bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Course Related Factors on Academic Performances of Undergraduates-A Study with Science Courses
Authors: Karunarathna K. A. N. K. 
Published: September 2021

Aims: Academic performances of undergraduate students may depend on many factors. Researches in literature have taken different factors into consideration and these effects may vary depending on different aspects such as place, period and group. This study aimed to identify effects of course related factors on academic performances, which are linked with design of courses. As the course related factors, subject of course, type of course (theoretical, practical), volume of course (number of credits), and level of course (year of study) were considered.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka with the undergraduate courses in the science stream and results of students in a batch completed the degree recently.
Methodology: A group of all students in a batch that recently passed out from the faculty was used as the sample and there were 109 students. Data including gender, stream of study, subject of course, type of course (theoretical/practical), volume of course in terms of numbers of credits, levels of courses were gathered as the factors and grades of courses was taken as the measure that represents academic performances of students. Grades were transformed to grade point values and then it was used as the main response. Analysis was carried out with both parametric and nonparametric statistical approaches.
Results: It could be revealed that academic performances of undergraduates depend on course related factors tested. Performances tend to decrease with the increase in number of credits of the course meanwhile higher performances could be observed in practical courses compared with theory based courses. Irrespective of other factors, performances for courses in the third year of study were higher than that of courses in other years of studies.
Conclusion: Academic performances of undergraduates are dependent on these factors related to courses. However, it needs further work to generalize the results.
Malaria Prevalence and Its Demographic Determinants in Oyigbo Local Governement Area, Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria
Authors: EGBOM Sylvia E. , OGIDI Margaret , NDUKA Florence O. , NZEAKO Sidney O. 
Published: September 2021

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of malaria and how demographic factors influence malaria parasite transmission among persons attending primary health care facilities in Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria.
Methodology: Intra-venous blood samples were obtained from 190 participants who enrolled for the study. These blood samples were stored in ethylene diamine tetra acetate bottles (EDTA) and used to make thick and thin films for malaria parasite detection using standard parasitological techniques (Cheesbrough 1998). Questionnaires were administered to the participants to obtain their demographic data. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used to obtain level of significance (p<0.05).
Results: Of the 190 persons examined, 109 were positive, giving a prevalence of 57.4%. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria parasite observed. Females 67 (59.82%) were more affected than males 42 (53.84%) but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Age group 41-50 and those with Secondary education had higher prevalence. The difference observed in these groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Artisans had the highest prevalence whereas the unemployed had the least prevalence. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Demographic factors have been shown to influence malaria transmission. Therefore, malaria control efforts should be intensified, taking into cognizance, the role of demographic factors in transmission.
Anatomical Studies of the Foliar Epidermis and Petiole of some Lannea Species in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Okanume Ogochukwu E. , Ebelebe Lynda C. , Oso O. A. 
Published: September 2021

Aims: Leaf epidermal morphology and petiole anatomy of seven Lannea species namely; Lannea velutina, Lannea kerstingii, Lannea egregia, Lannea schimperii, Lannea acida, Lannea microcarpa, and Lannea edulis in Nigeria were investigated to provide new taxonomic characters that could help in proper identification and delimitation of the taxa.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Jos, Nigeria between August 2020 and March 2021.
Methodology: Transverse sections of petioles were cut using a rotary microtome and epidermal peels were made. Staining was done using Safranin and slides observed using a light microscope.
Results: Stomatal distribution was hypostomatic except for L. velutina and L. edulis with amphistomatic distribution. Three stomata types are found; paracytic occurring in L. velutina, L. edulis and L. egregia, cyclocytic in L. schimperii and L. microcarpa and anomocytic in L. kerstingii and L. acida. Stomata index vary among taxa with L. egregia and L. acida having the highest (22.43%) and lowest (12.17%) respectively. The epidermal cell shape was polygonal in all the species and anticlinal wall patterns were straight to slightly curved. Unicellular/multicellular uniseriate trichomes were observed in L. schimperii, L. egregia and L. kerstingii distinguishing them from other species. Petiole outlines were circular to oval, epidermis was uniseriate and vascular bundles are collateral. Presence of continuous sclerenchyma rings surrounding the vascular bundles in L. kerstingii and L. microcarpa serve as a distinguishing character. Other distinguishing characters are presence of crystals, druses and phenolic idioblasts. A taxonomic key was produced using the anatomical character as an aid to the identification of the species.
Conclusion: Variations observed in the stomata types, petiole outline, petiole vasculature type, trichome type and stomata index could be employed for species identification and delimitation.
Existence and Nonexistence of Nontrivial Doubly Periodic Solutions of Nonlinear Telegraph Equations
Authors: Deng Nan 
Published: September 2021

