bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE REACTIONS IN THE VISCOELESTIC BOUNDARY LAYER FLOW OF FLUID
Authors: Ahmmed S. F. , Sultana Taslima
Published: October 2022

The effect of the fluid elasticity on a viscoelastic fluid is considered. A similarity transformation is used which reduces the concentration equation to an ordinary differential equation. An exact solution is adopted for the velocity field and the concentration field is computed numerically. Results show that viscoelasticity tends to reduce the heat transfer from the wall. These effects diminish for high reaction and high schmidt number.
NEURAL NETWORK BASED REAL TIME PNEUMONIA DETECTION USING TRANSFER LEARNING AND IMAGE AUGMENTATION
Authors: Paul Anup Kumar , Mou Joya Khan , Turna Tasmia
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to identify the detection of pneumonia disease using chest x-ray images by applying deep learning methods. Deep learning methods have tracked down their applications in different areas, and they are in effect broadly utilized in clinical medicines and diagnostics. To analyze viral/bacterial infections such as pneumonia, the assessment of chest X-ray images is frequently used, and the productivity of diagnosis can be altogether improved with the utilization of Computer-Aided Diagnostic (CAD) frameworks. Deep learning method such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture is utilized in this paper for the characterization of chest X-ray images to analyze pneumonia. We have used the chest X-ray image dataset from Kaggle consisting of 4110 images. Image augmentations were performed on the dataset to oversample the dataset for the model to perform better. Then, at that point, we have built a custom CNN model and, also, we have utilized the transfer learning mechanism with CNN by using MobileNetV2 as the base model for the image classification problems. The average classification accuracy for our proposed CNN and MobileNetV2 based transfer learning method was 97%, and 97% for unbalanced and 97%, and 97%, for balanced datasets respectively. The satisfactory outcome of both models can significantly improve the accuracy and speed of pneumonia diagnosis. This would be very helpful in this pandemic situation in developing countries with limited resources and capabilities in the healthcare sector.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SURVEILLANCE ROBOT
Authors: Hasan Md Khaled , Salahuddin Gazi , Khan Sayef Ali , Ahsan Md. Shamim
Published: October 2022

Conventional surveillance which was done by human, is a dull job and prone to many mistakes. Additionally, manpower required for monitoring is expensive and is not suitable for weltering in remote places. Surveillance camera-based monitoring system is a temporary solution in this scenario. However, surveillance cameras are fixed to a certain position with limited coverage area. Furthermore, surveillance cameras defunct during and after natural disasters such as earthquakes,storms, etc., while there is a necessity for search and rescue of dwindling survivors. We propose a surveillance robot that overcomes the surveillance systems’ restricted coverage area problem with a light weight and low-cost robot structure, attached with a movable surveillance camera. Instead of recording video footage in passive, the system actively telecast visual information to a RaspberryPi system connected with Wi-Fi. A face detection system based on Viola-Jones algorithm is used to detect faces on real time basis. A user-friendly and easy to manage Graphical User Interface (GUI) is introduced using PyQt5. The experimental results show that the robot can detect singleto multiple faces either eyes open or closed on real time basis.
ANALYZING THE TECHNICAL CONSTRAINTS OF SINGLE PHASE RESIDENTIAL GRID-CONNECTED PV UNDER NET ENERGY METERING SCHEME
Authors: Saquib Fahad Raihan , Chakma Ankon , Shiblee M. S. A. A. F.
Published: October 2022

Integrating clean and sustainable energy sources into the conventional utility grid benefits both the environmental concerns and the economy. The net energy metering (NEM) scheme is convenient in this situation. After meeting the energy requirements of its associated loads, it integrates excess photovoltaic (PV) generation into the main grid, lowering the cost of massive battery storage and increasing the supply of clean energy to the grid. From the perspective of single-phase residential grid-connected PV systems, this can have beneficial repercussions in addition to the aforementioned cause. Integration of a single-phase distributive generation system, such as solar PV with the utility grid, introduces various concerns with power quality issues, including overvoltage, an increase in fault level and harmonics effect. This paper evaluates the effects of technical parameters on residential single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic integration with the IEEE 14 bus system. Matlab/Simulink is used to develop the system, which includes an IEEE 14 bus and a single-phase grid-connected PV module connected to the following bus with its associated residential loads. The effects of varied PV module sizing and load variation on the technical parameters are observed. The research findings are compared to the current models of residential three-phase grid-connected PV under the NEM scheme. The proposed sizing and mitigation of the system's impact by technical concerns are discussed.
IOT BASED SMART HOME AUTOMATION AND MONITORING SYSTEM
Authors: Saha Suman , Eidmum Md. Zunead Abedin , Hemal Md. Moniruzzaman , Khan Md. Abdul Halim , Muiz Bakhtiar
Published: October 2022

