bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of hydrometeorological variables over the transboundary Komadugu-Yobe basin, West Africa
Authors: Adeyeri O. E. , Laux P. , Lawin A. E. , Ige S. O. , Kunstmann H. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Spatiotemporal trends in daily observed precipitation, river discharge, maximum and minimum temperature data were investigated between 1971 and 2013 in the Komadugu-Yobe basin. Significant change points in time series are corrected using Adapted Caussinus-Mestre Algorithm for homogenizing Networks of Temperature series algorithm. Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope are used to estimate the trend and its magnitude at dry, wet and annual season time scales, respectively. Preliminary results show an increasing trend of the observed variables. There is a latitudinal increase (decrease) in the basin temperature (precipitation) from lower to higher latitudes. The minimum temperature (0.05 °C/year) increases faster than the maximum temperature (0.03 °C/year). Overall, the percentage changes in minimum temperature range between 3 and 10% while that of maximum temperature ranges between 1 and 3%. Due to precipitation dependence on regional characteristics, the highest percentage change was recorded in precipitation with values between −5 and 97%. In all time scales, river discharge and precipitation have strong positive correlations while the correlation between river discharge and temperature is negative. It is imperative to advocate and support positive developmental practices as well as establishing necessary mitigation measures to cope with the effects of climate in the basin.
The effect of saw dust in a flocculent with bentonite clay and FeSO4 in AMD treatment without addition of a neutralizer
Authors: Ntwampe I. O. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
200 mL of synthetic acid mine drainage (AMD) was poured into five 500 mL glass beakers and treated in a jar test. The samples were dosed with 1.0–2.5 g bentonite clay, 20–60 mL of 0.025 or 0.05 M FeSO4 and 1.0–2.5 g saw dust respectively. The samples were mixed at 250 rpm for 2 minutes and reduced to 100 rpm for 10 minutes. The samples were allowed to settle for 1 hour, after which the pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and turbidity were measured (exp. A). Two other similar sets of experiments were conducted by dosing the samples with a combination of bentonite clay and FeSO4 with and without saw dust, similar treatment and measurements (exp. B and exp. C), similar treatment and measurements were conducted. The pH and the efficiencies of the flocculants containing 0.025 and 0.05 M Fe3+ in FeSO4 are similarly identical. The removal of turbid materials from the samples with FeSO4 is the lowest, followed by a combination of bentonite clay and FeSO4, whereas a combination of bentonite clay, FeSO4 and saw dust the highest. Comparative removal efficiencies between the two flocculants show that the presence of FeSO4 is relatively insignificant. The removal efficiency of a combination of bentonite clay, FeSO4 and saw dust from AMD sample is low with for Cu2+, and optimal for both Ni2+ and Fe2+ ions.
Nanofiltration of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid as a function of water matrix properties
Authors: Toure Hadi , Anwar Sadmani A. H. M. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Nanofiltration (NF) is a promising technology to remove the perfluoroalkyl acids, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) from water; however, little information is available as to how the natural water matrices impact PFOA and PFOS rejection when using NF. This study investigated the removal of PFOA and PFOS in laboratory-prepared water, surface water, and groundwater via NF to determine the effect of water matrix properties on PFOA and PFOS rejection by NF. PFOA and PFOS rejections were up to approximately 38% higher in the natural water matrices when compared to the laboratory-prepared water. The rejection of PFOA did not vary in the tested river water and groundwater; however, an increasing trend in PFOS rejection was observed and attributed to enhanced size exclusion of PFOS-cation complexes via the sulfonate (–SO3−) ‘head’ of the PFOS ions and cation-induced membrane fouling by natural organic matter. Compound rejection increased with declining flux that was consistent with the dissolved organic matter (DOM) content of the respective water matrices. This study confirmed that DOM and cations indigenous to natural water matrices can lead to improved rejection of PFOA and PFOS when using NF.
Self-assembling Peptides in Current Nanomedicine: Versatile Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery
Authors: Peng Fei , Zhang Wensheng , Qiu Feng 
Published: July 2019

