bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instructional Design and 3D Virtual Worlds
Authors: Fedeli Laura , Pennazio Valentina
Published: February 2021

Starting from the analysis of the typical difficulties of the condition of autism spectrum syndrome and the literature relating to the effectiveness of the use of virtual worlds, the chapter presents the design and implementation of social stories within a 3D social virtual world, namely edMondo. The environment was used for a second phase of a piloting of a research project about the development of social abilities in children with ASD and involve the use of social scenarios thanks to the interaction with a robot avatar.
Teaching Archaeology in VR
Authors: Danelon Nevio , Forte Maurizio
Published: February 2021

The authors discuss their experience at Duke University and, more specifically, at the Dig@Lab, a core research unit of the CMAC (Computational Media Art and Culture) program in the Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies. This community of scholars and students represents a new branch of experimental teaching in digital humanities with the participation of students and faculty from the humanities, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, and visual media. In particular, the Dig@Lab studies the impact of virtual reality in cyberarchaeology and virtual museums.
Designing Intelligent Tutoring Systems With AI
Authors: Trinchero Roberto
Published: February 2021

This chapter describes the research problems inherent the design of effective intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) based on cognitive neuroscience research (brain-based approach) and evidence-based education. Effective student-ITS interaction requires a thorough understanding of the brain processes that underpin learning. The knowledge of these principles allows you to select optimal pedagogical strategies to monitor and guide the process. AI-based tutors have great potential in constantly adapting teaching content and tactics to the changing cognitive needs of the individual student in order to foster deep understanding, increase motivation, and develop a sense of self-efficacy in the learner. The brain-based approach can give ITSs a significant increase in effectiveness in promoting learning.
VLE Meets VW
Authors: Montebello Matthew , Camilleri Vanessa
Published: February 2021

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) within a learning environment has been shown to enhance the learning environment, improve its effectiveness, and enrich the entire educational experience. The next generation of intelligent learning environments incorporates the immersion of learners within virtual worlds while still offering the educational affordances and benefits of the online environment as a teaching medium. In this chapter, the current implementation of the virtual learning world (VLW) is presented bringing together a number of previous initiatives that integrated AI within a virtual learning environment (VLE) as well as the employment of a virtual world (VW) as learning environments. The realisation of the first VLW prototype provided numerous insights that provide valuable recommendations and significant conclusions to assist in taking the virtual learning environment to the next level.
Artificial Intelligence and K-12
Authors: Demirbilek Muhammet
Published: February 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a part of our everyday life. Having artificial intelligence will be vital for careers in science and engineering, which is the important part of the STEM curriculum. Most of us are aware of existence AI-powered services and devices, but hardly anybody knows about the technology behind them. Therefore, educational institutions should prepare the next generation in school with artificial intelligence literacy and the underlying concepts including algorithms, big data, and coding. Like classic literacy, which includes writing, reading, and mathematics, literacy in AI/computer science will become a major issue in the future. Furthermore, with AI literacy, pupils also receive a solid preparation for subsequent studies at university level and their future career. Currently, computer science education in school does not focus on teaching these fundamental topics in an adequate manner. This chapter will exploit understanding AI and how AI works in daily life and offer teaching methodologies to explain how AI works to K-12 learning environments.
The Narratives of Neuroscience in Fiction as Propaganda Warfare
Authors: Boyte Kenneth James
Published: February 2021

Raising questions about ethics, transhumanism, national security, and the spread of Nazi science internationally following World War II, this qualitative study considers the possibility that the narratives of the biologically based study of the mind known as neuroscience in fiction—conceptualized as a medium of propaganda warfare embedded with socio-political and religious assumptions—have functioned to veil the development and promote the normalization and social acceptance of neuroscience since the dawn of the Scientific Revolution. With a focus on the intertwined relationship between the literary genre and technological innovations in the contest of “killer robots,” “ray guns,” “Skynet,” and now “brain implants,” this chapter examines how the narratives of an internet-connected-and-neural-electrode-dominated future world driven by artificial intelligence has inspired billionaire investors in Silicon Valley to bring to market the neurotechnology that potentially could enslave and wipe out the human race.
Industrial Exoskeletons With Gravity Compensation Elements
Authors: Jatsun Sergey Fedorovich , Yatsun Andrey
Published: February 2021

The chapter approaches the issues of modeling the process of load lifting by a person while wearing an exoskeleton. The classification of existing gravitational compensation systems for industrial exoskeletons is shown, as well as examples of its use. A mathematical model of lifting a person's load in the exoskeleton is presented, as well as numerical parameters are calculated. It is shown that the introduction of an elastic element reduces the level of energy consumption during work, and can also facilitate the level of the worker. Industrial exoskeleton prototype design is presented. A particular focus is given to studying the influence of the gravity compensator on the magnitude of the moments generated by the electric drives of the hip and knee joints. It is shown that the use of gravity compensators enables to reduce significantly the load on electric drives.
Wireless Power Transfer to Implantable Medical Devices With Multi-Layer Planar Spiral Coils
Authors: Artan N. Sertac , Amineh Reza K.
Published: February 2021

