bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mecklenburg County North Carolina.
Authors: Omerhi Isaiah , Burks LaQuisha
Published: October 2022

Impact of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mecklenburg County North Carolina
Objective: This study aims to determine whether MSM who were prescribed Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than MSM not using Truvada for PrEP.
Design: Primary analysis of longitudinal STI data obtained from MSM attending Rosedale Medical and Amity Medical Group in Charlotte North Carolina, USA, and January 2016–October 2018.
Methods: Men who have sex with men (MSM) individuals were identified and grouped into two, those who were prescribed PrEP and a second group not using PrEP (propensity score was used to match similar individuals). Patients' STI data was used to compare the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, and time to first symptomatic STI among PrEP users and nonusers.
Results: Propensity score matched 98 PrEP users to nonusers included in the analysis. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for chlamydia, gonorrhea and early syphilis were 3.2 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.9–5.3], 2.8 (95% CI: 1.7–4.6) and 2.9 (95%CI: 1.5–5.6), respectively, comparing PrEP users to nonusers. Time to first symptomatic STI was shorter among PrEP users (120 days, 95% CI: 77–171) than among nonusers (185 days, 95% CI: 163–256).
Conclusion: Among MSM on PrEP, we observed a higher incidence of STIs and faster time to first symptomatic STI than MSM, not on PrEP. PrEP nonusers had a higher incidence of syphilis compared to PrEP users. However, there is insufficient evidence that PrEP maybe a contributing factor in increasing STI rates among MSM.
Isovists compactness and stairs as predictors of evacuation route choice
Authors: Snopková Dajana , De Cock Laure , Juřík Vojtěch , Kvarda Ondřej , Tancoš Martin , Herman Lukáš , Kubíček Petr
Published: October 2022

The building design is a crucial factor that can be actively adjusted and optimized to prevent human and property threats in emergency scenarios. Previous research suggests that specific building layouts may significantly influence human behaviour during evacuation. However, detailed empirical data about human behaviour in various types of buildings with different layouts are still missing and only marginal recommendations from this field are reflected in actual construction practice. In this study, desktop VR technologies were employed to study human decision-making in problematic T-intersections in the context of an emergency evacuation. More specifically, we studied fundamental attributes of buildings such as the width and length of the corridors and the presence of stairs to explore how they influence the choice of the evacuation route. The space-syntax isovist method was used to describe spatial parameters of corridors, which makes the results applicable to all buildings. Behavioural data from 208 respondents were analysed using multilevel regression models. Our results support previous claims concerning the importance of specific spatial layouts of evacuation corridors because respondents systematically chose wider and shorter corridors with visible staircases as the preferred evacuation route. The present findings further promote the ongoing discussion on the design of marked evacuation routes and building design that takes human factors into consideration.
Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Analysis of the Relation between Underground Oil Storage Caverns Construction and Hydro-environment
Authors: Wang Zhechao , Li Cheng , Qiao Liping , Zhong Shengran
Published: October 2022

Hydrogeochemical environment is of critical importance for the environment-friendly operation of underground oil storage caverns. The construction of underground oil storage caverns usually has an impact on the hydro-environment. The characterization and analysis of the hydrogeochemical environment can provide information on the relation between construction and hydro-environment. The quality of water samples was detected and analyzed to determine the chemical type in an underground oil storage cavern in China. The water samples are classified using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The source and proportion of seepage water into the storage caverns are determined with end member mixing calculation. The results show that the chemical type of groundwater is mainly HCO3 + Cl − Na type, and the two dominant factors affecting the evolution of hydrogeochemical content are rock dissolution and groundwater seepage. All water samples can be catalogued as seepage water, water curtain water, X River water and background water. The water curtain water can fully penetrate into the ground to provide containment for the storage caverns, and the water curtain system has a good performance and can basically cover the project area. Most of the seepage water into the storage caverns comes from water curtain water and X River water, while the proportion of background water is relatively low. The construction of underground oil storage caverns affects the groundwater flow regime by changing the directions of groundwater flow around the caverns. This study showcases the use of hydrogeochemical analysis in depicting the interplay between surface water and groundwater for underground rock engineering.
Biological clock genes are crucial and promising biomarkers for the therapeutic targets and prognostic assessment in gastric cancer
Authors: Tian Yonggang , Xie Yunqian , Bai Feihu , Zhang Dekui
Published: October 2022