The concept of a smart home is becoming increasingly popular these days. It reduces the amount of physical labor required. In a traditional home, we cannot monitor the electrical appliances, environmental conditions, home security, and cannot control them remotely. Typical residential systems cannot automatically change a systems state in response to a specific scenario. However, this study proposes an IoT-based smart home automation system that works in different modules to automate the entire home. In one module, the system determines the human movement inside the room by using a IR sensor and detects the light level using an LDR sensor. The light level will be adjusted based on the output of the IR sensor. Also, the system operates the fans and heater based on the home temperature and humidity by using an AM2301 sensor. In another module, a flame sensor aids the detection of fire, MQ-135 sensor measures the air quality. In case of fire is detected in the home, the system will also alert the users instantly. To control everything remotely, a mobile application (Blynk App) is used. Converting to a smart home, it can provide security, energy efficiency, and the ability to manage every existing home appliance from a centralized location or remotely. As a result, the system focuses on generating the most excellent possible environmental conditions while requiring the least amount of human effort possible. Beyond everything, it helps in saving time in every manner conceivable.
Safaricom Limited’s Mobile Money Services and Access to Trade Credit by Microenterprises in Nairobi City County Kenya
Authors:   Kenyatta University, Ngigi Eva
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of mobile money services on access to trade credit by microenterprises in Kamukunji market, Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to assess whether digital payment-buy goods application (till number), saving and loan product (mshwari), mpesa for business application, pochi la biashara application have influence on access to trade credit by microenterprises in Kamukunji market. The study was guided by; Technology Acceptance theory, Unified Theory of Acceptance and use of technology, Diffusion innovation Theory and Technology, organization and Environment theory. The study employed a descriptive research approach and targeted 4,080 registered microenterprises in Kamukunji Market, Nairobi City County as per the City County Business Register of 2021. The sample size of the study was 351 microenterprises. A self-administered questionnaire was employed for the study's primary data. Data analysis was aided by SPSS using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results were displayed through tables and charts. The findings demonstrated that, savings and loan service, digital payment service, mpesa for business and pochi la biashara jointly explained 82 percent of the variation in access to trade credit among businesses in Kamukunji market. The study also established positive and significant relationship between all the independent variables and access to trade credit among businesses in Kamukunji market. The study concludes that Safaricom Ltd mobile money services have significant effect on access to trade credit by microenterprises in Kamukunji market, Nairobi City County Kenya. The study thus recommends that businesses in Kamukunji County and other microenterprises in other counties should strive to embrace Safaricom Ltd mobile money services such as savings and loan service, digital payment, mpesa for business, pochi la biashara since they enhance access to trade credit for the businesses. There is need to do further studies in area related to cost of accessing trade credit under the fintech firms and huge data available for assessing creditworthiness of borrowers. Keywords: Mobile Money Services, Savings and loan, Digital payment, Mpesa for business, Pochi la biashara.
Teachers’ experiences of teaching with technology in Tanzania: Recommendations for policy and practice
Authors: Hennessy Sara , Koomar Saalim , Kreimeia, Adam
Published: October 2022

An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Education System in East Timor Post-Independence (a Philosophical Study in the Perspective of Max Scheler’s Values’ Philosophy)
Authors: Da Costa Barreto Duarte
Published: October 2022

Since its independence, the Democratic Republic of East Timor through its Government has sought to pursue equity and education fairness across its territory. The education system with all its derivatives was laid out; educational facilities were built; educators were reorganized and placed. The Ministry of Education’s statistics show that development in the education sector until 2016 has been running maximally. However, there are still problems faced, namely: 1) the absence of definitive regulation on educators’ qualifications and passing standards of learners; 2) the curriculum does not give attention to essential values of education in the students; 3) the development of educational facilities is prioritized rather than the development and improvement of human resources. As a result, the nature of education and the values of education itself have not been realized and embedded properly. To solve this important issue, the Government and the entire Timorese community need to place the nature and values of education as the goal of education itself; develop and improve a long-term human resources development plan. Scheler’s ideas about human life values can serve as an inspirational basis for the search, discovery and creation of the human identity for East Timor.
Ensino de Português em Timor-Leste: Reflexão Conceptual
Authors: Nadais Gama Bárbara , Moreira Silva Sara
Published: October 2022

Este artigo pretende analisar a forma como o processo de ensino da Língua Portuguesa deve ser desenrolado em Timor-Leste, nomeadamente na Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e, a partir da reflexão do estatuto e do lugar que o português ocupa neste jovem país que apresenta uma grande diversidade linguística.
Las comunidades de aprendizaje. Un modelo plausible en iniciativas comunitarias en educación ambiental y gestión del riesgo. El caso de Salgar-Antioquia
Authors: Diaz Ramírez Julia Helena , Páez Martínez Holmes Julián , González Betancur Ana Milena
Published: October 2022

