bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention
Authors: Asil Serkan
Published: August 2022

Atrial fibrillation is the most common chronic arrhythmia worldwide, and stroke is its most common complication. Approximately 20% of all ischemic strokes attributed to atrial fibrillation. Left atrial appendage thrombi are 90% responsible for embolic strokes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In patients with atrial fibrillation, systemic anticoagulation is highly effective in lowering the risk of stroke. Bleeding problems and non-adherence hamper adequate anticoagulation therapy. As an alternative to stroke prevention with medical treatment, left atrial appendage closure is feasible and has proven to be an alternative to anticoagulation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. Various left atrial appendage closure methods and devices have been defined and applied surgically and percutaneously. Exclusion of the left atrial appendage potentially minimizes the risk of embolic stroke and may eliminate chronic anticoagulation requirements. This chapter reviews left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Heterologous Expression of Genes in Plants for Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Ali Shahzad , Zaman Nadir , Ali Waqar , Khan Majid , Aasim Muhammad , Ali Asmat , Usman Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Abiotic stresses are considered to be the major factors causing a decrease in crop yield globally, these stresses include high and low temperature, salinity, drought, and light stress etc. To overcome the consistent food demand for the ever-growing population, various genes from micro-organisms and non-plant sources have been expressed in transgenic plants to improve their tolerance against abiotic stresses. Gene expression in transgenic plants through conventional methods are time-consuming and laborious that’s why advanced genetic engineering methods for example Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistic methods are more accurate, useful, and less time-consuming. This review provides an insight into various bacterial genes for example mtID, codA, betA, ADH, IPT, DRNF1 and ggpPS, etc. that have been successfully expressed in transgenic plants against various abiotic stress for stress tolerance enhancement and crop yield improvement which exhibited good encouraging results. Genes from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) have been introduced in transgenic plants against drought and salinity stress. All these genes expressed from non-plant sources in plants can be very helpful to enhance crops for better yield productivity in the future to meet the demands of the consistently rising population of the world.
Investigations of Using an Intelligent ANFIS Modeling Approach for a Li-Ion Battery in MATLAB Implementation: Case Study
Authors: Tudoroiu Roxana-Elena , Zaheeruddin Mohammed , Tudoroiu Nicolae , Mihai Radu Sorin
Published: August 2022

This research paper will propose an incentive topic to investigate the accuracy of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy modeling approach of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. Based on this adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) modeling approach, we will show its effectiveness and suitability for modeling the nonlinear dynamics of any process or control system. This new ANFIS modeling approach improves the original nonlinear battery model and an alternative linear autoregressive exogenous input (ARX) polynomial model. The alternative ARX is generated using the least square errors estimation method and is preferred for its simplicity and faster implementation since it uses typical functions from the MATLAB system identification toolbox. The ARX and ANFIS models’ effectiveness is proved by many simulations conducted on attractive MATLAB R2021b and Simulink environments. The simulation results reveal a high model accuracy in battery state of charge (SOC) and terminal voltage. An accurate battery model has a crucial impact on building a very precise adaptive extended Kalman filter (AEKF) SOC estimator. It is considered an appropriate case study of a third-order resistor-capacitor equivalent circuit model (3RC ECM) SAFT-type 6 Ah 11 V nominal voltage of Li-ion battery for simulation purposes.
Understanding the Artificial Intelligence Implementation for Allocating an Order to a Seller among Multiple Sellers Who Sell the Same Product
Authors: Imtiaz Ahmed Md
Published: August 2022

E-commerce sectors are growing rapidly worldwide and it adopts the new technological innovation drastically, such as embracing artificial intelligence in e-commerce sectors. Machine learning adaptation in e-commerce sectors is the most and much news already published by giant e-commerce companies, such as Amazon and eBay. The aim of this paper is to find out how artificial intelligence helps the e-commerce platform to choose a seller from multiple sellers when the same products or listings are sold by multiple sellers. When a customer will place the order, then who will get the order of the customer as multiple sellers sell the item within the same product listings. In the research, it is figured out that machine learning techniques are normally used for the selection of the seller where the prior points used for finding the appropriate seller are feedback or ratings, seller products location or distance from the customer, advertising or PPC or campaign, discounts, etc.
The Metropolitan Transformation of Ioannina City from 1940 to 2015
Authors: Georgiou Efthymios-Spyridon
Published: August 2022

