bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Integrated Comic Electronic Media Islamic Values on Students' Creative Thinking Ability
Authors: Praptiwi Ucca Swasti , Yulianto Agus , Ellianawati Ellianawati
Published: December 2021

Learning activities that utilize digital technology for online learning are an alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of electronic comic media based on problem-based learning integrated with Islamic values to improve students' creative thinking skills. This study uses a Research and Development approach using the ADDIE model. The subjects in the study were 90 students of class VIII. Data collection techniques using research instruments with quantitative data analysis. The data collection instrument was by giving essay questions in the form of a creative thinking ability test. The study of creative thinking skills by calculating the N-gain and the significance test was carried out using an average difference test through a t-test with the help of SPSS. The results showed that the value of significance (2 tailed) from the two schools, namely 0.00 < 0.05, then H0 is rejected, and Ha is accepted, so it can be concluded that there is a difference in the average creative thinking ability of the pretest and posttest both at SMP N 3 Watumalang and at SMP IT Permata Hati, which means that there is an effect of using E-Comic media in improving students' creative thinking skills
A roadmap to becoming a smart village: Experiences from living labs in rural Bavaria
Authors: Hanninger Lisa-Marie , Laxa Jessica , Ahrens Diane
Published: December 2021

This paper illustrates the measures and digital integrations being made in the course of digitalization, using the example of existing rural pilot communities in Bavaria, Germany. The participating communities were selected as part of the government-funded project "Digitales Dorf" (Engl. digital village). Since 2016, digital solutions as well as complementary actions have been identified and implemented to make everyday life in the community equal to that in the city: the main intention is to push digitalization to create equivalent living conditions to urban areas. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the requirements and steps that need to be taken in digital transformation, in order to develop a generalized blueprint for other communities. Furthermore, it introduces the pilot projects, provides an insight into best practices to promote digitalization in traditional rural areas, and focuses on the transformation process rather than on digital solutions.
Italian parents’ perception about learning practices and educational effectiveness of remote schooling during the first lockdown
Authors: Gentile Manuel , Benigno Vincenza , Caruso Giovanni , Chifari Antonella , Ferlino Lucia , Fulantelli Giovanni , Allegra Mario
Published: December 2021

The abrupt interruption of face-to-face educational activities imposed by the Italian Government in response to the Covid-19 emergency required a rapid switch to remote schooling to guarantee continuity in education. This paper explores the family’s perception about the organization of remote schooling and its impact on learning. In particular, the authors investigated the technology used and the strategies adopted by the teachers to face the challenges posed by this rapid change in the educational paradigm through an online survey carried out between May and June 2020. More than 19,000 families answered the survey for a total of 32,000 children, highlighting a favorable evaluation from the parents. The analyses confirm that several factors linked to the technology used and instructional learning design signif icantly impacted the parents’ evaluation.
DEĞİŞEN TOPLUMLARDA AİLENİN DEĞİŞMEYEN ÖZELLİKLERİ
Authors: DEMİR Zekiye
Published: December 2021

Kalabalık insan topluluğunun bir toplum oluşturması, bir takıp toplumsal kurumların bulunması, bu kurumların bir takım kural ve esaslarının ve yaptırımlarının olması ve bütün bunların sistematik haline gelmesi ile mümkün olur. Her toplumda, içeriği o topluma özgü olan bir takım temel kurumları vardır. Ailede onların başında gelir. En eski insan topluluklarında ailenin varlığı bilinmektedir. Bu ailenin insanla birlikte varolduğu anlamına gelir. Bu kadar eski bir kurumun hiç değişmeden varlığını sürdürmesi beklenemez. Toplumsal değişimden toplumun diğer kurumları gibi aile de etkilenir ve değişir. Bu etkilenip değişim hem aynı toplumda dikey zaman diliminde hem de yatay zaman diliminde olabilir. Genelde evrimci bir bakış açısını yansıtan dikey zaman diliminde ailenin değişmesi, zamanın geçmesi ile olur. Aile içinde bulunduğu toplumdaki ekonomi, siyaset, teknoloji gibi toplumsal değişmelerden etkilenerek değişir. Yatay zaman diliminde ailenin değişmesi ise aynı tarihlerde yaşayan farklı toplumların birbirlerini etkilenmesi sonucu olur ve aile kurumu değişir.
Toplumsal kurumlar, o kuruma ihtiyaç olduğu müddetçe varlığını sürdür. Aile kurumunun tespit edilebilen ilk insan topluğundan günümüze kadar varlığını sürdürmesi toplumların aile kurumuna ihtiyacının devam ettiğini ve aile kurumunun önemini gösterir. Aile kurumunun zamana ve topluma göre değişimine rağmen her çağda var olmasını mümkün kılan, her türlü ailede ortak sayılabilecek benzerliklerin bulunmasıdır. Benzerlik aile adıyla bir kurumdan bahsetmemizi mümkün kılarken, farklılaşma da tek tip bir aile yapısının ve tanımının olmamasına yol açar.
Bu çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi doküman inceleme tekniği ile ailenin farklı toplumlarda farklı formlar alırken bu formlarda ortak ve farklı olan yönleri ele alınmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu bağlamda önce günlük hayatta hepimizin kullandığı aile kavramının tanımlanmasının güçlüğünden ve herkesin kabul edebileceği bir aile tanımının pek de mümkün olmadığından bahsedilmiştir. Aynı şekilde toplum sınıflamasının ve aile sınıflandırmasının da benzer zorluklar içerdiğini vurgulanmıştır. Bütün zorluklara rağmen sosyal bilimlerde kurumları anlamak için sınıflandırma önemlidir. Bu nedenle toplumsal değişmenin çok hızla yaşandığı son beş yüz yılı dikkate alarak toplumlar geleneksel, modern ve postmodern olarak üç sınıf halinde ele alınmıştır. Aynı şeklide aile kurumunu da bu toplumların özellikleri göz önüne alınarak; geleneksel aile, moderne aile ve postmodern aile olmak üzere üç başlık altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Çalışmada önce toplum tipleri ve özellikleri sonra da aile tipleri ve özellikleri betimlenmiştir. Ardından da bu aile tiplerindeki değişen ve sabit kalan yönleri tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır.
MOLLA FAHREDDİN ‘ARNASÎ İLE MOLLA AHMET HİLMİ KOĞÎ’NİN VAD‘ İLMİYLE İLGİLİ RİSÂLELERİNİN KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: TEKİN Ahmet
Published: December 2021

