bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Video-Based Pain Monitoring System in Raspberry Pi
Authors: Souza Jhonatan , Casa Claudemir , Ortoncelli André Roberto
Published: March 2022

This work presents an analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of a Video-Based Pain Monitoring System running on a Raspberry selected because it is a cheap device that can be easily carried around. The objective of the evaluated system is to allow the assessment of pain based on two characteristics: Heart Rate (HR) and facial expressions detected through the Facial Action Coding System (FACS). To measure HR an Eulerian Video Magnification (EVM) based method was implemented. EVM is one of the main current approaches to measure HR by Remote PhotoPlethysmoGraphy. FACS was used to detect pain intensity with the Prkachin and Solomon Pain Intensity (PSPI) equation which is one of the most used approaches to detect pain intensity based on facial features. To identify the PSPI value we trained a Regression Neural Network (RNN) with the UNBC-McMaster database. The experimental results demonstrate the strengths and limitations of the evaluated system.
Commentaries on Relationship Marketing: The Present and Future of Customer Relationships in Services
Authors: Steinhoff Lena , Palmatier Robert W. , Martin Kelly D. , Fox Grace , Henderson Conor M. , Clair Julian K. Saint , Yan Shuai , Lee Ju-Yeon , Perko Taylor , Harmeling Colleen M.
Published: March 2022

Services and relationship marketing are inextricably linked, such that the intangible, heterogeneous, inseparable, and perishable nature of services renders strong relational bonds between companies and customers particularly critical. Four high-level strategies observed in current business practice bear the potential of fundamentally altering how service providers build and nurture relationships with their customers. Specifically, customer relationships in services have become more (1) data-based, (2) subscription-based, (3) sharing-based, and (4) experiences-based. This curated set of invited commentaries brings together a group of internationally renowned scholars to enhance our understanding of each of these important developments and consider their relationship marketing implications. In four commentaries, our contributor teams share their informed perspectives and offer rich sources of inspiration for both service researchers and managers.
Strategic Emphasis on Service-Based Business Models During the Corona Crisis: Are Customer Solutions a Curse or Blessing for Manufacturing Firms?
Authors: Akalan Rodi , Eggert Andreas , Böhm and Eva
Published: March 2022

Firms increasingly rely on service-based business models, such as customer solutions, to strengthen their market position and secure robust revenues in competitive environments. While extant research has shed light on the financial implications of service-based business models in general, no empirical research has yet explored whether a strategic emphasis on customer solutions pays-off or backfires in a global crisis such as the corona pandemic. As theoretical arguments lend support for both, favorable and unfavorable consequences of a strategic emphasis on customer solutions during a pandemic crisis, this study creates a unique dataset of 565 U.S. manufacturing firms and analyzes the revenue implications of customer solutions during the crisis peak. Results demonstrate the resilient character of customer solutions. Manufacturing firms with a strategic emphasis on customer solutions experience on average $30 million less revenue decline during the pandemic. A finer-grained view distinguishes different types of customer solutions and uncovers mixed performance effects. While customer solutions generally help manufacturers to weather the crisis, resource-intensive turnkey solutions have a negative effect on firm revenues. These insights help managers to understand the financial implications of customer solutions and navigate successfully through a health-based crisis.
Dies Ich, das viel besagt
Authors: Henrich Dieter
Published: March 2022

At first glance, self-consciousness seems to belong to what almost goes without saying. In a continuous process of reflection, however, it turns out that it presents one of philosophy’s most difficult and momentous problems. Dieter Henrich's treatise “Fichtes ursprüngliche Einsicht”, which was dedicated to this problem was published more than fifty years ago. Here, Henrich showed that it was Fichte who first grasped the problem and made it the guiding theme of his thinking. In this new book, the unaltered reprinting of this text is followed by a new and extensive series of reflections concerning self-consciousness in the context of a philosophical foundation and the problems which, under the guiding principle of his original insight, set Fichte's system formation into a motion without a definitive solution. Henrich's book can be seen as a renewal of Kant's way of thinking – in relation to a problem whose significance for philosophy is hardly disputed any longer, in a perspective appropriate to the contemporary modes of experience, and in the wake of clarifications that can be gained by reflecting on the dynamics in Fichte's system formations.
Vodní měkkýši nově vzniklého jezera Most v severních Čechách [Freshwater molluscs of the Most, a newly created lake in Northern Bohemia (Czech Republic)]
Authors: Beran Luboš
Published: March 2022

