bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Messerattacken als Anlass zur Strafschärfung? Das Beisichführen eines gefährlichen Werkzeugs i.R.d. Körperverletzungsdelikte de lege ferenda
Authors: Schröder Richard
Published: June 2021

Die Justizminister sagen in den Ergebnissen ihrer Frühjahrskonferenz 2019 der sog. Messerkriminalität mit Empfehlungen zu Strafmaßerhöhungen den Kampf an. In diesem Beitrag wird die Strafschärfung des Beisichführens eines gefährlichen Werkzeugs i.R.d. gefährlichen Körperverletzung diskutiert. Zunächst sollen dogmatische Fragestellungen in den Blick genommen werden und unter Berücksichtigung von Rechtsgütern, Strafschärfungsgründen und Deliktscharakter der Frage nachgegangen werden, ob eine Strafschärfung für das Beisichführen von gefährlichen Werkzeugen als Regelbeispiel oder Qualifikation in § 224 Abs. 1 StGB aufgenommen werden kann. Weiterhin sind schließlich kriminalpolitische, praktische und mediale Aspekte zu untersuchen, inwieweit diese für oder gegen eine Strafschärfung sprechen.
Möglichkeiten der Sanktionierung von Femiziden im deutschen Strafrecht – Ist ein Femizid-Straftatbestand notwendig?
Authors: Habermann Julia
Published: June 2021

Fand die Debatte über die angemessene strafrechtliche Sanktionierung von Femiziden bislang größtenteils auf internationaler Ebene statt, wird die Frage mittlerweile auch verhalten auf nationaler Ebene in Deutschland diskutiert. Ausgehend von der bestehenden Rechtslage und -praxis soll der Frage nachgegangen werden, ob auch Deutschland einen Femizid-Straftatbestand einführen sollte. Der erste Teil des Artikels zeigt anhand von Trennungsfemiziden auf, dass diese grundsätzlich als Mord aus sonstigen niedrigen Beweggründen verurteilt werden können, wobei sich die Sanktionierung der Taten damit nicht erschöpft, sondern auch beispielsweise Fragen der Strafzumessung berücksichtigt werden müssen. Gleichwohl ist auch die Verneinung niedriger Beweggründe möglich, indem Richtende als Tatmotivation statt Macht- und Besitzanspruch Verzweiflung und Ausweglosigkeit annehmen und diese als nachvollziehbar bewerten. Die Erwartungen an einen Femizid-Straftatbestand sind groß, jedoch können diesen nahezu durchgängig Einwände entgegengesetzt werden. Insbesondere ist nicht ersichtlich, dass ein Femizid-Straftatbestand die Bewertung der Motivlage beeinflussen und somit das Problem der bestehenden Rechtspraxis lösen würde, welches in den richterlichen Wertungsprozessen liegt. Für die Veränderung der bestehenden Sanktionierungspraxis werden systemimmanente Möglichkeiten angerissen. Wenngleich es in Deutschland keines Femizid-Straftatbestandes bedarf, ist die Diskussion über vorgenommene Wertungen bei Trennungsfemiziden und Femiziden längst überfällig.
Mietpreisbremse und Bestellerprinzip
Authors: Gustorff Niklas
Published: June 2021

This study examines the background, regulatory effect and constitutionality of the “Mietpreisbremse” (rent regulation) and the “Bestellerprinzip” (“Principal Pays”-Principle). With regard to their backgrounds, it is worked out what the causes of the imbalance on the above-mentioned housing markets are and which (accompanying) measures can be taken targeting these causes. The regulatory effect has to be seen in the fact that general welfare goals are pursued by means of private law legislation. The focus of the study is on the constitutionality of such an approach and of the two legal institutions examined.
Der Wandel im Berufsbild der Anwaltschaft
Authors: Wefing Cornelius
Published: June 2021

The legal profession seems to be undergoing a change; the lawyer - de lege lata an independent organ of the administration of justice and member of a liberal profession - is now increasingly appearing as a profit-oriented service provider. This development is accompanied by a deregulation of the legal profession, the decrease of specific legal rights and obligations in almost all areas. One area that is exemplary in every respect is the law on advertising by lawyers, whose gradual liberalization - as this work impressively shows - is perhaps the strongest, but in any case the most striking expression of the change in the professional image of the legal profession.
Urwahlen auf Landesebene
Authors: Küppers Anne
Published: June 2021

To uncover the complex causal mechanisms that lead to the occasional democratisation of decision-making processes by party branches at the regional level, this study pursues a novel approach. It applies process-tracing and uses both data from interviews as well as party and newspaper documents. The author shows that, usually, a combination of an electoral shock, the desire for a peaceful solution to an internal conflict and tactical motives can explain a party’s decision to give its rank-and-file a say. With regard to the consequences of this novel selection method, she uses statistical methods to show that the most experienced candidate is disadvantaged in primaries, whereas women are not.
Die Europäisierung des Abfallstrafrechts in Deutschland und England
Authors: Kisseler Vanessa
Published: June 2021

