bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abdominal cocoon syndrome diagnosed thanks to umbilical endometriosis
Authors: Santos Rancaño R , Matias Escarvajal L , Alonso Guillén R , Delgado Morales M
Published: November 2021

Introducción. La peritonitis encapsulante esclerosante idiopática o síndrome de Cocoon abdominal es una entidad rara, caracterizada por la envoltura parcial o total del intestino delgado por una membrana fibrosa, presentando una etiología desconocida.

Caso clínico. Mujer sin antecedentes médicos ni quirúrgicos previos, acude a urgencias por dolor abdominal, distensión, estreñimiento, náuseas y vómitos. En la exploración se evidencia un abdomen distendido, doloroso y se palpa una tumoración umbilical irreductible de más de 10 cm. Con el diagnóstico de hernia umbilical incarcerada se realiza un tratamiento quirúrgico urgente. Intraoperatoriamente, se observó una membrana fibrosa que había cubierto completamente el intestino delgado y las asas estaban adheridas entre sí en forma de acordeón. Se realizó una adhesiolisis y escisión de la membrana.

Discusión. El síndrome de Cocoon abdominal es una causa poco común de obstrucción del intestino delgado, que generalmente se diagnostica incidentalmente durante la cirugía por otro motivo. El cuadro clínico (obstrucción intestinal en una paciente de sexo femenino, relativamente joven, con antecedentes de dolor abdominal crónico y episodios previos similares y sin una causa evidente) y el CT (donde pueden observarse asas intestinales adheridas y concentradas en el centro o una parte del abdomen) son importantes en el diagnóstico preoperatorio y para evitar las terribles complicaciones de esta entidad. El tratamiento quirúrgico es el gold standard.

Conclusiones. Es importante tener una alta sospecha clínica preoperatoria de esta enfermedad, así como conocer las claves clínicas y radiológicas, para poder realizar un diagnóstico temprano y un tratamiento adecuado de esta situación excepcional.
Diverticular Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome What do we know so far?
Authors: Díaz López C , Calleja Lozano R
Published: November 2021

En esta monografía exponemos lo conocido hasta ahora sobre la relación entre síndrome del intestino irritable (SII) y enfermedad diverticular (ED). Ambas son entidades con una elevada prevalencia y alto impacto tanto económico como en la calidad de vida del paciente. La fisiopatología de ambas, sobre todo en el SII, y su relación entre ellas aún no está clara. El cuadro clínico del SII y de algunas formas de la ED podría solaparse por el amplio espectro de sus síntomas. Varios estudios apuntan a que el SII podría predisponer a presentar enfermedad diverticular, aunque la evidencia sobre esto es limitada. El tratamiento de ambas patologías comprende desde la dieta y estilo de vida hasta psicofármacos pasando por los antibióticos y antiinflamatorios.
Regional development corporation in Russia - the problem of functioning
Authors: Kuzin Vadim
Published: November 2021

The transition to a market economy for the Russian regions has complicated the old problems of regional development and created new ones. As a result, there was an imbalance in regional development. Some regions received additional incentives for their development, while many regions experienced stagnation. Regional policy measures are required to correct this imbalance. This becomes possible with the use of special mechanisms for regional development. These include Development Corporations. Such corporations were created in the 1960s and 70s and operate in the United States, Colombia, Brazil, Belgium, and other countries. Development corporations have now been established in many Russian regions. According to the organizational and legal structure, most of them are joint — stock companies. Their founders and main shareholders are almost always the regional governments. The main goal of these corporations is to develop the regions by attracting investments for the implementation of various projects. The main task of the functioning of development corporations is the implementation of the mechanism of public-private partnership. However, the effectiveness of this mechanism of regional development for the vast majority of regions is low due to a number of three groups of factors — institutional, exogenous, and endogenous. The result of their combined action is the low efficiency of regional development corporations. The analysis of the reasons for low efficiency allows us to use the potential of development corporations, taking into account the world experience and Russian specifics. This question is currently insufficiently sanctified and this article is intended to eliminate this as far as possible.
Mental image of planting of greenery and improvement of microdistricts of the city of Brest by its citizens
Authors: Tokarchuk Svetlana
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the issues of studying the mental perception planting of greenery and improvement of the city by creating mental maps. The development and creation of mental maps allows you to see the opinion of urban residents about the state and main problem situations of various components of the urban environment.
The study of the mental perception of planting of greenery and improvement of the city was carried out on the example of Brest at the level of its microdistrict. There are 17 microdistricts in the city, which are quite different from each other in terms of area, configuration and population. The study was carried out on the basis of a questionnaire survey of the population of its individual microdistrict.
The majority of the city's residents consider Brest a fairly green city. The greenest microdistrict are named by the majority of respondents as Center and East. The majority of respondents believe that their microdistrictis greened more than others, or it is green well, but the plantings are not well-groomed. Inhabitants of the majority of microdistricts believe that the planting of greenery of the territories of their districts does not change. According to residents, the main problematic situations associated with the greening of the city's microdistricts are the presence of old trees, a significant number of trees that are poorly suited for the urban environment. Most often, the residents of Brest are not satisfied with such types of landscaping as green areas, lawns and flower beds.
The practical significance of the study is that its results can be claimed at the local administrative level to justify projects of measures aimed at preserving and preventing the degradation of natural and natural-anthropogenic urban geosystems, as well as ensuring sustainable development of the urban environment of Brest.
Large spaces and polarized landscapes in the life of a traveler and scientist (to the 90th anniversary of the birth of B. B. Rodoman)
Authors: Beydik Alexander
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the 90th birth anniversary of Boris Borisovich Rodoman — an outstanding Soviet and Russian geographer, the founder of theoretical geography, the creator of the original method of geographical cartoids, the author of the “polarized biosphere” concept, who made a significant contribution to the formation and development of the geography of recreation and tourism.
Deception and Reception in the Commemorative Landscape of Newcastle, Australia, 1970 to 2020
Authors: Orr Nikolas
Published: November 2021