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Circadian rhythm disturbances driven by circadian clock genes play a role in the development of cancer. However, whether circadian clock genes can serve as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer remains elusive.
Methods: In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the potential relationship between circadian clock genes and gastric cancer using online bioinformatics databases such as GEPIA, cBioPortal, STRING, GeneMANIA, Metascape, TIMER, TRRUST, and GEDS.
Results: Biological clock genes are expressed differently in human tumors. Compared with normal tissues, only PER1, CLOCK and TIMELESS expression differences were statistically significant in gastric cancer (p<0.05). PER1(P=0.0169) and CLOCK (P=0.0414) were associated with gastric cancer pathological stage (p<0.05). Gastric cancer patients with high expression of PER1 (p=0.0028) and NR1D1 (p=0.016) had longer overall survival, while those with high expression of PER1 (p=0.042) and NR1D1 (p=0.016) had longer disease-free survival. The main function of the biological clock gene is related to the circadian rhythm and Melatonin metabolism and effects. CLOCK, NPAS2 are KAT2B were a key transcription factor for circadian clock genes. In addition, we also found important correlations between circadian clock genes and various immune cells in the gastric cancer microenvironment.
Conclusions：This study may establish a new gastric cancer prognostic indicator based on the biological clock gene and develop new drugs for the treatment of gastric cancer using biological clock gene targets.
Supramolecular Assembly of Guanidinium benzilate and Benzylammonium benzilate — Structural and Spectroscopic (FT-IR, UV-Vis and Photoluminescence) Analyses
Authors: Sankar Nivithaa , Sudharsanan Nishanth , Seetharamiah Nagaraja Karachalacherevu , Chandran Karnan
Published: October 2022

Guanidinium benzilate (GBA) and benzylammonium benzilate (BABA) have been prepared from guanidinium carbonate and benzylamine/benzilic acid. GBA has interionic, intraionic, and intermolecular hydrogen bondings giving a three-dimensional supramolecular assembly. The carboxylate ion is present in the resonance form with C-O distances are of 1.242 and 1.246Å in GBA, whereas in non-resonance form with C-O distances of 1.262 and 1.245Å in BABA. In BABA, an inverted dimer with inter ionic hydrogen bonding exist as a dimer with supramolecular assembly due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the ion pairs. So the counter cation decides the resonance form of the carboxylate ion, hydrogen bonding network and the disposition of the phenyl rings in the benzilate and benzyl moiety. The IR,1H NMR and13C NMR spectral data have been interpreted using the crystal structure data and by the comparison between the two similar derivatives. Both the compounds exhibit the emission at 442 nm (Blue) and 547.2 nm (Green) on excitation. Chromaticity indicated excellent emission characteristics of both GBA and BABA which is necessary for OLED applications.
Atosiban application in fresh embryo transfer cycle is effective for women undergoing repeated embryo implantation failures, especially for advanced-age obese patients
Authors: Li Jie , Lin Zhong , Chen Yang , Shi Qiuling
Published: October 2022

Objectives
To understand the effect of atosiban in pregnancy outcomes in the fresh embryo transfer (ET).
Methods
689 cases (using atosiban) and 1377 age and embryo transfer cycle-matched controls were collected from the January 2016 to May 2022 to perform the fresh IVF-ET cycle. The essential characteristics and pregnancy outcomes including clinical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abortion and live birth were analyzed. Conditional logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis were performed.
Results
In the whole samples, atosiban had no effects in the pregnancy outcomes. Subgroup analyses suggested that atosiban could improve the clinical pregnancy in more than 3 embryo transfer cycles (OR = 1.667, 95%CI = 1.108–2.509, P = 0.014). Moreover, the improvement of clinical pregnancy was mainly present in the advanced-age women (Age ≥ 35 years: OR = 1.851, 95%CI = 1.136–3.014, P = 0.013), obesity (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2: OR = 2.550, 95%CI = 1.105–5.883, P = 0.028) and cleavage stage embryo (D3 embryo: OR = 1.721, 95%CI = 1.098–2.696, P = 0.018) among the repeated implantation failures (RIF). Atosiban could also improve the live birth for the obese women. Further, in the RIF, atosiban application was strongly recommended for the advanced-age infertility women, who also had the risk of obesity (Clinical pregnancy: OR = 3.342, 95%CI = 1.249–8.942, P = 0.016; Live birth: OR = 12.123, 95%CI = 2.191–67.089, P = 0.004) and transferred the cleavage stage embryo (D3 embryo: OR = 1.922, 95%CI = 1.135–3.255, P = 0.015).
Conclusion
Atosiban in fresh ET cycle could improve the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth for the advanced-age and obese women undergoing more than 3 embryo transfer cycles, especially when transplanting the cleavage stage embryo.
A Framework for Generating Disparity Map from Stereo Images using Deep Learning
Authors: Karimi Hossein , Dolati Ardeshir , Layeghi Kamran
Published: October 2022