Combating waste crime is of current importance due to the harmonisation of environmental criminal law within the EU through the Environmental Crime Directive (2008/99/EC) and latest legislative amendments. This monograph analyses the implementation of European and international provisions on waste offences in Germany and England in order to evaluate the process of harmonisation. It examines practical questions and provides guidance for a more effective handling of complex harmonised criminal provisions. Finally, the monograph implies an outlook on the harmonised rules on waste crime with special regard to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Thus, it may be of relevance to future legislative amendments of e.g. the Environmental Crime Directive.
Die betrugsspezifische Garantenstellung
Authors: Bayer Sarah
Published: June 2021

The study addresses the controversial boundaries of fraud by omission and provides clarity for practitioners by revealing the dogmatic guidelines from case law. The focus lies on the interpretation of the fraud-specific legal duty to act. Since it does not follow the allegedly predominant formal approach, restricted to written law, contract and dangerous behavior as possible sources, the thesis elaborates on the notion of trust as a material criterion based on an in-depth review of the entire jurisprudence on fraud. Whether this adequately compensates the legislature’s failure to sufficiently define the scope of omission liability in § 13 (1) GCC, will be evaluated in the last part.
Ocenjevanje analgezije, sedacije, delirija in motenj spanja v enoti intenzivne terapije ter opis nefarmakoloških ukrepov
Authors: Möller Petrun Andreja
Published: June 2021

Za bolnike je zdravljenje v enoti intenzivne terapije v veliki večini primerov zelo stresno obdobje, ki pomembno poseže v kakovost njihovega življenja in lahko pusti dolgotrajne posledice. Bolečine, strah, nespečnost, žeja, nemoč, utrujenost, zmedenost, vznemirjenost so resne težave, ki lahko pomembno vplivajo na potek in izid zdravljenja. Pogosto se pri takih bolnikih razvije še delirij, ki pomeni veliko obremenitev tako za bolnika kot za osebje, ki zanj skrbi. Delirij lahko dolgoročno negativno vpliva na bolnikove spoznavne funkcije. Medicinsko osebje nosi veliko odgovornost pri prepoznavanju in reševanju bolnikovih težav, še posebej pri bolnikih z omejenimi spoznavnimi funkcijami oziroma z omejeno sposobnostjo sporazumevanja. Poznamo različna orodja za ocenjevanje bolečine, sedacije, delirija in kakovosti spanja. V prispevku so natančneje opisani najpogosteje uporabljani validirani točkovniki za oceno bolečine, sedacije, delirija in motenj spanja. Na koncu so opisane tudi možnosti nefarmakološkega ukrepanja.
L’accompagnement selon une démarche réflexive sur-dans-pour la pratique tel que vécu par trois types d’acteurs
Authors: Houde Patricia Marie Anne , Guillemette Suzanne
Published: June 2021

L'accompagnement selon une démarche réflexive sur-dans-pour la pratique nécessite d’adopter différentes postures, que l'on soit placé dans le
rôle d’accompagnateur ou d’accompagné. Cet article présente l’expérience
vécue lors d’une démarche d’accompagnement favorisant la recherche et la
formation dans une approche de réflexivité individuelle et collective. Elle
s’inscrit dans une recherche, où trois types d’acteurs-accompagnateurs
sont en interrelation : une directrice accompagnatrice, une doctorante accompagnée accompagnatrice
et des enseignants d’anglais langue seconde accompagnés accompagnateurs.
Préconisant une démarche de recherche-action en « je »,
chaque acteur est appelé à poser un regard sur-dans-pour
sa pratique. La discussion autour des résultats présente trois dimensions : le rôle des règles
d’éthique, l’art du questionnement, ainsi que l’interdépendance entre les
acteurs impliqués.
A Qualitative Study of Health Care Professionals’ Views on Bowel Care in Multiple Sclerosis: Whose Job Is It Anyway?
Authors: Woodward Sue , Coggrave Maureen , Dibley Lesley , McClurg Doreen , Norton Christine
Published: June 2021

Background:

Bowel dysfunction, including constipation and fecal incontinence, is prevalent in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), adversely affecting quality of life and increasing caregiver burden. How health care professionals (HCPs) identify, assess, and manage people with MS with bowel dysfunction is understudied. This study explored how HCPs think about, assess, and manage bowel dysfunction in individuals with MS.

Methods:

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 HCPs from different professional disciplines and clinical specialties recruited from UK National Health Service primary, secondary, and tertiary care services using purposive and chain referral sampling through professional networks. One participant worked for a bladder and bowel charity. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Views differed regarding responsibilities for providing bowel care. Participants thought individuals with MS should notify HCPs of bowel symptoms and take responsibility for self-management where possible, with family caregivers required to help with bowel care. Although people with MS were often referred to bladder and bowel specialists when a crisis point was reached, earlier referral was called for by these HCPs. There were variations in assessment processes, treatment options offered, and service provision. Participants thought HCPs needed more education on bowel dysfunction, bowel care should take a high priority, and evidence-based clinical guidelines and referral pathways would improve service delivery.

