bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation into dimensional and strength properties of cement bonded particleboard produced from agro-waste (maize cob) and Sterculia tragacantha sawdust
Authors: Areghan S.E. , Oriire L.T. , Adebisi A.A. , Olajide O.B. , Adiji A.O. , Ogutuga S.O. 
Published: October 2022

Agricultural waste management is part of the ecological cycle in which everything is cycled and recycled, recycling is maintained in the eco-system by waste management, all the plant wastes are placed at the right place and right time for the best utilization in order to convert into useful products and pollution control. This study examined the use of agro-waste (maize cob) and Sterculia tragacantha sawdust at varying blending proportions to produce cement particle boards. Boards of dimensions 35cm by 35cm by 1cm were produced from cement and agro-waste (maize cob) and Sterculia tragacantha sawdust at different blending proportionswith additive (CaCl2) at different concentration. Physical properties such as water absorption and thickness swelling, and mechanical properties (Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)) were investigated. It was observed that the lowest mean values of water absorption of 24 and 48 hours was 12.42% and 16.44% respectively which were obtained at the highest proportion of maize cob particle content and additive concentration of 3% while the highest mean values at 24 hrs and 48 hrs at 24.26%, and 26.23% respectively were obtained at the lowest maize cob particle content and lowest additive concentration of 1%.
The mean values of thickness swelling at 24 hours ranged from 0.61% to 2.92%, with the lowest value showing the least swollen board. The mean values of the thickness swelling at 48 hours ranged from 1.30% to 3.18%. The thickness swelling increased as the quantity of maize cob particles decreased. Mean values of MOE and MOR obtained for this study ranged from 339.48 N/mm3 to 3425.73 N/mm3 and 2.10 N/mm3 to 4.56 N/mm3 for all the blending ratios and additive concentrations. These results show that strength properties of, the board are greatly influenced by blending proportion. From the results obtained in this study, weight gained, weight lost, volumetric shrinkage, and strength properties were influenced by production variables.it can therefore be concluded that particles made from agro-waste and wood particles of Sterculia tragacantha could be recycled for particleboard production. The results of the sorption properties revealed that the particleboards can favorably withstand dry and wet climatic conditions.
Inter Communal Conflicts (2017-2018) and the Protection of IDPs in Ethiopia: The Need for Specific Legal and Institutional Regime
Authors: Desalegn Rabel 
Published: October 2022

