bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macro- and Micronutrient of Junk Food and Preeclampsia on Pregnant Women
Authors: Hamsir Fitriani , As’ad Suryani , Tahir Andi Mardiah , Soraya Deviana , Fujiko Masita , Chalid Sitti Maisuri T. , Idris Irfan , Bukhari Agussalim , Hatta Mochammad , Bahar Burhanuddin , Efendi Suradi
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is still a global public health issue in developed and developing countries. It is a major contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia during pregnancy is unclear, but the WHO reported that PE is higher in developing countries than developed ones due to lifestyle and nutritional status.

AIM: This study aimed to describe the influence of macro- and micronutrients of junk food on PE.

METHODS: This case–control study was carried out on 148 samples, including pregnant women with preeclampsia (n = 74) and normal pregnant women (n = 74) with gestational age > 20 weeks. Data on junk food intake were collected using the SQ-FFQ form and then estimated using the Nutri Survey. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 17 using descriptive statistics. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to observe the correlation between variables with p < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS: Binary logistic regression revealed that the intake of fat (p = 0.005), vitamin C (p = 0.002), and sodium (p = 0.036) contained in the junk food were significantly associated with PE. The frequency of consumption of junk food also had a significant effect on the incidence of preeclampsia (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION: Intake of fat, vitamin C, and sodium were associated with PE, and they were risk factors of PE. The frequency of consuming junk food gave more risk to have PE.
Empirical food webs of 12 tropical reservoirs in Singapore
Authors: Wilkinson Clare , Lim Rayson , Liew Jia Huan , Kwik Jeffrey , Tan Claudia , Heok  Hui Tan , Yeo Darren
Published: September 2022

Food webs summarise trophic interactions of the biotic components within an ecosystem, which can influence nutrient dynamics and energy flows, ultimately affecting ecosystem functions and services. Food webs represent the hypothesised trophic links between predators and prey and can be presented as empirical food webs, in which the relative strength/importance of the respective links are quantified. Some common methods used in food web research include gut content analysis (GCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA). We combine both methods to construct empirical food web models as a basis for monitoring and studying ecosystem-level outcomes of natural (e.g. species turnover in fish assemblage) and intentional environmental change (e.g. biomanipulation).

We present 12 food webs from tropical reservoir communities in Singapore and summarise the topology of each with widely-used network indices (e.g. connectance, link density). Each reservoir was surveyed over 4–6 sampling occasions, during which, representative animal groups (i.e. fish species and taxonomic/functional groups of zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates) and all likely sources of primary production (i.e. macrophytes, periphyton, phytoplankton and riparian terrestrial plants) were collected. We analysed gut content in fishes and bulk isotope (d13C and d15N) profiles of all animals (i.e. fishes and invertebrates) and plants collected. Both sets of information were used to estimate the relative strength of trophic relationships using Bayesian mixing models. We document our protocol here, alongside a script in the R programming language for executing data management/analyses/visualisation procedures used in our study. These data can be used to glean insights into trends in inter- and intra-specific or guild interactions in analogous freshwater lake habitats.
Karyotype and COI gene sequences of Chironomus melanotus Keyl, 1961 from the Yaroslavl region, Russia, and the difficulties with its identification using GenBank and BOLD systems
Authors: Bolshakov Viktor V. , Movergoz Ekaterina A.
Published: September 2022

Karyotype and COI gene sequences of Chironomus melanotus Keyl, 1961 from the Yaroslavl region (Russia) were analyzed. A low level of chromosomal polymorphism has been confirmed, eventually eight banding sequences were found: melA1, melB1, melC1, melD1, melE1, melF1, and melG1; only melD2 was found in two larvae from the Sunoga river. Analysis of phylogenetic tree and estimated genetic distances has shown not all COI gene sequences of Ch. melanotus in GenBank and BOLD to belong to this species. The lower distance of 0.4% was observed between two sequences from the Yaroslavl region and Finland, apparently these are true Ch. melanotus sequences. The distances between true Ch. melanotus and other sequences from Finland were 9.5% and 12.4%, and from Sweden it was 11%. The average genetic distance between studied sequences of 9.1% is out of the range of the 3% threshold previously determined for chironomids. According to our estimates, there are two sequences with a distance of 2.9% that may belong to Ch. annularius Meigen, 1818, and one sequence with a genetic distance of 2.1%, may belonging to Ch. cingulatus Meigen, 1830, which has been confirmed karyologically. Another two sequences form a separate cluster. We suggest that they either belong to a known species, but are not present in the databases, or belong to a distinct, undescribed species.
Increasing learner interactions with E-learning systems can either decrease or increase cognitive load depending on the nature of the interaction
Authors: Darejeh Ali , Marcus Nadine , Sweller John
Published: September 2022

