bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
implementação dos Programas Integrados de Residências (FESF/Fiocruz) na Região Metropolitana de Salvador
Authors: Costa Waldemir de Albuquerque , Santana Victor Rocha
Published: April 2021

Objetivo: Descrever a experiência de implementação dos Programas Integrados de Residências em Medicina de Família e Comunidade e Multiprofissional em Saúde da Família da Fundação Estatal Saúde da Família (FESF) e Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) na região metropolitana de Salvador (RMS), correlacionando-a com a conjuntura política do período e a organização das redes de saúde locais. Método: Trata-se de um relato de experiência baseado nas vivências e narrativas de dois preceptores implicados com a Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) da RMS e que participaram do programa desde sua idealização. Foram levados em conta ainda documentos relevantes da época e das residências da região para a reconstrução histórica do programa. Resultados: O estudo trouxe à tona fortalezas, fragilidades, ameaças e oportunidades da residência, tensões e progressos dos atores envolvidos e questões relevantes para o futuro do programa. Por fim, traz o reconhecimento da residência como uma grande conquista para a RMS e aponta, entre os principais desafios do programa, a importância de se aprimorar a articulação política e a divulgação de suas atividades. Conclusões: Como um estudo exploratório inicial, o artigo busca estimular a realização de mais pesquisas sobre o programa que possam abordar, de forma mais aprofundada, suas práticas pedagógicas, as relações envolvidas entre os atores-chave e seus desdobramentos sobre a APS da RMS e de todo o estado.
Diga-me com/para/por que(m) projetas...
Authors: Barbosa Simone Diniz Junqueira
Published: April 2021

... e direi o que produzes. Simples assim? Não! E ainda bem que não… Os modelos, métodos, frameworks e processos que escolhemos para nos apoiarem guiam e restringem nossa atenção e nossa atuação, mas não determinam o resultado. Podemos extrapolá-los, e com frequência devemos extrapolá-los, mas como? Conhecemos alguns marcos no caminho, como aprendizado básico, do bê-á-bá à prosa; e apropriação, da denotação à conotação, da prosa maçante à prosa elegante e prazerosa, à poesia. Mas nossas trajetórias são pessoais, cultivando hábitos como curiosidade e reflexão sobre o mundo em que vivemos -- indivíduos e sociedades, natureza e artefatos, seres humanos e algoritmos -- sob diferentes perspectivas e em diferentes níveis de abstração. Cada um de nós pode vestir vários chapéus, mas tem uma só cabeça. Mas somos muitos. E diversos. Vamos trabalhar?
GAPI: Um guia online para apoio ao ensino de métodos de pesquisa com usuários
Authors: Sidarta Izac , Darin Ticianne
Published: April 2021

A interdisciplinaridade da Interação Humano-Computador (IHC) pode ser um desafio para o seu ensino em disciplinas introdutórias, pela necessidade de equilíbrio entre teoria e prática, a falta de maturidade dos alunos e as diferentes particularidades dos métodos de pesquisa com usuários. Dessa forma, o seguinte artigo apresenta desenvolvimento do primeiro módulo de um guia online para alunos cuja finalidade é o aprofundamento e estudo destes métodos de pesquisa em IHC.
Marketing in Social Economy and Common Welfare – Advantages and Challenges
Authors: Tscheulin Dieter K. , Olk Stephan , Zogaj Adnan , Mähner Philipp M.
Published: April 2021

Marketing ist mehr als Menschen Dinge zu verkaufen, die sie nicht brauchen. Vielmehr verfolgt das Marketingkonzept das Ziel, die Bedürfnisse der Stakeholder durch geeignete Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu befriedigen. Zu diesem Zweck stellt es ein stringentes Vorgehen bereit und bringt einen großen Fundus an unterschiedlichen Techniken mit. Aus dieser Perspektive analysiert der vorliegende Artikel die Anwendbarkeit des Marketings in der Gemeinwirtschaft und im Gemeinwohl und geht dabei auf Vorteile und Herausforderungen ein. Anhand ausgewählter Beispiele für die Anwendung von Marketingtechniken wird die Ausgestaltung des Marketing-Mix für Organisationen in der Sozialwirtschaft und der Gemeinwohlökonomie dargestellt. Auch ethische Aspekte der Anwendbarkeit des Marketings werden diskutiert.
Die Neufassung der Commons: Commoning als gemeinwohlorientiertes Gemeinwirtschaften
Authors: Helfrich Silke , Euler Johannes
Published: April 2021

Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden Commons und die entsprechenden sozialen Praktiken (Commoning) als Form(en) des Wirtschaftens vorgestellt, die in den vergangenen Jahrhunderten zunehmend verdrängt und in der öffentlichen Diskussion weitgehend unsichtbar gemacht wurden. Dennoch sind sie weltweit relevant geblieben sind. Seit den 1990er Jahren kommt dem Thema verstärkt Aufmerksamkeit zu. Wir zeichnen einige Wege dieser Wiederentdeckung nach und stellen unterschiedliche theoretische Zugänge vor - beginnend mit der These des Biologen Garrett Hardin von der sogenannten ‚Tragik der Allmende‘ und der Antwort der Politikwissenschaftlerin Elinor Ostrom. Darauf aufbauend gewinnen die Fragen nach einem Paradigmenwechsel im Commons-Diskurs sowie nach der transformativen Kraft des Commoning auf gesamtgesellschaftlicher Ebene an Bedeutung. Insgesamt wird deutlich, dass es sich bei Commons um eine gemeinwohlorientierte, gemeinwirtschaftliche Praxis handelt, die nicht nur das Wirtschaften und Zusammenleben verändert, sondern auch die kooperativ vor- und fürsorgenden Seiten im Menschen stärkt.
Nachhaltige Utopien in der offenen Gesellschaft
Authors: Maier-Rigaud Remi
Published: April 2021

Utopien waren lange in Verruf als statische Konstrukte, die paternalistisch seien und totalitäre Strukturen begünstigten, indem sie eine Rechtfertigung für Tod und Leid lieferten. Denn, so das weit verbreitete Zerrbild, Utopie verlange heutige Opferbereitschaft, damit am Horizont ein besseres Leben entstehen könne, eine in der fernen Zukunft liegende Verwirklichung einer am „Gemeinwohl“ orientierten Gesellschaft in Frieden und Wohlstand. Diese Vorwürfe sind mittlerweile vielfach entkräftet, denn Utopien sind relativ geworden, indem sie lernfähig und dynamisch wurden und sie beleuchten in kritischer Absicht auch die Schattenseite ihrer Gesellschaftsentwürfe. Es verwundert daher auch nicht, dass die Grenzziehung zwischen positiven und negativen Utopien nicht so klar ist, wie die Begriffe es suggerieren. Des einen Utopie ist des anderen Dystopie und so kann leicht (nicht nur aus subjektiver Perspektive) eine positive Utopie in ihre düstere Variante kippen. Ausgehend von kritischen und relativen Utopien skizziert der Beitrag eine an einem starken, nicht-anthropozentrischen Nachhaltigkeitsbegriff orientierte Gemeinwohlkonzeption. Dabei wird für eine präventive, kontextsensible politische Steuerung plädiert.
Selbstregulierung mit Corporate Governance Kodizes für nachhaltige Unternehmensführung in Gemeinwirtschaft und Nonprofit-Organisationen
Authors: Papenfuß Ulf
Published: April 2021

Good Governance und nachhaltige Unternehmensführung sind für Gemeinwirtschaft und Gemeinwohl von besonderer Bedeutung. Allerdings zeigen empirische Studien nach wie vor gravierende Governance-Defizite. Selbstregulierung mit Corporate Governance Kodizes wird relevante Potenziale zugewiesen und die Notwendigkeiten und Chancen zur Einführung und Überarbeitung werden für öffentliche Verwaltungen, gemeinwirtschaftliche Unternehmen, Nonprofit-Organisationen, Genossenschaften, kirchliche Einrichtungen, internationale Nichtregierungsorganisationen und weitere gemeinwohlorientierte Organisationsformen vielfach betont. Selbstregulierung ist sowohl ein Policy-Instrument als auch ein Governance-Mechanismus für die Erreichung von Politik- und Organisationszielen als Alternative oder zur Ergänzung von gesetzlichen Maßnahmen. Dieser Beitrag möchte für die weitere Diskussion um Effekte von Corporate Governance Kodizes in gemeinwohlorientierten Kontexten zu einem vollumfänglichen Verständnis des international einschlägigen comply-or-explain Prinzips als zentralem Gestaltungselement von Corporate Governance Kodizes beitragen, auf ein relevantes systemisches Forschungsgefälle zusätzlich aufmerksam machen und Impulse für die zukünftige Erforschung der Effekte von Corporate Governance Kodizes in verschiedenen organisationalen Kontexten in Interaktionen mit weiteren Faktoren liefern.
Synthesis, Dielectric and Electrical Properties of Silver-Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Moharana Srikanta , Subhrasmita Gadtya Ankita , Nayak Rozalin , Naresh Mahaling Ram
Published: April 2021

Metallic nanoparticles and its composites have emerged as valuable asset in all phases of material science and engineering including electronic, optics and electromagnetic domains. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are one of the most vital and fascinating nanomaterials among several metallic nanoparticles due to its large surface ratio and outstanding properties with diverse field of potential applications. We demonstrated various synthesis techniques of nanocomposites, silver nanoparticles and composite based on these particles have shown great importance because of the remarkable properties (high electrical and thermal conductivity, good chemical stability and catalytic properties) of silver nanoparticles. This chapter provides various synthesis techniques for preparation of silver nanoparticles and their composites with dielectric and electrical properties in a lucid manner. The detail discussions of silver-polymer nanocomposites, emphasizing on each individual synthesis routes and properties have been carried out.
Lipids Abnormality and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Causes and Consequences
Authors: Wang Kan , Ahmadizar Fariba
Published: April 2021