The chapter presents the urban and regional changes in the city of Ioannina, Greece. This city is located in the periphery of Epirus, which is in the western Balkans, Eastern Europe. The chapter examines, with the tools of aerial photos and QGIS software, the spatial transformation of Ioannina city from 1940 to 2015. Map science is a field through which the users could observe and compare maps from past to future. The plans and the planning were formed under the values, standards, and fundamentals of the mosaic of politics, good practices, urban rules, and citizen level. The urban space has already changed until nowadays. The chapter examines the reasons for urban politics and social–economic moments that became the epitome of these urban and regional changes. The results show the comparative spatial study from each historical period.
Making Sense of a Biochemistry Learning Process and Teacher’s Empathy: Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Using Emoji Symbols
Authors: Sachyani Dana , Ronen Ilana
Published: August 2022

Teaching biochemistry concepts can be a challenging task, as it requires learners and teachers to integrate abstract concepts from chemistry and biology. Students struggle to grasp the molecular processes, as they find it difficult to visualize them. Incorporating Information Communication Technology (ICT) implementations during lessons is known to encourage learners’ involvement in a collaborative learning process and is especially effective when training preservice teachers (PSTs). In the current study, we describe an example in which the teacher plays an important role in creating the Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) in this environment to encourage peer learning while coping with complicated material. We believe that one of the important components in guiding such peer work is the teacher’s ability to sense each group’s progress and to employ empathy in the classroom as a tool for coping with the difficulty and challenge of acquiring new knowledge and for creating a productive dialog between groups that disagree. In this example, the process of Information Communication Technology (ICT) implementation encouraged the preservice teachers (PSTs) to create an alternative set of symbols, which eventually served as a “language” and help them understand the biochemical processes.
Gene Expression and Transcriptome Sequencing: Basics, Analysis, Advances
Authors: D. Magar Nakul , Shah Priya , Harish K.  , C. Bosamia Tejas , M. Barbadikar Kalyani , M. Shukla Yogesh , Phule Amol , N. Zala Harshvardhan , Sheshu Madhav Maganti , Kumar Mangrauthia Satendra , Naga Neeraja Chirravuri , Meenakshi Sundaram Raman
Published: August 2022

Gene expression studies are extremely useful for understanding a broad range of biological, physiological, and molecular responses. The techniques for gene expression reflect differential patterns of gene regulation and have evolved with time from detecting one gene to many genes at a time laterally. Gene expression depends on the spatiotemporal expression in a particular tissue at a given time point and needs critical examination and interpretation. Transcriptome sequencing or RNA-seq using next-generation sequencing (short and long reads) is the most widely deployed technology for accurate quantification of gene expression. According to the biological aim of the experiment, replications, platform, and chemistries, propelling improvement has been demonstrated and documented using RNA-seq in plants, humans, animals, and clinical sciences with respect to gene expression of mRNA, small non-coding, long non-coding RNAs, alternative splice variations, isoform variations, gene fusions, single-nucleotide variants. Integrating transcriptome sequencing with other techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation, methylation, genome-wide association studies, manifests insights into genetic and epigenetic regulation. Epi-transcriptome including RNA methylation, modification, and alternative polyadenylation events can also be explored through long-read sequencing. In this chapter, we have presented an account of the basics of gene expression methods, transcriptome sequencing, and the various methodologies involved in the downstream analysis.
Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Nakanishi Yasukazu , Yajima Shugo , Masuda Hitoshi
Published: August 2022

With the widespread utilization of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) that demonstrated non-inferiority compared to open radical cystectomy in terms of several outcomes, urinary diversions are now performed for both extracorporeal and intracorporeal procedures. The potential benefits of intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD) include smaller incisions, reduced pain, reduced intraoperative blood loss, reduced bowel handling and exposure, and third space loss. ICUD following radical cystectomy requires many steps and a careful stepwise progression. Surgical volumes (RARCs per year) per center and per surgeon appear to be correlated with a reduction in complications. The European Association of Urology guidelines recommend that hospitals should perform at least 10, and preferably more than 20 operations annually. With the aim of generalizing ICUD, this chapter will discuss the following items: (1) Technique of intracorporeal ileal conduit; (2) Perioperative comparison of intracorporeal and extracorporeal urinary diversion in RARC; (3) Hybrid technique in robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit; and (4) Intracorporeal ileal neobladder.
Analysis of Solution Diversity in Topic Models for Smart City Applications
Authors: Uchiyama Toshio , Hokimoto Tsukasa
Published: August 2022

Topic models are known to be useful tools for modeling and analyzing high-dimensional count data such as documents. In a smart city, it is important to collect and analyze citizens’ voices to discover their concerns and issues. Topic modeling is effective for the above analysis because it can extract topics from a collection of documents. However, when estimating parameters (solutions) in topic models, various solutions are reached due to differences in algorithms and initial values. In order to select a solution suitable for the purpose from among the various solutions, it is necessary to know what kind of solutions exist. This chapter introduces methods for analyzing diverse solutions and obtaining an overall picture of the solutions.
Physiological Mechanisms of Tolerance to Drought and Heat in Major Pulses for Improving Yield under Stress Environments
Authors: S. Basu Partha , Kumar Chaturvedi Sushil , Mall Gaur Pooran , Mondal Biswajit , Kumar Meena Surendra , Das Krishnashis , Kumar Vaibhav , Tewari Kalpana , Sharma Kusum
Published: August 2022

