bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Noninvasive Tests Substitute Endoscopy for Diagnosis of Colonic Diseases?
Authors: Zaki Mohamed Mahmoud , Elfert Asem , Soliman Hanan , Hawash Nehad 
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims: Fecal calprotectin was approved as a non-invasive screening tool for organic colonic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate fecal calprotectin and inflammatory indices as non-invasive markers for diagnosing and differentiating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in comparison to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a cohort of Egyptian patients.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, fecal calprotectin, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic inflammatory index (SII) were assessed in 40 IBD patients, 40 CRC patients, and 20 IBS patients.
Results: Fecal calprotectin was significantly higher in IBD and CRC groups compared to IBS control group (P= 0.018 and 0.022 respectively), with no significant difference between IBD and CRC groups. PLR, NLR and SII showed no significant differences between the 3 studied groups (P= 0.469, 0.101 and 0.84 respectively). At a cut-off value 113, fecal calprotectin had the ability to differentiate CRC patients from IBS patients with 75% sensitivity and 60% specificity, while At cut-off value of 116, fecal calprotectin had the ability to differentiate IBD patients from IBS patients with 67.5% sensitivity and 65% specificity.
Conclusion: Inflammatory indices tested in our study (PLR, NLR, SII) showed no role for the differentiation between IBD, CRC, and IBS. Fecal calprotectin should be used with caution as a primary step for screening of colonic diseases as it cannot differentiate IBD from CRC. It has only moderate sensitivity in differentiating IBD and CRC from IBS. Unfortunately, neither fecal calprotectin nor inflammatory indices can substitute endoscopy in the screening or diagnosis of IBD and CRC.
Human Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water Samples around Eket Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Akpan Akanimo Dianabasi , Okori Bassey Sam-Uket , Ekpechi Daniel Chiejina 
Published: December 2022

Aims: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very toxic and persistent environmental contaminants. The paper is aimed at investigating the cancer risk exposure of PAHs in borehole water collected around five automobile repair workshops within Eket metropolis.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected between June - August (2018) in wet season and November (2018) – January (2019) in dry season from boreholes around the vicinity of five automobile repair workshops within Eket metropolis.
Methodology: The water samples were prepared in the laboratory following standard procedures and analysed for 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) priority PAHs using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometer (GC–MS). A total of fifteen PAH congeners were detected in the samples.
Results: Total PAHs concentrations in borehole water from all sampling sites were in the range of 1.71–16.07 mg/L and 1.07–12.97 mg/L for both dry and wet seasons respectively. The low PAHs levels recorded in water for the wet season was linked to dilution effect. Low molecular weight PAHs were more dominant in all samples. The estimated cancer risks of exposure to PAHs by ingestion in the water samples ranged from 7.10 × 10-7 to 1.12 × 10-4 and 6.76 × 10-6 to 3.69 × 10-1 for adults and children respectively in both seasons. The estimated cancer risks due to dermal exposure to PAHs in the water samples ranged from to 7.18 × 10-3 to 1.07 × 10-1 and 5.67 × 10-3 to 1.08 × 10-1 for adults and children respectively in both seasons.
Conclusion: Carcinogenic risks due to dermal exposure calculated for both adults and children were higher than the US EPA acceptable cancer risk and much higher for children, which suggest that children could be prone to cancer and need to be monitored.
Ecological Evaluation of Natural Resources: A Baseline Study of Sustainable Livelihood Capital in Parts of Ilaje Riparian Community, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Gbayisemore O. O. , Edwin-Wosu N. L. , Osuji L. C. 
Published: December 2022

