bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Salt Harvesting on Ground Water Quality in Gongoni Ward, Kilifi County, Kenya
Authors: Gakweli Ali , Gikuma-Njuru Peter , Manono Bonface Ombasa 
Published: May 2021

Aims: To determine the effects of salt harvesting on ground water quality in Gongoni ward, Kilifi County.
Study Design: The study design was purposive where sampling points were deliberately chosen.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Gongoni ward and its environs in Kilifi County from May 2015 to July 2015.
Methodology: Sixteen sampling points were selected within the study area and sampling was done twice between May and July 2015. The water samples collected were analyzed for sodium (Na+), Chlorides (Cl-), Fluorides, (F-) Calcium (Ca2+), alkalinity, acidity (pH), E. coli, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Salinity as NaCl in the Government Chemist laboratories in Mombasa. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Office Excel.
Results: The ground water sources in Gongoni ward registered high levels of key parameters (TDS, Salinity, Chloride, and Sodium) than the adjacent areas of Mambrui, Ngomeni and selected secondary data from Mombasa County wells where no salt harvesting occurs. Gongoni water sources had a mean TDS of 1969.00mg/L and the adjacent area shad TDS of 1050.00 mg/L. The level of E. coli and total coliform were above the Kenyan and WHO permissible limit of 0 MPN/100ml for treated water and 10 MPN/100mls for untreated water.
Conclusion: Despite the elevated concentration levels of chemical parameters from Gongoni ward water sources, the differences are not statistically significant when compared to the adjacent areas of Mambrui and Ngomeni.
Recommendations: The water from sources with high levels of TDS and salinity should be pre-treated to make the water more suitable for human use. Those with high coliform and E. coli bacteria should be regularly treated using the appropriate disinfection methods. It is recommended that all projects on salt harvesting should be subjected to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before implementation as provided by the Kenya Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999.
Performance of Half-Sib Progenies Developed from an Early Maturing Maize (Zea mays L.) Population in a Rain-Forest Location
Authors: Fadahunsi A. O. , Oluwaranti A. , Fakorede M. A. B. 
Published: May 2021

Problem: Half-sib progenies were developed in a maize breeding program of the Department of Crop Production and Protection of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria but have not been evaluated for further improvements.
Aims: Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the performances of the half-sib progenies, as well as estimate and determine the association among selected traits.
Study Design: 160 half-sib progenies each developed in the late planting seasons of 2013 and 2014 from an early maturing maize population were used for this study. Each of the field trials were laid out in a 16 x 10 incomplete block design and replicated twice.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during the early and late planting seasons of 2015 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (7º28’N 4º33’E and 244 m above sea level).
Methodology: All data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 0.05 probability level. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were generated to calculate heritability estimates for all traits taken.
Results: The results observed showed highly significant differences (P < 0.01) between seasons and among half-sib progenies from both years of development for all traits. Half-sib progenies developed in 2014 were also observed to perform better than those developed in 2013 for all traits studied. Heritability was high (72%) for ear height for the 2013 developed half-sib progenies and moderate at 45% for the 2014 half-sib progenies and this trait had highly significant and positive correlations with yield.
Conclusion: It was concluded that sufficient genetic variability existed among the progenies that could be exploited to improve the population. However, it was recommended that these progenies could also be evaluated in multiple locations to ascertain their adaptability and performance.
Developmental Venous Anomaly with Adjacent Parenchymal Abnormality Masquerading as Glioma-A Unique Case Report
Authors: Alvi Amna , Raza Rabail , Mubarak Fatima , Alvi Asma 
Published: May 2021

Developmental venous anomaly (DVA)/ Cerebral Venous Angioma is the most common type of cerebral vascular malformations, mostly an incidental benign finding. But there are documented associated complications like parenchymal signal abnormalities, thrombosis, cavernous malformations and parenchymal atrophy.