Implantable medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, deep brain stimulators, retinal and cochlear implants are gaining significant attraction and growth due to their capability to monitor the health condition in real time, diagnose a particular disease, or provide treatment for a particular disease. In order to charge these devices, wireless power transfer technology is considered as a powerful means. This eliminates the need for extra surgery to replace the battery. In this chapter, some of the major implanted medical devices are reviewed. Then, various wireless power transfer configurations are reviewed briefly for charging such devices. The chapter continues with reviewing wireless power transfer configurations based on the multi-layer printed or non-printed planar spiral coils. At the end, some of the recent works related to using multi-layer planar spiral coils for safe and efficient powering of IMDs will be discussed.
Design of a Prototype for Vision Prosthesis
Authors: Rao V. Bhujanga , Seetharamaiah P. , Sharmili Nukapeyi
Published: February 2021

This article describes how the field of vision prostheses is currently being developed around the world to restore useful vision for people suffering from retinal degenerative diseases. The vision prosthesis system (VPS) maps visual images to electrical pulses and stimulates the surviving healthy parts in the retina of the eye, i.e. ganglion cells, using electric pulses applied through an electrode array. The retinal neurons send visual information to the brain. This article presents the design of a prototype vision prosthesis system which converts images/video into biphasic electric stimulation pulses for the excitation of electrodes simulated by an LED array. The proposed prototype laboratory model has been developed for the design of flexible high-resolution 1024-electrode VPS, using an embedded computer-based efficient control algorithm for better visual prediction. The prototype design for the VPS is verified visually through a video display on an LCD/LED array. The experimental results of VPS are enumerated for the test objects, such as, palm, human face and large font characters. The results were found to be satisfactory.
Scaffolds and Tissue Engineering Applications by 3D Bio-Printing Process
Authors: Barua Ranjit , Datta Sudipto , Datta Pallab , Chowdhury Amit Roy
Published: February 2021

3D bio-printing is a revolutionary manufacturing process that is widely used in medical fields especially in preparing bone scaffolds and tissue engineering. With the help of new biocompatible material like polymers, bio-gels, ceramics, this technology has created a new site in advanced tissue engineering and scaffolds manufacturing area. Another important thing is that, with the use of CAD file software, any complex design can be prepared (i.e., this technology does not have any limited sites). But here it is very much essential to study and analyze machine printability characteristics, cross-linking time and biocompatibility of printing objects as well as bio-ink. However, mechanical properties like shear thinning, mechanical elasticity are also required. In this chapter, different types of scaffold-preparing methods and the bio-printing process are discussed, which are used in scaffold and tissue engineering.
Enhanced Cellular Activity on Conducting Polymer
Authors: Borah Rajiv , Kumar Ashok
Published: February 2021

This chapter includes detailed review of the research undertaken with conducting polymer (CP) based composites with chitosan (Ch) for tissue engineering till date. The beneficial role of electrically conductive biomaterials has been discussed with the possible strategies to overcome the shortcomings of CP alone through blending with Ch due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Additionally, this embodiment deals with the optimization and characterization of electrically conductive, biocompatible and biodegradable Polyaniline: Chitosan (PAni:Ch) nanocomposites as cell culture substrates for MDA-MB-231 and NIH 3T3 fibroblast in order to examine the combined effect of nanofiber structure and surface modification on cell-biomaterial interactions. The nanocomposites were further checked as a conductive scaffold for electrical stimulation of a neuronal model PC12 cell line in order to explore the potential of the materials in neural tissue engineering.
An Audio Steganography Based on Run Length Encoding and Integer Wavelet Transform
Authors: Liu Hanlin , Liu Jingju , Yan Xuehu , Xue Pengfei , Tan Dingwei
Published: February 2021

This paper proposes an audio steganography method based on run length encoding and integer wavelet transform which can be used to hide secret message in digital audio. The major contribution of the proposed scheme is to propose an audio steganography with high capacity, where the secret information is compressed by run length encoding. In the applicable scenario, the main purpose is to hide as more information as possible in the cover audio files. First, the secret information is chaotic scrambling, then the result of scrambling is run length encoded, and finally, the secret information is embedded into integer wavelet coefficients. The experimental results and comparison with existing technique show that by utilizing the lossless compression of run length encoding and anti-attack of wavelet domain, the proposed method has improved the capacity, good audio quality, and can achieve blind extraction while maintaining imperceptibility and strong robustness.
Automatic Generation of ROP Through Static Instructions Assignment and Dynamic Memory Analysis
Authors: Huang Ning , Huang Shuguang , Chang Chao
Published: February 2021