One of the most important functions of the human vision system is the three-dimensional perception of the surrounding environment. The image formed on the retina is actually a reflection of light patterns emitted from the real environment. The two images formed in two eyes differ from each other due to the spatial difference of the two eyes in the horizontal direction, and every point in the three-dimensional space does not appear in the same position in the image of the two retinas, which is the basis of depth perception. These results became the source of extensive research to extract depth by means of two or more images taken from the same scene and from different positions. Creating the appearance of 3D shapes based on photographs by computational techniques is of great interest in the field of machine vision research. Challenges in existing methods such as high error rate and computational costs in these fields have led to new methods in this field. Today, we can create 3D models with images of physical environments and through machine vision methods. Today, machine vision has many applications, including optical character recognition, medical imaging, surveillance, security, and many other things. In this process, the pair of stereo images taken from the real world is used by calculating the disparity of the pixels to estimate the three-dimensional space. In this paper, a framework for creating a disparity map using deep learning is presented, which is presented to solve or reduce the existing problems. Our proposed method is called SIUDL, which is presented using deep learning and based on various criteria such as RMSE errors and 3-pixel error, it has been able to have a lower error rate and better efficiency than methods such as DispNet, GA-Net and PSMNet. The simulation results show that our proposed method has reduced the error rate by 60% compared to the stated methods.
Visual inspection via a global-to-local optimization method for agarwood sticks
Authors: Yuan An , Cai Nian , Wu Zhouyixiao , Wu Zhiliang , Xu Shaoqiu , Ou Weicheng , Wan Han
Published: October 2022

Chemical composition analysis, chromatography and spectroscopy are dominate quality evaluation methods for agarwood, which are cumbersome and time-consuming. To facilitate its quality evaluation, a global-to-local optimization method is proposed to automatically inspect the appearance of the burned agarwood stick. First, a dissimilarity coefficient is defined by the attributes of the connected domains to coarsely localize the carbon line region. Then, the threshold for the coarsely localized carbon line region is adaptively determined based on grayscale characteristics of image patches partitioned from the coarsely localized carbon line region. Next, the threshold is used to extract the contour of the carbon line region and to establish the fine localization model for locally and precisely localizing the carbon line region. Finally, an ash shrinkage compensation coefficient is defined to calculate the ash shrinkage rate (ASR). The ASR combined with carbon line height is utilized to characterize the appearance of burned agarwood. Experimental results indicate that the proposed inspection method can well detect the carbon line regions and ashes of burned agarwood sticks, with a mean ASR error of 0.74%, which is superior to some existing inspection methods.
Double Fabry-Pérot etalons assistant injection-seeded single-frequency Tm,Ho:YLF laser
Authors: Yue Fangxin , Zhang Junxuan , Meng Jie , Yu Ting , Bi Decang , Zhu Xiaolei , Liu Jiqiao , Chen Weibiao
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we report a diode side-pumped injection-seeded single-frequency Tm,Ho:YLF laser, which operated at lasing threshold and emitted at 2051.2 nm. The assistance of Fabry-Pérot (FP) etalons to seed injection via mode selection was investigated. An acouto-optic Q-swiched output of 6.7 mJ was achieved at 5 Hz. A temporal pulse duration of 310 ns with spectral linewidth of 2.0 MHz and frequency stability of 0.8 MHz rms was detected. The beam profile was a high quality Guassian TEM00 mode with M2x/y = ~ 1.15/1.14. The application of this 2 µm laser as light source in the wind detection coherent Lidar system was verified.
Shear Performance of Tapered Beams with Corrugated Steel Webs with Consideration of Positive and Negative Resal Effects
Authors: Shen YongJiang , Wang Jixiang , Zhou Man , Su Xiaolong , Tanwari Kamran Anwar
Published: October 2022

This paper theoretically and numerically studies the difference of shear performance between tapered and uniform beams with corrugated steel webs (CSWs) and investigates the influence of Resal effect on the shear performance of tapered beams with CSWs. Free Body Cut in ABAQUS was defined to study the shear sharing proportions between CSWs and concrete slabs, it was found to be different when compared with the uniform beams with CSWs, the sloping bottom slabs in the tapered cases would involve in resisting the shear force on the section. The existence of the Resal effect in the non-uniform members may either increase or decrease the shear-bearing ratio of the CSWs. Based on its favorable and unfavorable influences on the tapered CSWs' shear properties, the concept of positive and negative Resal effects is proposed for the first time in this study, and on this basis, the improved shear method considering the positive and negative Resal effects is proposed to obtain the actual shear forces of the tapered CSWs. Additionally, the factors contributed to the positive and negative Resal effects and the mechanisms of the Resal effect on adjusting the proportion of shear forces between bottom slab and CSWs were also investigated. In this study, the Resal effects in different kinds of tapered beams with CSWs (regular tapered beam and reverse tapered beam) under different internal force combinations are discussed by using finite element (FE) models and theoretical analysis, and the correctness of the improved shear method is confirmed by contrasting the FE results.
Identification of an immune-related genes signature in lung adenocarcinoma to predict survival and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Davoodi-Moghaddam Zeinab , Jafari-Raddani Farideh , Kordasti Shahram , Bashash Davood
Published: October 2022

