bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National Interest and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Discourse of Rethink
Authors: Ndidigwe Douglas 
Published: June 2023

The paper examined the symbiotic relationship between the concepts of national interest and foreign policy, stressing that a well grafted foreign policy is dependent on a well thought-out national interest which remains a guide to a nation’s foreign policy formulation and implementation. Nigeria’s foreign policy over the years has been touted to be guided by the country’s national interest which studies in the past revealed is obfuscating. Nigeria’s national interest and her foreign policy in the past and the present, which is said to be at variance with what is obtained in other climes. In order to achieve the objective of this study, the paper adopted the theory of state capture as our guide. The paper employs the qualitative content analysis approach and relies mainly on secondary sources of data such as textbooks, journal articles, periodicals, conferences papers and the internet, etc. The study finds that there is disconnect between Nigeria’s national interest and her foreign policy objectives. Previous studies had been on Nigeria’s foreign policy and national interest without corresponding benefits to her development, but rather predicated on parochial and jaundiced sentiments. It is within this gap in foreign policy analysis literaturethat this paper investigates the need for a rethink on a well thought-out and robust national interest as a sine-qua-non for a nation’s foreign policy formulation and implementation. In addition, instead of addressing issues raised by various studies on the unmitigated asymmetry between national interest and foreign policy objective, government are always adamant and chose to maintain the status quo. The study recommends that there is urgent need for reforms that will ensure a well defined and structured policy, for effectiveness, efficiency and transparency.
Beef handling practices at Abattoirs and Butcher shops in Uganda: implications for meat safety and health of consumers
Authors: Kyayesimira Juliet , Muheirwe Florence 
Published: June 2023

Proper beef handling contributes to achieving sustainable development goals 3 (good health and well-being) and 12 (sustainable consumption and production patterns). This is because it ensures the safety of meat and consumers’ health. However, the meat sector is still underdeveloped in most African countries. In addition, there is limited research addressing meat safety challenges. In Uganda particularly, in the recent past, there was whistle-blowing over contaminated beef on the market, indicating a loophole in food safety. Despite this, studies focusing on beef handling practices have remained scanty. Thus, this study aimed to examine beef handling practices at the abattoirs and butcher shops in Uganda's Central, Western, and Eastern regions. A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect data through a survey, in-depth interviews, and on-site observations. Findings revealed that beef handling practices were poor at abattoirs and butcher shops and that most facilities for safety measures were lacking or inadequate. Only 3% of the respondents had cold room storage facilities, and meat spoilage was relatively high (85.3%). Appropriate knowledge of meat safety among abattoir and butcher operators was inadequate, contributing to low compliance with food safety guidelines. Inappropriate handling practices and poor handling facilities may put consumers at a health risk. The study recommends that responsible authorities should ensure compliance mechanisms and sensitization initiatives are prioritized.
Assessment of nitrate, trace elements and bacterial contamination of groundwater in ilora area of southwestern nigeria
Authors: Akinfemiwa Akanbi Olanrewaju , Kofoworola Akinseye Eniola 
Published: June 2023

Assessments of groundwater pollution parameters were carried out in groundwater samples collected from selected shallow hand-dug wells across Ilora township. The analysed parameters were nitrate, trace elements including, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, zinc, arsenic, cadmium and lead, and bacteria count in water; using spectrophotometric method, HM Metalyser 5000 and multiple tube techniques respectively. The pH of the samples was between 6.4 and 7.6 and TDS range was 50 - 640 mg/l. The concentration of nitrate (NO3) in water was 12.8 - 274 mg/l. For trace elements concentrations in µg/l ; iron (Fe): 150 – 880, Cobalt (Co): 1 – 100, Manganese (Mn): 0.01 - 140, Chromium (Cr): 0.01 – 0.31, Zinc (Zn): 1.86 - 9.97, Arsenic (As): 3.11 - 20.80, Cadmium (Cd): 0.71 - 4.76, Lead (Pb): 1.00 – 6.82. Based on the average concentration of the trace elements the order of abundance was Fe > Co > Mn > As > Zn > Pb > Cd > Cr. Total coliform count (TCC) in groundwater samples were between 18 and 370 cfu/100mL. From the evaluation of the degree of association between the parameters, a moderate to strong positive relationship occurred between Fe/Mn (0.59), Fe/Cr (0.85), Fe/TC (0.56), NO3/Co (0.56), NO3/Mn (0.48), NO3/Cd (0.51) and Mn/Pb (0.85). Presence of coliform bacteria in the groundwater samples indicated fecal contamination from surface environment. Comparing the parameters with guideline standards for drinking water, most of the hand-dug wells are contaminated with nitrate, five wells were contaminated with either arsenic and/or cadmium, while water from some of the wells may have objectionable taste due to high iron content. The high values of cadmium and arsenic in some wells are harmful to human health and appropriate treatment is needed. For bacteria contamination, deeper wells are recommended, and the water should to be treated and boiled prior to consumption.
Disponibilité et valorisation des épluchures de manioc en alimentation animale en Côte d’Ivoire : cas de la commune de Yamoussoukro
Authors: Kobenan Kouakou N’guessan Stanislas , Angbo-Kouakou Cho Euphrasie Monique , Saoré Kouassi Arsène , Kouakou N’Goran David Vincent 
Published: June 2023