W⊕X is a protection mechanism against control-flow hijacking attacks. Return-oriented programming (ROP) can perform a specific function by searching for appropriate assembly instruction fragments (gadgets) in a code segment and bypass the W⊕X. However, manual search for gadgets that match the conditions is inefficient, with high error and missing rates. In order to improve the efficiency of ROP generation, the authors propose an automatic generation method based on a fragmented layout called automatic generation of ROP. This method designs new intermediate instruction construction rules based on an automatic ROP generation framework Q, uses symbolic execution to analyze program memory states and construct data constraints for multi-modules ROP, and solves ROP data constraints to generate test cases of an ROP chain. Experiments show that this method can effectively improve the space efficiency of the ROP chain and lower the requirements of the ROP layout on memory conditions.
An Intrusion Detection System Using Modified-Firefly Algorithm in Cloud Environment
Authors: Ghosh Partha , Sarkar Dipankar , Sharma Joy , Phadikar Santanu
Published: February 2021

The present era is being dominated by cloud computing technology which provides services to the users as per demand over the internet. Satisfying the needs of huge people makes the technology prone to activities which come up as a threat. Intrusion detection system (IDS) is an effective method of providing data security to the information stored in the cloud which works by analyzing the network traffic and informs in case of any malicious activities. In order to control high amount of data stored in cloud, data is stored as per relevance leading to distributed computing. To remove redundant data, the authors have implemented data mining process such as feature selection which is used to generate an optimum subset of features from a dataset. In this paper, the proposed IDS provides security working upon the idea of feature selection. The authors have prepared a modified-firefly algorithm which acts as a proficient feature selection method and enables the NSL-KDD dataset to consume less storage space by reducing dimensions as well as less training time with greater classification accuracy.
Multiple Fusion Strategies in Localization of Local Deformation Tampering
Authors: Ke Yongzhen , Cui Yiping
Published: February 2021

Tampering with images may involve the field of crime and also bring problems such as incorrect values to the public. Image local deformation is one of the most common image tampering methods, where the original texture features and the correlation between the pixels of an image are changed. Multiple fusion strategies based on first-order difference images and their texture feature is proposed to locate the tamper in local deformation image. Firstly, texture features using overlapping blocks on one color channel are extracted and fed into fuzzy c-means clustering method to generate a tamper probability map (TPM), and then several TPMs with different block sizes are fused in the first fusion. Secondly, different TPMs with different color channels and different texture features are respectively fused in the second and third fusion. The experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately detect the location of the local deformation of an image.
An Empirical Study on Software Fault Prediction Using Product and Process Metrics
Authors: Shatnawi Raed , Mishra Alok
Published: February 2021

Product and process metrics are measured from the development and evolution of software. Metrics are indicators of software fault-proneness and advanced models using machine learning can be provided to the development team to select modules for further inspection. Most fault-proneness classifiers were built from product metrics. However, the inclusion of process metrics adds evolution as a factor to software quality. In this work, the authors propose a process metric measured from the evolution of software to predict fault-proneness in software models. The process metrics measures change-proneness of modules (classes and interfaces). Classifiers are trained and tested for five large open-source systems. Classifiers were built using product metrics alone and using a combination of product and the proposed process metric. The classifiers evaluation shows improvements whenever the process metrics were used. Evolution metrics are correlated with quality of software and helps in improving software quality prediction for future releases.
Impact of the Learning-Forgetting Effect on Mixed-Model Production Line Sequencing
Authors: Liu Qing , Yi Ru
Published: February 2021

In this study, the learning-forgetting (L-F) effect is considered in a mixed-model sequencing problem to investigate its impact on makespan minimization. To this end, mathematical models of the learning and forgetting effects are modified in accordance with a mixed-model production environment, and the L-F functions for a serial workstation and multiple products are established. Subsequently, their impact on production is demonstrated via data experiments. The relationships between the learning effect, forgetting effect, product model combination, and makespan are also discussed based on the experimental results. The results show that the learning and forgetting functions can significantly affect the work time in the mathematical scheduling model and that a balanced product model combination and small MPS (minimum part set) batch can help to reduce the L-F effect.
A Data-Driven Analysis of the Paradigm Shift From Permanent to Contractual Recruitment
Authors: Shyla  , Bhatnagar Vishal , Ranjan Raju , Jain Arushi
Published: February 2021

Big data is the high-volume, high-variety data which involves data storage, data management, and data analysis that presents a wide view of business possibility for real-time data, sensor data, and streaming data over the web. Big data relies on technology, analysis, and mythology where technology deals with computation power, accuracy, linking, and large datasets; analysis is to find patterns by analyzing large datasets to discover hidden information; and mythology is the wrong beliefs that large datasets give insight knowledge of data that is not obtained by small datasets. In this paper, the authors analyzed the major benefits the organization see from employing contract workers using map reduce programming framework.
Behavioural Intention to Use Mobile Banking
Authors: Dhingra Sanjay , Gupta Shelly
Published: February 2021