Lafız-anlam ilişkisini konu edinen vad‘ ilmi, Arap diliyle ilgili ilimler arasında bağımsızlığına en geç kavuşan ilimlerden biridir. VIII./XIII. Yüzyıla kadar diğer ilimler içinde dağınık bir vaziyette bulunan vad‘ ilmi ilk müstakil çalışmasına ‘Adududdîn el-Îcî’nin (ö. 756/1355) Risâletu’l-Vad‘ isimli eseriyle kavuşmuştur. Bu veciz risâle daha sonra vad‘ ilmiyle alakalı kaleme alınacak çalışmalar için ilham kaynağı olmuş ve dilcilerin teveccühünü kazanmıştır. Vad‘ ilmine olan ilgi daha çok İslam Coğrafyasının doğu tarafında görülmektedir. Dolayısıyla bu ilimle ilgili çalışmaların büyük çoğunluğu Arap olmayan dilciler tarafından hazırlanmıştır. Bunların başında da Osmanlı âlimleri gelmektedir. Osmanlı eğitim kurumları olan medreselerin müfredatında büyük bir önem verilen bu ilim için birçok eser yazılmıştır. Osmanlı döneminden sonra da gayri resmi bir şekilde eğitim faaliyetlerine devam eden medreselerde vad‘ ilmiyle ilgili çalışmalar yapılmıştır. Nitekim Şark medrese geleneğinin iki önemli temsilcisi olan Molla Fahreddîn ‘Arnasî (ö. 1972/1392) ile Molla Ahmet Hilmi Koğî (ö. 1996/1417), temel İslam bilimlerinin farklı ilim dallarında birçok eser kaleme aldıkları gibi vad‘ ilmiyle ilgili de birer risâle kaleme almışlar. Molla Fahreddîn 1910 yılında Mardin'in Midyat ilçesine bağlı ‘Arnâs köyünde doğmuştur. Molla Fahreddîn için biri doğum yeri olan ‘Arnâs Köyüne nisbetle ‘Arnâsî, diğeri de eğitim öğretim ve irşad hayatının büyük kısmını geçirip vefat ettiği yer olan Batman İline nisbetle Batmânî şeklinde iki nisbe kullanılmıştır. Molla Fahreddîn, hayatının son demlerinde çeşitli hastalıklara yakalanmış ve 1 Şubat 1972 tarihinde ardında zengin bir ilim mirası bırakarak Batman’da vefat etmiştir. Molla Ahmet Hilmi Koğî, 1942 senesinde Bismil’in Koğuk Köyünde dünyaya gelmiştir. Molla Ahmet, kendisi için bu köye nisbetle Koğî nisbesini kullanmıştır. Koğî, medrese eğitimden sonra Batman, Bismil merkez ve Bismil’in civar köylerinde ilim ve irşad görevlerinde bulunmuştur. Koğî, 16 Mayıs 1996 senesinde Bismil ilçesinde vefat etmiştir. Bu çalışmada bahsi geçen iki risalenin karşılaştırılması yapılmış ve bu mukayese neticesinde söz konusu eserler arasındaki benzerlik ve farklılıklar tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bununla birlikte Molla Fahreddîn ‘Arnasî ile Molla Ahmet Hilmi Koğî’nin hayatı ve eserleri hakkında kısaca bilgi verilmiştir.
Mehmet Naci ÖNAL - Plevne Türküleri
Authors: AVLAR Elif Sena
Published: December 2021

Bu çalışmada Türk halk edebiyatı ve tarihi üzerine çalışmaları bulunan Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci Önal'ın "Plevne Türküleri" isimli eserinin değerlendirilmesine yer verilmektedir. Çalışmada kitabın içeriği, görsel verilerin kullanımı, nota yazısının uygunluğu, kullanılan kaynaklar ve alanında hangi boşluğu kapattığı üzerine bir inceleme yapılmıştır. Tarih, edebiyat, coğrafya ve musiki bağlamında disiplinlerarası çalışmalara bir örnek teşkil eden eser, alanında büyük bir boşluğu kapatmasının yanında, yeni araştırmalar için de yol göstermesi bakımından oldukça önemli bir çalışmadır.
The Foreclosed Collaterals As A Resolution For Bad Credit In Indonesia Banking System
Authors: Sutomo Sriwati
Published: December 2021