Reduction in biomass and pollen fertility are the two major constraints resulting in poor grain yield in major pulses grown under rainfed agrosystem. Generally, pulses are encountered into both heat and drought stresses during terminal reproductive stages. Though pulses have many adaptive features to counter the adverse effects of various abiotic stresses but yield is substantially reduced when the magnitude of these stresses is very high. The factors have been identified to enhance grain yield under stress environments which include promotion of biomass in the above ground part enabling crops to reserve a maximum amount of photosynthesis and water in the plant system itself before the onset of drought and heat stresses during reproductive stages. Various physiological mechanisms and fertility enhancement components including genetic diversity in key traits have been discussed here to improve yield of pulses under stressed conditions.
Thermal Conductivity in Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Hatzikraniotis Euripides , S. Polymeris George , Kyratsi Theodora
Published: August 2022

Thermal conductivity is a key parameter in identifying and developing alternative materials for many technological and temperature-critical applications, ranging from higher-temperature capability thermal barrier coatings to materials for thermoelectric conversion. The Figure of Merit (ZT) of a thermoelectric material (TE) is a function of the Seebeck coefficient (S), the electrical conductivity (σ), the total thermal conductivity (κ) and the absolute temperature (T). A highly-performing TE material should have high S and σ and low κ. Thermal conductivity has two contributions, the electronic (κE) and the lattice (κL). Various models have been developed to describe the lattice component of thermal conductivity. In this chapter, the models for the evaluation of lattice thermal conductivity will be explored, both phenomenological as well analytical models, taking into account the various phonon-scattering processes, with examples of real materials.
Paravalvular Leaks: From Diagnosis to Management
Authors: Mghaieth Zghal Fathia , Farhati Abdeljelil , Sami Mourali Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Paravalvular leaks (PVLs) are complications of a surgical or percutaneous valve replacement. They are persistent defects between the native annulus and the sewing ring, which result in a regurgitant prosthesis. They are observed in 2–18% of patients after a surgical valve replacement (SVR) and in 7–40% after a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Clinical manifestations are heart failure and hemolysis. They develop in 1–5% of PVL patients, and they have a poor prognosis. Surgery was the only available treatment to improve the patient’s outcome. But it is a high-risk surgery in frail patients and PVL relapse is not rare. Percutaneous PVL closure has emerged as a promising technique. Nevertheless, it needs a careful assessment, demands high technical expertise, and still has limitations. This chapter focuses on the diagnosis of PVL after a SVR and transcatheter PVL closure (TPVL).
Study on Miniaturization of Antenna Using Metamaterials
Authors: Christina Josephine Malathi Andrews
Published: August 2022

Metamaterials (MTMs) are artificially built materials intended to give its properties from the internal structure, rather than the chemical composition found in natural materials. Electric permittivity (ε) and magnetic permeability (μ) are the two basic parameters which describe the electromagnetic property of a material or medium. Permittivity describes how a material is affected when it is placed in electric field. And permeability describes how a material is affected in presence of magnetic field. Metamaterials may have either negative permittivity or permeability or both may be negative simultaneously. The concept of metamaterials has additionally been utilized to design different kinds of patches with upgraded performance, such as improved gain and enhanced efficiency. Also, it has been utilized for the scaling down of patches. Two parameters are utilized in the collected works for antennas using metamaterials. We can adjust the refractive index of the metamaterial to positive, near-zero or negative values. Utilization of epsilon negative, MNG (μ - Mu negative) or DNG (double negative) are called metamaterial- based antennas and the use of metamaterial unit cell for example complementary split ring resonator, split ring resonator and so on are alluded as metamaterial inspired antennas. The design of complementary split ring resonator and its equivalent circuit will be discussed in this work. CSRR (complementary split ring resonator) provides both isolation enhancement and miniaturization for MIMO antenna.
Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Lichen Planopilaris
Authors: Librada Porriño-Bustamante María , Antonia Fernández-Pugnaire María
Published: August 2022