This study aims to identify the factors that impact the perception of an individual to adopt mobile banking. The study employed UTAUT 2 model which conceptualises eight dimensions which are performance expectancy, social influence, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, habit, price value with trust as an additional dimension. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 252 users of mobile banking in the city of New Delhi, India. Reliability and validity of the proposed model have been tested. The result of structural modeling revealed habit as the most important factor to influence the behavioural intention of the user followed by facilitating conditions, trust, hedonic motivation, and social influence, in that order. To boost the adoption of mobile banking services, service providers should focus on the identified dimensions in order of their importance.
Hybrid Approach for Solving the Q3AP
Authors: Abderrahim Imène Ait , Loukil Lakhdar
Published: February 2021

Metaheuristics algorithms are competitive methods for solving assignment problems. This paper reports on nature inspired algorithms approach which is the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method hybrid with a local search (LS) algorithm for solving the quadratic three-dimensional assignment problem (Q3AP) where population-based metaheuristics like PSO or GA failed to solve. Q3AP is one of the combinatorial problems proven to be NP-Hard. It is an extension of the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). Solving the Q3AP consists of finding an optimal symbol mapping over two vectors, whereas solving the QAP consists of finding an optimal symbol mapping over one vector only. The authors tested the proposed hybrid algorithm on many instances where some of them haven't been used in the previous works for solving Q3AP. The results show that compared with the PSO algorithm and the genetic algorithm (GA), the proposed hybrid PSO-ILS(TS) algorithm is promising for finding the optimal/best known solution.
Definition and Evaluation of BPMN4Social
Authors: Yahya Fadwa , Boukadi Khouloud , Maamar Zakaria , Ben Abdallah Hanêne
Published: February 2021

The emergence and quick adoption of social media, exemplified with Web 2.0 applications like Facebook and Instagram, has led to a new form of business processes (BP) called social business processes (SBP). An SBP encompasses aspects from both the business world and the social world. Contrarily to the business aspects, which can be captured using existing modeling languages like the standard business process modeling notation (BPMN), the social aspects cannot be modeled by these languages. This paper addresses this limitation by defining BPMN4Social, a domain specific language for SBP modeling. BPMN4Social minimally extends BPMN with social concepts that are independent of any particular Web 2.0 application. Besides its support by the BPMN2 modeler editor, BPMN4Social is accompanied by a catalog of socialization patterns that describe common social scenarios and that can assist business process designers in their modeling activities. This paper also reports on the evaluation of BPMN4Social usability in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
Affordances of Business Pages on Social Networking Sites
Authors: Memon Atia Bano , Meyer Kyrill
Published: February 2021

This paper initially undertakes a comparative analysis of business page architecture of different SNSs by employing a desktop-based research approach consisting of surveying existing business pages, creating sample business pages, and reviewing official documentations of included SNSs. The observations indicate that the existing SNSs exhibit vast diversity and impose platform-specific boundaries that result in the fragmentation and dispersion of business information across multiple sites. Accordingly, the next part of the paper explores the potential of SNS APIs as an opportunity for the aggregation and centralization of SNS business information and successively proposes a conceptual model of business page integration. The proposed model is validated and evaluated through a web-based application for the integrated business page search and interaction over multiple SNSs. The discussion taken herein should assist the businesses in choosing an appropriate SNS for their web representation and establishes the grounds and guidelines for next generation of integrated data applications.
Analysis of Discourses on WhatsApp Coup Reported in the Media
Authors: Makoza Frank
Published: February 2021

Use of social media applications has become popular in the context of developing countries. Social media are transforming the way individuals and organisations communicate and interact in their social settings. This paper presents a critical analysis of discourses on use of WhatsApp among opposition party politicians. Using the case of Malawi, the study analysed media reports and government documents using critical social theory. The findings showed power relations issues related to domination, communication distortions, and conflict of interests in the social and political discourses. Further, the study highlighted the effects of absence and outdated laws and legal frameworks in dealing with emerging use of new technologies in political activities (e.g., use of WhatsApp) in the context of a developing country. The study makes recommendations for policymakers and law enforcement agencies in addressing challenges related to the use and regulation of new technologies.
Significance of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles on Superconducting Properties of Tl-1212 High Temperature Superconductor
Authors: Khalid Nurul Auni , Kong Wei , Kong Ing , Kong Cin , Kechik Mohd Mustafa Awang , Abd-Shukor Roslan
Published: February 2021

Thallium-based high temperature superconductor (HTS) with nominal starting composition (Tl0.85Cr0.15)Sr2CaCu2O7-δ (Tl-1212) was prepared using high purity oxide powders via solid state reaction method. Small amounts (0.0 – 0.15 wt. %) of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe2O4) were added into Tl-1212 superconductors. The effect of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles addition on the critical temperature (Tc), phase formation and microstructure properties including elemental compositional analysis were studied. The samples were investigated by the characterization of electrical resistance measurement, powder X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Zero-resistance temperature (Tc-zero) was found to reduce from 97 K to 89 K with increasing of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles concentration. Most of the samples indicated a dominant Tl-1212 phase of a tetragonal structure with a minor phase of Tl-1201. SEM micrographs with EDX mapping showed that CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were well distributed in all the samples.
The Synthesis and Characterization of Anodic Alumina Oxide Using Sulfuric Acid and Oxalic Acid
Authors: Ghazazi Nur Afieqah Md. , Suhaimi Syahida , Othman Muhammad Zamir
Published: February 2021