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the Ilaje coastal biodiversity scenarios and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Study Design: A Participatory Rapid Appraisal and purposive random sampling technique were adapted.
Place and Duration of Study: Field sampling: Parts of Ilaje littoral community in Ondo State, Nigeria, between September 2020 and October 2021.
Methodology: Data analyses by descriptive analytical tools and Likert-Type scale 7 point and 5 point levels of agreements.
Result: Result of the natural resources biodiversity has recorded 20 representative flora diversity under 12 families across sampled communities, diverse representative fauna in Odonla (28), Ikorigho (14), Molutehin (10), Odun-Igo (8) and Awoye (3). The biodiversity composition has indicated Fishes as the highest resource among others particularly in Awoye with the highest percentage, while the highest mangrove livelihood of 50% for housing in Molutehin which also recorded with Awoye a highest (44%) alternative income source in trading among other communities.
Conclusion: this study was significant while providing a better understanding of the biodiversity scenarios and sustainable livelihoods associated with the Ilaje riparian community and their ecosystem interaction.
Effects of Blood Meal Inclusion Diet on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Survival Rate of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) in Concrete Pond
Authors: Chioma B. Mbagwu , Ibeawuchi R. Keke , Peter U. Okorie 
Published: December 2022

The inclusion of blood meal as a substitution for commercial fishmeal in the practical fish diets was evaluated in Clarias gariepinus juveniles (initial weight: 11.45±0.25g and initial length: 9.00±0.91cm) for a period of 39 weeks. The proximate analysis of blood meal had 50.04%, 4.95%, 0.98%, 3.05%, 16.51% and 19.00% representing value of crude protein, lipid, fibre, ash, moisture and nitrogen free extract, respectively. Five isonitrogenous diets (40% crude protein) containing fishmeal which was replaced by blood meal at graded level of 0% as control, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were formulated. A total of 300 juveniles were used and randomly distributed into five treatments with each having triplicates of 20 fish per pond respectively. Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight in equal proportions at 8.00 am and 4.00 pm. At the end of the feeding trial, the results showed that growth performance were significant higher (p<0.05) in fish fed control diet (1263.55g) and 25% BM diet (1068.67 g), mean length gain (54.16 cm and 50.85 cm), protein efficiency ratio (31.59% and 24.22%) and percentage weight gain (11035.3% and 8476.03%) compared to other treatments diets with the lowest values of (675.35 g, 46.86 cm, 11.73% and 4190.63%, respectively) recorded in fish fed 100% BM diet. However, Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, average daily growth and survival rate were not significantly difference (p>0.05) in all the dietary treatments. The water quality parameters monitored were within recommended ranged and were not affected by the supplemented diets. It can be concluded that inclusion of blood meal up to 25% can efficiently replace fish meal without any deleterious effects on growth, feed utilization and survival rate. The use of blood meal as an alternative protein source in diets of farmed fish species will reduce the cost of feeds; boost the profitability and sustainability of the fish production.
Skeletal Dysplasia: Approach to Simplify Diagnosis, Looking for Radiographic Clue Signs
Authors: Tabban Hazar , Salem Tahiya A. , Salem Khaled Y. 
Published: December 2022

Skeletal dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of disorders affecting the growth of bones and cartilage. Diagnosis can be difficult for many reasons; they are over 400 diseases, and some are rare and might have atypical presentation when clinical manifestations and radiological findings might not match the classical picture of the specific disorder. The final diagnosis of a skeletal dysplasia is a combined workup that includes clinical examination, family history, radiological assessment (skeletal survey and other investigations), and finally the laboratory, molecular and genetic assessment. These all steps require tertiary centers, therefore, the primary clinical practice would require a tool-kit to help identify the most common skeletal dysplasia easily and identify the most important features of uncommon or rare disorders. The combined clinical assessment and radiological assessment can together reach this goal.
The aim of this article is to spotlight on few important checkpoints to help the clinician and radiologist to narrow the differential diagnosis in the primary evaluation before the referral, if available, for molecular and genetic study. This article will focus on essential initial steps in diagnosis and some clue diagnostic features in the skeletal survey images that are classic for the most common disorders.
Biochemical Characterization of Mango Kernel (Mangifera indica) Grown in Côte d’Ivoire and Formulation of Butter for Cosmetic Use
Authors: Kamelé Kossonou Yao , Martial-Didier Adingra Kouassi , Landry Yao Akpolè , Kablan Tano 
Published: December 2022

