bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Coming Gendered Interrelations of Power, Journalism, and the Media
Authors: Killman Clare Margot
Published: March 2022

This chapter examines the past, present, and future of gender identity and outlines continued challenges in the future. It specifically looks at how journalism and media more generally propagate gender stereotypes in the news. Journalists do not necessarily help to clarify issues sufficiently to educate society, perhaps due to their own biases and misunderstandings. This chapter investigates how media coverage in the past has not been consistently positive in covering issues related to gender when the people involved function outside traditional roles. The author suggests this is not likely to change in the near to distant future.
Crisp Set vs. Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Technical Differences, and Much More
Authors: Rocchi Jean Michel
Published: March 2022

The idea of a mathematical formalization of logic that dates back to antiquity was only formalized in the 19th century by Charles Boole who proposed a binary system or clear sets. Although the fuzzy set theory is sometimes considered as a simple extension of Boolean algebra, the practical consequences for social science research are fundamental. The QCA has progressively seen the emergence of five increasingly sophisticated variants, the two main ones being the csQCA and the fsQCA. Is what opposes the crisp set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) to the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) simply a technical improvement? The answer will be no; beyond different technical tools, there is a paradigm shift affecting in depth the research including epistemological choices, either explicit or implicit. In addition, part of these differences, which at first glance seem essentially methodological, are in fact partly due to a socio-cultural environment and religious values linked to the representation of the world, which is only rarely conscious.
Prediction of Capacity Utilization Rate for Turkey Using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System With Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Guleryuz Didem
Published: March 2022

This chapter aims to propose prediction models to estimate Turkey's manufacturing sector's capacity utilization rate between 2008-2019 monthly basis using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) via determined indicators. The model's accuracy will be tested using some of the performance evaluation criteria, namely mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R2) values were used to compare the prediction ability. The coefficient of determination for GA-ANFIS, PSO-ANFIS, and ANFIS models are 0.9787, 0.9786, and 0.9679 in the training phase and 0.9591, 0.7677, and 0.7264 in the testing phase, respectively. The study results showed that the GA-ANFIS model showed better predictive ability with the least prediction error among other models. As a result, ANFIS, whose parameters are adjusted with GA, can predict the Turkish capacity utilization rate in the manufacturing industry with high accuracy.
Comparison of Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods Based on Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Yonar Aynur , Yapıcı Pehlivan Nimet
Published: March 2022

Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) is a process of evaluating and ranking the various alternatives with respect to the criteria using subjective judgments of decision maker(s). Since the classical MCDM methods cannot deal with imprecise and uncertain information in the decision-making process, MCDM methods based on Type-1 fuzzy sets are suggested. Afterwards, Type-2 fuzzy set characterized by a fuzzy membership function was introduced as an extension to Type-1 fuzzy sets. Interval Type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) are the most widely used Type-2 fuzzy sets. Various MCDM methods based on IT2FSs have been proposed and applied on different fields. In this chapter, two integrated methods are introduced by using AHP, COPRAS, and VIKOR methods based on IT2FSs. The proposed integrated methods are carried out to evaluate life quality of 28 European Union countries and another six countries, Iceland, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Kosovo with respect to 30 subjective criteria.
Forensic Accounting in a Digital Environment
Authors: Nasrallah Nohade Hanna , El Khoury Rim , Harb Etienne
Published: March 2022

In the rise of digital transformation and big data, accounting and auditing professions are required to adopt advanced techniques that help detect irregularities and frauds. This chapter collects 1,112 documents from Scopus database published in 288 sources over the period 2008-2021. A bibliometric analysis is used to depict trends, and applicable methodologies are adopted to build a comprehensible base that will serve to instill a new fraud detection model. More specifically, RStudio through “biblioshiny package”, VOSviewer, and Excel are the tools embraced to analyze the dataset information. The chapter explores the literature growth over time and addresses key aspects of the literature, such as most relevant documents, authors, countries, citation analysis. This chapter applies a network and content analysis using the bibliographical coupling, trend analysis, word cloud, and co-occurrence analysis. The theoretical model helps auditors, forensic accountants, top managements, analysts, and policy makers predict potential anomalies and misstatements.
Significance of Software Engineering Phases in the Development of a Software Application
Authors: Deshmukh Sushama A. , Kasar Smita L.
Published: March 2022

Software engineering is the extensive study of how to build a software product using software development life cycle stages, beginning with requirement analysis phase to the last phase of testing and maintenance. This approach in the development of software application ensures completion of the project within the stipulated period without compromising quality of the software with effective utilization of resources. The most important is to develop a quality product. Case studies make readers understand the concept in a more impartial and tactile manner; one can make use of this experience in real-life circumstances for providing solutions to the complex problems. The significance of this case study is to represent the authors' experience of developing software by using method of software engineering, understanding how to apply them to build an application. This chapter gives a holistic review of the development of an Android application titled Vaccination Management System (VMS) “Vacc-IT” as a comprehensive case study.
User Interface Design With Data Visualization Technique
Authors: Pise Reshma Nitin , Ainapure Bharati Sanjay
Published: March 2022

