bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Edge Architecture Integration of Technologies
Authors: R. S. Sandhya Devi , V. R. Vijaykumar , P. Sivakumar , A. Neeraja Lakshmi , B. Vinoth Kumar
Published: May 2021

The enormous growth of the internet of things (IoT) and cloud-based services have paved the way for edge computing, the new computing paradigm which processes the data at the edge of the network. Edge computing resolves issues related to response time, latency, battery life limitation, cost savings for bandwidth, as well as data privacy and protection. The architecture brings devices and data back to the consumer. This model of computing as a distributed IT system aims at satisfying end-user demands with faster response times by storing data closer to it. The enormous increase in individuals and locations, connected devices such as appliances, laptops, smartphones, and transport networks that communicate with each other has raised exponentially. Considering these factors in this chapter, edge computing architecture along with the various components that constitute the computing platform are discussed. The chapter also discusses resource management strategies deliberate for edge computing devices and integration of various computing technologies to support efficient IoT architecture.
Analysis of Consumer Buying Behaviour When Buying Sports and Leisure Products During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vukasović Tina , Jagodič Gregor
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives. We have all had to adapt to the so-called “new normality.” In the research, the authors focused on checking recent changes in buying habits of consumers purchasing sports and leisure products. They found that the purchasing frequency decreased during the pandemic. An important increase is observed in the use of online stores, and the share of those purchasing sports and leisure products spontaneously has decreased. Consumer buying habits were most negatively affected by government restrictive decrees. As evident from the research, the epidemic has caused significant changes in consumer buying habits, and its impact and changes will become even more visible in the coming period of uncertainty for all, with almost no possibility to influence the changing conditions, only trying to adapt, at least partially, to “the new reality.”
The Promotion of an Active Lifestyle After Loosening COVID-19 Measures
Authors: Plevnik Matej , Fabjan Daša , Sikošek Marijana , Lesjak Miha
Published: May 2021

This chapter focuses on the association between the proximity of a physical environment suitable for recreation and physical activity, which is a public health priority in communities. After the COVID-19 lockdown, tourism destinations experienced an increased number of visitors who showed the need for physical activity. To ensure the health of visitors and promote physical activity, destinations try to provide safe infrastructure and distribute recreation load in time and space by managing visitor flow. With the newly imposed health standards, it is essential to identify overcrowding for eventual visitor management interventions by spatial planning or other regulation; thus, a pilot measurement of recreation load was carried out to compare the differences between weekday and weekend physical activity on a chosen location in tourism destination. The findings represent a basis for actions of visitor management with the aim to accommodate the recreation needs of locals and other visitors.
Expected Benefits and Perceived Barriers to Exercise During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Aydin Asli Elif
Published: May 2021

The influence of perceived barriers and expected benefits of exercise on exercise behavior is well recognized. During the pandemic, individuals' ability to perform physical activities is restricted due to isolation conditions. Still, adherence to exercise is more important than ever, considering the positive impact of physical activity on the immune system. Additionally, exercise helps people get rid of anxiety, depression, and stress, which tend to escalate in the pandemic. This chapter aims to increase exercise participation by understanding perceived barriers and expected benefits of exercise during the pandemic. The relationship between isolation, exercise, mental and physiological health during the pandemic will be discussed. Moreover, a review of the perceived barriers and expected benefits of exercise will be made. Last, an empirical study examining these relationships will be made.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Sponsorship in Slovenian Sports
Authors: Faganel Armand , Mitić Branislav , Janeš Aleksander
Published: May 2021

Slovenian sport is financed from three main sources: public expenditure provided by the state through the annual sports program and the Sports Foundation at the national level and local communities; population expenditure on sports products and services; and economic expenditure, which is mostly sponsorship in sports. Each company follows its own sponsorship strategy, with many areas and projects always competing with each other, deciding which areas to invest in (e.g., sports, culture, etc.) and assess their priorities and relationships with other investments. 2020 has been heavily marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a profound impact on the world and the economy, as well as on sports and sponsorships. Namely, sport is one of the forms of social activity in which the participants are physically close or even in contact at all times. These are athletes, coaches, masseurs, physiotherapists, and others, as well as spectators. Most Slovenian companies have decided to insist on sponsoring selected sports activities, but they also expect some sort of government assistance. This chapter explores the impact of COVID-19 on sponsorship Slovenian sports.
Embracing New Ways of Learning and Teaching
Authors: McCaughren Simone
Published: May 2021