This paper summarizes the knowledge of freshwater mollusc fauna of the Most Lake. It was created in 2008–2013 by flooding of the majority of the former coal quarry of Ležáky (Northern Bohemia). This water reservoir originated in the area of 311 ha and with the maximum depth of 75 m it is the largest water body of the area. The research was conducted in summer 2013, when the water level was about 0.5 m bellow the final expected level. In total, only six species of freshwater molluscs (five gastropods, one bivalve) were found at 11 sites. Two autochtonous molluscs (Radix auricularia and Gyraulus crista) and four allochtonous species (Physella acuta, Gyraulus parvus, Menetus dilatatus and Dreissena polymorpha) were found. The occurrence of all species except D. polymorpha was scattered, while the latter occurred in numerous populations sometimes with more than 80 specimens per 10 cm². Most of the molluscs were found on stones of the lake banks or at areas of shallow water. The results obtained during this research have recorded mollusc assemblages at the first successional stages of this artificial lake, thus enabling future comparison.
The Role of Social Support in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among American Indians: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ishak Izza Atiqa , Walls Melissa L. , Aronson Benjamin D.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study is to gain insights of American Indian (AI) communities on the role of social support in type 2 diabetes (T2D) management. Social support is a means of enhancing social and personal resources that can address underlying stressors that contribute to T2D inequities and represents a potential channel of intervention to improve management of T2D in these communities. This community-based participatory research included AI adults from the Bois Forte and Lac Courte Oreilles Bands of Ojibwe and consisted of focus groups that were conducted with people with T2D, social support persons, and service providers. Overall findings underscore the importance of social support in T2D management, especially in providing emotional support, fulfilling an appraisal function, and enabling positive health behaviors. It is also important for policies and practices to consider the social and cultural contexts, particularly the socio-historical context of life within AI communities that has inevitably shaped certain mindsets that may present barriers to care-seeking and optimal T2D management. These findings can inform interventions related to T2D management, especially in incorporating social support and complementing community strengths in achieving a broader goal of reducing diabetes inequities in AI communities.
Numerical evaluation of seismic performance of corrugated-plate shaped steel tubes
Authors: Al-Kaseasbeh Qusay , Albarram Ahmed
Published: March 2022

The current work presents a unique study on the seismic performance of innovative corrugated-plate steel bridge piers. While several previous research was conducted on steel tubes with cross sections such as rounded or semi triangular plates, the seismic performance of such structural members with straight ribbed corrugation geometry under uniaxial cyclic loading remained a research gap. Thus, this research aims to present a new concept that could add a promising design to steel tubes under seismic effect. The seismic performance of such piers was numerically investigated in terms of the load-bearing capacity and local buckling. ABAQUS was employed to accomplish a series of finite element analyses on corrugated-plate steel bridge piers under constant axial dead load and lateral cyclic displacement. Three different geometries of corrugated-shaped steel tubes (i.e., C60, C80, and C146 mm deep) along with four different thicknesses (i.e., 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm) were investigated and compared to the traditional circular-shaped steel tubes (i.e., Cir) having same thicknesses and outer diameter. The results revealed that the innovative corrugated-plate steel bridge piers offered 20% greater load-bearing capacity and 66% more ductility compared to their companions of circular-shaped steel tubes. It was interesting to notice that the peak value of the load-bearing capacity of the C146 column was greater than those of the C80 and C60 columns by 7% and 10%, respectively. Furthermore, the local buckling was generally seen less severe amongst corrugated-plate steel bridge piers. This research raises the importance of corrugated-plate sections used in bridge piers over circular shapes owing to their advantages in strength and aestheticism.
La semiosis: cascada de significación
Authors: Merrell Floyd
Published: March 2022

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Semántica interpretativa y teoría semiótica
Authors: Espar Teresa
Published: March 2022

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recurrencia semiótica
Authors: Magaríños de Morentín Juan A.
Published: March 2022

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La novela y la poética femenina
Authors: Bobes Naves María del Carmen
Published: March 2022

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Escritura, espacio, arquitectura: una tipología del espacio literario
Authors: Camarero Jesús
Published: March 2022

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El problema del lenguaje plástico: notas sobre la doble articulación del signo pictórico
Authors: Querol Sanz José Manuel
Published: March 2022

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Repertorios extraverbales en la comunicación literaria
Authors: Romera Castillo José
Published: March 2022

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Teaching Word-Problem Solving through Tape Diagrams
Authors: She Xiaobo , Harrington Timothy
Published: March 2022

Get familiar with this visual instructional tool to help students make sense of mathematical relationships and select suitable operations for word problems at varied grade levels.
The Discovery of Wonderful Ideas
Authors: Ortiz Enrique
Published: March 2022

This article presents an example of discovering an idea through creative play. After some trial and error, I drew a wonderful image, which I later learned was a two-dimensional view of a four-dimensional shape called tesseract.
Teaching Is a Journey: This Happened to You Too?
Authors: Wiemken Rachel , Stewart Maria Nielsen , Matney Gabriel , Folger Timothy , Matney Tami
Published: March 2022