Dyslipidemia and diabetes both are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Emerging evidence suggests that these two are closely related to each other, the so-called “dyslipidemia-insulin resistance-hyperinsulinemia” cycle. Recently, several new lipid subfractions, such as apolipoprotein (Apo)B, and ApoJ, have been reported to associate with insulin resistance and incident diabetes, which further claim the role of lipid in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Besides, dyslipidemia is also one of the most prevalent diabetic complications. Clinical guidelines have widely recommended lipid management among diabetic patients through lifestyle intervention and lipid-lowering medications, especially statins, to prevent cardiovascular outcomes.
Demystifying Emulsifiers as Additives through Molecular Gastronomy: A Contribution to Rise Consumer’s Sovereignty
Authors: Rebelo Gomes Lígia , Silva Cláudia , D. Simões Catarina
Published: April 2021

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, one third of food produced annually for human consumption results in food losses or wastage, which is environmentally degrading, economically unviable, ethically incorrect, and does not contribute to sustainable development. The use of additives can help prevent the waste of food that is still fit for consumption in a world where about 16% of the world’s population goes hungry. Food additives may overcome the problem of limited supply of natural ingredients, increase the shelf life of foods and simplify the complex cooking procedures. To raise the consumer’s knowledge about food additives, this work presents and explain in a simple manner some physical/chemical properties of emulsifiers, namely fatty acids esters and sucrose esters of fatty acids. Moreover, this work reviews and illustrates, recurring to recipes of molecular gastronomy, how these additives are used in food preparation to achieve and maintain certain desirable characteristics, how they contribute to obtain a better result in final preparation, and how they can be used in modern cuisine. Preparations coming from the discipline of molecular gastronomy have been chosen since they are based on laboratory related procedures and only use few ingredients, including an additive.
Microfluidic Adsorption-Based Biosensors: Mathematical Models of Time Response and Noise, Considering Mass Transfer and Surface Heterogeneity
Authors: Jokić Ivana
Published: April 2021

Adsorption-based microfluidic sensors are promising tools for biosensing. Advanced mathematical models of time response and noise of such devices are needed in order to improve the interpretation of measurement results, and to achieve the optimal sensor performance. Here the mathematical models are presented that take into account the coupling of processes that generate the sensor signal: adsorption–desorption (AD) of the target analyte particles on the heterogeneous sensing surface, and mass transfer (MT) in a microfluidic chamber. The response kinetics and AD noise (which determines the ultimate sensing performance) of protein biosensors are analyzed, assuming practically relevant analyte concentrations, sensing surface areas and MT parameters. The condition is determined under which MT significantly influences the sensor characteristics relevant for reliable analyte detection and quantification. It is shown that the development of improved mathematical models of sensor temporal response and noise can be used as one of strategies for achieving better sensing performance.
Passive and Active Topologies Investigation for LED Driver Circuits
Authors: Musumeci Salvatore
Published: April 2021

In this chapter, a survey of LED driver circuits is presented. The driver circuit is a crucial component in the LED light system. It provides the correct voltage and current values for the best brightness and long life. Furthermore, the driver circuits contribute to obtaining high efficiency and reliability light system. Several lighting applications need different driver topologies that meet the use requirement and the energy sources available. In actual applications, passive and active circuits are implemented to satisfy the LED driver electrical requirements and cost-effective demands. The LED driver circuits investigation evaluate the issues and the solutions in the LED lighting systems connected to a DC source such as a battery or AC line. The AC line connection requisites such as the power factor correction and the harmonic distortion are dealt with both the driver topology and control optimization. Also, the volume reduction need is examined in the circuitry choice. Moreover, the different topologies of the power converters isolated and not isolated used in the driver circuits based on both the power request and supply source are described and critically evaluated.
Fluoride Content in Drinking Water and the Health Implications of Fluoride-Rich Water Consumption: An Overview of the Situation in Canada and Nigeria
Authors: Orakpoghenor Ochuko , Patience Markus Talatu , Inotu Osagie Meshack , Terkende Hambesha Paul
Published: April 2021

Fluoride is an inorganic monatomic anion of fluorine and forms part of essential reagents used by the chemical industry. It occurs naturally in several minerals and in trace quantities in water. Fluoride has been used to prevent tooth decay and in the treatment of osteoporosis. Extensive research has consistently demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of fluorides in the prevention of dental caries following the practice of water fluoridation. Despite these benefits, fluorides pose danger as an endocrine disruptor thus, affecting bones, brain, thyroid gland, pineal gland and blood sugar levels. In Canada, water fluoridation remains a contentious issue although dental decay constitutes the most common chronic disease. However, several Canadians are receiving the benefits of water fluoridation and about 1% have access to naturally fluoridated water. In Nigeria, the prevalence of dental caries has been documented to be greatly reduced following fluoridation of public water supplies in areas where the condition was endemic. Fluoride is therefore the only medicine added to public water, and at the recommended level, fluoride is safe and effective in the reduction of dental decay and poses no risk for health problems. Hence, this article highlighted fluoride content in drinking water and the health implications of consuming fluoride-rich water with a focus on the situation in Canada and Nigeria.
A Natural History of Floating Sargassum Species (Sargasso) from Mexico
Authors: Luis Godínez-Ortega José , V. Cuatlán-Cortés Juan , M. López-Bautista Juan , I. van Tussenbroek Brigitta
Published: April 2021