Les effets de l’accroissement des interactions entre les apprenants et un système de E-learning ont été étudiés dans l’expérience 1, tandis que l’accroissement des interactions via un agent pédagogique a été étudiée dans l’expérience 2. Dans l’expérience 1, nous avons comparé un système d’apprentissage en ligne avec et sans animation interactive pour enseigner des logiciels à des utilisateurs novices. L’animation interactive a considérablement réduit la charge cognitive dans la phase d’apprentissage pour les contenus ayant un fort ou un faible niveau de complexité, cependant, elle n’a pas eu d’effet significatif sur l’évaluation des connaissances. Les effets positifs d’une animation interactive peuvent s’expliquer par la cognition incarnée, qui établit des liens entre l’esprit et le corps, permettant au mouvement de soutenir les tâches cognitives. Dans l’expérience 2, les interactions entre le contenu à apprendre et les apprenants ont été accrue en proposant un avatar, parlant et animé, qui ne nécessitait aucune activité supplémentaire de la part des apprenants, éliminant ainsi les effets de cognition incarnée. Les résultats ont montré que lorsque l’avatar était utilisé avec d’autres éléments visuels, il augmentait la charge cognitive des étudiants. Ce résultat est cohérent avec l’effet de redondance, en particulier pour les contenus très complexes.
PECARE: Parental Feedback to Improve Congenital Cataract Care in Sweden
Authors: Gyllén Jenny , Haargaard Birgitte , Nyström Alf , Tornqvist Kristina , Udén David , Magnusson Gunilla , Forsberg Anna
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

To analyze non-directed parental feedback to health care providers responsible for pediatric cataract care in Sweden.

Methods:

A directed content analysis was used to analyze data consisting of text representing free comments provided by 40 parents. A deductive approach was employed by applying the model of balancing the child's inability and ability, which includes the categories mastering, collaborating, facilitating, and adapting.

Results:

Parents lacked piloting and self-management support. They experienced an absence of partnership with the health care team and not being taken seriously. They also felt abandoned by health care, resulting in emotional distress. Parents highlighted the impact of their social network and the challenges involved in accepting and adapting to the changes in everyday life.

Conclusions:

This study emphasizes the consequences of the lack of a caring partnership with health care professionals. Because parents act as mediators of care to the child with congenital cataract, persistence on the part of parents and a family-centered approach are essential for the child's visual development.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2023;60(4):298–294.]
Supervised neural learning for the predator-prey delay differential system of Holling form-III
Authors: Ruttanaprommarin Naret , Sabir Zulqurnain , Said Salem Ben , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Bhatti Saira , Weera Wajaree , Botmart Thongchai
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this work is to present the stochastic computing study based on the artificial neural networks (ANNs) along with the scaled conjugate gradient (SCG), ANNs-SCG for solving the predator-prey delay differential system of Holling form-III. The mathematical form of the predator-prey delay differential system of Holling form-III is categorized into prey class, predator category and the recent past effects. Three variations of the predator-prey delay differential system of Holling form-III have been numerical stimulated by using the stochastic ANNs-SCG procedure. The selection of the data to solve the predator-prey delay differential system of Holling form-III is provided as 13%, 12% and 75% for testing, training, and substantiation together with 15 neurons. The correctness and exactness of the stochastic ANNs-SCG method is provided by using the comparison of the obtained and data-based reference solutions. The constancy, authentication, soundness, competence, and precision of the stochastic ANNs-SCG technique is performed through the analysis of the correlation measures, state transitions (STs), regression analysis, correlation, error histograms (EHs) and MSE.
Multi-super-stability of antiderivations in Banach algebras
Authors: Aderyani Safoura Rezaei , Saadati Reza , O'Regan Donal , Alshammari Fehaid Salem
Published: September 2022

In this study, we investigate the concept of antiderivations in Banach algebras and study multi-super-stability of antiderivations in Banach algebras, associated with functional inequalities.
Optimal treatment strategy of cancers with intratumor heterogeneity
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Lei Jinzhi
Published: September 2022

Intratumor heterogeneity hinders the success of anti-cancer treatment due to the interaction between different types of cells. To recapitulate the communication of different types of cells, we developed a mathematical model to study the dynamic interaction between normal, drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells in response to cancer treatment. Based on the proposed model, we first study the analytical conclusions, namely the nonnegativity and boundedness of solutions, and the existence and stability of steady states. Furthermore, to investigate the optimal treatment that minimizes both the cancer cells count and the total dose of drugs, we apply the Pontryagin's maximum(or minimum) principle (PMP) to explore the combination therapy strategy with either quadratic control or linear control functionals. We establish the existence and uniqueness of the quadratic control problem, and apply the forward-backward sweep method (FBSM) to solve the optimal control problems and obtain the optimal therapy scheme.
Quantitative Analysis of Breast Cancer NACT Response on DCE-MRI Using Gabor Filter Derived Radiomic Features
Authors: Moyya Priscilla Dinkar , Asaithambi Mythili
Published: September 2022