User experience designers have to put in tremendous effort to convey complex information such that it can be easily understood and be visually appealing to the users. In today's world of big data, visualization techniques are essential to analyse massive amounts of complex data and make data-driven decisions. To support better decision making, visualization technologies enable users to uncover hidden patterns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these techniques have been used as user interface in order to communicate the impact of the pandemic on the public. Considerable effort has been devoted to monitor the spread of the disease across the world and understand the various aspects of the pandemic. This chapter emphasizes the role of the data visualization technique as an effective user interface. Visualization of COVID-19 data is performed in the form of interactive dashboards, which can be beneficial to healthcare users and policy makers to plan the resource allocation and implement strategies to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
Fetal ECG Extraction
Authors: Kurtadikar Vidya Sujit , Pande Himangi Milind
Published: March 2022

Fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is done for accessing fetal wellbeing during antepartum and intrapartum phases. Although noninvasive fetal electrocardiogram (NIfECG) is a potential data acquisition method for FHR, extraction of fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) from the abdominal ECG (aECG) is one of the major challenging research areas. This chapter proposed and assessed a method suitable for single channel based on principal component analysis (PCA) for extracting fetal ECG. Maternal R peaks and fetal R peaks were detected using Pan Tomkins algorithm (PTA) and improved Pan Tomkins algorithm (IPTA), respectively. Performance of fetal QRS detection is assessed using two open-access databases available online. The method shows satisfactory performance when compared with similar methods and makes it suitable for using a single channel system.
Digital Transformation and Co-Creation of Value
Authors: Çakıcı N. Meltem
Published: March 2022

The rise of tech-savvy consumers and their new demands pushes firms to transform their business strategies in order to respond to this changing consumer market. Digital transformation, in this regard, enhances the customer experience and satisfies digitally powered consumers by the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business that alters how a firm operates and delivers value to customers. Creation of value is replaced with co-creation that includes consumers as well as companies in the value creation process. Together with the emergence of digitalization, value creation is influenced again in terms of the uses of the digital tools by its participants. The first objective of this chapter is to give detailed information about the co-creation of value concept by explaining the drivers and the outcomes as well as the disadvantages and the benefits offered to consumers and to companies. The second objective is to examine the impact of digital transformation on the value co-creation process and to pay attention to the role of digital agility in this context.
Performance, Motivation, Engagement, and Interactions in MOOC-Based Learning
Authors: Wang Min , Yu Zhonggen
Published: March 2022

With the rapid development of information technologies, the new decade has been witnessing an advancement of massive open online courses (MOOCs)-based learning. However, MOOCs are infamous for the lower engagement and completion rates and very few studies have systematically reviewed student performance, motivation, engagement, and interactions in MOOCs-based learning in order to provide constructive suggestions for researchers and practitioners. Through content analysis, this study firstly identified top 10 cited works and their major concerns and then discussed student performance, motivation, engagement, and interactions, as well as methods to improve the effectiveness of MOOCs-based learning. It also provides constructive suggestions for future design of MOOCs and complements for the missing link in literature. Future research could focus on the measurements of variables in MOOCs-based learning in order to improve the quality of MOOCs and help students achieve success in MOOCs.
Disruptive Innovation in the Middle Eastern FinTech Sector
Authors: Jaber Jad , Issa Helmi
Published: March 2022

Building on prior suggestions concerning corporate resources as causes of disruptive innovation for increasing competitive advantage in developed economies, this research empirically re-investigated such assumptions in emerging markets. Through the theoretical lens of the resource-based perspective, the current research examined the perceived impacts of four different corporate resources (Financial, Human, Organizational, and Technological capital resources) on disruptive innovation that subsequently leads to increasing competitive advantage. A mixed-method design was utilized. The first study followed a quantitative approach (surveys; n= 154), whereas the second study followed a qualitative design (interviews; n= 16). Both studies targeted two different FinTech summits in the Middle East. This research delivered a new perspective and understanding concerning how Middle Eastern FinTechs perceive capital resources as causes of disruptive innovation for increasing competitive advantage.
Intention to Adopt AI-Powered Online Service Among Tourism and Hospitality Companies
Authors: Ho Yi-Hui , Alam Syed Shah , Masukujjaman Mohammad , Lin Chieh-Yu , Susmit Samiha , Susmit Sumaiya
Published: March 2022