Aims: The peel and the kernel of mangoes of KENT and KEIT varieties, although presenting enormous nutritive and technological potentialities, are considered as waste and, as a result, rejected in nature causing environmental pollution. This study therefore set itself the general objective of contributing to the development of mango by-products (Mangifera indica) by incorporating them into formulations of products for cosmetic use.
Study Design: Almond butter was obtained from the fresh and dried almonds of two varieties of mangoes (KENT and KEIT).
Place and Duration of Study: Fruits of mango (KENT and KEIT) varieties at commercial maturity used in this study came from Banco fruit market (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire). The tests were carried out at the laboratory of food biochemistry of Nangui Abrogoua University, between May and July 2020.
Methodology: The mango kernels (Mangifera indica) were extracted and the biochemical characterization of both fresh kernels and almond powders was carried out on parameters such as lipids, ash, fibers, etc. Then, mango kernel powder of KENT with good potential was used for the formulation of butter. Following the control formulation, different formulations were made by reducing volume of extraction solvent (sunflower oil) and varying the amount of beeswax used at 10% and 35% of the mass of macerate used. Finally, physicochemical properties of butter were determined.
Results: The study showed that mango kernels produced in Côte d’Ivoire, specifically mango kernel powders, were rich in lipids (8-9%), proteins (2-7%), fiber (9-11%), carbohydrates (35-76%), ash (2.99-5.66%), vitamin C (35-104 mg/100g) and many other biomolecules, which made possible the production of butter. The physicochemical properties of butter gave results of acid numbers of 8.24 to 9.03 mg KOH/g oil and saponification of 189.45 to 212.09 mg KOH/g oil. These indices combined with pH (4.6 to 5.2), density (0.3 to 0.91) and color are indicators of the good quality of butter. Finally, the KE 1/3 formulation, with 35% beeswax added, gave the most satisfaction.
Conclusion: These physical and chemical properties obtained would suggest a finished product of quality and good conservation and good scent pleasant and would have various applications in the cosmetic field in particular in the nutrition of the skin and the hair.
Study on Positions of Twin Scales and Growth Regulators on Propagation of Narcissus (Daffodil) cv. Stamen Cream
Authors: Masoodi Nasir Hamid , Sofi M. Nayeem 
Published: December 2022

Study was carried out to evaluate the influence of position of twin scales and growth regulators on propagation of Narcissus (Daffodil) cv. Stamen creamx. Results of the study reveals that out of eight treatment combinations tested in the experiment minimum days for callus initiation (26.00 days),root initiation (36.50 days) and bud initiation (44.50 days) after incubation resulted with combination of outer scales treated with IBA 100 ppm. Further maximum number of buds per chip (2.00), bud diameter (11.95 mm), bud length (2.76 cm) and bud weight (0.41g) were recorded with the same treatment. Inner scales treated with IBA 100PPM resulted with maximum days for callus initiation (37.50 days), root initiation (48.00 days) and bud initiation (60.50 days) after incubation. Least number of buds per chip (1.00), minimum bud diameter (7.45 mm), bud length (1.30 cm) and bud weight (0.19 g) were also recorded with same treatment. Most of the differences among the treatments for almost all recorded parameters were statistically significant.
Cardiac Myosin-Binding Protein C as a New Biomarker in the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Panotopoulos Charalampos , Magiorkinis Emmanouil , Spyrantis Alexandros , Kotsiri Ioanna 
Published: December 2022

Myocardial infarction is an emergency situation, and its early diagnosis is vital for patients and for the treatment which will be followed. Till now the diagnosis of myocardial infarction is based on the increased cardiac troponins I and T in the patient's serum, these biomarkers are the gold standard for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction but there are some limitations due to their slow release from the damaged myocytes. For this reason, new biomarkers are needed to be used for a faster diagnosis. New biomarkers should increase rapidly after acute myocardial infarction and should have cardiac selectivity. Myosin-binding protein C is a newly described candidate biomarker of cardiac injury and in small studies, it appears that its serum concentration decreases and increases faster than that of the troponin T and I.
Cardiac troponins are released and cleared slowly after myocardial injury, complicating the diagnosis of an early and recurrent, acute myocardial infarction. Cardiac myosin-binding protein C is a similar cardiac protein that may have different release/clearance kinetics.
A Two-Stage Color Correction Algorithm for Facial Image
Authors: Liu Huilin , Wang Lijuan , Qian Peng , Xu Ying , Sun Zhumei , Guo Chunrong , Li Fufeng 
Published: December 2022