Contemporary reception of colonial monuments in Australia is informed by global debate on race, memory and representation in public space, typified in the decolonial and anti-racist movements Rhodes Must Fall and Black Lives Matter. While art historians and anti-colonial iconoclasts alike easily conceive of statues as objects for critique, non-figurative sculpture is no less effective when deployed as an ideological tool. Given the typically progressive politics of twentieth-century abstractionists, this study asks how comfortable these artists are with the nation-building function often ascribed to their work by political elites. Through a thematic survey of the commemorative landscape of Newcastle, NSW, this article describes a city punctuated by patriotic references to war, colonialism, and Indigenous absence, exemplified in modernist sculptor Margel Hinder’s (1906–1995) *Civic Park Fountain* (1966). Recounting its relaunch in 1970 as a memorial to Captain James Cook and its vandalism in 2020, the article examines changes in public reception of the fountain, from hostility towards abstract art and government spending to outrage at colonial symbols. Archival reconstruction of Hinder’s responses to local government demonstrates her silence on the fountain’s assimilation to colonial celebration. When contrasted with Hinder’s activities as a lobbyist and camouflage designer, this finding reveals a complex political biography. Without ignoring Hinder’s concern for Aboriginal rights, her attitude towards the instrumentalisation of her work is at best ambivalent. Beyond challenging the apolitical readings of Hinder’s work in existing scholarship, this study provides a key example of the ideological malleability of abstract public art. By producing “empty” signifiers to then “fill” with meaning, abstract sculptors and administrators together help to shape the semiotic and racial topography of urban space.
Distant Relatives: The Chemical Homogeneity of Comoving Pairs Identified in Gaia
Authors: Nelson Tyler , Ting Yuan-Sen , Hawkins Keith , Ji Alexander , Kamdar Harshil , El-Badry Kareem
Published: November 2021

Comoving pairs, even at the separations of


(

10

6

)

au, are a predicted reservoir of conatal stars. We present detailed chemical abundances of 62 stars in 31 comoving pairs with separations of 102–107 au and 3D velocity differences <2 km s−1. This sample includes both bound comoving pairs/wide binaries and unbound comoving pairs. Observations were taken using the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) spectrograph on board the Magellan/Clay Telescope at high resolution (R ∼ 45,000) with a typical signal-to-noise ratio of 150 pixel−1. With these spectra, we measure surface abundances for 24 elements, including Li, C, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Nd, and Eu. Taking iron as the representative element, our sample of wide binaries is chemically homogeneous at the level of 0.05 dex, which agrees with prior studies on wide binaries. Importantly, even systems at separations 2 × 105–107 au are homogeneous to 0.09 dex, as opposed to the random pairs, which have a dispersion of 0.23 dex. Assuming a mixture model of the wide binaries and random pairs, we find that 73 ± 22% of the comoving pairs at separations 2 × 105–107 au are conatal. Our results imply that a much larger parameter space of phase space may be used to find conatal stars, to study M-dwarfs, star cluster evolution, exoplanets, chemical tagging, and beyond.
Impact of NICER’s Radius Measurement of PSR J0740+6620 on Nuclear Symmetry Energy at Suprasaturation Densities
Authors: Zhang Nai-Bo , Li Bao-An
Published: November 2021