This study examines the factors affecting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) powered online service in the tourism and hospitality sector through an extension of the technology acceptance model (TAM) by including self-efficacy, subjective norms, technological knowledge, and perceived cost in the analysis. Data was collected from 336 respondents in Malaysia’s tourism and hospitality industry using the questionnaire survey. The empirical results confirmed that perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude, cost, and technology knowledge significantly affected behavioral intention. Self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness affected the attitude towards AI. Attitude mediated the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention as well as the relationship between perceived usefulness and behavioral intention. This study contributes to enhancing AI's understanding of the tourism and hospitality industry context. This study also improves TAM by proposing a comprehensive model with cognitive external and technology-specific factors.
Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase and Tyrosine Phosphatase-Related Islet Antigen-2 Positivity among Children and Adolescents with Diabetes in Korea
Authors: Kim Ka Young , Kim Min Seung , Lee Yun Jeong , Lee Young Ah , Lee Seong Yong , Shin Choong Ho , Kim Jae Hyun
Published: March 2022

Autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), tyrosine phosphatase-related islet antigen 2 (IA2A), insulin (INSA), and islet cells (ICA) are critical for determining the type of diabetes and management strategy in new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), but there have been few reports of all diabetes-associated autoantibody (DAA) in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed 193 patients with NODM aged 0 to 18 years who were followed at two tertiary centers in Korea (2017 to 2021). Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were 93 (48.2%) and 100 (51.8%), respectively. In T1DM patients, the DAA positivity rate was 94.6%; prevalence of GADA, IA2A, INSA, and ICA was 71.0%, 71.0%, 31.2%, and 10.8%, respectively; and IA2A added 10.7% point autoantibody positivity (83.9% for GADA+INSA+ICA and 94.6% for GADA+INSA+ICA+IA2A). Among the patients with T2DM, 12 (12.0%) were positive for DAA, and all were positive for INSA. These findings suggest that DAA at diagnosis, especially GADA and IA2A, is useful for classifying diabetes in Korean children and adolescents.
The corona chronicles: Framing analysis of online news headlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, USA and South Africa
Authors: Ebrahim Sumayya
Published: March 2022

Background: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, now in its second year, has resulted in a large corpus of literature in a number of disciplines, particularly virology and epidemiology. In contrast, scholarly inquiry in other areas of the health sciences, particularly in media representations and public health communication, is still emerging.Aim: As an integral stakeholder in communication during a pandemic, this descriptive study sought to delineate the media frames of the COVID-19 pandemic in online news headlines in the first month that the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.Setting: Online news headlines in three global hotspots, namely Italy, the USA and South Africa, during the month of March 2020, were analysed.Methods: Thematic content analysis and epidemic framing typology.Results: The findings indicate that COVID-19 has been internationally portrayed as a lethal pandemic that destroys and disrupts human life. Discursive frames of consequences monopolised its coverage, whilst discursive frames of reassurance were rare, despite the high survival rate. One of the unique findings of this study is that the COVID-19 pandemic coverage included the naming of positive patients, who were thereby made known to the public.Conclusion: Internationally, COVID-19 pandemic coverage used consequence frames that dramatised loss of life instead of deploying frames of reassurance that foreground the high survival rate of this disease.Contribution: Results of the study may help inform public health communication of the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering a detailed description of the frames that journalists use in news headlines, all of which possibly influence public perception of the pandemic. Theoretically, the article has also contributed to the application of epidemic framing typology and has contributed to knowledge in the field of public health communication and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intercultural criticism of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10–20)
Authors: Budha Victor L.
Published: March 2022

The text of Ephesians 6:10–20 reframes the sectors of what we know as ‘spiritual warfare’ to tackle demons that menace and disturb people’s daily life. Reading this text from an African perspective helps to understand the text as well as believers in Africa to efficiently use the proposed weapons.Contribution: An approach such as an intercultural criticism with the aid of a four-legged stool model in this research proved to be appropriate.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma misdiagnosed as pituitary tumor with multiple cranial neuropathies
Authors: Yin Ling , Li Zhichao , Xue Guoliang , Lu Lin
Published: March 2022

Multiple cranial neuropathies have been reported in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an uncommon cause of multiple cranial nerve palsies. However, it is difficult to diagnose at the early stage; furthermore, it can be easily misdiagnosed as inflammation, pituitary tumor, etc. A 38-year-old female patient had an ipsilateral 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th cranial nerves injury in this study. She was successively misdiagnosed with nonspecific inflammation and pituitary tumor. More than 1 year later, she was diagnosed with invasive nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
A retrospective study of the use of percutaneous vesselplasty for pathological vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Chen Zhijin , Liu Lin , Wang Ziyin , Gong Ju , Xia Ning , Huang Wei , Lu Jian , Wang Zhongmin
Published: March 2022

Objective and Aims:

To assess percutaneous vesselplasty's safety and efficacy in treating pathological vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).

