bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in predicting overall survival of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: Ongoing controversy
Authors: Scott Stephen , Byrd J , Figueroa Ramon , Williams Hadyn , Chen Jie , Lee Jaeeun , Pucar Darko 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe aimed to retrospectively determine if initial staging 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) can predict overall survival (OS) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), which is currently a source of ongoing controversy in the literature. Forty-six consecutive patients with nonmetastatic (Stage M0) OCSCC had 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to definitive surgical treatment followed by observation or adjuvant treatment at our institution between 2006 and 2012. The median follow-up time was 18 months (range 0.1–76 months). Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the ability of imaging, pathologic, and demographic factors to predict OS. 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters were standardized uptake value (SUV) maximum and mean, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesional glycolysis (TLG) of primary tumor and regional nodes. Significant predictors of OS in the multivariate analysis were primary tumor SUV mean, nodal TLG, and age. Two-year OS of patients with primary tumor SUV mean below and above the median of 6.26 was 68% and estimated 28%, respectively. Two-year OS of patients with nodal TLG below and above median of 7.9 was 69% and 34%, respectively. Two-year OS of patients younger and older than median age of 57 was 60% and 43%, respectively. Our results suggest that 18F-FDG PET/CT may be a valuable addition to multifactorial models predicting outcome for OCSCC. Thus, continued research aiming to incorporate 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters in risk-stratification algorithms for OCSCC is warranted and should be conducted using more standardized prognostic models driven by a specific clinical question.
Occult tumour-induced osteomalacia causing lesion detected by FDG-PET/CT scan
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Singh Natasha 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOncogenic osteomalacia is a rare condition, with overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23, leading to hypophosphatemia, phosphaturia. If it is associated with benign mesenchymal tumor, then resection of tumor is curable. Thus, detection and localization of the lesion are of utmost importance. We report a case, where 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was useful in detection of such occult lesion.
The implications of oil theft on social and economic development in the Niger Delta
Authors: Soremi Titilayo 
Published: June 2020

The emergence of the exploration of crude oil in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, has awarded the region worldwide renown as the economic backbone of the country, but also as a conflict flashpoint. Drawing from the propositions of the resource curse theory, the paper identifies Nigeria’s rentier state structure as the underlining cause linked to the citing of conflict and corruption, as the reasons for the occurrence of oil theft in the Niger Delta. Also, the Dutch disease is identified as an economic explanation of the resource curse theory, and this is used to identify the economic implications of oil theft in the Niger Delta at the national level. In addition, the rentier state structure is used to identify the social implications of the occurrence of oil theft at the local level in the Niger Delta region. The paper posits that economic implications include reduced revenue, increased unemployment, and diversification of the economy. The social implications also include sustained conflict, curbed social development, and displacement of persons. To combat the illegal practice of oil theft, it is recommended that transparency and accountability should be adhered to in the relations among government, oil-producing communities and multinational corporations.
Keywords: Niger Delta, oil theft, resource curse, sustainable development, security and conflict
Relationship between cash transfer programmes and school outcomes in Africa and Latin America: A systematic review
Authors: Temidayo Jane , Awojobi Oladayo Nathaniel 
Published: June 2020

Poverty is popularly believed to be a hindrance to schooling for children from poor households. To overcome this obstacle, cash transfers have been used to support and promote their access to education. This review assesses the effect of some cash transfers programmes in Africa and Latin America on children’s educational outcomes. A systematic search for relevant studies was conducted online through google scholar. Inclusion criteria were met by ten studies- 5 in Africa and 5 in Latin America. Eight studies used a quantitative approach, while two adopted a mixed-methods technique. The included studies used different study designs, and their outcomes showed that both Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) and Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs) have positive effects on school outcomes. Some results showed strong evidence, others showed weak evidence while others showed limited evidence. Cash transfer programmes offer disadvantaged children the opportunity for schooling. However, the impact of these programmes varies because of their implementation designs.
Keywords: Cash transfers, Children, Poverty, School
Insecticide resistance in field populations of the tomato fruitworm, <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i>, from Senegal
Authors: Sene Serigne Omar , Tendeng Etienne , Diatte Mamadou , Sylla Serigne , Labou Babacar , Diallo Amadou Woory , Diarra Karamoko 
Published: June 2020

