bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rural Special Educators and the Need for Facilitative Skills
Authors: Fleury Mary Anne
Published: September 2023

Rural special educators take on many roles in their positions due to fewer professionals in the field. Special educators are responsible for facilitating their IEP meetings and for completing all paperwork necessary to stay in compliance with the law. Most conflict in special education centers around the development of the IEP which causes contention within the IEP meeting. Having tools and strategies to run effective IEP meetings is essential and, with these, rural special educators are able to prevent conflict and bring the team closer to consensus. Identifying the primary source of conflict aids in the understanding of a situation. Ensuring meaningful parent participation supports collaboration and builds solid relationships between educators and parents. The resources provided in this chapter will minimize the burden rural special educators face by reducing the time involved to address conflict, giving more time to instruct and build relationships, ultimately benefiting our students with disabilities.
Augmented Reality and Its Significance in Healthcare Systems
Authors: Tripathi Ashish , Chauhan Nikita , Choudhary Arjun , Singh Rajnesh
Published: September 2023

Augmented reality and virtual reality are terms often used together and even interchangeably sometimes without knowing their actual meaning. Augmented reality (AR) enhances the real world by mixing and overlapping digital objects with the real world whereas virtual reality (VR) is a completely different world created in a virtual space. VR can be experienced with wearables; but AR needs a device as simple as a phone and it's also wearable. In this chapter, AR is discussed and explored in a detailed manner. With its rapid evolving time, AR will be more common than it is now. It already is a part of everyone's life with the help of applications like Google Lens and Snapchat. AR has been experimented on for a while and the first spine surgery on a patient has been performed by John Hopkins neurosurgeon on June 8, 2020, using AR headsets. In this chapter, the types of extended reality (XR) and their differences. AR technology used in the study of anatomy, medical surgeries, pharma study, MedTech, and case studies of AR implementation in the field of medical surgeries is discussed.
Comparative Analysis and Automated Eight-Level Skin Cancer Staging Diagnosis in Dermoscopic Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Nancy V. Auxilia Osvin , Prabhavathy P. , Arya Meenakshi S. , Ahamed B. Shamreen
Published: September 2023

The challenge in the predictions of skin lesions is due to the noise and contrast. The manual dermoscopy imaging procedure results in the wrong prediction. A deep learning model assists in detection and classification. The structure in the proposed handles CNN architecture with the stack of separate layers that use a differential function to transform an input volume into an output volume. For image recognition and classification, CNN is specifically powerful. The model was trained using labeled data with the appropriate class. CNN studies the relationship between input features and class labels. For model building, use Keras for front-end development and Tensor Flow for back-end development. The first step is to pre-process the ISIC2019 dataset, splitting it into 80% training data and 20% test data. After the training and test splits are complete, the dataset has been given to the CNN model for evaluation, and the accuracy on each lesion class was calculated using performance metrics. The comparative analysis has been done on pretrained models like VGG19, VGG16, and MobileNet.
Critical Review Analysis on Deep Learning-Based Segmentation Techniques for Water-Body Extraction
Authors: Gautam Swati , Sharma Ajay , Shrivastava Bhavana Prakash
Published: September 2023

The rapid advancement in the applications of remote sensing imagery had attracted considerable attention from researchers for digital image analysis. Researchers had performed the surveying and delineation of water bodies with excellent efforts and algorithms in the past, but they faced many challenges due to the varying characteristics of water such as its shape, size, and flow. Traditional methods employed for water body segmentation posed certain limitations in terms of accuracy, reliability, and robustness. Rapid growth in the automation category allowed researchers to incorporate deep learning models into the segmentation analysis. Deep learning segmentation models for water body feature extraction have shown promising results based on accuracy and precision. This chapter presents a brief review on the deep learning models used for water-body extraction with their merits over the traditional approaches. It also discusses existing results with challenges faced and future scope.
Redefining Management With Advent of Artificial Intelligence in the Current Business World
Authors: Bhagat Rohit , Chauhan Vinay
Published: September 2023

The emergence of artificial intelligence has been a start of new era in the age of technology. The business world mostly relies on satisfying customer needs, with the introduction of artificial intelligence the task of marketer to satisfy customer has been made much simpler. The use of artificial intelligence has added a lot of value to the customers while purchasing, which has added to an overall increase in customer experience. Decision making is one of the most difficult tasks from the customer's point of view; when it comes to choosing a product, the use of artificial intelligence has been very fruitful in helping the customer in making decisions. The chapter tries to show how the use of artificial intelligence has changed the way of doing business. The chapter concludes with the future scope of artificial intelligence in the field of management and its application.
Corporate Scandals and Global Indexes
Authors: Lopes Carlos F. , Ferreira Augusta , Ferreira Carlos
Published: September 2023

