bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Application of Monkey Cola Pericarp (Cola lepidota) in the Removal of Toluene from Aqueous Medium
Authors: Obi C. , Ngobiri N. C. , Agbaka L. C. , Ibezim-Ezeani M. U. 
Published: May 2020

The study focused on the investigation of the effectiveness of the pericarp of monkey kola (Cola lepidota) biomass (CLPB) in the removal of toluene from aqueous system. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and phytochemical screening methods were used for characterizing the biosorbent. The effects of contact time, pH, and concentration on biosorption process were studied.
The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrate, saponins and steroids. Carboxylic, alkene and alcohol groups were found to be the principal functional groups. The highest percentage removal was 99.63% at toluene initial concentration of 40 mg/L and 98.30% at pH 8. The contact time 30 minutes gave better removal efficiency of 99.89%. Among the biosorption isotherm models tested (Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin Radushkevich and Temkin, respectively), the Langmuir model equation gave a better fit of the equilibrium data with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99. The equilibrium data was tested with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models and pseudo-second order model (R² = 0.99) fitted more than the pseudo-first order model (R² = 0.85). This study has revealed that Cola lepidota is a potential biosorbent for the removal of toluene from aqueous medium under the operating conditions of contact time of 30 minutes, pH of 8 and initial concentration of 40 mg/g.
Characteristics of Dairy Value Chain in Jordan
Authors: Alhammd Zainab 
Published: May 2020

The objective of this report is to analyze the milk value chain in Jordan depending on information gathering by own experience and The Jordan’s ministry of agriculture report 2015.
Total amount of milk production by dairy subsector is (266599) tons which represent 44% of total milk consumption, Sheep and Goat milk production is (78436) tons and the amount of imported milk converted as fresh milk is (262845) tons, which is represent more than 43% of total consumption.
The agriculture sector in Jordan consists of two main sub-sectors: Crop production and livestock industry. Livestock is estimated to contribute to about one-half of the total agricultural GDP. The production of food producing animals is valued to around JD820 million; JD435 million generated from the poultry industry and JD385 million from dairy cattle and small ruminants (sheep and goats) enterprises Ministry of Agriculture.
The livestock industry consists of facilities of food producing animals (dairy cattle, poultry, sheep, and goats) and several supporting services (factories of veterinary medicines, feed factories, milk processing plants, slaughter houses, and marketing services).
Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance (En-Amr) in Surface Water of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala
Authors: Sreelakshmi C. R. , Moses Sheela A. , Vincent Salom Gnana Thanga 
Published: May 2020

Aim: The study was done to understand the microbial contamination and antibiotic resistance pattern in surface water environment.
Study Area and Sampling: Water samples collected from selected water bodies in the main urban area of Thiruvananthapuram were analysed for the presence of coliforms and the pattern of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial cultures isolated from the water samples.
Methodology: The total coliform count and faecal coliform count was determined using the multiple tube fermentation technique and the total heterotrophic bacterial count was performed using nutrient agar media. The bacterial cultures were identified using biochemical characterization and Antibiotic susceptibility patterns for the various bacterial isolates were determined using commercial antibiotic disks (Hi Media, Mumbai) in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The antibiotics used were Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Tetracycline and Meropenem. Multiple Antibiotic resistances (MAR) index was determined for those isolates which showed resistance to more than three antibiotics.
Results: The total heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms and fecal coliforms were significantly high in all the sites, indicating that the water bodies are sewage contaminated. The biochemical identification of bacterial strains isolated from water sample showed the presence of E. coli, Bacillus sp, Staphylococcus sp, Klebsiella sp, Clostridium sp, Neisseria sp, Enterobacter sp, Enterococcus sp and Streptococcus sp in varying frequencies in different sites. Among these 58 isolates, 26 strains were found to be resistant against 3 or more antibiotics and hence, designated as multi drug resistant. The isolates were highly resistant to Ampicillin (98%), Chloramphenicol (53%) and Gentamycin (44%); and highly susceptible to Meropenem (86%), Ciprofloxacin (69%) and Tetracyclin (58%). E. coli showed maximum resistance to all the antibiotics. One- way ANOVA of the obtained data revealed that there is no significance difference in spatial distribution of antibiotic resistance.
From Inorganic to Organic: Initiatives from the Local Government of Malvar, Philippines
Authors: Mojares Juvy G. , Geneta Philip D. 
Published: May 2020

