Priority-based learning automata in Q-learning random access scheme for cellular M2M communications

Shinkafi, Nasir A.,Bello, Lawal M.,Shu'aibu, Dahiru S.,Mitchell, Paul D. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Instit 2021 ETRI Journal Vol.43 No.5

This paper applies learning automata to improve the performance of a Q-learning based random access channel (QL-RACH) scheme in a cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system. A prioritized learning automata QL-RACH (PLA-QL-RACH) access scheme is proposed. The scheme employs a prioritized learning automata technique to improve the throughput performance by minimizing the level of interaction and collision of M2M devices with human-to-human devices sharing the RACH of a cellular system. In addition, this scheme eliminates the excessive punishment suffered by the M2M devices by controlling the administration of a penalty. Simulation results show that the proposed PLA-QL-RACH scheme improves the RACH throughput by approximately 82% and reduces access delay by 79% with faster learning convergence when compared with QL-RACH.

Gestational Exposure to Pesticides Induces Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation in Offspring that Persist at Adult Age in an Animal Model

Elvis Ngwa Ndonwi,Barbara Atogho-Tiedeu,Eric Lontchi-Yimagou,Tijjani S. Shinkafi,Dieudonne Nanfa,Eric V. Balti,Routray Indusmita,Amena Mahmood,Jean-Claude Katte,Armand Mbanya,Tandi Matsha,Jean Claude 한국독성학회 2019 Toxicological Research Vol.35 No.3

Pesticide exposure may induce biochemical alterations including oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. However, in the context of developmental origin of health and disease, putative trans-generational effect of exposure to pesticides are insufficiently studied. We therefore aimed to evaluate the biochemical effect of gestational exposure to four pesticides on female Wistar rats and their offspring at adult age. We studied 30 female nulliparous Wistar rats divided into 5 equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group and received distilled water while group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received orally pesticide 1 (imidacloprid), pesticide 2 (chlorpyrifos), pesticide 3 (imidacloprid + lambda cyhalothrin) and pesticide 4 (oxamyl) respectively once daily throughout gestation at a dose equivalent to 1/10 lethal dose 50. The mothers were followed up until one month post gestation. The offspring were followed up from birth until adult age (12 weeks). In all animals at each time point we evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress and liver function enzymes. There was similar variation of total body weight in all the groups during and after gestation. However, Female Wistar rats of the exposed groups had significant alterations in liver SOD (−30.8% to +64.1%), catalase (−38.8% to −85.7%) and GSH (−29.2% to −86.5%) and; kidney catalase (> 100%), GSH (> 100%). Moreover, MDA, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were significantly higher in pesticide exposed rats compared to the control group. Similar alterations in antioxidant enzymes, MDA and liver function enzymes were observed in offspring of treated rats evidenced at weaning and persisting until adult age. Exposure to pesticides causes oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in exposed female Wistar rats and their offspring. The persistence in offspring at adult age suggests transgenerational adverse effects.

Eugenol-rich Fraction of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Reverses Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Liver Cirrhosis and Inhibits Hepatic Cell Proliferation

Shakir Ali,Amena Mahmood,Indusmita Routray,Tijjani Salihu Shinkafi,Kazim Sahin,Omer Kucuk 대한암예방학회 2014 Journal of cancer prevention Vol.19 No.4

Background:Dried flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) is rich in eugenol, an antioxidant and antiinflammatory compound thatcan protect liver against injury. Clove, besides eugenol, also contains other pharmacologically active phytochemicals such as β-sitosteroland ascorbic acid. This study reports the effect of eugenol-rich fraction (ERF) of clove on liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide. Methods:Cirrhosis of the liver, which predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma, was induced by administering thioacetamide (0.03%)in drinking water for 16 weeks. Cirrhotic animals were divided into two groups; the treated group was administered ERF for 9 weeks,one week after discontinuation of thioacetamide, while the other group received normal saline for a similar duration of time. Results:The treatment with ERF, as determined by histopathology and through a battery of biochemical markers of hepatic injury, oxidativestress and drug metabolizing enzymes, significantly ameliorated the signs of liver cirrhosis. It lowered the elevated levels ofalkalinephosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and other biochemical changes in liver cirrhosis. Histopathology of the liver corroborated the effectof ERF with biochemical findings. ERF treatment further inhibited cell proliferation, as demonstrated by reduced [3H]-thymidine uptake. Conclusions:Data provide evidence supporting the protective action of ERF on liver cirrhosis. The study assumes significance becausecirrhosis predisposes the liver to cancer, which is characterized by abnormal cell proliferation. ERF in this study is reportedto inhibithepatic cell proliferation and at the same time decrease oxidative stress, which might be the mechanism of protection against liver cirrhosis.