The aim of the treatment in frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris is to alleviate symptoms and to arrest the progression of the hair loss, since hair regrowth is not possible once the destruction of hair follicle has happened. Topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus are used to reduce inflammation, but with no clear benefit in slowing the alopecia. Intralesional corticosteroids may obtain hair regrowth in some patients, and they are especially useful in the treatment of eyebrow alopecia in frontal fibrosing alopecia. Regarding systemic treatments, the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors has been shown to be the most effective one to get stabilization in frontal fibrosing alopecia and even regrowth in the hairline. Hydroxychloroquine and oral immunomodulators are especially helpful as oral treatment in lichen planopilaris. Low-dose oral isotretinoin is the preferred treatment for facial papules in frontal fibrosing alopecia. The combination of oral and topical treatments is the best therapeutic choice.
Metabarcoding and Digital PCR (dPCR): Application in the Study of Neglected Tropical Diseases
Authors: de la Soldedad Lagunes-Castro María , López-Monteon Aracely , Guzmán-Gómez Daniel , Ramos-Ligonio Angel
Published: August 2022

Neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas disease, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and malaria cause millions of deaths each year and they are caused by a variety of pathogens whose diagnosis is very limited or subject to conventional testing, making a treatment less accessible, accurate and timely diagnosis for choosing their treatments. Traditional methods for pathogen detection have not been able to meet the growing need for diagnosis and control. The incorporation of new technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR (dPCR) represent a better diagnostic possibility due to their ability to absolutely quantify pathogens with high selectivity and precision. Our planet is currently experiencing environmental changes of an unprecedented magnitude and rate, including climate change, globalized pollution, biodiversity loss, and land use changes, so neglected diseases require a comprehensive understanding of the ecology of vectors in the different eco-epidemiological contexts, as well as of the transmission cycles of pathogens and their transmission dynamics. In this sense, NGS and dPCR open a new panorama for a better understanding of these diseases with the aim of proposing new programs for their care.
Private Practice Social Work in the Arab World: Sultanate of Oman as a Model
Authors: Saleh Emad
Published: August 2022

This chapter aims to discuss the reality of the private practice social work profession in the Arab world from both research and practice perspectives. Furthermore, it identifies the most significant obstacles to the spread of its agencies. Additionally, this chapter discusses several fundamental concepts in this field, such as private practice, private practice agencies, and private practitioners. By referring to scientific research undertaken in the Arab world and, in particular, Oman society, a systematic scientific approach is significant to private practice and its themes. Finally, the author will wrap up the chapter by discussing the findings of one of his studies that identified the obstacles to the spread of private practice.
Lupus Genetics
Authors: Klimi Eleni
Published: August 2022

Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder with an important genetic component. Studies in monozygotic twins have revealed a concordance rate of 50% indicating that environmental factors might play a significant role in the development of the disease. Genes that are implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus include HLA, Interferon genes, complement genes, cytokine genes (TNF, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-23), NF-κB genes, ITGAM gene, PPP2CA genes, SIAE genes, SLAMF molecules, PTPN22, BLK, BANK1, PD-1 and X-linked genes (AIRE gene and others). Epigenetic factors which alter only the expression but not the DNA structure may also interfere with the development of the disease.
Endothelial Secretome
Authors: Rusu Luiza
Published: August 2022

Endothelial cells produce huge proteomes from a relatively small total number of ECs. The ECs’ complex intercellular communication is possible through well-stored, classified, and compartmentalized secretory pathways, intermediated by the secretory vesicles and granules, with the purpose to maintain vascular homeostasis and integrity. Secreted proteins are involved in a myriad of cell communication processes. The local vascular microenvironment dynamically and constantly modifies the ECs’ secretome. We focus on the biological significance of secretome proteins in a healthy vascular microenvironment and under cardiovascular conditions. Vascular ECs crosstalk with other ECs, and other blood cells at a distance, with the circulating hematopoietic stem cells permitting adequate reactions to vascular injury, systemic or local inflammation, and viral or parasitic infections. Here, we overview current secretome biomarkers in vascular diseases, with a focus on their roles in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutics. Also, we highlighted some important pathological effects of exosome on cardiovascular disease. This chapter discusses current research directions characterizing vascular pathology conditioned secretomes, their regulation, and therapeutic pursuit. The overall aim of this chapter is to review current literature updates on endothelial secretome roles in endothelial homeostasis and in vascular disorders.
Values-Flow in Contextual Psychotherapy: The ‘What’, ‘Why’, and ‘How’ of Sustainable Values-Based Behaviour
Authors: Ignjatovic Cedomir , L. Kern Margaret , G. Oades Lindsay
Published: August 2022

Flow - enjoyed and fully absorbed engagement in meaningful and contextually bounded activities - is widely underutilised in psychotherapy and mental health settings. Two gold standard therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), while powerful and effective in many ways, would benefit from systematic models that move from initiating positive change to sustaining meaningful change. This chapter introduces ‘Values-Flow’ – an approach aimed at building commitment and sustainable engagement in psychotherapy and values-based behaviour in working adults struggling with sub-optimal functioning. We first introduce Values-Flow and describe how it may benefit psychotherapy skills practice in everyday life. Next, we discuss why Values-Flow is relevant and enhances the practice of ACT and DBT strategies, helping to sustain engagement and creative practice of values-based actions outside of sessions. We then describe the ‘Values-Flow’ framework, which incorporates VIVA (Virtue, Involve, Vital, Accepting) and ARIA (Attend, Reflect, Inform, Act) tools that develop commitment for values-based practice in daily life. We conclude with a case-example of how Values-Flow can build commitment and sustainable engagement in homework completion in psychotherapy.
Anomalies in Nigeria Presidential Election Data and the Way Forward
Authors: Tunmibi Sunday , Olatokun Wole
Published: August 2022

