bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence – Creating the Future in Orthodontics – A Review
Authors: Palanivel Jeyaram , D Davis , Srinivasan Dilip , N.C. Sushil Chakravarthi , Kalidass Priya , Kishore Shreya , S Suvetha
Published: July 2021

With the search for a smarter, faster, and technological ways of getting things accomplished, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developing at a faster pace. The technology has become a part of daily life, where the blend of human intelligence and machine learning has reached heights in various fields of science and technology. The machine simulates the human intelligence and improves their abilities with the help of self-adapting algorithms. Artificial intelligence has provided many benefits in various fields, particularly in medicine, where it plays a major role in the advancement of the medical field, ranging from virtual assistants to creating a better diagnosis and treatment using accumulated patient data. In orthodontics, the treatment focuses on altering the occlusion, controlling the development of dentoalveolar components and growth abnormalities. An effective assessment of these problems enables in determining the need for treatment and to prioritize it. Precise diagnosis, offering relevant and complete information is a key to a successful practice in orthodontics. Of late artificial intelligence is applied in orthodontics in decision making and planning effective treatment outcomes. Artificial intelligence is useful in simulation of various clinical scenarios in the three-essential sequence - diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment, which is efficient enough in reducing the workload, time and also increases the accuracy and monitoring. In no ways artificial intelligence can replace the dentist because clinical practice is not just about the diagnosis and treatment plan. So, humans should have a basic understanding on artificial intelligence models to assist in clinical judgement and not to replace the knowledge and expertise of humans. KEY WORDS Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Network, Orthodontics, Review
Lobular Capillary Haemangioma of the Oral Cavity in a 11-Year-Old Child - A Case Report
Authors: Phadnis Meghana Vasant
Published: July 2021