Anodic Alumina Oxide (AAO) is one of the nanomaterials that have developed as a template in the nanowires, nanodots and nanotubes. This research focuses on synthesizing AAO by two different electrolytic solutions which are using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and oxalic acid (C2H2O4) by electrochemical anodization method. Two parameters were influencing the anodization process in the experiment; the type and the concentration of the electrolytic solution. The effects of the different type of electrolytic solutions produced different size of pores. When the voltage used is 25 V in H2SO4, the optimum reading size of the nanopores is in the range of 16-22 nm, whereas the AAO pores in C2H2O4 are in the range of 100-200 nm. Meanwhile, the concentration of H2SO4 and C2H2O4 is set to be 0.3 M, 0.4 M and 0.5 M., The results in 0.3 M H2SO4 and C2H2O4, show the optimum concentration of electrolytic solutions which is the key parameter affecting the morphological structure of porous membranes in AAO. The optimum value for these two acidic solutions has produced such highly ordered arrangement of nanopores which are from the average size of nanopores that anodized in sulfuric acid is 19 nm while 120 nm in oxalic acid. The morphological structure properties of AAO templates include the diameter of nanopores, the thickness of membrane and density of nanopores would be examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Also, Fourier-transmittance infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detected the chemical functional group of bonds in AAO. In conclusion, AAO templates have a big potential to be the major contributor in the future for the development of new electronic devices.
Racah Parameter and Nephelauxetic Effect on Er3+/Nd3+ Codoped Lithium Niobate Tellurite Glass
Authors: Nurhafizah Hasim , Rohani Md Supar , Taib Nur Athirah Mohd
Published: February 2021

The modification of absorption characteristics in rare-earth doped tellurite glasses is important in photonics application. The Er3+/Nd3+ doped glasses of the form (69-x)TeO2-15Li2CO3-15Nb2O5-1Er2O3-(x)Nd2O3 with x= 0.4, 0.8 and 1.0 mol % are successfully made by using conventional melt-quenching technique. Physical properties such as polaron radius, interionic distance, field strength and average distance between acceptors and donors are determined. The absorption spectra reveal eleven prominent peaks centered at 6535.9 cm-1, 10245.9 cm-1, 11415.5 cm-1, 12437.8 cm-1, 13369.0 cm-1, 15267.2 cm-1, 15949.2 cm-1, 17127.1 cm-1, 19084.0 cm-1, 20449.9 cm-1 and 22271.7 cm-1 which corresponding to the transitions from ground state to various states of Nd3+ ions. The crystal field site increases from 8.120 to 8.169 cm-1 due to increase in contraction of Nd3+-ligand. The nephelauxetic function, increase 0.104 to 0.107. The increasing in value describes, the increasing in ionic bond from-0.0004 to-0.0011. The increment in exhibits the increase in the number of effective positive charge connected to neodymium atom and attracts the electrons from ligands as it increases from 1.0004 to 1.0011. These present glass shows the potential candidate of broadband amplifiers and lasers as it is comparable with other Nd3+ doped another host.
Prevailing Role of Mucosal Igs and B Cells in Teleost Skin Immune Responses to Bacterial Infection
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ting , Yu Yong-Yao , Xu Hao-Yue , Huang Zhen-Yu , Liu Xia , Cao Jia-Feng , Meng Kai-Feng , Wu Zheng-Ben , Han Guang-Kun , Zhan Meng-Ting , Ding Li-Guo , Kong Wei-Guang , Li Nan , Takizawa Fumio , Sunyer J. Oriol , Xu Zhen
Published: February 2021

The skin of vertebrates is the outermost organ of the body and serves as the first line of defense against external aggressions. In contrast to mammalian skin, that of teleost fish lacks keratinization and has evolved to operate as a mucosal surface containing a skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT). Thus far, IgT representing the prevalent Ig in SALT have only been reported upon infection with a parasite. However, very little is known about the types of B cells and Igs responding to bacterial infection in the teleost skin mucosa, as well as the inductive or effector role of the SALT in such responses. To address these questions, in this study, we analyzed the immune response of trout skin upon infection with one of the most widespread fish skin bacterial pathogens, Flavobacterium columnare. This pathogen induced strong skin innate immune and inflammatory responses at the initial phases of infection. More critically, we found that the skin mucus of fish having survived the infection contained significant IgT- but not IgM- or IgD-specific titers against the bacteria. Moreover, we demonstrate the local proliferation and production of IgT+ B cells and specific IgT titers, respectively, within the SALT upon bacterial infection. Thus, our findings represent the first demonstration that IgT is the main Ig isotype induced by the skin mucosa upon bacterial infection and that, because of the large surface of the skin, its SALT probably represents a prominent IgT-inductive site in fish.
Outcome of Restricted Antibiotic Policy in a Tertiary-Level Paediatric Surgical Unit
Authors: Basavaraju Mamatha , Alladi Anand , Vepakomma Deepti
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

The purpose was to evaluate the effect of a more restrictive antibiotic policy on infective complications, mainly surgical-site infection (SSI) in clean and clean contaminated surgeries in children.