This chapter discusses novel approaches to learning and teaching practice skills for social work students. It documents the potential of advances in digital technology for assisting learning and teaching students in line with UDL principles. It looks at a novel approach to teaching practice skills in the discipline of social work and its use for inter-professional education. Key principles of universal design for learning will be explored in the context of some early-stage empirical research undertaken with students in redesigning a module in skills learning. Some attention will also be given to how advances in digital technology can assist a more enhanced, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment for students.
Embedding Universal Design for Learning in the Large Class Context
Authors: Farrell Ann Marie
Published: May 2021

At the heart of universal design for learning (UDL) is an appreciation of the variability and diversity of learners. This chapter reflects on the experience of embedding the principles of UDL in the context of a large, higher education class comprising 400+ students. The case study examines the deliberate alignment of the multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement pillars of UDL with the curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment pillars of pedagogy. Creating a variety of avenues to the core concepts addressed the diversity in the group, allowing for deep engagement with some complex ideas. Provision of choice around assessment developed a sense of agency as students could tailor their work to align with their interests and experiences while simultaneously meeting the learning outcomes, thereby enhancing engagement. The principles of embedding UDL in large class pedagogy can be applied across higher education albeit they may need to be adapted for the specific requirements of the content area.
Universal Design for Learning for Clinical Educators
Authors: LaRocco Diana J. , Fanelli Lisa L.
Published: May 2021

As the diversity of students continues to increase in institutions of higher education, so does the need for faculty to provide equitable learning experiences for all students. Clinical practice experiences are an integral component of healthcare education programs' curricula. Credentialed practitioners in the clinical settings become extensions of didactic faculty and serve a crucial role in building students' competency in practical skills and translating didactic learning to clinical reasoning. In this chapter, the authors describe how to leverage the universal design for learning (UDL) framework as a tool for designing clinical experiences in ways that address student diversity and the continuum of student variability in motivation, knowledge, resourcefulness, and self-direction. Steps in a UDL-aligned design thinking cycle will be presented and applied to analyze three clinical educator-student vignettes. Within each, examples of common barriers to learning will be identified and UDL-based solutions will be proposed.
COVID-19 Data and Environmental Perspectives
Authors: Darchashvili Manana
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for the entire modern world. Since December 2019, the international community has been concerned about the current situation. The World Health Organization declared the disease as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The countries are doing their best to prevent the spread of disease. Thus, there is an acute health crisis in the world, which leaves its negative results and will continue to affect all areas of society, especially the economy. Existing difficulties are almost universal. The complexity of the situation reflects upon small, developing countries, such as Georgia, where health and economics are the common denominators directly related to environmental protection. Therefore, along with the data about COVID-19, the chapter presents environmental perspectives of Georgia's international cooperation. The current situation in Georgia is reflected in the program documents of the political parties participating in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Knowledge Management in Times of Pandemic
Authors: Khan Lubna Akhlaq
Published: May 2021

This research began with an assumption that what matters to people gets a verbal stamp. Here, the focus is on the social media jokes about online classes, analysed through linguo-cultural approach by Petrova. The analysis revealed that the teachers are facing problems and students are taking advantage of their teachers' technical illiteracy. The highest dense category consists of jokes about students' non-seriousness toward their online lectures. There are serious discipline issues and distractions. Students have devised new excuses to avoid online classes and assigned home-based activities. Some posts even depicted poor prospects for these ill-trained students. Online classes have been depicted as a useless activity. This hierarchical arrangement of the semantic densities revealed the concerns of the current social-media users in Pakistan. Policymakers and content creators should come up with sagacious measures to make the best of these virtual classrooms and address the genuine concerns of all the stakeholders.
Changes in Consumer Behaviors During the Pandemic and Virtual Strategies for Acquiring and Keeping Customers
Authors: Şehirli Mustafa
Published: May 2021

This chapter addresses how the pandemic has transformed the world at a surprising speed in terms of consumer behaviors and applicable virtual strategies to capture new opportunities. Although there have been some short-term sharp declines in consumer spending, confident changes have been realized through consumers' evolution into “digitalization” or the use of contactless, functional, and appropriate business models. Accordingly, the pandemic has also brought digitalization forward for companies, making it almost obligatory. This chapter will also discuss exemplary, inspirational practices of companies that have developed business models, products, and services by managing changes accelerated by the pandemic.
International Trade in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abuseridze Giga
Published: May 2021

This chapter overviews the relationship between international trade and the WTO law, international trade strategy, as well as labour standards, human rights, and the public health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. It is stated that the most effective way to overcome the crisis is timely and effective information-sharing since informed community can make better decisions on trade issues. The urgency of effective measures and implementation of new WTO regulations are believed to be vital for providing fair trade in the present circumstances. The right trade policies would not only revive the trade and recover the time lost to the crisis but would also shift toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. The author claims that, in view of the pandemic, the efforts of policymakers and business leaders to find ways to achieve trade balance should imply greater coherency between trade, labour standards, public health, and human rights objectives.
Stock Market Price and Company Performance Between Two Major Downturns
Authors: Batrancea Larissa
Published: May 2021