Gestational Exposure to Pesticides Induces Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation in Offspring that Persist at Adult Age in an Animal Model

Ndonwi, Elvis Ngwa,Atogho-Tiedeu, Barbara,Lontchi-Yimagou, Eric,Shinkafi, Tijjani S.,Nanfa, Dieudonne,Balti, Eric V.,Indusmita, Routray,Mahmood, Amena,Katte, Jean-Claude,Mbanya, Armand,Matsha, Tandi,M Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2019 Toxicological Research Vol.35 No.3

Pesticide exposure may induce biochemical alterations including oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. However, in the context of developmental origin of health and disease, putative trans-generational effect of exposure to pesticides are insufficiently studied. We therefore aimed to evaluate the biochemical effect of gestational exposure to four pesticides on female Wistar rats and their offspring at adult age. We studied 30 female nulliparous Wistar rats divided into 5 equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group and received distilled water while group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received orally pesticide 1 (imidacloprid), pesticide 2 (chlorpyrifos), pesticide 3 (imidacloprid + lambda cyhalothrin) and pesticide 4 (oxamyl) respectively once daily throughout gestation at a dose equivalent to 1/10 lethal dose 50. The mothers were followed up until one month post gestation. The offspring were followed up from birth until adult age (12 weeks). In all animals at each time point we evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress and liver function enzymes. There was similar variation of total body weight in all the groups during and after gestation. However, Female Wistar rats of the exposed groups had significant alterations in liver SOD (-30.8% to +64.1%), catalase (-38.8% to -85.7%) and GSH (-29.2% to -86.5%) and; kidney catalase (> 100%), GSH (> 100%). Moreover, MDA, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were significantly higher in pesticide exposed rats compared to the control group. Similar alterations in antioxidant enzymes, MDA and liver function enzymes were observed in offspring of treated rats evidenced at weaning and persisting until adult age. Exposure to pesticides causes oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in exposed female Wistar rats and their offspring. The persistence in offspring at adult age suggests transgenerational adverse effects.

Metabolic effects of exposure to pesticides during gestation in female Wistar rats and their offspring: a risk factor for diabetes?

Ndonwi Elvis Ngwa,Atogho-Tiedeu Barbara,Lontchi-Yimagou Eric,Shinkafi Tijjani S.,Nanfa Dieudonne,Balti Eric V.,Katte Jean Claude,Mbanya Armand,Matsha Tandi,Mbanya Jean Claude,Shakir Ali,Sobngwi Eugene 한국독성학회 2020 Toxicological Research Vol.36 No.3

Some pesticides increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but whether fetal exposure carries transgenerational risk remains unknown. We evaluated the metabolic effects of gestational exposure to chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid in female Wistar rats and their offspring. We studied female nulliparous Wistar rats, including six exposed to imidacloprid (IMI) and six to chlorpyrifos (CPF) once daily throughout gestation at 1/10 lethal dose 50, while six (control group) received distilled water. These were explored 1 month after the birth of the offspring, while their offspring were explored at weaning (4 weeks) and adult age (12 weeks). Blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile were determined at each stage, while glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFkβ) protein expression was measured in skeletal muscle at the end of follow up. Exposure to pesticides was associated with significantly higher fasting glucose (+25.4 to 30.9%) and insulin (> 100%) levels, with > 100% increased insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), − 18.3 to − 21.1% reduced HDL-cholesterol and + 60.9 to + 102.6% increased LDL-cholesterol in mothers. GLUT4 expression was reduced by 28.9–42.3% while NFkβ expression increased by 32.8–35.4% in mothers. In offspring, similar abnormalities were observed at weaning (+ 18.4 to 67.4% fasting glucose, + 57.1 to 72.2% LDL-cholesterol, + 72.3 to 78.2% fasting insulin), persisting at adult age with decreased expression of GLUT4 (− 52.8 to 54.5%) and increased expression of NFkβ (+ 30.5 to 30.7%). Gestational exposure to imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos induces hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in female Wistar rats and their offspring. The effects on offspring persist until adult age, suggesting intergenerational adverse effects.

A bivariate statistical analysis for coal exploration within parts of the Anambra Basin in Nigeria

Adamu L. Musa,Andongma W. Tende,Jiriko N. Gajere,Mazadu D. Bako,Fatima Shinkafi,Mohammed D. Aminu 대한공간정보학회 2022 Spatial Information Research Vol.30 No.3

The Anambra Basin is rich in coal, and can be investigated regionally using predictive models developed with Geographic Information System (GIS). Several spatial and statistical approaches were employed in this study to determine the most prospective location for coal deposits, with a focus on accuracy and reliability. The relationship between coal occurrence and evidential data was assessed using the prediction area plot analysis, and coal predictive maps were developed using bivariate statistical models such as the Evidential Belief function (EBF), Statistical Index (SI), and Frequency Ratio (FR) models. The accuracy of all predictive models was assessed using the Receiver Operating/Area Under Curve (ROC/AUC) analysis. The application of prediction area plot analysis suggests a substantial correlation can be established between coal resources and spatial data on geology (0.75) and lineament density (0.74). Based on spatial data integration using bivariate models, the north-central and south-central parts of the study area have a high potential for coal occurrence. Comparatively, the very high potential class accounts for 5.3%, 3.64%, 7.14%, and 2.04%, respectively, in the EBF, Uncertainty, SI and FR models. Statistical validation using the ROC/AUC analysis demonstrated prediction accuracies of 83%, 79%, 78%, and 82%, respectively, for the belief, uncertainty, SI, and FR models. In general, GIS predictive modelling for coal resource exploration is strongly recommended in the Anambra Basin and other sedimentary basins with similar geological settings.