In this work, an attempt has been made to quantify the treatment response due to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) on the publicly available QIN-Breast of TCIA database (N = 25) using Gabor filter derived radiomic features. The Gabor filter bank is constructed using 5 different scales and 7 different orientations. Different radiomic features were extracted from Gabor filtered Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance images (DCE-MRI) of patients having 3 different visits (Visit 1: before, Visit 2: after 1st cycle, and Visit 3: the last cycle of NACT). The extracted radiomic features were analyzed statistically and Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) has been calculated. Results show that the Gabor derived radiomic features could differentiate the pathological differences among all three visits. Energy has shown a significant difference between all the three orientations particularly between Visits 2 & 3. However, Entropy from λ=2 and θ=300 between Visit 2 & 3, Skewness from λ=2 and θ=1200 between Visit 1 & 3 could differentiate the treatment response with high statistical significance of p=0.006 and 0.001 respectively. From the ROC analysis, the better predictors were Short Run Emphasis (SRE), Short Zone Emphasis (SZE), and Energy between Visit 1 & 3 by achieving an AUROC of 76.38%, 75.16%, and 71.10% respectively. Further, the results suggest that the radiomic features are capable of quantitatively compare the breast NACT prognosis that varies across multi-oriented Gabor filters.
Les images dans les ouvrages de sciences de la vie du XVIe au XIXe siècle
Authors: Renoud Sylvène
Published: September 2022

La majorité des ouvrages de sciences de la vie du xvie au xixe siècle comportent des illustrations très importantes. Quels sont les rôles épistémologiques de ces images ? En quoi les modalités de leurs rapports avec le texte en font-elles des outils nécessaires aux sciences de la vie ? L’analyse des illustrations d’un important corpus d’ouvrages issus du fonds ancien de la bibliothèque du Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Nantes permet d’approcher cette problématique, de dégager des caractéristiques de ces images, leurs spécificités et leur relation au texte.
Government Regulatory Bodies for Plant-Based Herbal Drug Discovery and Validation
Authors: Joshi Ritika , Singh Shivani
Published: September 2022

Herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of various health-related problems since immemorial times. However, Indian Pharmaceuticals Act 1948 states that still there is no special group for herbal drugs. Thus, the expansion of the Indian medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani require scientific validation and documentation of indigenous knowledge to work on patenting and research based on literature. At present, various governmental organizations are actively playing a significant role in the promotion and development of medicinal plants such as the Ministry of Ayush, CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization), and D&C Act 1940 & 1945 (amendment) are used to regulate the processing, branding and marketing of herbal medicines. A total of 8000 herbal medicines have been recognized by the Ministry of Ayush to treat various ailments in India. This chapter illustrated various approaches of regulatory bodies for plant-based herbal drugs discovery and validation.
Techniques for the Isolation of Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Thakur Rajneesh , Mehta Nikhil , Singh Ajeet , Joshi Kanchan , Gautam Ankita , Bithel Navneet
Published: September 2022

Phytochemicals are natural active ingredients that are occurring in plants. In the pursuit for novel biomolecules, the recovery of bioactive composites from plants, as well as their quantitative and qualitative evaluation, is critical. In the discovery and characterization of bioactive compounds, plant extraction and separation remain a critical concern. Analysis of bioactive compounds found in plant extracts using various approaches involving the use of chromatographic methods such as HPLC, TLC, OPLC, GC, PC, CC, and detection through FTIR, NMR, and MS is a frequent practice in the isolation of these bioactive compounds. The pure compound's structure and biological activity/bioactivity, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, or cytotoxicity, are then determined, along with their simplicity, specificity, and speed.
Variation in Helicopter Noise During Approach Maneuvers
Authors:   Pennsylvania State University, Zachos Damaris , Weist Lauren , Brentner Kenneth , Greenwood Eric
Published: September 2022

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) "Fly Neighborly" program aims to provide helicopter pilots with recommendations to effectively reduce the noise of their operations. One aspect of this program encourages the development of approach trajectories that avoid airspeed and flight path angle combinations associated with high levels of noise generation. These trajectories necessarily involve changes in speed and flight path angle; i.e., there is an acceleration. To understand the effect of acceleration on noise, a parametric sweep of both longitudinal acceleration and time rate of change of flight path angle (vertical acceleration) were completed for a model of the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter. This was done utilizing a PSU noise prediction system that is a coupled flight simulation (PSUHeloSim), rotor comprehensive analysis (CHARM), and noise prediction code (PSU-WOPWOP). These sweeps are compared with noise predictions for trajectories processed through the PSU noise prediction system that follow flight test data collected in the 2019 joint NASA/FAA/Army flight test.
An Investigation of Piloting and Flight Control Strategies on Generic eVTOL Noise
Authors:   Pennsylvania State University, Mukherjee Bhaskar , Brentner Kenneth , Greenwood Eric , Horn Joseph , Theron Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2022