This department provides a space for current and past PK–12 teachers of mathematics to connect with other teachers of mathematics through their stories that lend personal and professional support.
Conventionalists, Pioneers and Criminals Choosing Between a National Currency and a Global Currency
Authors:   University of Stavanger, Wang Guizhou , Hausken Kjell ,   University of Stavanger
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes how conventionalists, pioneers and criminals choose between a national currency (e.g. a central bank digital currency) and a global currency (e.g. a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin) that both have specific characteristics in an economy. Conventionalists favor what is traditional and historically common. They tend to prefer the national currency. Pioneers (early adopters) tend to break away from tradition, and criminals prefer not to get caught. They both tend to prefer the global currency. Each player has a Cobb-Douglas utility with one output elasticity for each of the two currencies, comprised of backing, convenience, confidentiality, transaction efficiency, financial stability, and security. The replicator equation is used to illustrate the evolution of the fractions of the three kinds of players through time, and how they choose among the two currencies. Each player’s expected utility is inverse U-shaped in the volume fraction of transactions in each currency, skewed towards the national currency for conventionalists, and towards the global currency for pioneers and criminals. Conventionalists on the one hand typically compete against pioneers and criminals on the other hand. Fifteen parameter values are altered to illustrate sensitivity. For parameter values where conventionalists go extinct, pioneers and criminals compete directly with each other. Players choose volume fractions of each currency and which kind of player to be. Conventionalists go extinct when criminals gain more from criminal behavior, and when the parameter values in the conventionalists’ expected utility are unfavorable, causing competition between pioneers and criminals.
Coupling-induced microwave transmission transparency with quarter-wavelength superconducting resonators
Authors: Gao Hai-Yan , Yang Xin-Da , Zhou Bo , He Qing , Wei Lian-Fu ,   Information Quantum Technology Laboratory, School of Information Science and Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China,   College of Science, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
Published: March 2022

The electromagnetic induced transparency (EIT) to atomic systems and its various applications have been extensively investigated, both theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, we study how to similarly verify these phenomena in the waveguide coupled to the transmission line resonators. By making use of real space quantum scattering theory, we calculate the transmission spectrum of the waveguide photons scattered by a single quarter-wavelength transmission line resonator. Our experimental results show that the resonant microwave transporting along the feedline is completely reflected by the resonator. This is similar to the situation of the light absorbed by the resonant atomic medium, and thus its transmission is significantly suppressed.

Like the EIT phenomena in atomic gas, wherein the resonant absorption can be significantly suppressed by applying a strong pumping light to control the optical properties of medium, the transport properties of the resonant microwave can be investigated by coupling it into an auxiliary quarter-wavelength resonator in this paper. If the frequency of the auxiliary quarter-wavelength resonator is different from the resonant frequency, the calculated transmission spectrum shows that the coupling with auxiliary quarter-wavelength resonator induces the complete transmission of the resonant microwave. This is one of the features of the EIT-like effect, and can be simply explained as the frequency renormalization of the coupling resonators. Also, by adjusting the coupling strength between the resonators, the width of the microwave transmission spectrum window can be manipulated. Our experimental observations verify such an argument, but the phase shift mutation (another typical signs of the EIT effect) of the resonant microwave cannot be observed. In physics, this is because the interference between the transmitted microwave and the reflected micowave with different frequencies does not take place in the coupling region between the two resonators.

It is expected that the effects with the complete EIT-like phenomena can be observed, in future, by fabricating the sample of two quarter-wavelength transmission line resonators with the same frequency, and thus the coupling between the two resonators can be controlled.
Comparative Acceptability of Weightbearing Physical Activity in Sporting Footwear Versus Barefoot in Habitually Shod Individuals
Authors: Than Christian A. , Seidl Laura A. , Beck Belinda R.
Published: March 2022

Background: Perceived acceptability of barefoot use has largely been ignored in the literature despite its importance to long-term implementation and behavior change. This study aimed to compare the acceptability of undertaking weightbearing physical activities in regular running shoes versus barefoot in habitually shod individuals.

Methods: Healthy young men and women were recruited from the Gold Coast. Participants completed six activities (ie, lunges, walking, jogging, sidestep, vertical jump, and hop) in shod and barefoot conditions then answered questions pertaining to level and source of discomfort, ease of performance, and acceptability. Indices of bone quality were measured from their dominant calcaneus by quantitative ultrasound.

Results: Seventeen healthy male (n = 8) and female (n = 9) university students participated in the study (age, 26.59 ± 7.26 years; body mass index, 23.08 ± 3.58 kg/m2). Men were taller, heavier, and had higher broadband ultrasound attenuation than women (P < .05). For “no” discomfort, “very easy” ease of performance, and a “good amount” or “very good amount” of acceptability, the shod condition demonstrated response rates of 87.25%, 55.88%, and 72.55%, respectively. The barefoot condition demonstrated rates of those responses of 62.75%, 39.22%, and 48.03%, respectively, and reported more ball-of-foot, forefoot, heel, and plantar skin locations as sources of discomfort during activity than in the shod condition. The group vertical jump height was higher barefoot than shod (44.88 ± 8.44 cm and 43.25 ± 8.76 cm, respectively; P < .05), but no difference was seen for the hop. Men jumped and hopped higher than women under both footwear conditions (P < .05).