This study explores the relationship between corporate scandals and a set of global indices to understand whether governance institutions and structures, levels of economic, social, and democratic development, and freedom of the press influence the number of scandals. The study uses the Human Development Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, Sustainable Development Goals Index, World Press Freedom Index, and Democracy. The research question is whether the more corrupt, underdeveloped, and anti-democratic a country is, the greater the number of corporate scandals. The study uses descriptive statistics between 1989 and 2015 to analyze the relationship between these factors. Surprisingly, the results show that more developed countries had more reported scandals on average. The study highlights the need for governments, corporations, and civil society to work together to prevent and address corporate scandals and promote sustainable development, democratic governance, and human rights.
Contracts Management in the Brazilian Company of Urban Trains
Authors: Santos da Silva Rayssa , Cardoso da Silva Daniel José , Gomes Dias Hellen Bomfim , da Costa Neto Arlindo Menezes , Santos da Paixão Fernando
Published: September 2023

This study aims to analyze the contract management in the Brazilian Company of Urban Trains (CBTU), specifically the Urban Trains Superintendency of Recife (STUREC), under the perspective of contract management and corporate governance procedures. STUREC is the local agent of CBTU, a public company whose goal is to modernize, expand, and implement passenger rail transport systems in the country. In one of the acquirement documents regarding fuel purchase, the lack of adherence to governance principles within the management processes led to operational and financial issues. CBTU management reports presented no consideration for the contingencies of that particular procurement process, including those related to the changes enacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As exposed, it is possible to infer that the procedures adopted by the company need to be revised and modified to guarantee its activities.
Combating Colonized Discipline Practices
Authors: Matute-Chavarria Monique , Brown Monica R. , Morris Pricella
Published: September 2023

As students in schools have become more diverse, the teacher and leadership demographic has stayed predominantly White and female. Because of the cultural shifts in education, school leaders are asked to consider whether the old social norms regarding behavior are still suitable for all students. This case examines the social (i.e., White) norms of behavior and one school's attempt to decolonize discipline. Teachers and school leaders are encouraged to push back against the policies and practices that have created inequity in the educational system.
Making the Most Out of Video Conference Learning
Authors: Mutsagondo Sam
Published: September 2023

With rising Covid-19 infections and deaths, education authorities in Zimbabwe unceremoniously introduced online learning where Whatsapp, electronic mail, Facebook, video conferencing, and radio lessons featured most prominently. At university level, video conference learning was introduced amid much pomp and speculation with varying degrees of success. This study examines the experiences of first-year students at one state university in Zimbabwe. The study revealed that whilst first year university students benefitted from the rather new and emerging technology, some students were greatly affected by the digital divide which threatened their right to education. This mixed methods research used the exploratory sequential research design where students' qualitative responses were juxtaposed with lecturers' quantitative responses. The study proposed the Enhanced Tripartite Online Learning Support framework where universities, students, and parents collaboratively work together to make video conferencing more effective, more affordable, and more enjoyable.
Thinking on Construction of Intelligent Auxiliary Physical Exercise Mode Under National Fitness Plan
Authors: Xu Cheng
Published: September 2023

In recent years, with the increase of work intensity and life pressure, many people are suffering from unhealthy conditions. In this case, it is very necessary for those who care about health to maintain and enjoy an active and healthy life. Therefore, many people tend to improve their health status through nationwide fitness and exercise. With the development of electronic technology, more and more people use smart devices to monitor their movement. In view of the difficulties and challenges people are facing, this paper will propose a multi-user behavior monitoring algorithm based on machine learning, which can improve the frequency and enthusiasm of physical exercise in people's daily life, thus improving the overall health of society. The research on action recognition responds to the call of the World Health Organization and adapts to social development, which has great practical significance.
Uma demostração detalhada do Teorema de Gauss-Bonnet
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Gabriel Bogo Felipe
Published: September 2023

O teorema de Gauss-Bonnet traz uma ligação entre a geometria diferencial e a topologia. Sua importância se dá na relação da informação geométrica de uma superfície e de suas características puramente topológicas. Neste artigo apresentamos uma demonstração cautelosa e com todos os pré-requisitos do teorema de GaussBonnet. Por fim, apresentamos algumas aplicaçõoes deste resultado.
Teorema do Ponto Fixo aplicado à cadeia de Markov
Authors:   FEITEP - Faculdade de Engenharia e Inovação Técnico Profissional, Andrade Doherty
Published: September 2023

Métodos iterativos aparecem cedo para todo estudante de ciências exatas. Eles estão, por exemplo, no método de Gauss-Seidel e Gauss-Jacobi, no método de Newton e no método de Picard para mostrar existência e unicidade de soluções para problemas de valor inicial. Estes métodos iterativos comumente estudados separados, são na verdade, faces diferentes do Princípio das Contrações. Neste trabalho vamos apresentar o Princípio das Contrações e dar uma aplicação à cadeia de Markov.
Regra de três Simples e Composta
Authors:   FEITEP - Faculdade de Engenharia e Inovação Técnico Profissional, Andrade Doherty
Published: September 2023