Este documento estudia la plausibilidad de las comunidades de aprendizaje como un mecanismo facilitador de procesos de educación ambiental y gestión del riesgo con enfoque de desarrollo humano integral. Se estudia el proceso que se ha adelantado a lo largo de once años en el municipio de Salgar (Antioquia) involucrando diversos actores. Empleando una metodología exploratoria cualitativa se analiza el proceso, revisando cuatro conceptos de comunidad de aprendizaje y cuatro momentos de aprendizaje en seis iniciativas. Se concluye que las comunidades de aprendizaje son un mecanismo plausible para el aprendizaje ambiental y de gestión del riesgo en el municipio.
Measures for food allergy emergency in nurseries
Authors: Kaneko Mitsunobu , Miyoshi Tomoko , Miyashita Yoshihiro , Hayashi Riku , Hashimoto Takuji
Published: October 2022

Background

As food allergy potentially can induce life-threatening anaphylaxis, measures for food allergy are required at nurseries caring for food allergy children, but a large-scale factual investigation has not been carried out.

Objective

We evaluated measures for food allergy emergency in nurseries.

Methods

A questionnaire survey regarding emergency measures in all authorized nurseries (411 facilities including 20,586 children) was conducted in Kawasaki city, Japan.

Results

The recovery rate of the questionnaire was 46.5%, which include 14,343 children of 191 facilities in total. A total of 637 children (4.4%) in 157 facilities (82.2%) requires elimination diets that were suggested by physicians. Among them, 22 children had been suggested to undergo the use of epinephrine auto-injection kit for emergency. 161 facilities (84.3%) had set a specific manual for emergency of food allergy. Emergency cases over the past one year were 4 cases and there was no case that had been suggested to use epinephrine auto-injection kit. All were anaphylaxis and the causes of these included 2 accidental digestion of culprit foods and the causes of other 2 cases were unknown. A case who required no elimination diet showed first episode of anaphylaxis. All cases were recovered.

Conclusion

High percentage of nurseries in Kawasaki city has cared for food allergy children. While many children with food allergy have been in nurseries, only several cases of anaphylaxis have been reported for a 1 year. Among 4 cases of anaphylaxis, no specific cause has been recognized in 2 cases and 1 case has been the first episode of anaphylaxis. While most of nurseries have set specific measures for emergency of food allergy, there is certain possibility that nursery staffs can encounter the first episode of anaphylaxis even if there is no food allergy child. For all nurseries, emergency measures for food allergy are vital.
A significant interval decline in bone mineral density in osteopenic patients is not part of the FRAX report
Authors: Intenzo Charles , Gulati Aishwarya , Bober Gabriela , Jabbour Serge , Miller Jeffrey , Ahmed Intekab , Furlong Kevin , Kim Sung , Wu Christine , Capuzzi David , Bilezikian John P.
Published: October 2022

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD), considered to be a gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, is most commonly measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For patients with osteopenia, the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) incorporates acknowledged other risk factors to assess overall fracture risk and aids in patient management. If the FRAX score in an osteopenic patient predicts a 10-year fracture risk of >20% for a major osteoporotic fracture or >3% for a hip fracture, pharmacologic therapy is indicated. However, FRAX does not include an assessment of a significant decline in BMD over time.
Տարբեր տեղակայման ուռուցքների կրկնակի ճառագայթում. մեկ կլինիկայի փորձը
Պրոսպեկտիվ հետազոտության նախնական արդյունքների ամփոփում
Authors: Քարամյան Ներսես , Առուստամյան Միքայել , Աբնուսի Սևանա , Տեր-Մինասյան Վահե
Published: October 2022

Նպատակը. Վերլուծելով հիվանդների ապրելիության ցուցանիշները, հնարավոր բարդությունները և կյանքի որակը՝ ուսումնասիրել կրկնակի ճառագայթային բուժման (ՃԲ) նշանակման նպատակահարմարությունը տարբեր պաթոլոգիաների ժամանակ։
Նյութեր և մեթոդներ. Կատարվել է 1 կլինիկայի փորձի վերլուծություն 1050 պացիենտների տվյալների հիման վրա, ովքեր 2019-2021 թթ. ստացել են ՃԲ «ԻՐԱ ՄԵդիքլ Գրուպ» բժշկական կենտրոնում։ Վերլուծության համար առանձնացվել է 42 պացիենտ, ովքեր ստացել են ՃԲ կրկնակի կուրս (ռեիռադիացիա), ինչը կազմում է ընդհանուր պացիենտների 4%-ը։ Հիվանդների տարիքի մեդիանան կազմել է 60,5 տ. (տիրույթ՝ 22-81), 17 տղամարդ և 25 կին: Ուռուցքներն ըստ տեղակայման բաշխվել են հետևյալ կերպ. կենտրոնական նյարդային համակարգի առաջնային քաղցկեղ (n = 12), գլխուղեղի երկրորդային մետաստատիկ ախտահարում (n = 8), գինեկոլոգիական (n = 6), գլուխ-պարանոց (n = 5), ոսկրային համակարգի մետաստատիկ ախտահարում (n = 3), կրծքագեղձի քաղցկեղ (n = 3), այլ տեղակայման (n = 5)։ Ըստ հիվանդության փուլի հիվանդները բաշխվել են հետևյալ կերպ. III՝ 6 պացիենտ, IV՝ 30, չդասակարգվող՝ 6: Երկու կուրսերի միջև եղած միջակայքի մեդիանան կազմել է 34,5 ամիս (տիրույթ՝ 1,5-252): Երկու կուրսերի գումարային համարժեք չափաբաժնի մեդիանան կազմել է՝ 99Գր (տիրույթ՝ 56-121)։ Այս ցանկից գլխուղեղի և ոսկրային համակարգի երկրորդային ախտահարմամբ հիվանդներին բացառելու դեպքում երկու կուրսերի գումարային համարժեք չափաբաժնի մեդիանան կկազմի 102Գր (տիրույթ՝ 84-121): Հիվանդների հսկողության մեդիանան կրկնակի ՃԲ կուրսից հետո կազմել է 9 ամիս (տիրույթ՝ 1-29,5):
Desenvolvendo o pensamento reflexivo dos alunos de administração: uma avaliação sobre o método de casos de ensino
Authors: Silva Sarah Renata Menezes e , Ferraz Serafim Firmo de Souza
Published: October 2022