Conclusions: Participants initiating barefoot weightbearing exercise may experience slightly greater discomfort and less ease of performance in the initial transition from the shod condition, but may perform better in vertical jump. Whether those differences in experience persist over the long term will require longitudinal studies.
Mendelian randomization suggests a bidirectional, causal relationship between physical inactivity and adiposity
Authors: Carrasquilla Germán D , García-Ureña Mario , Fall Tove , Sørensen Thorkild IA , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O
Published: March 2022

Physical inactivity and increased sedentary time are associated with excess weight gain in observational studies. However, some longitudinal studies indicate reverse causality where weight gain leads to physical inactivity and increased sedentary time. As observational studies suffer from reverse causality, it is challenging to assess the true causal directions. Here, we assess the bidirectional causality between physical inactivity, sedentary time, and adiposity by bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. We used results from genome-wide association studies for accelerometer-based physical activity and sedentary time in 91,105 individuals and for body mass index (BMI) in 806,834 individuals. We implemented Mendelian randomization using CAUSE method that accounts for pleiotropy and sample overlap using full genome-wide data. We also applied inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods using genome-wide significant variants only. We found evidence of bidirectional causality between sedentary time and BMI: longer sedentary time was causal for higher BMI [beta (95% CI) from CAUSE method: 0.11 (0.02, 0.2), p = 0.02], and higher BMI was causal for longer sedentary time (0.13 (0.08, 0.17), p = 6.3 x 10-4). Our analyses suggest that higher moderate and vigorous physical activity are causal for lower BMI (moderate: –0.18 (-0.3,–0.05), p = 0.006; vigorous: –0.16 (-0.24,–0.08), p = 3.8 × 10-4), but indicate that the association between higher BMI and lower levels of physical activity is due to horizontal pleiotropy. The bidirectional, causal relationship between sedentary time and BMI suggests that decreasing sedentary time is beneficial for weight management, but also that targeting adiposity may lead to additional health benefits by reducing sedentary time.
Crystal structures of bacterial small multidrug resistance transporter EmrE in complex with structurally diverse substrates
Authors: Kermani Ali A , Burata Olive E , Koff B Ben , Koide Akiko , Koide Shohei , Stockbridge Randy B
Published: March 2022

Proteins from the bacterial small multidrug resistance (SMR) family are proton-coupled exporters of diverse antiseptics and antimicrobials, including polyaromatic cations and quaternary ammonium compounds. The transport mechanism of the Escherichia coli transporter, EmrE, has been studied extensively, but a lack of high-resolution structural information has impeded a structural description of its molecular mechanism. Here, we apply a novel approach, multipurpose crystallization chaperones, to solve several structures of EmrE, including a 2.9 Å structure at low pH without substrate. We report five additional structures in complex with structurally diverse transported substrates, including quaternary phosphonium, quaternary ammonium, and planar polyaromatic compounds. These structures show that binding site tryptophan and glutamate residues adopt different rotamers to conform to disparate structures without requiring major rearrangements of the backbone structure. Structural and functional comparison to Gdx-Clo, an SMR protein that transports a much narrower spectrum of substrates, suggests that in EmrE, a relatively sparse hydrogen bond network among binding site residues permits increased sidechain flexibility.
A new optimization algorithm based on average and subtraction of the best and worst members of the population for solving various optimization problems
Authors: Dehghani Mohammad , Hubálovský Štěpán , Trojovský Pavel
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a novel evolutionary-based method, called Average and Subtraction-Based Optimizer (ASBO), is presented to attain suitable quasi-optimal solutions for various optimization problems. The core idea in the design of the ASBO is to use the average information and the subtraction of the best and worst population members for guiding the algorithm population in the problem search space. The proposed ASBO is mathematically modeled with the ability to solve optimization problems. Twenty-three test functions, including unimodal and multimodal functions, have been employed to evaluate ASBO’s performance in effectively solving optimization problems. The optimization results of the unimodal functions, which have only one main peak, show the high ASBO’s exploitation power in converging towards global optima. In addition, the optimization results of the high-dimensional multimodal functions and fixed-dimensional multimodal functions, which have several peaks and local optima, indicate the high exploration power of ASBO in accurately searching the problem-solving space and not getting stuck in nonoptimal peaks. The simulation results show the proper balance between exploration and exploitation in ASBO in order to discover and present the optimal solution. In addition, the results obtained from the implementation of ASBO in optimizing these objective functions are analyzed compared with the results of nine well-known metaheuristic algorithms. Analysis of the optimization results obtained from ASBO against the performance of the nine compared algorithms indicates the superiority and competitiveness of the proposed algorithm in providing more appropriate solutions.
A new Amazonian species of Allobates Zimmermann & Zimmermann, 1988 (Aromobatidae) with a trilled advertisement call
Authors: Silva Leandro A. , Marques Ricardo , Folly Henrique , Santana Diego J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Currently, 58 species are assigned to the genus Allobates, with 70% of its diversity described just in the last two decades, with many additional species likely unnamed. The continuous description of these new species represents a fundamental step for resolving the taxonomy and ensuring the future conservation of the genus.