Materials and Methods:

The study included children who underwent clean or clean contaminated surgeries over a period of 18 months with a no-antibiotic or single dose of pre-operative antibiotic protocol, respectively. These were compared to historical controls in previous 18 months where the antibiotic policy was to continue the course for 3–5 days. The outcome looked for was presence of SSI or infection related to the operated organ.

Results:

A total of 933 (study group) patients were compared to 676 historic controls (control group). In the study group, 661 of 933 were clean surgeries and 272 were clean contaminated surgeries. In the study group, 490 of the 676 were clean surgeries and 186 were clean contaminated surgeries. Clean contaminated surgeries included urological surgeries, gastrointestinal tract surgeries and neurosurgeries, whereas clean surgeries were typically day-care surgeries. Comparing the infective outcomes in each type of surgery, there was no statistical difference between cases or controls in either subgroup.

Conclusion:

Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is not required for clean surgeries. For clean contaminated surgeries, just one dose of pre-operative AP is effective in preventing SSI.
Congenital Pouch Colon
Authors: Tripathy Prasanta Kumar , Jena Pradeep Kumar , Mohanty Hiranya Kishor
Published: February 2021

Background:

Congenital pouch colon (CPC) is an unusual anomaly with an unique geographical distribution. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of CPC among anorectal malformation (ARM) cases in our institute and to compare the outcome between conventional three-staged surgery versus two-staged management approach.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted in the department of pediatric surgery over a period of 7 years from 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2020.

Results:

Out of 754 cases of ARMs, 43 cases of CPC were detected. The incidence of pouch colon among patients with high ARMs was found to be 7.6% with a male predominance (M:F = 4.4:1). The anomaly was diagnosed in 72% of our patients preoperatively and Type IV variety was the most common intra-operative finding. The survival after initial hospitalisation was 82% and 88% in three-stage and two-stage surgical procedures, respectively. However, the final clinical outcome after the completion of all stages of surgery and follow-up was better in two-staged approach (54% vs. 47%).

Conclusion:

Although, CPC is a rare anomaly, the incidence in our institute is 7.6% among high ARM cases. As compared to conventional three-staged surgery, the two-staged management approach has the advantage of better survival and decreased morbidity.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Neonates
Authors: Bawazir Osama Abdullah , Bawazir Abdullah
Published: February 2021

Background:

There are no standard criteria to select patients for thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The objective of this study was to compare open laparotomy versus thoracoscopic repair of CDH in neonates.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective study included 41 patients who had repair of CDH from 2011 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach; open laparotomy (n = 30) and thoracoscopic repair (n = 11). Study endpoints were duration of post-operative mechanical ventilation, hospital stay and the return to full enteral feeding.

Results:

Patients who had thoracoscopic repair were significantly younger (3 [25th- 75th percentiles: 3-3] vs. 4 [3–5] days; P = 0.004). Other pre-operative variables were comparable between both groups. The duration of surgery was significantly longer in the thoracoscopic repair (174 [153–186] vs. 91 (84–99) min; P < 0.001). The use of pre-operative nitrous oxide inhalation was associated with prolonged ventilation (P = 0.004), while the thoracoscopic repair was associated with shorter mechanical ventilation (P = 0.006). Hospital stay is lower in the thoracoscopic approach but did not reach a significant value (P = 0.059). The use of pre-operative nitrous oxide was associated with a prolonged hospital stay (P = 0.002). Younger age (HR: 1.33, P = 0.014) and open approach (HR: 3.56, P = 0.004) were significantly associated with delayed feeding.

Conclusions:

The thoracoscopic approach is safe and effective for repairing the CDH. It is associated with shorter mechanical ventilation and rapid return to enteral feeding. Proper patient selection is essential to achieve good outcomes.
Resuming Elective Paediatric Surgical Procedures in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Al-Omar Khaled , Bakkar Sohail
Published: February 2021

Background:

The novel coronavirus and the disease it causes COVID-19, like other viral outbreaks, have an unpredictable timeline. Therefore, a triumph in the battle against COVID-19 could only be achieved if a health care system's capacity to support a potentially overwhelming increase in critical patient care needs is maintained, and the viral curve is flattened. Accordingly, health care bodies around the globe called upon prioritising appropriate resource allocation as it relates to elective invasive procedures and minimising the use of essential items required to care for patients. The unpredictability COVID-19 timeline in the absence of effective drug treatments and vaccination along with the restrictive health care policies implemented suggest that patients may be deprived of access to needed surgical care, likely for many months. However, the potential undue delay in delivering essential elective surgical care may have a more detrimental impact on patients’ health compared to that of COVID-19 itself. This particularly applies to the paediatric population in which infection rates have been demonstrated to be considerably lower and mortalities have not been reported yet. Therefore, the need emerges for actions to be taken that allow for the resumption of essential elective surgical procedures in this population of patients.