In this report, we present a unique case of cerebral DVA with cortical changes mimicking the Glioma. Altered haemodynamics in DVA is the underlying pathophysiology for these changes. Correct MRI interpretation, by an expert neuroradiologist, can establish the diagnosis of DVA and its related changes. Therefore, it can reduce the morbidity and mortality by preventing the unnecessary invasive procedures like biopsy for diagnosis.
Frequency of Satisfactory Outcome after Surgical Management in Isolated Orbitozygomatic Fractures
Authors: Shaikh Tarique Hussain , Channar Kashif Ali , Kumbhar Aftab Ahmed , Rajper Wajid Ali , Lakho Farzana , Nayab Atiya , Maqbool Hafsa 
Published: May 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency of satisfactory outcome after Surgical Management in Isolated Orbitozygomatic fractures.
Study Design: Case series Descriptive study.
Place and Duration: Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical Health Science, Jamshoro ,from 11thAugust 2020 to10thMarch 2021.
Methodology: Total 87 patients of Isolated Orbitozygomatic fractures with Enophthalmos and or Diplopia were included. All patients were operated, open reduction and internal fixation of zygoma at 3 points. Postoperatively Diplopia was ruled out by a range of eye movements and Enophthalmos was measured by Hertel Exophthalmometer. Final assessment was done after six weeks postoperatively. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Stratification was done and poststratification chi square test or t-test was applied. P-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: There was 85.1% male and 14.9% female. Mean age was 33.45±7.93 years. 73.6% were classified as ASA-I and 26.4% were classified as ASA-II. At first, third and sixth week, 4.6% patients were found with positive upward gaze, 2.3% with positive down gaze, 0% with positive horizontal gaze and 2.3% with positive secondary peripheral gaze while 85.1% with < 3 mm Enophthalmoson Hertel Exopthelmommeter and 13(14.9%) with >3 mm Enophthalmoson Hertel Exopthelmommeter. The satisfactory outcome was 88.5%.
Conclusion: Our study results showed 88.5% satisfactory outcome. The long-term prognosis after repair of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures is very good.
Conducting Dermatological Operations in Patients Who Have Previously Undergone Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Irmatov Argen Nabievich , Shukyurli Ravan Seyfeddin Ogly , Kurbanmagomedov Rukizhat Gasbulakhovna , Amirchupanova Diana Taymazovna , Nasonov Pavel Vladimirovich , Goncharov Vitaly V. 
Published: May 2021

Thoracic surgical procedures and the use of cardiac devices such as pacemakers are becoming increasingly common in the population. Therefore, dermatologists may be more likely to encounter previously implanted or discarded surgical material during a dermatological operation on the chest wall. A basic understanding of the types of wires and tunneling paths used in such procedures is essential to accurately predict the presence of these wires and effectively manage any chance encounters.
Dermatologists should be aware that temporary epicardial pacemaker electrodes and pacemaker electrodes often remain in the chest wall of many patients. All patients with a history of cardiac surgery should be asked about the possible presence of temporary epicardial electrodes in their body, and if such materials are found during the operation, it is necessary to immediately stop the procedure and do not undertake further manipulations with them until the material from which it is made is determined.
Specialists in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery need to document any abandoned wire in the patient's list of problems and inform the patient about the abandoned wire so that he or she can be an important source of clinical information.
Trying to pull out the remaining pacemaker electrodes is a serious risk, so dermatologist surgeons should not attempt it under any circumstances. When detecting wire material, it is necessary to determine the type and location of the material before any manipulation or pulling attempts. Once it is established that this is a non-functional, abandoned wire, it is necessary to apply the correct technique for removing it, which consists in gently pulling and securing the wire at the exit point. Accurate identification of the material is required in order not to interfere with the operation of the active device and not to abandon the operation unnecessarily.
The aim of the work is to consider the implementation of dermatological operations in patients who have previously undergone cardiac surgery.
Antibiotics Sensitivity Profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Wound Swabs and Urine Samples from University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Alabi Mercy Adewumi , Bayode Michael Tosin , Adesanya Jeremiah Abiola , Aina Ikeoluwa Feyisayo 
Published: May 2021

Aim: To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa enumerated from wound swabs and urine samples from the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, Nigeria.