A preliminary investigation of impact of piloting and flight control strategies on maneuver noise is conducted on a generic eVTOL configuration undergoing a 50 knot level-turn maneuver. The piloting strategy involved control of aircraft pitch to change split between rotor lift and wing lift, while the control strategy involved comparing a rotor thrust control with fixed pitch rotors operating with variable rotation rate and a rotor thrust control strategy with variable pitch rotors operating at constant angular velocity. With the rotors operating in the low tip-Mach number f low regime, it was revealed that broadband noise due to airfoil self-noise dominates the noise levels overwhelmingly. The turbulent boundary layer trailing edge noise contributed the most, with blade stall found to result in significant addition to noise levels (nearly 10 dBA). Deterministic noise was found to be sensitive to rotor thrust control strategies, with control biases offering an additional layer of influence over individual rotor tip-Mach number and thrust levels. Individual rotor thrust and trim were found to be important parameters controlling deterministic noise, while combined rotor thrust levels was found to be the important influence over time-averaged broadband noise levels.
Steady and Transient Hover Performance Investigation of Electric Medium-sized Variable-RPM Rotor
Authors:   University of Maryland, Ryseck Peter ,   San Jose State University, Glover Emily ,   DEVCOM Ac.MC, Lopez Mark ,   DEVCOM Army Research Lab, Singh Rajneesh , Chopra Inderjit
Published: September 2022

Electric variable RPM rotors are increasingly being used for propulsion and control of unmanned air vehicles. As these vehicles scale to carry heavier payloads of 50 to 400 lbs (20 to 180 kgs) in the group 2 and 3 UAS category, there are concerns about their aerodynamic performance and handling quality degradation. First, a universal electric powered experimental testing rig designed for use on a hover tower and in a wind tunnel is described. Second, steady hover data is estimated using blade element momentum theory. These predictions incorporate an empirical correction approach and an interpolation approach to capture Reynolds number variation along the span of the blade and variation with RPM. Results show good agreement with the interpolation method for the low Reynolds number rotor tested. Finally, transient step and chirp inputs are presented. The chirp inputs were used in CIFER to validate the results of the experiment and fit transfer functions of thrust and torque due to RPM and RPM2.
Development of a Multi-Rotor eVTOL Using RPM, Collective, and Cyclic Control
Authors:   Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Roiati Riccardo , Anderson Richard , Collins Kyle , Hruswicki Patric , Saini Vivek , Yang Xinyu , Sharma Nishant
Published: September 2022

The Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is investigating the risks and failure modes of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) employed in novel Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft designs. To certify these aircraft for private and commercial operations, a greater understanding of how the vehicle is controlled in both nominal and off nominal or degraded modes is required. The purpose of the research performed at the EFRC is to assess how the various methods of DEP thrust control scale up to the sizes required for the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) mission, in addition to how well the methods perform in both normal and degraded modes of operation. The EFRC team has designed and built a test stand to characterize the capabilities of a single DEP unit as well as a full-scale quadcopter AAM vehicle with RPM, collecting and cyclic control to be used to explore operation in degraded modes. A MATLAB/Simulink model has also been created and validated to simulate the single DEP unit performance.
Flow-Field and Force Measurements on a Cycloidal Rotor Blade in Forward Flight
Authors:   Texas A&M University, Heimerl Joseph , Benedict Moble
Published: September 2022

The paper investigates the unsteady forces and flowfield of a cycloidal rotor blade undergoing forward flight motion through water tunnel experiments. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is used in conjunction with an instrumented blade to measure both the two-dimensional flow velocity around the blade and the fluid dynamic forces. The flow-field studies reveal the formation and shedding of strong leading-edge vortices in both the frontal and real halves of the circular blade trajectory, which plays a key role in generating lift as observed from the blade force measurements. Increasing forward speed diminishes the size and strength of these leading-edge vortices due to the reduction in angle of attack, which reflects in the blade forces. With pitch kinematics symmetric between frontal and rear halves of the cycle the blade produced significantly higher forces in the real half compared to the frontal half, which was attributed to the dynamic virtual camber and the differences in relative velocity. The thrust vector was observed to be highly sensitive to both pitch phase offset and spin direction at high advance ratios and required a phase angle around 40-degree for positive propulsive force and lift. At very high advance ratios the blade extracts power from the flow over a large region in the frontal half.
Design, Development, and Flight Testing of a 70-gram Micro Quad-Cyclocopter
Authors:   Texas A&M University, Runco Carl , Benedict Moble
Published: September 2022