Subjects and Methods:

This retrospective review covered nine patients with an equal number of symptomatic pathological VCFs treated with vesselplasty. The study assessed the patients' pain scores, subjective conditions, imaging guidance, and incidence of procedure-related complications.

Results:

The VCFs were at the T4 and L5 spine regions. The procedure success rate was 100%. In 88.89% (8/9) of the examined cases, there was a posterior vertebral body or pedicle involvement or both. Two patients with high thoracic VCFs underwent combined computed tomography and mobile C-arm fluoroscopy guidance. The other patients underwent digital subtraction angiography guidance. The average visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before the treatment were 7.78 ± 0.67 standard deviation (SD) and 75.45 ± 7.55, respectively. The average VAS score and ODI 3 months after the treatment were 2.67 ± 0.50 (SD) and 32.45 ± 6.19 (P < 0.001), respectively. There were no recorded cases of symptomatic cement leakage or other operation-associated complications.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous vesselplasty appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive local treatment for pathological VCFs. This approach may offer benefits in improving pain, mobility, and function and minimizing the bone cement leakage rate while providing a safe and effective alternative treatment for pathological VCFs.
A new contribution for an old drug
Authors: Jiang Shangze , Lu Qingjun
Published: March 2022

Metformin is well known as a hypoglycemic drug, which maintains glucose blood balance by attenuating hepatic glycogen synthesis and enhancing muscle glucose decomposition. The accumulation of epidemiologic studies demonstrates that metformin plays a beneficial role in preventing or treating colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Metformin intake alone or along with traditional chemotherapeutic drugs has been proved to attenuate the growth of colon cancer cells. The preventive or therapeutic efficiencies of metformin on CRC mainly include the following aspects: activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, regulating immune response, enhancing cancer cells' sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, or inhibiting tumor stem cells. Therefore, metformin is suggested to become potential anticarcinoma agents. Nevertheless, the role of metformin in preventing and treating CRC is still controversial. In this review, we focused on the clinical value of metformin as a potentially effective anticarcinoma drug or an adjuvant agent, especially its mechanisms in CRC therapy.
Pancreatic carcinoma presented with panniculitis and polyarthritis
Authors: Pan Wenping , Wang Qing , Yang Min , Zhang Li , Wang Jun , Sun Kai
Published: March 2022

Extrapancreatic manifestations can complicate pancreatic disorders. Pancreatic panniculitis, characterized by subcutaneous fat necrosis, develops in 0.3%–3% of patients with pancreatic disorders. Occasionally, pancreatic panniculitis and polyarthritis occur in the same patient with pancreatic diseases, a rare symptomatic triad known as pancreatitis, panniculitis, and polyarthritis (PPP) syndrome. PPP syndrome is primarily caused by acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. Almost half of the patients with PPP syndrome do not present with gastrointestinal signs, which may lead to a delayed diagnosis of underlying pancreatic disease. The skin and arthritic symptoms may be mistaken for rheumatic diseases. The histological finding of skin lesions is a valuable clue for diagnosing pancreatic diseases. Due to the high mortality rate when PPP syndrome is associated with pancreatic carcinoma, we highlight that the pancreas should be thoroughly examined if a skin biopsy indicates pancreatic panniculitis.
Dosimetric and delivery comparison of helical tomotherapy with dynamic jaw and fixed jaw for cervical carcinoma
Authors: Wu Junxiang , Liu Xiangyu , Wang Pei , Li Jie , Wu Fan , Tang Bin , Kang Shengwei
Published: March 2022

Context:

Recently, the dynamic jaw mode has been introduced in our radiation oncology center second in China. Many studies showed that dynamic jaw mode in helical tomotherapy (HT) has the potential to improve organs at risk avoidance.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the plan quality and efficiency of dynamic jaw delivery compared to the regular HT delivery mode (fixed jaw mode) for cervical carcinoma.

Settings and Design:

Plan quality and efficiency were compared among the fixed jaw 2.5 cm mode, the dynamic jaw 2.5 cm mode, and the dynamic jaw 5.0 cm mode.

Subjects and Methods:

A total of 20 patients with cervical carcinoma were chosen to compare the plan quality and treatment efficiency using regular HT mode (fixed jaw 2.5 cm field width) and HT dynamic jaw mode with width 2.5 cm and 5.0 cm field width. The prescribed dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to planning target volume. Target coverage, homogeneity, conformity, sparing of organs at risk (OARs), monitor unit, and beam-on time were evaluated.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The statistical significance of any difference among plans assessed the two-sided paired t-test. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 19.0 software.

Results:

For each of the 20 patients, the plans were clinically acceptable. The target coverage and sparing of most OARs were measured using the dynamic jaw.