Aim: This paper aimed to discuss the development efforts of the Municipality of Malvar towards the achievement of its vision to be Organic Capital of Batangas.
Methodology: It made use of secondary data from Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and Municipal Agriculture Office and qualitative methods of observation and interview from different stakeholders such as farmers, municipal agriculture officer, municipal environment and natural resources officer, partner-nongovernment organization, and community residents. Then, an analysis based on organic agriculture sustainability metrics was provided.
Results: As a result, the intensified waste management program had made segregation and collection of biodegradable wastes easier, thus shredding of wastes was made easier also. These shredded biodegradable wastes would be used to feed the African Night Crawler that produced vermicast which would be available as organic fertilizer and later on foliar and insecticide once fermented. The biogas facility, on the other hand, was expected to produce methane gas to promote and adopt organic farming technologies and transfer of technology on renewable energy. Last was the adoption of agro-silvo-pasture technology through planting long term cash crops and raising livestock. Indeed, there was a successful transition from inorganic to organic.
Conclusion: The making of the Organic Capital of Batangas could be realized because of the following factors: First is the strong political will of the LGU to implement the vision; second is the appropriateness of the projects that geared towards the attainment of the vision; third is the participation of the different stakeholders in the implementation of the projects. Thus, the intensified solid waste management of MENRO has resulted to successful vermin-composting producing organic fertilizer subsidy to farmers; biogas technology facility that also produces organic fertilizer for the agro-silvo-pasture technology.
The Risk Factors for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Incidence in Ghana: A Small Matched Case-control Study
Authors: Boah Michael , Amporfro Daniel Adjei , Adampah Timothy , Bordotsiah Stephen , Jin Baiming , Coffie Ernestine Sefakor , Ayamga Emmanuel A. , Akanpabadae Emmanuel 
Published: May 2020

Aims: Knowing the risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) opens up avenues for identifying target groups for intensified case finding. We aimed to identify the risk factors for pulmonary TB (PTB) incidence in a rural district in northern Ghana.
Study Design: A matched case-control study.
Place and Duration of Study: The Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, between February 2019 and March 2019.
Methodology: This study was conducted in 4 public health facilities. Cases were newly confirmed PTB patients aged 15 years or over, controls were age and sex matched outpatients. A pre-tested questionnaire collected information on a range of possible risk factors from participants. Conditional logistic regression identified independent risk factors for PTB incidence in a multivariable model at 95% confidence level.
Results: The analysis included 174 cases and controls. Multivariable analysis showed that the risk of PTB was increased with low household monthly income (AOR=3.45; 95% CI: 1.08-10.97; P=.03), smoking (AOR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.13-6.43; P=.02) as well as household exposure to a known TB case (AOR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.08-6.10; P=.03).
Conclusion: Low household monthly income, smoking, and household exposure to a known TB case were independent risk factors for PTB incidence. These factors can be used to actively screen for PTB in the population.
The Effect of Si Fertilizer and Si Fertilizer with Straw Return on Soil K Availability and Grain Yield on Spring Maize (Zea mays L) in Northeast China
Authors: Stephano Mabagala Frank , Geng Yuhui , Zhang Meiling 
Published: May 2020

Aims: To investigate the effect of silicon (Si) fertilizer and Si fertilizer with straw return in potassium (K) and maize grain yield.
Methods: In 2018 and 2019, two field experiments were established in Nong’an county, Jilin province. Four treatments were arranged in a randomized block design: JS3 (straw return + Si), WS3 (no straw return + Si), JS0 (straw return + no Si) and WS0 (no straw return + no Si).
Results: In comparison with WS3, the average soil available K for WS0 was 22.1% lower. Similarly, compared with JS3, the average soil available K for WS3 was even decreased by 3.1%. The plots amended with Si fertilizer (15.9% WS3) significantly increased K uptake than that of WS0, and the total uptake of K under JS3 increased by 7.5% compared with that under WS3. The total dry matter and grain yield were significantly higher under WS3, which increased by 6.5% and 4.8% respectively, and JS3 significantly outperformed WS3 by 2.9% and 1.3% for total dry matter and grain yield.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the application of Si fertilizer improves K availability, uptake and crop yield, and the use of Si fertilizer with straw return sustainably improves K release to meet crop requirements while increasing crop productivity.
Pharmacological Investigation of Serial Anxiety Tests in the Mouse: A Pilot Study
Authors: Umarudeen A. M. , Magaji M. G. , Bello O. S. , Aminu C. , Abdullahi M. I. 
Published: May 2020