Aims/ Objectives: We discuss the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions for nonlinear telegraph equations
utt-uxx+cut+a(t,x)u=λf (t,x,u) ,
where c > 0 is a constant, λ > 0 is a positive parameter, a ∈ C(R2,R+), f ∈ C(R2 × R+,R+), and a, f are 2π-periodic in t and x. The proof is based on a known xed point theorem due to Schauder. In previous articles, a single telegraph equation or telegraph system have been widely studied, but there is relatively little research on nonlinear telegraph equations with a parameter and the nonlinearities are nonnegative. We would like do some research on this topic. We give new conclusions on the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions for nonlinear telegraph equations under sublinear assumptions. Study Design: Study on the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions. Place and Duration of Study: School of Applied Science, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, September 2020 to present.Methodology: We prove the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions by the results of Schauder's xed point theorem. Results: We give new conclusions of existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions for the equations. Conclusion: We prove the existence and nonexistence of nontrivial nonnegative doubly periodic solutions for nonlinear telegraph equations utt − uxx + cut + a(t, x)u = λf (t, x, u), and give new conclusions.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial Properties of the Hydro-Ethanolic Leaf and Stembark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) on Cariogenic and Periodontopathic Bacteria
Authors: Agafina Fowedlung Ngufor , Agbor Ashu Michael , Pierre René Fotsing Kwetche , Estella Tembe Fokunang , Charles Pilipili , Ntungwen Fokunang Charles 
Published: September 2021

Background: Caries and periodontal diseases are major public health problems. Due to increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is a need to promote the known potential of plants and search for new anti-infectious substances as therapeutic alternatives to antibiotics.
Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the antibacterial property of the hydro-ethanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Psidium guajava on cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria.
Methodology: This was an experimental study that took place in the Laboratory of Chemistry and Microbiology (Clinique Universitaires des Montagne (CUM)) of Bangangté between January to June 2020. They were dried in shade for 3 weeks and ground to obtain a coarse powder. The dried powders were macerated for 72 hours in a water-ethanol mixture (30:70). Then, the phytochemical screening and quantification of the total polyphenol content followed. Microdilutions were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of guava. Müller Hinton agar was used for obtaining the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) and the determination of inhibition diameters of the bacteria.
Results: Extraction yields of 17.36g and 42.55g were obtained for leaf and stem bark, respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites among which the total phenol content was quantified at 236.1878 and 255.7682 mg equivalent of gallic acid per gram for leaf and stem bark, respectively. The carious bacteria isolated were: Streptococcus mutans, Actinomycetes viscosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus.While, the periodontal bacteria were: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum ,Tannerella forsythensis. The results obtained showed that the combined extracts of leaf and stem bark had an activity higher than that of the stem bark which in turn had a higher activity than the leaves.
Conclusion: Non-invasive independent predictors for screening esophageal varices may decrease medical as well as financial burden, hence improving the management of cirrhotic patients. These predictors, however, need further work to validate reliability.
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrient Concentration of Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Tiwari Uma Shankar , Yadav Kamlesh Kumar , Singh Pankaj Kumar , Sulekha . , Narayan Ashesh 
Published: September 2021

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to evaluate the integrated nutrient management on nutrient concentration. The experiment was comprising sixteen treatments viz. T1- control, T2- 100% RDF,T3- 100% RDF+S, T4- 100% RDF+S+Zn, T5- 100% RDF + S + Zn + bio-fertilizer (Azotobactor+ P.S.B.), T6- 100% RDF + 25% N through F.Y.M., T7- 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM + S, T8- 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM + S + Zn, T9-100% RDF. + 25% N through F.Y.M. + S + Zn + bio-fertilizer (Azotobactor+ P.S.B.), T10-100% RDF + 25% N through vermi compost, T11- 100% RDF + 25 % N through vermicompost + S + Zn + bio-fertilizer (Azotobactor+ PSB), T12- 75 % RDF T13- 75 % RDF + 25 % N through FYM T14- 75% RDF + 25% N through vermi compost, T15-75% RDF + 25% N through FYM + S + Zn + bio-fertilizer (Azotobactor+ P.S.B.) and T16- 75% RDF + 25% N through vermi compost + S + Zn + bio-fertilizer (Azotobactor+ P.S.B.). Contents of N, P, K, S and Zn. Increased linearly and non-significantly except N content in grain and straw and Zn content at all the stages of crop growth in comparison to control. Highest concentration of N, P, K, S and Zn at late tillering, milking and at harvest in grain and straw was recorded with T11 (100% R.D.F. + 25% N through vermicompost+S + Zn + bio- fertilizers (Azotobactor+P.S.B.) followed by T9 (100% R.D.F. + 25% N through F.Y.M. + S + Zn+bio-fertilizers (Azotobactor+P.S.B.) and minimum at control (T1) during both the years. Integration of sulphur, zinc, bio-fertilizers, FYM and vermicompost with 100% RDF and 75% RDF treatments also influences N, P, K, S and Zn content at all the stages of crop growth during both the years. It was also observed that integration of sulphur and zinc showed higher increases and its content also increase the concentration of others nutrients higher with 100% RDF treatments in comparison to 75% RDF treatments. The higher concentration of N, P, K, S and Zn to be attributed to higher availability and synergistic effects of these nutrients to each other at all the stages of crop growth.
Squamous Odontogenic Tumor of Posterior Maxilla-A Report of a New Unusual Case & Literature Review
Authors: Sihmar Sandeep S. , Ramalingam Karthikeyan , Rathi Shalini , Kumar Abhishekh 
Published: September 2021