Nestas notas apresentamos um revisão sobre regra de três simples e composta e suas propriedade. Apresentamos também algumas aplicações elementares.
Giant lung bulla as a late-onset complication of mild SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia
Authors: Petroncini Matteo , Valentini Leonardo , Solli Piergiorgio , Bertoglio Pietro
Published: September 2023

A 49-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the Emergency Department for shortness of breath and cough. CT imaging showed bilateral a mild COVID-19 related pneumonia. He was hospitalized in the low-intensity COVID-19 unit where he received O2 therapy and oral corticosteroids (CS). Three weeks after discharge a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) find a giant bulla of the inferior lobe. The bulla was resected by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and the patient recovered completely. In our patient, it is reasonable to suspect that the development of the bulla is a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since no bulla was observed in the first HRCT two months before. SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia may be responsible for lung remodeling due to diffuse alveolar damage and later interstitial myofibroblastic proliferation. Corticosteroids might have played a role in increasing SARS-CoV-2 dystrophic action. COVID-19 leads to pulmonary damages, which are still partially unknown and might result in development of bullae. In fit patient surgical treatment can be carried out safely.
Translocation of telomerase reverse transcriptase coincided with ATP release in postnatal cochlear supporting cells
Authors: Zhang Yukai , Tian Keyong , Wei Wei , Mi Wenjuan , Lu Fei , Liu Zhenzhen , Zhu Qingwen , Zhang Xinyu , Geng Panling , Qiu Jianhua , Song Yongli , Zha Dingjun
Published: September 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202405000-00043/inline-graphic1/v/2023-09-28T063346Z/r/image-tiff

The spontaneous bursts of electrical activity in the developing auditory system are derived from the periodic release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by supporting cells in the Kölliker’s organ. However, the mechanisms responsible for initiating spontaneous ATP release have not been determined. Our previous study revealed that telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is expressed in the basilar membrane during the first postnatal week. Its role in cochlear development remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and role of TERT in postnatal cochlea supporting cells. Our results revealed that in postnatal cochlear Kölliker’s organ supporting cells, TERT shifts from the nucleus into the cytoplasm over time. We found that the TERT translocation tendency in postnatal cochlear supporting cells in vitro coincided with that observed in vivo. Further analysis showed that TERT in the cytoplasm was mainly located in mitochondria in the absence of oxidative stress or apoptosis, suggesting that TERT in mitochondria plays roles other than antioxidant or anti-apoptotic functions. We observed increased ATP synthesis, release and activation of purine signaling systems in supporting cells during the first 10 postnatal days. The phenomenon that TERT translocation coincided with changes in ATP synthesis, release and activation of the purine signaling system in postnatal cochlear supporting cells suggested that TERT may be involved in regulating ATP release and activation of the purine signaling system. Our study provides a new research direction for exploring the spontaneous electrical activity of the cochlea during the early postnatal period.
Mitophagy in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis
Authors: Yang Kan , Yan Yuqing , Yu Anni , Zhang Ru , Zhang Yuefang , Qiu Zilong , Li Zhengyi , Zhang Qianlong , Wu Shihao , Li Fei
Published: September 2023

Mitochondria are critical cellular energy resources and are central to the life of the neuron. Mitophagy selectively clears damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria through autophagic machinery to maintain mitochondrial quality control and homeostasis. Mature neurons are postmitotic and consume substantial energy, thus require highly efficient mitophagy pathways to turn over damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. Recent evidence indicates that mitophagy is pivotal to the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. However, more work is needed to study mitophagy pathway components as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we briefly discuss the characteristics of nonselective autophagy and selective autophagy, including ERphagy, aggrephagy, and mitophagy. We then introduce the mechanisms of Parkin-dependent and Parkin-independent mitophagy pathways under physiological conditions. Next, we summarize the diverse repertoire of mitochondrial membrane receptors and phospholipids that mediate mitophagy. Importantly, we review the critical role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Last, we discuss recent studies considering mitophagy as a potential therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our review may provide novel views to better understand the roles of mitophagy in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.
Antisense therapy: a potential breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Romano Roberta , Bucci Cecilia
Published: September 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases and this means a heavy burden for patients and the health system worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to find new therapeutic approaches, and antisense therapies offer this possibility, having the great advantage of not modifying cellular genome and potentially being safer. Many preclinical and clinical studies aim to test the safety and effectiveness of antisense therapies in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of this review is to summarize the recent advances in the development of these new technologies to treat the most common neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on those antisense therapies that have already received the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Promising use of metformin in treating neurological disorders: biomarker-guided therapies
Authors: Loan Allison , Syal Charvi , Lui Margarita , He Ling , Wang Jing
Published: September 2023