The use of test batteries has been suggested as a means to enhance throughput, to broaden the spectrum of anxiety parameters detectable and to minimise the numbers of experimental animals required in behavioural studies. This study was undertaken to determine the sensitivity of test batteries each of open field, zero mazes and staircase tests to anxiety behaviours in randomised mouse groups. Mice (n = 8) were exposed to these apparatuses serially in that order, thirty minutes following intraperitoneal administration of distilled water, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg diazepam. Each mouse was allowed to spend 5 minutes to freely explore each test apparatus. The results showed diazepam-treated mice exhibited significantly (p<0.05) reduced anxiety behaviours compared to the placebo group on most rodent anxiety parameters evaluated. The findings of this study suggest these behavioural test apparatuses, when used in serial combination, are sensitive and reliable to measure murine anxiety-related behaviours and the anxiolytic effects of standard/putative agents.
Correlations of Major Flame Characteristics of Some Fire Tolerant Trees in South-East Nigeria by Coefficient of Determination (R2)
Authors: Okafor Vincent Nwalieji , Obiadi Matthew Chiemezie , Obiefuna Joy Ngozika 
Published: May 2020

Background: Bush fire is a common hazard in South East-Nigeria as in other parts of the country during the harmattan. Every year, thousands of hectares of forests as well as suburban lands are severely burnt. These forest fires have been catastrophic, destroying large areas of tropical rain forests and in most cases have claimed many lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. However, some of these trees identified by local people and named by taxonomists as Daniellia oliveri, Anacadium occidentale, Vitex doniana, Lonchocarpus griffonianus, Gmelina arborea, Nauclea latifolia, Tectona grandis, Mangifera indica, Delonix regia, Newbouldia laevis, Azadirachta indica, Dialium guineense, Terminalia superba, Manilkara obovata and Irvingia gabonensis have proven to be fire tolerant.
Aim: The aim is to establish correlations among the physical properties (wood density and moisture content) and flame characteristics (ignition time, flame propagation rate, flame duration, afterglow time, ash formation and limiting oxygen index) of these fire tolerant trees.
Study Design: An item structured instrument was developed by the researchers which reflected the six points modified Likert scale of strongly agree, agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, disagree, strongly disagree and used to elicit information from the respondents who were mainly seasoned wood dealers of above 60 years of age. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was the major tool of analysis used to establish whether the tree species tolerates fire or not while correlation of the parameters was achieved by the application of R2.
Place and Duration of Study: Determination of both the physical properties and flame characteristics of the tree species was done at the Research Laboratory of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka between June, 2018 and April, 2019.
Methodology: The physical properties of the tree species as well as their flame characteristics were carried out using their standard methods.
Results: The values for these parameters vary among the tree species. Correlation among the parameters indicates a determination coefficient range from 0.000 to 0.637.
Conclusion: There are highly significant correlations between wood density and both ignition time and flame propagation rate as well as wood density and limiting oxygen index. There is also strong correlation between ignition time and both flame propagation rate and limiting oxygen index. Afterglow time depends on limiting oxygen index and vice versa.
The Effects of Dark Energy on Gravitation
Authors: Eziyi Emea Ajike , Obinwa Orji , Chinwekele Nwasuka Stanley , ASO Jonah Ndukwe , Chiedozie Friday 
Published: May 2020