The increasing number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the gap in the legal and institutional framework for the protection scheme, remains a concern in Ethiopia. It is well established that inter-communal conflict forced thousands of people to flee their homes. This article assesses the adequacy of the national framework for the protection of IDPs. Specifically, it investigates whether the national response for disasters accommodates the needs of inter-communal conflict induced IDPs. In this context, the term IDPs is defined as provided in the UN Guiding principles on Internal Displacement. In order to determine how the national response works for plight of IDPs, questionnaires were distributed to the concerned government authorities, and the joint reports of government and international organizations was reviewed from online data sources. Results showed that there was no comprehensive legal and institutional framework and coordination system to address the protection and assistance needs of inter-communal conflict induced IDPs in Ethiopia in the year 2017-2018. These results suggest that the needs of IDPs could be addressed more effectively, with a national action plan or policy framework, and institutional scheme for IDPs.
Phycocyanin relieves myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress
Authors: Xu Hai , Zhang Xiwen , Shi Yafei , Yu Kun , Jiang Yicheng 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of phycocyanin on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the possible mechanisms involved.
Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham group (only threading without ligation), IRI group (myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury group) and phycocyanin group (phycocyanin pretreatment + myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury group). The heart was harvested and cardiomyocytes were isolated. Colorimetry was used to determine the contents of cardiomyocyte serum creatine phospho-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other related oxidative stress indicators. Furthermore, apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Protein levels of cardiac factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), human NADPH dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.
Results: Compared with the myocardial IRI group, the contents of CK-MB, LDH, MAD and ROS in the treated group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), but the activities of SOD, GSH, SOD, CAT, and T-AOC in the myocardial tissues were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). Moreover, the pathological changes in myocardial tissue were significantly reduced. In addition, the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were significantly up-regulated after phycocyanin pretreatment, while expression of NF-κB was significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Phycocyanin improves myocardial anti-oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway, and also protects rats from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing inflammatory response via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.
Neuromodulatory effects of hydro-ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia leaf in mice
Authors: Okereke Nnamdi Henry , Udegbunam Rita Ijeoma , Okoroafor Nkiruka Obianuju , Okoro Kelechi , Onuba Augustine C , Udegbunam Sunday Ositadinma 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To investigate the neuromodulatory activities of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Parinari curatellifolia (HEPC) leaves of the family Chrysobalanaceae in mice.
Method: The open field, hole cross, hole board, climbing, elevated plus-maze, tail suspension and ketamine-induced sleeping time tests were conducted on mice groups (n = 3) to which HEPC 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg (per os) or standard central nervous system drugs (20 mg/kg imipramine and 20 mg/kg fluoxetine) intramuscularly were administered 30 min earlier.
Results: Imipramine, HEPC, and fluoxetine significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the frequency of hole crossing, head dipping and locomotory activities in the animals. The immobility period during tail suspension was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the group treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg HEPC but was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the imipramine group. The duration of chain climbing significantly increased (p < 0.05) after treatment with 400 and 800 mg/kg HEPC in comparison to the climbing time observed in the imipramine group. The frequency of open arm entry was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the imipramine group compared to open arm entries in the 400 and 800 mg/kg HEPC-treated groups. Ketamine-induced sleep time was not prolonged with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg HEPC, when compared with the standard drugs used.
Conclusion: P. curatellifolia extract causes sedation and muscle relaxation but does not abolish anxiety behaviour in mice. The findings, therefore, provide some scientific evidence validating the use of Parinari curatellifolia extract in the folkloric management of insomnia.
Concomitant administration of lenvatinib and camrelizumab for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, and its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma control
Authors: Liu Ruibao , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Xing 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To study the efficacy of combined use of lenvatinib and camrelizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy, and its impact on disease control rate (DCR).
Methods: The medical records of 92 HCC patients treated at the Oncology Department of The People’s Hospital of Dongying, Dongying, China (April 2019-April 2020), were chosen for analysis, and assigned into study group (SG, n = 46) and reference group (RG, n = 46) based on odd and even hospital admission no. All patients received specific routine treatments. In addition, SG was treated with lenvatinib in combination with camrelizumab. After treatment, liver function and levels of serum tumor markers were determined.
Results: Compared with RG, SG had significantly lower levels of liver function indices {alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBiL), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)} and lower levels of serum tumor markers {alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-fetoprotein variant (AFP-L3) and Golgi protein 73 (GP73)} (p < 0.001); higher DCR (p < 0.05), lower score in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and higher Karnofsky (KPS) score (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The combined use of lenvatinib and camrelizumab may be a reliable strategy for reducing serum tumor marker levels in HCC patients, improving liver function and patients’ performance status, and enhancing DCR.
Isoginkgetin inhibits lung cancer cell progression through miR-27a-5p/APEX1 axis
Authors: Wu Langjie , Xu Li 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To determine the influence of isoginkgetin on the progression of pulmonary carcinogenesis.
Methods: A549 cells exposed to isoginkgetin were transfected with miR-27a-5p mimetic and suppressor, as well as short hairpin RNA against apurinic/apyrimidinic endo-deoxyribonuclease 1 (sh-APEX1) for 24 h. Then, the proliferative, migration and invasive potential of A549 cells were determined using CCK-8, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The association between miR-27a-5p and APEX1 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay.
Results: Isoginkgetin significantly suppressed A549 cell proliferative, migration and invasive activities (p < 0.05). Moreover, isoginkgetin significantly increased miR-27a-5p expression. Furthermore, miR-27a-5p suppressor annulled the influence of isoginkgetin on lung cancer progression. More importantly, the inhibitor directly targeted APEX1, and negatively modulated APEX1 expression (p < 0.05). However, APEX1 knockdown annulled the enhancing effect of miR-27a-5p inhibitor on A549 cell viability, migration and invasion (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Isoginkgetin exerts an anti-lung cancer effect via miR-27a-5p/APEX1 axis. Thus, it is a potential therapy for the management of lung cancer; however, clinical studies are required to validate these findings of this study.
Effects of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) on the development of colon cancer via regulation of HIF-1α
Authors: Chen Fang , Long Yifan , Guo Cuiyun , Zou Hui , Wang Yingying , Dong Kunbo 
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To investigate the influence of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) on rats with colon cancer (CC).
Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into CC group and control group. CC models were constructed. The expression of SOCS3 in CC tissues was determined by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E) was used to examine colon tissue morphology, while immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining assay was performed to determine the expression of SOCS3 protein in colon tissues. The content of HIF-1α, phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) proteins was determined by Western blotting (WB).
Results: Compared with that in the control group, the number of tumors in the CC group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of SOCS3 were down-regulated in CC group (p < 0.05), while protein expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and HIF-1α were significantly elevated in CC group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: SOCS3 is poorly expressed in CC rats, and promotes the expression of HIF-1α by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The findings, thus, provide a probable strategy for management of colon cancer.
Bed II Phytolith Palaeolandscapes (1.5-1.1 Ma) at Oldupai Gorge, Tanzania
Authors: Itambu Makarius P. 
Published: October 2022

