bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement of GFRP Tensile Specimens with Central Holes Using Bonded Composite Patches
Authors: Paiva Fernando E.L. , Reis João M.L. , Costa Mattos Heraldo S. da
Published: October 2023

The use of bonded composite patches is a promising repair/reinforcement method to extend service live of damaged structures. These patches are non-corroding, lightweight, easy to fabricate and have high specific modulus and strength. In this work, the tensile behavior of a patch-reinforced composite specimen with a central hole is analyzed experimentally. A 10-ply composite tensile specimen is prepared by using bidirectional woven e-glass fabric and epoxy resin as the matrix material. The damage is created in the specimen by drilling three different holes with 3, 6 and 10 mm diameter at the center. The specimen is then reinforced by bonding composite patches or carbon steel patches with different lengths as external patches on both external surfaces. Tensile tests have been carried out on the undamaged, damaged, and repaired specimens. From the tensile tests, it was possible to verify the reduction of the strength (measured by the rupture force) of the specimens with holes of 3 mm, 6 mm and 10 mm. The patches were manufactured using the same glass fiber reinforced plastic, GFRP, used in the specimens or carbon steel. The patches were 25,0 mm wide, 2,5 mm thick. The length was 20 mm, 40 mm or 60 mm. It was found that GFRP patches has better efficiency than carbon steel patches. The repairs with GFRP patches were able to restore between 80% and 90% of the mechanical properties of the intact GFRP specimen without the necessity to replace the composite material.
Making OER Sustainable in the Library
Authors: Thompson Joanna , Peach Joshua
Published: October 2023

While open educational resources (OER) programs are often situated in university and college libraries, librarians come to the practice with different levels of exposure and knowledge. At the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) library, we attempted to bridge this gap by offering a paid training for all full-time librarians at the college. Our goal for the training was to integrate the philosophy of open educational resources and its approaches into librarians’ everyday work. This article outlines the rationale for our approach to professional development, the program design, participant feedback, and future directions. 
Equity and Innovation: Adding Human Voice to OERs
Authors: Wiant Cummins Molly , Mason Melanie
Published: October 2023

Many students are facing multiple barriers to accessible education. Some instructors have attempted to help address these concerns through the adoption and use of Open Educational Resources (OERs). When questions of access arise, however, McWilliam (1999) reminds pedagogues to question what concept(s) does the word “access” refer to. For us, a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to education works well with OERs aimed at levelling playing fields toward greater student equity.This column details a feasibility study we undertook and underscores that, while a professional human audio component might be cost-prohibitive, creators and utilizers can still create (human) voice audio components for their OERs that open access to more students.
OER by Any Other Name: Results From A Faculty Listening Tour At A Mid-Sized Research University
Authors: Schuler Andrea , Gamble Alyn
Published: October 2023

The importance of OER in higher education is well-documented, but additional factors are necessary to explore in order to understand the perception, use, and development of these resources. These include scans of academic environments beyond community colleges or large public universities, and the utilization of novel techniques such as listening tours. In this study, a faculty listening tour was conducted at a private, mid-sized research university. Fourteen faculty members from a variety of disciplines participated in the study, with STEM disciplines being slightly more represented. Semi-structured interviews revealed findings related to faculty usage of textbooks, understanding of student financial needs, perceptions of OER, as well as faculty communication preferences.  Faculty members were found to be thoughtful in their selection of course materials, albeit limited by time to include or create new resources, and considerate of cost when choosing textbooks. Faculty members were also found to be unable to define inclusive access models and had difficulty understanding the term OER, leading to a change in librarian vocabulary when referring to these resources. This listening tour led to new approaches to outreach and communications regarding OER among faculty, as well as the development of a staff listening tour, to better support campus needs and facilitate the use of more low-and-no-cost materials.
Assessing the Impact of a Collaborative OER & Affordable Resources Committee: Instructors’ Awareness of Course Material Options
Authors: Elder Abbey , Alam Md Imtiajul
Published: October 2023