This research aim to understand the condition when a customer is no longer able to pay or repay a loan is called bad credit. This condition can actually cause many problems, ranging from difficulties in obtaining credit approvals to blacklisting by the bank. Collaterals are one of the requirements from the Bank when giving credit loans so that those collaterals can guarantee the credit’s acquittal should the debtor be breached. If there is a case of bad debts, banks have the option to solve the credit loan through the process of Foreclosed Collaterals. This journal is written on a legal and juridical-normative research, emphasizing the usage of written documents as the main sources of law. The collateral purchases are written in Article 12A Number 10 of 1998 of the Constitution on how banks may purchase the collaterals with or without auctions to solve bad credits even faster. Considering that Article 20 of the Constitution on Mortgage Rights has already written ways on collateral executions, therefore the warrant payment will follow the option of Foreclosed Collaterals. Reporting from the official website of Bank Indonesia (BI), to minimize the risk of increasing bad loans, BI issued PBI (Bank Indonesia Regulation) No. 14/2/PBI/2012 concerning APMK (Card-Based Payment Instruments). The regulation was made to reduce the risk of negative impacts from using credit cards as debt instruments to the extent that they reach excessive limits. Using statute and conceptual approaches, it is inferred that Foreclosed Collateral purchase procedures can be done in 3 (three) different ways, followed through the Settlement Efforts, where the ownership of the collaterals must be switched to another in 1 (one) year time.
Metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis of the hallux using a minimally invasive technique
Authors: Lara Luiz Carlos Ribeiro , Torres Filho Lúcio Carlos de Azevedo , Cervone Gabriel Lopes de Faria , Grajales Juan Antonio , Bordignon Glaucia , Lancia Lara Furtado , Santos Diego Vitor Braga , Marijusckin Igor , Russo Douglas Rocha
Published: December 2021

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of the metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis (MTPA) of the hallux using a percutaneous technique. Methods: The MTPA of the hallux was performed in a total of 27 feet: 20 patients diagnosed with hallux rigidus and 7 with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 30.7 months. The results were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score, and regards to union rate. Results: All 27 patients were operated percutaneously and noticed relief of the pain, with a mean increase of 50.9 points in AOFAS scores and a mean decrease of 7.4 points in the VAS. The mean union time was 10 weeks. There were no cases of nonunion. Conclusion: Percutaneous first MTP arthrodesis proved effective for treating hallux rigidus and degenerative rheumatic pathologies. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Cases Series.
Proposed treatment algorithm for hallux rigidus
Authors: Herrera-Perez Mario , González-Martín David , Viladot-Pericé Ramón
Published: December 2021

This study performs a literature review on the treatment of hallux rigidus and proposes a treatment algorithm.This literature systematic review expanded a similar study conducted in 2014 by the authors and analyzed the levels of recommendation according to scientific evidence.Most articles found in the search present scarce evidence (level IV or case series), we only found 8 articles with an at least moderate level of recommendation (B); of these, only one article had a level of evidence I.Conservative treatment is effective with the implementation of footwear modifications, use of insoles, and infiltrations with hyaluronic acid. Cheilectomy, either isolated or combined with Moberg osteotomy, shows good outcomes in stage III, or moderate, although its outcomes worsen after 5 years. Metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis is still the gold standard in stage IV, or advanced. In recent years, the technique of interposition arthroplasty has re-emerged, especially with the use of a synthetic cartilage implant (Cartiva®), with outcomes at least similar to those of MTPJ arthrodesis in comparative studies. Level of Evidence III; Therapeutic Studies; Systematic Review of Level III Studies.
Pé torto congênito adulto inveterado na mielomeningocele e o método de Ponsetti como escolha: relato de caso
Authors: Souza Júnior Eli Ávila
Published: December 2021

O método de Ponsetti é considerado, hoje, o padrão-ouro para o tratamento do pé torto congênito, inclusive em casos sindrômicos como a mielomeningocele. Sua indicação em casos negligenciados é bem estabelecida em crianças e adolescentes, mas para adultos, permanece incerto. Apresenta-se um caso clínico de uma paciente de 27 anos, portadora de mielomeningocele, com pés tortos congênitos negligenciados, que foi tratada nessa idade, pela primeira vez, com o método de Ponsetti, com obtenção de bons resultados. Em países em desenvolvimento, frequentemente encontram-se pacientes adultos portadores de pés tortos congênitos que não tiveram acesso a assistência a saúde. Apesar da idade limite para instituir o método de Ponsetti como opção terapêutica ainda ser obscura, é uma opção barata, segura, acessível, plausível de resultados satisfatórias mesmo em casos adultos, negligenciados e síndrômicos.
Reliability of coronal plane rotation measurements in the medial column of the foot: a cadaveric study
Authors: Dibbern Kevin , Briggs Hunter , Behrens Andrew , McGettigan Lily , Alencar Mendes de Carvalho Kepler , Barbachan Mansur Nacime Salomao , Lalevée Matthieu , De César Netto César
Published: December 2021

Objective: To assess interobserver reliability of previously described coronal plane rotation measurements of medial column bones and to assess their ability to accurately quantify changes in rotational profile. Methods: Two cadaveric below-knee specimens were implanted with pins in each bone of the medial column. Weight-bearing computed tomography (CT) scans were acquired in a simulated standing position under neutral, supinated, and pronated conditions. For each specimen and condition, 2 observers measured the coronal plane rotation of the navicular, medial cuneiform, first metatarsal base, shaft, and head, and proximal phalanx of the hallux as previously described. The rotation of each pin was measured relative to the ground in the coronal plane for each condition. These measurements were defined as benchmarks for the rotational profile of each bone. The correlation between these benchmarks and direct bone measurements was then assessed. Intraclass correlation coeficiente was used to assess interobserver reliability. Pearson’s coefficient was used to evaluate correlations. Results: The interobserver reliability of direct bone measurements ranged from 0.98 to 0.99. Correlations between pin rotation and direct measurements ranged from ρ=0.87 to 0.99 across the neutral, supinated, and pronated conditions. Conclusion: Coronal plane rotation measurements of medial column bones described in this study are reliable tools. Level of Evidence III; Case-Control Study.
COVID-19 Çerçevesinde Alınan Tedbirlerin Temel Hak ve Özgürlükler, Hukuka Uygunluk ve İdarenin Sorumluluğu Bakımından Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: TAHTALI Murat Buğra
Published: December 2021