The chapter investigates the degree to which stock market prices were influenced by company financial performance during the period March 2007–September 2020, which included both the beginning of the global financial crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Using quarterly financial data retrieved from the first 34 companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange according to their transaction volumes, empirical results show that, in the period between the two crises, stock market metrics including price to earnings, price to sales, price to book value, and price to free cash flow were shaped by financial performance indicators such as gross margin ratio, operating margin ratio, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin, pretax margin, and net profit margin.
The Impacts of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Education Sector
Authors: Haider Syed Arslan , Gul Azeem , Anwar Bilal , Tehseen Shehnaz , Iqbal Shahid
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has prevented students from contributing towards the economic growth of Pakistan. It first disrupted the education system in China and later entered Pakistan to close all levels of educational institutions/sectors since the middle of March 2020. This study aims to highlight the COVID-19 outbreak's effects on educational sector in Pakistan. Pakistan's overall public sector expenditure as a percentage of GDP before the pandemic was already low as compared to regional level, but due to the pandemic, it has dropped down significantly. This study seeks to answer two important questions: (1) What are the impacts of COVID-19 outbreak on Pakistan? (2) Will the closure of educational institutions impact the economic growth of Pakistan? According to empirical and theoretical findings, the results show that the lack of school education for a long period of time will contribute towards unskilled human capital. The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted student learning activities, which may increase the dropout rates, loss of mental health, and consequently, may impact the economic growth of Pakistan later.
Comparative Studies on Inclusive Digital Teaching in Higher Education in Light of COVID-19
Authors: Ahrens Andreas , Bhati Parulkumari P. , Leshchenko Alena , Zaščerinska Jeļena , Gukovica Olga , Zascerinskis Mihails , Aleksejeva Anastasija
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the higher education sector, which is a critical determinant of a country's economic future. The aim is to compare the views of teachers and students on inclusive digital teaching in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meaning of “inclusive digital teaching” and “view” are studied. The empirical study was carried out in September-November 2020. Forty respondents from Germany, Latvia, India, Ukraine, and South Africa participated in the study. The data were collected via a semi-structural interview. The theoretical findings allow defining inclusive digital teaching and its criteria and indicators. The positive views on inclusive digital teaching in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic were expressed by the university teachers. The students' views were more negative. The novel contribution of this chapter is the implications on inclusive digital teaching in higher education. Directions of further research are formulated.
Study of Blended Learning in Higher Education and the Role of Social Media Applications With Special Reference to Vietnam
Authors: Hong Lam Thanh , K. P. Jaheer Mukthar , Thanh Le Lanh , Le Hien Thanh , Nguyen Nam Duy , Quoc Do Bao
Published: May 2021

The present study aims to examine the effect of the combination of learning methods, in which diverse IT resources are applied to facilitate study activities of Vietnamese undergraduate students. The main focus of this study is that in the blended learning context of Vietnam education, the combination of various communication means such as F2F and traditional education technologies can enable the level of engagement of students with the blended courses. The study measured the level of students' engagement in the blended learning program, in which physical classrooms and different IT resources are implemented. The authors distinguish two kinds of IT resources: traditional education technologies and social media applications. It is proposed that while F2F classrooms and traditional education technologies can enable students' engagement, which leads to stronger satisfaction and motivation. Meanwhile, social media applications can intensify those relationships.
Mobility-Aware Prefetching and Replacement Scheme for Location-Based Services
Authors: Gupta Ajay Kumar , Shanker Udai
Published: May 2021

Location-based services (LBS) are gaining prominence in today's environment. When a mobile user submits a location-based query in LBS, an adversary may infer the locations or other related sensitive information. Thus, an efficient location privacy preservation model (LPPM) with minimal overhead needs to be built by considering contextual understanding and analytical ability. With consideration of service efficiency and privacy, a location privacy preservation policy, namely mobility-aware prefetching and replacement (MOPAR) policy, has been proposed by the cloaking area formulation through user location, cache contribution rate, and data freshness in LBS. An incorporation of prefetching and replacement to anonymizer and consumer cache with formulation of cloak area is being deployed to protect customer sensitive information. The Markov mobility model-based next-position prediction procedure is used in this chapter for caching and formulation of cloaking area. The results of the simulation show significant enhancement in the efficiency of the location-privacy preservation model.
An Efficient Markov Chain Model Development based Prefetching in Location-Based Services
Authors: Gupta Ajay Kumar , Shanker Udai
Published: May 2021