By directly inverting several neutron star (NS) observables in the three-dimensional parameter space for the equation of state of super-dense neutron-rich nuclear matter, we show that the lower radius limit for PSR J0740+6620 of mass 2.08 ± 0.07 M
⊙ from Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER)'s very recent observation sets a much tighter lower boundary than previously known for nuclear symmetry energy in the density range of (1.0 ∼ 3.0) times the saturation density ρ
0 of nuclear matter. The super-soft symmetry energy leading to the formation of proton polarons in this density region of NSs is clearly disfavored by the first radius measurement for the most massive NS observed reliably so far.
The Near-stellar Environment of Class 0 Protostars: A First Look with Near-infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Laos Emily , Greene Thomas P. , Najita Joan R. , Stassun Keivan G.
Published: November 2021

We present near-infrared K-band spectra for a sample of seven Class 0 protostars in the Perseus and Orion star-forming regions. We detect Brγ, CO overtone, and H2 emission, features that probe the near-circumstellar environment of the protostar and reveal evidence of magnetospheric accretion, a hot inner disk atmosphere, and outflows, respectively. Comparing the properties of these features with those of Class I sources from the literature, we find that their Brγ emission and CO emission are generally consistent in strength and velocity width. The Brγ line profiles are broad and centrally peaked, with FWHMs of ∼200 km s−1 and wings extending to ∼300 km s−1. The line ratios of our H2 emission features, which are spatially extended for some sources, are consistent with shock excitation and indicate the presence of strong jets or a disk wind. Within our small sample, the frequency of CO band emission (∼67%) is high relative to that of Class I samples (∼15%), indicating that Class 0 sources have high inner disk accretion rates, similar to those of the most actively accreting Class I sources. Collectively, our results suggest that Class 0 sources have similar accretion mechanisms to the more evolved classes, with strong organized stellar magnetic fields established at the earliest observable stage of evolution.
Solar Modulation of Galactic Cosmic-Ray Protons Based on a Modified Force-field Approach
Authors: Shen Zhenning , Yang Hao , Zuo Pingbing , Qin Gang , Wei Fengsi , Xu Xiaojun , Xie Yanqiong
Published: November 2021

In this work, a modified force-field approach is established to investigate the long-term solar modulation of galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) protons. In this approach, the solar modulation potential ϕ is assumed to be energy dependent. As ϕ also depends on the local interstellar spectrum (LIS), a new proton LIS model is first presented based on data from Voyager 1 and 2, PAMELA, and AMS-02. Then, a double power-law expression is proposed to model ϕ as a function of proton energy. By fitting to the selected GCR measurements, the solar cycle variation characteristics of parameters in the expression of ϕ are obtained, and these parameters are reconstructed using the sunspot number, the heliospheric current sheet tilt angle, and the polarity of heliospheric magnetic field. Finally, a new analytical predictive model for GCR protons is established. It is shown that the 11 and 22 yr cyclic variations of GCRs are reproduced, and the computed proton intensities are in good agreement with GCR measurements at various energies since 1954.
The C-eigenvalue of third order tensors and its application in crystals
Authors: Chen Yannan , Jákli Antal , Qi Liqun
Published: November 2021

In crystallography, piezoelectric tensors of various crystals play a crucial role in piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectric effect. Generally, a third order real tensor is called a piezoelectric-type tensor if it is partially symmetric with respect to its last two indices. The piezoelectric tensor is a piezoelectric-type tensor of dimension three. We introduce C-eigenvalues and C-eigenvectors for piezoelectric-type tensors. Here, "C'' names after Curie brothers, who first discovered the piezoelectric effect. We show that C-eigenvalues always exist, they are invariant under orthogonal transformations, and for a piezoelectric-type tensor, the largest C-eigenvalue and its C-eigenvectors form the best rank-one piezoelectric-type approximation of that tensor. This means that for the piezoelectric tensor, its largest C-eigenvalue determines the highest piezoelectric coupling constant. We further show that for the piezoelectric tensor, the largest C-eigenvalue corresponds to the electric displacement vector with the largest 2-norm in the piezoelectric effect under unit uniaxial stress, and the strain tensor with the largest 2-norm in the converse piezoelectric effect under unit electric field vector. Thus, C-eigenvalues and C-eigenvectors have concrete physical meanings in piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectric effect. Finally, by numerical experiments, we report C-eigenvalues and associated C-eigenvectors for piezoelectric tensors corresponding to several piezoelectric crystals.
A characterization of ruled hypersurfaces in complex space forms in terms of the Lie derivative of shape operator
Authors: Wang Wenjie ,   School of Mathematics, Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
Published: November 2021

In this paper, it is proved that if a non-Hopf real hypersurface in a nonflat complex space form of complex dimension two satisfies Ki and Suh's condition (J. Korean Math. Soc., 32 (1995), 161–170), then it is locally congruent to a ruled hypersurface or a strongly $ 2 $-Hopf hypersurface. This extends Ki and Suh's theorem to real hypersurfaces of dimension greater than or equal to three.
Varieties of a class of elementary subalgebras
Authors: Pan Yang ,   College of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, Hefei University, Hefei 230601, China, Hong Yanyong ,   School of Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
Published: November 2021