En Côte d’Ivoire, la transformation agro-alimentaire du manioc engendre des épluchures dont la valorisation semble insatisfaisante dans plusieurs villes du pays tel que Yamoussoukro. Afin d’estimer les quantités d’épluchures collectées et d’identifier ses différents modes de valorisation dans la commune de Yamoussoukro, une enquête socio-économique a été réalisée auprès des transformateurs du manioc, des collecteurs et des utilisateurs d’épluchures. Il en ressort que les 46 transformateurs enquêtés dégagent une quantité estimée à 1 154,95 tonnes d’épluchures par an. Quant aux 5 collecteurs rencontrés, ils commercialisent 2 344 tonnes par an. Les épluchures sont valorisées chez les porcs, les bovins et ovins/caprins après avoir subies ou non des méthodes de traitement comme le séchage au soleil, la découpe et ou l’ajout de sel ou associées à d’autres sous-produits agricoles tels que : le son de maïs et de riz, la farine basse de riz, les épluchures de banane, d’igname, la papaye, la drêche de brasserie et le remoulage d'anacarde. Compte tenu des quantités d’épluchures et des besoins importants en alimentation animale, la mise au point d’un meilleur traitement de ces épluchures devrait améliorer significativement les revenus des transformateurs et la productivité des animaux.
In Côte d'Ivoire, the agro-food processing of cassava generates peelings whose valorization seems unsatisfactory in several cities of the country including Yamoussoukro. In order to estimate the quantities of peelings collected and to identify the different ways in which they are used in the commune of Yamoussoukro, a socio-economic survey was conducted among cassava processors, collectors and users of peelings. The 46 processors surveyed produce an estimated 1,154.95 tons of peelings per year. As for the 5 collectors interviewed, they market 2,344 tons per year. The peelings are valorized in pigs, cattle and sheep/goats after having undergone or not treatment methods such as sun-drying, cutting and/or addition of salt or combined with other agricultural by-products such as: maize and rice bran, rice flour, banana peelings, yam peelings, papaya peelings, brewer's grains and cashew nut milling. Given the large quantities of peelings and the high feed requirements, the development of better processing of these peelings should significantly improve the income of the processors and the productivity of the animals.
Implementation framework for energy efficient routing in wireless sensor network
Authors: Prithi S. , Sumathi S. 
Published: June 2023

In recent years, designing of WSN becomes the leading domain for many researchers. In this paper an automaton system is suggested that dynamically monitors and studies the behaviors of the network environment to detect the malicious activities that occur in the network, to identify the attacked nodes and dead nodes in the wireless sensor network, and to transmit the message in the optimized route. The automaton system prevents the attacked and dead nodes from affecting the wireless sensor network. Computational Intelligence technique such as the PSO algorithm is used along with the automaton system so as to obtain the optimized route from the set of available paths. Once the optimized route is obtained the message is transmitted through this optimized route. The transmission takes place at a high rate since the path does not contain dead and attacked nodes, as well as the energy consumed by the optimal path will be minimal. Thus, the proposed model improves the utilization of energy, improves throughput, reduces end-to-end delay, and enhances the lifetime of the network.
Statistical study and analysis of annual rainfall in the Naama region (Algeria)
Authors: Boualem Abdelkader 
Published: June 2023

Knowing the recent evolution and variability of the climate in arid and semi-arid regions is a necessity to anticipate what the consequences on the environments and societies of these regions could be, and thus define sustainable adaptation policies. In this modest work we studied the evolution of rainfall in an arid region. Thus, a good knowledge of the rainfall distribution both in time and in space, is essential to identify on the one hand the critical periods of drought to which the crops are exposed and on the other hand the favorable zones and the zones unfavorable. In this perspective, we have contributed to study the essential element of the balance which is the precipitations by using the statistical treatment and the analysis of the indices of dryness, also we adopted a methodology which is characterized by the Collection of the pluviometric data and creation from a computer database.
The calculation of the indices for the different stations reveals the existence of two distinct wet and dry periods. Drought years are more notable as they can set in for 4 years. There is a decrease in rainfall during this study period but it is also interrupted by other years of high rainfall in certain regions such as El Kheiter and Mecheria. It is as if the further south you go, the more the drought impact is present.
Ruin probability of insurance companies in Nigeria using model with economic environment: Pre and post capitalization analysis
Authors: Oseni B M 
Published: June 2023