Background
Although advances in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) research have provided a new treatment approach for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, their survival is still unsatisfactory, and there are issues in the era of response prediction to immunotherapy. We aimed to develop a prognostic model based on immune-related genes (IRGs) to predict the overall survival (OS) as well as response to ICIs in LUAD patients.
Methods
Using bioinformatics methods, a prognostic signature was constructed and its predictive ability was validated both in the internal and external datasets (GSE68465). We also explored the tumor-infiltrating immune cells, mutation profiles, and immunophenoscore (IPS) in the low-and high-risk groups.
Results
A prognostic signature based on 9-IRGs, including BIRC5, CBLC, S100P, SHC3, ANOS1, VIPR1, LGR4, PGC, and IGKV4.1 was developed. According to multivariate analysis, the 9-IRG signature provided an independent prognostic factor for OS in LUAD patients. The low-risk group had better OS, and the tumor mutation burden (TMB) was significantly lower in this group. Moreover, the risk scores were negatively associated with the tumor-infiltrating immune cells, like CD8+ T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells. In addition, the IPS were significantly higher in the low-risk group as they had higher gene expression of immune checkpoints, suggesting that ICIs could be a promising treatment option for low-risk LUAD patients.
Conclusion
Our 9-IRGs prognostic signature could be useful in predicting the survival of LUAD patients and their response to ICIs; hoping this model paves the way for better stratification and management of patients in clinical practice.
Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel.
Authors: Elbshbeshi Abdelhamid , Gomaa Ahmed , Mohamed Abdelmonem , Othman Amal , Ghazala Hosni
Published: October 2022

Conservation and restoration of heritage sites have recently become more popular through 3-D modelling and digital documentation of heritage. The main objective of the current study is to develop a digital documentation process for Abu Simbel temple, which is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt, focusing on its potential to replace obsolete methods of building heritage documentation using laser scanning. A combination of various techniques was used to produce a 3-D digital model. A precise geodetic network has been established around the temple, consisting of five points that helped in producing the 3-D model with geographic coordinates which through the rate of deformation around the temple could be calculated. Afterward, 52 scans of the temple facade and its interior parts were taken with the use of Trimble TX6 laser scanner. A 3-D digital model of the temple was obtained, encompassing geometric data, structural, architectural, and historical details as well as non-engineering data, including appearance, inscriptions, and material details. Outputs from the 3-D point cloud model exhibit a 6 mm spacing between points with a standard error of 4 mm and a standard deviation of 5 mm. In addition, a virtual tour was conducted in the temple including 61 panoramic images. Moreover, this a virtual tour would help in enhancing historical awareness, promoting tourism, and also enabling restoration work on any part that is vulnerable to deformation for any reason.
Determinants of children’s development (cognitive, language and motor) and growth (length for age Z-score) at 6-16 months of age in urban Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Sheikh Jamal , Hamadani Jena Derakhshani , Tofail Fahmida , Fisher Jane , Rahman Md. Anisur , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur
Published: October 2022

Background
Children’s growth and development are multifactorial. Little is known about the maternal and children’s factors associated with children’s development and growth in urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to determine the important factors associated with children’s development (cognitive, language and motor) and growth (length for age Z score) at age 6–16 months
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area of Bangladesh. Bayley III and the WHO methods were used to assess children’s development and growth respectively. Multivariable linear regression model and dominance analysis were used to determine the important factors associated with development and growth.
Results
Out of the total 599 mother-child dyads, 303 (50.58%) were girls. The common determinants of children’s development were Length-for-age-Z-score (LAZ) [cognitive: B = 1.21 (95%CI = 0.31, 2.11), P = 0.008, Language: 1.67 (0.79, 2.55) P < 0.001; motor: 2.15 (1.01, 3.29) P < 0.001] and home environment [cognitive: 0.58 (0.27, 0.89) P < 0.001, Language: 0.59 (0.27, 0.92), P < 0.001, motor: 0.44 (0.09, 0.79) P = 0.013]. Girls had higher cognitive and language development and LAZ scores than the boys. LAZ score was predicted by their age and gender and the children of families with middle wealth quintile were taller than the children of lower wealth quintile.
Conclusion
Children’s nutritional status and home environment are important factors for children’s development in low resource urban settings of Bangladesh. Poverty is an important predictor of children’s growth.
Image encryption algorithm based on 2D-SICM and bit plane decomposition
Authors: Jiang Xiaoman , Jiang Guangyu
Published: October 2022