Neurological disorders are a diverse group of conditions that affect the nervous system and include neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease), cerebrovascular conditions (stroke), and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder). Although they affect millions of individuals around the world, only a limited number of effective treatment options are available today. Since most neurological disorders express mitochondria-related metabolic perturbations, metformin, a biguanide type II antidiabetic drug, has attracted a lot of attention to be repurposed to treat neurological disorders by correcting their perturbed energy metabolism. However, controversial research emerges regarding the beneficial/detrimental effects of metformin on these neurological disorders. Given that most neurological disorders have complex etiology in their pathophysiology and are influenced by various risk factors such as aging, lifestyle, genetics, and environment, it is important to identify perturbed molecular functions that can be targeted by metformin in these neurological disorders. These molecules can then be used as biomarkers to stratify subpopulations of patients who show distinct molecular/pathological properties and can respond to metformin treatment, ultimately developing targeted therapy. In this review, we will discuss mitochondria-related metabolic perturbations and impaired molecular pathways in these neurological disorders and how these can be used as biomarkers to guide metformin-responsive treatment for the targeted therapy to treat neurological disorders.
New insights into the therapeutic approaches for the treatment of tauopathies
Authors: Singh Himanshi , Das Asmita , Khan Mohammad Moshahid , Pourmotabbed Tayebeh
Published: September 2023

Tauopathies are a group of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, which involve progressive neurodegeneration, cognitive deficits, and aberrant tau protein accumulation. The development of tauopathies cannot currently be stopped or slowed down by treatment measures. Given the significant contribution of tau burden in primary tauopathies and the strong association between pathogenic tau accumulation and cognitive deficits, there has been a lot of interest in creating therapies that can alleviate tau pathology and render neuroprotective effects. Recently, small molecules, immunotherapies, and gene therapy have been used to reduce the pathological tau burden and prevent neurodegeneration in animal models of tauopathies. However, the major pitfall of the current therapeutic approach is the difficulty of drugs and gene-targeting modalities to cross the blood-brain barrier and their unintended side effects. In this review, the current therapeutic strategies used for tauopathies including the use of oligonucleotide-based gene therapy approaches that have shown a promising result for the treatment of tauopathies and Alzheimer’s disease in preclinical animal models, have been discussed.
Bromocriptine protects perilesional spinal cord neurons from lipotoxicity after spinal cord injury
Authors: Peng Ying , Li Zhuoxuan , Zhang Zhiyang , Chen Yinglun , Wang Renyuan , Xu Nixi , Cao Yuanwu , Jiang Chang , Chen Zixian , Lin Haodong
Published: September 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202405000-00046/inline-graphic1/v/2023-09-28T063346Z/r/image-tiff

Recent studies have revealed that lipid droplets accumulate in neurons after brain injury and evoke lipotoxicity, damaging the neurons. However, how lipids are metabolized by spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury remains unclear. Herein, we investigated lipid metabolism by spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury and identified lipid-lowering compounds to treat spinal cord injury. We found that lipid droplets accumulated in perilesional spinal cord neurons after spinal cord injury in mice. Lipid droplet accumulation could be induced by myelin debris in HT22 cells. Myelin debris degradation by phospholipase led to massive free fatty acid production, which increased lipid droplet synthesis, β-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Excessive oxidative phosphorylation increased reactive oxygen species generation, which led to increased lipid peroxidation and HT22 cell apoptosis. Bromocriptine was identified as a lipid-lowering compound that inhibited phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 by reducing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, thereby inhibiting myelin debris degradation by cytosolic phospholipase A2 and alleviating lipid droplet accumulation in myelin debris-treated HT22 cells. Motor function, lipid droplet accumulation in spinal cord neurons and neuronal survival were all improved in bromocriptine-treated mice after spinal cord injury. The results suggest that bromocriptine can protect neurons from lipotoxic damage after spinal cord injury via the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2-cytosolic phospholipase A2 pathway.
Casein kinase-2 inhibition promotes retinal ganglion cell survival after acute intraocular pressure elevation
Authors: Wang Meng , Yao Shi-Qi , Huang Yao , Liang Jia-Jian , Xu Yanxuan , Chen Shaowan , Wang Yuhang , Ng Tsz Kin , Chu Wai Kit , Cui Qi , Cen Ling-Ping
Published: September 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202405000-00042/inline-graphic1/v/2023-09-28T063346Z/r/image-tiff

Intraocular pressure elevation can induce retinal ganglion cell death and is a clinically reversible risk factor for glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness. We previously demonstrated that casein kinase-2 inhibition can promote retinal ganglion cell survival and axonal regeneration in rats after optic nerve injury. To investigate the underlying mechanism, in the current study we increased the intraocular pressure of adult rats to 75 mmHg for 2 hours and then administered a casein kinase-2 inhibitor (4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole or 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole) by intravitreal injection. We found that intravitreal injection of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole or 2-dimethylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidazole promoted retinal ganglion cell survival and reduced the number of infiltrating macrophages. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway was involved in the response to intraocular pressure elevation but was not modulated by the casein kinase-2 inhibitors. Furthermore, casein kinase-2 inhibition downregulated the expression of genes (Cck, Htrsa, Nef1, Htrlb, Prph, Chat, Slc18a3, Slc5a7, Scn1b, Crybb2, Tsga10ip, and Vstm21) involved in intraocular pressure elevation. Our data indicate that inhibition of casein kinase-2 can enhance retinal ganglion cell survival in rats after acute intraocular pressure elevation via macrophage inactivation.
Acardiac twinning with sacrococcygeal teratoma–A rare case report and review of literature
Authors: Balakrishnan Padmapriya , Sharmila Vijayan , Babu Thirunavukkarasu A.
Published: September 2023