2019 yılının sonunda Çin’in Wuhan kentinde ortaya çıkan Türkiye dâhil Dünyanın neredeyse tüm ülkelerine yayılan yeni tip Corona Virüsü (Covid19), 2020 yılı mart ayı itibarıyla “Uluslararası Pandemi (Salgın)” olarak ilan edilmiştir. Salgının yayılmasının önlenmesi amacıyla alınan tedbirler kapsamında birçok devlet, çok sayıda sert tedbirler almaya başlamıştır. Ülkemizde de bu kapsamda olağanüstü hal ilan edilmeden olağanüstü tedbirler alınmış ve İçişleri Bakanlığı genelgeleriyle bir dizi düzenlemeye gidilmiştir. Bu dönemde tedbirler kapsamında yapılan müdahalelerin hukuki değerlendirmesi, hem temel hak ve özgürlüklerin güvencesi, hem de idarenin bu nedenle oluşacak zararlardan sorumlu olup olmadığının tespiti bakımından, geleceğe etki edecek ve emsal teşkil edecek niteliktedir. Bu çalışma, alınan tedbirlerin, temel hak ve özgürlüklerin kısıtlanması/durdurulması boyutuyla Anayasal dayanağını ve tedbir kapsamında alınan kararlardan idarenin sorumluluğunu incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Reducing of Pressure Based Drag Force of a Bus Model by Flow Control Rod in Wind Tunnel
Authors: BAYINDIRLI Cihan
Published: December 2021

The aerodynamic force of vehicles has been affected by the geometric shape of front surface. The aerodynamic force of a scaled bus model and CD were experimentally determined in wind tunnel. The experimental tests were conducted at 6 different free flow velocities. They were performed in the range of 3.8×103- 7.9×103 Reynolds number. The drawing data of model bus were obtained by 3D scanned and drawn in Solid Works program. The circular cross section flow control rod was designed in 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm diameter and positioned at 3 different locations (L/H) on the model bus. By this passive flow control method, aerodynamic drag reductions were obtained up to 10.06%, 7.35% and 7.85% respectively.
Threat or Risk? The Debate About Energy Security and Russia: Five Steps for a Scientific Research Programme
Authors: Güllner Lutz
Published: December 2021

Commissioned Guest Commentary. This piece was written in a strictly personal capacity and does not reflect the thinking of the European Commission.
Security of Energy Supply in the New Europe: A Role for the European Atomic Energy Community in the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy?
Authors: Barnes Pamela M.
Published: December 2021

External energy relations are essential components of both the European Union’s search for an overall energy strategy, an Energy Policy for Europe (EPE) and the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). In this article questions are posed about the role for the use of nuclear technology as the means of meeting some of the objectives of both areas of policy. As both the EPE and the ENP are dependent on the negotiation of international agreements with third parties for their effectiveness the focus of analysis presented will be on the EU’s legal and constitutional framework for action and in particular the EURATOM Treaty which established the European Atomic Energy Community in 1957.
Accelerating Digital Health Trends and Transformation through Scientific Communications
Authors: Cenaj Tory
Published: December 2021

The editorial is taken from commentary presented at the ConVerge2Xcelerate (#ConV2X) 2021 Symposium entitled "Blueprint for a New Digital Health Era."
Tory Cenaj is the Owner and Publisher of Partners in Digital Health (PDH). The views expressed are solely her own and do not reflect those of the editorial board, reviewers, ambassadors, licensees or staff members affiliated with PDH.
Morfoanatomía comparada del vástago adulto de Conyza bonariensis var. bonariensis y C. bonariensis var. angustifolia (Asteraceae)
Authors: Perez Beatriz , Apóstolo Nancy Mariel
Published: December 2021

Conyza bonariensis, una especie medicinal e importante maleza nativa de Argentina, está representada por las variedades C. bonariensis var. bonariensis y C. bonariensis var. angustifolia. El objetivo del trabajo es comparar morfológica y anatómicamente los vástagos de ambas variedades en su etapa adulta, con el fin de contribuir a su identificación. Se analizaron ejemplares en estado vegetativo y reproductivo recolectados de poblaciones naturales. Los vástagos fueron divididos en tres zonas, superior, media e inferior, para caracterizar su morfoanatomía por medio de técnicas convencionales para microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido. Entre las características halladas con valor diagnóstico se describen el tamaño, forma y margen de las hojas, tipo de indumento, densidad de tricomas y de estomas, forma de las células del clorénquima en los tallos y tipo de mesófilo. Muchas de estas características no fueron constantes entre las distintas zonas del vástago analizado, particularmente en el vástago vegetativo. Estos resultados indican que existen caracteres morfoanatómicos cuali- y cuantitativos que permiten la identificación taxonómica de C. bonariensis a nivel infraespecífico, los cuales, a su vez, pueden variar según el tipo y zona del vástago adulto analizado.
Actores y procesos en los convenios urbanísticos para Puerto Norte en Rosario. Notas sobre lo público y lo privado
Authors: Feld Natalia
Published: December 2021