This case study shares observations from a 2022 survey of 197 instructors at Iowa State University, a public research university in  the United States. The survey sought to explore instructor awareness of three major affordable course material initiatives supported by the university’s  Open & Affordable Education Committee (OAEC): open educational resources (OER), Course Reserves, and Immediate Access. Results from the survey found that despite significant cross-promotion and collaboration between the three programs represented on the OAEC, the awareness and uptake of each program varied wildly, as did instructors’ understanding of the differences between each material type. This paper shares the results of that survey, as well as improvements which have been made to the OAEC’s programming and promotion efforts in the year since.
Impact of Environmental Factors on the Production of Silver Nanoparticles by Saccharomyces Ellipsoideus BSU-XR1
Authors: G. Ganbarov Khudaverdi , M. Jafarov Mirmusa , Huseynova Sanam İ. , Shoaib Muhammad , Alkishiyeva Kamala S.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: In our presented work we have studied the effect of various environmental factors on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Saccharomyces ellipsoideus BSU-XR1. Silver nanoparticles were formed by growing the yeast in broth medium at 30oC. Filters were used to seperate biomass from broth. Biomass was washed 3 times with 0.1L of distilled water (DW). 10 grams of wet biomass was poured to beaker containing 90 ml of sterile DW. 1 ml of 10-3 molar solution of Silver nitrate was poured to it, and this mixture with silver nitrate salt was incubated in a dark environment. It was determined that, the optimal condition for the production of silver nanoparticles was being on the 21st day of incubation, in 10 grams of wet biomass. For the cultivation of the studied yeast strain, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles took place in the range of 25-30°C. Tthe initial pH of the medium was 7.0. and the concentration of silver nitrate was used as salt at conntration of 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM. The optimal conditions of incubation were in dark environment in all variotions of experiments.
Production Optimization of Feather Hydrolysate and Use as a Promising Nitogen-Rich Fertilizer for Rice (Oryza Sativa) Production
Authors: Sahoo Sumita , Rath Biswajit , Mondal Keshab C. , Halder Suman Kumar , Mandal Arpita
Published: October 2023

Present agriculture sector mostly depend on synthetic fertilizer for better crop. Feather is a rich source of protein and nitrogen. It was degraded by Keratinolytic bacteria Bacillus wiedmanni SAB10 in poultry litter sole media. Feather hydrolysate was produce from solid state fermentation process and fermentation condition was optimized through OVAT (One Variable At A Time) system. In this process feather (1.25%w/v) was fully degraded in poultry litter(1%w/v) with in 48 hrs at pH 10.After the fermentation cell free feather hydrolysate use in rice plant in different concentration and different mode. Liquid feather hydrolysate produced from solid state fermentation contain important amount of protein (3.12mg/ml) and amino acid(792µg/ml) that enhances the rice plant growth in pot trial condition. After application Group D Plants leaves have been reported to have higher levels of total chlorophyll (5.25mg/g of dry wt), IAA (17.23µg/ml)..Carbohydrate contain of rice has increased 1.6 fold than control Following the spraying of feather hydrolysate (300 µl/ml), the phenolic (1.71 fold) and flavonoid (1.52 fold) contents significantly increased.. The novelty of our investigation is we use here two wasted products and convert them a valuable product.
Indirect Organogenesis and High Frequency Plant Regeneration in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum Gaertn.)
Authors: Dennis S. , Ravindhran R. , Charles P. , Raj S. Leo Arockia , Kaviarasan V.
Published: October 2023

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) is a pseudocereal, dicot, economically significant, and nutraceutical crop that belongs to the order Caryophyllales of the family Polygonaceae. The two species Fagopyrum esculentum (common buckwheat) and Fagopyrum tartaricum (tartary buckwheat) are most grown in the Himalayas. A crop that thrives in extremely cold temperatures is Fagopyrum tartaricum. It contains D-chiro inositol, quercetin, vitexin, and the antioxidant polyphenol rutin. This study has devised an effective indirect organogenesis strategy for tartary buckwheat, (Fagopyrum tartaricum). Callus induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium with additional 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) and 0.1 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) produced the optimum (90.67%) friable yellow callus using leaf explant. Shoot proliferation medium (SPM) containing MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) has produced the most shoots (35.2±1.83) with mean shoot length of 3.41±0.14 in cm. The regenerated shoots were successfully rooted in indole-3-butyric acid-containing full-strength MS medium. A rooting medium with 3 mg L-1 IBA exhibited the most roots with 6.84±0.45 and a mean length of roots being 11.59±0.44 in cm. 100% of the in vitro rooted shoots that were transplanted into the field survived.
Inauguration the Enigma: Ralstonia mannitolilytica Septicemia - Clinical Journey, Multidimensional Investigation, and Paradigm- Shifting Research Insights
Authors: Al-Abdullah Nabeela , Neyazi Amir Yousef
Published: October 2023

This case report focuses on a patient from Saudi Arabia who developed Ralstonia mannitolilytica septicemia. We present the clinical presentation, docking, simulation, and bioinformatics studies conducted to gain insights into the infectious strain. The patient initially presented with fever, chills, and septic shock, and showed decreased white blood cell and platelet counts with elevated inflammation markers. Treatment with Tazocin resulted in a favorable response. The infectious strain exhibited prolonged growth in distilled water and showed distinct genetic characteristics. Our multidisciplinary approach revealed insights into virulence factors and potential drug targets. The study contributes to understanding R. mannitolilytica septicemia and emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Further research is needed to explore pathogenesis, transmission dynamics, and optimal management strategies for R. mannitolilytica infections.
Screening and Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria from Chronic Kidney Disease Patients of Warangal
Authors: Srilaxmi Katyala , Munjam Srinivas
Published: October 2023