This paper discusses the development of a micro-scale quad-cyclocopter for the purpose of investigating cyclorotor application to low Reynolds number flight. The 70-gram vehicle was the lightest quad-cyclocopter developed to date by an order of magnitude and only the second to achieve forward flight. It utilized two counter-rotating pairs of cyclorotors operating at ~18,600 Re to generate thrust and balance the reaction torque. Each cyclorotor had two control parameters, thrust direction and magnitude, giving the quad-cyclocopter eight independent control parameters. Flight tests were conducted to demonstrate several unique maneuvers the over-actuated system was capable of: changing pitch attitude in a point hover and forward translation via thrust vectoring. Data was collected on longitudinal maneuvers to compare forward flight performance when using strictly thrust vectoring for propulsion versus forward flight achieved by pitching without thrust vectoring. Similar performance was observed between the two modes indicating that they could be used independently or combined based on the desired vehicle state.
Experimental Evaluation of Multi-Rotor Aerodynamic Interactions
Authors:   Georgia Institute of Technology, Wylie Daley , Atte Abraham , Rauleder Juergen
Published: September 2022

An investigation was performed into the aerodynamic interactions between the rotors of multi-rotor vehicles in different configurations. The effects of these interactions on the thrust and torque of all individual rotors were quantified in wind tunnel tests. Flow visualization and a limited number of particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted to get further insight in to the aerodynamic interactions. The effects of the changes in hub spacings, rotor rotational speeds, and wind speeds were investigated for isolated, tandem, quad-rotor plus and X configurations. The maximum and minimum tip chord Reynolds numbers were 118,000 and 73,000, respectively. Results showed that the aft rotors experienced detrimental aerodynamic interactions in all configurations. In all examined multi-rotor configurations, an increase in the hub spacing caused a decrease in the thrust deficit between the aft rotor and the isolated rotor. However, the differences in the configurations also affected the measured loads. In the tandem configuration, the aft rotor experienced up to 24% reduction in the thrust coefficient at a hub spacing of 2.1R when compared to the isolated rotor at the same rotational frequency and wind speed. The aft-most rotor in the plus configuration experienced as large as a 28% decrease in the thrust coefficient when compared to one of the aft rotors in the X configuration for the same hub spacing and flight conditions. Good correlation was found between these wind tunnel test sand flight tests for the front and side rotors in X and plus configurations (7.9-14.2% difference), but a larger difference of 30-41.9% was found for the aft rotors, which is likely due to the different rotor trim conditions.
Analytical Model Development for Rotors Hovering Above Heaving Surfaces
Authors:   U.S. Naval Academy, Milluzzo Joseph ,   U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Tritschler John , Davids Scott
Published: September 2022

A potential flow model was developed for rotors hovering in-ground-effect above a heaving surface using a similar methodology to classical, analytical, static ground effect models. Experimental performance measurements for rotors hovering above a surface undergoing single degree-of-freedom heaving motion were used for model validation, and speculative mission trends were generated for a representative naval helicopter. Unlike prior empirical models, the current model was able to capture the effect of rotor hub height, as well as ground motion parameters. A new thrust ratio was proposed that compared the thrust produced in-ground-effect above a heaving surface to that produced above a static surface. Better agreement was found to occur at the higher collective pitch settings and hub heights, with the model predicting the classical thrust ratio within 5% of the measured value for approximately 75% of the test points. The thrust ratio relative to a static surface was found to produce better agreement and approximately 80% of the experimental tests points were predicted within 5% of the measured value.
The cardiac paradox of losing weight: a case of gastro-cardiac syndrome
Authors: Natale Francesco , Molinari Riccardo , Covino Simona , Alfieri Roberta , Cimmino Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Thanks to an unusual reversible cause of reflex syncope, a young physician avoided pacemaker implantation. We present the treatment of a bizarre case of gastro-cardiac syndrome, an often-overlooked clinical entity.
Characterization of the protein expression and localization of hnRNP family members during murine spermatogenesis
Authors: Wang Xiao-Li , Li Jin-Mei , Yuan Shui-Qiao
Published: September 2022

Mammalian testis exhibits remarkably high transcriptome complexity, and spermatogenesis undergoes two periods of transcriptional cessation. These make the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) the utmost importance during male germ cell development. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a large family of RBPs implicated in many steps of RNA processing; however, their roles in spermatogenesis are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of 12 hnRNP family members in mouse testes and found that most detected members are highly expressed in the testis. Furthermore, we found that most of the detected hnRNP proteins (hnRNPD, hnRNPK, hnRNPQ, hnRNPU, and hnRNPUL1) display the highest signals in the nuclei of pachytene spermatocytes, round spermatids, and Sertoli cells, whereas hnRNPE1 exclusively concentrates in the manchette of elongating spermatids. The expression of these hnRNP proteins showed both similarities and specificity, suggesting their diverse roles in spermatogenesis.
Skin microbiome in acne vulgaris, skin aging, and rosacea
Authors: Weng Yu-Ching , Chen Yi-Ju
Published: September 2022