Let $ G $ be a connected standard simple algebraic group of type $ C $ or $ D $ over an algebraically closed field $ \Bbbk $ of positive characteristic $ p > 0 $, and $ \mathfrak{g}: = \mathrm{Lie}(G) $ be the Lie algebra of $ G $. Motivated by the variety of $ \mathbb{E}(r, \mathfrak{g}) $ of $ r $-dimensional elementary subalgebras of a restricted Lie algebra $ \mathfrak{g} $, in this paper we characterize the irreducible components of $ \mathbb{E}(\mathrm{rk}_{p}(\mathfrak{g})-1, \mathfrak{g}) $ where the $ p $-rank $ \mathrm{rk}_{p}(\mathfrak{g}) $ is defined to be the maximal dimension of an elementary subalgebra of $ \mathfrak{g} $.
Comparison of Q223R leptin receptor polymorphism to the leptin gene expression in Greek young volunteers
Authors: Halvatsiotis Panagiotis ,   2nd Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “ATTIKON” University Hospital, Chaidari, Greece, Siatelis Argyris , Koulouvaris Panagiotis , Batrinou Anthimia , Vougiouklaki Despina , Routsi Eleni , Papapanou Michail , Trapali Maria , Houhoula Dimitra ,   3rd Department of Urologist Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “ATTIKON” University Hospital, Chaidari, Greece,   1st Department of Orthopaedics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “ATTIKON” University Hospital, Chaidari, Greece,   Department of Food Science and Technology, University of West Attica, Agiou Spyridonos 28, Egaleo, Attiki, Greece,   School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,   Department of Biomedical Medicine, University of West Attica, Agiou Spyridonos 28, Egaleo, Attiki, Greece
Published: November 2021

Objective

The objective of the present study was to identify the leptin gene expression and the leptin receptor polymorphisms in blood samples and to correlate gene expression values with anthropometric characteristics.

Methods

Blood from 140 Greek young volunteers was subjected to polymerase chain reaction–restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP), for the genomic region of Q223R polymorphism at codon 223 in the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) coding region. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and Quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed for assessing the expression of the leptin gene (LEP).

Results

Leptin gene was identified in all tested specimens and the gene was expressed in 88.9% of all volunteers with BMI < 25. In addition, it was observed that gene expression is affected by various external factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), eating behavior, gender and age. It was also shown that as for the Q223R polymorphism (A to G) allele G occurs with a frequency of 100% in men with BMI > 30 and 75.9% in men and 88.9% in women with BMI 25–30. Volunteers with BMI 25–30 who were homozygous on the G allele were 50% and 77.8% in men and women respectively. All subjects with a BMI > 30 were homozygous on the G allele at 100%.

Conclusions

In this small-scale study, results have shown that the leptin gene expression correlates with BMI and that the allele G in Q223R polymorphism is linked to overweight individuals.
Why One Should Learn Ethical Hacking
Authors: Dhavale Sunita Vikrant
Published: November 2021

This chapter presents the importance of learning hacking techniques by each and every person dealing with cyber operations. The chapter explains various basic terminologies used in the ethical hacking domain and also provides step-by-step instructions for setting up an ethical hacking lab. The chapter also reveals the legal issues with the ethical hacking domain by providing details of existing cyber laws, acts, and regulations framed by various countries in order to deal with the harmful hacking activities and cybercrimes.
Developing Cyber Security Competences Through Simulation-Based Learning
Authors: Vassileva Bistra Konstantinova
Published: November 2021

The importance of cyber security competences is growing both in practice and in academia during the last few years. This chapter provides a current overview of the existing body of the literature in the field of simulation-based learning and the key cyber security issues. The author's primary goal is to develop a methodological business-oriented and evidence-based learning framework which will provide students or trainees with the opportunity to develop practical skills in the field of cyber security issues through a virtual business simulator. The overall intention is to provide a coherent framework that makes use of active-based learning and gamification to support the active participation of students or trainees. To meet these goals, the Reference Framework for Applied Competences (REFRAC) is applied. Taking into account that in 2040 ICT and internet will be ‘culturally invisible', cyber security competences will be a must for everyone. They will be critical both for personal and companies' survival in the turbulent and highly competitive digital environment.
The Cybersecurity Awareness Training Model (CATRAM)
Authors: Sabillon Regner
Published: November 2021