Squamous odontogenic tumor is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor that is very unusual in the maxilla & mandible. Mostly, these are present as single lesions, but rarely they can be multifocal lesions. The nature of maxillary lesions is more aggressive. Because of their benign nature, these lesions are frequently treated with conservative surgical techniques that include curettage and surgical enucleation. We will discuss the instance of a 29-year-old lady who was misdiagnosed and treated conservatively by us. This case was examined in the light of current knowledge of the prevalence, genesis, diagnosis, and treatment of squamous odontogenic tumors, as well as a literature review.
Review for Analytical Methods for the Determination of Mefenamic Acid
Authors: Ashira T. V. , Rafeeque T. Mohamed , Maanvizhi Saba , Kathirvel S. , Indukala P. C. , Safeetha S. 
Published: September 2021

Mefenamic acid (MFA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that belongs to the anthranilic acid derivative family. It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. The present review article includes a compilation of articles on the various properties along with an extensive literature survey on the reported analytical methods of MFA. Using a comprehensive computer assisted literature review; this article discusses the analytical methodologies for quantifying MFA both in active pharmaceutical ingredient and pharmaceutical dosage forms. This is the first review article in this series with focus on the analytical profile of MFA. Although, several methods like High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, turbidimetry, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Mass Spectroscopy (MS) and electro analytical methods were reported in the literature, HPLC stands out first for the quantification of MFA.
Effect of Remineralisation with Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and Non-collagenous Protein Analogues (PAA and STPP) on the Micro Tensile Bond Strength of the Resin Composites to Dentin – An In vitro Study
Authors: Nair Soumya , Mathew Sylvia , George John V. , Mathew Rhea , Nair Arathi S. , Issac Chutty 
Published: September 2021

Background: Resin-dentin bonds are less durable than enamel as they rely on organic part for mineralisation. Bond denaturation mainly takes place because of hydrolysis of polymerized resin or degradation of water-rich, resin-sparse collagen by collagenolytic endogenous matrix metalloproteinase and cysteine cathepsins. Hence, this limited stability of dentin bonding tenaciously reduces the longevity of tooth-coloured restorations. One of the strategies adopted to encounter this shortcoming is to induce biomimetic remineralisation.
Aim: To assess the microtensile bond strength of resin composites to dentin following remineralisation using an experimental paste containing nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and biomimetic analogues, Poly Acrylic Acid (PAA) and Sodium Tri Polyphosphate (STPP).
Methodology: Nine intact freshly extracted third molar were used for this study to evaluate the microtensile bond strength after treating with three different groups; Group I with paste containing nano hydroxyapatite nHAp Group II paste containing nHAp and non-collagenous protein analogues such as (Polyacrcrylic acid and Sodium tripolyphosphate) and the control groups containing adhesive and resin composite with no additional treatment. The samples were observed over a period of 24 hours and 1 week the inter group data analysis was done using ANOVA and paired sample t test and the intra-group data analysis over period of 24 hours the post HOC Bonferroni test was used for the statistical analysis.
Results: After 24 hours the group with nHAp group showed highest value for microtensile bond strength among other groups, however after one week the group with nHAp +NCP analogues(PAA+STPP) showed highest value for microtensile bond.
Conclusion: The treatment with the experimental paste [nHAp+NCP] analogues (PAA+STPP)] can bring about remineralisation to improve bonding to dentin.
Molecular Docking Study of 3, 4- Dihydropyrimidone Derivatives as Novel Anti-inflammatory Agents
Authors: Panaskar Amit N. , Jain Ashish , Mohanty Pradeep Kumar 
Published: September 2021