Aims: Facial image analysis is the main direction of facial diagnosis objectification, where realistic colors in medical facial images are essential clues for disease diagnosis. However, the same person's facial color information will have different display information under different light sources and display devices, which may lead to different diagnostic results.
Methodology: Firstly, we conducted group experiments on the selection of color patches and selected 12 face-related color patches for color correction of facial images. Next, to adapt to this task under different lighting conditions, we utilize an adaptive white balance algorithm to adjust brightness as the first step. We selected the D65 illuminate environment as the standard lighting condition. Finally, we employed a polynomial-regression algorithm based on ridge regression for color correction.
Results: The experimental results demonstrate that the average values of the chromatic distance of our method under all five lighting conditions are less than 3.0. We also compare the ablation experiments of adjusting brightness.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the proposed method has good consistency in color correction of facial images under different lighting conditions, which is more suitable for clinical medical diagnosis.
Frequency of Advance Maternal Age Pregnancy, Its Associated Risk Factors, Complications and Impact on Fetal Outcome
Authors: Yousfani Nazia Azam , Zafar Mehwish , Irshad Faisal , Khan Sahito , Ahmed Azra , Kousar Tasneem 
Published: December 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency of Advance maternal age pregnancy, its associated risk factors and complications, and to evaluate the obstetric and fetal outcome.
Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nawabshah, with a total of 125 Advance age (> 35 years) mothers who gave birth during the study period. Questionnaire based data was collected, statistically analyzed and results were tabulated.
Results: A total of 125 (17.85%) Advance age mothers (>35 years) were recruited for the study. Among this study group Cesarean Section (52%) remained the most observed mode of delivery. Pregnancy related complications included Postpartum hemorrhage (44%), Gestational diabetes (22.4%), and Pregnancy induced hypertension (16%). The neonatal complications mostly observed were, still birth (35%), Low birth weight (17.5%), Preterm birth (26.3%), and Neonatal death (14%).
Conclusion: Advancing age exposes mother to have pregnancy related complications and adverse neonatal outcomes.
Establishing Normative Values for Amplitude of Accommodation and Accommodative Facility among University Students in Malawi
Authors: Chikuse Masautso , Mzumara Thokozani , Afonne Joseph 
Published: December 2022