A quite significant issue with the current location-based services application is to securely store information for users on the network in order to quickly access the data items. One way to do this is to store data items that have a high likelihood of subsequent request. This strategy is known as proactive caching or prefetching. It is a technique in which selected information is cached before it is actually needed. In comparison, past constructive caching strategies showed high data overhead in terms of computing costs. Therefore, with the use of Markov chain model, the aim of this work is to address the above problems by an efficient user future position movement prediction strategy. For modeling of the proposed system to evaluate the feasibility of accessing information on the network for location-based applications, the client-server queuing model is used in this chapter. The observational findings indicate substantial improvements in caching efficiency to previous caching policies that did not use prefetch module.
Design of a Smart ATM Using a Bio-Inspired Watch Dog Mechanism
Authors: Geetha S. , Venkatesan V. Prasanna , J. Madhusudanan
Published: May 2021

The innovation of smart technologies has made the world into a connected network with “any where, any time, any thing” type of services. The current world has moved to a new environment where more smart gadgets and facilities are used by people. ATM is one such facility where context-aware features may be seen and also exposed to security threats. An intelligent and strong mechanism is needed to protect the ATM from attacks. Apart from the existing alert-based monitoring facility, there is a need to defend against the attackers. Currently, ATMs are said to be Smart ATMs, but really, whether they are smart enough to handle the critical situations is questionable. In this regard, this chapter focuses on designing phases considering the features such as context-awareness, monitoring, decision-making ability, and intelligence.
Exploratory Study of the Role of Emerging Technologies in Outsourcing of Supply Chain Functions
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Mandke Prasad
Published: May 2021

Emerging technologies (ETs) like blockchain technologies (BCT), internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and others offered promising new avenues to improve productivity, efficiency, and convenience in supply chain management (SCM) functions. The authors conducted a structured literature review to identify the researchable gaps. Subsequently, in-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 SCM experts from Indian organizations who were implementing ETs were conducted to secure expert insights. The authors then conducted thematic content analysis of the expert interview responses and presented the findings. The authors presented an integrated framework by incorporating process, activities, and resource-based considerations while making sourcing decisions involving emerging technologies in SCM functions.
Improving the Organization of Waste Management Sites
Authors: Harison Elad , Cherkassky Arkady , Barkai Ofer
Published: May 2021

Waste management (WM) sites operate a broad scope of processes and activities that involve treatment of industrial and private waste and its recycling and landfilling. The paper applies discrete event simulation (DES) methods to assess the performance of different configurations of WM sites, as means for improving their productivity, efficiency, and organization. The authors evaluate the functioning and performance of WM sites under various real-world scenarios, such as different waste arrival times, changes of the volume of waste due to population growth, changes in the shares of different recycled materials due to increasing awareness and public campaigns. The results of the model can serve policymakers, environmentalists, and WM site managers in utilizing their existing facilities to improve both productivity and recycling and thereby reduce waste.
Investigating Factors Influencing the Adoption of IT Cloud Computing Platforms in Higher Education
Authors: Hiran Kamal Kant
Published: May 2021

Cloud computing has become an emerging IT platform for productive services and efficient use of innovation in higher education. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of cloud computing in Sub-Saharan Africa under Ethiopian higher education. These factors professed to influence the adoption of cloud computing built on the integrated framework of technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, diffusion of innovation (DoI) theory, and sociocultural theory. In-depth interviews have been taken with the University of Gondar key professionals in Ethiopia to accomplish this research study. The results show that the organisational factors are more influential factors than the technological, environmental, and sociocultural factors to the adoption of cloud computing (CC) in the Ethiopian higher education (EHE) sector. This qualitative study aids researchers and practitioners in the field of IT technology cloud to employ these key factors suggestive to cloud computing adoption in the higher educational institutions.
Comparison of adductor canal block with femoral nerve block for post-operative pain relief after bilateral total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Krishna Vamshi , Govil Nishith , Tripathi Mukesh , Jain Gaurav , Goyal Tarun , Aggarwal Shantanu
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims:

Pain perception and pain threshold vary from one individual to another and also differ in the right and left limbs leading to an inter-cerebral pain variability bias and inter-patient pain variability bias. To date, data comparing adductor canal block (ACB) with femoral nerve block (FNB) in the same patient who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remain limited.