The behavior of the reserve of insurance firms in Nigeria from 1996 to 2011 is investigated using ruin model with economic environment. The investment portfolios are classified according to the types of returns expected: Investments with fixed returns and investments with stochastic returns. Against the usual ways of monitoring the performances of insurance companies using regression and correlation, a risk reserve model in economic environment is used. The ruin probability is determined from the integro-differential equation for the model. The results show that there has been a positive growth in the reserve before recapitalization, though the rate of growth of the reserve after recapitalization is higher. The total probability of ruin shows that there is a drop in the probability of ruin after recapitalization. Also, the ruin probabilities show that companies are more liable to get ruined from investment than from claims after the recapitalization against the converse before recapitalization.
A DFT study of Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) first hyperpolarizability of substituted polyene: Part (ii)
Authors: Labidi N.S. 
Published: June 2023

Several DFT functionals have been carried out to study the first hyperpolarizabilities βHRS of push-pull polyene as a function the basis sets, of electron correlation, of the size, of the frequency dispersion and the geometry. These calculations confirm the huge effects of electron correlation, the Møller– Plesset (MP2) results reproduces the values of the first hyperpolarizability obtained with the reference CCSD(T) level. Among density functional theory exchange- correlation functionals, B3LYP, M062X, B3P86 and CAM-B3LYP are comparable to the MP2 for characterizing the dynamic first hyperpolarizability. The TDB3LYP/6-31+G* level show that, as increasing the the separation distance (dN···N /Å) and introducing a stronger donor the avereage BLA value decreases and the βHRS increase. In addition, a quantitative relationship was established between the first hyperpolarizability HRS and the separation distance (dN···N /Å) at MP2, B3LYP and M062X level of theory.
Développement d’une analyse du cycle de vie dynamique pour l’évaluation des effets d’incendie industriel. Cas de la raffinerie de skikda
Authors: Chettouh S. 
Published: June 2023