Acardiac twin is a rare complication of monozygotic twin pregnancies. It accounts for 1% of monochorionic twin gestations with an incidence of 1 in 35,000 births. We report a rare case of acardiac twin with sacrococcygeal teratoma in a monochorionic twin gestation in view of rare incidence and diagnostic challenge.
Assessment of perceived fear of coronavirus disease 2019 and its relationship to health-related quality of life among type one diabetic children and adolescents during the pandemic in Ismailia City
Authors: Mohammed Zeinab A. , Abd-Elwahab Amina M. , Hussein Ahmed S. , Wageeh Ahmed E.
Published: September 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the world especially those with chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders around the world. This study aimed to assess the perceived fear of COVID-19 and its relationship to HRQoL among children and adolescents with T1D during the pandemic in Ismailia City.

Methods

This is a retrospective study carried out on T1D children and adolescents during pandemic in Ismailia City and conducted at Suez Canal University endocrinology outpatient clinic, Ismailia City, Egypt from June 30, 2021, to December 31, 2021. All participants were interviewed using a semi-structured demographic and clinical checklist, fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey. Blood samples were taken to analyze HbA1c for all patients.

Results

This study analyzed data from 68 children and adolescents with T1D with age ranged from 10 to 14 years, 58.8% were females and 55.9% had preparatory school education. 38% had BMI more than 30, 38.2% had DM for more than 5 years. HbA1C was more than 8 among 41.2%. 59% had low FCV-19 and 41% had high FCV-19. Mean PCS was 39.1±9.6 and 82% had poor PCS. MCS was ranging from 19 to 36 with a median of 28. Older age, preparatory educated, and larger BMI children had higher fears of COVID-19. Poor DM control, and poor adherence to glucose and diet showed higher FCV-19 scores. Higher PCS was associated with higher FCV-19 score. Using univariate logistic regression, age, HbA1C, type of insulin regimen, family history of DM, and FCV-19 score are predictors for PCS. While age, grade, BMI, HbA1C, adherence to glucose testing, type of insulin regimen, adherence to diet control, and PCS are predictors for FCV-19.

Conclusion

This study suggested that children and adolescents with T1D showed above-average levels of fear of COVID-19, and it may be associated with lower quality of life, especially physical aspects.
Salvage of Renal Allograft Rupture in a COVID-19-Positive Patient with Buttressing Rectus Sheath: An Innovative Approach
Authors: Sadasukhi Nripesh , Sharma Ashish , Malik Sandeep , Sadasukhi T. C. , Gupta H. L. , Gupta Manish
Published: September 2023

Renal allograft rupture (RAR) is a rare but lethal complication of renal transplantation. It potentially threatens graft and patient survival. Mostly graft nephrectomy is required, but graft repair can also be attempted in selected cases to salvage the graft. The exact pathogenesis of RAR is still not clear. Acute cellular rejection causes inflammatory reaction that leads to interstitial edema. Capsule tension due to edema leads to tension and tearing and may lead to RAR. COVID-19 infection in patient on immunosuppression like post-renal transplant is a worrisome disease with high morbidity and mortality. This posttransplant patient developed fever and decreased urine output, for which biopsy was done. On exploration, the graft was found to be ruptured. Graft salvage was tried with argon beam laser, surgical glue, and pressure but failed. The renal graft was then salvaged using buttressing rectus sheath graft in this COVID-19 patient.
Rare Presentation of Acute Abdomen in a Posttransplant Patient
Authors: Viswanathan Akila , Panchangam Vidyashankar , Reddy Govardhan , Shetty Shashank , Bhat Vinay , Bhat Naresh , Kaur Tripti
Published: September 2023

Infective complications continue to be a big hurdle to patient and graft survival after transplantation. Fungal infections can occur anytime posttransplant. They often present with nonspecific symptoms leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Pain abdomen in a posttransplant patient should always be evaluated in detail to rule out invasive fungal infections. Here, we present a case of gastric mucormycosis presenting as acute abdomen in a diabetic patient who was a 1-month posttransplant.
An Unusual Case of Early Cytomegalovirus Retinitis with UTI, Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis, Klebsiella Pneumonia in a Renal Allograft Recipient
Authors: Chaudhary Preeti , Mahapatra Himansu Sekhar
Published: September 2023

