty patients aged 31 to 73 years (50.9 ± 10.6), naïve to biological and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs with DAS28 scores of 5.17 to 7.49 (6.11 ± 0.66), were classified into high‐IR and low‐IR groups based on their baseline homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)‐IR levels. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of age, sex, weight, body mass index, seropositivity, and medication profiles before the injection. After a 24‐week therapeutic period, there were reduced HOMA‐IR levels in all patients in the high‐IR group (3.390 ± 0.636 to 2.234 ± 0.870, P < 0.001). A greater decrease in DAS28 values was found in patients with reduced IR than those without a reduction (2.54 ± 0.67 versus 1.46 ± 0.46, P = 0.006) in the low‐IR group.ConclusionWe observed an improvement in insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic active RA patients following 24‐week recombinant soluble TNF‐α receptor fusion protein therapy.
Wiener system identification by input injection method
Authors: Mzyk Grzegorz , Wachel Paweł 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe article addresses the problem of nonlinear system identification with particular focusing on Wiener models. The proposed input injection methodology allows for identification of a working system—without stopping its usual operation, production processes, and so on. The only interferences are the slight random injections added to the input signal, which—by assumption—do not disturb the overall system's functionality. Such input injections allow to limit the curse of dimensionality issues, particularly troublesome in many approaches proposed in the literature for the Wiener system identification. Furthermore, all the requirements concerning the applicability of the method are rather mild. In particular, it is assumed that the static nonlinear characteristic is of nonparametric form and the existence of its two derivatives is needed for the consistency of the proposed estimate. The class of admissible output noises is also rather wide and does not exclude processes correlated with inputs signals.