Aim: The study aimed to examine the distribution of Accommodative Facility (AF) and Amplitude of Accommodation (AA) and compare the findings with established guidelines.
Place and Duration of Study: Mzuzu University, Malawi. Between May and July 2022.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students at Mzuzu university in Malawi. We recruited 77 students using a stratified random sampling technique. The participants' age ranged from 16 to 35 years of age. We measured AA using the push-up method while AF was measured using +/- 1.50 Diopters (D) flippers. Both techniques utilized black reading material on white background held at 40 centimeters (cm). Next, we measured the accommodation facility by counting the number of Cycles per Minute (c/m). We utilized the Pearson correlation test and the One-way ANOVA where appropriate. The value of p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The participants comprised 44 (57.1%) males and 33 (42.9%) females. Monocular AA was 10.04D (SD=2.71) and Binocular AA was 10.51 (3.641). The difference was statistically significant (p=0.04). While Monocular AF and Binocular AF were 9 c/m (SD= SD=1.84) and 8.96 (SD=1.539) respectively but the difference was non-significant (p=0.868). AF and AA were not significantly different between males and females. All the parameters decreased with age. The measured AA was significantly higher than using Hofstetter’s formula.
Conclusion: The study provides a cut-off value for practitioners diagnosing Accommodation anomalies. However, indices in the study differ from the well-established guidelines hence practitioners should endeavor to perform the clinical assessment instead of relying on equations.
Linac primary barrier transmission for concrete: Monte Carlo calculations
Authors: McDermott Patrick N. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRecent publications have called into question the accuracy of reference tenth‐value layer (TVL) data cited in official reports for linac primary concrete barriers. Doubts have arisen based on both experimental and theoretical evidence. Most of the standard reference TVL values trace back to a publication that appeared in 1984 that used beam spectra that are not representative of modern linacs. This study reports a new set of TVL data for concrete based on modern linac beam spectra and a definition of the barrier transmission that is consistent with its use in shielding calculations. TVL values have been computed for concrete using Monte Carlo simulation for beam energies of 4, 6, 10, 15, and 18 MV. The barrier transmission depends on the field size at the barrier and the distance from the distal surface of the barrier to the point of observation. The TVL values reported here lead to barrier transmission values that are up to a factor of 4 larger than those in official reports. The air kerma rate beyond the barrier does not obey an inverse square law as the barrier now acts like a new (non‐point) source of radiation. For distance greater than 0.3 m from the distal side of the barrier, inverse square predictions of the air kerma rate are low by up to a factor of 2. The average energy of the transmitted photons declines rapidly for all beam energies with increasing barrier thickness up to a thickness of about 50 cm and then slowly increases with increasing thickness.
Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Swimming Robots with Embedded Microfluidic Networks and Photothermal Switch for Controllable Marangoni Propulsion
Authors: Mao Jiang‐Wei , Han Dong‐Dong , Zhou Hao , Sun Hong‐Bo , Zhang Yong‐Lai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractChemical Marangoni propulsion enables dynamic and untethered motion by generating surface tension gradient through chemical release, thereby having great potential for the development of insect‐scale self‐propelled robots. However, as the release and diffusion of chemical “fuels” are commonly uncontrollable, the Marangoni propulsion is unstable, thereby restricting robotic applications. Herein, the laser fabrication of superhydrophobic swimming robots to develop controllable Marangoni propulsion based on a photothermal composite of graphene and polydimethylsiloxane is reported. By combining the microfluidic channels with photothermal air chambers, a light‐triggered switch that can control the release of chemical “fuels” is proposed. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic surface is fabricated on the swimming robot by laser treatment, which reduced water resistance and promoted propulsion. On‐demand actuation and swimming route planning are realized by programming the alcohol/air segments in the releasing channels, on‐demand actuation and swimming route planning have been realized. As a proof‐of‐concept, a Marangoni swimming robot equipped with a miniature digital camera is used in an actual environment. Therefore, this study is expected to advance the practical applications of the chemical Marangoni effect in swimming robots.
Solution‐Processed Selective Area Homoepitaxial Growth of Suspended MAPbX3(X = Cl, Br) Perovskite Micro‐Arrays
Authors: Zhang Jinshuai , Li Chun , Liang Yin , Song Jiepeng , Shang Qiuyu , Zhao Liyun , Tian Huifeng , Liu Lei , Zhang Qing 
Published: December 2022

AbstractSuspended nano/microstructures on semiconductor surfaces that can manage light are attractive for various on‐chip and efficiency‐enhanced optoelectronics. Hybrid halide perovskites have shown considerable potential for optoelectronic and photonic applications. However, the ionic and soft lattices of perovskites are sensitive to polar solvents, photons, and heat, limiting the post‐processing of suspended microstructures. Herein, a solution‐processed selective area homoepitaxial growth (SAEG) method is introduced to create well‐ordered, suspended microstructure arrays on the surface of MAPbX3(X = Br, Cl) single‐crystalline thin films. The suspended micro‐arrays exhibit single crystalline structures and 11.2 fold photoluminescence enhancement compared to the thin‐film substrates. The success of SAEG lies in the making use of perovskite supersaturated HX aqueous solutions that not only repair surface defects induced by lithography but also satisfy homoepitaxial growth kinetics. This study paves a pathway for the fabrication of cost‐effective perovskite surface‐suspended microstructures for efficiency‐enhanced and on‐chip optoelectronic devices.