Conclusions:

Cervical carcinoma should be treated with the dynamic jaw 2.5 cm mode. Considering the risk of long treatment time, the dynamic jaw 5.0 cm mode could be an option.
Survival analysis of patients with recurrent or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma who were treated by cryoablation
Authors: Wu Qun , Li Jing , Yang Wuwei
Published: March 2022

Aims:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and survival factors of cryoablation in the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Subjects and Methods:

A total of 67 patients with recurrent and metastatic STS who underwent percutaneous cryoablation were included. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated based on routine blood test results. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the cut-off NLR value. The efficacy of local ablation for the patients was assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The primary endpoints were 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Statistical Analysis Used:

Statistical analysis of survival indicators was performed.

Results:

All 67 patients with STS were evaluated. The prognostic data indicated 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS and PFS rates of 83.58%, 70.15%, and 53.73% and 82.09%, 59.70%, and 46.29%, respectively. ROC analysis demonstrated 3.5 as the cut-off NLR value. A total of 189 cryoablations were performed for 104 lesions in 67 patients with an average ablation rate of 77.92% ± 24.55%. The objective response rate was 65.38%, and the disease control rate was 86.54%. Univariate analysis exhibited that the preablation NLR, ablation efficacy, postoperative combined treatment regimens, and number of metastasis were associated with the prognosis after cryoablation. The Cox multivariate analysis suggested that these three factors also predicted the superior prognosis of the patients.

Conclusions:

Cryoablation for patients with recurrent or metastatic STS was associated with potentially superior prognosis in real-world clinical setting. Preablation NLR ≤3.5, <3 metastasis, and postoperative combined treatment regimens could be potential biomarkers to predict patient survival.
EuroQol-5 dimensions health-related quality of life questionnaire in craniovertebral instability treated with posterior fixation with or without occipital plating
Authors: Klepinowski Tomasz , Sagan Leszek
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in craniocervical instability (CCI) before and after posterior fixation is yet to be determined. This study aimed to deliver novel and clinically relevant data about HRQoL (baseline, at follow-up, predictors, and correlates) in subjects with CCI treated with posterior fixation with or without occipital plating, and to compare it with matched datasets.

Methods:

EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires were collected to evaluate HRQoL before surgery and at follow-up. Study sample size was estimated at 58. Comparison with representative datasets was done by matching on a many-to-many basis. Classic CCI parameters were measured. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology was followed.

Results:

Sixty subjects were included. The mean age was 37.2 years. The median follow-up for EQ-5D was 26.3 months with interquartile range (IQR) 10.8 to 47.3 months. The median preoperative score of the 3-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L) was 0.254 (IQR = −0.025 to 0.504), whereas at follow-up, it increased to 0.779 (IQR = 0.387–0.864) which is still worse than the 25th percentile (0.894) of the age-matched population. Occipital plating (n = 35; 58.3%) did not influence HRQoL trajectory (P = 0.692). In multiple linear regression, HRQoL at follow-up was affected by the age (β = −0.004; P = 0.049) and length of hospitalization (β = −0.134; P = 0.010). Of radiologic measurements, preoperative Wackenheim line correlated with HRQoL at follow-up (rho = −0.432; P = 0 − 028).

Conclusions:

HRQoL is significantly reduced in CCI. Although this can be improved with posterior fixation, it is still worse than the age-matched population. Occipital plating may not influence HRQoL. HRQoL of the elderly might not increase as much as of the younger subjects. The longer hospitalization, the worse HRQoL could be expected. Preoperative Wackenheim parameter could correlate with HRQoL at follow-up.
Retrospective evaluation of cervical fusion with DTRAX (R) cervical cage
Authors: Yazdanshenas Hamed , Osias Ethan , Hwang Richard , Park Don Y. , Lord Elizabeth , Shamie Arya N.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively common problem that often affects individuals in their 5th decade. Most cases resolve with conservative treatment, but when unsuccessful, many opt for surgical intervention. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is currently considered the gold standard for the surgical management of cervical radiculopathy. One promising alternative, the DTRAX facet system is minimally invasive and may significantly reduce or eliminate cervical radicular symptoms. This case series and literature review looks to investigate the safety and efficacy of the DTRAX facet system in treating cervical radiculopathy.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis was performed by chart review of patients who underwent posterior cervical fusion and received the DTRAX spinal implant at University of California, Los Angeles within the last 8 years. Patient charts were located using the surgical cases report function of Epic electronic medical record, and patients were included in the study if they received a DTRAX implant during the stated time period. Data were compiled and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results:

A total of 14 patient charts were reviewed. Of the 14, there were no immediate postoperative complications. One international patient was subsequently lost to follow-up, and of the remaining 13, mean follow-up duration was 273 days, with a range of 15–660 days. All but one reported improvement of symptoms postoperatively, there were no device failures, and no reoperations were required. There were similar outcomes in patients who received single versus multilevel operations.