For at least several centuries, sargasso has inhabited the Atlantic Ocean, and there are historical records of these algae reaching the Mexican Veracruz State in the Gulf of Mexico. Blooming of sargasso in the southern tropical Atlantic is a current a global problem from Africa to the Greater Caribbean. Since 2015, exceptionally large quantities of sargasso have been arriving intermittently on the Mexican Caribbean coast, affecting coastal ecosystems and tourist beaches. Sargasso includes two holopelagic species, Sargassum natans and S. fluitans, with several varieties. There are no records of sexual reproduction in these species, and the algae are thought to spread exclusively by clonal reproduction by fragmentation. Although sargasso seaweeds have grown in the Sargasso Sea for centuries; they have not been well studied. This chapter deals with historical aspects of these algae, their taxonomic and morphological characteristics, distribution, ecology, and practical uses. Sargasso blooms in the central Atlantic started in 2011. In later years, the bloom developed to extend from West Africa, Brazil, and the Great Caribbean, including West-Indies, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico. The pelagic sargasso is a global phenomenon that must be understood by integrating natural history, modern biology, social and economic aspects.
p300/CBP Methylation is Involved in the Potential Carcinogenic Mechanism of Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yu , Shen Wei , Zou Jin , Ying Shibo
Published: April 2021

p300/CBP is involved in the expression of a wide range of genes, both as a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and as a coactivator of transcription factors. p300/CBP is the specific substrate of CARM1, and its KIX domain and GBD domain are the main sites methylated by arginine methyltransferase 4 (PRMT4/CARM1). p300/CBP plays an important role in lung cancer, which is a cell cycle disease. More importantly, the methylation of p300/CBP by CARM1 affects the progression of lung cancer through the cAMP-PKA pathway, p53 pathway and ER pathway. The structure, function, methylation modification sites, methylation-related enzymes, genes associated with lung cancer and the possible mechanisms of p300/CBP action are reviewed.
Neutropenia in Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Authors: Edeer Karaca Neslihan
Published: April 2021

Phagocytes including neutrophil granulocytes and macrophages are important cells of the innate immune system whose primary function is to ingest and destroy microorganisms. Neutrophils help their host fight infections by phagocytosis, degranulation, and neutrophil extracellular traps. Neutrophils are the most common type of circulating white blood cells and the principal cell type in acute inflammatory reactions. A total absence of neutrophils or a significant decrease in their number leads to severe immunodeficiency that renders patients vulnerable to recurrent infections by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria being the most life-threatening. Neutropenia may be classified as mild, moderate or severe in terms of numbers in the peripheral blood, and intermittent, cyclic, or chronic in terms of duration. Besides well-known classic severe congenital neutropenia, chronic neutropenia appears to be associated with an increasing number of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), including those of myeloid and lymphoid lineage. A comprehensive overview of the diverse clinical presenting symptoms, classification, aetiological and genetic etiologies of chronic isolated and syndromic neutropenia is aimed to be reviewed.
Sustainable Biowaste Management in Cereal Systems: A Review
Authors: Kumar Dwibedi Sanat , Kumar Mohanty Mahendra , Chandra Pandey Vimal , Divyasree Donakonda
Published: April 2021

Among the field crops, cereals being the staple food for humans and feed for cattle, occupy 50.8 per cent of the cultivated land and contribute 52.5 per cent of the body calories. Cereals are the good source of carbohydrate, minerals, and dietary fibre for humans and animals. With the ever growing human population the agricultural production and agri-wastes are increasing across the globe. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, near about 66, 21 and 13 per cent of total estimated 2,060 Tg of biomass are generated every year. Burning has been the cheapest, simplest, easiest and quickest way of eliminating bulky unwanted biomass in-situ before raising of the succeeding crop(s). Rice, wheat, sugarcane and maize constitute 24, 23, 5 and 48 per cent of the global burnt residues. Although killing of problematic weeds, insects, and pathogens, and addition of valuable plant nutrients are the very basic objectives of this anthropogenic post-harvest residue management strategy but it releases noxious gases into the atmosphere polluting air and contributing to the global warming. Shorter sowing windows very often compel the farmers to remove crop residues through burning, especially in absence of alternative options for its productive and profitable disposal. Rising labour cost and their seasonal scarcity sometimes also insist the farmers to burn crop residues. However, stringent punitive actions have yet failed to curb such open burning in many countries in absence of the farmers’ friendly and financially viable options of crop residue management. In this chapter, attempts have been made to elucidate various sustainable crop residue management strategies in cereal systems.
Radar Satellite Altimetry in Geodesy - Theory, Applications and Recent Developments
Authors: Grgić Marijan , Bašić Tomislav
Published: April 2021