Lobular capillary haemangiomas are benign vascular neoplasms that typically affect the skin or mucous membrane. Majority of the cases reporting lobular capillary haemangioma commonly involve the gingiva. There are rare cases presenting involvement of other parts of the oral cavity like buccal mucosa. The management of vascular lesions is more complex in children due to fear of uncontrollable bleeding. The case presented here reports a successful management of lobular capillary haemangioma of the buccal mucosa in an 11 - year - old child. Vascular lesions are one of the rare disorders affecting the overall quality of life of a child. American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has presented numerous lesions, masses, or tumour-like conditions of hard and soft tissues within the oral and maxillofacial regions of children and young adults; most of these lesions being mucosal conditions. Oral vascular tumours encompass a wide spectrum of anomalies in children. In spite of the fact that a few cases are congenital, most of them arise during childhood.1 The vascular lesions of childhood are classified into two categories: haemangiomas (proliferating or involuting) and vascular malformations. Haemangioma is a term that envelops a heterogeneous gathering of clinical benign vascular lesions that share similar histologic features and presents as a proliferating mass of blood vessels. Haemangiomas are classified on the basis of their histological1 appearance as capillary, mixed or cavernous haemangiomas depending on the size of the vascular spaces or a sclerosing variety that tends to undergo fibrosis. Capillary haemangiomas are of two types; lobular capillary haemangioma and non-lobular capillary haemangioma depending on their histological features. Lobular capillary haemangioma (LCH) is a common reactive angiomatous proliferation of skin and mucous membranes.2,3 LCH (Mills et al. 1980 ) represents an essential, underlying lesion of pyogenic granuloma (PG).4,5 Based on the available literature and case reports, several clinical and histological differences were seen between PG and LCH, yet there is no clear distinction between the two and still remains a topic of debate. The peak prevalence of LCH is in paediatric population and young adults, with a female predilection. Although LCH is one of the most common soft tissue tumours of head and neck accounting for almost 6 % of all cases, there is a striking predilection for lesions on the gingiva. The occurrence of intraoral haemangiomas at sites such as lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, and palate are extremely rare. LCH is a tumour-like growth of the oral cavity or skin that is considered to be non-neoplastic in nature. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of lobular capillary haemangioma in a paediatric patient and describe the successful treatment of this case.
Prevalence of Nerve Dysfunction in Individuals in Satara District Suffering from Chronic Neck Pain - A Nerve Conduction Velocity Study
Authors: Rane Anushka Vijay , Kulkarni Prachi , Yadav Trupti S.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND Chronic neck pain is one of the common and painful musculoskeletal conditions. Determining the prevalence of nerve impairment in chronic neck pain patients is faced with various challenges such as individual perception and coping patterns of pain and likelihood to seek and receive treatment. We wanted to determine the prevalence of nerve impairment in patients of chronic neck pain and estimate the occupation, age, and gender wise involvement of nerve impairment in chronic neck pain patients. METHODS Population in and around Karad diagnosed with chronic neck pain by an orthopaedician fulfilling the inclusion criteria with prior consent were taken for the study. In the first half of the study, participants were assessed based on a questionnaire and a clinical assessment using Upper Limb Tension Tests following which the participants were assessed using nerve conduction velocity studies. RESULTS Participants having chronic neck pain and showing nerve dysfunctions were 32.14 %. Based on F min, frequency of nerve dysfunction within age groups showed the highest percentage that was 10.72 % in the age group of 39 - 42 years. Higher involvement was observed in males than females which was 23.21 %. Occupation wise nerve involvement for nerve dysfunction showed physically demanding occupations which had higher percentage of 14.28 %. CONCLUSIONS This study shows large population of chronic neck pain with no symptoms of nerve involvement but having nerve dysfunction and were not receiving any treatment for their condition thereby allowing it to progress into a radiculopathy. KEY WORDS Chronic Neck Pain, NCV Study, Cervical Radiculopathy, F Min Latency
Awareness Regarding Cerebral Palsy and Its Risk Factors in Young Adults from Karad
Authors: Babar Gargi Nitin , Bagwan Sana Imtiyaj , Varadharajulu Govindhan
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to assess and determine the level of awareness regarding cerebral palsy and its risk factors in young adults and provide a statistical data showing the level of awareness in young adults. Cerebral palsy is one of the most commonly occurring neurological disorders in children with having lifelong abnormalities. Increasing prevalence of cerebral palsy needs attention as this is the leading cause of disability in children. The age group of 18 - 35 years is known as the reproductive age group; it is important to assess the level of awareness to educate them about the preventive measures during pregnancy. Due to this, the percentage of occurrence of cerebral palsy will drop significantly. METHODS The research was completed by survey method. It is an observational study including 192 participants. Sample size was calculated by the formula n = 4pq/l2. Both males and females in the age group of 18 to 35 were included. A structured questionnaire comprising of cerebral palsy and risk factor questions was used. Ethical approval from institutional ethical committee, permission from respective authorities were taken. After the protocol and ethical clearance, the procedure was started. Results were obtained from statistical analysis. RESULTS The obtained results revealed significantly low level of awareness about cerebral palsy in younger adults which was 29.17 % of the sample size 192 (100 %) which made 70.83 % unaware about the condition with an extreme low level of awareness regarding the risk factors causing cerebral palsy. Only 9.38 % were aware about risks causing cerebral palsy. CONCLUSIONS Study results concluded that there is lack of awareness about cerebral palsy and its risk factors in young adults. KEY WORDS Awareness, Cerebral Palsy, Disability, Risk Factors, Young Adults, Pregnancy
The Changing Epidemiology of Liver Disease Among US Children and Adolescents From 1999 to 2016
Authors: Li Jie , Le Michael H. , Barakat Monique T. , Cheung Ramsey C. , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: July 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major causes of liver disease in adults. However, data for children and adolescents are limited. Our study aimed to characterize the prevalence, trend, and risk factors of infection of HBV and HCV and possible NAFLD for this population.

METHODS:

We analyzed 6,647 children and adolescents (aged 6–21 years) from the 1999–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

RESULTS:

Among individuals aged 6–21 years, HBV prevalence decreased after 2011, from 0.72% in 1999–2004 and 0.85% in 2005–2010 to 0.27% in 2011–2016 (P < 0.001), whereas HCV prevalence increased to 0.26% in 2011–2016 after an initial decline from 0.15% in 1999–2004 to 0.02% in 2005–2010 (P = 0.01). Possible NAFLD prevalence also increased by approximately 40% in individuals aged 12–21 years, from 8.54% in 1999–2004 to 10.1% in 2005–2010 and then 11.8% in 2011–2016 (P = 0.033), with most possible NAFLD individuals being male, being obese, or having higher glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1c, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, liver enzymes, lipids, and uric acid (all P < 0.01). On multivariate logistic regression, hypertension (odds ratio 4.79, 95% confidence interval 1.44–15.9) and dyslipidemia (odds ratio 11.6, 95% confidence interval 5.65–23.9) increased risk for possible NAFLD but not income:poverty ratio, hours spent on computer use, or added sugars.