Background:The development of modern nanomedicine greatly depends on the involvement of novel materials as drug delivery system. In order to maximize the therapeutic effects of drugs and minimize their side effects, a number of natural or synthetic materials have been widely investigated for drug delivery. Among these materials, biomimetic self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have received more attention in recent years. Considering the rapidly growing number of SAPs designed for drug delivery, a summary of how SAPs-based drug delivery systems were designed, would be beneficial.Method:We outlined research works on different SAPs that have been investigated as carriers for different drugs, focusing on the design of SAPs nanomaterials and how they were used for drug delivery in different strategies.Results:Based on the principle rules of chemical complementarity and structural compatibility, SAPs such as ionic self-complementary peptide, peptide amphiphile and surfactant-like peptide could be designed. Determined by the features of peptide materials and the drugs to be delivered, different strategies such as hydrogel embedding, hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, covalent conjugation or the combination of them could be employed to fabricate SAPs-drug complex, which could achieve slow release, targeted or environment-responsive delivery of drugs. Furthermore, some SAPs could also be combined with other types of materials for drug delivery, or even act as drug by themselves.Conclusion:Various types of SAPs have been designed and used for drug delivery following various strategies, suggesting that SAPs as a category of versatile nanomaterials have promising potential in the field of nanomedicine.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and GnRH Receptor: Structure, Function and Drug Development
Authors: Tzoupis Haralambos , Nteli Agathi , Androutsou Maria-Eleni , Tselios Theodore 
Published: July 2019

Background:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a key element in sexual maturation and regulation of the reproductive cycle in the human organism. GnRH interacts with the pituitary cells through the activation of the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptors (GnRHR). Any impairments/dysfunctions of the GnRH-GnRHR complex lead to the development of various cancer types and disorders. Furthermore, the identification of GnRHR as a potential drug target has led to the development of agonist and antagonist molecules implemented in various treatment protocols. The development of these drugs was based on the information derived from the functional studies of GnRH and GnRHR.Objective:This review aims at shedding light on the versatile function of GnRH and GnRH receptor and offers an apprehensive summary regarding the development of different agonists, antagonists and non-peptide GnRH analogues.Conclusion:The information derived from these studies can enhance our understanding of the GnRH-GnRHR versatile nature and offer valuable insight into the design of new more potent molecules.
Discovery and Development of Novel Anti-fungal Peptides Against Foodspoiling Fungi
Authors: Muhialdin Belal J. , Algboory Hussein L. , Mohammed Nameer K. , Kadum Hana , Hussin Anis S.M. , Saari Nazamid , Hassan Zaiton 
Published: July 2019

Background:
Despite the extensive research carried out to develop natural antifungal
preservatives for food applications, there are very limited antifungal agents available to inhibit the
growth of spoilage fungi in processed foods.

Scope and Approach:
Therefore, this review summarizes the discovery and development of antifungal
peptides using lactic acid bacteria fermentation to prevent food spoilage by fungi. The focus
of this review will be on the identification of antifungal peptides, potential sources, the possible
modes of action and properties of peptides considered to inhibit the growth of spoilage fungi.

Key Findings and Conclusions:
Antifungal peptides generated by certain lactic acid bacteria
strains have a high potential for applications in a broad range of foods. The mechanism of peptides
antifungal activity is related to their properties such as low molecular weight, concentration and
secondary structure. The antifungal peptides were proposed to be used as bio-preservatives to reduce
and/or replace chemical preservatives.
Synthesis and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of N-Phosphorylated/ N-Tiophosphorylated Tacrine
Authors: Przybyłowska Maja , Inkielewicz-Stepniak Iwona , Kowalski Szymon , Dzierzbicka Krystyna , Demkowicz Sebastian , Daśko Mateusz 
Published: July 2019

Background:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Current pharmacotherapy is not able to stop progression of the disease and can only improve cognitive functions. Therefore, new drugs are being sought that will slow down the development of the disease.Objective:Novel phosphorus and thiophosphorus tacrine derivatives 7-14 were designed, synthesized and their biological activity and molecular modeling was investigated as a new potential anti- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) agents.Methods:9-Chlorotacrine was treated with propane-1,3-diamine in the presence of sodium iodide to yield N1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-yl)propane-1,3-diamine 6. Finally, it was treated with corresponding acid ester or thioester to give phosphorus or thiophosphorus tacrine derivative 7-14. All of the obtained final structures were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR and MS.Results:The results of the docking studies showed that the newly designed phosphorus and thiophosphorus tacrine analogs, theoretically possess AChE and BChE-binding ability. Kinetic study showed that 8 and 12 in the series proved to be more potent electric eel AChE (eeAChE) and human (hAChE) inhibitors than tacrine, where 8 inhibited eeAChE three times more than the referenced drug. The highest BChE inhibition revealed 11 and 13. The most active compounds against eeAChE, hAChE and BChE showed mixed type of inhibition.Conclusion:All new synthesized compound exhibited lower toxicity against neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) in comparison with tacrine. Two analogues in the series, 7 and 9, demonstrated lack of cytotoxicity against hepatocellular cells (hepG2).
Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Yields and Quality of Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa, Roth) Triticale (Xtritcosecale, Witmack) Mixtures
Authors: BenYoussef Salah , Kachout Salma S. , Abidi Sourour , Saddem Bilal , Ismail Jamila , B. Salem Hichen 
Published: July 2019