This chapter presents the outcome of one empirical research study that assess the implementation and validation of the cybersecurity awareness training model (CATRAM), designed as a multiple-case study in a Canadian higher education institution. Information security awareness programs have become unsuccessful to change people's attitudes in recognizing, stopping, or reporting cyberthreats within their corporate environment. Therefore, human errors and actions continue to demonstrate that we as humans are the weakest links in cybersecurity. The chapter studies the most recent cybersecurity awareness programs and its attributes. Furthermore, the author compiled recent awareness methodologies, frameworks, and approaches. The cybersecurity awareness training model (CATRAM) has been created to deliver training to different corporate audiences, each of these organizational units with peculiar content and detached objectives. They concluded their study by addressing the necessity of future research to target new approaches to keep cybersecurity awareness focused on the everchanging cyberthreat landscape.
Evaluating the Future Possibilities of India-ASEAN Economic Relations
Authors: Benedict Ezeifekwuaba Tochukwu
Published: November 2021

Foreign trade relations are due to the measures of foreign policy adopted and applied by a nation. The Indian foreign policy was majorly West focused and has been substituted with a more nuanced and inclusive policy that promotes the enhancement of security, diplomatic, and trade ties with the Eastern nations. The “Look East” Policy was executed in 1991 and it was substituted as “Act East” in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who provided a modern push to the Indian regional diplomacy by concentration on Southeast Asian neighbours. This policy is known as a multi-faceted technique to create strategic connections with numerous individual nations as well as build a lasting relation with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In this regard, this chapter evaluates the role and responsibility of border states in revitalizing regional socio, cultural, and economic ties with the neighbouring countries. This chapter evaluates how the participation of Northeastern Indian States provides opportunities for New Delhi in ensuring a tremendous regional diplomacy with ASEAN.
Re-Imagining Science Laboratory Learning for the New Normal in a Post-Pandemic World
Authors: Mawn Mary V. , Herzog Jennifer A.
Published: November 2021

With the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, the education community was forced to shift from “teaching as usual” to “emergency remote instruction” (ERI). Faculty at all levels were required to quickly adapt to new teaching and learning methods that allowed students to meet course goals and demonstrate learning gains with minimal disruption. This rapid shift was seamless for some, uncomfortable for many, and groundbreaking for all. For science educators who use laboratories and hands-on approaches to engage students, it can be daunting to re-imagine ways to design such experiences. What educators learned along the way, however, is that many of the novel techniques developed to engage science students during ERI will continue to be valuable as face-to-face instruction resumes. This chapter examines lessons learned during these unprecedented times and identifies effective innovations and equitable approaches that can be integrated into post-pandemic classrooms of all modalities. This will ensure that education in the new normal will be flexible, equitable, and effective.
A Method for Multi-Perspective and Multi-Scale Approach Convergence in Educational Robotics
Authors: Dochshanov Alden Meirzhanovich , Tramonti Michela
Published: November 2021

The exponential growth of publications on educational robotics (ER) in the last 10 years, undoubtedly, in many ways, is due to the introduction and the ubiquitous application of such platforms as Arduino, micro:bit, Raspberry Pi, and others. These instruments offer a variety of ways for STEM curricula introduction. Being centered on technological and engineering issues, the ER methodology offers an excellent opportunity for students of different ages. By lowering the entry-level effort, the platforms significantly simplify the first steps in the field. Nevertheless, as every simplification presumes, a significant part of “underlying machinery” remains hidden. Indeed, the character of in-school ER projects barely holds enough space for a detailed treatment of the concepts. Nevertheless, the chapter illustrates the importance of exposing students to the currently available instruments and providing in-depth conceptual insight. To support the thesis, several examples, unifying multi-perspective and multi-scale approaches, are provided.
Fruit Fly Optimization-Based Adversarial Modeling for Securing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)
Authors: Ahlawat Priyanka , Goyal Mukul , Sethi Rishabh , Gupta Nitish
Published: November 2021

Node capture attack is one of the crucial attacks in wireless sensor networks (WSN) that seizes the node physically and withdraws the confidential data from the node's memory. The chapter exploits the adversarial behavior during a node capture to build an attack model. The authors also propose a fruit fly optimization algorithm (FFOA) that is a multi-objective optimization algorithm that consists of a number of objectives for capturing a node in the network: maximum node contribution, maximum key contributions are some examples of the same. The aim is to demolish the maximum part of the network while minimizing the cost and maximizing attacking efficiency. Due to the multi-objective function, the authors attain a maximum fraction of compromised traffic, lower attacking rounds, and lower energy cost as contrasted with other node capture attack algorithms. They have developed an algorithm, which is an enhanced version of FFOA and has even better efficiency than FFOA.
Collective Innovation for Complex Challenges
Authors: Matic Goran , Matic Ana
Published: November 2021