Materials and Methods:

A comprehensive search through surgical guidance and recommendations to develop a set of evidence based recommendations that allow for the safe and timely delivery of essential paediatric surgical care during the time of COVID-19.

Conclusion:

No compelling evidence that the paediatric population is at an increased risk of morbidity or mortality exists. Therefore, delaying essential paediatric surgical care cannot be justified as it may have a potentially negative health impact, and continuous refinements of surgical recommendations are encouraged in view of evolving circumstances.
Working in the Mirror
Authors: Roy Mahua , Gangopadhyay Debasree , Patel Pavan
Published: February 2021

This case series comprises of five children having dextrocardia with congenital heart disease who underwent percutaneous interventional procedures. Four of them underwent percutaneous device closure and one had percutaneous balloon coarctoplasty. There are a few reports of percutaneous coronary intervention in adults with dextrocardia, however barring a few isolated case reports, literature on intervention in children with dextrocardia is limited?.
Prevalence of Sports Injury and Its Association with Warm-Up in Males Visiting the Fitness Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alaqil Sultan , Alzahrani Adel , Alahmari Saud , Alqarni Faisal , Alqahtani Saeed , Kazi Ambreen
Published: February 2021

Background and Objective:

Regular exercise has a positive effect on the well-being of individuals; however, improper utilization of exercise facilities may result in sports/exercise-related injuries leading to increased burden on the health system. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of sports injury and explore its association with warm-up in males visiting the fitness center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 521 males, while they were visiting the fitness/sports center in Riyadh city. The interviews comprised of questions on sociodemographic information, sports/exercise-related injury, warm-up, and its type and duration, medical history, smoking status, height, and weight of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to measure the association between sports injury and warm-up.

Results:

The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of the participants was 24.0 (±6.7) years and 25.8 (±5.8) kg/m2, respectively. Regular exercise was reported by 63% (n = 330) of the participants, whereas 43.4% (n = 228) mentioned some kind of sports/exercise-related injury during the last 1 year. Regualr warm-up was reported by 45% (n = 236) of the participants. The multivariate logistic regression analysis found no significant association between sports injury and warm up [0.73 (0.41, 1.31)]; and the age category 31–50 years had 2.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–3.69) times higher odds for the injury in comparison to younger ages (16–25 years). Low income group (<5000 SAR) had odds of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.28–3.24) in comparison to >10,000 SAR. The participants following the diet plan for weight loss also showed higher odds (1.61 [95% CI: 1.06–2.43]) for reporting sports injury in comparison to those without diet plan. The association was adjusted for BMI.

Conclusions:

Prevalence of exercise/sports-related injury among fitness club visitors is significantly high. Awareness about sports injury and proper gym training should focus on young adults visiting the fitness center with the purpose of weight loss.
Remote-Controlled and Pulse Pressure–Guided Fluid Treatment for Adult Patients with Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Authors: Schultz Marcus J. , Deen Jacqueline , von Seidlein Lorenz , Sivakorn Chaisith , Kumar Alex , Adhikari Neill K. J. , Wills Bridget , Kekulé Alexander S. , Day Nicholas P. J. , Cooper Ben , White Nicholas J. , Salam Alex P. , Horby Peter , Olliaro Piero , Dondorp Arjen M.
Published: February 2021

Circulatory shock, caused by severe intravascular volume depletion resulting from gastrointestinal losses and profound capillary leak, is a common clinical feature of viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola virus disease, Marburg hemorrhagic fever, and Lassa fever. These conditions are associated with high case fatality rates, and they carry a significant risk of infection for treating personnel. Optimized fluid therapy is the cornerstone of management of these diseases, but there are few data on the extent of fluid losses and the severity of the capillary leak in patients with VHFs, and no specific guidelines for fluid resuscitation and hemodynamic monitoring exist. We propose an innovative approach for monitoring VHF patients, in particular suited for low-resource settings, facilitating optimizing fluid therapy through remote-controlled and pulse pressure–guided fluid resuscitation. This strategy would increase the capacity for adequate supportive care, while decreasing the risk for virus transmission to health personnel.
Yeni Kaotik Video Steganografi Metodu
Authors: AKYÜZ Damla , KASAPBAŞI Mustafa Cem
Published: February 2021