Conclusions:

The HCPs caring for individuals with MS see many with bowel dysfunction, and there is variation in care and service provision; HCPs require more education, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and referral pathways to improve case finding, assessment, and management of these symptoms for individuals with MS.
RETHINKING THE ROLE OF STATE IN ADDRESSING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE BANKING SECTORS IN EASTERN EUROPE
Authors: Popović Svetlana , Lukić Velimir
Published: June 2021

Financial problems in the banking sector have historically entailed significant government intervention and the allocation of significant funds for its rehabilitation. The recent financial crisis, manifested in Europe primarily as a banking crisis, reaffirmed the unwritten call of the state to intervene extensively to preserve economic and financial stability, but only for a set of old and developed EU Member States. The paper therefore analyzes the reformed role of the state in solving acute problems in transformed banking systems in Eastern Europe in the light of the post-crisis escalation of the volume of nonperforming loans. The focus of the role of the state was shifted from direct fiscal expenditures to raising the quality of the institutional environment and the rule of law, which enabled an impressive reduction in the rates of nonperforming loans. Foreign ownership in the banking sector has played a positive role because the financial backing of foreign subsidiaries has reduced potential fiscal costs on the one hand and on the other hand it contributed to maintaining confidence in the banking system.
SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A FACTOR OF COMPETITIVENESS OF NATIONAL ECONOMY
Authors: Molnar Dejan , Rikalović Gojko , Josipović Sonja
Published: June 2021

Regional issues are an indispensable subject of interest of experts from different provinces in each country. The presence of pronounced regional disparities in different domains is generally considered to be the source of various problems in the functioning of the national economy and society as a whole. Over the past two decades, several proposals for regionalization have been put forward in Serbia, given its strategic commitment to EU accession. The paper presents the current regionalization of Serbia in accordance with the NUTS classification, taking into account the specific position of the Kosovo and Metohija region. The basic characteristics of the NUTS 2 level regions are analyzed from the point of view of strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy. In a separate part of the paper, the institutional foundations of the country's regional development and the need to align domestic regional policy with European practices and standards (exogenous vs. endogenous approach, urban-rural, etc.) are discussed. Human capital, entrepreneurship and regional development can be seen as determinants of the mechanism of progress through which national economies grow.
The Severity of Malarial-Anemia in Pregnant Women in Biyem-Assi, Yaounde
Authors: Ndamukong-Nyanga Judith Lum , Virginie Ngo Batandi Helen , Flore Tchanga Chanceline , Nadege Fegue Celestine
Published: June 2021

Malaria is a parasitic disease endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa especially in Cameroon. Pregnancy is associated with increased susceptibility to malaria. Closely associated to malaria is anaemia. It is generally accepted that pregnancy ends with childbirth. The outcome of the pregnancy is highly affected by the presence of malaria and anaemia. The aim of ths study was to determine the prevalence and severity of malaria and anemia among pregnant women and the influence of socio-demographic factors on malaria and anaemia prevalences in pregnant women in Biyam- Assi Yaounde. Information on socio-demographic factors was collected from 302 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in health institutions within the Biyem-Assi Health District of Yaounde VI subdivision using a pretested questionnaire. Peripheral blood was collected and thick smears were prepared for screening Plasmodium parasites. The level of hemoglobin was measured using a haemoglobinometer URIT- 12. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. Out of the 302 women, 146 (51.7%) had Plasmodium falciparum infected red cells. Among the 146 infected women, 36% had mild parasitaemia, 45% had moderate parasitaemia and 19% had severe parasitaemia. The prevalence of anemia in the study population was 53%. There was no significant association between the severity of malaria and the severity of anaemia (p > 0, 05). Parity had a significant influence on the severity of malaria. The level of school education significantly (p < 0, 05) influenced the severity of anaemia. Multiparous women were more affected by malaria than primiparous women. However, in relation to disease severity, primiparous women parasitized by Plasmodium presented a significantly higher risk of severe malaria compared to multiparous women. Malaria and anaemia prevalences in the study population were high (>50%), anaemia severity was directly associated to level of education. We recommend that more sensitization of women should be done to reduce ignorance, prevent malaria and in turn reduce anaemia and improve on the health of mother and baby.
The Impact of Tourism Development on Economic Development: The Case of Zanzibar
Authors: Hafidh Hafidh Ali , Rashid Zulekha Ayoub
Published: June 2021

Tourism is perceived as one of the world’s fastest growing service sectors and a major source of economic development for many, if not all, developing countries. Zanzibar as a developing country and also is a small island which have small economy, its national income depend much on tourism contribution, Therefore this paper aim to examine the impact of tourisms development to the economic development of Zanzibar, using the data based on annual time series from the period 1989–2019 and also employing Vector Error Correlation Model (VECM) to arrive at conclusions from the data in the study area. The study results found a long-run stable relationship among tourism development and economic development of Zanzibar, there is a positive and significant impact that exists between GDP and international tourism arrivals, inflation and government expenditure respectively while only inflation results show positive but insignificant impact. In order to increase the economic development in Zanzibar through the tourism sector, there is a need for the government and other stakeholders of tourism to put much consideration on this sector so as to improve overall development of Zanzibar economy.
Application of Sarima Models in Modelling and Forecasting Monthly Rainfall in Nigeria
Authors: Aliyu Aliyu Sani , Auwal Abubakar Muhammad , Adenomon M. O.
Published: June 2021