The goal of this systematic review was to explore emerging perspectives on the role of skin microbiota in acne vulgaris, skin aging, and rosacea. We searched the literature for published clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies, both experimental and observational, whose primary main purpose was to ascertain the associations between the skin microbiome and chronic skin disease, acne vulgaris, rosacea, and skin aging, using the Embase and PubMed databases. Fifty-one relevant published articles were identified for systematic review (up to December 2021). The possible roles of the skin microbiome in these skin diseases were explored to shed light on its development and to identify potential therapeutic targets for treatment. However, the mechanisms of microbial interaction in these diseases are still under-studied. The results of this evidence-based review suggest that it may be possible to develop individualized therapies targeting the pathogenic strains within the skin microbiome involved in these diseases. This alternative therapeutic approach, involving modifications of the microbiome, may form the basis of the next generation of treatment, known collectively as “ecobiological” anti-inflammatory therapies.
Ostial Stenosis of Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in an Adult
Authors: Jariwala Pankaj , Jadhav Kartik Pandurang
Published: September 2022

An anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), a rare congenital anomaly, the enlarged right coronary artery supplies the left ventricle through retrograde collaterals before preferentially directing into the lower-pressure pulmonary artery system, resulting in coronary steal. The infant type is characterized by the absence of collateral vessels, and global myocardial ischemia is a major cause of death in infancy. If not treated, up to 90% of them will die during the 1st year of life. Myocardial ischemia or infarction left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with or without mitral regurgitation, life-threatening arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death may all be manifestations of symptomatic adult-type ALCAPA. In those patients who have survived to adulthood without surgery, pathophysiological mechanisms enabling adequate LV perfusion, such as a large number of well-formed functioning collaterals, and in a few cases, the presence of ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery (LCA), provide selective survival advantage. We review the correlation between clinical presentation, pathophysiological findings, and angiographic features of ostial stenosis of LCA in the setting of adult-type ALCAPA.
Challenges in Balloon Pulmonary Valvotomy for Severe Pulmonary Stenosis Presenting with Cyanosis and Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Singhi Anil Kumar , Mohapatra Soumya Kanti , Dey Somnath , Chatterjee Dipanjan , De Arnab
Published: September 2022

Valvular pulmonary stenosis (PS) can present with cyanosis and right heart failure in older children and adults. Transcatheter balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is a standard intervention for severe valvular PS in all age groups. Balloon dilatation in critical PS like presentation in older age groups has unique challenges in management. These cases are associated with right ventricular dysfunction, cyanosis, pulmonary edema, injury to right ventricular structure, and arrhythmia. Imaging is an essential component for diagnosis and management. We present two such cases of older children who presented with cyanosis and right ventricular dysfunction. Detailed imaging and team approach of care helped in managing the challenges of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in older sick substrates.
Multiple Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Shakapur Chaudappa , Mali Sagar
Published: September 2022

Bleeding following any injury is due to damaged blood vessel and is usually kept in check by a process called hemostasis. At times, this process may be abnormally affected by pathological factors or causes subsequently leading to thrombus formation and occlusion of blood vessels. It can affect either arteries or veins. The events in the pathogenesis of thrombosis occur in a vicious cycle. We report a case of 38-year-old male with multiple arterial thrombosis involving brachial artery, common carotid artery, and main pulmonary artery. He had raised hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin on presentation. He was successfully treated with injection alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator), injection enoxaparin, and dual oral antiplatelet therapy.
Assessment of Quality of Life and Drug Prescription Pattern in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Andhi Nikhilesh , Desham Prathyusha , Madavi C. , Bhavana S. , Naresh D.
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

To assess the health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and predict those patients who may have worsened QOL 6 months later and also observe the prescribing patterns of drugs given in their treatment.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted at the cardiology department in a tertiary care hospital. The data were collected in both inpatient and outpatient cardiology departments based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria for a period of 6 months. A total of 240 patients were analyzed with a data collection form by interviewing the patients about their sociodemographic details, laboratory parameters, and diagnostic reports. The MacNew Heart Disease Questionnaire, Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Scale were used for assessing the QOL in patients with ACS. We calculated Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Score and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Score for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients for identifying the mortality risk.