DISCUSSION:

Although HBV prevalence has decreased in recent years among US children and adolescents, HCV and possible NAFLD have increased. Public health efforts must seek further understanding of the driving factors of this increase so that age-appropriate interventions can be developed and implemented.
Maximum Power Point Tracking in Solar Cells with Power Quality Preservation Based on Impedance Matching Concept for Satellite Electrical Energy Supply
Authors: Fu Li , Fu Xiuwei , Yang Ping
Published: July 2021

The power generation subsystem represents one of the principal components of a space system and is usually assembled from solar arrays and PPT topology. This paper aims to design and implement an algorithm to continuously extract the maximum power from the solar cells and deliver it to the consumer with minimum loss. In this regard, a brief introduction to the various parts of the power generation subsystem is provided and through accurate modeling of the solar cell and exploring the contributing factors to its power generation (including temperature, radiation, and space radiation), the algorithm is proposed based on the impedance matching concept. Simulation studies using MATLAB software have estimated an approximate 0.25065W per square centimeter power extraction and delivery to the customer. Our results suggest that the proposed approach can reduce steady-state losses while ensuring accuracy.
Intercultural youth: the global generation and virtual exchange
Authors: Szobonya Patricia , Roche Catherine
Published: July 2021

Due to the interconnectedness of our world and the ubiquitous presence of technology, it is imperative that students be introduced to and be actively involved in cross-cultural activities. Generation Z (Gen Z) students have been raised with computer-based technology; and as a result, they are cognizant of social and global issues that transcend borders and require collaborative solutions. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and other virtual exchange programs provide students with the opportunity to engage in real conversations and problem solving with students from other countries. Students connect asynchronously and/or synchronously to discuss, analyze, and solve problems together. Simplified short-term projects also have relevance as they provide the opportunity for communication leading to empathy and awareness of social and economic injustices around the world. While study abroad is considered a traditional method of introducing students to other cultures, most students do not have the time nor the financing to be able to travel. However, today virtual exchange empowered by technology is a viable, sustainable method. In this contribution, examples of tasks, activities, technologies, and challenges resulting from various collaborations around the globe, in particular with Morocco, Iraq, and China, are highlighted. Through these collaborations, students established personal connections and shared responsibility in addressing local and global concerns. All of the collaborations underscore the value of virtual exchange activities, transcontinental partnerships, and collective action. The global pandemic has fostered the opportunity to explore more of these enriching exchanges.
Creating a prototype for a seawater farm through an American-Tunisian virtual exchange
Authors: Cheikhrouhou Nadia , Ludwig Kenneth
Published: July 2021

This paper will discuss a Virtual Exchange (VE) between the University of Michigan (USA) and the High Institute of Technological Studies of Béja (Tunisia) that took place between October and December 2019. Students from Tunisia and USA were enrolled in two entrepreneurship courses in their respective universities and joined together to work in groups on an innovative project on ‘creating a prototype for a seawater farm in the region of Khniss’ to be presented at the end of the semester. As this project was student-centered, the main focus was to show its impact on the students through their testimonials on what challenges they encountered and what benefits they gained from this experience at an academic and personal level. These testimonials showed that despite differences in intercultural communication competencies between American and Tunisian students and the use of English as a lingua franca, students gained valuable skills in team communication, collaboration, and coordination in a large team spread over two continents. Students taught each other and learned from each other while working toward solving a social and environmental problem the world is struggling with. Another light was shed on the impact of this VE on the instructors, the pedagogy adopted to conduct the project, as well as the contribution of the instructional support staff. Moving from a directive to a student-driven approach was rewarding for the Tunisian instructor who learned how to push students out of their comfort zone, dive into uncertain areas, and ask questions rather than accepting the norms. On his part the American instructor learned that it is possible to create meaningful, unconventional student-led projects across languages, cultures, and geography as long as the teams (students and faculty) are excited and committed to the project. He also learned that students get inspired to be brave, thoughtful, and resourceful when they can witness what effective professional collaboration by faculty looks like.
Building empathy through a comparative study of popular cultures in Caracas, Venezuela, and Albany, United States
Authors: Jiménez José Luis , Kressner Ilka
Published: July 2021

During our six-week Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) module (Oct.-Nov. 2019), 58 students jointly developed task-based projects on expressions of popular culture in Albany (USA) and Caracas (Venezuela). In teams of seven to eight participants, learners from both countries reflected on variations of popular culture through assignments to be resolved in teams that included summaries and critical assessments of readings, contextualization of theoretical concepts, the drafting of a joint video script, and finally creation of a ten-minute video that focused on popular expressions in both cities. All learners were native, fluent, or near-native speakers of Spanish. We experienced the topic of popular culture to be exceptionally well poised to help students engage with each other from the beginning, represent everyday realities and build empathy and transcultural understanding through written reflections and joint creative final projects in the form of documentaries that included slices of life from the two different realities. The small-scale, everyday popular cultural productions allowed for a connection beyond cultural divides, helped students discover novel terrain within their own contexts, and vice versa, find common ground in the new context, thus fostering empathy toward transcultural awareness and equitable collaboration. In their exchange students actively created a shared ‘third’ culture of collaboration.
Virtual exchange: from students’ expectations to perceived outcomes
Authors: Nissen Elke , Felce Catherine , Muller Catherine
Published: July 2021