Methods

Using molecular, acoustic, and morphological evidences, we describe a new species of Allobates from Teles Pires River region, southern Amazonia, and provide accounts on the population of A. tapajos found sympatrically with the new species.

Results

The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the coloration of thighs, venter, dorsum, and dark lateral stripe. It has four types of calls, with advertisement calls formed by relatively long trills with a mean duration of 2.29 s ± 0.65, mean of 39.93 notes ± 11.18 emitted at a mean rate of 17.49 ± 0.68 notes per second, and mean dominant frequency of 5,717 Hz ± 220.81. The genetic distance between the new species and its congeners in a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial fragment ranged between 13.2% (A. carajas) to 21.3% (A. niputidea). The sympatric Allobates population fits its morphology and acoustic with the nominal A. tapajos, but presents a relatively high genetic distance of nearly 6.5%, raising questions on the current taxonomy of this species.
Hydrogen sulphide alleviates Fusarium Head Blight in wheat seedlings
Authors: Yao Yuanyuan , Kan Wenjie , Su Pengfei , Zhu Yan , Zhong Wenling , Xi Jinfeng , Wang Dacheng , Tang Caiguo , Wu Lifang
Published: March 2022

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a crucial gas signal molecule, has been reported to be involved in various processes related to development and adversity responses in plants. However, the effects and regulatory mechanism of H2S in controlling Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat have not been clarified. In this study, we first reported that H2S released by low concentrations of sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) could significantly alleviate the FHB symptoms caused by Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) in wheat. We also used coleoptile inoculation to investigate the related physiological and molecular mechanism. The results revealed that FHB resistance was strongly enhanced by the H2S released by NaHS, and 0.3 mM was confirmed as the optimal concentration. H2S treatment dramatically reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) while enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Meanwhile, the relative expressions levels of defence-related genes, including PR1.1, PR2, PR3, and PR4, were all dramatically upregulated. Our results also showed that H2S was toxic to F. graminearum by inhibiting mycelial growth and spore germination. Taken together, the findings demonstrated the potential value of H2S in mitigating the adverse effects induced by F. graminearum and advanced the current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms in wheat.
High Resolution Computed Tomography Findings of Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Bani Ajay Mrutyunjaya , Bhadane Sushant Hari , Kulkarni Devendra Vikas , Jagdale Amol Muralidhar , Mohgaonkar Meenal Mohan
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Interstitial lung diseases encompass diffuse involvement of parenchymal tissue of lung. Before the use of computed tomography for diagnosis of diseases, radiography was the only existing imaging procedure available for diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, which had substantial drawbacks when compared to the former. Aim: To evaluate the pattern of various Interstitial lung diseases by High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive cross- sectional, carried out at Department of Radio-Diagnosis of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Solapur. The study was initiated in November 2010 and terminated in July 2012. Ninety patients were included during the study period. Patients having pulmonary symptoms related to any acute/chronic interstitial or diffuse pulmonary disease with significant radiographic findings of chest and willing to participate in the study were recruited in the study. The descriptive statistics (count, frequency and proportion) was applied using Microsoft Excel. Results: HRCT reports of 10 patients (11%) were normal. Of the 80 (89%) patients who showed significant HRCT findings, 28 (31%), 26 (29%), and 26 (29%) were diagnosed with interstitial, cystic and airspace abnormality, respectively. Among the patients with Interstitial lung disease, most of the patients were diagnosed with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 21 (75%) followed by hypersensitivity pneumonitis 5 (18%). Conclusion: HRCT is very effective in visualising the distorted architecture of lung parenchyma in patients with acute and chronic presentations of interstitial lung pathology.
Clinical Significance of Celiac Trunk and Superior Mesenteric Artery Diameter Following Computed Tomography
Authors: Ragupathi Siddarth , Kumar Gowrish Prem
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The celiac trunk and superior mesenteric arteries are the first and second anterior branches of the abdominal aorta. Knowledge of the anatomy and dimensions of these vessels is mandatory for interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. There are a number of anatomical variations of the celiac trunk. Aim: To evaluate whether there is an alteration in the dimension of the celiac trunk and the distance between celiac trunk and Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) in the presence of anatomical variants. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 patients who were referred to the Radiology Department for Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of the abdomen between September 2019 to February 2020. The diameter of the celiac trunk, SMA and the distance between celiac trunk and SMA were measured. Those who had previous history of any abdominal surgeries or mass lesions were excluded from the study. Results: Celiac trunk variants were observed in 39 patients in our study. The mean diameter was 6.57±1.35 mm in those with normal celiac axis anatomy as compared to a mean of 6.82±1.53 mm in patients with variants (p=0.33). The mean diameter of the SMA was 14.28±7.07 mm in females whereas in males it was 11.88±5.21 mm. The distance between the celiac trunk and SMA was 21.92±7.96 mm in those with normal celiac trunk anatomy and 22.29±5.95 mm in those with a variant anatomy (p=0.79). Conclusion: There is no difference in the dimension of the celiac trunk and distance between celiac trunk and SMA in the presence of anatomical variants. This is important for planning interventional procedures involving cannulation, stenting and anastomosis of the vessel.
Evaluation of Heavy Metals Concentration in Selected Seafood in Ogoni Land
Authors: Opuogulaya R. , Amadi H. S. , Bulo Z. B. , Wosu M. , Elechi C. B. , Ekpo R. O. , Vinyone E. B. , Kagbor-Barik D. W.
Published: March 2022