The primary approach for reconstructing ancient plant landscapes is normally through the analysis of environmental proxy data and ultimately the application of the data from plant micro-remains to infer the vegetation patterns, distribution, and nature of past environments. Phytolith analyses serve as an important tool for identifying different micro-ecological niches in which human activities occurred. They are indicative of certain plant types and vegetation patterns, and the way in which plant landscapes respond to regional climate changes. Hence, in order to understand the ancient plant landscape of the Pleistocene Bed II sites of Oldupai Gorge 1.5 to 1.1 million years ago (Ma), a location inhabited by our early ancestors, the phytoliths research was conducted in order to reconstruct the ancient plant environments of Oldupai’s Bed II sites, namely Sam Howard Korongo (SHK), Thiongo Korongo (TK), and Bell’s Korongo (BK) because there is no enough phytolith data from these upper sections of Bed II. The preliminary results from this study indicate that TK and BK sites’ plant landscape was dominated by arboreal plants.
Keywords: Phytolith, hominin, palaeoecology, palaeoenvironments, palaeolandscape
Effects of Multilayer Structure on the Microstructure and Optical Properties of the DC Sputtered Chromium Thin Films for Selective Solar Absorber Applications
Authors: Tibaijuka Justine J. , Samiji Margaret E. , Diale Mmantsae , Mlyuka Nuru R. 
Published: October 2022

Chromium thin films exhibit several properties that make them potential for solar thermal applications. In this work the effect of film thickness and sputtering power based multilayer structure on the optical properties of DC sputtered chromium thin films is reported. The structural, topological, and optical properties of these films were determined by X-ray diffractometer, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared spectrophotometer, respectively. XRD spectra revealed a single peak with preferential orientation of (200) and (210) for single layer and multilayer chromium films, respectively. The grain size and roughness were relatively higher for the multilayer compared to single layer Chromium films. Spectral transmittance showed very high sensitivity to film thickness with average peak of 69% and 5% at a wavelength range of 250-2500 nm for the film thickness of 12 nm and 94 nm, respectively. Spectral transmittance was also found to be higher in single layered films than multi-layered films. Findings from this study suggest that multilayer structure have the potential of tuning the microstructure and optical properties of low thickness Cr films, hence, extending its potential applications in selective solar absorber applications.
Keywords: Multilayer, Chromium, Sputtering, Optical constants
Dynamical Analysis and Control Strategies for Capturing the Spread of COVID-19
Authors: Kolawole Mutairu K. , Odeyemi Kazeem A. , Alaje Adedapo I. , Oladapo Asimuyu O. , Bashiru Kehinde A. 
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a study of preventive measures capable of curbing the spread of COVID 19pandemic to avoid its second wave was carried out. The existence and uniqueness of theproposed mathematical model is assured, the basic reproduction number is established, thelocal and global stability of the disease free equilibrium are well obtained and the variationaliteration method is applied to solve the mathematical model. Numerical simulation of theincluded control parameters are carried out. The obtained results and outcomes are presentedgraphically. It was revealed that enlightenment to vaccination awareness should be encouragedas vaccination is a good strategy of capturing the spread of the disease.
Keywords: Covid-19, Basic Reproduction Number, Local stability, Global Stability,variational Iteration Method
La gamificación en educación física: efectos sobre la motivación y el aprendizaje (Gamification in Physical Education: Evaluation of impact on motivation and motor learning)
Authors: Sevilla-Sanchez Marta , Dopico Calvo Xurxo , Morales Jose , Iglesias-Soler Eliseo , Fariñas Juan , Carballeira Eduardo 
Published: October 2022