Methods:

We performed a prospective, non-randomised, controlled study. Patients scheduled for bilateral TKA with central neuraxial anaesthesia received every 12-hourly intermittent boluses of 15 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% in two different peripheral nerve blocks (ACB and FNB) in either of the lower limbs postoperatively. The primary outcome was to assess postoperative VAS score, and the secondary outcomes were muscle strength of the quadriceps muscle and degree of flexion at the knee joint.

Results:

Among the 80 patients assessed for eligibility, 72 patients were enroled, and 69 were included in the final analysis. VAS scores after the two blocks during rest at 30 minutes, 6 hours, 12 hours and 48 hours post-operatively had no significant difference. VAS scores during rest at 24 hours and on doing exercise at 24 hours and 48 hours showed a significant difference. Quadriceps muscle strength and degree of flexion of knee at 24 hours and 48 hours post-operatively did show a significant difference in favour of the ACB over FNB.

Conclusion:

ACB provides equivalent analgesia in comparison with FNB at rest and during passive exercise up to 48 hours post-operatively. ACB significantly preserved motor power of quadriceps muscles when compared with FNB with no added complications.
Effects of intraoperative inverse ratio ventilation on postoperative pulmonary function tests in the patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Adabala Vijay , Tripathi Mukesh , Gupta Priyanka , Parameswaran Prabakaran , Challa Revanth , Kumar Ajit
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims:

Induction of general anaesthesia is associated with development of atelectasis in the lungs, which may further lead to postoperative pulmonary complications. Inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) has shown to improve oxygenation and minimise further lung injury in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of IRV on intraoperative respiratory mechanics and postoperative pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

Methods:

In a prospective, controlled study, 128 consecutive patients with normal preoperative PFTs who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised into IRV and conventional ventilation groups. Initially, all patients were ventilated with settings of tidal volume 8 mL/kg, respiratory rate 12/min, inspiratory/expiratory ratio (I: E) = 1:2, positive end expiratory pressure = 0. Once the pneumoperitoneum was created, the conventional group patients were continued to be ventilated with same settings. However, in the IRV group, I: E ratio was changed to 2:1. Peak pressure (Ppeak), Plateau pressure (Pplat) and lung compliance were measured. Haemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gas values were also measured. PFTs were repeated in postoperative period. Statistical tool included Chi-square test.

Results:

There was no significant difference in PFTs in patients who underwent IRV as compared to conventional ventilation [forced vital capacity (FVC) 2.52 ± 0.13 versus 2.63 ± 0.16, P = 0.28]. The Ppeak (cmH2O) and Pplat (cmH2O) were statistically lower in IRV patients [Ppeak 21.4 ± 3.4 versus 22.4 ± 4.2, P = 0.003] [Pplat 18.7 ± 2.4 versus 19.9.4 ± 3.2, P = 0.008]. There was no significant difference in lung compliance and oxygenation intraoperatively.

Conclusion:

Intraoperative IRV led to reduced airway pressures; however, it did not prevent deterioration of PFTs in postoperative period.
Laboratory Evaluation of Spinosad as a Potential Larvicide against Immature Forms of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Sisodiya Nikhil , Tilak Rina , Sharma Anmol , Sarin Arti
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives:

Aedes mosquito has been recognized as a global emerging threat with its potential to transmit fatal diseases of international public health importance such as dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Prior attempts to manage the vector with various synthetic larvicides have resulted in emergence of resistance, thus necessitating search for a safer and effective alternative. The study was an experimental laboratory-based study to screen the recent World Health Organization (WHO)-approved insecticide spinosad for larvicidal activity and compare the efficacy of the same with other currently used larvicides, namely temephos and Bacillus
thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti).

Methodology:

An experimental setup was done as per the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme to assess the larvicidal activity of the spinosad at varying concentrations along with a positive and negative control. A preliminary screening to assess the larvicidal property of the spinosad was undertaken with 0.5 ppm concentration as recommended by the WHO. The mortality was checked after 24 h and results were statistically analyzed and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated.

Results:

Spinosad brought about 100% larval mortality at the recommended dosage (0.5 ppm) as well as at a lower dosage of 0.1 ppm. The comparison with the other two commonly used larvicides, namely temephos and Bti, reveals 100% and 90% mortality, respectively, in wild Aedes larvae.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that spinosad is a promising larvicide that can be used in rotation with temephos against Aedes
aegypti in potable water and may be used at a lower dosage of 0.1 ppm. However, large-scale field trials are required to ascertain the effectiveness of the larvicide in field conditions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in a Rare Case of Left Ventricular Noncompaction
Authors: George RA , Kumar Anil , Singh Navreet , Kumar Sangeet
Published: May 2021