What do students expect before starting a Virtual Exchange (VE) with peers? Are their initial expectations mirrored in the final outcomes they perceive after the VE experience? Or, else, do students acknowledge benefits and acquired skills which they did not expect at first? This study draws on qualitative and quantitative data collected across a variety of VE settings within the Erasmus+ EVOLVE project (16 VEs and 248 students in total). In a mixed-methods approach, it confronts students’ expectations and perceived outcomes in order to outline the learning potential of VE, beyond the specific learning objectives set in the different Higher Educational (HE) courses in which a VE was implemented. It brings to light that the overlap between students’ expectations and the benefits they see is only partial. The declared outcomes deviate more from the course learning objectives than the initial expectations do, and they are, unsurprisingly, more nuanced and manifold. Expectations of intercultural and language practice and skills development are more often aligned with outcomes voiced by students than is the case for digital and disciplinary skills. What stands out is a great occurrence of transferable skills in the outcomes, including collaborative, relational, and communicative skills that are not always promoted in the course objectives.
Challenges of Slum Upgrading in Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria
Authors: Yoade Adewale O , Adeyemi Sesan A
Published: July 2021

Environmental decay in a city is essentially caused by rapid urbanization and the mismatch in the provision and maintenance of housing and infrastructure. This study examined challenges of slum upgrading in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study aims to examine slum areas and their living conditions, and finding out the most critical and problematic zone of the slums Two sources (primary and secondary) of data were utilized in the study: The study population for this study was the residents of Diobu and Waterside in Port Harcourt, River State. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data appropriately. Findings established that 11.3% acquired primary education, 29.0% have secondary education, and 14.0% had NCE, 21.0% had both HND and degree and 3.8% had no formal education. Findings showed that 31.7% of the residents were owners of the building while 68.2% were living in rented apartments. Findings revealed that 40.9% of the respondents have bad drainage system which would lead to dirty environment and 6.5% having very good drainage system. The study concluded that majority of building structures in the study area are old that existed for decades without maintenance and the surrounding environment very poor due to neglect.
Content Analysis of Resilience Indicators for Mainstreaming Resilience into Semarang City's Development Planning Policies
Authors: Ratnaningtias Tresnasari , Handayani Wiwandari
Published: July 2021

Resilience assessment has been conducted in Semarang City by two different organizations using two different methods, i.e., City Resilience Index (CRI) and Urban Community Resilience Assessment (UCRA) in 2017 and 2018. Based on the result of those resilience assessments, it reveals that some of the resilience indicators are not suitable for local conditions in Semarang City regarding development planning policies. City strategic planning is a mid-term development planning policy with a combination of sectoral planning and comprehensive planning to budgeting process of the local government programs. It also includes local government performance indicators that reflect the level of good governance and lead to enhance city resilience. Hence, indicators in city strategic planning also can be considered as resilience indicators. All of this implies that city strategic planning describes the local government already uses resilience thinking in its strategies, policies, and programs. However, city resilience encompasses many aspects and more complex. This study aims to identify between CRI and UCRA, which method having resilience indicators that are compatible, applicable, and suitable for Semarang’s city strategic planning. CRI and UCRA use different methods and aim at different scopes when assessing resilience in the city. The results of the content analysis on the document of development planning policies, such as the 2016-2021 Semarang’s city strategic planning and Revision of the 2016-2021 Semarang’s city strategic planning, highlight the similarities and differences between CRI and UCRA. It reveals that CRI’s resilience indicators are more compatible, applicable, and suitable for Semarang’s city strategic planning rather than UCRA’s resilience indicators.
The Impact of the Moral Foundations Arguments on Early Adolescents
Authors: Stastna Kamila
Published: July 2021

The empirical research reported in this article is based on the Moral Foundations Theory proposed by J. Haidt. Objectives. The author examines the impact of moral foundations arguments on early adolescents’ moral judgments regarding violating moral rules and explores gender-related differences between moral foundations preferences. Method. The effect of moral foundations arguments was measured by a newly developed meta-ethical position test (MEPT). The MEPT consists of a pretest questionnaire, treatment by moral foundations arguments, and a posttest questionnaire. The sample contained 178 early adolescents from the Czech Republic (84 females and 94 males). The influence of the moral foundations arguments was analyzed by comparing the pretest with the posttest. Results. 91% of teenagers changed their moral judgment due to confrontations with the moral foundations arguments. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test found that the moral foundations arguments were significantly relevant, since the P-value was lower than 0.001. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed the importance of the gender aspect: P-value care equals 0.01 and liberty 0.01. Girls have a preference for care foundation (21% more than boys), while boys tended to liberty (27 % more than girls). It seems that moral foundations arguments strongly change early adolescents’ moral judgments and can be practically applied as a valuable platform for early adolescents’ moral development.
Factors that influence the preceptor role: a comparative study of Saudi and expatriate nurses
Authors: Al Harbi Aishah , Donnelly Francis , Page Tamara , Edwards Suzanne , Davies Ellen
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare expatriate and Saudi nursing staff’s perceptions of factors that influence their role as preceptors of nursing students.