Dark energy is thought to be very homogenous, not very dense and it is not known to interact through any of the fundamental forces other than gravity. In this research work, we use analytical method to find a model that may possibly relate dark energy to gravitation. After some plausible analyses, we obtain a relation,
where µ is Gravitational potential energy, is the mass of galaxy, is mass of earth, Λ is dark energy, is receding velocity, is Hubble’s constant and Ro is the distance measured from the point of observation and the galaxy. Moreover, we estimate K = for various galaxies, finally, the relation µ ∝ Λ, indicates a direct relationship between Dark energy and Gravitation.
Trajectories of Structural Disease Progression in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Collins Jamie E. , Neogi Tuhina , Losina Elena 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous disease, with most patients experiencing slow disease progression and some with rapid deterioration. We aimed to identify groups of patients with symptomatic knee OA experiencing rapid structural progression.MethodsWe selected participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative with baseline Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grades 1–3 and knee pain, and with joint space width (JSW) on fixed‐flexion knee radiographs assessed at baseline and with ≥1 follow‐up over 8 years. We used latent class growth analysis to identify subgroups of JSW progression, jointly modeling time to knee replacement (KR) to account for potential informative dropouts. After identifying trajectories, we used logistic regression to assess the association between baseline characteristics and the JSW trajectory group.ResultsWe used data from 1,578 participants. Baseline radiographic severity was K/L grade 1 in 17%, K/L grade 2 in 50%, and K/L grade 3 in 33%. We identified 3 distinct JSW trajectories: 86% stable, 6% with stable JSW followed by late progression, and 8% with early progression. Incorporating information about KR resulted in 47% of KRs initially classified as stable being reclassified to 1 of the progressing trajectories. Prior knee surgery was associated with being in the late‐progressing versus the stable trajectory, while obesity was associated with being in the early‐progressing versus stable trajectory.ConclusionIn addition to a subgroup of individuals experiencing early structural progression, 8‐year longitudinal data allowed the identification of a late‐progressing trajectory. Incorporating information about KR was important to properly identify longitudinal structural trajectories in knee OA.
Organoid Polymer Functionality and Mode of Klebsiella pneumoniae Membrane Antigen Presentation Regulates Ex Vivo Germinal Center Epigenetics in Young and Aged B Cells
Authors: Graney Pamela L. , Lai Kristine , Post Sarah , Brito Ilana , Cyster Jason , Singh Ankur 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAntibiotic‐resistant bacteria are a major global health threat that continues to rise due to a lack of effective vaccines. Of concern are Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) that fail to induce in vivo germinal center B cell responses, which facilitate antibody production to fight infection. Immunotherapies using antibodies targeting antibiotic‐resistant bacteria are emerging as promising alternatives, however, they cannot be efficiently derived ex vivo, necessitating the need for immune technologies to develop therapeutics. Here, polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐based immune organoids are developed to elucidate the effects of polymer end‐point chemistry, integrin ligands, and mode of K. pneumoniae antigen presentation on germinal center‐like B cell phenotype and epigenetics, to better define the lymph node microenvironment factors regulating ex vivo germinal center dynamics. Notably, PEG vinyl sulfone or acrylate fail to sustain primary immune cells, but functionalization with maleimide (PEG‐4MAL) leads to B cell expansion and germinal center‐like induction. RNA sequencing analysis of lymph node stromal and germinal center B cells shows niche associated heterogeneity of integrin‐related genes. Incorporation of niche‐mimicking peptides reveals that collagen‐1 promotes germinal center‐like dynamics and epigenetics. PEG‐4MAL organoids elucidate the impact of K. pneumoniae outer membrane‐embedded protein antigen versus soluble antigen presentation on germinal centers and preserve the response across young and aged mice.
Flexible and Transparent Metal Oxide/Metal Grid Hybrid Interfaces for Electrophysiology and Optogenetics