Place of Study: University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, between January and May, 2019.
Methodology: Wound swabs and urine samples were collected from patients of University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure. Enumeration and identification of P. aeruginosa isolates was employed. Antibiotic sensitivity test was conducted on the enumerated P. aeruginosa strains from both clinical specimens via standard disc diffusion protocol. The susceptibility and resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa isolates was established utilizing clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) standard.
Results: Ciprofloxacin was observed to display the highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 17.00±1.00 mm for P. aeruginosa isolate 1 and likewise the highest ZOI of 24.50±1.50 mm for P. aeruginosa strain 3. Fourteen strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited highest resistance to septrin and augmentin for wound swabs as all 19 of the bacterial strains also exhibited the highest resistance to septrin, chloramphenicol, augmentin and streptomycin for urine specimens. Ten (10) of P. aeruginosa strains from wound swabs exhibited the highest intermediate susceptibility to perfloxacin. Eleven (11) strains of P. aeruginosa from urine specimens exhibited the highest intermediate susceptibility on sparfloxacin. All 19 strains of P. aeruginosa from urine specimens were susceptible to amoxicillin and gentamicin as completely minimal susceptibility was recorded for P. aeruginosa associated with wound swabs.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the high resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa associated with wound swabs and urine samples and emphasizes the need for the regimentation of over-the-counter remedy and antibiotic susceptibility appraisal of anti-pseudomonal drugs.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Machining Parameters for Multi-Pass CNC Turning to Minimize Carbon Emissions, Energy, Noise and Cost
Authors: Fittamami Bening Maulina , Pujiyanto Eko , Priyandari Yusuf 
Published: May 2021

Global warming is a huge environmental issue today. This is due to the high level of world carbon emissions. The manufacturing process accounts for 30% of the world's carbon emissions production. Sustainable manufacturing is necessary to implement to reduce carbon emission levels caused by the manufacturing process. There are three aspects of sustainable manufacturing, namely environmental aspects, economic aspects, and social aspects. These three aspects can be implemented in the machining process by optimizing machining parameters in multi-pass CNC turning. This research aims to optimize CNC turning machining parameters by considering energy consumption, carbon emissions, noise, and production cost. The model is solved using a Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm in Matlab 2016b then the transformation and weighting functions are carried out from the feasible value. Based on the optimization results, the total energy consumption value obtained is 2.50 MJ; total production cost is $ 2.19; total carbon emissions are 5.97 kgCO2, and noise is 236, 19 dB. The sensitivity analysis exhibits the machining parameters that affect the objective function: The cutting speed parameter and the feed rate parameter. This model can be used to improve the manufacturing process and support sustainable manufacturing.
Ultrahigh Thermoelectric Performance in Environmentally Friendly SnTe Achieved through Stress‐Induced Lotus‐Seedpod‐Like Grain Boundaries
Authors: Guo Fengkai , Cui Bo , Li Chun , Wang Yumei , Cao Jian , Zhang Xinghong , Ren Zhifeng , Cai Wei , Sui Jiehe 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn an effort to improve the thermoelectric performance of the environmentally friendly SnTe, here, a multilevel structure composed of “lotus‐seedpod‐like” grain boundaries, dense dislocations, and nanopores is innovatively constructed, which synergistically reduces the sound velocity and the phonon relaxation time, resulting in ultralow lattice thermal conductivity throughout a wide temperature range. An ultrahigh figure of merit, ZT, of ≈1.7 and an unprecedented average ZT of ≈1 from 300 to 873 K are obtained. In contrast to the common pore‐forming method of volatilization, the strategy of stress‐induced recrystallization and gas expansion cogenerating interfacial pores that is used here, is believed to be more widely applicable for many other materials, which opens up a new avenue for improving thermoelectric performance.