Günümüzde, teknoloji ve internetin gelişerek yaygınlaşmasıyla, güvenli veri transferi için farklı yöntemler ve teknikler uygulanmaya başlanmıştır. Gelişen bu yöntemlerden biri de Steganografi’dir. Steganografi, iletilecek bilginin, istenmeyen kişiler tarafından fark edilmesini önlemek için farklı araçlara gizlenmesi sanatıdır. Taşıyıcı araçlarda gözle görülür değişiklik yapılmadan mesajın gizlenmesi hedeflenir. Bu çalışmada, önerilen kaotik yöntem ile video üzerinde veri gizlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Videoda, veri gizlenecek çerçeveler ve pikseller belirli bir düzen olmadan kaotik bir yöntemle seçilerek, RGB değerlerinin en az anlamlı bitinin değiştirilmesi ile veri bir piksele 1 byte gizli bilgi olacak şekilde gizlemesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Oluşturulan taşıyıcı videonun ve videonun ilk halinin görsel değerleri karşılaştırılarak gizlemenin başarısı PSNR, SNR, Entropi, SSIM, MSE yöntemleri ile ölçülmüştür.
The Language Learning Aptitudes of Jamaican Children at the Beginning of Secondary School
Authors: Craig Dennis , Carter Sheila
Published: February 2021

Against the background of the creole-language situation in Jamaica, the present paper examines the need for a study of language aptitudes. Also examined are the relevance of S. B. Carroll's theory of language aptitudes in the Jamaican situation, and the implications that become evident out of a comparison of children's performance in language-aptitude and learning-potential tests. The findings suggest that performance in both types of test is strongly influenced by social-class factors. It is then further suggested that the communication style of creole-influenced speech is different from that required overtly or covertly in most types of test performance, and that this specific factor could be responsible for the results discussed.
When is a Bluggo not a Bluggo?
Authors: Crawford John R.
Published: February 2021

Well? When is a bluggo not a bluggo? When it's a buffer or a moko. The unselfconscious use of Caribbean terms without quotation marks in written English may be significant for the presuppositions a writer holds regarding normal language use. In this analysis, which is intended to be suggestive only, examples are taken from short essays written by final-year trainee teachers from Barbados and Grenada. Indicators of presupposition are confined here to nouns in stretches of description on the following topics: (1) the scene at the butcher's stall on a Saturday morning; (2) the city on a shopping day.
Ejercicios hipopresivos y su aplicación en el Ciclo Superior de Acondicionamiento Físico en España
Authors: Sanz Riestra Estefanía
Published: February 2021

Los ejercicios hipopresivos son demandados en diversos sectores profesionales de los futuros técnicos superiores en acondicionamiento físico. A través de un estudio curricular se determinó su justificación teórica dentro del nuevo Decreto, viendo como este contenido interviene en la adquisición de muchos de los aspectos exigidos en la norma. Todos ello sin olvidar el propósito final, que no es otro que el de insertar a nuestro alumnado en el mercado laboral. Se aporta una aplicación práctica, para su puesta en marcha en el aula. El objetivo fue validar la aplicación de los ejercicios hipopresivas en la programación docente, dentro del ciclo de acondicionamiento físico.
Municipal Public Policies and the Case of Male Basketball in Brazil
Authors: Hirata Edson , Canan Felipe , Starepravo Fernando Augusto
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was identify whether the municipal administrations participated in the maintenance of teams participating in NBB and in affirmative cases, verify if such support can be understood as an incrementalist public policy. The methodology of case study was employed, having as object the Brazilian National Basketball Championship [NBB], from 2011 to 2017. A documentary analysis was carried out, using as source the Official NBB Media Guides of the seasons related to the selected time period, to verify the presence or absence of support/sponsorship of the municipal government to the teams. We found that between 40 and 60% of the teams that participated in NBB in the studied period received public funding. Based on political science literature, we developed the hypothesis that the recurrent use of this type of funding to support high performance teams come from sport-focused policies of incrementalist character. The data pointed to the use of public resources in Brazilian basketball teams in all seasons, mainly in teams located in the countryside Thus, the hypothesis could be confirmed. The findings may serve to mark out the action of political agents in decisions referring to the funding (or not) of high performance teams, and it can also indicate to managers of professional teams that there is a tendency of decrease of this type of financing and, consequently, a need to think of other alternatives for the maintenance of these teams.
Reseña de las Disposiciones Generales de la Junta de Andalucía
Authors: Guichot Reina Emilio
Published: February 2021

Se recogen y comentan las disposiciones generales más relevantes de la Junta de Andalucía publicadas en el BOJA en el período de abril a julio de 2019
El derecho a la ciudad: el reto de las smart cities
Authors: Armas Castilla Noel
Published: February 2021

SINOPSIS:

El derecho a la ciudad: el reto de las smart cities plantea al lector la posibilidad de sumergirse en las visiones de distintos autores en relación a diversas facetas de lo que se ha dado en denominar “ciudades inteligentes”.
Bibliografía sobre derecho autonómico
Authors: Quesada Lumbreras Javier E.
Published: February 2021

Bibliografía sobre derecho autonómico. Abril - Julio 2019