With an overall incidence of over 10% within regular population, Chronic kidney disease is an issue that is becoming more and more important in terms of public health. The enhanced risk of infection, especially those brought on by bacteria that are multi-drug resistant, is one of the main side effects of chronic kidney disease. It is essential to screen and identify multidrug resistant bacteria in chronic kidney disease patients, especially those receiving haemodialysis, in order to prevent the transmission of these pathogens. Hence, to improve outcomes for chronic kidney disease patients, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of drug-resistant bacteria are essential. A total of 2219 samples were screened for antibiotic resistant microbes in hospital samples. 445 samples tested positive (20.05 %) for bacterial growth and 1774 samples tested negative (79.94 %). The rate of multidrug resistance bacterial infections was 17% and 43% higher in CKD patients for estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 59 ml/min/1.73m2 and glomerular filtration rate 30 ml/min/1.73m2 respectively. Five bacterial isolates were found to exhibit multi-antibiotic resistance. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) Index ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 across the isolates. The isolates were identified as Enterobacter bugandensis, Enterococcus faecium, Providencia stuartii, Klebsiella variicola, and Escherichia coli by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In conclusion, screening and identification of multidrug resistance bacteria is essential to prevent and control the spread of these pathogens and will be helpful for the effective treatment of the multidrug resistance in chronic kidney disease patients.
A Study on Plant Diversity of Iringole Kavu, Ernakulam, Kerala State
Authors: Thomas Rogimon Plammoottil , Sreekumar Arya Lakshmy Thanamcheril Illam , Paul Joby , Thomas Salvy
Published: October 2023

Sacred groves are the patches of pristine forest that nurture rich biodiversity and play a principal role in the conservation of endemic and rare species. The present study was conducted to identify and enumerate the plant diversity of Iringole Kavu (sacred grove) of Ernakulum district of the state of Kerala. A total of 142 plant species were documented which include three vulnerable species and 18 endemic species. Among them 129 are angiosperms, two are gymnosperms, seven are pteridophytes and four belong to fungi. Angiosperms include 36 herbs, 23 shrubs, 41 trees and 29 climbers. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Acanthaceae and Apocynaceae are the dominant angiosperm families. The study revealed the occurrence of two critically endangered plant species viz. Ixora johnsonii (Rubiaceae) and Vateria indica (Dipterocarpaceae).
Evaluating Eggplant Collection Samples and Selecting Primary Donors Based on Physiological Indicators
Authors: Eyvazov Aladdin Gismat
Published: October 2023

The article presents the findings of a biomorphological evaluation conducted between 2016 and 2018, focusing on 105 eggplant collection samples sourced from different geographical origins on the Absheron Peninsula in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Additionally, 59 of these samples underwent evaluation based on physiological indicators. The research categorized the eggplant samples into three groups based on their ripening time: mid- season (81-100 days) - 24.9%, mid-late-season (101-120 days) - 56.2%, and late-season (121-148 days) - 21.9%. Specific eggplant varieties were identified for each group. Group I (81-90 days) included representatives 140/A, 69/B, 141, 142, 152, and 162, while Group II (101-102 days) comprised samples 137, 140/B, 149/A, 149, 149-199, 213, 232, 239, 242, and 243. Group III (121-124 days) consisted of varieties exhibiting late-ripening characteristics. Some varieties within the collection showed variations in leaf area, photosynthetic potential, chlorophyll content in leaves, absolute leaf surface density, total wet and dry biomass. These characteristics make them valuable primary candidates for future breeding efforts, targeting enhanced productivity and adaptability. The study also suggested an optimal model for photosynthetic indicators to achieve high eggplant yields (ranging from 290 to 800 q/ha).
Bioanalytical Studies on Fungal Pathogens Originating from Spoiled Alpan Banana (Musa Paradisiaca)
Authors: singh Amrendra Kumar , Gupta Prakash Chandra
Published: October 2023

Background: The entire Alpan banana plant can be utilized medicinally. Since the banana's rapid global expansion, several non-wood plant fibers have been used as substitutes for wood pulp in the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper board. Currently, modest commercial pulping operations use a range of non-wood fibers, including bamboo, jute, straw, rice, and abaca. The increasing number of banana varieties is a result of the everyday developments that are being achieved in several fields. The Materials and Methods: The purpose of this current study is to check fungal pathogenicity in infected Alpan banana fruit, molecular characterization of the pathogenic species and evaluation of biochemical activities in banana fruit. The studied biochemical activities include protein content, ascorbic acid, total sugar and total phenolic compounds. Ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) and Phenol Oxidase (PPO) are also studied in the selected banana variety. Result: The fungal pathogenicity assay showed incidence of Aspergillus species on Alpan banana fruit. A very high prevalence of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus were observed in examined fruits. Species confirmation were based on molecular characterization method and its subsequent bioinformatic analysis. Proteins, total phenolic content and Keto acid were observed to be 223.01, 47.32 and 964.0 mg/g respectively whereas PPO and AAO showed 0.800 and 0.175 U/ml content in the fruit sample. Conclusion:The study concludes the prevalence of fungal infection in ripe bananas by Aspergillus species and changes observed at their biochemical constituents level post fungal infestation
Isolation, Screening and Molecular Characterization of Potassium Solubilizing Actinomycete Streptomyces atacamensis (KSA16)
Authors: Bopin Sreeja , Prajapati Kalavati
Published: October 2023