O pensamento reflexivo possui quatro níveis (Ação Habitual, Compreensão, Reflexão e Reflexão Crítica) e é conceituado como a capacidade de atribuir um significado pessoal a um conhecimento prévio para, então, vislumbrar sua aplicação na prática. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar como a utilização de casos de ensino pode relacionar-se com os níveis de pensamento reflexivo em alunos do curso de Administração. Trata-se de um experimento longitudinal, de mensurações repetidas, com análise quantitativa e qualitativa. Para tanto, foi utilizado o Questionário de Reflexão (QR), de Kember et al. (2000) em um universo de 67 alunos, com amostragem de 38 indivíduos na coleta quantitativa e entrevista com 14 estudantes. Os resultados sugerem que os casos desestimularam a aprendizagem mecânica, contribuíram para a compreensão dos conceitos e teorias, foram importantes para que os estudantes entrassem em contato com as ambiguidades de opinião, auxiliaram a visualização da aplicação prática da teoria, favoreceram a análise de alternativas de ação e levaram os alunos a terem novas ideias, a mudarem de opinião e a ampliarem sua visão a respeito da gestão de pessoas. Conclui-se que os casos de ensino podem favorecer o desenvolvimento do pensamento reflexivo nos alunos de Administração, porém destaca-se a importância de adaptar os casos à realidade profissional dos alunos, pois a pouca ou falta de experiência profissional podem comprometer a capacidade de reflexão.
Health literacy level and related factors of students in a health vocational high school
Authors: Zopcuk Esra , Cavuslu Ismail , Erten Betul , Yalcinkaya Nurten , Pehlivan Erkan
Published: October 2022

Health literacy (HL), by definition, refers to a person's ability to obtain, interpret and comprehend fundamental health information and services in order to enhance their health. In our study, it was aimed to determine HL level of health vocational high school students. The population of this descriptive cross-sectional study consists of students attending a Health Vocational High School(n:337). In May-June 2019, questionnaire form and 'Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32' were applied to students who voluntarily agreed to participate in study. Kolmogorov Smirnov, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis tests were used in analysis of data. Sixty-eight percent of the pupils were female, while thirty-two percent were male. Study group had a THLQ score of 33.7±8.9, with 53.7 percent of male pupils and 39.5 percent of female pupils having insufficient/limited HL and the difference was significant (p<0.025). Insufficient/limited HL was found in 56.4 percent of 9th-10th grade students and 37.4 percent of 11th-12th grade students and the difference was significant again (p<0.0001). The HL levels did not differ from pupils' socio-demographic factors (p>0.05). In study group, rate of adequate/perfect HL was higher in women than in men. According to scores of participants from sub-matrix components of scale, level of health literacy is generally sufficient, but sub-dimensions of "Treatment-Service-Evaluation of Information", "Prevention from Diseases-Health Promotion-Evaluation of Information-Using Information", "Assessment of Information about Health" are limited. The insufficiency of medical education in schools is demonstrated by the low level of HL. To enhance awareness of health-related concerns in schools, frequent activities should be planned.
Experience and opinions of healthcare professionals on COVID-19 and inactive COVID-19 Vaccine (Coronavac, developed by sinovac of china)
Authors: Tetik Burcu , Tekin Cigdem , Delen Leman , Tekinemre Isilay , Bayindir Yasar
Published: October 2022