Authors: Chen Zhiyuan , Yin Rose T. , Obaid Sofian N. , Tian Jinbi , Chen Sheena W. , Miniovich Alana N. , Boyajian Nicolas , Efimov Igor R. , Lu Luyao 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFlexible and transparent microelectrodes and interconnects provide the unique capability for a wide range of emerging biological applications, including simultaneous optical and electrical interrogation of biological systems. For practical biointerfacing, it is important to further improve the optical, electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the transparent conductive materials. Here, high‐performance microelectrodes and interconnects with high optical transmittance (59–81%), superior electrochemical impedance (5.4–18.4 Ω cm2), and excellent sheet resistance (5.6–14.1 Ω sq−1), using indium tin oxide (ITO) and metal grid (MG) hybrid structures are demonstrated. Notably, the hybrid structures retain the superior mechanical properties of flexible MG other than brittle ITO with no changes in sheet resistance even after 5000 bending cycles against a small radius at 5 mm. The capabilities of the ITO/MG microelectrodes and interconnects are highlighted by high‐fidelity electrical recordings of transgenic mouse hearts during co‐localized programmed optogenetic stimulation. In vivo histological analysis reveals that the ITO/MG structures are fully biocompatible. Those results demonstrate the great potential of ITO/MG interfaces for broad fundamental and translational physiological studies.
Enhancing the Efficacy of Metal‐Free MRI Contrast Agents via Conjugating Nitroxides onto PEGylated Cross‐Linked Poly(Carboxylate Ester)
Authors: Guo Shiwei , Wang Xiaoming , Dai Yan , Dai Xinghang , Li Zhiqian , Luo Qiang , Zheng Xiuli , Gu Zhongwei , Zhang Hu , Gong Qiyong , Luo Kui 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHerein, two water‐soluble PROXYL‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) macromolecular organic contrast agents (mORCAs) are designed and synthesized: linear and cross‐linked PCE‐mPEG‐Ppa‐PROXYL. They are prepared by conjugating linear and cross‐linked poly(carboxylate ester) (PCE) with poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG2000)‐modified nitroxides (PROXYL), respectively. Both mORCAs form self‐assembled aggregates in an aqueous phase and PROXYL is protected inside a hydrophobic core to achieve great resistance to reduction in the physiological environment, and they have low toxicity. Since cross‐linked PCE‐mPEG‐Ppa‐PROXYL possess a branched architecture, its self‐assembled aggregate is more stable and compact with a greater particle size. Cross‐linked PCE‐mPEG‐Ppa‐PROXYL outperform the linear one in the following aspects: 1) its longitudinal relaxivity (r1 = 0.79 mm−1 s−1) is higher than that of the linear one (r1 = 0.64 mm−1 s−1) and both excel the best mORCA reported so far (r1 = 0.42 mm−1 s−1); 2) its blood retention time (≈48 h) is longer than that of its linear counterpart (≈10 h); 3) cross‐linked PCE‐mPEG‐Ppa‐PROXYL provided better MR imaging contrast resolution in normal organs (liver and kidney) and tumor of mice than the linear one. Overall, cross‐linked PCE‐mPEG‐Ppa‐PROXYL may have great potential to be a novel metal‐free macromolecular contrast agent for MR imaging.
Availability of Emergency Medicine Away Rotations
Authors: Kiemeney Michael , Franzen Doug 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesResidency directors in emergency medicine (EM) have been placing increased value on the Standardized Letter of Evaluation to evaluate the escalating numbers of residency applications received each year. This has placed added significance on EM away rotations (ARs). We sought to determine the overall availability of ARs in EM.MethodsWe surveyed clerkships sites at the end of 2018–2019 application season. The survey requested data about maximum rotation spots available, actual number of students that rotated, and data about application processing and rotation offer decision making.ResultsWe received 190 responses, of which 129 (49% of 262 clerkship sites surveyed) provided data regarding available positions and student rotators. A total of 3,472 ARs were completed at the responding sites. The average capacity ratio (CR; maximum available AR spots divided by AR completed by students) for responding sites was 1.57. AR availability varied by time and geography. Most AR positions were filled during peak season (CR = 1.22); however, many went unfilled outside of this time frame (CR = 2.41). Geographic data showed some locations had significant unfilled AR availability.ConclusionsOur survey data show that there are at least 1.5 AR positions per applicant. Students can be reasonably expected to complete one AR and, in select cases, a second. CR during peak season indicates nearly saturated AR positions. Flexibility of rotation timing and tools to link open AR positions with students needing to complete a rotation will help optimize filling available AR positions. Continued effort in application advising from home clerkships and processes to ensure equitable distribution of AR positions among students will help ensure interested students obtain a position.