bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Titaniferous Sand/ZnO Composite: A Sustainable Approach to Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Diop El Hadji Moussa , MBACKE Maryam Khadim , FAYE Mamadou , DIOUF Babacar 
Published: December 2024

This study explores a novel approach to enhancing photocatalytic efficiency by utilizing an industrial residue, titaniferous sand, in combination with ZnO. The purifying efficiency of this semiconductor mixture was studied for the removal of methylene blue in a fixed-bed reactor. The main objective was to find out with what percentage the titaniferous sand could be incorporated into the ZnO for maximum photocatalytic performance. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) in the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the operative parameters. The influence of titaniferous sand/ZnO ratio (A:1-2.8), pH (B:4-10) and irradiation time (C:120-480 minutes) on the degradation efficiency of the dye was studied. Initial concentrations of methyl blue and total semiconductor mixture were set at 25 mg/L and 10 g/L, respectively. The ANOVA analysis showed that the photocatalytic process was significantly affected by a positive individual effect of the titaniferous sand/ZnO ratio and the irradiation time. A quadratic polynomial of the second order accurately represented the experimental values with a correlation coefficient R2 of 0.9921. In addition, this model had a p-value of less than 0.0001 and an F-value of 84.09. Thus, the model used was quite appropriate. Optimal conditions were obtained for a ratio (titaniferous sand/ZnO) of 1.51057, i.e. a titaniferous sand percentage of 66%, a pH of 9.97487 and an irradiation time of 479.765 minutes. Under these conditions, a degradation of 99.4915% was obtained. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of methylene blue on the titaniferous sand and ZnO mixture followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model and was of the first order with an apparent kinetic constant of 0.402 h-1.
Comparative Study on the Proximate and Selected Sugar Composition of Raw and Processed Breadfruit
Authors: Brantley Akuru, Udiomine , Ndidi Nwachoko, , Jack Tetam, , Omasirichi Ohele, Edith 
Published: December 2024

Introduction: African bread fruit possesses great promise as a dietary source for humans. Its seeds, when processed are considered to be nutritious and healthy. There are limited information on the sugar profiles of African breadfruit, which has limited its utilization as a dietary source for humans.
Objective: The study evaluated the proximate composition and sugar profiles of raw and processed breadfruit.
Methods: The samples used were the raw, boiled and toasted forms of breadfruit. Standard procedures were followed for the proximate composition and gas chromatography was used to determine the sugar composition. The statistically differences between the groups at p<0.05 was tested using ANOVA.
Results: The study’s findings showed that in comparison to the boiled and toasted forms, the raw form had significantly higher percentage of carbohydrate (81.10), crude protein (1.73), ash (2.93) and crude fibre (4.80). The boiled had significantly higher moisture (19.49) than raw and toasted forms. The sugar profiling revealed that the concentration(mg/100g) of glucose (13.77), and xylose (3.42) was significantly higher in the raw compared to the processed forms. D-fructose (3.93) was significantly higher in the boiled form while D-Galacturonic acid (5.76) and D-Glucuronic acid (8.57) were significantly higher in the toasted form.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that breadfruit is a good source of carbohydrates and can be used as sustainable food and can help to alleviate malnutrition among humans.
Study the Relationship of IFN-γ (+874A/ T) Polymorphism, and Some Cytokines with Breast Cancer in a Population from Baghdad City, Iraq
Authors: Hanoon Hind A. , Jawad Mohammed Mahdi , Mahmood Ahmed N. 
Published: December 2024

Background: Breast cancer is still a complicated and common health issue that affects millions of people globally.
Aim: the current investigation aimed to study the relationship of IFN-γ (+874 A/T) genetic polymorphism, and some cytokines to breast cancer women in a population from Baghdad city/ Iraq.
Materials and Methods: In this study, (80) females with an age of (20-60) years were employed; they were attending Oncology Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad. All these females were notified regarding the purpose of these investigations and agreed to its protocol. 80 healthy women were taken into the current study for comparison purposes.