It is aimed to determine the opinions and experiences of healthcare professionals about COVID-19, inactive COVID-19 vaccine and the frequency of hesitation, vaccine rejection, and vaccination status, and to analyze the reasons for vaccine rejection and the contributing factors. The research is a cross-sectional study, and the universe of the study consists of all healthcare personnel (7200 people) working in hospitals. The independent variables of the questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, descriptive questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, and the COVID-19 Fear Scale. A value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found that 26.2% (184) of the healthcare workers participating in the study were diagnosed with COVID-19. 53.7% of the participants reported that they provided health care for COVID-19 patients. When the vaccine preferences of the participants were questioned, 42.2% stated that they would prefer the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine, 30.1% Turkish vaccine, 22.4% German BioNTechPfizer vaccine, 1.7% American Moderna vaccine, 3.1% English Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, and 0.6% the Russian Gamaleya vaccine. When the reasons for anti-vaccine attitude were questioned, 44.2% of the participants stated that they did not think the vaccine was safe. When we compared the COVID-19 Fear Scale scores according to the characteristics of the participants, we found that individuals in the 35-44 age group got higher COVID-19 Fear Scale scores than the other groups (p<0.05). When the median scores of the profession groups were compared, the median scores of nurses/midwives/paramedics were found to be higher than the other groups (p<0.05). Awareness in the population can be raised and confusion can be eliminated by healthcare professionals by speaking clearly and decisively, based on experience in previous epidemics.
Normal birth belief levels of pregnants and affecting factors
Authors: Unver Hacer , Ay Cigdem , n Zeliha
Published: October 2022

This study was carried out to determine the normal birth belief levels of pregnant women and the affecting factors. This descriptive study was conducted between November and December 2021 in a pregnant education class of a public university. The sample of the study consisted of 342 pregnant women. Data were obtained through the "Personal Information Form" and "The Belief Scale for Normal Delivery (BSND)". Pregnant women with a mean age of 28.18±4.77 were determined that 75.5% of them were high school and university graduates, 77.8% were not working, 71.1% perceived their economic status as moderate, and 80.7% had a nuclear family structure. In the study, the mean total score of BSND was 77.74±14.91, and it was determined that 12.6% of the pregnant women had low, 62.3% moderate, and 25.1% high-level normal birth beliefs. In this study, it was determined that the level of belief in normal birth during pregnancy was affected by family structure, spouse's employment status, planned pregnancy, choice of birth method, the person who is influential in deciding the mode of birth and receiving training on preparation for birth (p<0.05). It was determined that the belief of pregnant women in normal birth was at a moderate level and it was affected by some individual and obstetric characteristics. It can be suggested that health professionals should determine the factors that affect the normal birth belief levels of pregnant women and also include women in the decision-making process during pregnancy and childbirth.
Reliability of two common classifications for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease if using MRI: Pediatric orthopedists vs. radiologists
Authors: Erkus Serkan , Kalenderer Onder , Turgut Ali , Oncel Dilek
Published: October 2022

In patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP), the Catterall and Herring classifications based on standard hip radiographs are frequently used. In this study, the compatibility of classification systems in hip radiographs and MR images of LCP patients was examined among specialist working in the departments of Orthopedics and Radiology, and the reliability was investigated. In this study, which included 37 Perthes patients, two separate presentations were prepared in which the radiological imaging of the patients was determined by drawing lots. Six experienced specialists were selected as observers, three of whom were radiologist and three of pediatric orthopedists. Each presentations were sent to the observers one month apart. They were asked to categorize visual data. Data were evaluated with percent agreement (PA) and Gwet's AC1 method. In the Catterall classification, agreement among pediatric orthopedists decreased in MRI examination, while an increase was observed among radiologists. In the Herring classification, while pediatric orthopedists remained at a similar level, radiologists' inter-observer reliability increased. When the intra-observer reliability was examined, it was observed that the radiologists in the Catterall classification and the orthopedists in the Herring classification were more stable in the evaluations made with MRI. The usability of both classification systems, which provide prognostic prediction, in MRI examinations is a crucial unknown. It is fruitful that both radiologists and pediatric orthopedists work together in novel classification systems to be created using MRI.
Assessing the Legal Regime for the Taxation of E-commerce and Social Media Organizations in Nigeria
Authors: Nwabulu Charles , Olakanye Oluwatobi
Published: October 2022

E-commerce and social media have emerged because of the Internet’s development. Business transactions are concluded through it between persons from all over the world who may never meet in person throughout their lives. Flowing from modern trends, a significant number of transactions are completed online on digital platforms and social media. As Nigeria continues to grow and transform in the information and computer technology space, its laws are yet to match the pace of this transition fully. While Nigerians continue to benefit from this development, the profits from online commercial transactions have not been fully captured in Nigeria’s tax bracket.

There is no doubt that fully harnessing the taxation of e-commerce and social media companies would boost the revenue and contribute to the development of Nigeria. This article examines how e-commerce and social media were taxed before the enactment of the Finance Act 2020 and how the Act has brought e-commerce into the Nigerian tax net. This article will also attempt to highlight the experience from other jurisdictions in the taxation of social media and e-commerce, noting the lessons that Nigeria can gain from them. Finally, this article will recommend steps for achieving a fair implementation of the law on the subject.