Periwinkle, clam, mudskipper, shrimp and catfish are favoured seafood in Ogoni Land. The quantitative estimation of heavy metals in these favoured seafood from Kaa and Kono Rivers have not really been established. This study was undertaken to evaluate the concentration of chromium, iron, lead and cadmium in the aforementioned seafood. Fresh, clean samples of periwinkle, clam, mudskipper, shrimp and catfish were collected from fishermen at landing beaches of Kaa and Kono Rivers. These samples were transported to the chemistry laboratory of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic where digestion was done. Quantitative estimation of heavy metals was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometer at corporate analytical service limited. Analysis showed that all heavy metals in periwinkle are greater than normal guidelines, with the exception of Fe from both rivers and Cr from Kaa. Cr is higher than the normal standards for clam in both rivers, but all others were lower. Except for Fe, all heavy metals in mudskipper exceed acceptable limits for both rivers. For shrimp, Cr and Pb levels are greater than recommended in both rivers, whereas Fe and Cd levels are lower. Cr was not detected in catfish, however Pb and Cd levels are greater than recommended for both rivers, whereas Fe levels are lower. According to a one-time evaluation, periwinkle, clam, mudskipper, shrimp and catfish from Kaa and Kono Rivers have heavy metal concentrations higher than recommended levels for safety. To minimize heavy metal bioaccumulation, these samples should not be consumed for long periods of time. Serial analysis over a long period of time should be carried out in order to provide a more definitive statement concerning the consumption of these seafood.
Arboreal Crop Tree Termites in the Komkom Community Oyigbo Local Government Area in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Amarachi Elechi, Merit , Onyebuchi Remigius Nwosu, , Karibi N. O. Bob-Manuel, , Patricia Adaobi
Published: March 2022

Termites cause major economic losses by destroying agricultural crop trees. This study aims to survey the arboreal crop tree termites in Komkom community of Oyigbo in the Niger Delta. The study area was divided into 10 zones and 306 trees were examined for the presence of termite nests, hollow sounds and mud tubes. Samples of termites with its nest, hollow, mud tube and tree cuttings were collected from infested trees using metal spatula, sorted and identified. Approximately 9.5% of the sampled trees had some termite presence as arboreal nests, hollowness or mud tubes. The trees most affected were Gmelina arborea (Gmelina), Dacryodes edulis (Native pear), Persea americana (Avocado), Citrus sinensis (Orange), Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple), Cocos nucifera (Coconut), and Mangifera indica (Mango). The termites identified were Odontotermes oblongatus, Microcerotermes annandalei, Microtermes sp (new), Microcerotermes paracelebensis, Neotermes spp, Glyptotermes kachongensis and Microcerotermes crassus. Eight crop trees - Anacardium occidentale (Cashew), Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Annona muricata (Soursop), Theobroma cacao (Cocoa), Psidium guajava (Guava), Irvingia gabonensis (Bush mango), Syzygium samarangense (Java apple), and Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) had no termite infestation in the study area. The result obtained in this study indicates the termite species that are pests of crop trees in the area.
Damping the Impact of Intraspecific Variability of Whorl Growth-rate on the Range of Intraspecific Variation of Adult Shell-size in Gastropods with Determinate Growth: Evidence of a Finely-tuned Regulating Process
Authors: Béguinot Jean
Published: March 2022

Many species among shelled gastropods – either land snails or marine snails – exhibit determinate growth and, therefore, are expected to implement some regulating process aiming at limiting the impact on the final (adult) shell-size of the (possibly excessive) intraspecific variability in the rate of shell-development. Indeed, a usually more or less limited range of variation is allowed for adult shell-size, in those species having determinate growth. Mollusks are expected to be no exception in this respect and, up to now, the occurrence of such a regulating process has actually been reported systematically, despite a still too limited number of investigations. Yet, the question remained of the ability of this regulatory process to finely adjust the end of the final development of both body and shell (specifically in term of the final number of whorls), so as to limit the variations in adult shell-size, despite the amplitude of intraspecific variability in shell development rate.