A pixel is the smallest numerical component representing an image's composition. Image encryption involves changing the position and size of pixels, known as confusion and diffusion. The paper proposes a novel two-dimensional chaotic map (2D-SICM) which is coupled with the sine map and infinite collapse map. An encryption algorithm based on the new 2D-SICM is proposed. The proposed encryption system decomposes the plaintext image into eight binary bit-planes. The random matrix generated by the 2D-SICM chaotic map is used to perform the bitwise computation of the pixel values of the plaintext image while executing both confusion and diffusion. Finally, the feature information of the ciphertext image is analyzed for correlation, entropy, contrast, and energy. The results show that the image encryption system passes performance tests and noise attacks, demonstrating its effectiveness.
The circHIPK3/miR-524-5p/Nr4A2 axis regulates colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis
Authors: Li Xiang , Li Zitao , Li Caijuan , Zhang Gaosen , Bian Donglin , Zhang Zhen
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are shown to play various key roles in cancer development and progression. This study sought to identify the role of one circRNA, circHIPK3, in colon cancer and determine the mechanism by which it impacts this disease.
Methods
CircHIPK3, miR-524-5p, and Nr4A2 expression were measured using qRT-PCR. Colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined using CCK-8 and transwell assays, and apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of related proteins. The correlation between miR-524-5p and circHIPK3 or Nr4A2 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis. Finally, animal experiments were used to evaluate the effect of circHIPK3 silencing in vivo.
Results
CircHIPK3 is highly expressed in colon cancer cells. Silencing of this gene inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes apoptosis. In addition, miR-524-5p, which interacts with Nr4A2, was shown to be a circHIPK3 target gene. Knockdown of miR-524-5p reversed the effect of circHIPK3 silencing on colon cancer cells. Meanwhile, Nr4A2 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-524-5p overexpression on colon cancer cells.
Conclusion
CircHIPK3 uses the miR-524-5p/Nr4A2 axis to inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and to promote apoptosis. These findings suggest that circHIPK3 could serve as a potential target for colon cancer treatment.
Source apportionment of heavy metals in soils around a coal gangue heap with the APCS-MLR and PMF receptor models
Authors: MA JIE , Shen Zhijie , Wang Shenglan , Deng Li , Sun Jing , Liu Ping , She Zelei
Published: October 2022

This study researched the characteristics and source apportionment of heavy metal pollution in the agricultural soil surrounding a gangue coal heap in Nanchuan, Chongqing using APCS-MLR and PMF receptor models. The applicability of the models were compared in the assessment of source apportionment. The results, in combination with those from soil profile data, showed that the average contents of Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the topsoil were 0.46, 0.14, 9.66, 31.2, 127, 95.6, 76.0, and 158mg/kg, respectively. The spatial distribution and correlation analysis indicated that Cd, Hg, As, and Pb had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.45–0.70, P < 0.01), with the highest concentrations near the gangue heap in the northwest of this study area. Cr and Cu had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.47, P < 0.05), with the highest concentrations in the northwest and southeast of this study area. Ni and Zn had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.88, P < 0.01), with the lowest concentrations in the northwest of this study area. The analysis of pollution sources showed that Cd, Hg, As, and Pb were mainly affected by the gangue heap accumulation, with respective contributions of 74.6%, 79.4%, 69.1%, and 67.2% from the APCS-MLR analysis and 69.7%, 60.7%, 57.4%, and 41.9% from the PMF analysis. Ni and Zn were mainly affected by industrial and agricultural activities, while Cr and Cu were mainly affected by natural factors. The results of the source apportionment were consistent with those of APCS-MLR and PMF. This study demonstrates that the combined application of the two receptor models can make the results of source apportionment more comprehensive, accurate, and reliable.
Minatory Monsters for Turbulent Times: “The devil in the shape of a great fish” that presaged the English Civil War and other piscatorial prodigies
Authors: France Robert
Published: October 2022

Monsters, by the Latin definition of their name, are omens that portend turbulent times. The pamphlet A Relation of a terrible Monster called a Toad-fish, published in London in 1642, told of “a fiend, not a fish; at the least a monster, not an ordinary creature” which had become entangled in a fishing net and then put on display in London. The creature was described as resembling a giant toad, with a wide, toothy mouth and human characteristics of ribs, hands, and fingers. Discovery of the Thames monster instilled a sense of worry throughout the realm. The landing of the “Toad-fish” was linked in the tract to a bloody encounter that occurred between two well-known members of the British aristocracy fighting on opposing sides at the onset of the Civil War. The present paper describes how this vernacular publication was part of a flourishing of providential pamphlets in the 17th century wherein natural anomalies were invested with wider ecclesiastical and political meaning. Also undertaken herein is a review of various candidate species from which to suggest that the mysterious Toad-fish may have been another example of the angelshark’s (Squatina squatina) monstrous alter ego. This is an animal that has previously been suggested as being responsible for the ‘sea monk’ noted in several prominent natural histories of the Renaissance.
Boat Spirits, Sea Monsters and Seal Women: Fishermen and hidden aquatic dangers in the Faroe Islands
Authors: Gaini Firouz
Published: October 2022

This article discusses aquatic mythologies of the Faroes with focus on the narratives about the shoveller (also called ‘the man on board’), a boat spirit nesting in deep-sea fishing ships. The aim of the article is to examine and interrogate cultural representations of the relation between sea and land in the Faroes today by means of critical reflection on and analysis of the meaning of water-related mythology and folklore: what is the role of the stories and legends about the shoveller and other supernatural beings in present-day conversation about the sea, the islands, and the future? The shoveller, the seal woman, and the others on the ‘other side’ are protagonists of the polyvalent narratives shaping the folklore of the Faroes. They continue to reappear in new settings and among new generations. The spirits, water monsters, and seal women help people envisage what lies beneath the surface, the ocean, and the evident aquapelagic landscape. The shoveller is also a metaphor for the risk and danger in life beyond the fishing vessel today — he is a figure fooling, entertaining, frightening and confusing the islander in the age of globalisation, but also a kobold instructing and guiding the precarious islander in everyday struggle at home and away.
Monster-producing Islands: Prospects for island detourning in contemporary times
Authors: Rivas Virgilio
Published: October 2022