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a relatively rare clinical entity with a grave outcome. Various morphological findings, both on two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been depicted in the literature, helping in establishing the correct diagnosis of this condition. We describe a rare case of LVNC and its MRI features.
Study of Clinical Spectrum, Laboratory Parameters, and Radiological Patterns in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Cases Occurring at High Altitude
Authors: Naik A. K. , Prasad Jai Prasad , Singh Vani , Singh S. K. , Chakrabarty Barun Kumar , Sharma Jitender , Yadav S. , Singh A. K. , Jha Vishal
Published: May 2021

Context:

The risk of cerebral venous thrombosis at particular locations and its association with high altitude is yet to be established completely. The relation between high altitude and venous thromboembolic events has been debated for many years. Cerebral venous thrombosis presenting with nonspecific symptoms like headache can be a tough challenge for primary care physicians deployed at high altitudes.

Materials and Methods:

Combatants going to wide areas of mountainous territories at varying altitudes presenting with persistent severe headache associated with nausea and vomiting were subjected into the study after evaluation at zonal and tertiary care hospital.

Results:

Over a period of 18 months from October 2018 to March 2020, 75 cases of headache were screened and evaluated. Eighteen of these patients were diagnosed to have cerebral venous thrombosis.

Conclusion:

The occurrence of chronic venous thrombosis in combatants who enter and remain at high altitude for the prolonged duration is very common and the gold standard for diagnosis is a clinical evaluation with radio imaging.
Pharmacological Profile of Prescriptions Containing Antidepressants
Authors: Mohan Prafull , Singh Harpreet , Sinha Sharmila , Prabhakaran K
Published: May 2021

Background:

The prescription of antidepressants is increasing due to the increasing incidence of depression and the use of antidepressants in other indications. There is a need to monitor their prescription practices not only to ensure evidence-based clinical use but also to align classroom teaching with the current clinical trends.

Materials and Methods:

This observational study was conducted in the department of psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital in western Maharashtra on anonymized prescriptions received within the study period.

Results:

A total of 214 prescriptions were analyzed with 268 instances of antidepressant prescription. 59.05% of prescriptions were of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 18.11% of atypical antidepressants, 16.92% of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and 5.90% of serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. 46% percent of prescriptions were as per defined daily doses (DDDs), 26% more than DDD and 28% less than DDD. Escitalopram and mirtazapine were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Both did not find mention in the National List of Essential Medicines and World Health Organization–Essential Medicines List (EML). Out of 214 prescriptions, 209 prescriptions were for psychiatric indications and the rest 5 were for nonpsychiatric indications. TCAs were prescribed more for psychiatric indications other than depression, while SSRIs were prescribed equally for depression and other psychiatric indications.

Conclusion:

Prescription trend in this study is in consonance with other contemporary studies. Extensive use of mirtazapine is a peculiar finding requiring further exploration. As in other studies, SSRIs have been used in doses more than their defined daily dose. Off-label use of antidepressants is widespread, but it should be backed by drug-specific robust evidence. EMLs and clinical usage derive from each other and need to be in mutual sync.
Automated Immunostaining Platform in Cytology
Authors: Sharma Shelly , Dey Pranab
Published: May 2021

Background:

In the modern era, immunocytochemistry (ICC) is an essential part of investigations. There is now an increasing workload of ICC in laboratories. Automated immunostaining platform may help the laboratories to deal with such a rising burden of ICC.

In this brief review article, we have described the various aspects of automated ICC, particularly the benefits, limitations, types of the system, working manner, and comparison of different commercially available systems.
Effectuation of International Academy of Cytology Yokahama Reporting System of Breast Cytology to Assess Malignancy Risk and Accuracy
Authors: Tejeswini Vaddatti , Chaitra B. , Renuka I. V. , Laxmi Kasula , Ramya Potti , Sowjanya K. K. S.
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Recently the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) proposed a new Yokahama reporting system for breast fine-needle aspiration cytology (2019) in order to standardize reporting pattern and to link cytology reporting to management algorithms.

Aims and Objectives:

To categorize the samples according to the newly proposed IAC Yokahama reporting system of breast cytology and to assess diagnostic accuracy and corresponding risk of malignancy (ROM) for each category.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of breast cytology cases done at Department of Pathology. The slides are retrieved from pathology archives and classified using a recently proposed IAC, Yokahama reporting system of breast cytology into five categories. The risk of malignancy, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were estimated on the basis of the final histopathological diagnosis.