Is has now become widely recognized that our world has become increasingly complexified and immersed in societal issues that require a diversity of perspectives to effectively engage. Collective innovation holds the promise of enabling a plurality of views necessary for creating effective innovation strategies. Yet collective processes are beset by a range of issues that are challenging for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to understand and effectively manage. Building on the complexity typologies theory as augmented by insights from the field of systemic design, the authors propose a missing element to enable collective action initiatives – identified as meta-cognitive skills critical to group collaboration and collective innovation processes. They illustrate the proposal with well-known examples and some of the latest studies in the field. They conclude by proposing next steps that educators or practitioners might employ in their own educational, curriculum design, and practice contexts – recognizing the key elements of praxis that connects them all.
Perceiving Sustainability
Authors: Herrmann-Fankhänel Anja
Published: November 2021

Individuals are addressed by the Agenda 2030 to be an active part of sustainable development. However, sustainable development is a complex and strategic topic where individuals struggle with adequate behavior. Although, for example, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a framework to organize the topic's complexity, the level of information often is beyond individual life. Consequently, people lack knowledge and ideas of how to act in the sense of sustainable development. To tackle this challenge, a workshop including a structural constellation is conceptualized. Based on the experiential learning process which includes feeling, reflecting, thinking, and acting, participants access the SDG-framework linked to personal experience. This is possible as the workshop uses the subgoals and indicators of the SDG-framework that are used to monitor the global achievements of countries. Workshop participants create awareness and build knowledge about sustainable development which in turn will change their behavior and may lead to innovation.
Innovative Dualism in Improving the Criteria for Assessing Human Potential to Achieve Personnel Security
Authors: Ivanova Tatiana , Ivanov Nikolay
Published: November 2021

The economy today is in a state of permanent crisis, which is aggravated by epidemiological situations. In such a situation, it becomes urgent to resolve the problems that have arisen without losing independence and the pace of economic development. Tools that have been successful in all periods of past crises do not work today. It is advisable in such conditions to develop and form a scientific and methodological base and model tools for assessing the boundaries of economic stability in order to make effective management decisions to ensure the strategic stability and security of the economy in the face of crises and technological and social shocks.
Health, Safety, and Security as a Part of Events Management
Authors: Toneva Petya Ivanova
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide knowledge and propose a methodology for identifying the potential hazards and dealing with health, safety, and security risks in special events. The object of study is special events and the issues caused by their characteristics to concentrate visitors in a certain place for a limited period of time under a planned program. The highlighted issue concerning health, safety, and security in special events is crowd and its management. The author's main thesis is based on the need for a systematic management approach, in which measures are taken for the safety, health, and security of the employees, volunteers, and visitors while planning and conducting an event. This chapter focuses on risk management, which includes identifying potential hazards, risk analysis and risk assessment, measures to prevent or control the risk, as well as developing an action plan. The chapter attempts to provide a comprehensive health, safety, and security risk management framework aimed at special event management and to offer a set of planning and control tools.
Analysis of Health Security Conditions in the Western Balkans
Authors: Radivojević Vladimir , Stanojević Jelena
Published: November 2021

Health security is an integral part of national security, which has become increasingly important in recent years. It is a concept that implies the application of various measures and procedures in order to prevent or mitigate public health emergences and ensure the health of the population. The purpose of this chapter is to evaluate the level of Western Balkans capacities and capabilities to prevent, detect, and quickly respond to public health emergencies. The aim is to identify critical factors for improving the health security conditions of each country in the Western Balkans. The analysis is based on the methodology for measuring the Global Health Security Index, applied by the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. The research is conducted through a comparative analysis and a benchmarking method. The conclusions indicate a low level of health security conditions in the Western Balkans compared to the selected European countries.
Opportunities and Threats Analysis Caused by Social Media
Authors: Ahmadi Elina
Published: November 2021

With the advent and widespread use of information and communication technologies, the need for information has become part of the daily work of individuals. Recently, social networks are one of the most important topics in cyberspace. This study seeks to identify and rank the opportunities and threats of social media for the society. Three hundred seventy students active in social networks are selected by clustering sampling method. A conceptual model is developed based on the review of theoretical literature and five opportunities of social network including electronic learning, filling leisure time, organizing social groups, getting to know about diverse cultures, possibility of conversation, as well as five threats include sharing anti values, abusing, dissemination of misinformation, internet addiction, and malacious communication have significant effect on the students.
The Effects of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Perceived Value Dimensions
Authors: Agbemabiese George Cudjoe , Hashim Haslinda , Ho Ann Jo , Sambasivan Murali
Published: November 2021