Puerto Norte puede analizarse como un Gran Proyecto Urbano y como una de las intervenciones de política urbana más relevante en la ciudad de Rosario. Parte de la bibliografía que estudió estos proyectos encontró en los instrumentos y en las posibilidades de captación de plusvalía urbana las alternativas para contrarrestar posibles procesos regresivos producto de su implementación. Sobre la base de esos resultados, este texto se propone revisitar los instrumentos para, a través del análisis de su proceso de formulación e implementación, examinar las modalidades según las cuales el entramado de actoresopera desde sus recursos, estrategias y capacidades diferenciales, en los ámbitos de concertación generados. La posibilidad de centrar la mirada en los actores y procesos permite iluminar nuevos matices sobre cómo son las fronteras porosas que se dirimen entre la esfera pública y la privada, que además se modifican a lo largo del tiempo.
Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis of bioactive compounds in chloroform extract of Psoralea corylifolia L.
Authors: Kumar S. Ranjith , Chozhan K. , Murugesh K. A. , Rajeswari R. , Kumaran K.
Published: December 2021

Psoralea corylifolia is the most important medicinal plant which has various secondary metabolites and its leaves are broadly used in many sectors due to its antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to find the bio-active compounds of chloroform extract of P. corylifolia leaves using Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of GC-MS compounds in the chloroform extract was appropriate to the database of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). GC-MS analysis of chloroform extract of P. corylifolia leaves reveal the presence of bioactive compounds as Hexadecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-, methyl ester , Hydroxylamine, O-decyl- , 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol ) Cubenol , Neophytadiene , Phytol , Linoleic acid ethyl esterand 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- ) . These bio-active compounds are mainly responsible for various biological activities. Hence, this study will make a good way for the production of various products for curing various disease-causing pathogens by using P. corylifolia leaves.
Smartphone assist deep neural network model to recognize the high-quality tea using leaf maturity and its effect on leaf chlorophyll
Authors: Barman Utpal , Choudhury Ridip Dev , Talukdar Bipul Kumar , Bhokta George , Choudhari Sahrul Alom , Saikia Abhinab
Published: December 2021

Immature and tender tea leaves always produce high-quality tea than mature tea leaves. Depending on the maturity and age of the leaf, the colour and texture of the tea leaf are different. The photosynthesis capacity of the tea leaf also changes with the change of leaf maturity. Though the tea farmer plucks, classifies, and recognizes the best tea leaves (immature and tender) by viewing the visual symptoms and position of the leaves, the method is not authentic all time and leads to the overall degradation of the tea quality. The present study presents a smartphone assist tea leaf recognition system by analyzing the colour and texture properties of the tea leaf. The six different colour features and 4 Haralick texture features were extracted in the colour and grey domain of the leaf images. Three types of tea leaves, i.e., mature, immature, and tender, were classified using Deep Neural Network (DNN) with ADAM (Adaptive Moment Estimation) optimizer. With an accuracy of 97%, the DNN outperformed the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and K Nearest Neighbor (KNN). The SVM and KNN reported a total of 94.42% and 95.53% accuracy, respectively. The investigated system using DNN with an average precision and recall value of 98.67 and 98.34, respectively, may detect and classify the tea leaf maturity status. The system also can be used in AI-based tea plucking robotic systems or machines.
Toxicity of diatomaceous earth on seed weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. and its effect on agro-morphological characters of maize seeds
Authors: Aisvarya S. , Kalyanasundaram M. , Kannan M. , Lakshmanan A. , Srinivasan T.
Published: December 2021

Sitophilus oryzae L. (Curculionidae; Coleoptera) is considered to be a serious internal feeder of stored cereals. The use of insecticides results in the development of resistance among the pests and residues in the produce. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is from a natural source, environment-friendly, safe to humans and natural enemies. In addition, it is highly effective against a wide range of stored pest species and has no toxic residues on the treated seeds. The promising alternative to synthetic insecticides is the application of DE in storage pest management under physical control. With this background, the present study was aimed to find the efficacy of DE against rice weevil, S. oryzae L. and their effect on the agro-morphological characters of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds. Contact toxicity bioassays were carried out with different concentrations of DE against S. oryzae. The results of the bioassay studies revealed LD50 at the concentration of 1.27 mg/100 gm of maize seeds. Further, 100 per cent mortality was achieved at the dose of 15 mg/100 gm of maize seeds within six days of exposure. The effect of DE on the germination provided a significant increase in germinability of maize seeds (LD50= 94%, LD95= 98% and control= 96%). DE at the concentration of LD95 had a beneficial effect on the seedling parameters, especially germination% (98%) and seedling length (53.02 cm) of maize. The present study concluded that DE could be effectively utilised as an alternative management tool to chemical insecticides in the management of rice weevil under storage conditions.
Comparative evaluation of sulphur sources on growth, yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Authors: Divyasree G. , Kaleeswari R. K. , Chitdeshwari T. , Priya R. Swarna , Karthikeyan S.
Published: December 2021