Monitoring of the evolution of insecticide resistance in the field is crucial to prevent pest control issues. The present study was conducted to assess insecticide resistance status of the fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), the most destructive pest of field-grown tomato in Senegal. A sample of 11- 15 field populations were monitored for their susceptibility to abamectin, deltamethrin, and profenofos, using a standard leaf-dip bioassay method. Resistance ratios ranged from 1- to 30-fold to abamectin (4/15 populations with RR>10), 7- to 112-fold to deltamethrin (11/12 populations with RR>10), and 1- to 29-fold to profenofos (3/11 populations with RR>10). This indicates that resistance evolution to deltamethrin was widespread among field populations of H. armigera. However, an increasing trend of resistance to deltamethrin was observed from the South to the North of Niayes. Susceptibility to abamectin and profenofos was generally high but showed that resistance might be evolving within some populations. In addition, signs of cross-resistance to abamectin were detected, suggesting possible metabolic resistance mechanisms already selected in pyrethroid-resistant populations. The recorded high levels of pyrethroids resistance are a concern for the control of H. armigera in Senegal as the country is being currently embarking into economic expansion of tomato cropping systems.
© 2020 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Insecticide resistance, pyrethroids, avermectins, OPs, Helicoverpa armigera, West Africa
Spatial distribution and ecological niche modelling of <i>Triplochiton scleroxylon</i> K. Schum., in the Guineo-Congolese region of Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Toko Imorou Ismaïla 
Published: June 2020

Triplochiton sleroxylon (samba) is a West and Central African forest species of high socio-economic value which is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures from various sources. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of climate change on the spatial distribution of Triplochiton sleroxylon in the Guineo-Congolese region of Benin. All of 2311 occurrence data of this species were combined with current and future climate variables in the Maxent program under RCP scenarios 4.5 and 8.5 by 2055. Analysis of the spatial pattern of Triplochiton scleroxylon revealed an aggregative distribution between 1m and 7 m distance. But for a distance between 0 and 1 m and more than 7 m, the spatial pattern revealed a random spatial distribution. Under current climatic conditions, 45.17% of the study area of the Guineo-Congolese region in Benin and 61.69% of the one of protected areas are currently very suitable for the cultivation and conservation of samba. Projections to 2055 indicate a significant increase in the area of these habitats for the two scenarios used. These results show that the current and future climatic conditions of the Guineo-Congolese region in Benin remain favourable for the cultivation and conservation of this species. Unfortunately, outside protected areas, these favourable habitats are occupied by settlements and fields. Taking these results into account could effectively contribute to the sustainable conservation of this species in Benin.
© 2020 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Climate change, Maxent program, niche modelling, aggregative distribution, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Benin
Castor bean: main uses and biodiversity in the Adamawa, Cameroon
Authors: Tchuenteu Lucien Tatchum , Mohamamed Awal , Megueni Clautilde 
Published: June 2020

Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) is an oilseed plant with multiple socio-economic benefits. It grows wild in Cameroon. The study aimed at determining main uses, describing, evaluating the carbon stock as well as carbon credits and geolocalizing castor bean accessions from Adamawa Cameroon. The location of various sites for ethnobotanical survey was identified by random sampling techniques which consist in randomly selecting the various locations, overall sample consists of 1440 peoples; the respondents were questioned individually using a questionnaire form. Results showed that castor bean is used to treat several diseases; seeds oil is consumed and plants present margico-religious powers. Four local castor bean accessions (Vina, Martap, Nyambaka and Bélel) were identified. Overall, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between castor bean accessions identified with respect to the physical characteristics of vegetative organs and seeds. Plants of Bélel accession were tallest (302.96 ± 44.36 cm) while the smallest plants height (148.63 ± 19.05 cm) were from Vina accession. Vina accession was the most widespread while Nyambaka and Bélel accessions were the least widespread in the study areas. This information will be useful in the implantation program of castor bean as alternative crop of the Cameroonian agriculture.
© 2020 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Ricinus communis L., ethnobotanical survey, vegetative organs, carbon stock, geolocalizing, Adamawa-Cameroon
Etude du phénomène de remontée de boue sur le décanteur lamellaire de la station de traitement d’eau de Paspanga au Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouedraogo Elisabeth R. , Dibala Crépin I. , Konate Kiessoun , Diarra Jean , Dicko Mamoudou H. 
Published: June 2020

L’eau potable, un aliment de base et son accès est l’un des besoins humains fondamentaux. A Ouagadougou, l’eau potable provient du traitement des eaux de surface à Paspanga et à Ziga. Les remontées de boues constituent un phénomène persistant dans les processus de traitement de l’eau à Paspanga. L’objectif de ce travail était de trouver les causes de ce phénomène afin d’optimiser les coûts et taux de production d’eau potable. Pour ce faire, les paramètres physico-chimiques et des essais de traitements de l’eau brute ont été réalisés selon les normes de qualité. Les résultats ont montré que l’eau est potabilisable. En effet, la turbidité, la teneur en matière en suspension et en matière organique sont respectivement en moyenne 116,52 NTU, 10,85 mg/l, 4,72 mg/l d’O2 en mai et 719,13 NTU, 21,07 mg/l, 13,08 mg/l d’O2 de juin à juillet. Le pH de l’eau en mai est faible et en moyenne 6,89 et 7,50 dans les mois de juin à juillet. La mise en évidence de la production de gaz révèle que cette production est progressive. Les remontées de boues sont donc une résultante de deux facteurs : la qualité de l’eau brute et la production de gaz au fond des décanteurs.
Mots clés : Décanteur, remontée de boue, traitement, eau

English title: Study of the phenomenon of mud increase on the lamellate decanter of the station of treatment of water of Paspanga in Burkina Faso
Drinking water is a basic food and its access is one of the fundamental human needs. For Ouagadougou, it comes from the station of water treatment of surface at Paspanga and Ziga. The mud increase constitutes a persistent phenomenon in the treatments of water of Paspanga. The objective of this work was to find the causes of this phenomenon in order to optimize the costs and rate of drinking water production. To be done, the physicochemical parameters and the tests of rough water treatments were carried out according to standards of quality. The results showed that water is potabilisable. Indeed, the average of turbidity, content of organic matter and suspended matter of water were respectively 116,52 NTU, 10,85 mg/l, 4,72 mg/l of O2 in May and 719,13 NTU, 21,07 mg/l, 13,08 O2 mg/l from June to July. The pH of water varied to 6,89 in May; to 7.50 in June and July. In addition, the results showed that the gas production revealed is progressive over time, which would mean that the mud increased would be a result of two factors: the quality of raw water and the production of gas at the bottom of the decanters.
Keywords: Decanter, rising mud, treatment, water
Design and performance evaluation of an electrically powered multi-purpose food roaster
Authors: Ganiyu Y.O. , Afolayan M.O. , Jolaiya S.O. 
Published: June 2020

Food roasting is a method and technique used for transforming raw food into edible and tasty food accompanied with change or alteration in the appearance, taste, aroma, shape, or colour of the end product. The traditional method of use of open grill in Nigeria as an example, does not produce consistent end products. This work is about a multi-purpose roasting machine for Maize (Zea maize), Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and Yam (Dioscorea Sagittifolia). The roasting temperature is allowed to vary between 160-240oC and the distance between the heat source and the item being roasted is also adjustable (50mm-150mm). A 10-50min experiment using ten maize cobs, yam slices and plantain of an average initial weight of 2.9kg, 3kg and 1.16kg respectively led to 6.91%, 6.7% and 9.5% weight loss and 68.4%, 66.1% and 94.1% roasting efficiency.
Keywords: Multi-Purpose, Food, Roasting, Roasting Conditions
Investigation of the effects of starting pH, mass and retention time on biogas production using poultry droppings as feedstock
Authors: Adebimpe O.A. , Edem I.E. , Ayodele O.L. 
Published: June 2020