The failure of customer relationship management (CRM) initiatives to improve the bottom-line has led to authors questioning the direct unconditional effects of CRM on customer loyalty, with calls for more studies to examine possible intervening variables explaining the mechanism of influence between CRM and customer loyalty. While researchers have advanced knowledge on the generative mechanisms by which CRM influences customer loyalty, the mediating role of customer perceived value (CPV) dimensions including functional, social, and emotional values have received very little attention in the literature. This chapter proposes a comprehensive model incorporating CRM, CPV dimensions (including functional, emotional, and social values), and customer loyalty. Underpinned by the resource based-view and equity theories, the proposed model explores the direct and indirect effects of CRM on customer loyalty through CPV dimensions within the banking context. The integrated framework is a result of a careful review of the literature pertaining to CRM, customer loyalty, and CPV.
A Conceptual Model of Drivers of Online Brand Engagement
Authors: Amoako George Kofi
Published: November 2021

This chapter proposes that customer relationship management (CRM) activities of firms do have influence on trust developed by customers on digital platforms of firms. Similarly, e-commerce activities also impact the trust of customers on the digital platforms of firms. The model proposes further that online platform trust leads to the degree of online brand engagement. The higher the trust in the platform, the higher the likelihood of more online brand engagement of customers for the firms' brands. The proposed model however suggests that the relationship between digital platform trust of customers and brand engagement will be moderated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The implication is that the higher the COVID-19 impact, the higher the online brand engagement, and the lower the COVID-19 impact, the lower the online brand engagement.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Relevant Concerns for Pediatric Neurologists
Authors: Sarkar Biswas Shampa , Mazumdar Piyali
Published: November 2021

Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is being speculated to have a profound effect on the neurological health of children. This chapter addresses the risk of neurological symptoms in children susceptible to COVID-19, which might help pediatric neurologists. As existing research has been mainly focused on adults, this chapter is a compilation of past and present data to understand better the diseases associated with pediatric neurology and COVID-19 and its repercussions. Consequently, this chapter aims to enlighten the level of alertness in pediatric specialists to assess potential neurological involvement of this virus and its probable long-term neuropsychiatric and medical consequences.
Assessment of Failure Risks in Laboratories During the Pandemic
Authors: Mourtzikou Antonia , Stamouli Marilena , Kalliora Georgia , Koumpouros Panagiotis , Petraki Ioanna , Seitopoulou Christina
Published: November 2021

Clinical laboratories produce test results that support the diagnosis, prognosis, and patient treatment. Test results must be relevant, accurate, and reliable for patient care. International bibliographic data estimate that approximately 62.0% of the errors made in clinical laboratories are due to errors during the pre-analytical stage. This chapter presents a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to analyze potential failure risks within the pre-analytical phase and classify them according to severity and likelihood. FMEA allows molecular laboratories to lower costs and drive better outcomes through high-quality nucleic acid extraction, sensitive detection, and accurate quantification. RT-PCR technology continues to be the gold standard for the clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in individuals suspected of COVID-19. It is essential to use highly sensitive assays to detect active infections and reduce the likelihood of false-negative results.
Electrical, Magnetic Radiation and Power Density Analysis of Electronic Gadgets During Yajna
Authors: Rastogi Rohit , Saxena Mamta , Rajeshwari T. , Tandon Neeti , Sagar Sheelu , Rastogi Mukund , Sharma Mayank
Published: November 2021

All of us are aware that the modern mechanical and electrical systems in collaboration with AI, CPS, and IoT have affected our lives drastically. At one end, they have provided ease and comfort. On the other end, the electrical and magnetic radiations emitted by them have threatened the mental and physical fitness. Surprisingly, the Asian Agnihotra process effectively reduces the electrical, magnetic radiations emitting from electronic devices. The chapter deals with the computational analysis of electrical, magnetic radiation, and power density measurement of environmental effects and gadgets after the Homa therapy. In the gap of a specific time, readings were recorded, and it was observed that drastic reduction occurred at the place where Yajna was performed. This gap was curtailed gradually as time increased. The phenomenon can undoubtedly be used to address human health threats due to electronic gadgets in the 21st century. Also, it supports the concepts of smart cities where one can quickly identify the numerous effects of the Yajna process.
Facets of the Evolving Healthcare Management Model
Authors: Moumtzoglou Anastasius S.
Published: November 2021

The pandemic represents an opportunity to reimagine future healthcare and rethink healthcare management unbound by preconceived notions based on the following three main drivers that emerged during the pandemic. These include transformed business models, new care delivery models disrupted by ubiquitous data and technology, intelligent spaces, and digitally-enabled hospitality. In this context, it is imperative to reexamine all facets of healthcare management, considering that applying linear models to healthcare management has improved our understanding of their system structure and function. However, such models often fall short of explaining experimental results or predicting future abnormalities in complex nonlinear systems. Nonlinear models may better explain how the individual components collectively act and interact to produce a dynamic system in constant flux. They also assist in filling in some of the results which linear models do not adequately explain. Finally, chaos theory might provide new insights into standard as well as abnormal behavior within systems.
Near Candidate-Less Apriori With Tidlists and Other Apriori Implementations
Authors: Bicer Mehmet , Indictor Daniel , Yang Ryan , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: November 2021