Conclusion:

The findings of this retrospective study of 14 patients who received the DTRAX facet system over the last 8 years support the conclusions of previous studies that DTRAX is safe and effective. In addition, this is the first study to look for differences in outcomes between single and multi-level DTRAX operations, of which there were none. Further investigation with larger cohorts should be conducted as DTRAX becomes more widely adopted in order to verify its safety and efficacy in various clinical scenarios.
The impact of preoperative neurological symptom severity on postoperative outcomes in cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Toci Gregory R. , Canseco Jose A. , Karamian Brian A. , Chang Michael , Grasso Giovanni , Nicholson Kristen , Pflug Emily M. , Russo Glenn S. , Tarazona Daniel , Kaye I. David , Kurd Mark F. , Hilibrand Alan S. , Woods Barrett I. , Rihn Jeffrey A. , Anderson D. Greg , Radcliff Kris E. , Kepler Christopher K. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Schroeder Gregory D.
Published: March 2022

Study Design:

The study design is a retrospective cohort study.

Objective:

To compare patient-reported outcomes between patients with mild versus moderate-to-severe myelopathy following surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Summary of Background Data:

Recent studies have demonstrated that decompression for CSM leads to improved quality of life when measured by patient-reported outcomes. However, it is unknown if preoperative myelopathy classification is predictive of superior postoperative improvements.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of patients treated surgically for CSM at a single institution from 2014 to 2015 was performed. Preoperative myelopathy severity was classified according to the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale as either mild (≥15) or moderate-to-severe (<15). Other outcomes included neck disability index (NDI), 12-item short-form survey (SF-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for arm and neck pain. Differences in outcomes were tested by linear mixed-effects models followed by pairwise comparisons using least square means. Multiple linear regression determined whether any baseline outcomes or demographics predicted postoperative mJOA.

Results:

There were 67 patients with mild and 50 patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy. Preoperatively, patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy reported significantly worse outcomes compared to the mild group for NDI, Physical Component Score (PCS-12), and VAS arm (P = 0.031). While both groups experienced improvements in NDI, PCS-12, VAS Arm and Neck after surgery, only the moderate-to-severe patients achieved improved mJOA (+3.1 points, P < 0.001). However, mJOA was significantly worse in the moderate-to-severe when compared to the mild group postoperatively (-1.2 points, P = 0.017). Both younger age (P = 0.017, β-coefficient = −0.05) and higher preoperative mJOA (P < 0.001, β-coefficient = 0.37) predicted higher postoperative mJOA.

Conclusions:

Although patients with moderate-to-severe myelopathy improved for all outcomes, they did not achieve normal absolute neurological function, indicating potential irreversible spinal cord changes. Early surgical intervention should be considered in patients with mild myelopathy if they seek to prevent progressive neurological decline over time.
Redefining the Problem of Evil in the Context of a Predeterministic World: New Conversations with the Traditional African Worldview
Authors: Attoe Aribiah David
Published: March 2022

Merciful, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, spirit, unchanging, the first cause, unknowable. These are just some of the properties that some scholars of African religions have attributed to the being they call God. Setting aside accusations that some of these properties reflect the colonially imposed religions, it is almost taken as a given that these properties really do belong to some of the various versions of the African God. This, then, raises the question: how is it ever the case that the present world, filled with various forms of evil and terror, emanates from a God possessing these same properties? Thus, the African God joins the formidable list of deities for which the problem of evil is relevant. In this essay, I argue that the power of the problem of evil lies in the belief, in many major African traditional religions, that God is a personalized entity. This, in turn, ensures a blind misattribution of the properties (mentioned above) to God. To buttress this point, I begin by presenting a materialistic and de-personalised notion of God that sheds away those properties that are imperceptible and/or are not logically necessary. Next, drawing from this new vision of God, and from religious traditions such as the Luba and Bantu traditions, I provide an account of some properties that can be ascribed to God (such as: genderless, eternal, first cause, material and unconscious), and show how this notion of God enables a predeterministic world. Finally, I show that what we refer to as evil is compatible with the idea of a material, depersonalized and unconscious God, and with the context of a predeterministic world that is indifferent to human experience.
Revisión Sistemática - Intervenciones en el proceso de Retorno al Trabajo en los Trastornos Mentales Comunes
Authors: Betancourt Gaetano Pepe , Brand P Ana Cristina
Published: March 2022

Introducción: Los trastornos mentales comunes (TMC), causan sufrimiento individual y menoscabo significativo a la salud, tienen un impacto negativo en el bienestar del individuo, las circunstancias financieras y a la sociedad. La respuesta de los médicos ha sido otorgar la incapacidad con la finalidad de mitigar los síntomas. Pero el dilema que entraña esta respuesta es que el reposo es beneficioso sólo si mantiene un equilibrio funcional del paciente y el retorno al trabajo. Bajo este enfoque, se plantea que las intervenciones psicosociales permiten preparar al individuo para retornar al trabajo. 