I provide here preliminary empirical evidence for such a “finely tuned” regulating process – the strength of which is mirrored by the degree of “Gouldian” negative covariance between whorl growth-rate and the number of whorls at adulthood. As expected, the strength of the regulating process reveals systematically increasing (i) with the amplitude of the intraspecific variability in shell development-rate and (ii) with the narrowness of the range of variation allowed for the adult shell-size (narrowness which depends upon the identity of the particular species under consideration). In addition to the already reported usual occurrence of this regulating process among shelled gastropods, its “finely tuned” character provides here still further evidence as regards its major importance in controlling the species-specific adult body mass, and this even for typically soft-bodied animals.
Trace Element Levels and Socio-Demography of Pre-Teen Nigerians with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disorder
Authors: Shittu K. O. , Egbeleke F. A. , Iyanda A. A.
Published: March 2022

Objectives: Homozygous sickle cell disorder (SCD) children are known to have abnormal anthropometric parameters which mostly have been linked with altered zinc status. Alteration in trace element status which occurs from interaction between essential and non-essential elements has not been well studied in SCD. Therefore, the aim of the study is to relate concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Pb with anthropometric parameters. Moreover, it will be established if correlation (interaction) exists between zinc and these two non-essential elements.

Methods: Twenty-seven SCD patients and 25 age and sex-matched children with hemoglobin genotype HbAA served as test and control groups respectively. Anthropometric parameters and information on demography, dietary zinc status and socio-economic status were obtained. The plasma and red cells obtained from 5 mL of blood were used to determine zinc and heavy metal (Pb, Cd) levels respectively by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using Student`s t-test, Chi- square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P< 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: There were significant differences in the mean values of mid-upper-arm circumference, weight and BMI. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in mean values of head circumference, height and the trace elements in test and control groups. No association between trace elements and BMI as well as between dietary zinc content and socio-economic status was observed.

Conclusion: the result of the study suggests there is no correlation between the toxic metals and zinc, and it seems that toxic metals play no role in abnormal BMI that is a common feature of SCD.
Wine Production from Banana (Musa sapientum) Using Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Isolated from Grape (Vitis vinifera)
Authors: Ezemba C. C. , Archibong E. J. , Okeke C. A.
Published: March 2022

This research was carried out to produce wine from banana (Musa sapientum) pulp using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) isolated from grape (Vitis vinifera).The fermentation of the banana wine lasted for 21 days. Physico-chemical parameters were determined during fermentation using standard procedures. Liquor of the fermenting must was removed for every 48 hours from the fermentor for analysis of pH, titratable acidity, specific gravity and reducing sugar using standard procedures. The results from the experiment showed that specific gravity of the wine was observed to reduce drastically as the fermentation progressed. The pH of the banana wine during fermentation increased from 4.16-4.22 at day to the last day while the titrable acidity (% w/v tartaric acid) of the banana wine produced increased from 1.05-1.77. The alcohol content of the wine increased with time. The specific gravity values were observed to range from 1.266 to 1.184 kg/m3 which gradually decreased throughout the period of fermentation. At the end of the fermentation, alcohol content was observed to be 9%. The flavour and taste were appreciable, overall point obtained was 4.8.  This study showed that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from the grape have a good fermentative report with acceptable wine which suggested that it could be use banana wine production, its products or other industrial application.
Elucidation and Prediction of Molecular Mechanisms and Associated Pathways of the Prostaglandin-endoperoxide Synthase-2 as a Common Key Gene for Diabetes and Cachexia: Bioinformatics Strategies
Authors: Saeed Amir
Published: March 2022

Cachexia and diabetes both feature severe weight loss as a phenotype, and both diseases share several gene and protein abnormalities. This study investigates the PTGS2 gene as a common key gene for diabetes and cachexia. A variety of biological databases and enrichment approaches were used to explore this gene. Probable genes and substances that could be used to address disease symptoms were identified using STICH, a protein-protein, and protein-drug interactions. It was also established that PTGS2 is strongly linked to the pharmacology of the ibuprofen route of action. These findings and annotations will aid in further research into the therapeutic option of targeting the PTGS2 gene in the treatment of both disorders.
Frequency of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation among Children from Tertiary Care Center in Rural Sindh
Authors: Yousfani Ezzat Ara Memon , Zafar Mehwish , Irshad Faisal , Soomro Rasheed Ahmed , Tagar Sarang , Kaleem Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Aims: To determine the frequency of parasitic infestation among children in our setup.

Study Design: Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of Pediatric Medicine and Department of Pathology, Suleman Roshan Medical College and Hospital, Tando Adam, Pakistan from 17th October 2020 to 30th May 2021.

Methods: A total of 2412 consecutive patients aged between 5 to 12 years, who attended the outpatient department for the complain of abdominal pain, diarrhea or dysentery, the clinically anemic cases, patients having history of occult blood (black stools) were included in the study. The demographic and clinical details of all the cases were collected on a structured proforma designed for the study. All the patients were investigated for stool examination. The patients already having negative stool report for parasite were excluded from the study. Microscopic examination of the fecal smear in normal saline was performed for the detection of any helminth or protozoal infection. The data collected was statistically analyzed and the results were tabulated.