The most prevalent nutrient is potassium (K), which makes up around 2.5% of the lithosphere. Approximately 90–98% of soil mineral K is present in the forms of feldspar (orthoclase and microcline) and mica (biotite and muscovite). Particularly in smallholder agriculture, replenishing potassium remains difficult because of its dependence on fertilizer. Potassium shortage in soil can be addressed by the use of soluble mineral potassium fertilizers; however, farmers have been constrained by the high price and restricted availability of these products. The present study aims to identify and select soil Actinomycetes from the soils used in the ceramic industry that may dilute potassium. Since feldspar, an insoluble potassium source, is used by most ceramic manufacturers as a raw ingredient, we gathered samples from these businesses. In the Gujarati cities of Morbi, Meshana, and Kadi, ceramic firms were contacted for a total of fifteen samples. 22 Actinomycetes isolates were chosen for further investigation after primary and secondary screening and inoculation onto Aleksandrov agar supplemented with 0.5 percent potassium aluminium silicate. The 16S rRNA sequence of strain KSA 16 confirmed that it was Streptomyces atacamensis. In a liquid solution, KSA 16 was the most effective in dissolving the insoluble potassium source, feldspar.
Molecular Characterization, Production and Optimization of Cellulase Producer and its Industrial Applications
Authors: Patel Nimisha Dharmesh , Patel Dharmesh Amrutbhai
Published: October 2023

Background: Plant cell walls are composed primarily of cellulose, making it the most common organic polymer on Earth. The utilization of microorganisms to convert cellulose into valuable products has gained significant attention worldwide. This study aims to isolate novel cellulase-producing microorganisms and investigate the influence of dietary and physicochemical factors on cellulase production, as well as evaluate the potential applications of a selected isolated strain. Materials and Methods: The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain was identified as the most efficient producer of cellulase among various cellulase-producing bacterial strains isolated during the research. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of this strain were characterized. To determine the optimal conditions for cellulase production, various parameters such as raw substrates, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, temperature, inoculum age, inoculum size, agitation rate, incubation duration, and pH were investigated. Results: The study found that sugarcane bagasse, molasses, and paper pulp exhibited the highest cellulase production capacity, with respective enzyme activities of 0.97, 0.98, and 0.88 IU/mL. Maximum cellulase production occurred at a temperature of 37°C, an inoculum size of 2.5%, an inoculum age of 24 hours, an agitation rate of 120 rpm, an incubation time of 48 hours, and a pH of 7 with 1% peptone. The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isolate was successfully applied to convert lignocellulosic waste into ethanol and fermentable sugars through saccharification and fermentation of cellulose, demonstrating its significant effectiveness. Conclusion: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain isolated in this study proved to be a highly efficient producer of cellulase. The optimized production media led to improved enzyme production, and the isolate showed promising results in the industrial application of converting cellulosic waste into ethanol. The 16s rRNA sequencing confirmed the identity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , which was deposited under the accession number MN081796 in the NCBI database. In this study we discussed the possible low-cost, enzymatic pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic material in order to use it as an efficient raw material for biofuel production. These findings contribute to the understanding and potential utilization of cellulose producing microorganisms in various biotechnological applications.
Phytoplankton Diversity of Pandalam Municipal Area, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala
Authors: Krishnan R Jithesh , Hilal Fouzia , Sivadasan Abhilash , R Lekshmi , Vidya Jalaja
Published: October 2023

The present investigation deals with the comprehensive and systematic analysis of the unexplored phytoplankton diversity of the unique biodiversity area of Pandalam Municipality of Kerala after the major flood event of the year 2018. The study was carried out between October 2018 and January 2019. Eight study locations were explored in the flood-affected areas of Pandalam Municipality (PN1, PN2, PN3, PN4, PN5, PN6, PN7, and PN8). The study revealed the occurrence of 78 genera belonging to five classes, such as Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Charophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Chrysophyceae. Algae belonging to the Class Bcillariophyceae were more in number (30) compared to all the other classes, followed by-members of class Chlorophyceae (17). The genus Cosmarium and Nitzschia were the most frequently occurring algae throughout the study period (six species each). The genera Pinnularia and Navicula were also abundant (5 and 4 species, respectively).
Detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in Human Dental Plaque Samples by Using Semi-Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Paunfase Puja Banduji , Ramkumar Samynathan , Ganesan Marappan , Usha Veeraraghavan
Published: October 2023