Application of SARIMA model in modelling and forecasting monthly rainfall in Nigeria was considered in this study. The study utilizes the Nigerian monthly rainfall data between 1980-2015 obtained from World Bank Climate Portal. The Box-Jenkin’s methodology was adopted.  SARIMA (2,0,1) (2,1,1) [12] was the best model among others that fit the Nigerian rainfall data (1980-2015) with maximum p-value from Box-Pierce Residuals Test. The study forecasts Nigeria’s monthly rainfall from 2018 through 2042. It was discovered that the month of April is the period of onset of rainfall in Nigeria and November is the period of retreat. Based on the findings, Nigeria will experience approximately equal amount of rainfall between 2018 to 2021 and will experience a slight increase in rainfall amount in 2022 to about 1137.078 (mm). There will be a decline of rainfall at 2023 to about 1061 (mm). Rainfall values will raise again to about 1142.756 (mm) in 2024 and continue to fluctuate with decrease in variation between 2024 to 2042, then remain steady to 2046 at approximately 1110.0 (mm). Nigerian Government should provide a more mechanized and drier season farming methods to ease the outage of rainfall in future that may be caused due to natural (or unpredictable) variation.
Multi-parametric Rational Solutions to the KdV Equation
Authors: Gaillard Pierre
Published: June 2021

We construct multi-parametric rational solutions to the KdV equation. For this, we use solutions in terms of exponentials depending on several parameters and take a limit when one of these parameters goes to 0. Here we present degenerate rational solutions and give a result without the presence of a limit as a quotient of polynomials depending on 3N parameters. We give the explicit expressions of some of these rational solutions.
Image Authentication Based on Watermarking Approach: Review
Authors: Hasan Basna Mohammed Salih , Ameen Siddeeq Y. , Hasan Omer Mohammed Salih
Published: June 2021

Digital image authentication techniques have recently gained a lot of attention due to their importance to a large number of military and medical applications, banks, and institutions, which require a high level of security. Generally, digital images are transmitted over insecure media, such as the Internet and computer networks of various kinds. The Internet has become one of the basic pillars of life and a solution to many of the problems left by the coronavirus. As a result, images must be protected from attempts to alter their content that might affect important decision-making. An image authentication (IA) system is a solution to this difficult problem. In the previous literature, several methods have been proposed to protect the authenticity of an image. Digital image watermark is a strategy to ensure the reliability, resilience, intellectual property, and validity of multimedia documents. Digital media, such as images, audio, and video, can hide content. Watermarking of a digital image is a mechanism by which the watermark is embedded in multimedia and the image of the watermark is retrieved or identified in a multimedia entity. This paper reviews IA techniques, watermark embedding techniques, tamper detection methods and discusses the performance of the techniques, the pros and cons of each technique, and the proposed methods for improving the performance of watermark techniques.
Causal Relationship between Fiscal Policy and Private Investment in Nigeria for the period 1986 -2019
Authors: Chukwu Kenechukwu Origin , Nnenna Chidi-Okeke Chioma , Gloria Chris-Ejiogu Uzoamaka , Kalu Awe Stanley
Published: June 2021

This study investigated the causal relationship between fiscal policy and private investment in Nigeria (1986-2019) using secondary data from Statistical bulletin of Central Bank of Nigeria. The research work used the Granger Causality techniques to test the causal relationship between the independent variables (Tax revenue, Oil revenue, Total expenditure and Public debt) on the dependent variable (Private Investment) while VAR was used to test the short run relationship. The study found that fiscal policy instruments granger causes private investment in Nigeria within the period of the study. The study therefore advocates that Government should as necessity fully liberalized or privatized NNPC and the Power sector as these critical sectors will help the growth of the private sectors and reduce unemployment in the country. Nigerian Government ought to increase its spending on infrastructure, especially capital projects in the economy in order to bridge infrastructure gap in the country. Provision of tax incentives to private sectors by the Government should be encouraged, as this will help the growth of private investment in the country. Also, restructuring of the economy by manufacturing what we need should be encouraged by government because exporting commodity (raw material) means exporting jobs.
Modelling Bubble Lifetime of Thin Film Surfactants Solution on Fuel Spillage
Authors: Felistus Shitakha , George Kimathi , Caroline Songa
Published: June 2021

Aims / Objectives: To find the lifetime of the bubble by plotting the rate of mass flow rate change against time. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Mathematics and Applied Science, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, between February 2020 and March 2021.

Methodology: The maximum lifetime of the bubble is assumed to match the time when the mass flow rate change is zero. The study also assumes the velocity of flow rate and other fluid properties at the interface of fuel-surfactant constant other than Re. Re is varied from 0.01 to 100.