Introducción: El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos de una Unidad Didáctica (UD) gamificada en comparación con una UD de metodología tradicional, sobre los niveles de motivación y de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de educación física. Material y método: 42 estudiantes (15 ± 0.4 años) distribuidos en dos clases de 3º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria realizaron seis sesiones de una UD de judo. De forma aleatoria, se aplicó una metodología innovadora en una de las clases basada en la gamificación, y una metodología tradicional basada en el mando directo y la asignación de tareas en la otra clase. Se evaluó la motivación de los estudiantes pre- y post- intervención, y también se evaluó al final de la UD el aprendizaje motriz, y los aspectos actitudinales y sociales alcanzados por los estudiantes con una rúbrica. Resultados: la gamificación incrementó el aprendizaje de los estudiantes respecto al grupo de enseñanza tradicional, sin modificar los niveles de motivación. Conclusiones: los resultados obtenidos evidencian el gran potencial de la gamificación como herramienta para que los profesores de educación física logren un mayor aprendizaje en las unidades didácticas de iniciación deportiva.
Palabras clave. metodologías activas; innovación educativa; judo; habilidades motoras; aprendizaje deportivo; deportes de combate.

Abstract. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a gamified didactic unit (UD) compared to a traditional methodology UD on motivation and motor learning in physical education students. Methods: 42 students (15 ± 0.4 years) distributed in two classes in the 3rd year of the high school performed six judo sessions. Randomly, an innovative methodology based on gamification was applied in one class and a traditional methodology based on direct command and task assignment in the other. We evaluated the students' motivation before and after the intervention. And at the end of the UD, we assessed the students' motor learning and attitudinal and social aspects with a rubric. Results: gamification increased student learning compared to the traditional teaching group without modifying motivation levels. Conclusion: the results obtained show the great potential of gamification as a tool for physical education teachers to achieve more improvement in motor learning in their sports initiation students.
Keywords. active methodologies; educational innovation; judo; motor skills; sports learning; combat sports.
Earthquake-induced landslides in Haiti: analysis of seismotectonic and possible climatic influences
Authors: Havenith Hans-Balder , Guerrier Kelly , Schlögel Romy , Braun Anika , Ulysse Sophia , Mreyen Anne-Sophie , Victor Karl-Henry , Saint-Fleur Newdeskarl , Cauchie Léna , Boisson Dominique , Prépetit Claude 
Published: October 2022

Abstract. First analyses of landslide distribution and triggering factors
are presented for the region affected by the 14 August 2021 earthquake
(Mw=7.2) in the Nippes Department, Haiti. Landslide mapping was mainly
carried out by comparing pre- and post-event remote imagery (∼0.5–1 m resolution) available on Google Earth Pro® and
Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) satellite images. The first covered about
50 % of the affected region (for post-event imagery and before completion
of the map in January 2022), and the latter were selected to cover the entire
potentially affected zone. On the basis of the completed landslide
inventory, comparisons are made with catalogs compiled by others both for
the August 2021 and the January 2010 seismic events, including one open
inventory (by the United States Geological Survey) that was also used for
further statistical analyses. Additionally, we studied the pre-2021
earthquake slope stability conditions. These comparisons show that the total
number of landslides mapped for the 2021 earthquake (7091) is larger than
the one recently published by another research team for the same event but
slightly smaller than the number of landslides mapped by a third research
team. It is also clearly smaller than the one observed by two other research
teams for the 2010 earthquake (e.g., 23 567, for the open inventory).
However, these apparently fewer landslides triggered in 2021 cover much
wider areas of slopes (>80 km2) than those induced by the
2010 event (∼25 km2 – considering the open inventory).
A simple statistical analysis indicates that the lower number of
2021 landslides can be explained by the missing detection of the smallest
landslides triggered in 2021, partly due to the lower-resolution imagery
available for most of the areas affected by the recent earthquake; this is
also confirmed by an inventory completeness analysis based on size–frequency
statistics. The much larger total area of landslides triggered in 2021,
compared to the 2010 earthquake, can be related to different physical
reasons: (a) the larger earthquake magnitude in 2021, (b) the more central
location of the fault segment that ruptured in 2021 with respect to coastal
zones, (c) and possible climatic preconditioning of slope instability in the
2021 affected area. These observations are supported by (1) a new pre-2021
earthquake landslide map; (2) rainfall distribution maps presented for
different periods (including October 2016 – when Hurricane Matthew had
crossed the western part of Haiti), covering both the 2010 and 2021 affected
zones; and (3) shaking intensity prediction maps.