Nigeria presently runs a presidential system of government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections, every four years. A fraud-free and credible election is a necessary ingredient to the growth of democracy. However, election fraud has become a major challenge in the Nigerian political system. Till date, reports show that elections in Nigeria have been marred with vote buying, falsification of results, underage voting, and the use of security forces to intimidate voters, among others. Hence, the authors suggest the need for transparency in the voting process and in the collation of results. There is also a need for an electoral reform to address the issue of electronic voting and electronic transmission of results. Electronic voting should be supported and encouraged by all stakeholders. The INEC, executive and legislative arms of government are advised to work in tandem to provide credible electoral process and improve on the conducts of elections in Nigeria. The chapter concludes with suggestion on the possibility of adopting election forensic techniques to address anomalies in Nigeria electoral results. The authors believe that this chapter contribution will be of great benefit to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Intracranial Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Kwan Carolyn Tang Hiu , Wee Ho Joon
Published: August 2022

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases are a common manifestation of malignant melanoma, with a median overall survival of as little as 4.7 months based on a study of patients diagnosed between 1986 and 2004 prior to the era of effective systemic therapy. Yet most of the clinical trials exclude patients with intra-cranial metastases. CNS involvement often causes neurological deficits and functional impairment. Localised therapies, such as surgical excision and stereotactic radiotherapy are applicable to only a minority of patients. There are evidences of clinical benefits for immunotherapy than best supportive care and when given alongside radiotherapy provides a better overall survival than radiotherapy alone. This chapter evaluates the efficacy and toxicity of these treatments against advanced melanoma patients with brain metastases.
Cannabis and the Brain: Friend or Foe?
Authors: E. Dabiri Ali , S. Kassab Ghassan
Published: August 2022

Legalization of cannabis in the US and other countries highlight the need to understand the health consequences of this substance use. Research indicates that some cannabis ingredients may play beneficial role in treating various medical conditions while other ingredients may pose health risks. This review is focused on the brain and mental health effects of cannabis use. The rationale for examining cannabis use in behavioral and neural conditions is that these conditions are highly widespread in the US and account for high level of medical healthcare and associated cost. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the known medicinal benefits of selected cannabis cannabinoids in conditions like pediatric epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and the known side effects or contraindications in conditions such as addiction, cognition, and psychosis. Several recommendations are made as to studies that will help further understanding the increasing role of cannabis in neuropsychiatric health and disease.
Prevention Strategies for Patient Safety in Hospitals: Methodical Paradigm, Managerial Perspective, and Artificial Intelligence Advancements
Authors: Jain Sunil , Kamal Jain Bhagya , Kamal Jain Prem , Singh Kushwaha Arvind
Published: August 2022

Patient safety is fundamental to high-quality patient care. Hospitalization has its inherent complications. Medical errors can further comprise patient safety. Hospitals provides an opportunity for practicing preventive medicine. Two important areas are (i) making treatment and hospitalization free from side-effects (ii) obviating medical errors. In hospitals these can have serious consequences. Patient safety compromise can occur at the individual or system level. A methodical model for this should include (i) Intervention design (ii) Intervention implementation (iii) Intervention institutionalization. Managerial perspective important for leadership and team work. Leadership can energize excellence in the coordination and mobilization of the large number of inter-dependent processes and resources needed for achievement of patient safety. Three-dimensional strategy for Leadership is suggested (i) Initiatives appealing (ii) Integrating all (iii) Incremental advancements. The ‘Five Es’ for Teamwork, and the ‘Five Cs’ for Organizational Change are elaborated. Artificial Intelligence has the potential to improve healthcare safety. AI enables analysis of data from multiple sources simultaneously using advanced algorithms. This identifies predictors and outcomes. Ensemble learning algorithms, used by advanced practitioners of machine learning, are useful with high final accuracy. Hence in matters of health these should be utilized. All this will make prevention targeted, better, and timely.
Efficacy of 50 µg Versus 25 µg Vaginal Misoprostol for Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Valadan Mehrnaz , Raisian Zohre , Feizabad Elham , Saedi Nafiseh
Published: August 2022