Método: el diseño de esta revisión es de alcance descriptivo y de enfoque mixto. La búsqueda se realizó a partir de: PubMed/MEDLINE, ELSEVIER, SciELO, Academic Google. El criterio de temporalidad fueron artículos publicados en los últimos 5 años, desde el 06 de diciembre y finalizo el 30 de diciembre del 2019.

Resultados: se analizaron 28 artículos a texto completo, la evidencia científica se sustentó en 13 estudios controlados. Se encontró evidencia de calidad moderada de que las intervenciones aplicadas mejoran los síntomas y reducen el número de días de incapacidad en pacientes con TMC. Nivel de evidencia B de GRADE.

Conclusiones: las intervenciones psicosociales facilitan un retorno al trabajo saludable y sostenible. Sin embargo, para que esto suceda, estas deben dirigirse no solo al individuo con incapacidad para trabajar, sino también a la interacción de este con su lugar de trabajo.
Study and Application of the Advanced Frequency Control Techniques H∞ in the Voltage Automatic Regulator of Powerful Synchronous Generators (Application under Gui/Matlab)
Authors: Eddine Ghouraf Djamel , Abdellatif Naceri
Published: March 2022

This article presents a study of of the advanced frequency control techniques based on loop-shaping H∞ optimization method applied on automatic excitation control of powerful synchronous generators (AVR and PSS), to improve transient stability and its robustness of a single machine- infinite bus system (SMIB).The computer simulation results (static and dynamic stability), with test of robustness against machine parameters uncertainty (electric and mechanic), have proved that good dynamic performances, showing a stable system responses almost insensitive to large parameters variations, and more robustness using the robust H-infinity controller, in comparison with the classical Russian PID power system stabilizer . Our present study was performed using a GUI realized under MATLAB in our work.
The Selection and Training Framework for Managers in Business Innovation and Transformation Projects
Authors: Trad Antoine , KalpićKalpić Damir
Published: March 2022

The riskiest factor in transforming a traditional business environment (BE) into a lean and automated BE is the role of the profile and the corresponding TOGAF managerial recommendations of the business and (e-)business transformation managers (BTM); the influence they have on the concrete implementation phase of business transformation projects (BTP). The basic profile and “The OpenGroup Architecture Framework” (TOGAF)[66] managerial recommendations of such a business transformation manager has not been sufficiently researched in a holistic manner in order to hammer the BTM’s profile and the corresponding TOGAF managerial recommendations; and that is the main goal of the authors’ research [52][37][38]. In fact, currently there are no TOGAF managerial recommendations and educational curricula for such BTM profiles. This research paper deals with the TOGAF managerial recommendations for the BTM selection and education; who has to manage the technical implementation phase of complex business transformation projects; knowing that the BTPs’ implementation phase is the major cause of very high failure rates [20][21]. The implementations of such business transformation projects require a specific set of enterprise business architecture knowledge. The authors have based their research on the main fact that only around 12% of business organizations successfully terminate innovationrelated business transformations projects [8]. “We know that those organizations that are consistently successful at managing innovation-related changes outperform their peers in terms of growth and financial performance” [7]. Therefore, there is an essential need for more research on the BTMs’ profiles and the TOGAF related managerial recommendations. This research project presents an original set of factors and fulfills the need for an efficient tree reasoning model, in the form of a real world framework and recommendations, which affect the BTM’s selection techniques. BTM selectors, professional analysts, project managers, auditors and advanced computer science students, will benefit from this research project.
Evolution of Technologies for Cadmium Remediation and Detoxification
Authors: Lata Sneh , Kaur Sukhminderjit
Published: March 2022

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most serious global environmental concerns. As a result, the current research includes an overview of technologies that are being developed for remediating or eliminating such contaminants from the environment, such as physical and chemical approaches, as well as their ineffectiveness. A wide range of minute species was discovered for their potential to tolerate, resist, accumulate and absorb heavy metals. But they all are naturally occurring species and need optimal conditions as well as a longer duration to grow. Thus, there is a need for more reliable, efficient, and productive techniques to address the issue. The use of nanoparticles for remediation has paved the way for more research in this subject and the development of useful technology to cope with problems. The evolution of technologies for heavy metal remediation, particularly cadmium, is discussed in this article because it is one of the most hazardous heavy metals that necessitates immediate attention.
Influence of Dissolved Organic Carbon on the Adsorption and Desorption of Cadmium in Reclaimed Soil
Authors: Zheng Yonghong , Zhang Zhiguo , Chen Yongchun , An Shikai , Zhang Lei , Chen Fangling , Ma Chengnan , Cai Weiqing
Published: March 2022