Aim: Currently, researchers have developed a lot of new active substances as anti-inflammatory agents. One of the target proteins for anti-inflammatory agents is the selective COX-2 active site. Selective COX-2 inhibition is the regulator of the inflammatory reaction cascade. In this research, 3, 4- Dihydropyrimidone derivatives were used to design the anti-inflammatory agent through a selective COX-2 inhibition. The potential activity of 3, 4- Dihydropyrimidone derivatives maybe increase due to the preparation of the Schiff base with aromatic aldehydes. Selective COX-2 inhibition was required to predict their anti-inflammatory activity so, the aim in the present study, molecular docking study of 3,4- dihydropyrimidone derivatives have performed using COX-2 enzyme active site.
Methodology: The molecular docking of 3, 4-dihydropyrimidone derivatives were carried out using AutoDock vina Ver.1.1.2. Twenty 3,4-dihydropyrimidone derivatives were docked into the COX-2 active site with Protein data bank code 3LN1. The interactions were evaluated based on the docking score. Celecoxib was used as the reference standard for this study.
Results: Twenty 3, 4- dihydropyrimidone derivatives showed the approximate docking score -8.4 to -10.1 kcal/mol. Fourteen 3,4-dihydropyrimidone derivatives have a greater docking score compared to celecoxib used as a standard compound. Derivative D-1 had higher binding energy than other 3,4-dihydropyrimidone derivatives because it has the smallest docking score.
Conclusion: All new 3,4-dihydropyrimidone derivatives are feasible to synthesize and performed their in-vitro evaluation.
Increased Hatchability of Chickens against the Background of the Use of Water-Soluble Antioxidants
Authors: Ostrenko Konstantin S. , Deltsov Alexander A. , Maximov Vladimir I. , Sukharenko Elena V. 
Published: September 2021

The use of antioxidants is an effective means of increasing egg production and hatchability of chickens. The difficulty in application is in the methods of administration of drugs to chickens. Fat-soluble antioxidants are mainly available on the market.
Aims: The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of water-soluble antioxidants on physiological and zootechnical indicators of egg incubation and hatchability of offspring.
Methodology: The study was conducted on two groups of laying hens of Ostad, selected by random sampling of one hundred heads per group. For 41 days, the chickens of the experimental group received a basic diet enriched with dihydroetoxychine (DHE) in order to increase the antioxidant status at a dosage of 100 mg/kg of feed. Samples were taken from the axillary vein on the 25th day of application of the supplement (n=5) for physiological and biochemical studies.
Results: During the study, it was found that in the experimental group, the concentration of cholesterol in the high-density lipoprotein fraction doubled (P<0.01), and in the low-density lipoprotein fraction decreased by almost 50% (P<0.01) compared to the control. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood of chickens of the experimental group was 82.00% relative to that in the control, and in the egg yolk – only 37.42%. Egg production of chickens of the experimental group exceeded the control by 7.27%.
Conclusion: The totality of the information provided confirms the physiological adequacy for laying hens of the introduction of dihydroethoxychine in the specified dose.
Transcription factor SOX2 contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease development by regulating the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36
Authors: Shen Chen , Chen Jin Hong , Oh Ha Ram , Park Ji Hyun 
Published: September 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The level of the transcription factor SOX2 correlates with HCC progression, but its role in fat accumulation remains unclear. Here, a high‐fat diet, with and without fructose, significantly upregulated SOX2 in murine liver tissue. Treatment with free fatty acids (FFAs) and fructose upregulated SOX2 in murine FL83B hepatocytes. SOX2 overexpression or knockdown regulated triglyceride synthesis and lipid accumulation after FFA stimulation. CD36, a fatty acid transporter, and Yes‐associated protein (YAP), a downstream molecule of the Hippo signaling pathway, were upregulated by FFA/fructose in vivo and in vitro. Transcriptional regulation of CD36 by SOX2 suggested the involvement of CD36 in SOX2‐mediated hepatic steatosis. Thus, SOX2 may be a target to prevent NAFLD development.
General Principles for the Detection of Modified Nucleotides in RNA by Specific Reagents
Authors: Helm Mark , Schmidt‐Dengler Martina C. , Weber Marlies , Motorin Yuri 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEpitranscriptomics heavily rely on chemical reagents for the detection, quantification, and localization of modified nucleotides in transcriptomes. Recent years have seen a surge in mapping methods that use innovative and rediscovered organic chemistry in high throughput approaches. While this has brought about a leap of progress in this young field, it has also become clear that the different chemistries feature variegated specificity and selectivity. The associated error rates, e.g., in terms of false positives and false negatives, are in large part inherent to the chemistry employed. This means that even assuming technically perfect execution, the interpretation of mapping results issuing from the application of such chemistries are limited by intrinsic features of chemical reactivity. An important but often ignored fact is that the huge stochiometric excess of unmodified over‐modified nucleotides is not inert to any of the reagents employed. Consequently, any reaction aimed at chemical discrimination of modified versus unmodified nucleotides has optimal conditions for selectivity that are ultimately anchored in relative reaction rates, whose ratio imposes intrinsic limits to selectivity. Here chemical reactivities of canonical and modified ribonucleosides are revisited as a basis for an understanding of the limits of selectivity achievable with chemical methods.