Taxation, social media, e-commerce, Significant Economic Presence, Revenue, Double Tax Treaty, Digital Services, Non-Resident Companies, Technology, Globalization
Dubious Allocation of Liability in the ICC Model Joint Venture Contract
Authors: Jafari Shahab , Jahangard Elahe
Published: October 2022

Construction joint ventures are amongst the most common instances of open joint ventures. In 2018, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) published a model open joint ventures contract for construction projects to provide businesses with a balanced form of the agreement, enabling them to work together as joint operators. While the model contract provides a well-structured framework to regulate the relationship between the parties, the authors of this article are of the opinion that the basis for liability among joint venture members in the ICC Model Contract is dubious, if not wholly fallacious. Although much of what we say on the issue of liability of joint venture members in this article can equally be applied to all types of open joint venture agreements, or even close joint venture contracts, our main focus in this article is to scrutinize and criticize the proposed liability clause in the ICC Model Contract.
Beyond Burdensharing and European Strategic Autonomy: Rebuilding Transatlantic Security After the Ukraine War
Authors: Engelbrekt Kjell
Published: October 2022

The war in Ukraine unleashed in early 2022 may temporarily obscure the long-term trend that the United States is shrinking its military footprint in and around Europe, as the defence posture of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Central Europe suddenly was bolstered by tens of thousands of additionalUS troops. For as long as the war drags on, certainly, these reinforcements will stay in place. But if, and when, the war ends or shifts to attrition warfare stretching out for years, as was the case after the 2014 annexation of the Crimea, one can easily envisage changes in how European governments manage security and defence issues among themselves and in relation to their North American counterparts.While the debate on transatlantic security so far has played out in two distinct modes, either focusing on the economic side of burdensharing or projecting a vision of European strategic autonomy, there is a need for a more sober understanding of the future division of labour, one that would be grounded in the right blend of economics and deterrence. The main suggestion of this article is that stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean ‘split the difference’ and strike a new grand bargain on the basis of their respective strengths.Once key issues of financial equity and military deterrence have been adequately addressed, European governments will still have their work cut out for themselves. They must elaborate solutions to specific challenges at the sub-strategic theatre level and at the same time navigate the complexities of optimizing defence reforms, aligning regional force designs and rendering foreign policy compatible with the strategic priorities of the European Union (EU) and Europe at large.

Transatlantic relations, foreign and security policy, burdensharing, strategic autonomy, financial equity, deterrence, nuclear weapons
Lessons from EU Space Programmes for Collective Defence
Authors: Topcuoglu Ediz , Bora Salih
Published: October 2022

The European Defence Fund (EDF) has been interpreted by a number of scholars as a step beyond intergovernmental cooperation and towards the introduction of supranationalism in defence policy. We suggest that past developments in space policy can be a guide for developments in the defence area given the functional dependencies between the two fields and their institutional similarities. Based on this, we believe that the Commission will be unable to convert its new authority over the EDF into actual influence over use of force. On the contrary, the EDF may signal that European defence industrial policy is increasingly motivated by civilian and predominantly commercial considerations, dissociated from the operational objectives of national defence policies. Like the EDF, the European Union’s (EU’s) space programmes involve the supranational financing of militarily relevant capabilities. We argue that Member States have accepted supranationalism in space policy insofar as the Commission was able to civilianize matters of industrial governance and keep them separate from the conduct of military operations. We show that the EU implemented civilian programmes in areas that were otherwise driven by national militaries. In instances where civilianization was impossible, Member States’ security interests are preserved through intergovernmental modes of decision-making, even within purportedly ‘community’-driven processes. Member States have also retained significant control over future developments by exploiting a web of overlapping institutions and hazy task allocation.

spillover, neofunctionalism, space policy, European Defence Fund, defence industry, industrial policy
Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic trachelectomy following supracervical hysterectomy: a multicenter study
Authors: Dawood Ayman Shehata , Harras Heba Fouad , Moussa Hossam Ramadan , Soliman Ahmed Saber
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy.MethodsThis multicenter study was conducted at Tanta University, Benha University, and Aminah Laparoscopy Center (Benha, Egypt) from June 1, 2018 to October 31, 2021. Forty patients were recruited for this study and counseled on laparoscopic trachelectomy to treat their symptoms after supracervical hysterectomy. Furthermore, cervical biopsy was performed to detect and exclude any malignancy. Histopathological examination of cervical specimens was performed after surgery. Operative details and outcomes were recorded.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 42 years (range, 38-47). The median body mass index was 25 years (range, 22- 28). The median interval between hysterectomy and the clinical presentation was 4.40 years (range, 3.58-5.25). Most patients presented with abnormal vaginal discharge (40%) and bleeding (25%). Moreover, a cervical biopsy result revealed stump carcinoma in three cases (7.5%) that were excluded. The median operative time was 210 minutes (range, 170-220). The median blood loss was 270 mL (range, 220-320). Additionally, histopathological examinations revealed that chronic non-specific cervicitis was present in 54.05% of trachelectomy specimens. There were no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients regarding operative outcomes, except adhesions, which were more significantly increased in symptomatic patients (P=0.015). Minimal complications, both operative and postoperative, were related to the procedure.ConclusionAlthough the operative time was long and adhesions were common during laparoscopic trachelectomy, the procedure was feasible and safe, with minimal complications.
CIVIL-MILITARY CONCORDANCE IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Janjua Raashid Wali
Published: October 2022