The effect of starting pH, mass and retention time on biogas production was studied using poultry droppings as the feedstock. A full factorial experiment was designed and performed with starting pH set at 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 for feedstock mass of 100g and 200g at specific retention times. The results presented an optimal biogas yield at pH=7 with a volume of 722 and 1046cm3 while pH=5 had the least with 255 and 481 cm3 at 100g and 200g mass respectively. The starting pH, mass and retention time and the interaction of starting pH and mass had significant effect on biogas yield at 5% significance level. The R-Square value obtained from the analysis was 92.1%. Thereafter, a log-linear regression model for predicting biogas yield was generated and was found to provide adequate prediction given its MAPE value of 19.97.
Keywords: Biogas Production, Mass, Poultry Droppings, Retention Time, Starting pH.
Single user TCP downstream throughput probability models in IEEE802.11b WLAN system
Authors: Oghogho I. 
Published: June 2020

Single User, Transmission Control Protocol Downstream Throughput (TCPDST) probability models in an IEEE802.11b WLAN have been developed, validated and evaluated for performance. Measurement of single user TCPDST were taken using Tamosoft throughput test while that of signal to noise ratio (SNR) were taken using inSSIDer 2.1. The Tamosoft throughput tests were conducted using different quality of service (QoS) traffic. These QoS traffic (which were sent through an infrastructure based network) correspond to different wireless multimedia tags. Measurements were taken in free space, small offices and open corridor environments. By assuming a normal distribution, single user TCPDST Cumulative distribution function (CDF) probability models were developed for different signal categories namely: (i) all the SNR considered, (ii) strong signals only, (iii) grey signals only and (iv) weak signals only. The models were validated and their performances evaluated using root mean square (RMS) errors. RMS errors were computed by comparing model predicted values with validation data. The RMS errors for single user CDF all signals model was 0.1466%. RMS errors for strong signals models, grey signals model and weak signals model respectively were 0.1466%, 0.6756% and 0.1233% indicating acceptable performances. All signals, strong signals, grey signals and weak signals CDF probability models predicted probabilities of obtaining TCPDST values greater than 5Mbps as 74.79%, 90.55%, 13.00% and 4.77% respectively while probabilities of obtaining TCPDST values less than 2Mbps were predicted as 4.91%, 0.00%, 18.98% and 52.41% respectively. These probability models will provide additional useful information needed to design efficient distributed data networks.
Keywords: Throughput, TCP, WLAN, probability models
Review of electrical energy losses in Nigeria
Authors: Komolafe O.M. , Udofia K.M. 
Published: June 2020

The Nigerian electric power sector holds a lot of unfulfilled potentials for the economic development of Africa’s most populous country; the electric energy generated is not up to 30% of the national demand and worse still, over 50% of this paltry sum is recorded as losses—this is not indicative of commercial viability. The visible efforts being made to address the problems, though laudable, do not fully demonstrate complete appreciation of the underlying root causes. In this paper, an examination of the structure of the Nigerian electricity industry is provided followed by a technical review of factors responsible for the excessive losses (technical and non-technical) in the system. The solutions proffered would enable improved response, first to efficiently manage the available energy and also to grow the industry for the good of the nation.
Keywords: Nigerian power distribution system, electric energy theft, power losses in Nigeria.
Analytical model construction of optimal mortality intensities using polynomial estimation
Authors: Ogungbenle G.M. , Adeyele J.S. 
Published: June 2020