Results: The findings demonstrated that C3 levels showed a significant (P≤0.05) elevation in patients compared to healthy females. C4 levels demonstrated significantly (P≤0.05) elevation in patients that compared to healthy females. IL-6 levels significantly (P <0.05) increased in patients compared with control group (4.15±0.65 pg/ml). IL-17 concentration in serum of patients showed a significant (P <0.05) increased in patients compared with healthy ones. T and A alleles of IFN-γ T / A +874 locus had distinct results when repeated distribution was used to compare women who had breast cancer to healthy individuals. In the patient BC sample, the T allele was 42.4%, while the allele T in the control group was 71.4%. While the allele A in the sample of BC patients, which is 57.6%, compared to the allele A in control group, which was 28.6%.
Conclusions: This study suggests that elevated IL-6 and IL-17 levels, along with specific IFN-γ gene polymorphisms, could serve as potential biomarkers for breast cancer risk and prognosis.
Perception of Childhood Routine Immunisation among Adults in Selected Communities of Ido Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwamotemi Christiana Adeyoola , Oluwatosin Oyenihun Abimbola , Olonisakin Bolatito Toyin , Akinboade Adeyemi ldowu , Adelekan Ademola Lukman 
Published: December 2024

Aims: Immunisation is one of the medical achievements of the twentieth century; however, some vaccines are receiving less and less support. Increasing people's understanding of vaccination's direct advantages, beyond avoiding infectious diseases, may aid in regaining vaccine acceptance for children two years and below. The study determines the perception of childhood routine immunization among adults in selected communities of Ido Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Study Design: Mixed method study design.
Methodology: A mixed-method study design that adopted a multi-stage sampling technique to select 417 respondents for the study was used. Two instruments were used for data collection: a questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide. The questionnaire assessed perceived severity and benefits with 36 items each, and scores below < 19 and score ≥ 19 were categorized as low and high for each variable, respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential (Chi-square) statistics at a significance level 0.05. The qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach
Results: There were 41(9.8%) men and 376(90.2%) women, totaling 417 adults. The respondents 208 (49.9%) have a Secondary School Certificate, the highest educational qualification among the respondents. Results also revealed that 172(41.3%) of respondents had good knowledge about children's routine vaccinations. About 396(95.0%) had a high severity level of vaccine-preventable diseases. Also, 409(98.1%) had high perceived benefits of immunization uptake.
Conclusion: This study showed a high level of perceived benefits of immunization uptake among the respondents. Since respondents perceptions of childhood routine immunization and education level were substantially correlated, the government should encourage and improve maternal education.
Development of an Indoor Line Scanning System for Photovoltaic Modules Performance Characterization
Authors: Oboo Moses , Okello Denis , Okullo Willy , Oryema Bosco 
Published: December 2024

Uganda’s interest in using solar energy for various applications began 20 years ago. However, there have been numerous reports by the public over the poor performance of the photovoltaic (PV) modules during their operations. This study determined the performance of selected PV modules openly sold in the Ugandan markets. The low-cost indoor line scanning system developed using locally available materials was used to assess the performance of each of the solar cells in the PV module by determining their photogenerated currents. In addition, the electrical characteristics of the PV modules were determined using the outdoor characterization method, which assumed the actual operation of the PV modules under direct sunlight. From the indoor line scans, the percentage of performing solar cells in the three PV modules of single-crystalline silicon (c-Si), multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si), and amorphous silicon (a-Si) technologies were determined as 79%, 61%, and 95% respectively. The outdoor characterization results revealed that the c-Si, mc-Si, and a-Si PV modules had measured maximum power outputs of 18.5 W, 19.0 W, and 18.9 W, respectively and these were lower than the rated power values of 20 W. The line scan results had a direct relationship with the measured power output of the PV module, which implied that solar cells mismatch, affected the performance of the PV modules by lowering their performance. This developed testing system is affordable for developing countries with limited testing systems and would in the long run contribute to significant increase in the deployment of PV technology in Uganda since only performing PV modules would be allowed into the open market.