Methods

Descriptive comparative study using a self-administered survey was completed by a convenience sample of eligible nurses (n=285). It was conducted in five different hospitals within the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Results

Most preceptors were expatriate nurses (70.5%), while Saudi preceptors represented only 29.5%. The findings show that there is a difference between Saudi and expatriate nurses in their perception of the role, that cultural factors influence the role of expatriate preceptors and that organisational factors influence both groups.

Conclusions

Expatriate preceptors felt that there were cultural obstacles that hindered their role. These findings will contribute to the development of a more contemporary and culturally sensitive preceptorship model.
Measurement of Pull-Through Resistance of Substrate Boards for Commercial Roofing Using Different Techniques
Authors: Jandaghian Zahra , Saragosa James , Yew Helen , Shyti Flonja , Baskaran Bas A.
Published: July 2021

The substrate boards of commercial roofs are secured with mechanical fasteners and plates. The pull-through resistance (PTR) of the substrates depends on the material composition and fastener/plate configuration. Three different testing apparatuses are available for determining the PTR: universal testing machine Instron pull-through (IP), automated pull-through (AP), and manual pull-through (MP). To quantify the accuracy of these three test apparatuses, the National Research Council Canada completed an experimental program. The test matrix consisted of four types of substrate boards: gypsum-based board (GB), perlite-based board (PB), wood-fiber based board (WB), and polyisocyanurate insulation based (IB), two fastener plate geometries (round and hexagonal), and two types of fasteners (#12 and #14). In addition, the effect of operator ability and loading mechanisms were respectively examined for the MP and IP by employing three different operators and two different loading mechanisms, respectively. Experimental error, deviation error, and total deviation values are calculated. The findings are, respectively summarized as follows: (1) Data obtained using IP and AP showed no significant difference in the PTR values. However, the MP results varied with operators. (2) Similarly, neither the size of the specimen, the type of fasteners, nor the fastener plates resulted in significant variation in the PTR values obtained from the three apparatuses. (3) Failure analysis of the substrate boards confirmed that larger specimens absorbed energy elastically by deflecting across the board's longer span whereas smaller specimens dissipated energy by cracking across the board.
Risky but Raw
Authors: Schrager Benjamin
Published: July 2021

Over the past decade in Japan, consumption of raw chicken dishes increased after the government placed restrictions on raw beef and pork. This article explores the lax regulations on raw chicken, a high-risk food with a devoted following, especially among young consumers in Japan. Historically, raw chicken was mostly limited to particular regions and breast meat, but it has recently expanded more broadly throughout Japan and encompasses riskier cuts from internal organs. Drawing on government statistics of food poisoning, I analyze trends in documented incidents, geographic variation, and demographic composition. I then contextualize these trends through interviews with hygiene division officials in Saga Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, two prefectures that employ different strategies to reduce their high rates of food poisoning from raw chicken. This analysis of raw chicken in Japan illustrates the need to go beyond superficial encounters with unfamiliar cuisines to engage with the underlying social and ecological forces that shape situated expressions of risk within culinary practice.
Crucial Challenges in the Development of Green Extraction Technologies to Obtain Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds from Agro-industrial By–Products
Authors: Gil Katarzyna Angelika , Tuberoso Carlo Ignazio Giovanni
Published: July 2021

Exploitation of agro-industrial by-products represents an important source of bioactive compounds that can be used both directly as ingredients and for the production of

functional ingredients. Among these compounds, polyphenols are capable of strengthening endogenous antioxidant defences in human tissues, preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The present paper aims to evaluate and review various green extraction technologies for a cheap, fast, eco-friendly procedure to obtain these bioactive molecules. Several physicochemical approaches can be used with the aim of optimizing the use of energy, solvents, and pressure; among them are ultrasound-assisted extraction, subcritical and supercritical fluid extraction, extraction with neoteric solvents (ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and natural deep eutectic solvents), microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, pulsed electric field, multi-frequency multimode modulated technology, rapid solid liquid dynamic extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction. The challenges and future work regarding the development of these green products for the commercial markets were comprehensively evaluated.
Intelligent Clasification Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Using E-Nose
Authors: Nasarudin Fatin Munirah , Najib Muhammad Sharfi , Mohd Daud Suhaimi , Mohamad Mujahid
Published: July 2021