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains the most common opportunistic infection after a kidney transplant. CMV retinitis is a rare manifestation of CMV invasive disease and is potentially threatening to vision in immunocompromised individuals. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is one of the major causes of invasive fungal infection in kidney transplant recipients. Posttransplant CMV significantly increases the risk of IA in solid organ transplants. However, simultaneous or superadded opportunistic infections are rare and often delay the diagnosis. We report a case of early CMV retinitis in a renal transplant recipient, who initially developed extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli cystitis at 2 weeks posttransplant. At 4 weeks posttransplant, he developed CMV retinitis managed with intravenous and intravitreal ganciclovir. At around 6 weeks, he developed persistent low-grade fever and pancytopenia without any specific systemic symptoms with initial sterile cultures sterile and normal imaging except for high-resolution computed tomography chest, which was suggestive of fungal pneumonia. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were done, which came positive for aspergillus colonies. The patient improved with Amphotericin B, which was later changed to oral voriconazole. A few days later, the patient again deteriorated with new-onset fever, cough, and expectoration, which were diagnosed with Klebsiella pneumonia by imaging supported by sputum culture, which was managed by appropriate antibiotics. CMV and IA are both uncommon opportunistic infections and simultaneous or superadded infection with bacterial pneumonia is very rare. In the presence of persistent symptoms, early suspicion of another infection is crucial for patient management and long-term prognosis.
Metformin is Associated with Better Survival Rate of Localized Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Lin Chung-Yu , Wang Chien-Sheng , Jhan Jhen-Hao , Lee Hsiang-Ying , Yang Yi-Hsin , Chang Che-Wei , Ke Hung-Lung , Li Ching-Chia , Lee Yung-Chin
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, has been proposed to play a possible protective role in cancer recurrence and patient mortality. However, the exact mechanism and efficacy of metformin in urothelial cancer, especially upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), remain unknown. In this study, we conducted a population-based analysis to investigate whether metformin could improve the survival rate of patients with UTUC.

Materials and Methods:

Males ≥40 years diagnosed with UTUC were included in this retrospective population-based longitudinal cohort study. Data were collected from the registry of the Taiwan National Health Insurance database for patients with UTUC and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients who had received at least two prescriptions of metformin were included in the study cohort as ever-users, and patients who had never used metformin were included in the control cohort as never-users. The hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox regression for ever-users and never-users.

Results:

Among the 781 enrolled patients, 439 and 342 patients were included as ever-users and never-users, respectively. The median survival time was 3.95 years in the never-user cohort compared to 6.90 years in the ever-user cohort, which remained statistically significant in both univariate and multivariate analyses (HR = 0.63 and 0.72, P = 0.0001 and 0.011, respectively). Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that continuous usage of metformin before and after the diagnosis of UTUC was associated with a better survival in patients with UTUC (adjusted HR = 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.55–0.93).

Conclusion:

This study shows a relationship between metformin usage and better survival outcome in patients with localized UTUC. The result may contribute a favorable anticancer role of metformin in localized UTUC and suggests that continuous metformin usage improves all-cause mortality in patients with localized UTUC and T2DM.
SLA based Workflow Scheduling algorithm in Cloud Computing using Haris Hawks optimization
Authors: Mangalampalli Sudheer , Karri Ganesh Reddy , Pokkuluri Kiran Sree , RajKumar K Varada , Satish Ganti Naga
Published: September 2023

Task Scheduling is crucial facet in cloud paradigm as virtual resources need to be provisioned to the variable requests coming onto cloud console from various users and more over that tasks are depends on each other which creates a workflow which is a difficult task for cloud service provider to provision these tasks over appropriate VMs. Inefficient mapping of tasks to VMs increases makespan and lead to violation of SLA  between users, cloud provider. In this paper, we modeled a SLA based workflow scheduling algorithm  focuses on minimization of makespan and SLA violations. This algorithm developed using Harris hawks optimization. Experimentation carried out using workflowsim. Random workload fed as input to algorithm and it is evaluated against existing baseline approaches and simulation results revealed that our proposed approach minimizes makespan and SLA violations over existing approaches by 40% and 43% respectively.
О слабых решениях граничных задач для некоторых общих дифференциальных уравнений
Authors: Burskii Vladimir Petrovich
Published: September 2023

Изучаются обобщенные постановки задачи Дирихле, Неймана, других граничных задач для уравнений и систем вида $\mathcal{L}^+ A\mathcal{L}u=f$ с общей, вообще говоря, матричной дифференциальной операцией $\mathcal{L}$ и некоторым линейным или нелинейным оператором $A$, действующим в векторных пространствах $L^k_2(\Omega)$. Получены утверждения о существовании и единственности слабого решения и корректности поставленных граничных задач. В качестве оператора $A$ рассмотрены случаи операторов Немыцкого, а также интегральных операторов. Рассмотрены случаи вхождения младших производных.
Библиография: 19 наименований.
Статистические свойства одномерного осциллятора Дирака в пространстве-времени Риндлера
Authors: Rouabhia Tarek Imed , Boumali Abdelmalek
Published: September 2023