Results:

Of the 386 cases of breast FNAC, 226 (55.55%) had the corresponding histological diagnosis. The respective ROM for each category was 22.22% for category 1 (insufficient material), 5.32% for category 2 (benign), 26.31% for category 3 (atypical), 100% for category 4 (suspicious for malignancy), and 100 % category 5 (malignant). Malignant cases were considered only when positive tests, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 89.66%, 100%, 100%, 90.2%, and 94.69%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The present study showed statistically significant sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, especially with malignant cases. Hence, using the IAC Yokahama reporting system of breast cytology is effective to standardize the reporting in various institutes and provide clear guidelines to clinician for further management.
Prognostic Role of Intragastric Cytopathology and Microbiota in Surgical Patients with Stomach Cancer
Authors: Virgilio Edoardo , Giarnieri Enrico , Carico Elisabetta , Montagnini Monica , Villani Sandra , Fiorenti Michele , Cavallini Marco , Montali Filippo , Costi Renato
Published: May 2021

Background:

In the last decade, analysis of malignant cells and flora in gastric lavage (GL) has provided interesting data on pathogenesis of gastric cancer (GC). For this study, combining such two aspects into one cyto-microbiologic category, we tested the prognostic role of the presence/absence of cancer cells (GL1/GL0) and bacterial microbiota (MB1/MB0) in our GC population.

Material and Methods:

Between April 2012 and August 2019, 79 surgical patients with GC were prospectively investigated with the determination of GL MB.

Results:

Compared with GL1 MB0, GL1 MB1 strongly correlated with advanced GC, portended poorer overall survival (OS) (45.8 months vs 20.5 months, P = 0.049), and resulted a significant (P = 0.008) and an independent (P = 0.013) prognostic factor unfavorable for OS.

Conclusion:

In the light of our results, the cyto-microbiologic parameter of GL MB should be used to gain a better prognosis of GC patients. Administration of antimicrobial treatment for MB1 subjects should be entertained because it could reduce the risk of oncogenesis.
Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Metastasis in Lung Cancer
Authors: Patil Chaitanya , Atreya Shrikant
Published: May 2021

Background:

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers associated with a poor prognosis. Gastrointestinal (GI) metastasis among lung cancer patients is often misdiagnosed or missed as a diagnosis. With a paucity of literature on this theme, we conducted a study to understand the clinicopathological characteristics of GI metastasis in lung cancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of 793 primary lung cancer patients registered from January 2018 to December 2018 was done at a tertiary cancer hospital. The present study focused on lung cancer patients with an objective to find out the cases of GI metastasis. GI metastasis was confirmed on radiological imaging in the records and positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography scans. Quantitative variables were either expressed in terms of mean and standard deviation or categorized and expressed in percentages. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to find the correlation between different symptom clusters in patients with GI metastasis in lung cancer.

Results:

Of the 793 lung cancer patients, 31 (3.9%) patients had metastasis to the GI tract, with as high as 70.97% (22/31) patients presenting with peritoneal/omental deposits. Of the 31 patients with GI metastasis, five (16.13%) patients were symptomatic, four patients had intestinal obstruction, and one had intestinal perforation. Due to advanced metastatic cancer and poor performance status, patients were provided palliative care and symptom management as they were deemed unfit for surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

With the advent of targeted and immunological therapies, patients with metastatic lung cancers are surviving longer. Palliative care specialists must work in close collaboration with oncologists to identify an impending GI complication at an early stage to direct specific interventions to avert the complication.
Independent sets in algebraic hypergraphs
Authors: Bernshteyn Anton , Delcourt Michelle , Tserunyan Anush
Published: May 2021

In this paper we study hypergraphs definable in an algebraically closed field. Our goal is to show, in the spirit of the so-called transference principles in extremal combinatorics, that if a given algebraic hypergraph is “dense” in a certain sense, then a generic low-dimensional subset of its vertices induces a subhypergraph that is also “dense.” (For technical reasons, we only consider low-dimensional subsets that are parameterized by rational functions.) Our proof approach is inspired by the hypergraph containers method, developed by Balogh, Morris, and Samotij and independently by Saxton and Thomason (although adapting this method to the algebraic setting presents some unique challenges that do not occur when working with finite hypergraphs). Along the way, we establish a natural generalization of the classical dimension of fibers theorem in algebraic geometry, which is interesting in its own right.
Case Report: Acute Kidney Failure due to Massive Envenomation of a Two-Year-Old Child Caused by Killer Bee Stings
Authors: Geoffroy Swann , Fremery Alexis , Lambert Yann , Marty Christian , Elenga Narcisse
Published: May 2021