The environment is an invaluable gift. In an era of progress, economic activities and development projects are often carried out to improve living standards and keep pace with other developed countries. However, this activity has had a negative impact on the environment because some parties still fail to control the disposal of waste that can cause environmental pollution. The effects of this pollution can give to discomfort and disruption to the life of the community. It is because the effects of toxic emissions have caused air pollution to spread foul odors. Therefore, this study was conducted to classify air odor and water odor from the treatment plant in the area of Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Gambang Campus. The classification of air and water odors was done using case-based reasoning.
Intelligent Classification of Cocoa Bean using E-nose
Authors: Nazli Nur Amanda , Najib Muhammad Sharfi , Mohd Daud Suhaimi , Mohammad Mujahid
Published: July 2021

Cocoa bean (Theobrama cacao) is an essential raw material in the manufacture of chocolate, and their classification is crucial for the synthesis of good chocolate flavour. Cocoa beans appear to be very similar to one another when visualised. Hence, an electronic device named the electronic nose (E-Nose) is used to classify the odor of cocoa beans to give the best cocoa bean quality. E-nose is a set of an array of chemical sensors used to sense the gas vapours produced by the cocoa bean and the raw data collected was kept in Microsoft Excel, and the classification took place in Octave. They then underwent normalisation technique to increase classification accuracy, and their features were extracted using mean calculation. The features were classified using CBR, and the similarity value is obtained. The results show that CBR's classification accuracy, specificity and sensitivity are all 100%.
Development of Consumers Management System via Face Classification
Authors: Suhardi N. I. , Khairuddin U.
Published: July 2021

To improve consumer experience and overall retail management, physical retailers may adapt consumer behaviour management systems using artificial intelligence to imitate the capability of consumer behaviour tracking in online shopping into physical retail. The proposed consumer behaviour management system consists of two parts - face recognition and consumer tracking at an area of interest. Both will be combined to produce a summary of individual customer’s visits to the shop. This information can be used to improve consumers experience and optimize retailer’s management. The developed system can track consumers’ movement inside the shop and summarize their whereabouts according to areas of interest. The face classification system via FaceNet has around 56.67% accuracy with 27.89% mean confidence. The tracking performance shows a consistent performance with a total standard deviation of 4.36 seconds. With the consumers’ analysis graph, retailers may pinpoint which area that was always frequented by their customers and take suitable actions with that information
Oral Vancomycin as Secondary Prophylaxis for Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Bao Hongkai , Lighter Jennifer , Dubrovskaya Yanina , Merchan Cristian , Siegfried Justin , Papadopoulos John , Jen Shin-Pung
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVES

Secondary oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) has been used in adults with a history of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) while receiving systemic antibiotics to prevent CDI recurrence. However, this practice has not been studied in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of secondary OVP in pediatric patients with previous CDI who received subsequent antibiotic exposure.

METHODS

A multicampus, retrospective cohort evaluation was conducted among patients aged ≤18 years with any history of clinical CDI and receiving systemic antibiotics in a subsequent encounter from 2013–2019. Patients who received concomitant OVP with antibiotics were compared with unexposed patients. The primary outcome was CDI recurrence within 8 weeks after antibiotic exposure. Infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci and risk factors for CDI recurrence were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 148 patients were screened, of which 30 and 44 patients received OVP and no OVP, respectively. Patients who received OVP had greater antibiotic use and hospital lengths of stay. The incidence of CDI recurrence within 8 weeks of antibiotic exposure was significantly lower in patients who received OVP (3% vs 25%; P = .02) despite this group having notably more risk factors for recurrence. There were no vancomycin-resistant enterococci infections in any patients within either group. After adjustment in a multivariable analysis, secondary OVP was associated with less risk of recurrence (odds ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.86; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary OVP while receiving systemic antibiotics reduces the risk of recurrent CDI in pediatric patients with a history of CDI.
Alone at Christmas
Authors: George Reena
Published: July 2021

I longedto give you a gift,a pearlof great price.Craftedwithin my wounds and nourishedwith body and blood, the pearl grewlovely and luminous.
Tenderly wrapped in gentle huesthe lovely blues of sky and sea,it waited beneath the Christmas tree.Christmas came and went.You were busy. I understand.I always do.
The tree and I continued sitting by the window with smiling fairy lights on.Then it was Lent, and I had to put awaythat old tree.The neighbours were sniggering you see.But the pearl and I, we sat waitingfor you, my beloved, Prodigal daughter.
And then you came! and I ran,holding my walking stick and your gift.
You opened the silken blue box, saying,“Beautiful, thank you!”
But then you saw that Graceful glow and stopped, “No, I can’t take this.”
“Please,” I begged. “It was made for you with all thatI Am.”“But I am not worthy,”you whispered.
Only then,My heart broke,and I wept.
The church, food culture, and ecotheology: An ongoing church effort in reducing bushmeat eating in Minahasa, Indonesia
Authors: Supit Alva , Telew Agusteivie , Bawiling Nancy
Published: July 2021