Results: The graphical plots show that for Re ! 1, and Re " 1, the stability depends on diffusive viscosity and linearized convection, respectively. The simulation suggested that the bubble formed at the fuel-surfactant interface may have Re “ 1 and its lifetime is tb » 0.28.

Conclusion: The lifetime of surfactant depends on Re while assuming other interface properties constant.

Recommendation: Future studies in the area need to consider the effect of variation in temperature, velocity, and Reynolds number in determining the lifetime of a bubble in the thin foam of the surfactant-fuel interface.
Nutrient Uptake Studies under Varying Drip Irrigation Regimes and Fertigation Levels in Rabi Cauliflower in Telangana State
Authors: Sidhartha G. , Pasha Md. Latheef , Umadevi M. , Ramulu V.
Published: June 2021

A field study was conducted with different drip irrigation regimes and NK fertigation levels on cauliflower at Hyderabad, Telangana during rabi 2019-2020. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three drip irrigation regimes viz., 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 Epan as main plots and three drip NK fertigation levels of control (N0K0), 50 % recommended dose of NK (N40 K50) and 100 % recommended dose of NK (N80 K100) as sub plots altogether nine treatments and replicated thrice. Drip irrigation scheduled at 1.0 Epan recorded significantly higher curd yield (18.7 t ha-1) than 0.8 Epan (17.1 t ha-1) and 0.6 Epan (15.0 t ha-1). NPK and S uptake were significantly higher in irrigation scheduled at 1.0 Epan than 0.8 and 0.6 Epan during all stages except at 30 DAT and harvest where S uptake was found to be non significant among different irrigation levels. Drip fertigation at 100 % recommended dose of NK recorded significantly higher curd yield (23.8 t ha-1) than 50 % recommended dose of NK (19.7 t ha-1) and N0K0 (7.2 t ha-1). Drip NK fertigation levels significantly increased the NPK and S uptake with each increment in NK fertigation level from N0K0 to 100 % recommended dose of NK at all stages.
Blood Neutrophil / Lymphocyte Ratio and C –Reactive Protein / Albumin Ratio as Markers of Response for Treatment of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Mustafa Marwa Awad , Mabrouk Maaly Mohamad , Saif Sabry Abd Ellatif Abou , Elwan Nadia Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an acute infection of ascites with the absence of surgically treatable cause and the gold standard method in its diagnosis is the presence of 250 polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) /mm3 or more by diagnostic paracentesis. Blood neutrophil/lymphocytic ratio (NLR) is an applicable, inexpensive, and simple test for inflammation. C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) is an inflammatory marker used for the diagnosis and follow-up of many diseases and morbidities. We aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of both blood NLR and CAR as applicable, simple and non-invasive tests for SBP follow-up.

Patients and Methods: This study was done on 80 cirrhotic ascitic patients attending the Tropical Medicine Department of Tanta University Hospital. They were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and ascitic fluid analysis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the results of diagnostic paracentesis into group I: 40 cirrhotic ascitic patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and group II: 40 cirrhotic ascitic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and then SBP group were tested after treatment by third-generation cephalosporin for five days for ascitic sample, NLR and CAR.

Results: Both blood NLR and CAR were significantly higher in SBP patients. Also, a significant decrease in both ratios was observed post-treatment with significant positive correlations between both NLR and CAR with ascitic neutrophil count after SBP treatment.

Conclusion: NLR and CAR can be used as quick, cheap, and applicable markers of the response of treatment in SBP patients.
On the Ideal Based Zero Divisor Graphs of Unital Commutative Rings and Galois Ring Module Idealizations
Authors: Oduor Owino Maurice
Published: June 2021

Let R be a commutative ring with identity 1 and I is an ideal of R. The zero divisor graph of the ring with respect to ideal has vertices defined as follows: {u ∈ Ic | uv ∈ I for some v ∈ Ic}, where Ic is the complement of I and two distinct vertices are adjacent if and only if their product lies in the ideal. In this note, we investigate the conditions under which the zero divisor graph of the ring with respect to the ideal coincides with the zero divisor graph of the ring modulo the ideal. We also consider a case of Galois ring module idealization and investigate its ideal based zero divisor graph.
Rheumatoid Factor and Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Levels in Chronic Viral Hepatitis (B&C)
Authors: Ramadan Ghada Mohamed , Ghazy Medhat Abd-Elmegied , Mabrouk Maaly Mohamed , El-Naggar Mohamed Hassan
Published: June 2021

Background: Extrahepatic manifestations is a relatively common feature in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Among the different clinical disorders associated with HCV infection, articular involvement is a frequent complication, and the clinical picture of HCV related arthropathy varies widely. In particular, monoarticular or oligoarticular involvement affects larger joints and is typically associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia, whereas symmetric polyarthritis associated with HCV infection frequently displays a rheumatoid arthritis like clinical picture which can be clinically indistinguishable from RA itself. This study aimed to evaluate level of Rheumatoid Factor and anti-CCP level in chronic viral hepatitis B&C.