A hybrid species of Brazilian bee has proliferated on the South American continent since 1956. We describe a “killer bee” swarm attack on a 2-year-old girl in French Guiana. The patient weighed 10 kg, and approximately hundreds of bees’ stingers were removed, that is, 10 stings/kg. Our patient survived without long-term sequelae. The management of her condition required admission into intensive care for renal failure due to acute tubular necrosis and severe rhabdomyolysis. We emphasize the importance of early medical intervention, clinical surveillance, and biological monitoring at the hospital to prevent a toxic chain reaction that could prove fatal within 72 hours.
Developing Global Health Diplomacy-related Skills Using a COVID-19-like Epidemic Simulation as a Learning Strategy
Authors: Reina Ortiz Miguel , Sharma Vinita , Casanova Jesse , Corvin Jaime , Hoare Ismael
Published: May 2021

Public health and global health practitioners need to develop global health diplomacy (GHD) skills to efficiently work within complex global health scenarios, such as the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Problem-based learning was used as a framework to create a scenario-based activity designed to develop GHD-related skills. The application and effectiveness of this scenario-based activity to develop GHD-related skills were assessed. A mixed-methods approach involving a self-administered survey and one focus group discussion was used. The survey collected baseline participant characteristics as well as understanding and improvements in GHD-related skills using a 5-point Likert scale. The focus group was audio-recorded and thematically analyzed using both inductive and deductive codes. Data integration was achieved by connecting and weaving. Method and investigator triangulation techniques were used. Participants self-reported significantly better postscenario-based activity responses when asked about their understanding of diplomacy, negotiation, communication, and how to address public health emergencies (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Most participants either agreed or strongly agreed that their GHD-related skills improved with participation in the scenario-based activity (diplomacy = 55.6%; negotiation = 66.5%; communication = 72.2%; addressing public health emergencies = 72.1%). Overall, qualitative data were consistent with results obtained using quantitative methods. The scenario-based activity was effective for improving the self-reported understanding of GHD-related skills. The scenario-based activity was also effective for developing the selected GHD-related skills (as self-reported). This scenario-based activity is likely to reduce cognitive load and avoid participant overload, thereby facilitating learning. Further research is required to elucidate its long-term impact on skills development.
SALLE combined with LD-DLLME for pesticides analysis in sugar and soil samples
Authors: Tolcha T. , Gomoro K. , Megersa N.
Published: May 2021

In this study, a modified salting-out-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) combined with low density dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (LD-DLLME) has been developed for quantitative determination of multiclass pesticide residues (atrazine, diazinon, ametryn, terbutryn, chlorpyrifos, dimethametryn, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE), 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (4,4'-DDD) and 4,4'-dichloro- diphenyltrichloroethane (4,4'-DDT)) levels in sugar and soil samples coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection. The extract was enriched after combining SALLE to LD-DLLME and enrichment factor obtained ranged 30-121. Under the optimum conditions, the linearity of the method was in the range of 6.25–100 ng g-1 for atrazine, ametryn, terbutryn, dimethametryn and 4,4'-DDT, and in the range of 2.5–100 ng g-1 for diazinon, chlorpyrifos and 4,4'-DDD, and in the range of  1–100 for 4,4'-DDE with correlation coefficient of  0.992 or better. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.01–0.25 ng g-1. The precisions as %RSD, were below 10% for both matrices. The recoveries obtained from spiked sugar and soil samples at 5 and 50 ng g-1 ranged from 79 to 111%. The method was subsequently applied to real sugar and soil samples. All the pesticides investigated were not detected in the sugar sample. The soil sample was contaminated by atrazine and ametryn at concentration level of 0.3 and 0.2 ng g-1, respectively.

                   

KEY WORDS: SALLE, LD-DLLME, Extraction, Pesticide residues, Sugar, Soil

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 1-16.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.1
Green synthesis of MgO nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract for antibacterial activity
Authors: Fatiqin A. , Amrulloh H. , Simanjuntak W.
Published: May 2021

Nanoparticle fabrication using plant extracts is an important alternative method because it is non-toxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. In this study, green synthesis of MgO nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf water extracts was conducted by mixing the extract and a solution of magnesium chloride. The product was characterized using different techniques, i.e. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The UV-Vis spectrum of MgO nanoparticles shows an absorption at 280 nm. The size of the synthesized MgO nanoparticles ranges from 20-50 nm. The antibacterial activity of MgO nanoparticles was seen from the zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (6.3 mm) and against Escherichia coli (6 mm). MgO nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated using Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extracts, providing an alternative method for synthesizing MgO nanoparticles.

                   

KEY WORDS: Antibacterial activity, Escherchia coli, MgO nanoparticles, Moringa oleifera, Staphylococcus aureus

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(1), 161-170.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i1.14