Radar satellite altimetry has revolutionized our understanding of the Earth’s sea-level shape and its change over time, monitoring of the natural and human-induced water cycle, marine gravity computations, seafloor relief (bathymetry) reconstruction, tectonics, water mass balance change monitoring, etc., thus providing significant impact in geodesy. Today satellite radar altimetry is critical for unifying the vertical height systems, regional and global geoid modeling, monitoring of the sea level rise impact, monitoring of the ice sheet melting, and others. This chapter gives an overview of the technology itself and the recent developments including the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) altimetry, coastal altimetry retracking methods, and new satellite missions (e.g. Sentinel-6). Besides, the chapter presents recent applied studies utilizing the altimeter data for ice sheet monitoring, vertical land motion estimating, bathymetric computations, and marine geoid modeling.
Prospects of Biocatalyst Purification Enroute Fermentation Processes
Authors: Bamitale Osho Michael , Olateju Kareem Sarafadeen
Published: April 2021

Biotransformation of broth through fermentation process suffers a major setback when it comes to disintegration of organic substrates by microbial agents for industrial applications. These biocatalysts are in crude/dilute form hence needs to be purified to remove colloidal particles and enzymatic impurities thus enhancing maximum activity. Several contractual procedures of concentrating dilute enzymes and proteins had been reported. Such inorganic materials include ammonium sulphate precipitation; salting, synthetic polyacrylic acid; carboxy-methyl cellulose, tannic acid, edible gum and some organic solvents as precipitants etc. The emergence of organic absorbents such as sodom apple (Calostropis procera) extract, activated charcoal and imarsil had resulted in making significant impact in industrial circle. Various concentrations of these organic extracts have been used as purifying agents on different types of enzyme vis: lipase, amylase, protease, cellulase etc. Purification fold and stability of the enzyme crude form attained unprecedented results.
Trends of Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology and Morphology in Tehran Metropolis, Iran from 2006 to 2015
Authors: Azizmohammad Looha Mehdi , Mohammadi Gohar , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Partovipour Elham , Samsami Majid
Published: April 2021

Objectives: This study aimed at reporting a 10-years trend in epidemiology and morphology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Tehran Metropolis, using the data of the National Cancer Registry. Methods: The main sources for data collection included pathology, clinical/paraclinical, as well as death registries. The quality assessment of data was performed based on standard protocols and international reference. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) per 100 000 were reported at province levels. Results: Totally, 16280 patients with CRC, who were diagnosed from 2006 to 2015 in Tehran Metropolis, were enrolled in the study; 56.86% of cases were male. The ASRs of adenocarcinoma and other morphology types were higher in males than females. The highest and lowest overall ASR (95% confidence interval (CI)) were reported in 2013 and 2006 with the value of 22.46 (95% CI: 21.58 - 23.35) and 5.55 (95% CI: 5.04 - 6.07) per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) indicated that from 2006 to 2015, the overall ASR had a statistically upward trend with the value of 15.0 (95% CI: 1.80 - 30.00) in total CRC patients. Besides, the AAPC of adenocarcinoma type in males and females was 15.6 (95% CI: 1.10-32.20) and 12.9 (95% CI: 0.60 - 26.60) over the study period, respectively, which showed a significant upward trend. The ASR was much higher in age ≥ 50 years old compared to age < 50 years old. Conclusions: The results showed a growing trend in registry coverage in Tehran Province. Tehran is a high-risk area for the incidence of CRC. Cancer control programs need to be adjusted based on the status of cancer incidence in Tehran Province.
Performance Analysis of Cryptographic Hash Functions Suitable for Use in Blockchain
Authors:   V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Svobody sq., 4, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine, Kuznetsov Alexandr , Oleshko Inna , Tymchenko Vladyslav , Lisitsky Konstantin , Rodinko Mariia , Kolhatin Andrii
Published: April 2021

A blockchain, or in other words a chain of transaction blocks, is a distributed database that maintains an ordered chain of blocks that reliably connect the information contained in them. Copies of chain blocks are usually stored on multiple computers and synchronized in accordance with the rules of building a chain of blocks, which provides secure and change-resistant storage of information. To build linked lists of blocks hashing is used. Hashing is a special cryptographic primitive that provides one-way, resistance to collisions and search for prototypes computation of hash value (hash or message digest). In this paper a comparative analysis of the performance of hashing algorithms that can be used in modern decentralized blockchain networks are conducted. Specifically, the hash performance on different desktop systems, the number of cycles per byte (Cycles/byte), the amount of hashed message per second (MB/s) and the hash rate (KHash/s) are investigated. The comparative analysis of different hashing algorithms allows us to choose the most suitable candidates for building decentralized systems type of blockchain.
An Efficient Route Failure Detection Mechanism with Energy Efficient Routing (EER) Protocol in MANET
Authors:   Department of Physics, Sathyabama Institute of science and technology, Chennai, India, Jayalakshmi D. S. , Hemanand D. , Kumar G. Muthu , Rani M. Madhu
Published: April 2021

Mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is a network with two or more number of nodes with restricted energy constraint. The high dynamic nature in MANET attracts needs to consider the energy efficient features in their construct. The routing protocol is an important criterion to be considered for evaluating the performance of the MANET. Energy consumption plays vital role in MANET. Hence designing the scheme that supports energy efficient is much needed for the high dynamic MANET environment concerned. This paper proposes the Energy Efficient Routing (EER) protocol based on efficient route failure detection. The Scope of this paper is to suggest a fresh routing procedure for Mobile Adhoc Network minimizes unsuccessful communication. The projected procedure practices three important criterions to locate the path that assure authentic communication. The channel caliber, connection caliber and node’s residual energy is important reason for the failure of the node in MANET. Hence, the suggested routing mechanism believes these three different parameters to choose the finest node in the route. The reliable transmission and reception are attained by transferring information through route nominated by the suggested system verified by means of NS-2 simulator.
IC Floorplanning Optimization using Simulated Annealing with Order-based Representation
Authors:   School of Information & Communication Technology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India, Singh Rajendra Bahadur , Baghel Anurag Singh
Published: April 2021

Integrated Circuits (IC) floorplanning is an important step in the integrated circuit physical design; it influences the area, wire-length, delay etc of an IC. In this paper, Order Based (OB) representation has been proposed for fixed outline floorplan with Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm. To optimize the IC floorplan, two physical quantities have been considered such as area, and wire-length for hard IP modules. Optimization of the IC floorplan works in two phases. In the first phase, floorplans are constructed by proposed representation without any overlapping among the modules. In the second phase, Simulated Annealing algorithm explores the packing of all modules in floorplan to find better optimal performances i.e. area and wire-length. The Experimental results on Microelectronic Center of North Carolina benchmark circuits show that our proposed representation with SA algorithm performs better for area and wire-length optimization than the other methods. The results are compared with the solutions derived from other algorithms. The significance of this research work is improvement in optimized area and wire-length for modern IC.
Rapidly progressive dementia associated with leukoencephalopathy: A case report of lymphomatosis cerebri
Authors: Vences Miguel A. , Saravia-Ayala Adriana F. , Barreto-Acevedo Elliot
Published: April 2021

Introduction Lymphomatosis cerebri is a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma characterized by an atypical clinical presentation and neuroimaging, with a poor short-term prognosis. Case Report A 51-year-old woman began with clinical manifestations characterized by rapidly progressing cognitive impairment associated with a behavioral disorder, myoclonus, and gait disturbance. The brain magnetic resonance image showed extensive signaling in the bilateral periventricular white matter. The 18F-FDG PET-CT showed severe dorsolateral neocortical hypometabolism in the absence of focal hypermetabolic lesion, a metabolic pattern indicative of cerebri lymphomatosis. A brain biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient started chemotherapy achieving complete remission. Eighteen months after diagnosis, the patient had improved clinically and neuroimaging. Conclusion This is the first report in Peru of an entity that should be considered in rapidly progressive dementia and leukoencephalopathy cases. Timely diagnosis and appropriate chemotherapy management can increase patient survival.
Application of quality planning to optimize product and construction project quality
Authors: Le Tuong , Huynh Tung , Nguyen Tuan
Published: April 2021

A country is called developed when the capacity and progress of science and technology have created products that always meet the requirements and increasing needs of people, ensuring stability and development of the nation in particular and the movement of the world in general. In Vietnam, the quality of goods is still modest. This exists not only from a macro perspective but also from a micro perspective and the transition from macro to micro because of a lack of orientation, or can be called the lack of "Product quality planning" in terms of space. This paper will discuss the concepts of quality, expand the concept of quality with the aim of achieving good quality, meeting increasing requirements, need to perform the "quality planning" work under the space degree. The paper uses a mathematical tool based on the Cartesian coordinate system to determine the optimal value of product quality in order to demonstrate quantitatively according to the spatial frameworks when the quality is desired to achieve the required perfection through the magnitude of the "quality demand." In a similar way, in order to get the construction project achieve the maximum quality, there must be adjustment solutions in 3 aspects. However, at present, in Vietnam in particular and the world in general, there have not been many in-depth studies on the formation of quality and the factors affecting the quality, especially the industrial construction projects. Through the success or failure of investment projects in the form of public private partnerships (PPP) of countries around the world, including developed countries, the author thinks that in order for the project to be successful, it is necessary to apply construction product quality planning.
Prevalence and Distribution of Ankle Joint Equinus in 249 Consecutive Patients Attending a Foot and Ankle Specialty Clinic
Authors: DeHeer Patrick A. , Standish Sarah N. , Kirchner Kyle J. , Fleischer Adam E.
Published: April 2021

Background

The definition of equinus varies from less than 0° to less than 25° of dorsiflexion with the foot at 90° to the leg. Despite its pervasive nature and broad association with many lower-extremity conditions, the prevalence of ankle equinus is unclear. Furthermore, there are few data to suggest whether equinus is predominantly a bilateral finding or isolated to the affected limb only.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study examining consecutive patients attending a single foot and ankle specialty practice. Participation involved an assessment of ankle joint range of motion by a single rater with more than 25 years of clinical experience. We defined ankle equinus as ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion less than or equal to 0° and severe equinus as less than or equal to –5°. Patients who had previously experienced an Achilles tendon rupture, undergone posterior group lengthening (ie, Achilles tendon or gastrocnemius muscle lengthening), or had conservative or surgical treatment of equinus previously were excluded.