Patients and methods: Thirty patients with rheumatoid arthritis, thirty patients with                     chronic hepatitis C virus and thirty patients with chronic hepatitis B virus were selected to perform this study and they were compared to thirty normal subjects as a reference                                      group.

Results: There was significant difference between the hemoglobin in the four groups. As regard Rheumatoid Factor there was significant difference between the studied groups. As regard Anti-CCP, there was significant difference between the studied groups. There was also significant difference between the four groups according to level of positivity. Finally, our study shows clinically significant positive correlation between RF as well as anti CCP titer and both HBV DNA and HCV RNA viral levels.

Conclusions: Rheumatoid factor was found with considerable percentage in chronic HBV & HCV patients without musculoskeletal manifestations. Anti-CCP can be detected with low positivity in chronic HBV&HCV patients even without arthritic manifestations. There is a significant positive correlation between RF titre and HBV DNA& HCV RNA in chronic hepatitis patients. There is a significant positive correlation between anti-CCP and HBV DNA& HCV RNA in chronic hepatitis patients. Chronic HBV & HCV can be considered and investigated in patients with positive RF and/or anti CCP without arthritic manifestations.
Retracted Article
Authors: He Jiman
Published: June 2021

This paper has been retracted
Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in an Urban Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Miskan M. , Ambigga K.
Published: June 2021

Aims: To determine the prevalence of depression among patients with Diabetes Mellitus and to identify its associated risk factors.

Study design:  This is a cross sectional study.

Place of study: This study was conducted in an urban primary care clinic in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Methodology: This study utilized a self-administered questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS-D) for the data collection. A total of 358 respondents were eligible to be included in this study.

Results:  A total of 382 respondents were recruited in this study using universal sampling method. A total number of 358 eligible respondents were included in the final data analysis. The response rate for this study was 94%. Respondents’ mean age was 60.8 years ± 10.3, 56% females, 38% Malays, 76% were married, 37.7% had Diabetes for more than 5 years and 76.3% had completed secondary school education. This study concluded that 63.7% of participants had poor diabetes control and 26% had probable depression. On multiple logistic regression, respondents who earned income less than RM 500 per month were 2.6 times more likely to have probable depression (aOR: 2.64, 95% CI:1.29 -5.43). Patients who received no formal education were 4.5 times more likely to have probable depression (aOR: 4.51 95% CI:1.74-11.63). Respondents with co-morbid illness were almost 3 times more likely to have probable depression (aOR: 2.92, 95% CI: 0.1-0.8).

Conclusion: Prevalence of probable depression was high and there was a significant association between depression with income, education level and co-morbid illness. Thus, there is a need to identify and manage depression accordingly among diabetic patients.
Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis in a Referral Hospital in East Africa: A Retrospective Study of Four Cases
Authors: Wismayer Richard
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare condition with the most common site of thrombosis development being the superior mesenteric vein. Patients predisposed to this condition tend to develop a disruption to Virchow’s triad of endothelial injury, stasis and hypercoagulability. In the acute form the presentation is with bowel ischaemia and so a diagnosis before bowel gangrene develops remains a challenge. The limited experience with this condition in the East African region shows that a delayed diagnosis due to limited investigative capacity results in patients’ experiencing acute renal failure and a high mortality. This review describes the aetiology, clinical features and management of acute mesenteric venous ischaemia.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective review of four patients over an 18-month period. Demographic and clinical data was extracted from the patients’ clinical files and manual analysis using a spreadsheet was performed.

Results: Over an 18-month period, four patients were reported. All patients had a delay in diagnosis with acute symptoms persisting for 5 days up to 21 days. Two patients died within 30-days post-operatively of complications which included short bowel syndrome and acute kidney failure. Two patients survived developing complications from short bowel syndrome and another the complications of acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis.

Conclusions: A delay in diagnosis of acute MVT characterises this short case series. This resulted in all cases presenting with gangrenous bowel and hence the high mortality. Venous clot propagation is prevented with anticoagulation which is associated with decreased mortality and recurrence. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy should be considered in certain circumstances to prevent bowel of questionable viability. In the last four decades the mortality from MVT has decreased and currently stands at 10-20% however there is no sufficient literature in East Africa to make this judgement.
Fibrous Dysplasia: A Retrospective Review of Histologically Diagnosed Cases in a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Nigeria
Authors: Akpa Philip O. , Kwaghe Barka V. , Ibeanu Christiana Nwanneka , Onota Pricilla Ometere
Published: June 2021

Aims: This study aims to document the age, sex and site distribution of fibrous dysplasia in our tertiary health care facility in order to compare our findings with published literature.

Study Design: This is a hospital-based retrospective and descriptive study extending from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2019.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Histopathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State in North-Central Nigeria between 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2019.

Materials and Methods: Materials consisted of Archival slides, paraffin wax tissue blocks, surgical pathology register and case files of all cases of fibrous dysplasia diagnosed histologically during the period of review. The age, sex and site affected by the tumour were documented for each case using both electronic and hard copy records. The histology slides were examined to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 165 primary bone tumours (103 benign and 63 malignant) were recorded during the period of review, of which 28 were fibrous dysplasia.