Minahasa is a Christian-majority region in the Muslim-majority country of Indonesia. Most of the Minahasan people are meat consumers, with an increased consumption rate during festive seasons. Unfortunately, during these seasons, the consumption of non-cattle animals such as wild animals also increases. This eating style was reported to be related to the high prevalence of metabolic diseases in this area. In this paper, we report the effort of the largest church organization in Minahasa to promote healthy eating habits among its congregation, which comprises the majority of the society of the region. More recently, the church has also been incorporating the values of wild animal conservation in its programs in collaboration with a local non-government organization. This ongoing unique phenomenon might serve as a unique example of how a church organization can be involved in public and planetary health as a part of its mission to preach the gospel to every creature.
Caring for the Earth for better health and well-being of all: addressing climate change as a planetary health emergency
Authors: Hospedales James
Published: July 2021

Most of the major public health problems with which I have wrestled in my life – epidemics and pandemics, natural disasters, chronic noncommunicable diseases, are all symptomatic of, or related to, climate change and/or destruction of the environment. As a Christian, the roots lie in lack of respect for our Creator, and lack of reverence for the goodness and inter-dependence of all of creation.
Propagation of waves in an incompressible rotating transversely isotropic nonlocal elastic solid
Authors: Singh Baljeet
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the nonlocal elasticity theory is applied to study the propagation of plane wave and Rayleigh-type surface wave in an incompressible, rotating and transversely isotropic material. The governing equations of motion for an incompressible, rotating, transversely isotropic and nonlocal elastic medium are specialized for a plane. The medium is assumed rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane. The transverse isotropy axis is taken perpendicular to the surface. The specialized governing equations are first applied to derive a velocity equation for homogeneous plane wave. The specialized governing equations along with traction free boundary conditions are also applied to derive the secular equation governing the wave speed of Rayleigh wave.  The speeds of plane wave and Rayleigh wave are computed and illustrated graphically to observe the effects of nonlocality, rotation, anisotropy, frequency and propagation direction. It is noticed from the theory and numerical results that the speeds of both plane wave and Rayleigh wave decrease sharply with an increase in nonlocal parameter or rotation parameter. The speeds of plane wave and Rayleigh wave increase logarithmically with anisotropy material parameter. The feasible ranges of nonlocality, rotation or anisotropy parameters for the existence of plane wave or Rayleigh surface wave are determined for a given wave speed when the values of other parameters are fixed.
SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO INTEGRATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT UNDER CONDITIONS OF RISKS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: ANIN V. I. , ARUTIUNIAN I. A. , ICHETOVKIN A. A.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Justification of the appropriateness of use in terms of efficiency for a construction company, the process of integrating quality management and risk management. Determination of the principles of applying an integrative management model, modules for managing the quality of construction in conditions of risks based on a dynamic system. Methodology. Analysis and generalization of scientific research, practical approaches to quality management and risk management of construction projects, the use of the integration method and the method of identification of QM and RM processes, which makes it possible to substantiate the possibility of developing an integrated approach and determine the principles of applying an integrated quality management model in the face of risks. Results. The study substantiated the feasibility of using an integrative model of risk and quality management in construction, which allows the QM and RM processes to be aligned with the project efficiency criteria, and makes it possible to eliminate contradictions between the quality requirements for the construction object and the level of acceptable risks, and also aligns them with the efficiency requirements for developer. Originality. The principles of quality and risk management are determined, which are prerequisites for the integration of QM and RM processes; modules and levels of implementation of an integrated model of quality management in a risk environment, taking into account the requirements of project efficiency. Practical value. The use of an integrated approach aimed at combining quality management modules for projects and risks in the construction industry will allow to level all the contradictions of these processes in practical implementation, to harmonize with the efficiency requirements for projects and balance the costs of ensuring the planned quality level, provided that the acceptable level of risks is observed.
REGULARITIES OF THE LINING STRESS-STRAIN STATE DURING OF THE PYLON METRO STATION CONSTRUCTION
Authors: BANNIKOV D. O. , KUPRII V. P. , VOTCHENKO D. YU.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Perform numerical analysis of the station structure. Take into account in the process of mathematical modeling the process of construction of station tunnels of a three-vaulted station. Obtain the regularities of the stress-strain state of the linings, which is influenced by the processes of soil excavation and lining construction. Methodology. To achieve this goal, a series of numerical calculations of models of the deep contour interval metro pylon station was performed. Three finite-element models have been developed, which reflect the stages of construction of a three-vaulted pylon station. Numerical analysis was performed on the basis of the finite element method, implemented in the calculation complex Lira for Windows. Modeling of the stress-strain state of the station tunnel linings and the soil massif was performed using rectangular, universal quadrangular and triangular finite elements, which take into account the special properties of the soil massif. Station tunnel linings are modeled by means of rod finite elements. Findings. Isofields of the stress-strain state in finite-element models reflecting the stages of construction are obtained. The vertical displacements and horizontal stresses that are characteristic of a three-vaulted pylon station are analyzed. The analysis of horizontal stresses proved that at the stage of opening of the middle tunnel the scheme of pylon operation is rather disadvantageous. The analysis of bending moments and normal forces was also carried out and the asymmetry of their distribution was noted. Originality. Based on the obtained patterns of distribution of stress-strain state and force factors, it is proved that numerical analysis of the station structure during construction is necessary to take measures to prevent or reduce deformation of frames that are in unfavorable conditions. Practical value. In the course of research, the regularities of changes in stresses, displacements, bending moments and normal forces in the models of the pylon station, which reflect the sequence of its construction, were obtained.
COMPOSITE REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE GIRDERS FOR POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DESTROYED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Authors: HERNICH M. , KLUTCHNIK S. , SPIVAK D.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. The purpose of this work is to analyze the existing composite reinforced concrete girder structures of bridges, determine their advantages and disadvantages, study of stress changes in the elements of the girder structure and its deflections caused by the coupling of metal beams and reinforced concrete roadway, the possibility of using these structures in post-conflict reconstruction. Methodology. Examination of the data covered in the literature. Studying the experience of design and construction of reinforced concrete girder structures of bridges in our country and abroad. Construction of the calculation model, its loading, change of thickness of a reinforced concrete plate, the analysis of results. Findings. The result of this work is collected data on the advantages and disadvantages of reinforced concrete girder structures of bridges under the railway, the impact on stress in the elements of the girder structure and on its vertical deflections by the joint work of metal beams and concrete slab, analysis of the possibility of using such girders for fast resumption of train traffic. Originality. It lies in that for the rapid and high-quality restoration of destroyed transport infrastructure, including railways, it is proposed to use metal beams of long-term storage (mobilization reserve), which are made on standard projects in the middle of last century, combined with reinforced concrete slab included in joint work, thereby obtaining composite reinforced concrete girder structures. This will allow rational use of the available reserve of materials, high recovery rates and reliable recovery of train traffic. Practical value. Based on the obtained data, it is possible to conclude that the method of combining the long-term stored metal beams and reinforced concrete slabs of the carriageway increases the load-bearing capacity of the obtained girder structures, so the use of these structures can ensure the effective restoration of war-torn railway structures in a short time.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGIES OF MICROPILES ARRANGEMENT DURING STRENGTHENING OF WEAK SOIL BASES
Authors: PETRENKO V. D. , ANDRIEIEV V. S. , KHARCHENKO V. V.
Published: July 2021