Civil-military concordance is based on the harmony of interests and values between three important stakeholders, i.e., the political elite, armed forces, and citizens. When these stakeholders develop a harmonious appreciation of their roles and contributions to the nation with a shared understanding of the constitution, a healthy symbiosis of interests and values is engendered, imparting states' desired stability. There are examples of developing countries like Ghana, where weak democratic institutions resulted in frequent military interventions. However, the phenomenon declined after armed forces and civilians fostered a concordance based upon mutual respect, wherein armed forces participated in the defence of the state and nation-building tasks. This paper, therefore, deals with the employment of armed forces on military and non-military tasks, facilitating much-needed concordance in civil-military relations for democratic consolidation and improvement of armed forces’ performance on nation-building and crisis management. It discusses various civil-military concordance models and analyses the best-suited option for Pakistan. Rebecca Schiff’s Concordance Theory, a departure from western models of Huntington, Lasswell, and Finer, contains some elements of Morris Janowitz’s civil-military convergence theory and can be applied to Pakistan’s case. It also highlights the application of four indicators of concordance, i.e., recruitment method, the social composition of officers’ corps, military style, and political decision-making processes, to Pakistan, yielding important conclusions regarding improved civil-military relations.
Role of Sufism and Spirituality in Psychological Well Being: A Study of Elif Shafak's 'The Forty Rules of Love' From a Cognitive and Existential Perspective
Authors: Mehdi Muntazar , Mehmood Asma , Ali Arshad
Published: October 2022

Every individual faces existential crises at some point in life, especially when he or she is going through hard times. The human mind, human body, human health, and disease can be seen as directly or indirectly linked to spirituality. Past research has shown that spirituality is one of the most important determinants of physical and mental health. Spirituality has proved to be quite effective in the field of neuroscience. However, little work has been done on how it plays a role in the development of a healthy mind. Sufism is considered to be a prominent spiritual phenomenon in Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity. It is believed that Sufism plays a positive role in bringing harmony to people and their existence.ElifShafak is one of those writers who are deeply moved by the Sufi phenomenon and how it plays its part in the positive transformation of the individual. This research analyses Sufism and spirituality and tries to explain how Sufism and Spirituality can help with existential crises and the healing of mental health problems, as illustrated in ElifShafak's novel The Forty Rules of Love. This study employs a qualitative method of analysis and helps to understand the religious experiences and the love that affects the actions of the individual and how this brings about a positive change in one's life by providing a new perspective.
Anglicization of Urdu Proper Names: A Corpus-Based Study
Authors: Iqbal Yasar , Ahmed Adeel , Gohar Muhammad Riaz , Ashraf Sharjeel
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to explore the impact of English on Pakistani names making them Anglicized. The local names are abbreviated in order to look modern or to show prestige on the part of the users. This phenomenon presents a discrete variety of Pakistani English (PE). The researcher conducted a corpus-based analysis (The Newspaper Analysis of 'The News', September 2017) to show the frequency of the Anglicized names. For the data analysis, the AntConc 3.2.1 was used to handle the corpus. The data were presented in the form of tables to show their frequency and percentage. The study proved that such Anglicized names in the abbreviated forms had their role in creating a new variety of Pakistani English. The results were generalized with reference to the understandability and habitual usage of such abbreviations.
Demographic and microbiological characteristics of tuberculous lymphadenitis and other extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases
Authors: ALTUNAL Lutfiye Nilsun , ERTURK SENGEL Buket , OZEL Ayse Serra , AYDIN Mehtap , KADANALI Ayten
Published: October 2022

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health problem that remains important worldwide. This study aimed to examine
the demographic characteristics and clinical features of patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) and also identify the
comorbidities of EPTB. Our secondary aim was to compare tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL) with other forms of EPTB.
Patients and Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients diagnosed with EPTB in a
training hospital in Turkey between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020. The demographic characteristics and clinical features of
the patients were examined. TBL cases were compared with other forms of EPTB cases.
Results: The most common clinical form was TBL. Fever, night sweats, and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate were
significantly more common in the other forms of the EPTB group compared to TBL. The rate of tuberculin skin test positivity was
significantly higher in patients with TBL. The complication rate was 3%, and mortality rate was 4% among all patients.
Conclusions: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis by evaluating the medical history of
patients who present with organ-specific symptoms, especially in TB endemic countries. The clinic may differ according to the organ
involvement. TBL may be seen with milder symptoms compared to other clinical forms.
Efficacy of tocilizumab therapy in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients and determination of the prognostic factors affecting 30 days mortality
Authors: DELEN Leman , KASAPOGLU Umut Sabri , GOK Abdullah , CAGASAR Ozlem , TETIK Bora , OKSUZ Ersoy
Published: October 2022