Results: There were 28 cases of fibrous dysplasia which represented 17% of the primary bone tumours and 27% of the benign bone tumours. A half (50%) of the cases occurred in the second decade and 82.1% of cases were diagnosed in craniofacial bones. There was no sex bias in diagnosis.

Conclusion: Fibrous dysplasia is a relatively common bone tumour in our environment. The sex distribution, age at diagnosis, and bones affected is in keeping with findings by authors from other parts of the world.
Breeding Resistance for Post Flowering Stalk rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in Maize Identification of Resistance against Post Flowering Stalk Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in Maize
Authors: Banoth M. , Prabhavathi K. , Bhadru D. , Mallaiah B.
Published: June 2021

Maize is one of the most important staple food crops in the World. However, the yields of maize have been affected by various fungal infestations. Post flowering stalk rot is one of the devastating diseases and so, we planned our study to order to identify suitable resistance maize genotypes against post flowering stalk rot (PFSR) complex caused by Macrophomina phaseolina through in-vivo screening and toothpick method for creating artificial epiphytotics. A total of 20 maize inbreds were screened and crossed in Line × Tester mating design (15 × 5) during Kharif 2019, Six resistant inbred lines were identified and generated the 75 F1s (SCHs) at MRC, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. All these 20 parents and 75 F1s along with three checks were evaluated by raising the crop in disease sick plot accompanied by toothpick inoculation during Rabi, 2019-20, in a Randomized Block Design with two replications. The field screening of maize genotypes by the standard toothpick method which needs about 40 days for expression of plant drying symptoms due to PFSR and data are possible to record only at the time of crop harvesting using 1-9 rating scale of PFSR for scoring disease severity in-vivo condition by splitting the stem of each plant. As a result, most of the genotypes were exhibited disease reaction varying from resistant (score 2) to moderately resistant (score 5) against M. phaseolina. While studying the genetics of PFSR, we found that interaction of lines and testers were proportionally contributed towards resistant, and degree of dominance is preferably non-additive gene action, it shows that the magnitude of dominance was higher than additive effect indicating that PFSR resistance is largely governed by dominance effect i.e., non additive component is not fixable for resistance. It is also found that the resistant genotypes also exhibited highest significant positive heterosis and combining ability effects (GCA and SCA). A considerable yield reduction in grain yield (10.5 to 28.3%) over checks was observed in susceptible lines. Most of the genotypes were found resistant as the reduction in yield is low. Hybrids developed using such lines exhibited high yields which are promoted for extensive testing to know their stability before release as commercial hybrids.
Defining an Optimized Machine Process Sequence to Address Broken Wafer Phenomenon on Semiconductor Products
Authors: Dinglasan Jerome J.
Published: June 2021

Silicon wafer as a direct material is one of the vital parts of a semiconductor product. Wastages on manufacturing plants that pulls the yield down should be addressed innovatively and accurately. This paper focused on the phenomenon of broken wafers at wafer taping process during wafer preparation. Using a wafer taper machine, silicon wafers are covered by an industrial tape as preparation for the next process. During processing and wafers are placed on wafer boat, unexpected phenomenon of broken wafers due to unwanted falling was encountered. Findings was due to the unintentional dragging of the machine’s robot arm after wafer processing. The problem is resolved through simulation and experiments using statistical analysis. As a result, an optimized machine parameter setting was defined to eliminate the said rejection. Statistical analysis was of a big help in resolving the said phenomenon and improved the process yield of the manufacturing.
The Review of Stem Cell Therapy in Nigeria: The Way Forward
Authors: Ogwunga C. Chukwunonyerem, , Madubuike N. Mercy, , Josephat C. Okechukwu, , Nwakwasi U. Emmanuel,
Published: June 2021

Stem cells are unspecialized biological cells associated with self-renewal and proliferation abilities. Stem cell therapy involves the use of stem cells to deliver safe, effective, viable and consistent therapeutic interventions for debilitating health conditions. Many global researchers are striving to overcome the challenges associated with this therapy and Nigerians are not exempted from this struggle. As the country's health sector have suffered rigorous torments because of poor medical care and mismanagement of health facilities. However, it is expected that Nigeria should at least harbour one of the largest stem cell centres in Africa, to help cater for its citizens as well as non-citizens. Notwithstanding the ethical, financial, social, political, and religious challenges facing stem cell therapy in Nigeria, there is still hope for the nation’s health sector to strive past these hurdles in the coming years but only if priority is placed on the well-being of citizens rather than in the search for profit. Future stem cell research in Nigeria should include the treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases and will be of great importance if the government could harness stem cell therapy as a tool to boost its economy. Hence, this review paper focuses mainly on the present status of stem cell therapy in Nigeria and the way forward.
In-vitro Callogenesis and Screening of Antimicrobial Activity of Callus and Seed of Caesalpinia bonducella F.: A Threatened Medicinal Plant of Western Ghats
Authors: Shirsat Rajani , Kengar Ajit , Rai Aruna
Published: June 2021

Aim: Caesalpinia bonducella Flem is a dioecious scrambling woody liana of Caesalpinoideae, a subfamily of Leguminosae. The plant is threatened and distributed in the deciduous forests of the Western Ghats of India. Being an important medicinal plant Caesalpinia bonducella F. attracted many scientists to exploit various activities associated with a number of phytoconstituents. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the most suitable media and suitable concentrations of plant growth regulators for in vitro Callogenesis and screening of antimicrobial activity of callus and seed of Caesalpinia bonducella.