Results

Of 249 included patients, 61% were female and 79% nondiabetic. The prevalence of ankle equinus was 73% [183 of 249], and nearly all of these patients had bilateral restriction of ankle joint range of motion (prevalence of bilateral ankle equinus was 98.4% [180 of 183] among those with equinus). We also found that ankle equinus was more common in patients with diabetes, higher body mass indexes (BMIs), or overuse symptoms.

Conclusions

The prevalence of ankle equinus in this sample was higher than previously reported, and nearly all of these patients had bilateral involvement. These data suggest that many people attending foot/ankle specialty clinics will have ankle equinus, and select groups (diabetes, increased BMI, overuse symptoms) are increasingly likely.
Intermetatarsal Angle and Hallux Abductus Angle Reduction After First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Mild, Moderate, and Severe Hallux Valgus
Authors: Cravey Kimberly S. , Barron Ian M. , Atway Said A. , Anthony Michael L. , Monson Erik K.
Published: April 2021

Background

First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion is a commonly used procedure for treating many pathologic disorders of the first ray. Historically, hallux valgus deformity with severely increased intermetatarsal angle or metatarsus primus adductus indicated need for a proximal metatarsal procedure. However, the effectiveness and reliability of first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis in reducing the intermetatarsal angle has been increasingly described in the literature. We compared findings at our institution with current literature for further validation of this well-accepted procedure in correcting hallux valgus deformity with high intermetatarsal angle.

Methods

Weightbearing preoperative and postoperative radiographs of 43 patients, 31 women and 12 men, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Two independent investigators measured the hallux abductus and intermetatarsal angles. Preoperative and postoperative measurements for each angle were compared and average reduction calculated. The data were further analyzed by grouping deformities as mild, moderate, and severe. Mean follow-up was 10 months.

Results

The overall mean preoperative intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles decreased significantly (from 13.09° to 9.33° and from 23.72° to 12.19°, respectively; both P < .01). When grouping deformities as mild, moderate, and severe, all of the categories maintained reduction of intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles (P < .01). Furthermore, the mean reduction of the intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles seemed to correlate with preoperative deformity severity.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing correction of hallux valgus deformity, first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis produced consistent reductions in the intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles. Furthermore, these findings are consistent with those reported by other institutions.
Metastasis of Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma Affecting the Metatarsal Head: A Case Report
Authors: Huchital Michael , Hoda Syed T. , Delmonte Rick , Greenberg Paul
Published: April 2021

There are few reported cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma metastasis to bone in the lower extremities. The authors present a case of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma thought to be in remission, with metastasis to the first metatarsal head with involvement in the synovial tissue of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Following excision of the lesion, no further treatment was determined to be necessary. The patient was to be observed for local recurrence.
Comparison of Large-Gauge Needle, Corneal Knife, and No. 11 Blade for Percutaneous Achillotomy
Authors: Alpay Yakup , Yildirim Timur , Akbulut Deniz , Cukurlu Mustafa , Ozkocer Suheyla Esra , Elmas Cigdem
Published: April 2021

Background

In the Ponseti technique, the residual equinus deformity is corrected with percutaneous tenotomy. This experimental study aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of a large-gauge needle, a corneal knife, and a No. 11 blade in percutaneous achillotomy performed in rats.

Methods

Ninety Achilles tendons of 45 Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed, following division into three study groups. In the study, group I (needle), group II (corneal knife), and group III (No. 11 blade) were compared on the basis of bleeding, incision length, requirement for primary suture, range of motion, and resulting neurovascular injury at day 0. Moreover, the groups were compared in terms of range of motion, macroscopic and microscopic adhesions, and tenocyte morphology at days 21 and 42 postoperatively.

Results

On day 0, one suture was required in group III, whereas in groups I and II, no sutures were required. Postoperative bleeding was greater in group III and similar in groups I and II. Neurovascular injury was not observed in any of the groups. Three incomplete tenotomies were observed in group III and one incomplete tenotomy was observed in group II. Importantly, all tenotomies were complete in group I. In all groups, the range of motion was similar. The macroscopic adhesion score revealed high adhesion in group III (P = .009). According to Tang's criteria, microscopic adhesion was significantly higher on day 21 in group III compared with the other groups (P <0.001). No significant differences were observed in tenocyte morphology based on the Bonar criteria (P = .850).