L'évaluation de l'impact du cycle de vie (EICV) est la troisième phase de l'Analyse du Cycle de Vie (ACV) décrite dans la norme ISO 14042. L'objectif de l'ACV est d'évaluer l'inventaire du cycle de vie (ICV) de produit afin de mieux comprendre son importance pour l'environnement. Cependant, l’EICV exclut généralement les effets spatiaux, temporels, les seuils et la relation dose-réponse et combine les émissions ou les activités dans l'espace et/ou le temps. Cela peut diminuer la pertinence du résultat de la méthode. La méthodologie ACV Dynamique orientée Incendie (ACVDI) proposée dans ce travail a pour objectif de compléter la norme internationale ISO 14042 dans le domaine des incendies, Elle consiste à combiner la méthode ACV-Incendie avec le Modèle Numérique de Dispersion (MND). Cette méthodologie est basée sur l'utilisation du MND pour évaluer les concentrations des polluants et les effets thermiques résultants des scénarios d'accident. Dans cette étude, la méthodologie de l'ACV dynamique - Incendie est appliquée à une étude de cas pour le pétrole la gestion des processus de production.
Effect of aqueous infusion of Plectranthus amboinicus (LOUR) Spreng leaves on humoral immune system in rats
Authors: Silitonga Melva , Silitonga Pasar Maulim , Sinaga Erlintan 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: To examine the effect of an aqueous infusion of Plectranthus amboinicus (AIP) on the immunological development of rats in response to Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) antigen induction.
Methods: Twenty-four male rats, aged 3 months, were separated into six groups. Group 1 was normal control group without treatment, whereas groups 2 and 3 were the treatment groups induced with 100 μL BCG on days 7 and 14, followed by oral administration of AIP at doses of 19 and 31.5 g/kg, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 were treated only with AIP at doses of 19 and 31.5 g/kg respectively. Group 6 was a negative control group induced with 100 μL BCG on days 7 and 14. On day 31, IgG activity, antibody titer, lysozyme activity, relative organ weight, and lung histology were determined.
Results: The results showed that IgG levels, antibody titers, and lysozyme activity were significantly elevated in groups 4, 5, and 6 compared to normal control group (p < 0.05). Aqueous infusion of Plectranthus amboinicus and BCG had no effect on the relative weight of spleen. However, the therapy administered to rats in group 3 significantly increased their liver and lung mass (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Aqueous infusion of Plectranthus amboinicus leaves stimulates the immune system in BCG-induced rats.
Efficacy of apatinib on advanced ovarian cancer patients who failed first and second-line chemotherapy
Authors: Wen Aiping , Zhao Lei , Luo Le , Du Chengchao , Luo Xin 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of apatinib in the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients who failed first and second-line chemotherapy.
Methods: The clinical data of 100 patients diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups, with 50 patients in each group. One group was treated with apatinib mesylate (Apatinib group), while the other group was treated with gemcitabine (Gemcitabine group). Clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, and quality-of-life scores were were assessed, while the survival status of patients was recorded during follow-up.
Results: After treatment, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 24.0 % (12/50) and 70.0 % (35/50) in Apatinib group, and 12.0 % (6/50) and 52.0 % (26/50) in Gemcitabine group. In terms of adverse reactions, the incidence of hand-foot syndrome and hypertension were significantly higher in Apatinib group than in Gemcitabine group, but the incidence of nausea and vomiting, anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were significantly lower in Apatinib group than in Gemcitabine group (p < 0.05). Follow-up results revealed the median overall survival (OS) of patients to be 10.1 and 9.0 months, respectively, in Apatinib and Gemcitabine groups. Results of the log-rank test showed that OS in Apatinib group was significantly longer than that of Gemcitabine group.
Conclusion: Apatinib demonstrates clear effectiveness and a superior safety profile than Gemcitabine in the management of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who did not respond effectively to multiple rounds of chemotherapy.
E2F6 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in gastric cancer through the regulation of lncRNA TUSC7
Authors: Huang Xingxing , Qiao Jia , Zheng Xiaoling , Yuan Maoling , Wang Long 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: To examine the regulatory effects of E2F6/long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) TUSC7 on the progression of gastric cancer (GC), and the underlying mechanism of action.
Methods: Relative levels of E2F6 and TUSC7 in GC tissues were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The influence of TUSC7 on the overall survival of patients with GC was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Interaction between E2F6 and TUSC7 was analyzed by Spearman correlation test and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Changes in proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of BGC823 and SGC7901 cells regulated by E2F6 and TUSC7 were assessed. The protein levels of MMP-2 and the activity of caspase-3 were evaluated in GC cells treated with E2F6 and TUSC7 using western blot and caspase-3 kit.
Results: TUSC7 was downregulated while E2F6 was upregulated in GC tissues and cells. A negative correlation was observed between the expression levels of TUSC7 and E2F6, and a low level of TUSC7 predicted poor prognosis in GC patients. The knockdown of E2F6 attenuated cell viability and invasion, and stimulated the apoptosis of GC cells, but these were reversed by co-knockdown of TUSC7. In addition, knockdown of E2F6 downregulated MMP-2 protein levels, and upregulated caspase-3 GC cells, but these changes were partially reversed by co-transfection of si-TUSC7.
Conclusion: TSUC7 is downregulated in GC, and its low level predicts poor prognosis in GC patients. E2F6 promotes proliferation and invasion of GC cells by negatively regulating TUSC7. Therefore, E2F6/TUSC7 may be utilized as potential therapeutic targets for GC.
COLEC12 expression participates in trophoblast insulin resistance, and reverses celecoxib-mediated inhibition of COX2-PGE2 axis in gestational diabetes
Authors: Jin Beibei , Hu Mi , Chen Jie , Yu Lin 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of collectin subfamily member 12 (COLEC12) in insulin resistance associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Methods: Insulin resistance was induced in human placental trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo) cells in vitro by incubating them with 1 μM insulin for 48 h. Expression of COLEC12 was assessed using western blot and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Distribution of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 was visualized using immunofluorescent staining. Furthermore, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by flow cytometry.
Results: Insulin-resistant HTR-8/SVneo (IR-HTR-8/SVneo) cells showed significantly elevated COLEC12 expression (p < 0.001). Knocking down of COLEC12 in these cells led to a significant reduction in GLUT1 expression, and increase in both glucose consumption and GLUT4 expression (p < 0.001). Furthermore, COLEC12 knockdown levels of ROS increased SOD expression in IR-HTR8/SVneo, while knockdown of COLEC12 reduced p-insulin receptor substrate (IRS) (Ser307) protein expression, but increased p-IRS-1 (Tyr896), p-insulin receptor β (IRβ) (Tyr1361), and p-AKT levels. COLEC12 knockdown also decreased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, resulting in lower prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in IR-HTR-8/SVneo. COLEC12 over-expression attenuated celecoxibinduced increase in glucose consumption, resulting in decreased COX2 and PGE2 levels.
Conclusion: COLEC12 in IR-HTR-8/SVneo cells has antioxidant effects that protect against insulin resistance. This protective effect is achieved through the down-regulation of COX-2/PGE2. These findings provide a potential strategy for the treatment of GDM.