Materials and Methods: Callus was initiated from stem explants, on 1x and 0.5x MS medium plus supplements. The effects of plant growth regulators on callus cultures were studied and observations were made. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by using extracts of callus and seed of Caesalpinia bonducella in petroleum ether and methanol against multidrug resistance organisms. The organic extracts of seed and callus of the plant at concentrations of 0.02 mg/ml - 0.1 mg/ml were taken and their activities were measured.  

Results: The combination of 2.5 mgL-1 2,4-D  with 2 mgL-1 BAP, resulted in the highest frequency and the highest mean percentage of callus formation (2.35 ± 0.294) with yellow friable callus. The results revealed that all the extracts had a variable degree of antibacterial activity.

Conclusions: It was observed that 2,4-D at 2.5 mgL-1 in combination with BAP,2.0 mgL-1 BAP resulted in early initiation, highest induction percentage, with frequency highest mean percentage of callus formation, Antimicrobial tests with methanol and diethyl ether extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seed powder against the clinical isolates showed the zone of inhibition for all the pathogens tested with concentration of methanolic extract of C. bonducella seed powder.
Evaluation of Performance of IHI Global Trigger Tool in Identification of Adverse Drug Events: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Goruntla Narayana , Nitturi Krishna Yasaswini , Pujari Krishnapriya , Jayanthi Lavanya , Gurram Venkata Ramana , Veerabhadrappa Kasturi Vishwanathasetty , Bhupalam Pradeepkumar
Published: June 2021

Aims: The study aims to evaluate the performance of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) global trigger tool in the identification of adverse drug events.

Study design: Prospective observational study.

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in a General Medicine department of a secondary care referral hospital located in rural, resource-limited settings of Bathalapalli, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was conducted for a period of six months, from June 2019 to November 2019.

Methodology: A pre-designed data collection form was used to collect the data from the study participants. The required data was obtained from the patient case sheet, lab reports, treatment charts, daily nursing notes, daily physician notes, and direct patient interviews. The global trigger tool developed by IHI was used for the rapid review of inpatient medical records and to generate clues for the identification of ADEs. Descriptive statistics were used to represent the findings of demographics, clinical characteristics, ADE profiles, IHI triggers, and clinical alterations. ADE incidence was shown in a measure of ADE per 1000 patient days. IHI global trigger tool performance in detecting ADE was measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

Results: A total of 192 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 225 triggers and 123 ADEs were detected. The incidence of ADEs in the inpatients estimated by the IHI method was estimated as; 20.2 ADEs per 1000 patient days,64.0ADEs per 100 admissions, 56.2percent of admissions with ADE. Majority of ADEs are shown possible relationship with drug (60; 48.7%), level-2 severity (49; 39.8%), and not preventable (52; 42.2%). Most IHI global triggers showed high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detecting ADEs.

Conclusion: The study shows that most of the triggers in the IHI Trigger tool have shown good accuracy in identifying ADEs. Thus, using the IHI Trigger Tool to identify ADEs can help to improve patient safety. Therefore, the study recommends incorporating IHI global trigger tool in routine, conventional ADE screening techniques to improve the detection rate and promote drug safety.
In vivo and In vitro Antifungal Activity of 2,3-Dimethylquinoxline
Authors: Alfadil Abdelbagi , Alsamhan Hamoud A. , Ali Ahmed S. , Alkreathy Huda M. , Alrabia Mohammad W. , Abdullah Hani Y.
Published: June 2021

Aims: To explore the antifungal activity of 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline.

Study Design: A preclinical study of a compound against 10 fungal species.

Backgrounds: Severe fungal infections cause significant clinical problem and need more effort to search for new antifungals.

Methodology: We evaluated the susceptibility of 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline in vitro against a wide range of pathogenic fungi, including six Candida species, two Aspergillus species, one Cryptococcus species, and one Trichophyton species. Also, we evaluated the susceptibility of 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline in vivo against oral candidiasis using a mice model.

Results: The highest score of the minimum inhibitory concentration was 9 µg/ml against Cryptococcus neoformans. While, the lowest score was 1125 µg/ml against Candida tropicalis. The oral candidiasis in a mouse model was resolved using 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline 1% gel.

Conclusion: The 2,3-Dimethyquinoxaline has interesting antifungal activity. Quinoxalines in general need to be further developed as a promising antifungal candidate.