Изучаются релятивистские фермионы со спином 1/2, находящиеся под воздействием осциллятора Дирака в пространстве-времени Риндлера. Найдены собственные энергии этого осциллятора, которые позволяют рассчитать его термодинамические параметры используя дзета-функцию Гурвица и преобразование Меллина. Исследовано влияние геометрии пространства-времени на термодинамические свойства системы.
Двухкомпонентная реакционно-диффузионная система в присутствии случайных флуктуаций скорости
Authors: Gnatich Michal , Kecer Matej , Lučivjansky Tomas
Published: September 2023

Изучается влияние случайного поля скоростей на поведение двухкомпонентной реакционно-диффузионной системы, состоящей из трех реакционных процессов $A+A\to(\varnothing,A)$, $A+B\to A$. С использованием теоретико-полевой пертурбативной ренормализационной группы проведен анализ данной системы в окрестности ее верхней критической размерности $d_{\mathrm c}=2$. Ансамбль скоростей формируется с помощью стохастических уравнений Навье-Стокса. В частности, исследовано влияние тепловых флуктуаций на кинетику реакции. Общий анализ выполнен в однопетлевом приближении. Определены возможные макроскопические режимы.
БРСТ-БВ-подход к описанию взаимодействующих полей высших спинов
Authors: Reshetnyak Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
Published: September 2023

Развивается БРСТ-БВ-подход к построению общих (вне массовой оболочки) лоренц-ковариантных вершин взаимодействия третьего, четвертого, …,
$e$-го порядков для неприводимых полей высших спинов в $d$-мерном пространстве Минковского. Рассматриваются два случая взаимодействующих полей целых высших спинов как с безмассовыми, так и с массивными полями. Процедура деформации для нахождения минимального БРСТ-БВ-действия для взаимодействующих полей высших спинов, определенного с помощью обобщенного гильбертова пространства, основана на условии сохранения выполнения мастер-уравнения по каждой степени константы взаимодействия $g$ начиная с лагранжевой формулировки для свободной калибровочной теории. В качестве примеров рассмотрено построение локальных кубичных вершин для
$k$ неприводимых безмассовых полей высших спиральностей и $(k-1)$ безмассовых полей с одним массивным полем спинов $s_1, …, s_{k-1}, s_k$. БРСТ-БВ-действие с кубичным взаимодействием явно найдено в тензорной форме для тройки, состоящей из двух безмассовых скалярных и тензорного полей целого спина. В отличие от других результатов по вершинам третьего порядка, следуя нашему предыдущему результату для БРСТ-подхода с безмассовыми полями, мы используем единое БРСТ-БВ-действие вместо классического действия с приводимыми калибровочными преобразованиями. Процедура основана на полном БРСТ-операторе, включающем связи в терминах следа, применяемые для формулировки неприводимого представления с определенным целым спином.
Effect of Operating Parameters on the Real-Time Torque Distribution
of a Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicle
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yuan Xiayi
Published: September 2023

This article presented a real-time torque distribution strategy for a
single-shaft, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and investigated the effect
of multiple operating parameters by using three working conditions, namely,
steady operating conditions, acceleration operating conditions, and brake
operating conditions. The corresponding experiments were performed according to
the earlier discussed three working conditions. The main conclusions of this
study are given as follows: (1) Under steady operating conditions, the engine no
longer offers torque to the motor for charging when the pedal degree is higher
than 60%. (2) Under acceleration conditions, the engine startup is sensitive to
the state of charge (SOC) decrement, maximum of 1%, and this decrement increases
with an increase in the initial SOC. (3) Under brake operating conditions, the
initial SOC may have a significant influence on the variation stability of motor
torque, especially when the braking intensity is less than 0.1.
Migrant Chiefs in Stranger Communities in Ghana: The Challenge of their Inclusion into the Houses of Chiefs
Authors: Sulemana Anamzoya Alhassan , Alhassan Baba-Zakaria , Ntewusu Samuel
Published: September 2023

Urbanization spearheaded migratory movements into African towns and cities, while democratization provided migrants the social and political space to establish traditional authority in the form of migrant chieftaincy. This paper focuses on this type of chieftaincy; variously called migrant chiefs, Zongo Chiefs, or stranger chiefs in settler communities, and the quest for these chiefs’ inclusion into the Houses of Chiefs structure, statutory bodies which are being constitutionally guaranteed. Historical evidence points to the fact that both the colonial and postcolonial state have shown some level of tolerance to migrant chiefs in Ghana. While political leaders, such as the executive arm, have given recognition to these chiefs at various levels, including granting them a complete Ministry, these chiefs still find it difficult to be included as members of the Houses of Chiefs. Using historical and anthropological material, the paper provides the foundation of migrant chieftaincy in Ghana, while utilizing empirical data to analyse how migrants reinvent chieftaincy in the urban centres, and their attempts to incorporate such an institution into the Houses of Chiefs. The paper argues that, having the support of the political leaders of the state is not enough to guarantee migrant chiefs’ inclusion into the Houses of Chiefs, and that judicial and legislative policies are equally needed to facilitate the process of inclusion.
Editorial
Authors: Abbasi Kamran , Ali Parveen , Barbour Virginia , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Rikkert Marcel GM Olde , Haines Andy , Helfand Ira , Horton Richard , Mash Bob , Mitra Arun , Monteiro Carlos , Naumova Elena N. , Rubin Eric J. , Ruff Tilman , Sahni Peush , Tumwine James , Yonga Paul , Zielinski Chris
Published: September 2023