Results:

Urban people were more prone to ACS than rural people, according to our data. According to the NYHA Functional Classification, ability to do physical activity was more considerably affected in NSTEMI patients than STEMI and angina. Most of the patients had Grade 2 shortness of breath. 35% of the patients had a high mortality risk. Based on the MacNew Questionnaire data, 23% of the patients with ACS were doing emotionally poor, 45% of the patients had shown physically impaired symptoms, 28% of the patients were socially dependent, 8% of the patients showed poor gastric condition. 49% of the patients were given reperfusion therapy with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft, 25% of the patients were managed with dual-anticoagulant therapy, and 6% of the patients were treated with single-anticoagulant therapy. Commonly prescribed drug classes were statins (90%), antiplatelets (86%), anticoagulants (75%), antianginal (55%), beta-blockers (50%), diuretics (35%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (18%), and angiotensin receptor blockers (16%).

Conclusion:

QOL was significantly affected in ACS patients. Most of the patients had risk factors for ACS. Patients explained impairments in all the four domains used in the questionnaire such as emotional, physical, social, and gastric impairments. QOL was more affected in STEMI patients and they had a high mortality risk. Most of the patients had NSTEMI. Low-risk patients were given single-anticoagulant therapy and medium-risk patients were treated with dual-anticoagulant therapy. PCI was preferred in almost all the patients.
The status of aerial photogrammetry in South Africa: a transition to digital imagery system
Authors: Ngcofe Luncedo , Semoli Bulelwa
Published: September 2022

The digital image camera technology has revolutionized the aerial imagery capture throughout the world. It has provided high spatial and spectral resolution together with superior efficiency and reliability compared to the traditional analogue aerial imagery method. In so doing, this has provided great accuracy in various photogrammetric applications. The South African survey and mapping organisation currently known as Chief Directorate: National Geospatial Information (CD: NGI) has been capturing aerial photography dating back as early as the 1930s. However, from 2008 CD: NGI embraced a transition to digital aerial imagery capture at 50cm Ground Sample Distance (GSD) (from 2008 to 2016) and 25cm GSD (as from 2017 till date). This has resulted to 1370 digital aerial imagery already captured (this number will continue to change as there are jobs that are still being flown which are yet to be recorded). The continuous enhancement of digital camera technology opens for more possibilities of national aerial imagery capture at even greater spatial resolution such as 10cm GSD in the foreseeable future.However, the continuous digital imagery capture has not been without challenges such as the current global Covid-19 pandemic which has resulted in budget reprioritization, the organisation’s technical knowledge transfer from one generation to another together with the determination of the CD: NGI requirement for digital imagery specifications. The organisation values stakeholders’ engagement to ensure relevance, completeness and consistency on the data produced. This is possible through collaboration and partnership between State institutions, the private sector, research, and tertiary institutions through sharing of resources.
Estimating the performance of multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle structure-from-motion (UAVsfm) imagery in assessing homogeneous and heterogeneous forest structures: a comparison to airborne and terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Onwudinjo Kenechukwu C. , Smit Julian
Published: September 2022

The implementation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry in assessing forest structures for forest inventory and biomass estimations has shown great promise in reducing costs and labour intensity while providing relative accuracy. Tree Height (TH) and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) are two major variables in biomass assessment. UAV-based TH estimations depend on reliable Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), while UAV-based DBH estimations depend on reliable dense photogrammetric point cloud. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of multi-rotor UAV photogrammetric point cloud in estimating homogeneous and heterogeneous forest structures, and their comparison to more accurate LiDAR data obtained from Aerial Laser Scanners (ALS), Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS), and more conventional means like manual field measurements. TH was assessed using UAVSfM and LiDAR point cloud derived DTMs, while DBH was assessed by comparing UAVSfM photogrammetric point cloud to LiDAR point cloud, as well as to manual measurements. The results obtained in the study indicated that there was a high correlation between UAVSfM TH and ALSLiDAR TH (R2 = 0.9258) for homogeneous forest structures, while a lower correlation between UAVSfM TH and TLSLiDAR TH (R2 = 0.8614) and UAVSfM TH and ALSLiDAR TH (R2 = 0.8850) was achieved for heterogeneous forest structures. A moderate correlation was obtained between UAVSfM DBH and field measurements (R2 = 0.5955) for homogenous forest structures, as well as between UAVSfM DBH and TLSLiDAR DBH (R2 = 0.5237), but a low correlation between UAVSfM DBH and UAVLiDAR DBH (R2 = 0.1114). The study demonstrated that UAV acquired imagery can be used to accurately estimate TH in both forest types, but has challenges estimating DBH. The research does not suggest that UAVSfM serves as a replacement for more high-cost and accurate LiDAR data, but rather as a cheaper adequate alternative in forestry management depending on accuracy requirements.
Using the New Continuum of Land Rights Model to measure tenure security: A case study of Itaji-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Babalola Kehinde Hassan , Hull Simon Antony
Published: September 2022