Sulphur is a prime nutrient in Allium crops. Garlic fertilization with ammonium-based sulphur fertilizers in low pH soils is being practiced by farmers that culminate the soil acidity, which has an adverse effect on plant growth. Hence a field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Woodhouse farm, Ooty, the Nilgris in 2021 to evaluate the appropriate sulphur sources and their levels for garlic at acidic hilly soil using four sulphur sources viz., potassium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate and ammonium phosphate sulphate and three levels viz., 0, 40, 60 kg ha-1. Garlic variety Ooty 2 was used as test crop. The results revealed that application of magnesium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1 produced the highest plant height, leaf numbers, clove numbers bulb-1, neck thickness, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, the weight of 10 cloves, fresh weight, dry weight and bulb yield (16.78 t ha-1) of garlic. Quality parameters viz., total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and total phenols of garlic bulbs were improved by the application of potassium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1. Sulphur source of Magnesium sulphate had a minimal effect of rendering acidity to soil measured in terms of pH (4.74) and exchangeable acidity (0.22 meq 100 g-1). Hence, the promising source for acidic hilly soil and garlic crop was found to be magnesium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1 followed by potassium sulphate @ 60 kg ha-1. This particular investigation focuses not only on yield improvement but also on maintaining soil quality of the area.
Phytoremedial effect of fruit extract of Moringa oleifera on alloxan induced diabetic model in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Kumari Roushan , Singh Arun Kumar , Kumar Ranjit , Kumar Arun
Published: December 2021

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and global health issue. It arises because of an absolute or relative insulin deficiency that causes hyperglycemia. The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, and renal protective effects of ethanolic fruit extract of Moringa oleifera, on alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Four mice were assigned to each group.  Alloxan was injected at the dose of 10mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally to make the diabetic model in mice. Control and diabetic control mice received drinking water as a placebo, while the diabetic model mice group was administered with ethanolic extract of moringa fruit at the dose of 150mg/kg/bodyweight for 12 weeks. After that, animals were sacrificed, and their blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological examination. The glucose level markedly (p<0.0001) increased many folds in Group I (80.73± 1.24 to 221.5±13.4) and Group II (80.73 ± 1.24 from to 221.9±6.88). The level of insulin markedly (P< 0.0001) decreased in both groups (6.8±0.42 to1.378±0.19) and (6.8±0.42 to1.138±0.08) respectively. Serum hepatic and renal marker enzymes increased in the diabetic group of mice. Glucose level was meaningfully (p<0.0001) decreased in the M. oleifera administered group while serum insulin level significantly (p<0.0001) increased. The level of liver marker enzyme and renal marker also decreased as compared to the diabetic control group. Histopathological study revealed that alloxan treatment caused damage to the liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues while the M. oleifera administered group exhibited significant improvement in the architecture of the liver, kidney, and pancreas. Hence, M. oleifera has great potential to rejuvenate the damaged tissue and consequently can restore all the serum enzymatic and hormonal parameters.
Evaluation of different traps for the invasive leaf miner, Liriomyza huidobrensis in potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields of the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Monica S. S. , Vinothkumar B. , Krishnamoorthy S.V. , Rajendran L.
Published: December 2021

Potatoes are currently threatened by the pea leaf miner (Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard), an exotic, exceedingly polyphagous, and chemically resistant pest that attacks a wide range of crops, ornamental plants, and weeds. The present work was conducted to study the attractiveness of various traps to Liriomyza leaf miner, one of the invasive pests recently observed in potato fields of Kotagiri and Ooty in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. A trial was conducted at these two different locations, the Nilgiris district, in 2021. The results revealed that among different traps tested for their efficacy in attracting the leaf miner, L. huidobrensis, yellow sticky trap was found to be more efficient in attracting adult leaf miner flies with the mean trap catches of 40.49 and 36.64 adult flies/ 10 cm2 areas at Kotagiri and Ooty respectively. The peak population of leaf miners was recorded in the last week of April (45.67 adult flies/ 10 cm2 areas) at Ooty and during the 3rd week of June (52.33 adult flies/ 10 cm2 areas) at Kotagiri. The correlation study revealed a significant positive correlation of the trap catches with maximum temperature, diurnal variation (DV) and growing day degrees (GDD). Multiple regression equation was also developed, where the abiotic factors contributed 46.1% and 65.5% to the Liriomyza leaf miner population fluctuation in the potato ecosystem. The trappers may be used to determine the initial presence of a leaf miners’ population and in projecting their future population through pest management models and management decisions.
Short term effects of restricted food availability and peripheral leptin injections in redheaded bunting, Emberiza bruniceps
Authors: Jain Gupta Neelu , Das Samya , Kumar Anit , Bhardwaj Sanjay Kumar , Yadav Nidhi
Published: December 2021

Migratory birds need continued food supply and efficient metabolic machinery to meet high energy demands of the magnanimous feat of flight. Two questions are important i.e. as to 1) how a bird adapts to a temporary food constrain on a daily basis, and 2) how peripheral leptin, an anorectic hormone, impacted feeding and migratory behaviour in buntings? The aim of this study was to induce a non-photoperiodic tweak in the physiology of redheaded buntings through exogenous leptin administration and study its effect on their food intake and migratory behaviour. Groups of male redheaded buntings, Emberiza bruniceps (n=17) were transferred from short (8L: 16D) to long (16L: 8D) days and presented with food only either for first (morning food presence, MFP) or second (evening food presence, EFP) half of the 16h lighted phase, while control group received food ad libitum. Total daily food intake (FI) did not differ significantly between the MFP, EFP and controls, but hourly FI in MFP and EFP indicated increased activity differences based on time of food availability and bird’s tendency to cache food/ recompense for food scarcity during migration. In another experiment, a chemical tweak in bird’s FI was induced by peripheral administration of leptin, to add to current understanding of transition in buntings’ metabolic efficiency during high energy demanding migratory journey. Exogenous leptin appeared to safeguard cadaveric effect of exogenous injection in migrating buntings through promoting blood cholesterol and reduced liver fibrosis. Food restriction in the morning was better responded by buntings than that in evening. Therefore, migratory buntings exhibited diurnal variation in response to food scarcity.
Crosstalk between circadian rhythms, sleep and eating habits to improve public health
Authors: Chand Bovinder , Sharma Chandrapal , Malik Sweekriti , Gupta Neelu Jain
Published: December 2021