A Formal Condensation and [4+1] Annulation Reaction of 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles with Aza‐o‐Quinone Methides
Authors: Gui Hou‐Ze , Wu Xiao‐Yun , Wei Yin , Shi Min 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA formal condensation and [4+1] annulation reactions of 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles with aza‐o‐quinone methides have been reported in this paper for the first time. The use of Na2CO3 as a base exclusively gave the corresponding condensed products in good yields, which can be smoothly transformed into the formal [4+1] annulation products if using DBU as a base. In addition, isothiocyanate could serve as a leaving group during the nucleophilic addition reaction has been disclosed. The two bases play different roles in the reaction and the desired cyclized products can be also obtained in good to high yields in a one‐pot manner under mild conditions.magnified image
A review of technological advances and open challenges for oil and gas drilling systems engineering
Authors: Epelle Emmanuel I. , Gerogiorgis Dimitrios I. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe ever‐increasing quest to identify, secure, access, and operate oil and gas fields is continuously expanding to the far corners of the planet, facing extreme conditions toward exploring, securing, and deriving maximum fluid benefits from established and unconventional fossil fuel sources alike: to this end, the unprecedented geological, climatic, technical, and operational challenges have necessitated the development of revolutionary drilling and production methods. This review paper focuses on a technological field of great importance and formidable technical complexity—that of well drilling for fossil fuel production. A vastly expanding body of literature addresses design and operation problems with remarkable success: what is even more interesting is that many recent contributions rely on multidisciplinary approaches and reusable Process Systems Engineering (PSE) methodologies—a drastic departure from ad hoc/one‐use tools and methods of the past. The specific goals of this review are to first review the state‐of‐art in active fields within drilling engineering and explore currently pressing technical problems, which are in dire need or have recently found, PSE‐ and/or computational fluid dynamics‐relevant solutions. Then, we illustrate the methodological versatility of novel PSE‐based approaches for optimization and control, with an emphasis on contemporary problems. Finally, we highlight current challenges and opportunities for truly innovative research contributions, which require the combination of best‐in‐class methodological and software elements in order to deliver applicable solutions of industrial importance.
Region‐specific insular volumetric decreases in drug‐naive, first‐episode schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings
Authors: Li Huabing , Ou Yangpan , Liu Feng , Su Qinji , Zhang Zhikun , Chen Jindong , Zhu Furong , Zhao Jingping , Guo Wenbin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDecreased insular volume may be one of the anatomical alterations caused by schizophrenia. The possibility of region‐specific insular volumetric reduction as an endophenotype and/or a possible treatment predictor is a critical issue with great implications for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. The sample of the current study comprised 44 drug‐naive and first‐episode patients, 42 unaffected siblings, and 44 healthy controls. A computational anatomy toolbox (CAT12) was applied to analyze the structural images with a fine‐grained, cross‐validated brainnetome atlas. Correlation analysis and support vector regression (SVR) were used to determine the relationship between insular deficits and symptomatic severity among patients. The gray matter volume (GMV) values in the left hypergranular insula (G) exhibited the following pattern: patients < siblings < controls. GMV values in the right ventral agranular insula (vIa) and baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative symptoms subscale scores among patients showed a positive correlation (r = 0.384, p = .010). Further SVR analysis exhibited a significantly positive correlation between GMV values in the right vIa and negative symptomatic improvement among patients (r = 0.537, p < .001). Results suggested the presence of region‐specific insular volumetric decreases in first‐episode schizophrenia. Thus, volumetric decrease in left G might be a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia, and GMV values in right vIa might be used to predict negative symptomatic improvement in schizophrenia.
Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Cyclopropanes via Inorganic Base‐Mediated Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Zhu Huijuan , Liu Shuangshuang , He Chunnian , Zhang Jing , Wang Lei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn efficient and concise synthesis of various trifluoromethyl‐substituted cyclopropanes from a variety of dienes and enynes in the presence of cheap inorganic base potassium phosphate has been reported. This methodology features high yields (up to 89%), wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance (25 examples).