No Abstract
Health-Related Quality of Life and Service Barriers among Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Sayigh Nada Ahmed , Shafey Marwa Mahmoud , Alghamdi Amal Ali , Alyousif Ghada Fouad , Hamza Fatma Amer , Alsalman Zaenb Husain
Published: September 2023

Background: The burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is highin Saudi Arabia, with a significant impact on patients’ quality of  life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with SCD.

Methods: A cross-sectional  study was conducted among adults with SCD attending hematology clinics at Qatif Central Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi  Arabia. The questionnaire included subsections to collect information from participants, including sociodemographic attributes, SCD  characteristics, HRQoL based on SF-36, and opinions regarding barriers to service.

Results: Among 272 SCD patients, the highest mean  score of HRQoL was observed in the social functioning (SF) domain (65.0±23.4), whereas the lowest score was observed in the role limitations due to physical health (RP) domain (47.2±40.4). The mean score for participants’ opinions regarding service provision was  19.27±4.68 (min-max:10–30), and only 24.6% had a positive opinion regarding the accessibility of service provision. A total of 38.6% of the  respondents acknowledged shortcomings in the services offered by healthcare staff, and 43% identified weaknesses in communication  with healthcare staff. Moreover, 40.1% agreed about feeling stigmatized about their condition. SCD patients who were <40 years old,  males, had a university degree, had health insurance, waited <15 minutes before receiving health care, and had positive opinions  regarding service provision were more likely to have better HRQoL scores.

Conclusion: Adults with SCD exhibited low HRQoL in general, and different factors were related to low HRQoL scores. Counselling, empowerment, and improvement of doctor-patient communication are important strategies to improve healthcare provision, and consequently, HRQoL among adults with SCD.
Colistin Susceptibility Testing by Colistin Broth Disk Elution MIC Method among Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Blood Culture Clinical Isolates in a Tertiary Care Setting, East Delhi, India
Authors: Nirmal Kirti , Singh Narendra Pal , Sarkar Krishna , Goyal Nisha , Gangar Seema , Dwivedi Aditya Nath
Published: September 2023

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially with the emergence of multidrug- resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we aimed to assess the pattern of colistin susceptibility using the colistin broth disc  elution (CBDE) method among carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates from blood cultures in a high burden tertiary  healthcare setting in East Delhi.

Methods: A total of 106 carbapenem-resistant gram-negative clinical isolates were tested. The most common isolates were Klebsiella  pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter species, and Klebsiella oxytoca by CBDE method.

Results: All the carbapenem resistant gram- negative bacterial blood culture isolates showed intermediate colistin susceptibility. This was statistically significant by chi-square test  (p<0.5).

Conclusion: This study highlights the need to monitor colistin resistance trends in the face of increasing antimicrobial  resistance. Accurate surveillance of emerging colistin resistance is crucial for effective management of BSIs caused by carbapenem- resistant gram-negative bacteria.
Combination of Digital and Conventional Intervention for Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevention among Female Sex Workers
Authors: Sari Cindy Meilinda , Nurkristina Tri , Widjanarko Bagoes , Margawati Ani
Published: September 2023

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infection (STI). Mobile health (mhealth) is  one intervention that is easily accessible to everyone online and offline, allowing two-way communication through the program. This  study aimed to determine the effectiveness of m-health on STI prevention behavior among FSW.

Methods: The study was conducted using quasi-experimental design. It included the treatment group and the control group, each of  which included fifty-four (54) FSWs selected by purposive sampling. The m-health intervention was conducted in the form of a short  comedy movie on YouTube, combined with offline assertive communication training to improve skills in negotiating the use of condoms  to the intervention group. Meanwhile, the control group received regular counseling from the local community health center. The Mann- Whitney test was used to compare the knowledge, attitudes, motivation, and behavior among the two study groups.

Results:  Intervention for six months in the treatment group increased FSWs knowledge score by 4.0 (p=0.00), attitude by 3.9 (p=0.00), and  motivation by 12 (p=0.00). The median knowledge, attitude, and motivation scores were 17.38 and 46, respectively. The model is effective  onSTI-prevention behavior through motivational mediator variables with a p-value of 0.00. The condom consistency has the highest outer  loading value in the STI-prevention behavior construct of 0.71 ≥ 0.4.

Conclusion: A combination of digital and conventional health promotion can improve STI prevention behavior by raising knowledge, attitudes, motivation, and condom consistency behavior.