Background: Cervical ripening is the process of initiating labor in women with an unripe cervix. Vaginally administered prostaglandin E1 analog (misoprostol) has been promising in cervical ripening and labor induction. However, optimal dosage and dose-dependent adverse effects in this administration route need further clarification. Objectives: This trial aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of 50 mcg vs. 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol in low-risk term pregnant women. Methods: This double-blind, single-center, randomized clinical trial included 200 low-risk term pregnancies undergoing labor induction with a Bishop score of 2 or less. Patients were assigned randomly to receive 25 mcg or 50 mcg of vaginal misoprostol every six hours up to four times until the active phase of labor was reached. The primary outcome included time to vaginal delivery (latent and active phase of labor), and secondary outcomes included the total dosage of prescribed misoprostol, the need for oxytocin for labor augmentation, and the cesarean section rate. Results: Misoprostol 50 micrograms resulted in a significantly shorter time in the first phase of labor (P-value = 0.002), the second phase of labor (P-value = 0.030), and the third phase of labor (P-value = 0.020). The number of administered misoprostol, the need for additional oxytocin, uterine hyperstimulation, cesarean delivery rate, Apgar score, umbilical artery pH, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) administration were statistically similar between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed that 50 mcg of vaginal misoprostol (vs. 25 mcg) for cervical ripening could reduce labor phase duration without significantly increasing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Controversial Effects of Diverse Types of Toxoplasma gondii on the Anxiety-like Behavior and Cognitive Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mikaeili Galeh Tahereh , Ghazvini Hamed , Sarvi Shahabeddin , Mohammadi Moslem , Asgarian-Omran Hossein , Hajizadeh Fatemeh , Azizi Soheil , Daryani Ahmad
Published: August 2022

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic parasite with lifelong persistence in the host brain. Many researchers suggested toxoplasmosis as a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the link between them has not been fully elucidated. Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic toxoplasmosis infection with Types I (RH), II (PRU), and III (VEG) strains alone and in combination on cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's rat model. Methods: Seven months after the inoculation of the strains, AD was induced bilaterally in rats by injecting human amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) peptide into the brain hippocampus. Behavioral tests, including the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) were conducted 10 days after the AD induction. Results: Our findings showed that chronic infection with RH strain increased anxiety-like behavior in the Alzheimer's rats in the EPM. In agreement with EPM findings, rats infected with the RH strain exacerbated spatial learning disorders in the MWM test; however, it did not affect the spatial memory. Conversely, infection with the PRU strain significantly enhanced spatial learning without being able to improve memory impairments in the Alzheimer's rat model. Improvement in spatial learning and memory impairments were also observed in rats infected with PRU and VEG strains in combination. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that chronic infection with PRU strain, as well as PRU and VEG strains in combination, can significantly improve cognitive deficits induced by Aβ1-42 in Alzheimer's rats, while RH strain plays a detrimental role in AD pathogenesis.
Isolation of the Anticoagulant and Procoagulant Fractions of the Venom of Iranian Endemic Echis carinatus
Authors: Nasri Nasrabadi Nafiseh , Mohammadpour Dounighi Nasser , Ahmadinejad Minoo , Rabiei Hadi , Tabarzad Maryam , Najafi Mojtaba , Vatanpour Hossein
Published: August 2022

Background: The venom of Echis carinatus contains both procoagulant and anticoagulant components that can either promote or block the blood coagulation cascade, and some of these components affect platelet function in different ways. Objectives: The present study focuses on setting up a procedure for the purification of crude venom and designing appropriate clotting tests in order to characterize the procoagulant and anticoagulant fractions of E. carinatus venom. Methods: Chromatographic methods, including gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), were applied for purifying these fractions. Coagulant activity testing, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were used to determine procoagulant and anticoagulant properties. For measuring molecular weight, 15% SDS-PAGE electrophoresis with a molecular weight standard ranging from 6.5 to 200 kDa was used. Results: We obtained five fractions named F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5. The F1 and F2 fractions showed procoagulant activity, and the F5 fraction had anticoagulant activity. The molecular weight of F2.4.2 from fraction F2 and F5.1 from fraction F5 were analyzed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis under the reducing condition. These factors were identified as a single protein band at the end of purification. The molecular weights of these purified fractions were estimated to be 7.5 kDa and 38 kDa for F5.1(b) and F2.4.2(b), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest an efficient and suitable procedure for the identification and purification of the procoagulant and anticoagulant factors of the venom of Iranian E. carinatus using the PT and APTT assays.
A Novel Mutation in the TSEN2 Gene Among Two Iranian Families with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 2B
Authors: Khoshnevisan Atefeh , Shafiei Mohammad , Mohammadiasl Javad , Mowla Seyed Javad , Nasiri Shahram
Published: August 2022