Colonialism produces monsters thriving in island ecologies, but without a structural/historical treatment of how island monsters are created, how the agential relation between colonisers and natives accentuates the dynamics of interpellation, the island would reveal nothing of its past, the reusable trace that can be interpellated in the present. In the modern-day Philippines, a former colonial object to three foreign aggressions (Spanish, American and Japanese) that spanned almost half a millennium, such reusable trace has recently entered the international streaming platform Netflix. Trese (2021), a Philippine-made anime, navigates the myth of aswang, one of the dominant features of Filipino folklore, which centres on the image of a female, vampire-like monster. This image traces its iterative root in the lost history of the babaylans (female shamans) amid the creation of folk Christianity and diffracted engagements with the Christian indoctrination of the islands. This article navigates this subject and how Trese, among other actants in this play of figuration, is itself interpellated by traces of historical, geographical, and non-human ecologies that, in turn, reflect the fundamental role of liquidity in monster-creation as a material-semiotic intervention. As the discussions expand on the two most essential concepts in Island Studies today, the archipelagic and the aquapelagic, the article deploys the concept of detourning, a critical rhetorical arc that binds the article’s multi-faceted discussions, connections, and combinations, from human to the non-human, thus completing its assessment of the dynamics of islands being interpellated by traces.
Exploring “Elsewhereland” — Places Desired, Remembered and Dwelled: Place experience of vacationers on Saaremaa Island, Estonia
Authors: Raadik Cottrell Jana , Cottrell Stuart
Published: October 2022

This paper examines summer vacationers’ experiences and connections with an island place on Saaremaa in Estonia. Discourse from sixteen in-depth interviews are coupled with a theoretical discussion exploring place, emotions, memory, and self through an analysis of personal narratives on individual emotional perspectives of meaningful places, memory of places elsewhere, and the materiality of the cultural landscape itself. Emotional aspects associated with verbal expressions are examined with a discussion of emergent themes of place experience via a literary narrative writing approach. The emotional dynamics of rhetorical conversation between interviewees, researcher, and place echoed through the shared materiality of people and their environment. Personal narratives of place meanings examine island environments through emotional individual experiences resulting in five themes: places desired, places remembered, lost and found, elsewhereness and home, and returns. Home, everyday, and elsewhere are intertwined impressions of island places memorised, balanced via expressions of belonging as experiences of everyday and nostalgic renderings of times lost.
Ancient Sea Monsters and a Medieval Hero: The Nicoras of Beowulf
Authors: Denson Ryan
Published: October 2022

This article examines the nicor (pl. nicoras) of Beowulf, a type of aquatic monster that appears elsewhere in Old English literature only in the Letter of Alexander to Aristotle and the Blickling Homily XVI. These beasts that attack Beowulf during his swimming contest with Breca and that surround the mere of Grendel and his mother are unfamiliar to modern scholars in terms of their precise nature, being assumed in previous scholarship to be generic water monsters, or hippopotamus-like beasts. Other scholarly suggestions for their underlying influence have been crocodiles and whales. I argue, however, that the nicoras can better be understood as having been influenced by the ancient traditions of the kētos (pl. kētē), the sea monster par excellence of Greco-Roman mythology, which also occupied a prominent place in the Christian imagination. The nicoras in these three Old English texts can be understood, like the dragon of Beowulf, as fantastical creatures that were primarily the product of discernible ancient traditions, rather than generic beasts or purely monstrous versions of real-world animals.
INVESTIGATION OF THE FUNCTIONING AND EFFECTIVENESS TO DATE OF THE FACILITY OF PARALLEL SUPPORT IN THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Novakos Ioannis
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the institution of Parallel Support has been implemented in the general/standard school. More specifically, it is about the support of PWDs (Persons with Disabilities and/or Special Educational Needs) who have â€’opinion from KE.D.A.S.Y. (Center for Interdisciplinary Assessment, Counseling and Support)â€’ within the classrooms of the general school. The survey was conducted in the school year 2021-22 in the school organizations of the educational district of Lasithi and forty teachers who served in these schools participated in it (40). The semi-structured interview was used as a tool to collect the research data and information, while the analysis and decoding of the research data was carried out with the qualitative method of content analysis. Based on the results of the research, the inability of the operation of the institution to contribute to the essential and real pedagogical-educational, psycho-emotional and psycho-social inclusion of the students of this special group in the general context is revealed.
OBSTACLES TO KSA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRYS RESILIENCE
Authors:   Department of IS, College of Computer Science and Engineering, Taibah University, Madinah Almunwarah, Saudi Arabia., Saeed Mian Tariq , Eid Albogami Hanadi ,   Doctoral Student, Earl G. Graves School of Business & Management, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Published: October 2022

