bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribución y estado de conservación del cocodrilo americano (Crocodylidae: Crocodylus acutus) en El Salvador
Authors: Henríquez Vladlen , Aranda-Coello J. Manuel , Herrera Néstor
Published: May 2022

Introducción: El cocodrilo americano (Crocodylus acutus) es un depredador de alto nivel y puede ser considerado una especie clave en sus ecosistemas. Aunque la especie se ha estudiado a menudo en otros lugares, hay poca información sobre su distribución actual y estado poblacional en El Salvador. Objetivo: Actualizar la distribución geográfica y evaluar su estado de conservación en El Salvador. Métodos: Definimos un modelo de distribución potencial para nueve factores climáticos con DOMAIN, un programa de modelado bioclimático. La ubicación se recopiló a partir de la literatura; observaciones y fotografías de biólogos y guardabosques; y registros estatales. Definimos el estado con las directrices de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza. Resultados: El cocodrilo fue reportado en 40 localidades, incluyendo todos los departamentos de la zona costera y en embalses artificiales del centro del país. Existe una estrecha relación entre los registros y los sistemas hidrológicos de los ríos Lempa, Grande San Miguel y Goascorán. Los sitios con mayor número de registros son Bahía de La Unión, desembocadura del río Lempa y Barra de Santiago. La distribución potencial cubre el 29% del país, con solo el 8% en áreas protegidas. La especie se considera extinta en el lago Güija. Muchos ejemplares son trasladados para evitar accidentes con humanos. Conclusión: El cocodrilo se encuentra ampliamente distribuido en los sistemas fluviales de El Salvador, pero el manejo aún es necesario y debe mejorarse, abarcando la investigación, la educación y la protección.
Enhancing enterprise competitiveness and sustainability using eWOM: The case of Egypt
Authors: Fahmy May M. , Ragab Nada E.
Published: May 2022

The digital marketing transformation of the Internet has significantly experienced a paradigm shift, i.e., a transformation from a passive source of information to an interactive and engaging participatory web. This study demonstrates the ability of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) as a participatory web tool that enables enterprises to achieve profitable growth, resilience, business sustainability, and competitiveness, through developing operational strategy. This study adopts a conclusive descriptive cross-sectional survey research design, which allows the collection of quantitative data through structured questionnaires. The data were obtained from Egyptian social media users through a convenience sampling method. To test the hypotheses regression analysis was conducted. Results indicate that eWOM positively influences the brand image and purchase intention, which consequently enables the enterprises to achieve business sustainability. Accordingly, enterprises wanting to achieve strategic competitiveness must integrate social media into their marketing mix which would generate positive eWOM. Using convenience sampling might result in the inability to generalize the findings. This study is designed to study the effect of eWOM using social media platforms in general, however, future studies should replicate this study to specified types of different social media platforms, to identify which platform generates the highest impact. The proposed conceptual model tests a relationship that connects eWOM dimensions, namely, credibility, quality, and quantity, to purchase intention and brand image. There is lack of research in the Egyptian context on the implications of eWOM on enterprise competitiveness and sustainability
An Assessment of the Management of Dizzy Patients in a Specialist Multi-Disciplinary Clinic; The Impact of Effective Telephone Triage
Authors: Goodfellow Michael , Ivy Ashleigh , Arullendran Puveendran
Published: May 2022

Objectives Dizziness has a lifetime prevalence of 17 – 30%. These
symptoms have multiple aetiologies and can be difficult to diagnose in a
routine ENT clinic. Several units have established multi-disciplinary
‘Dizzy Clinics’ to standardise the management of complex patients. We
have developed a multi-disciplinary ‘Dizzy Clinic’ comprising clinicians
and allied healthcare professionals, which incorporates a telephone
triage service. Our service has been radically changed to triage
patients to either a rapid access 30-minute BPPV clinic, or a 1-hour
complex balance clinic and this study assesses the efficacy of our new
model. Methods We conducted a retrospective audit of 124 patients
referred to ‘generic’ ENT clinics for dizziness in 2019. This data was
used to implement a new service where patients would receive a telephone
triage before progressing to a multi-disciplinary clinic comprising
audiologists, physiotherapists, and ENT surgeons. We prospectively
re-audited 151 patients referred to this service in 2021. Results 40%
of patients referred with dizziness in 2019 did not require a
face-to-face appointment for an assessment of their dizziness. A
telephone triage introduced to our ‘Dizzy Clinic’ streamed only 35.8%
of referrals to a face-to-face appointment. 90% of face-to-face
appointments from the ‘Dizzy Clinic’ were performed by a non-ENT
surgeon. The ‘Dizzy Clinic’ showed more thorough and improved
examinations compared to the previous cycle, and 60% were discharged
from the ‘Dizzy Clinic’ after their first assessment, compared to 61%
in the previous cycle. Conclusions Our ‘Dizzy Clinic’ effectively
triages patients and enables a multi-disciplinary team to contribute to
the management of dizzy patients.
A high gain and wide output swing Folded Cascode dynamic amplifier for low power 1bit Quantization based delta sigma ADCs
Authors: Guo Yifu , Qiu Lei
Published: May 2022