Background: Pontocerebellar hypoplasia is an autosomal recessive and neurodegenerative disorder divided into sixteen subtypes. Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2B (PCH2B) shows microcephaly combined with epilepsy extrapyramidal dyskinesia and chorea due to different homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic mutations in the TSEN2 gene. Objectives: This study was aimed to find the mutation responsible for pontocerebellar hypoplasia in two families with similar patients using the next-generation sequencing technique. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed for two individuals in families with microcephaly and developmental delay. A novel mutation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and segregation analysis. Pathogenicity and the effect of mutation were investigated using different bioinformatics analyses. Results: WES showed a novel and potential pathogenic mutation in TSEN2 (p.R350Q: c.1049G>A). Sanger sequencing verified that both individuals were homozygote and that their parents were heterozygote for this variant. Conclusions: Our data can help enhance knowledge about the role of the TSEN2 gene in pontocerebellar hypoplasia. Also, our results can extend the list of mutations responsible for PCH2B and help find the correlation between the genotypes and phenotypes for this disorder.
Evaluation of Healthy Aging Themes from the Perspectives of the Elderly: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kaveh Farsani Zabihollah
Published: August 2022

Background: The increase in the elderly population is one of the most critical challenges facing various countries worldwide, including Iran. Medical and social problems are also rooted in this demographic problem. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the healthy aging themes from the perspectives of the elderly. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on all the elderly living in Shahrekord using thematic analysis among whom, 15 individuals were selected using the purposive sampling method based on the inclusion criteria. The sample size was determined considering data saturation. The participants took part in a semi-structured interview who were coded into three categories to analyze the data i.e., basic, organizing, and global themes through a thematic analysis approach. Results: The analyses indicated eight organizing themes, including satisfaction with marital life, healthy lifestyle, satisfaction with moral issues, spiritual orientation, independence and financial self-sufficiency, intra-generational dynamism, intergenerational dynamism, and social satisfaction. Finally, the global theme of dynamic aging was extracted by integrating the organizing themes. Conclusions: According to the results, many factors, including marital, psychological, religious, family, economic, and social factors, are involved in dynamic aging. In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the findings of this study can inform professionals who work with this demographic group about other factors that contribute to a healthy aging process.
The Resurrection of Jesus: An Engagement with Dale Allison: A Review Essay
Authors: Loke Andrew T. ,   Evangelical Philosophical Society
Published: August 2022

In his latest book, The Resurrection of Jesus, Dale Allison states that, while he personally believes that Jesus resurrected, “the purely historical evidence is not, on my view, so good as to make disbelief unreasonable, and it is not so bad as to make faith untenable.” This review focuses on Allison’s discussion concerning apparitions, hallucination theory, mass hysteria, and pareidolia. While appreciative of various aspects of Allison’s work, this article points out various problems with Allison’s use of materials in other disciplines, a number of fallacies of reasoning in Allison’s analyses, and demonstrates that the best skeptical hypothesis against Jesus’s resurrection suggested by Allison is untenable.
One Hell of a Problem for Divine Love
Authors: Mullins R. T. ,   Evangelical Philosophical Society
Published: August 2022

In this paper, I offer some brief reflections on Jordan Wessling’s book, Love Divine: A Systematic Account of God’s Love for Humanity. I explain what I take to be its strengths in articulating an account of divine love that solves a variety of problems that classical theism cannot solve. Then I articulate a potential problem for Wessling’s account of divine love and hell.
For Love or Glory? A Response to Wessling’s Case for Amorism
Authors: Hess Keith ,   Evangelical Philosophical Society
Published: August 2022

In chapter 3 of Love Divine, Jordan Wessling argues against glorificationism, the view that God primarily created for the sake of his glory, and for amorism, that God created primarily out of love for creation. His arguments are based in both scripture and natural theology. In this paper, I offer reasons to think that Wessling’s arguments are not successful. I then suggest that we remain agnostic about God’s primary motivation for creating the world while still affirming that he was motivated by both self-glorification and love for creation.
Marx, Communism, and Basic Income
Authors: Kandiyali Jan ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: August 2022

Should Marxists support universal basic income (UBI), i.e., a regular cash income paid to all without a means test or work requirement? This paper considers one important argument that they should, namely that UBI would be instrumentally effective in helping to bring about communism. It argues that previous answers to this question have paid insufficient attention to a logically prior question: what is Marx’s account of communism? In reply, it distinguishes two different accounts: a left-libertarian version that associates communism with the freedom to live and work how one wants, and a perfectionist version that associates communism with the overcoming of alienated labour and self-realisation in work. It argues that UBI would make steps towards the left-libertarian account but not the perfectionist account. Ultimately, then, the question “should Marxists support basic income?” is shown to partly depend on which account of communism Marxists want to bring about.
The Influence of Bullying Victimization on Reactive Aggression among Upper Elementary School Students: The Mediating Effect of Victim Justice Sensitivity and the Moderating Effect of Negative Urgency
Authors: Sim Yei Rin , Park Ju Hee
Published: August 2022