Conclusions

In the results obtained from this animal study, we observed less bleeding, less adhesion, and less incomplete tenotomy in the large-gauge needle and corneal knife groups compared with the No. 11 blade group during the percutaneous Achilles tenotomy performed in rats.
Case Report of a Posterior Malleolus Metastasis: A Very Rare Metastasis Localization
Authors: Başdelioğlu Koray , Civi Gonca
Published: April 2021

Metastasis of the distal tibia is quite rare. In this article, we present the case of a 58-year-old woman with distal tibial metastasis located in the posterior malleous caused by breast cancer. She had left ankle pain and nonweightbearing status that had been ongoing for 2 months and showed progression. The patient's Mirels score was 10. Limb salvage surgery was performed by removing the metastatic lesion by posterior ankle incision followed by applying a double plate from the posterior and the medial side of the distal tibia, and the defect was reconstructed with methylmethacrylate. Consequently, good stability was achieved. Radiotherapy consisting of 10 fractions (2000 cGy total) was applied to the distal tibia at postoperative week 3. There were no complications after surgery. No recurrence was observed at the 18-month follow-up of the patient. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score at the 18-month control of the patient was 86%. Use of curettage of the metastatic mass, double-plate application, and defect reconstruction with methylmethacrylate is an effective method for distal tibia metastases located in the posterior malleolus.
Subset-based stereo calibration method optimizing triangulation accuracy
Authors: Semeniuta Oleksandr
Published: April 2021

Calibration of vision systems is essential for performing measurement in real world coordinates. For stereo vision, one performs stereo calibration, the results of which are used for 3D reconstruction of points imaged in the two cameras. A common and flexible technique for such calibration is based on collection and processing pairs of images of a planar chessboard calibration pattern. The inherent weakness of this approach lies in its reliance on the random nature of data collection, which might lead to better or worse calibration results, depending on the collected set of image pairs. In this paper, a subset-based approach to camera and stereo calibration, along with its implementation based on OpenCV, is presented. It utilizes a series of calibration runs based on randomly chosen subsets from the global set of image pairs, with subsequent evaluation of metrics based on triangulating the features in each image pair. The proposed method is evaluated on a collected set of chessboard image pairs obtained with two identical industrial cameras. To highlight the capabilities of the method to select the best-performing calibration parameters, a principal component analysis and clustering of the transformed data was performed, based on the set of metric measurements per each calibration run.
Long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 is downregulated in osteoporosis and influences the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Teng Zhaowei , Zhu Yun , Hao Qinggang , Yu Xiaochao , Teng Yirong , Yue Qiaoning , Zhang Xiguang , Lu Sheng
Published: April 2021

Background

With aging, an imbalance in bone remodeling leading to increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation is thought to contribute to osteoporosis. Osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis remain incompletely understood. Given that long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (lnc TUG1) plays a critical role in the osteogenic differentiation, and microRNA-23b (miR-23b) as a putative sponge for lnc TUG1 has upregulated expression in osteoporosis. Therefore, this study investigated the roles of TUG1/miR-23b in osteoporotic pathology.

Material and Methods

TUG1 and miR-23b expression in the plasma of osteoporotic patients were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The osteogenic differentiation in human BMMSCs was evaluated by qRT-PCR, western blot, Alizarin red staining after knockdown of TUG1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment.

Results

Decreased expression of TUG1 and increased expression of miR-23b evident in the plasma of patients with osteoporosis than in that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Additionally, increased miR-23b expression inhibited runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin, and osteopontin expression and reduced calcified nodule formation based on the results of qRT-PCR, western blot, and Alizarin Red S staining.

Conclusion

The study for the first time reported that silence of lncRNA TUG1 significantly suppressed the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs possibly by targeting the miR-23b/RUNX2 signaling pathway. This mechanism of TUG1/miR-23b/RUNX2 signaling within the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs might provide new insight for the development of lncRNA-directed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
The impact of functional excess of footwear on the foot shape of 7-year-old girls and boys
Authors: Puszczalowska-Lizis Ewa , Lukasiewicz Aleksandra , Lizis Sabina , Omorczyk Jaroslaw
Published: April 2021

Background

Properly fitted shoes can support the development of growing feet and prevent problems and pathologies, not only in childhood, but also in adulthood. This points to the need to conduct research on the impact of shoe fitting on the structure of the foot in order to raise awareness and importance of this problem, to enable proper decisions regarding the purchase and use of shoes. The aim of this study was to analyze indoor footwear fit and its impact on foot structure in 7-year-old schoolchildren.

Methods

The CQ-ST podoscope and the Clevermess device were used for measurements. The analysis was carried out using the Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Chi-square test, regression analysis.

Results

About 40% of girls and boys had shoes that were incorrectly fitted in length, while as many as 74% of girls and 66% of boys wore shoes that were incorrectly fitted in width. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant influence of the footwear length on longitudinal arch of the right and left foot and the transverse arch of the right foot. In boys, the length of the shoes shows associations with the right and left hallux valgus angle.

Conclusion

A significant percentage of the studied 7-year-olds, regardless of gender, wears inappropriately fitted shoes. In both sexes, the length of the footwear influenced the longitudinal arch of the right and left foot and the transverse arch of the right foot. Due to the deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the boys with hallux valgus require footwear which is wider and therefore their shoes need to be bigger in size.