3D‐Printed Hydrogel‐Filled Microneedle Arrays
Authors: Barnum Lindsay , Quint Jacob , Derakhshandeh Hossein , Samandari Mohamadmahdi , Aghabaglou Fariba , Farzin Ali , Abbasi Laleh , Bencherif Sidi , Memic Adnan , Mostafalu Pooria , Tamayol Ali 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMicroneedle arrays (MNAs) have been used for decades to deliver drugs transdermally and avoid the obstacles of other delivery routes. Hydrogels are another popular method for delivering therapeutics because they provide tunable, controlled release of their encapsulated payload. However, hydrogels are not strong or stiff, and cannot be formed into constructs that penetrate the skin. Accordingly, it has so far been impossible to combine the transdermal delivery route provided by MNAs with the therapeutic encapsulation potential of hydrogels. To address this challenge, a low cost and simple, but robust, strategy employing MNAs is developed. These MNAs are formed from a rigid outer layer, 3D printed onto a conformal backing, and filled with drug‐eluting hydrogels. Microneedles of different lengths are fabricated on a single patch, facilitating the delivery of various agents to different tissue depths. In addition to spatial distribution, temporal release kinetics can be controlled by changing the hydrogel composition or the needles’ geometry. As a proof‐of‐concept, MNAs are used for the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Application of the rigid, resin‐based outer layer allows the use of hydrogels regardless of their mechanical properties and makes these multicomponent MNAs suitable for a range of drug delivery applications.
A Smart Nanoplatform with Photothermal Antibacterial Capability and Antioxidant Activity for Chronic Wound Healing
Authors: Ma Tengfei , Zhai Xinyun , Huang Yongkang , Zhang Mengzhen , Zhao Xiaoli , Du Yaping , Yan Chunhua 
Published: May 2021

AbstractChronic wounds, such as the diabetic ulcer wounds have serious effect on people's lives, and can even lead to death. Diabetic ulcer wounds are different from normal wounds and much easier to be infected and induce oxidative stress due to the special surrounding microenvironment, which makes it necessary to prepare materials with antibacterial property and antioxidant activity simultaneously. The molybdenum disulfide‐ceria (MoS2‐CeO2) nanocomposite possesses both the photo‐thermal therapy (PTT) antibacterial capability of polyethylene glycol modified molybdenum disulfide nanosheets and the antioxidant activity of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs). By combining the inherent antibacterial activity of CeO2 NPs, the MoS2‐CeO2 nanocomposite exhibits excellent PTT antibacterial capability against both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria through 808 nm laser treatment, thereby reducing the risk of wound infection. Owing to the abundant oxygen vacancies in CeO2 NPs, Ce3+ and Ce4+ can transform reversibly which endows MoS2‐CeO2 nanocomposite with remarkable antioxidant ability to clear away the excessive reactive oxygen species around the diabetic ulcer wounds and promote wound healing. The results demonstrate that MoS2‐CeO2 nanocomposite is a promising class for the clinical treatment of chronic wounds especially the diabetic ulcer wounds, and 808 nm laser can be used as a PTT antibacterial switch.
In Situ Construction of Functional Assemblies in Living Cells for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yang Xuejiao , Cao Zeyuan , Lu Honglei , Wang Huaimin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPeptide‐based materials hold great promise for various biomedical applications and have drawn increasing attention over the past five years. Despite the progress in fabrication and handling peptide materials in vitro, manipulating assemblies of peptides in living cells (or animals) is still in its infancy. In this contributing review, recent work is summarized using endogenous triggers to construct functional assemblies of peptides in vivo. After introducing the triggers for inducing peptide assemblies, the recent progress is highlighted of the in situ construction of assemblies for biomedical applications with emphasis on cancer therapy. Finally, a brief perspective is provided to discuss the future promises and challenges of this emerging area of supramolecular chemistry.