Organic acids are widespread in the environment and play an important role in the adsorption, desorption, and migration of soil cadmium (Cd). Under the effect of humic acid (HA) and citric acid, the properties and mechanism of Cd adsorption and desorption in reclaimed soil from the Panyi Mine in the Huainan mining area were investigated (CA). The addition of HA and CA inhibited the adsorption and enhanced the desorption of Cd in reclaimed soil, with HA having a stronger effect than CA. As the concentration of added HA or CA increased, the adsorption capacity of Cd in the reclaimed soil gradually decreased, while the desorption capacity gradually increased. That is, the adsorption inhibition/desorption promotion effect was stronger for higher concentrations of organic acid. Cd adsorption and desorption could be described as a logarithmic function of organic acid concentration. The kinetic curves of Cd adsorption and desorption in reclaimed soil under the influence of organic acids show that both adsorption and desorption involved two stages: a fast reaction stage followed by a slow reaction stage.
Review of Product Lifecycle Management Tools Used in Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Yoga Mule Jaykumar , Lokhande Amol D
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, the growing complex business environment and complexity of the roduct,large number of product typescompanies are beginning to focus more and more on the three individual productivity application, productivity and IT productivity these three factors must be balanced and optimized at moderate cost.This is particularly challenging for small medium and large size companies. This study provides an overview of the most important PLM technology concepts and demonstrates concepts by explaining the design and implementation of industry-developed PLM tools and dynamic PLM service is the solution to that demand manufacturing companies. The purpose of this study is to improve the industrial production process through the PLM tools
ESTIMASI BEBAN GLOBAL SKABIES BERDASARKAN GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE 2015
Authors:   Universitas Methodist Indonesia, Tambunan Ronald T. H.
Published: March 2022

Numerous population-based studies have documented high prevalence of scabies in overcrowded settings, particularly among children and in tropical regions. Thus, a research has done by Karimkhani et al. providing an estimate of the global burden of scabies using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2015. The methods that had been used in the research including identification scabies epidemiological data sources with a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, to yield prevalence estimates. Combination of prevalence estimates with a disability weight, measuring disfigurement, itch, and pain caused by scabies, to produce years lived with disability (YLDs). With an assumed zero mortality from scabies, YLDs were equivalent to disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). They estimated DALYs from 195 countries divided into 21 world regions, in both sexes and 20 age groups, between 1990 and 2015. The findings showed that scabies was responsible 0.21% of DALYs from all conditions studied by GBD worldwide. The world regions of East Asia (age-standardised DALYs 136.32), Southeast Asia (134.57), Oceania (120.34), tropical Latin America (99.94), and south Asia (69.41) had the greatest burden of DALYs from scabies. Mean percent change of DALY rate from 1990 to 2015 was less than 8% in all world regions, except North America, which had a 23.9% increase. The five individual countries with greatest scabies burden were Indonesia (age-standardised DALYs 153.86), China (138.25), Timor-Leste (136.67), Vanuatu (131.59), and Fiji (130.91). The largest standard deviations of age-standardised DALYs between the 20 age groups were observed in Southeast Asia (60.1), Oceania (58.3) and East Asia (56.5), with the greatest DALY burdens in children, adolescents, and the elderly. It was concluded that the greatest burden of scabies is greater in tropical regions, especially in children, adolescents, and elderly people. As a worldwide epidemiological assessment, GBD 2015 provides broad and frequently updated measures of scabies burden in terms of skin effects. These global data might help guide research protocols and prioritisation efforts and focus scabies treatment and control measures.
PENERAPAN LMS-GOOGLE CLASSROOM DALAM PEMBELAJARAN DARING SELAMA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors:   Universitas Potensi Utama, Alfina Ommi
Published: March 2022

This research aims to (1) find out the results of the implementation of Learning Management System (LMS)-Google Classroom in the online learning process for Informatics Engineering students, Universitas Potensi Utama during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) learn about students' responses to online learning using LMS-Google Classroom. This research is based on the transformation of the course process from face-to-face learning to remote learning (PJJ) by relying on technology as a substitute for learning media, known as distance learning and online learning. This research was conducted using case study methods. This research was conducted on informatics engineering students in multimedia courses. Sampling techniques using purposive sampling methods. The results showed that the application of LMS-Google Classroom to online learning for Informatics Engineering students during the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive effect, especially in terms of absorption related to understanding lecture materials. Based on the results of student questionnaire calculations, it was obtained that as many as 23% of students find it difficult to attend lectures using LMS-Google Classroom which is reviewed in terms of technological efficiency and material understanding level. Meanwhile, 77% of students are happy and enthusiastic about gaining a new learning experience after using LMS-Google Classroom to participate in multimedia lectures. It can be concluded that, the implementation of LMS-Google Classroom in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the solutions that can be used so that the lecture process can continue. However, it is necessary to provide assistance and control over student activities to keep students motivated in following the lecture process in the context of online learning.