This study explores the relationship between innovation, supply chain management capability, competition and resilience. This research also explores the moderating role of culture and mediating role of innovation as well. The base of this research is an in-depth literature review for the development of questionnaires. The data for this study was collected from the employees working in the pharmaceutics of KSA. This research employed simple random sampling and distributed a questionnaire among 310 respondents. The collected data was examined by using SPSS and AMOS 23. The findings of the study supported the proposed hypothesis. These results also support the moderating role of culture and mediating role of Innovation. The findings are helpful for academicians in their future studies.
AN ANALYSIS OF UTILITY COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   West Virginia State University., Hoffman Bernadette , Smith Vincent ,   Research funded by West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Published: October 2022

Many companies have fared badly in service due to COVID-19 restrictions and changes in the lifestyle around the United States. Consumers within the United States are potentially faced with service interruptions and the inability to resolve issues for services that are necessary for daily life this is exacerbated by many Americans working from home during the pandemic. The purpose of this research is to analyze the public opinion of Americans living with these service issues via social media. Through the collection and interpretation of this data, we hope that changes may be brought to light. The data was analyzed using natural language processing utilities, and finally, using various inferential statistical methods. The potential implications of the results will be practical for companies moving forward in a post-COVID-19 society. We aimed to show the overall satisfaction of customers during this adjustment period. The research conducted reflected the minimal effect presented by moratoriums ending during our capture dates. Significant results were found between utility types and the overall polarity of customer satisfaction, and possible conclusions are discussed.
ABDOMINAL TRAUMA - CLINICAL PROFILE AND MANAGEMENT - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors:   Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir., Ummer Basit , Ahmad Wani Munir ,   Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir., Ahmad Malik Ajaz ,   Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir., Ah. Choh Nasir ,   Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir.
Published: October 2022

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma is usually not obvious hence, often missed, unless, repeatedly looked for. Delay in diagnosis and inadequate treatment of the abdominal injuries may prove fatal. Objectives: To study the cases of abdominal trauma with reference to the patients presenting at SKIMS Soura Srinagar both in form of evaluation and management. Methods: After obtaining the proper informed consent patients fulfilling the selection criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients were evaluated starting with all routine baseline investigations like complete blood count, liver function test, kidney function test, ultrasonography Abdomen, FAST after proper history and clinical examination. A proper plan was formulated regarding the management of the patient whether to be managed conservatively or whether any surgical intervention was done. A complete postoperative care and follow up was ensured. Results: Mode of injury includes road traffic accident, fall from height, hit by stone and assault.Presenting symptoms including abdominal pain was seen in 91.4%, abdominal tenderness in 48.6%, rigidity in 25.7%, shock in 21.4% patients while 15.7% presented with vomiting.On FAST 38.6% patients had both organ injury and free fluid.Grade II spleen injury was observed in 28% patients, Grade I in 24% patients, Grade IV in 20% patients, Grade V in 16% patients and Grade IIII injury in 12% patients.Grade IV liver injury was observed in 28.6% patients, Grade I injury in 23.8% patients, Grade II and Grade V in 19% and Grade III in 9.5% patients. 68.6% were conservatively managed while 31.4% underwent surgery with 2.9% mortality. Majority of patients were conservatively managed. 4 patients encountered postoperative complications like surgical site infection (10.3%) and re-exploration (3.4%). Conclusion: Prompt evaluation of abdomen is mandatory to minimize preventable morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis can decrease mortality by 50%. Mortality is related to delayed presentation and diagnosis, associated injuries and delayed surgical intervention.
STUDY OF INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN QUALITY OF LIFE AND COGNITION IN PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY FROM NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH
Authors: Kesireddy Silpa , Upputuri Arunakumari , Raju Garuda Butchi , Seepana Gopi , Talabhaktula Sateeshkumar
Published: October 2022