Dental caries, a highly prevalent infectious disease in humans is caused by the bacterial plaque that coats the teeth surface and is a serious public health concern. Recently, the formation of dental plaque has been associated with the occurrence of various other systemic diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Cardiovascular diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Respiratory diseases, Bacteremia and Cancer. Despite the fact that both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the major etiologic agents of dental caries, S. mutans is more prevalent than S. sobrinus in dental plaque. Early detection of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was carried out from five caries affected dental plaque samples collected from Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore, by using semi-quantitative real-time PCR. Specific primers for gtfB and gtfI genes of S. mutans and S. sobrinus respectively were used for the quantification of cariogenic bacteria in the given dental plaque samples. The Biopro Oral Microbiome transport media was prepared to carry dental plaque samples from the hospital to the laboratory. Genomic DNA extraction was done by employing magnetic beads and spin columns provided in the Biopro DNA isolation kit. Various biochemical tests were performed on the bacterial cultures isolated from dental plaque.
Exploration and Therapeutic Practices with Stem Cells: A Critical Perspective
Authors: Hazazi Ali , Albloui Fawaz , Albayadh Mohammed , Hakami Mohammed Ageeli , Arif Sultan , Alsaweed Omer
Published: October 2023

Stem cell studies have recently enabled a quantum leap in the field of regenerative medicine and the attempt to find cures for diseases of a complex nature. Clinical trials remain the only criterion for ensuring the safe application of stem cells; however, the rapid improvement in the quality of related research may have given the inaccurate perception that such cells offer a magic solution to complex diseases. It is crucial to recall that stem cell transplantation is a complex process, and each of the many steps it entails requires research before the procedure can be used. In the same way, it remains to seek ascites the correct information for the uses of reliable medical sources. At the clinical level, stem cells have been successfully used to treat certain diseases, especially a limited number of blood disorders, but factors related to the patient’s condition and human leukocyte antigen matching are important for the application of this type of treatment.
Subjacent Disease in an Operated Case of Spinal Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Mehta Lav , Dhatt Sarvdeep Singh
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) recurrence in subjacent vertebral segments in a post-operative case is one of the atypical presentations of this common disease. Case Report: A 63-year-old gentleman presented with fever and bilateral lower limb weakness for 10 days. The patient was on anti-tubercular therapy for the past 18 months and had a history of surgical decompression and posterior instrumentation for D12 and L1 vertebrae spinal TB. Radiological investigations showed new-onset TB in D9 and D10 vertebral levels. Management with revision surgery was done. Conclusion: Recurrence of spinal TB in segments of vertebrae subjacent to previously operated segments in a patient on long-term anti-tubercular treatment is a rare and undescribed presentation of the common disease. High index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and prompt management to prevent long-term morbidities. Keywords: Spinal tuberculosis, anti-tubercular therapy, post-operative recurrence.
Phaeohyphomycosis of the Ankle Joint: A Case Report
Authors: Kulkarni Shrihari L , Daragad Manjunath , Jayapal Vigneshwar , Nalwad Channaveerappa
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Fungal infection of the musculoskeletal system is very rare. We present a rare case of fungal infection in the ankle joint. Skeletal phaeohyphomycosis (PHM) has been reported only once before in the literature. Case Report: A 56-year-old man presented with pain and swelling in his right ankle for 2 years. There was a diffuse swelling over the medial and lateral aspect of the ankle with restricted movements. Arthroscopic biopsy was done from the ankle and histopathological examination showed pigmented fungi with few phagocytosed fungal hyphae within multinucleated giant cells indicating PHM. The patient was treated with itraconazole. At 1-year follow-up, the patient is pain free and can do his routine activities comfortably. Conclusion: Fungal infection is a rare condition and must be kept in mind while dealing with chronic foot and ankle swelling. Early diagnosis and treatment will give good functional results. Keywords: Ankle joint, fungal infection, phaeohyphomycotic, ankle arthroscopy.
Unveiling Scapular Pseudo-winging: A Case Report on Ventral Osteochondroma of the Scapula in a 21-year-old
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,, Seth Aditya , Naqvi Muhammad ,   Department of Orthopaedics, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India., Yadav Umesh ,   Department of Orthopaedics, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India., Karumuri Kishore ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,, Annapareddy Adarsh ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,, Reddy A V Gurava ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Scapular pseudo-winging caused by ventral osteochondromas is a rare condition that has been reported in only a handful of cases. This case report describes a 21-year-old male patient with scapular pseudo-winging due to ventral osteochondromas of the scapula. This report adds to the limited literature on this topic and highlights the importance of considering ventral osteochondromas as a possible cause of scapular pseudo-winging. Case Report: A 21-year-old male presented with a swelling on his left upper back that had gradually increased in size over the past 10 years. Physical examination revealed a bony hard swelling arising from the medial border of the scapula, with associated scapular pseudo-winging. Diagnostic imaging confirmed the presence of two ventral osteochondromas located on the body of the scapula. Surgical excision was performed to address the patient’s cosmetic concerns. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of considering ventral osteochondromas as a possible cause of scapular pseudo-winging. It contributes to the existing literature by documenting a rare presentation and providing insights into the clinical course, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of this condition. By raising awareness among tumor surgeons and orthopedic surgeons, this report may aid in early recognition and appropriate management of scapular pseudo-winging cases caused by ventral osteochondromas. Furthermore, this report expands our understanding of the etiology and treatment options for scapular pseudo-winging, potentially benefiting patients across various clinical specialties. Keywords: Winging of scapula, ventral osteochondroma, osteochondroma, scapula, pseudo-winging
Real time and high-precision online determination of main components in iron ore using spectral refinement algorithm based LIBS
Authors: Li An , Zhang Xinyu , Liu Xiaodong , He Yage , Shan Yuheng , Sun Haohan , Yi Wen , Liu Ruibin
Published: October 2023