This study examined the influence of bullying victimization on reactive aggression among upper elementary school students, and the mediating effect of victim justice sensitivity on the relationship between such victimization and aggression. It also investigated whether negative urgency moderates the influence of bullying victimization on reactive aggression. The participants were a group of 262 children (114 boys and 148 girls) who were fourth to sixth-grade students from 10 elementary schools located in Seoul, Gyeong-gi, and Daegu. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and SPSS Process Macro Model 5. The results were as follows: First, victim justice sensitivity mediated the influence of bullying victimization on reactive aggression among upper elementary school students. Second, negative urgency moderated the effect of bullying victimization on reactive aggression, whereas the impact of this was greater when the level of negative urgency was high. The results suggest that reactive aggression among upper elementary school students could be effectively decreased by preventing bullying victimization, and reducing the level of victim justice sensitivity and negative urgency.
Genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) across the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea by microsatellite DNA variation: implications for the division of management units
Authors: Zheng Jian , Yan Yunrong , Li Zhonglu , Song Na
Published: August 2022

The small yellow croaker,Larimichthys polyactis, is a commercial fish of the order Perciformes that mainly inhabit estuaries and coastal waters.In recent years, the resources and catch ofL. polyactishave undergone huge fluctuations. To detect genetic variations caused by the fluctuation of resources, genetic diversity ofL. polyactisin the coastal waters of China were analyzed in this study using microsatellite DNA marker. The results revealed high genetic diversity of this species. The STRUCTURE, DAPC andFSTresults all indicated that there was no genetic structure consistent with the distribution pattern. Overall, our main findings are in agreement with previous studies, indicating thatL. polyactisshowed high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation. Our results for high genetic connectivity amongL. polyactislocalities provide insights into the development of management strategies, that is, to manage this species as a single management unit.
Evaluation of Some Haemostatic Parameters among Cement Loaders in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Nyebuchi Jonathan , Adjekuko Collins Ohwonigho , Okur Adams Matthew , M. Eze Evelyn
Published: August 2022

Exposure to cement dust has been serious public health concern with increasing industrial activities in Port Harcourt. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of cement dust exposure on haemostatic parameters on cement loaders in Port Harcourt. A total of 200 healthy males were recruited for the study; 100 of which were cement loaders and the other 100 were individuals not exposed to cement dust. These subjects were selected randomly at different cement depot in Port Harcourt after consenting to participate in the study. Venous blood was called via venipuncture technique and 5 mls of blood was collected for the laboratory analysis of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), International normalized ratio (INR), D-Dimer, Von-Willebrand factor and fibrinogen. The result showed that there was a significant increase (p-value<0.05) in APTT, VWF, D-Dimer and fibrinogen levels in the cement exposed group but there was no significant difference in PT and INR levels in the exposed group (p-value>0.05). This study has shown that exposure to cement dust affects haemostasis among cement loaders in Port Harcourt.
The Profile Characteristics and the Level of Job Satisfaction of the Scientists Working in SKRAU and RAJUVAS Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Jaryal Rishi Dev , Jhajharia Arvind Kumar , Bhadwal Shiwani
Published: August 2022

Human Resource Management is an integral part of any organization pertaining to the management of human capital and their relationship with the enterprise. Its major objective is to pool together an effective organization of its employees who staff the organization and motivating each one of them to contribute their best to the success of the organization. In an enterprise, every single individual is important to it. Therefore, it becomes necessary to pay attention towards the feeling that an employee has towards his or her organization. For an organization to succeed, its employees must feel happy and satisfied at work. This is one of the most neglected aspects and not many studies have been done in order to elicit the attention towards how satisfied the employees of an organization are. This study takes into consideration two agricultural organizations: 1. Swami keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU) and 2. Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS) both located in the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan for assessment of Job satisfaction imperative to ascertain whether or not the scientists working under these universities are happy with their work environment. As respondents, 67 scientists from SKRAU and 53 scientists from RAJUVAS were selected by proportionate random sampling constituting a total of 120 respondents. Ex-post facto research design was used. An Interview schedule was prepared and the results of the study concluded that majority of the respondents were males, belonged to Middle age group, had Ph.D. as their highest educational qualification, medium level of annual income, medium level of job experience rural background, were married, living in nuclear families and in govt. quarters. Majority of them used own vehicle as the mode of transport and were Assistant Professors. Their job satisfaction was assessed in terms of three aspects: general determinants, administrative determinants and supportive determinants. Majority of the scientists were having medium level of satisfaction followed by high and low levels respectively.