Lifestyle changes in the past few decades have resulted in irregularity in sleep and meal timings. People are taking less sleep and resorting more to unhealthy food and eating habits. These factors are the most important health determinants. Sleep, food choices and eating habits are closely associated with each other. Thus, the crosstalk between circadian rhythms, sleep, and food needs urgent attention and discussion for better health management. Various research studies indicate that a healthy trend in sleep augments the regularity in meal timings and good eating habits. Healthy food and eating habits, in turn, boost sleep quality. Deterioration in the quality of anyone adversely affects the other. Several health disorders like obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular problems, and low immunity can be linked to these disturbances. The present review considers several previous studies to point out the inter-relationship between sleep and eating habits and the various health disorders arising from poor attention. Poor sleep promotes the tendency to eat junk food or eat at odd times, such as snacking late at night, leading to weight gain and other health problems. Junk food and unhealthy eating habits cause sleep disturbances. This inter-relationship of sleep and food preferences is important as it can have important treatment implications for health disorders arising due to these modifiable behavioural factors. Circadian alignment, improvements in sleep timings, and healthy eating habits have positive effects on other health behaviours as well.
Exercise-induced alterations of myocardial sarcomere dynamics are associated with hypophosphorylation of cardiac troponin I
Authors: Bódi Beáta , Oláh Attila , Mártha Lilla , Tóth Attila , Radovits Tamás , Merkely Béla , Papp Zoltán
Published: December 2021

Although the knowledge of sports cardiology advanced significantly in the recent years, the molecular mechanisms by which exercise training augments cardiac performance is poorly understood. Here we aimed at determining left ventricular (LV) myocardial sarcomeric protein modifications in a rat model of exercise training and detraining. Young male Wistar rats were divided into exercised (Ex) and control (Co) groups. Trained rats swam 200 min/day for 12 weeks. Detrained (DEx) and control (DCo) rats remained sedentary for 8 weeks after completion of the 12-week-long protocol. Ca2+-regulated active force production (Fa⁢c⁢t⁢i⁢v⁢e), its Ca2+-sensitivity (pCa50) and Ca2+-independent passive tension (Fp⁢a⁢s⁢s⁢i⁢v⁢e) were determined in isolated permeabilized cardiomyocytes and phosphorylation levels of sarcomeric proteins were assayed by biochemical methods. Means of maximal Ca2+-activated isometric force (Fm⁢a⁢x) and pCa50 values were higher (p < 0.05) in the Ex group (28.0 ± 1.4 kN/m2 and 5.91 ± 0.03, respectively, mean ± SEM) than those in the Co group (15.8 ± 0.8 kN/m2 and 5.81 ± 0.03, respectively). Fp⁢a⁢s⁢s⁢i⁢v⁢e did not differ between these two groups. The level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) phosphorylation decreased upon exercise (from 1.00 ± 0.02 to 0.66 ± 0.06, p < 0.05; in relative units). Site specific phosphorylation assays revealed cTnI hypophosphorylations at the protein kinase A (PKA)-specific Ser-22/23 sites and at the protein kinase C (PKC)-specific Thr-143 site. Mechanical and biochemical parameters of the DEx and DCo groups did not differ from each other following the detraining period. Exercise-induced hypertrophy is associated with reversible increases in Ca2+-dependent force production and its Ca2+-sensitivity in LV cardiomyocytes, which can be associated with changes in cTnI phosphorylation.
Etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of tricuspid regurgitation: an overview
Authors: Condello Francesco , Gitto Mauro , Stefanini Giulio G
Published: December 2021

Significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding, affecting about one in twenty-five subjects among the elderly and presenting more frequently in women than in men. This review summarizes data concerning etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology and management strategies of TR. The tricuspid valve (TV) has a broad anatomical variability. Classically, TR has been distinguished as primary and secondary or functional TR (FTR), with the latter being the most prevalent. FTR is a multifactorial disorder, resulting from maladaptive right ventricular remodeling secondary to pulmonary hypertension or from atrial fibrillation leading to dilation of the right atrium, tricuspid annulus and base of the right ventricle, with pathological TV coaptation. Thus two main types of FTR can be identified: pulmonary hypertension-FTR and idiopathic-FTR, depending on which factor, ventricular or atrial respectively, is the primum movens of the disease. Appreciable evidence suggests that significant TR leads to worsening prognosis regardless of the underlying etiology and should be addressed as a separate therapeutic target. The treatment of TR in patients undergoing left-sided cardiac surgery is well established. Isolated surgical repair of TR is instead rarely performed because patients are often deemed inoperable due to prohibitive risk. Besides, perioperative mortality remains higher than for any other valve. Several transcatheter TV replacement and repair systems, the latter mostly borrowed from percutaneous treatment systems of mitral regurgitation or from TV repair surgical techniques, have shown efficacy and safety when used on the TV. These could provide an effective treatment option for patients not eligible for surgery.
The use of electrical stimulation to induce cardiac differentiation of stem cells for the treatment of myocardial infarction
Authors: Dai Yue , Mu Junsheng , Zhou Fan
Published: December 2021