Effects of substrate and phylogeny on quadrupedal gait in free‐ranging platyrrhines
Authors: Dunham Noah T. , McNamara Allison , Shapiro Liza J. , Hieronymus Tobin L. , Phelps Taylor , Young Jesse W. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesPrimate diagonal sequence (DS) gaits are often argued to be an adaptation for moving and foraging in the fine‐branch niche; however, existing data have come predominantly from laboratory studies that are limited in taxonomic breadth and fail to account for the structural and ecological variation of natural substrates. We test the extent to which substrate diameter and orientation influence gait sequence type and limb phase in free‐ranging primates, as well as how phylogenetic relatedness might condition response patterns.Materials and methodsWe filmed quadrupedal locomotion in 11 platyrrhine species at field sites in Ecuador and Costa Rica and measured the diameter and orientation of locomotor substrates using remote sensors. We quantified limb phase values and classified strides by gait sequence type (N= 988 strides).ResultsOur results show that most of the species in our sample consistently used DS gaits, regardless of substrate diameter or orientation; however, all taxa also used asymmetrical and/or lateral sequence gaits. By incorporating phylogenetic eigenvectors into our models, we found significant differences in gait sequence patterns and limb phase values among the major platyrrhine clades, suggesting that phylogeny may be a better predictor of gait than substrate diameter or orientation.DiscussionOur field data generally corroborate locomotor patterns from laboratory studies but capture additional aspects of gait variability and flexibility in response to the complexity of natural environments. Overall, our results suggest that DS gaits are not exclusively tailored to narrow or oblique substrates but are used on arboreal substrates in general.
An Activatable NIR‐II Nanoprobe for In Vivo Early Real‐Time Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Li Chunyan , Li Wanfei , Liu Huanhuan , Zhang Yejun , Chen Guangcun , Li Zijing , Wang Qiangbin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dangerous acute diseases resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Current methods remain limited with respect to early diagnosis and real‐time feedback on the pathological process. Herein, a targeted activatable fluorescent nanoprobe (V&A@Ag2S) in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) is presented for in vivo optical imaging of TBI. Initially, the fluorescence of V&A@Ag2S is turned off owing to energy transfer from Ag2S to the A1094 chromophore. Upon intravenous injection, V&A@Ag2S quickly accumulates in the inflamed vascular endothelium of TBI based on VCAM1‐mediated endocytosis, after which the nanoprobe achieves rapid recovery of the NIR‐II fluorescence of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) owing to the bleaching of A1094 by the prodromal biomarker of TBI, peroxynitrite (ONOO−). The nanoprobe offers high specificity, rapid response, and high sensitivity toward ONOO−, providing a convenient approach for in vivo early real‐time assessment of TBI.
A cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel in the brain regulates olfactory modulation through neuropeptide F in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Lee Sion , Jones Walton D. , Kim Do‐Hyoung 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOlfactory sensing and its modulation are important for the insects in recognizing diverse odors from the environment and in making correct decisions to survive. Identifying new genes involved in olfactory modulation and unveiling their mechanisms may lead us to understand decision making processes in the central nervous system. Here, we report a novel olfactory function of the cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channel CG42260 in modulating ab3A olfactory sensory neurons, which specifically respond to food‐derived odors in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We found that two independent CG42260 mutants show reduced responses in the ab3A neurons. Unlike mammalian CNGs, CG42260 is not expressed in the odorant sensory neurons but broadly in the central nervous system including neuropeptide‐producing cells. By using molecular genetic tools, we identified CG42260 expression in one pair of neuropeptide F (NPF) positive L1‐l cells known to modulate food odor responsiveness. Knockdown of CG42260 in the NPF neurons reduced production of NPF in Ll‐1 cells, which in turn, led to reduction of neuronal responses of the ab3A neurons. Our findings show the novel biological function of CG42260 in modulating olfactory responses to food odor through NPF.