The real-time online quantitative analysis instrument is highly desirable for many industrial fields. Herein, a new laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) setup with optimized optical route and high accuracy algorithm is designed and applied in a real industrial site. The components of total iron (TFe), silica (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and phosphorus (P) are quantitatively determined by the online LIBS system. The key optical part is a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, in which, two aspherical mirrors are specially designed and fabricated to reflect the broadband emission from ultraviolet 240 nm to infrared 890 nm with reflectivity over 90%, and pass the excited laser line of 1064 nm. The system could automatically adjust the focal length in the range of 780 mm to 940 mm. Based on the online LIBS system, the spectral pretreatment algorithm is also optimized including baseline removal and spectral normalization. The overlapped window slide (OWS) algorithm avoids the deformation of emission peaks in spectral baseline removal, in addition, two normalization steps by total back area and total spectral intensity within the sub-channel are applied to improve the spectral data stabilization. The calibration and validation are performed by utilizing the emissions that are insensitive to the detection distance. Compared with the traditional method, the prediction result shows that the root of mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) decreased from 5.091% to 1.2328%, and the mean absolute error (MAE) reduced from 4.801% to 0.9126% for TFe. Eventually, the online measurement shows good agreement with the official standard results. The high-precision online determination system based on LIBS will upgrade low frequency sampling of traditional detection to high-frequency real online determination in many industrial fields.
Ultrawide and unidirectional enhancements of a photonic spin Hall effect in a tilted uniaxial crystal
Authors: Ma Zuhai , Hong Jiahao , Lin Shuai , Wan Gan , Long Rufei , Wen Jiahao , Zhou Xinxing , Chen Yu
Published: October 2023

Since the enhancement of the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) is limited around the Brewster’s angle, the scientific problem of how to extend the range of incident angles and to keep them unidirectional for the enhanced PSHE remains open. Here, we propose an effective method to achieve the ultrawide angle and unidirectional enhancement of PSHE via the omnidirectional Brewster’s effect in a tilted uniaxial crystal. By properly setting the permittivity and the optical axial angle of the uniaxial crystal, the omnidirectional Brewster’s effect can be obtained to realize an ultrawide angle enhancement of the PSHE. Then, by appropriately deviating the optical axial angle, the ultrawide enhancement of the PSHE can be achieved within the maximum incident angle range of 60° with unchanged direction. These findings inspire an unprecedented route to facilitate the applications in precision measurement and spin-dependent devices.
Development of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) guidelines for deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip
Authors: Scherer Nathaniel , Hussein Ramadan , Eaton Julian , Kabaja Naim , Kakuma Ritsuko , Smythe Tracey , Polack Sarah
Published: October 2023

Deaf and hard of hearing children in the Gaza Strip may be at risk of mental health conditions and psychological distress, as a result of social exclusion and limited accessible communication. This article presents the process and research methods used to develop guidelines for schools in the Gaza Strip on mental health and psychosocial support for deaf and hard of hearing children. The process was guided by the GIN-McMaster guideline development checklist across four steps: (1) priority settings; (2) searching for evidence; (3) developing recommendations; (4) evaluation. Priority setting was spearheaded by local and international researchers, and a local steering committee comprised of deaf and hard of hearing representatives, school administration and staff, mental health specialists, family members and government officials. In searching for evidence, and in order to generate evidence-based recommendations for the guidelines, we utilised a scoping review of global mental health support for deaf and hard of hearing children and qualitative research with deaf and hard of hearing children and adults, families and teachers. Two pilot studies were conducted in mainstream and specialist educational settings as way of evaluation. The scoping review and qualitative research identified various content for the guidelines, including the importance of information on disability and deafness, promoting social inclusion and self-esteem, and accessible learning environments. The pilot studies demonstrated feasibility and acceptability among teachers and deaf and hard of hearing children, although teachers need sufficient support and resources to implement. Now finalised, the guidelines are being distributed to schools in the Gaza Strip to support the mental health and wellbeing of deaf and hard of hearing children.
Consequences of school closures due to COVID-19 in DRC, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda
Authors: Ndejjo Rawlance , Tusubiira Andrew K. , Kiwanuka Suzanne N. , Bosonkie Marc , Bamgboye Eniola A. , Diallo Issakha , Kabwama Steven N. , Egbende Landry , Afolabi Rotimi F. , Leye Mamadou Makhtar Mbacké , Namuhani Noel , Kashiya Yves , Bello Segun , Babirye Ziyada , Adebowale Ayo Stephen , Sougou Marieme , Monje Fred , Kizito Susan , Dairo Magbagbeola David , Bassoum Omar , Namale Alice , Seck Ibrahima , Fawole Olufunmilayo I. , Mapatano Mala Ali , Wanyenze Rhoda K.
Published: October 2023