Ischemic heart disease resulting from a myocardial infarction (MI), is a major health issue. Stem cell therapies may play an important role in this field. However, cardiomyocytes induced from stem cells are characterized by low rates of differentiation and immaturity. After transplantation into the damaged heart, they may even increase the risk of arrhythmias. Studies have demonstrated that electrical stimulation (ES) can promote the cardiac differentiation of stem cells. This review summarizes the latest research on the effects of applying different electrical stimulation (ES) parameters to different types of stem cells and the related mechanisms that may be involved.
Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy: an endocrinologist’s perspective
Authors: Kumar Aman , Pappachan Joseph M , Fernandez Cornelius James
Published: December 2021

Although many endocrine diseases can be associated with acquired cardiomyopathy and heart failure, conditions except hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma (PPGL), and primary hyperaldosteronism are rare. PPGL is a rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumour arising from the adrenal gland in 80–85% or extra-adrenal chromaffin cells of the autonomic neural ganglia in the remainder. The annual incidence of PPGL is 3–8 cases per million per year in the general population. Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy (CICMP) has got a prevalence of 8–11% among patients with PPGL. Hypertension, either sustained or episodic, is present in the vast majority (95%) of PPGL patients. However, among patients with CICMP, hypertension is present only in 65% of cases and the classical triad of paroxysmal headache, sweating, and palpitation is present only in 4%. Based on the cardiac remodelling in response to endogenous catecholamine excess, PPGL patients might present with one of the three CICMPs, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Regardless of the subtypes, all CICMPs have many features in common — a dramatic clinical presentation, reversible cardiomyopathy, similar repolarisation electrocardiography changes, mild-moderate cardiac biomarker elevation, and normal coronary arteries on coronary angiography. CICMP should be suspected in patients with non-ischaemic, non-valvular forms of cardiomyopathy, even in those without definite features of catecholamine excess. PPGL associated TCM should be suspected in all acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients exhibiting pronounced blood pressure variability with no culprit lesions on coronary angiography. This article will provide a review of the various CICMPs, their pathophysiology, clinical features, and the management options.
SGLT2 inhibitors: a new pillar of the heart failure regimen
Authors: DeSa Travis , Gong Timothy
Published: December 2021

Initially intended as an adjunct treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), SGLT2-inhibitors (SGLT2i) have transformed into an unexpected pillar of the heart failure (HF) regimen. The past several years have witnessed a meteoric rise of this drug class, starting with the serendipitous results of trials assessing the safety of the glucose-lowering therapy in a broad range of cardiovascular patients and culminating with the demonstration of a reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure and cardiovascular mortality in dedicated heart failure populations. The heart failure benefits of SGLT2i are independent of a patient’s glycemic status, but the salient mechanisms of cardioprotection remain a subject of robust debate and ongoing research. Cardiologists as well as physicians of other disciplines should become familiar with the main indications, benefits, and clinical consideration of implementation. In this review, we will discuss the advance of SGLT2i in heart failure, ranging from the results of large randomized clinical trials to potential mechanisms of action.
Amiodarone in ventricular arrhythmias: still a valuable resource?
Authors: Pannone Luigi , D’Angelo Giuseppe , Gulletta Simone , Falasconi Giulio , Brugliera Luigia , Frontera Antonio , Cianfanelli Lorenzo , Baldetti Luca , Ossola Paolo , Melillo Francesco , De
						Blasi Gabriele , Malatino Lorenzo , Landoni Giovanni , Margonato Alberto , Della
						Bella Paolo , Zacchetti Daniele , Vergara Pasquale
Published: December 2021

Ventricular arrhythmias still represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Amiodarone is a Class III Vaughan-Williams anti-arrhythmic drug widely used in ventricular arrhythmias for its efficacy and low pro-arrhythmogenic effect. On the other hand, a significant limitation in its use is represented by toxicity. In this review, the pharmacology of the drug is discussed to provide the mechanistic basis for its clinical use. Moreover, all the latest evidence on its role in different clinical settings is provided, including the prevention of sudden cardiac death, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. A special focus is placed on everyday clinical practice learning points, such as dosage, indications, and contraindications from the latest guidelines.
The relationship between takotsubo syndrome, left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction, neurologic and neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Stöllberger Claudia , Finsterer Josef
Published: December 2021

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) have in common that they are only diagnosed since 1990. Diagnostic criteria and prognosis of affected patients are still debated and the knowledge about etiology and pathogenesis of both disorders is limited. Both abnormalities are associated with neurologic and neuromuscular disorders (NMD). We summarize the data about the relationship between TTS, LVHT and NMD. We identified 8 case reports about the co-incidence of TTS and LVHT (6 females, 2 males, age 0–76 years). In 2/8 cases recurrent TTS occurred after 8 and 10 months. In most of the patients, LVHT was diagnosed together with TTS, thus, it cannot be assessed if LVHT was present since birth or developed during life-time. In one case, LVHT was absent in a previous echocardiogram, developed de novo during TTS, and disappeared after 3 months. In 4/8 patients follow-up were reported, and in all of them, regression or disappearance of LVHT was observed. NMD or psychiatric disorders were reported in 7/8 patients. We conclude —limited by the small number of cases—that patients with LVHT and TTS seem to be frequently associated with NMD and have a high risk of recurrence. LVHT seems to disappear after TTS, but it remains unclear whether trabeculations in fact regress or are still present, but not more visible because of a decrease in left ventricular size resulting in smaller spaces between the trabeculations. Patients with LVHT and TTS require long-term follow-up to assess any changes of these abnormalities over time.