Purpose. Perform a comparative analysis of drill and injection (jet-grouting) and drill and mixing technologies of micropiles arrangement of weak soil bases with the identification of technological features that significantly effect on the design and calculation of weak soil bases strengthening. Methodology. To solve this problem, was conducted of the detailed analysis of the most effective methods of micropiles arrangement during the strengthening of weak soil bases (physical immersion, bored and packing of concrete, drill and injection of ground, drill and mixing soils and application of special effects). Peculiarities of technological parameters of jet-grouting and drill and mixing technologies are considered in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the technologies are revealed. It is proved that the drill and mixing technology has a greater degree of prediction of the stress-strain state change of the inhomogeneous base. To determine the influence of deformation characteristics, a spatial finite-element model based on a flat prototype was created, which was built using automatic triangulation of the professional calculation complex SCAD. Findings. A significant reduction of the deformed state at an almost constant stress state is obtained. When the deformation characteristic increases by 3 times (the ratio of the modulus of elasticity of the soil cement pile and the weak soil), the vertical displacements of the foundation decrease by 1.23 times. Originality. It consists in obtaining the dependence of the change of vertical displacements and stresses on the modulus of elasticity of the soil cement micropile, created on the basis of drill and mixing technology. Practical value. It consists in the obtained results of comparative analysis of substantiation of micropile installation drill and mixing technology during strengthening of weak soil bases with definition of technological features and choice of drill and mixing as the most effective variant from the point of view of technology realization.