In 2020 and 2021, Governments across the globe instituted school closures to reduce social interaction and interrupt COVID-19 transmission. We examined the consequences of school closures due to COVID-19 across four sub–Saharan African countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. We conducted a qualitative study among key informants including policymakers, school heads, students, parents, civil society representatives, and local leaders. The assessment of the consequences of school closures was informed by the Diffusion of Innovations theory which informed the interview guide and analysis. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Across the four countries, schools were totally closed for 120 weeks and partially closed for 48 weeks. School closures led to: i) Desirable and anticipated consequences: enhanced adoption of online platforms and mass media for learning and increased involvement of parents in their children’s education. ii) Desirable and unanticipated consequences: improvement in information, communication, and technology (ICT) infrastructure in schools, development and improvement of computer skills, and created an opportunity to take leave from hectic schedules. iii) Undesirable anticipated consequences: inadequate education continuity among students, an adjustment in academic schedules and programmes, and disrupted student progress and grades. iv) Undesirable unanticipated: increase in sexual violence including engaging in transactional sex, a rise in teenage pregnancy, and school dropouts, demotivation of teachers due to reduced incomes, and reduced school revenues. v) Neutral consequences: engagement in revenue-generating activities, increased access to phones and computers among learners, and promoted less structured learning. The consequences of school closures for COVID-19 control were largely negative with the potential for both short-term and far-reaching longer-term consequences. In future pandemics, careful consideration of the type and duration of education closure measures and examination of their potential consequences in the short and long term is important before deploying them.
Triple combination of HAIC-FO plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Zhongbao , Zhang Jian , Xu Lan , Wang Huanjing , Mao Xuequn , Zou Rong , Wang Qingqing , Han Zhuang , Di Zhenhai , Wu Daguang
Published: October 2023

Background

The triple combination of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is expected to have a synergistic anticancer effect in HCC. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the triple combination treatment in advanced HCC patients.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases were systematically searched for relevant studies from the inception of each database to May 10, 2023. All articles focusing the triple combination treatment of HAIC-FO plus TKI and ICIs for advanced HCC were eligible. The meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for case series and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). The secondary results were adverse events. Further meta-analysis of control studies demonstrated the superiority of the triple combination modality to TKI plus ICIs, and TKI alone.

Results

Nine articles (four cohort studies and five one-arm studies) involving 777 advanced HCC patients were included in this meta-analysis. In terms of survival analysis, the pooled median PFS was 11 months (95% CI: 10.1–12.0 months) with low heterogeneity (I2= 0%,p= 0.97). With regard to tumor response, the pooled ORR and DCR was 61.6% (I2=0%,p= 0.71) and 87.9% (I2= 13%,p= 0.33) with low heterogeneity, respectively. As compared with TKIs plus ICIs, and TKIs alone, the triple combination thrapy was associated with improved median OS (HR=0.51, 95%CI 0.41-0.62) with low heterogeneity across studies (I2= 0%,p= 0.47), median PFS (HR=0.51, 95%CI 0.41-0.64) with low heterogeneity across studies (I2= 0%,p= 0.41), ORR (RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42–0.74) with high heterogeneity across studies (I2= 69%,p= 0.02), and DCR (RR = 0.38, 95%CI 0.27–0.54) with low heterogeneity across studies (I2= 14%,p= 0.32). The most common 3/4 AEs were elevated ALT and AST, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, nausea and vomiting in this meta-analysis.

Conclusions

The triple combination therapy of HAIC-FO plus TKI and ICIs showed promising efficacy and safety in patients with advanced HCC.

Registration

The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID:CRD42023424281).
American literature news narration based on computer web technology
Authors: Liu Juan , Mi Sha
Published: October 2023