Background:Intercropping legumes with cereals for forage production is a sustainable technique showing several environmental benefits.Aim:This study aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on forage yields and quality of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa, roth) –triticale (Xtritcosecale, witmack) mixtures.Methods:The effect of five increasing nitrogen rates (0, 10, 20 30 and 50 kg N ha-1) on the growth rate, forage yield, quality and interspecific competition of hairy vetch-winter triticale mixture was investigated under rainfed regime at the INRAT experimental station of Mornag.Results:Nitrogen application induced an increase in dry matter yield from 7.6 to 9 T DM ha-1obtained with 30 kg N ha-1. This rate corresponds to the most efficient nitrogen rate as expressed by kg DM per Kg of added N. It reached a mean value of 47 kg DM kg-1N. Moreover, application of increasing nitrogen rate caused an increase in LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) of the mixture over the unit (LER=1.58 at 30 kg N ha-1) and the competition ability of the triticale through CRt increase, suggesting the advantage of the mixture over sole crops. Crude protein content has been increased by two points from zero nitrogen application to other rates. However, no evident variation in fibers and Metabolizable Energy (ME) content was detected along with nitrogen application, but, mean values of 18% of CP content, 34% of NDF content and 9.7 Mj kg-1DM of ME were denoted as high forage nutritional values compared to other most Tunisian conventional forages.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that hairy vetch intercrops with winter triticale produced higher dry matter than the common vetch sole crop.
Views of Adolescent Girls on the Use of Implanon in a Public Primary Health Care Clinic in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Authors: Emermitia Rabopape L. , Livhuwani Muthelo , N. Rambelani Malema , Maria Mothiba T. 
Published: July 2019

Background:
Implanon is one of the contraceptives that protects women from falling pregnant for a period of 3 years. Levonorgestrel implants are perfect for adolescents who wish to have lengthy protection against pregnancy and for those who are not consistent in taking Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP).

Objective:
The objective of the study is to investigate the views of adolescent girls on the use of Implanon as a birth control method.

Methods:
A qualitative explorative and descriptive study was conducted to explore and describe the views of adolescent girls regarding the use of Implanon as a birth control method at a primary health clinic in Limpopo Province. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 adolescent girls who had previously used the Implanon and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data were analyzed using the Tesch’s open coding analysis and the following themes emerged: views of adolescent’s girls on the use of Implanon, experiences of adolescent girls while using Implanon, health professionals and the insertion of Implanon and other chronic treatments.

Results:
The study reveals that the lack of trained health professionals, competency in performing Implanon insertion and poor counseling skills by health professionals prompted fear amongst the adolescent girls, which contributed to the low uptake of adolescent girls of the Implanon contraceptive.

Conclusion:
There is a need for more training of health professionals on counseling skills, insertion, and removal of Implanon. Furthermore, awareness campaigns or dialogues must be hosted annually to engage the public to talk about Implanon.
Prevalence, Intensity, and Factors Associated with Soil-Transmitted Helminths Infection among Children in Zambia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Tembo Sibongile , Mubita Patricia , Sitali Lungowe , Zgambo Jessy 
Published: July 2019

Background:
Soil-transmitted helminths are among the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of poverty. They are a common type of parasitic infections in the world, caused by three main species commonly known as roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. The diseases have major health and socio-economic repercussions and significantly contribute to public health problems in developing countries.

Objectives:
This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and factors associated with soil-transmitted helminths among children in Chililabombwe district of Zambia.

Methods:
A cross-sectional design was used, consisting of 411 guardian – child pairs aged between 17-77 years and 1-15 years, respectively. This was conducted between October and December 2017. Systematic sampling and simple random sampling were used to select the household and 411 participants, respectively. The study used a structured pre-tested questionnaire and stool tests to obtain information on socio-demographic, environmental, behavioral, and service-related factors associated with helminth infection. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence of parasites using formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques. Geometric mean was used to report the intensity of infection. An investigator-led stepwise regression was used to identify factors associated with developing Soil-Transmitted Helminth infection and the level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results:
Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection was 59/411 (14.4%) and the most dominant parasite was roundworms 58/411 (14.1%). The overall intensity of infection was light (<5000epg) with a few heavy infections (>50000epg). Factors independently associated with soil-transmitted helminth infection after adjusting for other variables were residence (AOR=0.26; 95% CI [0.09-0.73]), household income (AOR=2.49; 95% CI [1.01-6.12]), and overcrowding (AOR =1.33; 95% CI [1.09-1.62]).

Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that STH infections are still prevalent. Low household income, residence, and overcrowding are the factors associated with infection. This indicates that reinfection is common even after deworming.
Current Status of Obstetric Anaesthesia Services (OASIS); A Cross-sectional Survey of Public Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan
Authors: Ahmed Sohel M G , Ali Amna Mustafa , Mohamed Tayseer Salih , Hajnour Mohamed Sayed M , Elfil Hayat O. , Hussein Samahir F M , Abdelrahman Dalia , Eltegani Abdelrahman , Abusalab Ahmed M A A , Elhadi Aala F , Eljak Amna , Mohamed Hadab Ahmed 
Published: July 2019

Background:
Medical services in general, and anaesthetic services in particular, in Sudan have been vulnerable to changes secondary to the socio-economic factors over the last few decades.

Objective:
This cross-state survey aims to identify the current set up of obstetric anaesthesia services in 19 hospitals - representing all public hospitals in Khartoum State with maternity units- and audit them against internationally set standards.

Methodology:
This is a cross-sectional descriptive non-interventional study. Questionnaires- based on the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) Safe Anaesthesia Standards- were distributed to Anaesthetic departments’ heads at the time of the study (first to fourteenth of May 2016) of 19 public hospitals. This is the total number of public hospitals delivering obstetric services in Khartoum State. All filled out questionnaires were returned (response rate 100%). Collected information/data provided were subsequently entered into an Excel sheet and analysed. Results were tabulated.

Results:
There was a considerable variation in the capacity of the surveyed hospitals in terms of human resources, caseload and set up. Improper utilisation of already deficient anaesthesiologist in covering high load obstetrics services was also noticed. All the hospitals fell short of recommendations for minimum standards set by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA).

Conclusion:
There is a vast gap between international set standards and the current set up of obstetric anaesthesia in Khartoum State public hospitals. Necessary concerted efforts from governmental, non-governmental and professional bodies are warranted to improve obstetric anaesthetic services in Khartoum State.
Design and Implementation of Low Energy Wireless Network Nodes Based on Hardware Compression Acceleration
Authors: Yang Hui , Nayyar Anand 
Published: July 2019

Background:
With the fast development of information, the information data is increasing
in geometric multiples, and the speed of information transmission and storage space are required
to be higher.

Objective:
In order to reduce the use of storage space and further improve the transmission efficiency
of data, data need to be compressed. In the process of data compression, it is very important to
ensure the lossless nature of data, and lossless data compression algorithms appear. The gradual optimization
design of the algorithm can often achieve the energy-saving optimization of data compression.
Similarly, the effect of energy saving can also be obtained by improving the hardware
structure of node.

Methods:
In this paper, a new structure is designed for sensor node, which adopts hardware acceleration,
and the data compression module is separated from the node microprocessor.

Result:
On the basis of the ASIC design of the algorithm, by introducing hardware acceleration, the
energy consumption of the compressed data was successfully reduced, and the proportion of energy
consumption and compression time saved by the general-purpose processor was as high as 98.4 %
and 95.8 %, respectively. It greatly reduces the compression time and energy consumption.
AUTOMATION OF THE PROCESS OF ENSURING THE CONFORMITY OF THE OBJECT TO THE “GREEN” CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Authors: Zherugov R. A. , Kangezova M. H. , Lapidus A. A. 
Published: July 2019

Objectives. Solving the main tasks of designing construction objects in accordance with environmental standards is impossible without computer-aided design and database management systems. The article discusses a part of the software package that will automate the process of ensuring compliance of the object with the standards of "green" construction.Method. The basis of the project development is the criteria of the system of voluntary environmental certification of real estate objects, approved by the order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, as well as the criteria of LEED standards. For data analysis, the software complex MapInfo was used.Result. The structure of the software product has been developed, which will answer the main questions arising in the design of any building, taking into account the standards of green building. For each category the underlying factors (input data) are the corresponding data for each criterion.Conclusion. The developed software package will provide an opportunity to minimize the impact of a construction object on the environment and increase the energy efficiency of the object under construction. Also, improve the quality of organizational and technological decisions of the construction process, reduce the impact of the construction project on the environment and effectively use resources. Full implementation of the algorithm will make it possible to reduce the time and cost of designing buildings and structures, increase the accuracy of drawing details and structural elements, improve the quality and technical and economic level of the design results, and minimize the costs of manual modeling and testing.