Objective: In coronavirus disease – 19 (COVID-19) patients, cytokine storm develops due to the increase of pro-inflammatory
cytokines. Tocilizumab (TCZ), has been used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and successful results have been obtained. The
aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of TCZ and also investigate the prognostic factors affecting the success of treatment
and mortality in COVID-19 patients treated with TCZ.
Patients and Methods: Between March 2020 and August 2021, a total of 326 confirmed severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients, treated
in the intensive care unit, were included in the study.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.02±11.58 years, and 203 (62.3%) of the patients were male. Patients treated with TCZ
therapy had a longer survival time compared with the standard therapy (p=0.012). It was found that type of respiratory support
(HR:2.19, CI:1.10-4.36, p=0.025) and hyperlactatemia on the day of TCZ therapy admission (HR:2.93 CI:1.53-5.64, p=0.001) were the
significant and independent prognostic factors of survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients treated with TCZ.
Conclusion: Tocilizumab therapy improved 30-days survival in critically ill COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Also, among the patients
treated with TCZ, types of respiratory support and hyperlactatemia on the day of TCZ admission were the independent prognostic
factors.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in pediatric patients with leukemia-lymphoma: Does it have an impact on malignancy?
Authors: GULCAN KERSIN Sinem , TOKUC Ayse Gulnur , ARMAN Ahmet , YILMAZ Baris
Published: October 2022

Objective: Genetic variations have been identified in specific regions of the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and many studies were
investigating whether these variations are associated with malignancy. Studies in the VDR on children are scarce. In this study, we
aimed to investigate the VDR gene polymorphisms in pediatric patients with the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma.
Patients and Methods: Of the 99 participants included in this cross-sectional study, 59 were control, 40 were patients. Fok-I, Bsm-I
and Taq-I polymorphism of the VDR gene were investigated in both groups.
Results: While no significant difference was found in the genotype distribution of the three polymorphisms between the patient and
control groups, significant results were obtained in Bsm-I and Taq-I allele frequencies (Odds ratio=0.489; CI95%=0.275-0.871 and
0.519; CI95%=0.280-0.964) (p<0.05).
Conclusions: In this study, we found that the frequency of allele “A” for Bsm-I and allele “C” for Taq-I was lower in the patient group.
Contrary to most publications in the literature, polymorphisms were not found to be risk factors in our study.
Radial arterial thrombosis in COVID-19: A case report
Authors: SENTURK DURMUS Nurdan , CICEK Furkan Cuma , EYUPLER Cagla , OMUR Can , YETGINOGLU Ozge , AK Koray , KOCAKAYA Derya
Published: October 2022

Thrombosis due to hypercoagulable state is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
. Increased D-dimer levels are an important marker of the presence and risk of thrombosis. In this report, we present that a 59-yearold
male patient developed thrombosis in the distal radial arteries despite normal D-dimer level. The patient was treated with
enoxaparin, iloprost infusion, and cilostazol. This
Comparison of the Antibacterial Effect of Different Biological Silver Nanoparticles Synthetized and Integrated with Honeys
Authors: Clebis Victor Hugo , Scandorieiro Sara , Spinosa Wilma Aparecida , Da Costa Viviane Lopes Leite , Lourenço Isabella Martins , Seabra Amedea Barozzi , Kobayashi Renata Katsuko Takayama , Nakazato Gerson
Published: October 2022

This study compares the morphologies, zeta potentials, and antibacterial effects a total 12 different microcompounds containing honey and silver nanoparticles, in a novel study of the difference between honey samples in nanoparticle synthesis, as well as the antibacterial interaction that those honey samples can have with the silver nanoparticles synthetized using them. Microcompounds were synthetized by combining silver nitrate solution with a honey sample and performing one of methods of biogenic synthesis: sunlight exposure, basification to pH 5 or basification to pH 10. Samples of each microcompound were also submitted to heat treatment, obtaining thus heated variants. Morphology and size data were obtained by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); while zeta potential was measured by Electrophoretic Light Scattering. Broth microdilution, time-kill curves and SEM were used to access the antibacterial effect. Mean diameter of particles inside all microcompounds varied between 100 nm and 150 nm; and the zeta potential varied depending on the honey used. Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of microcompounds were between 15 μM and 500 μM. Time-kill curves showed that microcompounds had a faster and stronger effect against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus. Microcompounds obtained by basification to pH 5 or by sunlight were bactericidal, as they were capable of inhibiting bacterial growth (resulting in an antibacterial efficiency of 100% in 24 hours) at 125 μM against S. aureus and 62.5 μM against E. coli. SEM micrographs showed bacterial cells with lower cell density, blebs and other alteration after microcompound treatment.