The aim of this paper is to describe a non-parametric technique as a means of estimating the instantaneous force of mortality which serves as the underlying concept in modeling the future lifetime. It relies heavily on the analytic properties of life table survival functions 𝒍𝒙+𝒕. The specific objective of the study is to estimate the force of mortality using the Taylor series expansion to a desired degree of accuracy. The estimation of the continuous death probabilities has aroused keen research interest in mortality literature on life assurance practice. However, the estimation of 𝝁𝒙 involves a model dependent on deep knowledge of differencing and differential equation of first order. The suggested method of approximation with limiting optimal properties is the Newton’s forward difference model. Initiating Newton’s process is an important level in terms of theoretical work which produces parallel results of great impact in the study of mortality functions. The paper starts from an assumption that 𝒍𝒙 function follows a polynomial of least degree and hence gives an answer to a simple model which overcomes points of singularity.
Keywords: polynomials, contingency, analyticity, basis, differential, mortality, modeling
Groundwater potential mapping in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria, using multi-criteria analysis and hydrogeophysics
Authors: Epuh E.E. , Orji M.J. , Iyoyojie H.A. , Daramola O.E. 
Published: June 2020

The assessment of the potential groundwater recharge area is extremely important for water quality protection and proper management of ground water systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate systematic groundwater studies using the integration of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) and hydrogeophysics as a tool to identify groundwater potential areas in Ikorodu, Lagos. In this study, various thematic maps (layers) derived from satellite image classification such as: Land use/ Land cover map, soil map, rainfall map, geological map, slope map derived from SRTM Digital Elevation Model, lineament density map obtained as a result if lineament analysis of the principal component of the image, were all integrated using the weighted overlay tool in the spatial analyst toolbox of ArcGIS 10.5. Ranks and weights of classes and sub-classes of the thematic layers were assigned based on their influences on groundwater occurrence. The vertical electrical sounding data obtained from the study area were used to validate the results of the groundwater potential map and also determine the areas with brackish water, saline water and freshwater and the most probable drillable depth for exploration. The results show that the groundwater potential zones of the study area could be classified into five zones with the following percentage for spatial distribution: “very high” potential zone (0.6%), “high” (4.2%), “moderate” (15.8%), “low” 71.7% and very low potential zone (7.7%). The South-Western region of Ikorodu, close to Oriwu has the highest concentration of groundwater. Imota is characterized with Moderate and Low ground water potentials. From the query results, the aquiferous layers were identified, their yield and potentials determined and the depths to which boreholes can be sunk for the drilling of fresh water were found to be between 20m and 120m respectively.
Keywords: Groundwater, Remote sensing, GIS, Hydrogeophysics.
Water quality assessment of Owiwi River for potential irrigation of vegetables
Authors: Eruola A.O. , Makinde A.A. , Eruola A.O. , Oladele R. 
Published: June 2020

Understanding water quality used for irrigation and its potential negative impacts on crop growth are important for optimization of crop production. The study involved the assessment of hydro-chemical properties and chemical indices of Owiwi river for irrigation of vegetables from the measured quality parameters and analyzed for important quality indices following standard test procedures. The study revealed that pH of water was acidic in nature resulting in low residual sodium carbonate (RSC) values showing dominance of dissolved CO3, attributed to dissolution of limestone dominant in the study area. The water was regarded as permissible water based on electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS), implying non detrimental salinity hazard in the soils. Excessive Na content (> 250 MMg/L) in water reduces the permeability thereby influencing availability of water for the plant usage, obviously associated with low EC and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) observed in the river water. The excess hardness resulting from high content of calcium and magnesium ions derived from limestone and chalk is undesirable mostly for esthetic reasons like plumbing of irrigation systems. Generally, the water can be classified as good for irrigation of vegetable on the bases of PI, MAR, % Na, SAR and % yield.
Keywords: Hydro-chemical, permeability, soil, limestone, yield.