Driven by internet technology, online has become the main way of news dissemination, but redundant information such as navigation bars and advertisements affects people’s access to news content. The research aims to enable users to obtain pure news content from redundant web information. Firstly, based on the narrative characteristics of literary news, the Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) algorithm is employed to extract pure news content from the analyzed web pages. The algorithm uses keyword matching, text analysis, and semantic processing to determine news content’s boundaries and key information. Secondly, the news text classification algorithm (support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, AdaBoost algorithm) is selected through comparative experiments. The news extraction system based on keyword feature and extended Document Object Model (DOM) tree is constructed. DOM technology analyzes web page structure and extracts key elements and information. Finally, the research can get their narrative characteristics by studying the narrative sequence and structure of 15 American literary news reports. The results reveal that the most used narrative sequence in American literary news is sequence and flashback. The narrative duration is dominated by the victory rate and outline, supplemented by scenes and pauses. In addition, 53.3% of the narrative structures used in literary news are time-connected. This narrative structure can help reporters have a clear conceptual structure when writing, help readers quickly grasp and understand the context of the event and the life course of the protagonists in the report, and increase the report’s readability. This research on the narrative characteristics of American literature news can provide media practitioners with a reference on news narrative techniques and strategies.
ABO blood groups are not associated to gestational diabetes mellitus in Mexican women
Authors: Cordero-Franco Hid Felizardo , Salinas-Martínez Ana María , Esparza-Contró María José , González-Rueda Sofía Denisse , Guzmán-de la Garza Francisco Javier
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Some studies show an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus for ABO blood groups. Others find a lower risk or do not identify any association. Inconsistencies may be due to the heterogeneity in the control for confounding variables. We determined the association between ABO blood groups and gestational diabetes mellitus in Mexican women, controlling for gravidity and age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, fasting glucose at the first trimester, and first-degree relative with diabetes.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted from February 2019 to December 2021 in Monterrey, Mexico, with 185 cases (women with gestational diabetes mellitus) and 530 controls. ABO blood groups and other variables were obtained from the clinical records. A multivariate binary logistic regression was used for estimating association. Two models were run, one for primigravidae and another for non-primigravidae. A p-value < 0.05 was significant.

Results

The ABO blood groups were O (69.4%), A (22.2%), B (6.7%), and AB (1.7%), with no differences between cases and controls (p = 0.884). No association was found between ABO blood groups and gestational diabetes mellitus, in primigravidae or non-primigravidae.

Conclusion

ABO blood groups were not associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Mexican women, independent of gravidity and well-known risk factors.
La noción de wilderness en la producción literaria feroesa
Authors: Escaño Pérez Esperanza
Published: October 2023

En este artículo proponemos un acercamiento a la producción literaria feroesa desde el punto de vista de la ecocrítica, debido al interesante desarrollo de la historia de la lengua y literatura feroesas y a su relación con la naturaleza, prácticamente inalterada, de las islas. Para ello, nos basaremos principalmente en la noción de wilderness de Lawrence Buell y a la matización que de ella hacen Flys Junquera y Tiius Speek, y la aplicaremos a los cuentos populares de las islas Feroe para revisar cómo se expresa y se muestra esa naturaleza salvaje en las diferentes situaciones que se proponen en los textos. Al tratarse de cuentos populares que se pusieron por escrito en el siglo XIX, veremos cómo el proceso de desmitologización en estas islas fue, al contrario que en el resto de Europa, bastante más tardío, e incluso hoy en día existen muchas creencias arraigadas en el folclore isleño, un folclore híbrido entre los mitos y leyendas de la cultura escandinava y los mitos y leyendas de origen celta. De este vínculo con las creencias ancestrales y el folclore que persiste todavía extraeremos interesantes conclusiones sobre la situación actual de las islas Feroe, así como la interacción de su población con la naturaleza, y cómo todos estos factores se relacionan con el «pristine state of nature» existente aun hoy en las islas.
Same same…but different?
Authors: Moncagatta Paolo , Saris Willem E. , Fierro Mateo
Published: October 2023

Measurement of citizen support for democracy has been problematic, as most research on the topic has focused on assessing support for an abstract concept: the “ideal” of democracy. This article proposes a different conception of democratic support, labeled “solid democratic support”, which combines multiple items tapping attitudes towards various essential attributes of democratic rule. Using data from the AmericasBarometer surveys, the “solid support” measure is compared to a traditional measure of support for the ideal of democracy in Chile and Venezuela. Important differences are found in the levels of the two indicators and in their correlates, demonstrating that they are in fact different concepts. As well, substantial differences are found between the two countries, suggesting that analyses of democratic support that do not consider the country-specific political context may be flawed.
A fogyatékosság és a vállalkozói identitás kapcsolata az interszekcionalitás lencséjén keresztül
Authors: Svastics Carmen , Hidegh Anna Laura , Csillag Sára , Győri Zsuzsanna
Published: October 2023

A többes identitások egymásra hatását vizsgáló ún. interszekcionális kutatások terjedésének ellenére a fogyatékossággal élő emberek még mindig láthatatlan kisebbség ezen a területen. A szerzők a fogyatékossággal élő vállalkozókkal készített kvalitatív kutatásukban azt vizsgálták, hogyan alakult identitáskonstrukciójuk a vállalkozás és a fogyatékosság metszéspontjában. Az eredmények azt mutatják, hogy legalább két, egymástól eltérő stratégia játszik szerepet: az ellentmondásokat konzerváló, illetve az ezeket feloldó identitásképző stratégia. Míg a fogyatékossággal élő vállalkozók identitását egy épségistának mondható környezetben egy jellemzően vállalkozói diskurzus alakította, pozitív identitásuk alakításában megjelenik a sorstársaktól való elhatárolódás, a fogyatékosság mint negatív identitásmarker elutasítása és eltávolítása.