Results: 1316 (54.6%) samples were found positive for helminth or protozoal infection, and 1490 parasites were detected from a total of 2412 stool specimens collected and analyzed. Majority of the children were female 1344 (55.7%). The highest parasitosis (70.3%) was more common among 9-10 years age group. Abdominal pain was the main presenting complaint. The Entamoeba histolytica was most common protozoa in both male and female (24.6%), while helminthic infection like Ascaris lumbricoides was most common parasite detected in 47.2% of samples but more prevalent in male cases.

Conclusion: The present study reveals a high frequency of parasitosis in our setup. Entamoeba histolytica was the commonest protozoa and Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequent helminthic infection, abdominal pain being the main presenting complaint.
Effect of Pristine Soil Addition and Cow Dung Treatment on the Community Structure Post Bioremediation
Authors: S. Baranu Barisiale , Ogugbue Chimezie J. , Okpokwasili Gideon C.
Published: March 2022

The pollution of crude oil on agricultural soil has become a menace in the world today. The ecologically friendly approach of restoring this polluted soil back to its original state is pertinent. In this study, 1000 g of crude oil polluted soil was amended with 12.5g of cow dung and 500 g of unpolluted soil, 1000 g of polluted soil with crude oil without cow dung amendment, and 1000 g of unpolluted soil without crude oil and cow dung amendment was the control. The setup was monitored for their physicochemical parameters such as total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (Ec), and total nitrogen. The microbiological characterization for viable and culturable was done for total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) while non-culturable but viable characterization was done using metagenomics-shotgun analysis to compare the changes in community structure before, during, and after remediation. The THB observed in the samples were 1.9 x 107, 1.3 x 103, 4.0 x 106, 3.58 x 108, 2.15 x 109 while HUB was 1.6 x 103, 1.0 x 101, 1.67 x 103, 2.5 x 104, and 3.55 x 104 respectively for A (unpolluted soil), B (polluted soil without 1.67 x 103, 2.5 x 104, and 3.55 x 104 respectively for A (unpolluted soil), B (polluted soil without treatment), J1 (month 1), J2 (month 2), and J3(month 3). Over 90 % removal of the TPH was achieved by the treatment. The molecular characterization showed that Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum identified in the pristine soil, but Actinobacteria were the most dominant in the soil  with  treatment.  Nitrogen-fixing  Bradirhizobium  elkanii  was found to be 0.66%, 5.11%, 10.43% before pollution, during natural attenuation, and with unpolluted soil addition with cow dung amendment. Denitrifying Nocardiodes daejeonensis and Nocardiodes terra were identified at 0.1 and 2.0% respectively only three (3) months after the end of the bioremediation treatment.
Experimental Results of Cooking Tests in the Dry Season in a Subequatorial Country Using a Box-type Solar Cooker with an Inclined Receiving Surface Fitted with a Flat Reflector
Authors: Soro D. , Sidibé M. , Kone K. Emmanuel , Bouich Amal , Marí B. , Toure Siaka
Published: March 2022

In this work, a box-type solar cooker with an inclined receiving surface with a flat reflector is designed and manufactured with less expensive materials available in the local market. Cooking tests were carried out during the great dry season in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, a subequatorial country, to assess the performance of the system. During these tests, the illumination (E) and temperatures at different places of the solar cooker were measured. The absorber temperature (Ta) rose above 100°C, which made it possible to cook eggs and yam stew with fish. The results obtained for these tests are satisfactory and very encouraging because the cooker produced allows sufficient temperatures to be reached for healthy cooking of food.
Bruach An Druimein, Poltalloch, Argyll
Authors: Abernethy Duncan , Ballin Smith Beverley , Campbell Ewan , Dickson Camilla A , Heald Andrew , Hunter Fraser , Miller Jennifer , Ramsay Susan , Thoms Jennifer , Warren Graeme , Will Bob
Published: March 2022

Rescue excavations in advance of gravel quarrying were carried out under the direction of the late Eric Cregeen from 1960 to 1962, at Bruach an Druimein, Poltalloch, Mid Argyll (NGR: NR 820 972). The site lies on one of the fluvio-glacial terraces which border the Kilmartin Glen, overlooking the lower ground, which has one of the densest concentrations of prehistoric funerary monuments in Britain. The site had previously been identified as containing later prehistoric and Early Historic cist burials and a degraded bank. The main features of the excavated part of site were an enclosing ditch complex, and numerous post-holes and other occupation evidence within the ditch. Possible Neolithic/Bronze Age activity was indicated by lithic scatters and possible burnt mound material. Several Bronze Age cist-burials, also uncovered during the quarrying, have already been published. The main phase of occupation, as supported by a series of radiocarbon dates, lay in the later first millennium BC, the early Iron Age period. The post-holes were interpreted as belonging to at least two roundhouses, important as the first such structures identified in Atlantic Scotland, though common in eastern and southern Britain.
My Final Respects
Authors: Fletcher Faith E.
Published: February 2025

In this narrative medicine essay, a bioethicist deliberates about whether she should consent to an autopsy following her mother’s sudden death to advance science or decline to honor, respect, and protect her.