NIR‐Responsive Ti3C2 MXene Colloidal Solution for Curing Purulent Subcutaneous Infection through the “Nanothermal Blade” Effect
Authors: Wang Xiaolan , Yao Mengyu , Ma Limin , Yu Peng , Lu Teliang , Zhang Luhui , Yuan Xinyuan , Zhang Yu , Ye Jiandong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPathogenic microorganisms’ infections have always been a difficult clinical challenge and lead to serious health problems. Thus, a new strategy is urgently needed. In this study, a simple preparation method for Ti3C2 MXene colloidal solution is proposed. In vitro, Staphylococcus aureus is treated with 250 µg mL−1 of Ti3C2 colloidal solution under 5 min of 808 nm near‐infrared (NIR) laser irradiation twice. Staphylococcus aureus is eliminated by the “nanothermal blade” effect from Ti3C2 combined with NIR; the antibacterial rate is 99%, which is higher than the antibacterial rate of pure Ti3C2 alone 78%. The antibacterial mechanism underlying this treatment may be that the thermal Ti3C2 nanosheets first transfer heat to the cell membrane, disrupting the membrane structure, disturbing the metabolism and causing leakage of bacterial protein and deoxyribonucleic acid, consequently leading to bacterial death. In vivo results indicate that Ti3C2 colloidal solution under NIR can effectively kill Staphylococcus aureus and prevent inflammation. Moreover, 250 µg mL−1 Ti3C2 colloidal solution is nontoxic to mouse organs during the therapeutic process. Therefore, Ti3C2 colloidal solution can be an ideal candidate for subcutaneous infection application. The antibacterial mechanism proposed in this study aids the investigation of other MXenes as antibacterial agents.
All‐in‐One DNA Extraction Tube for Facilitated Real‐Time Detection of Infectious Pathogens
Authors: Song Younseong , Kim Yong Tae , Choi Yunho , Kim Hogi , Yeom Min Hee , Kim Yesol , Lee Tae Jae , Lee Kyoung G. , Im Sung Gap 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn “all‐in‐one tube” platform is developed, where the genetic analysis involving DNA extraction, amplification, and detection can be performed in a single tube. The all‐in‐one tube consists of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tube in which the inner surface is conformally modified with a tertiary‐amine‐containing polymer to generate a strong electrostatic interaction with DNA. The all‐in‐one tube provides high DNA capture efficiency exceeding 80% from Escherichia coli O157: H7 pathogen at a wide range of DNA amount from 0.003 to 3 ng. Indeed, the use of the surface‐functionalized PCR tube enables direct amplification and detection of the surface‐captured DNA without the modification of standard real‐time PCR instrument. Besides, this platform has sensitivity, selectivity, and reliability enough for accurate detection at the minimal infective dose of both gram‐positive and negative pathogens. The all‐in‐one tube enables the direct molecular diagnosis, substantially reducing the labor‐intensive pathogen detection steps while providing high compatibility with the currently established real‐time PCR instruments, and illustrates its on‐site applicability with convenience expandable to various genetic analyses including food safety testing, forensic analysis, and clinical diagnosis.
Insights into Mechanism of Aβ42 Fibril Growth on Surface of Graphene Oxides: Oxidative Degree Matters
Authors: He Huan , Xu Juan , Li Chen‐Qiao , Gao Tian , Jiang Peng , Jiang Feng‐Lei , Liu Yi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe filamentous β‐amyloid deposition has been regarded as the hallmark pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nanomaterials such as graphene oxides (GOs) have achieved significant progress in the therapy of AD, but the molecular pathway of the growth propagation remains challenging to investigate, especially on the surfaces of materials. The thermodynamics and kinetics of fibril elongation on GO surfaces with different oxidative degrees have been investigated by a combination of in vitro experiments and simulations. ThT kinetics, calorimetric measurements, and TEM observations suggest that low oxidative GO‐10 promotes the fibril elongation, while both high oxidative GO‐20 and GO‐40 inhibit the fibril elongation. Computational results reveal that the apparent regulation behaviors of GOs on filament growth depend on the balance between the promoting effect by templating the incoming of monomers and the retarding effect by capturing the monomer during docking and locking phases through hydrogen bonding. This work will promote the understanding of the interplay between biomolecules and materials, thus providing new thoughts for the rational design of novel materials for amyloidosis therapy.