In this study we implemented four different versions of Apriori, namely, basic and basic multi-threaded, bloom filter, trie, and count-min sketch, and proposed a new algorithm – NCLAT (Near Candidate-Less Apriori with Tidlists). We compared the runtimes and max memory usages of our implementations among each other as well as with the runtime of Borgelt’s Apriori implementation in some of the cases. NCLAT implementation is more efficient than the other Apriori implementations that we know of in terms of the number of times the database is scanned, and the number of candidates generated. Unlike the original Apriori algorithm which scans the database for every level and creates all of the candidates in advance for each level, NCLAT scans the database only once and creates candidate itemsets only for level one but not afterwards. Thus the number of candidates created is equal to the number of unique items in the database.
A Study of Strategic Group Mapping and Understanding Mobility Barriers in the Indian Logistics Industry
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Garlapad Vamshi , Kulkarni Onkar
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this research was to identify the strategic groups present in the Indian logistics industry and discuss the mobility barriers across the strategic groups. Secondary research was performed by collecting data from online sources and results were vetted by experts in supply chain management through convergent interviews. The research identified nine strategic groups in Indian logistic industry. Requirement of group specific fleet structures, assets, expertise in Value-added services were some prominent intergroup mobility barriers identified. Managers could devise ‘End to End’ supply chain solutions by collaborating with firms of other strategic groups as identified in the study.
Classifying UNSW-NB15 Network Traffic in the Big Data Framework Using Random Forest in Spark
Authors: Bagui Sikha , Simonds Jason , Plenkers Russell , Bennett Timothy A. , Bagui Subhash
Published: November 2021

The focus of this work is on detecting and classifying attacks in network traffic using a binary as well as multi-class machine learning classifier, Random Forest, in a distributed big data environment using Apache Spark. The classifier is tested using the UNSW-NB15 dataset. Major problems in these types of datasets include high dimensionality and imbalanced data. To address the issue of high dimensionality, both information gain as well as principal components analysis (PCA) were applied before training and testing the data using Random Forest in Apache Spark. Binary as well as multi-class Random Forest classifiers were compared in a distributed environment, with and without using PCA, using various number of Spark cores and Random Forest trees, in terms of performance time and statistical measures. The highest accuracy was obtained by the binary classifier at 99.94%, using 8 cores and 30 trees. This study obtained higher accuracy and lower False Alarm Rates than previously achieved, with low testing times.
Traffic Flows Forecasting Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Deart Vladimir , Mankov Vladimir , Krasnova Irina
Published: November 2021

The article aims to develop a model for forecasting the characteristics of traffic flows in real-time based on the classification of applications using machine learning methods to ensure the quality of service. It is shown that the model can forecast the mean rate and frequency of packet arrival for the entire flow of each class separately. The prediction is based on information about the previous flows of this class and the first 15 packets of the active flow. Thus, the Random Forest Regression method reduces the prediction error by approximately 1.5 times compared to the standard mean estimate for transmitted packets issued at the switch interface.
Disruptions in the Upstream Palm Oil Supply Chain
Authors: Ratnam Muhilan
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact since it was first discovered in late 2019, in Wuhan, China. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has affected over 179 million people and killed approximately 3.9 million people in more than 200 countries across the globe (WHO,2021). This outbreak has not only affected people’s lives but also disrupted global supply chains. It has shown significant effects on businesses, consumers, and the global economy. Fear of the virus has led to many companies scrambling to respond regarding employees’ job security, ensuring supply security, risk mitigation strategy, and addressing market uncertainties that are driving down demand. Broadly, the objective of this article is to highlight issues faced by the upstream palm oil supply chain actors during this pandemic. Based on the problem, the study concluded that some forms of actions (short-term & long-term) have been proposed to ensure an agile palm oil supply chain.
Formal Specification of Non-Functional Properties of Context-Aware Systems
Authors: Djoudi Brahim , Bouanaka Chafia , Zeghib Nadia
Published: November 2021

During the recent years, there is an increasing demand for software systems that dynamically adapt their behavior at run-time in response to changes in user preferences, execution environment, and system requirements, being thus context-aware. Authors are referring here to requirements related to both functional and non-functional aspects of system behavior since changes can also be induced by failures or unavailability of parts of the software system itself. To ensure the coherence and correctness of the proposed model, all relevant properties of system entities are precisely and formally described. This is especially true for non-functional properties, such as performance, availability, and security. This article discusses semantic concepts for the specification of non-functional requirements, taking into account the specific needs of a context-aware system. Based on these semantic concepts, we present a specification language that integrates non-functional requirements design and validation in the development process of context-aware self-adaptive systems.