Objective: To study the Inter â€“ relationship between Quality of life and Cognitive dysfunction in People with Epilepsy and to identify the factors that influence Cognition and QOL in PWE. Methods: We analyzed the factors that were independently associated with QOLIE-31, MMSE and MOCA scores which included demographic and clinical variables using Chi square, ANOVA and Multivariate regression analysis. Pearson coefficient calculator to know the interrelationship between QOLIE-3 scores, MMSE and MOCA. Results: We found a significant association between polytherapy, TLE and LRE with QOLIE-31 scores (p value being 0.0007 and <0.00001 respectively). We found a significant association between low MMSE scores and long duration of epilepsy more than 6 years( p: 0.001 and 0.002), statistically highly significant association when compared with TLE and LRE (p: 0.000). However MOCA showed strong positive correlation with QOLIE-31 scores when compared with MMSE. We found a moderate positive correlation with r value being 0.6 and a significant p value being <0.0001. Correlation between MOCA and QOLIE 31 score showed a significant positive correlation with an r value of 0.7 and a P value of <0.0000. Correlation between total MMSE and MOCA scores showed a significant positive correlation of r value being 0.8, p value being 0.000. Conclusion: Polytherapy, Long duration of Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe and other Focal Epilepsies, Poor Quality of Life standards are all independent factors determining the Cognitive dysfunction. There seems to be bidirectional relationship between Quality of Life and Cognitive dysfunction. MOCA seems to be superior to MMSE for Neurocognitive screening in PWE.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL MICRO EMULSION-BASED GEL FOR TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY USING MILLETIAPINNATA
Authors:   Kailash Institute of Pharmacy and Management, GIDA, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India., Ahamad Ansair Niyaz , Narayan Mishra Jai ,   Kailash Institute of Pharmacy and Management, GIDA, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India., Kumar Vishwakarma Dhaneshwar ,   Kailash Institute of Pharmacy and Management, GIDA, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Published: October 2022

Firstly,we are study to formulate and test a topical gel containing of Itraconazole micro- emulsion (ITZ). The Formulation of micro emulsion researchis necessary to study before its thepreformulation study of micro emulsion of Itraconazole. To estimatethe maximal solubility of ITZ in oils, surfactants and co- surfactants were investigated to estimatefilling material potential. In reference to the micro- emulsion region, with Karanj oil as the oil phase, the use of surfactant as a Tween-80 and use as aDiamethyl Carbinol Or (IPA) as the Another surfactant to improve its performance, a pseudo- ternary phase diagram was created. If using of Carbopol 934, Xantumgum, carboxymathylcellulose,Carboxymethyl -Tamarind gum (CMTG (CMC) That may be increased or improved its qualitative & Quantitative test .ME is evaluate by % transmittance, Viscosity, pH,particle-Size, zeta potential, Physical appearance, Drug content, pH,spreadability, viscosity, in -vitro release. If we take a oil as like karanj oil in the form of oil phase and using of a surfactant as like Tween 80 that may be obtain -Stable ME & useco-surfactant as an IPA, the weight ratio of 5:45:50. The evaluate ME based gel which is pH range between in (6.0- 6.34),and the Spreadability rangeis between (0.56-1.06) gm.cm/sec. The consistency or viscosity examination intimated pseudo- plastic performance of all ME based gel formulations.In the midest the examination ME gels If we are using of CBP: CMTG containing gels that may be we obtain greater maximum drug release at the end of 6h incomprising to other marketed.
ETIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF ASCITES OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors:   Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar, India., Anyees Khanday Mohammed , Nabi Antoo Zainub ,   Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar, India., Bashir Haris ,   Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar, India.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Ascites is defined as the pathologic accumulation of free fluid within the abdominal cavity. It is a symptom of numerous medical conditions and has a broad differential diagnosis. The Various etiologies of Ascites of undetermined origin are analysed and presented Materials And Methods: 30 patients presenting to the hospital with no obvious or identifiable cause of ascites were evaluated between 2019 and 2020. Patients with no obvious cause of ascites onbiochemical, radiological, pathological investigations werestudied and diagnostic laparoscopy with histopathological examination was done. Results: Tuberculosis was the commonest cause of ascites in 19 patients, Malignancy in 5 patients, Cirrhosis in 3 patients. In 10 patients the cause of ascites could not be ascertained even after extensive investigations. Conclusion:Tuberculosis continues to remain the leading cause of ascites of undetermined origin followed by malignancy. There is a need for further research as causes of undetermined ascites remain elusive even after exhaustive investigations.
Does Architecture Matter to Urban Vitality? Buildings and the Social Life of Streets and Neighbourhoods
Authors: Netto Vinicius M. , Saboya Renato , Vargas Júlio Celso
Published: October 2022

Since Jane Jacobs's seminal insights in the 1960s, one of the most emphasized notions in urban studies is the role of architectural and urban form in the 'vitality' and 'liveability' of cities, understood as sets of social and economic qualities such as people's co-presence in public
spaces and diversity in local activities. However, can buildings aff ect their urban surroundings? Would diff erent architectural types have diff erent eff ects on the social life of streets and neighbourhoods? These questions are all the more important once we observe a trend in developing
countries and other regions – a form of urban growth shaped by detached vertical buildings and gated communities surrounded by setbacks, replacing traditional buildings and creating fragmented urban fabrics. We develop an approach to recognize empirically the urban eff ects of buildings
while controlling for systemic factors such as street network eff ects. We apply this method in a large-scale empirical study with twentyfour areas randomly selected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Statistical results suggest distinct eff ects of building types and their features on pedestrian
behaviour and land use diversity, helping answer a question that puzzles the spatial imagination: does architecture ma er to urban vitality?