Tenure security in developed countries is generally explicit while in developing countries it is generally implicit. To reduce poverty, empower the poor, and ensure economic growth, security of tenure is essential. The rural poor and vulnerable groups in Nigeria have tenure insecurity, yet the extent of this insecurity is unknown in many rural communities. This study used the New Continuum of Land Rights Model (NCLRM) developed by Whittal (2014) to measure the tenure security of the rural poor in Itaji-Ekiti. A single case study approach using qualitative method was adopted for the research design. Four land right types emerged from the study: informal occupation, formal occupation, customary, and registered leasehold. These land rights are interpreted using the triple vertical axes of legitimacy, legality and certainty. Despite strong legitimacy and legality, the results show that tenure insecurity exists in Itaji-Ekiti due to weak certainty. Bad land governance is the cause of this. The use of NCLRM in Itaji-Ekiti provides an understanding of the tenure situation. This model has the potential for use in the development of pro-poor land policy that could be used as an example in other developing countries.
Mapping land suitability for maize (Zea mays L.) production using GIS and AHP technique in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chivasaa Walter , Mutanga Onisimo , Biradarc Chandrashekhar
Published: September 2022

The study integrates geographic information system (GIS) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate land suitability for maize production in Zimbabwe using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) process. Four thematic maps based on rainfall, temperate, soil type and slope were integrated through overlay technique in a GIS environment to produce maize production suitability map. The resultant maize suitability map was overlaid with constraints map to ‘mask out’ all non-agricultural land. The final maize suitability map shows that 3.20% of the total land is highly suitable, 16.56% is suitable, 25.34% is moderately suitable, 32.33% is marginally suitable and 9.57% is not suitable for maize production in its current form. The maize suitability classification was validated by regression analyses using measured maize grain yield of 5 key maize varieties representing 5 different maturity groups. Grain yield was regressed against suitability index (SI) of each land class. There were significant positive correlations between maize grain yield and land suitability classes (R2 = 0.63 - 0.85). Integrating GIS and AHP with MCE is effective in assessing land suitability for targeting location specific interventions for maize production and the result is a comprehensive suitability map for Zimbabwe, incorporating several critical environmental factors affecting maize adaptation. We recommend the use of this suitability map as a decision support tool in land use planning and policy making.
E-beacon: a web-based survey control finder application
Authors: Apeh Ojima I. , Nwaka Okwuchukwu C. , Ndukwu Raphael I. , Maduako Ikechukwu , Arilewola Olatomiwa
Published: September 2022

The interplay between Geographical Information System (GIS) and Computer Science has continued to yield improved methods of carrying out many surveying-related activities. In the past, survey control points were stored in file systems and at the best in Database Management applications thereby leading to the limited usage of the survey control points since they are difficult to locate in the field. This study however, suggests another approach for the storage of these survey control points which makes them to be easily accessible and gives room for faster update and geo-visualization of the survey control points. This was achieved by means of web programming applications such as Node-JS, Leaflet Javascript Mapping API, MONGODB, HTML and CSS, integrating GIS into web technologies. The end product is an interactive web application that can be accessed using any smart device with the control points rendered on the user interface. The Survey Control Finder application (E-Beacon) is a WebGIS platform for the geovisualisation of survey control stations in the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus (UNEC), Nigeria. This study gives insight into what the latest trend in technology has in store for surveying and the need to arouse the interest of learners in web application programming in order to develop more surveying-related applications.
Landscape metrics analysis of land use patterns and changes in suburban local government areas of Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Olayiwola Adewale Mukhtar , Fakayode Olayinka
Published: September 2022

This study examined the spatiotemporal pattern of urban growth and magnitude of changes in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the suburban area of Ibadan using remote sensing cum spatial metrics. Data for the study were obtained from administrative maps of the study area, population data and satellite imageries. All of these were complemented with ground validations using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Periods of change analysis were divided into two epochs; 1986 to 2002 and 2002 to 2017. The imageries were classified into four landuse/cover classes based on Anderson’s modified version of supervised classification scheme. Accuracy assessment of the imageries was carried out using 100 randomly sampled ground truth points. Ten spatial metrics were selected for analysis using Fragstats program. Results show a significant loss in vegetation due to conversion (Land Consumption Rate, LCR = 0.025, 0.019 and 0.027; Land Absorption Coefficient, LAC = 0.012 and 0.048). Moreover, there was a persistent increase in Number of Patches (NP) indicating a scattered and fragmented but continuous development. However, dwindling values of Patch Density (PD = 90.94, 27.07 and 30.30) indicate expansion through conversion of other landuses at varying rates. Results also indicate an incidence of fragmented low density development in the fringe areas (Area Weighted Mean Patch Fractal Dimension, AWMPFD = 1.37 and 1.39). The study highlights the chaotic land development and unrestrained urban expansion in the study area.