The psychoactive cathinone derivative pyrovalerone alters locomotor activity and decreases dopamine receptor expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Souders Christopher Laurence , Davis Robert H. , Qing Hua , Liang Xuefang , Febo Marcelo , Martyniuk Christopher J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionPyrovalerone (4‐methyl‐β‐keto‐prolintane) is a synthetic cathinone (beta‐keto‐amphetamine) derivative. Cathinones are a concern as drugs of abuse, as related street drugs such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone have garnered significant attention. The primary mechanism of action of cathinones is to inhibit reuptake transporters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in reward centers of the central nervous system.MethodsWe measured bioenergetic, behavioral, and molecular responses to pyrovalerone (nM‐µM) in zebrafish to evaluate its potential for neurotoxicity and neurological impairment.ResultsPyrovalerone did not induce any mortality in zebrafish larvae over a 3‐ and 24‐hr period; however, seizures were prevalent at the highest dose tested (100 µM). Oxidative phosphorylation was not affected in the embryos, and there was no change in superoxide dismutase 1 expression. Following a 3‐hr treatment to pyrovalerone (1–100 µM), larval zebrafish (6d) showed a dose‐dependent decrease (70%–90%) in total distance moved in a visual motor response (VMR) test. We interrogated potential mechanisms related to the hypoactivity, focusing on the expression of dopamine‐related transcripts as cathinones can modulate the dopamine system. Pyrovalerone decreased the expression levels of dopamine receptor D1 (~60%) in larval zebrafish but did not affect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine active transporter, or any other dopamine receptor subunit examined, suggesting that pyrovalerone may regulate the expression of dopamine receptors in a specific manner.DiscussionFurther studies using zebrafish are expected to reveal new insight into molecular mechanisms and behavioral responses to cathinone derivates, and zebrafish may be a useful model for understanding the relationship between the dopamine system and bath salts.
Automatic grading software for 2D CAD files
Authors: Bryan Josiah A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractUndergraduate computer‐aided design (CAD) courses can have large enrollments, making it difficult for instructors to thoroughly assess each student's assignments and provide individualized feedback. While in some subject areas textbook companies are developing online platforms that adapt problem sets to meet each individual student's needs, there has been apparently little attention to the area of individualized CAD instruction. This paper presents a program that compares students’ two‐dimensional CAD drawings to a solution, computes the number of missing or erroneous features in each student's drawing, and generates a visual comparison of each student's drawing with the solution. The system is implemented both as an offline version for batch processing and an online version for immediate student feedback on assignments. While the system lacks the “smartness” of a human grader, the offline version substantially reduces time spent grading exams and improves grading accuracy and consistency, and the online version encourages students to focus on important details of drawing and provides immediate online feedback for students as they complete assignments, as well as providing after‐the‐fact feedback on exams.
Practical Synthesis of Cap‐4 RNA
Authors: Leiter Josef , Reichert Dennis , Rentmeister Andrea , Micura Ronald 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEukaryotic mRNAs possess 5′ caps that are determinants for their function. A structural characteristic of 5′ caps is methylation, with this feature already present in early eukaryotes such as Trypanosoma. While the common cap‐0 (m7GpppN) shows a rather simple methylation pattern, the Trypanosoma cap‐4 displays seven distinguished additional methylations within the first four nucleotides. The study of essential biological functions mediated by these unique structural features of the cap‐4 and thereby of the metabolism of an important class of human pathogenic parasites is hindered by the lack of reliable preparation methods. Herein we describe the synthesis of custom‐made nucleoside phosphoramidite building blocks for m62Am and m3Um, their incorporation into short RNAs, the efficient construction of the 5′‐to‐5′ triphosphate bridge to guanosine by using a solid‐phase approach, the selective enzymatic methylation at position N7 of the inverted guanosine, and enzymatic ligation to generate trypanosomatid mRNAs of up to 40 nucleotides in length. This study introduces a reliable synthetic strategy to the much‐needed cap‐4 RNA probes for integrated structural biology studies, using a combination of chemical and enzymatic steps.