A high gain and wide output swing dynamic amplifier is proposed for low
power single-loop 1-bit quantization based delta sigma ADCs, which
require wide output swing for integrator for achieving the required
bandwidth and resolution with low power and small area in sensor readout
and audio application. A dynamic folded cascode concept is proposed to
enlarge the output swing of the conventional cascode dynamic amplifier.
Additionally, a novel speed-enhancement technique and a low power common
mode detection circuit are proposed to reduce the power consumption of
the dynamic amplifier. Under 1.8V power supply in 180nm CMOS technology,
the proposed dynamic amplifier achieves 35dB with less than 1dB drop
over an output swing of 2.4V. The proposed dynamic amplifier consumes a
total power of 16μW at an operating frequency of 4MHz.
IoT BASED SALINE MONITORING SYSTEM
Authors: Murugesan Chengathir Selvi , Chitralekha R. , Ramya R.
Published: May 2022

With the increasing world population, the need for health
prevention is also increasing. In these recent years, there is a rapid
advancement in clinical care due to the technological advancements in
the various fields of sensors, micro-controllers, and computers for
assuring fast recovery of patients in the hospitals. The major and
crucial necessity of the hospitalized patients is that each patient
ought to be provided with a better treatment and observation and ought
to be provided the right measure of vital nutrition at the right time.
Saline solution is used for the covid patients to reduce the
inflammation in different parts of the body such as lungs, heart, kidney
and skin. Among the various treatments, the saline therapy is the
most important treatment that numerous patients receive from the
hospitals. Whenever a saline is fed to the patients, the patient needs
to be persistently administered by a nurse or a care-taker. But
unfortunately, there are some circumstances like patient’s blood flow
backwards into the saline tubing system. So countless patients are dying
or are being harmed in the hospitals. The most well-known effect of
saline fluid is that it increases the patient’s body temperature and
heart rate. The saline level monitoring and automatic alert system was
developed in order to protect the patient and to provide them with
safety during saline feeding hours.
Detergent Micelle Conjugates Containing Amino Acid Monomers Allow Purification of Human IgG near Neutral pH
Authors: Patchornik Guy , Dhandapani Gunasekaran , Wachtel Ellen
Published: May 2022

Industrial scale production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
is commonly achieved with Protein A chromatography, a process that
requires exposure of the antibody to strongly acidic conditions during
the eluting step. Exposure to acid inactivates virus contaminants but
may, in parallel, lead to antibody aggregation that must be eliminated
or kept at acceptably low levels. This report seeks to provide a
practical method for overcoming a long-standing problem. We show how
Brij-O20 detergent micelles, conjugated by the amphiphilic
[(bathophenanthroline)3:Fe2+] complex in the presence of amino acid
monomers: phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp),
isoleucine (Ile) or valine (Val), efficiently capture polyclonal human
IgG (hIgG) at neutral pH and allow its recovery by extraction either at
pH 4 (85-97% yield) or at pH 6.3 (72-84% yield). Of the five amino
acid monomers surveyed, Phe or Tyr produced the highest overall process
yield at both pH 4 and 6.3. The monomeric state of the purified hIgG’s
was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Potential advantages of
the purification method are discussed.
ESTIMATION OF PRECISION IN FAKE NEWS DETECTION USING NOVEL BERT ALGORITHM AND COMPARISON WITH RANDOM FOREST.
Authors: Murugesan Sudhakar , K.P Kaliyamurthie
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to improve prediction rate with a novel
model of bidirectional encoder representations for transformers (BERT)
compared with random forest algorithms. A dataset of size 1100 is used
to compare Novel BERT’s performance with Random Forests. With Random
Forest, a framework for identifying fake news in electronic media
networks is proposed. clinical calculates a sample size of 20 according
to the framework. With regard to Precision rate, the Novel Bert
algorithm beats the Random Forest algorithm by 8.33%. In comparison to
the random forest algorithm, BERT achieves a rate of 0.002 that is
significantly better than it. It is concluded that the novel BERT
algorithm outperforms Random Forest in the prediction of fake news in
this study.
Foliar water uptake in Pinus species depends on needle age and stomatal wax structures
Authors: Roth-Nebelsick Anita , Hacke Uwe , Voigt Dagmar , Schreiber Stefan G. , Krause Matthias
Published: May 2022

The uptake of water through leaves is commonly referred to as foliar
water uptake (FWU). The phenomenon has been documented in many species
and is increasingly recognized as a non-trivial factor in plant-water
relations. However, it remains unknown whether FWU is a wide-spread
phenomenon in Pinus species, and how it may relate to needle
traits such as the form and structure of stomatal wax plugs. Here we
studied these questions in current-year and one-year old needles of
seven Pinus species. We analyzed the surface and stomatal
structure with cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we
considered the effect of artificial wax erosion by application of the
surfactant Triton X-100, which is able to alter wax
crystals. The results show for all species 1) that FWU occurred, 2) that
FWU is higher in old needles compared to young needles, and 3) that
there is substantial erosion of stomatal wax plugs in old needles.
Additionally, FWU in young needles was enhanced by the surfactant
treatment, and was highest in P. canariensis showing a thin wax
plug. The results of this study provide evidence 1) for widespread FWU
in Pinus and 2) for the influence of age-related needle surface
erosion on FWU.
Human land use masks the effects of warming in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Morris Olivia , Loewen Charlie , Woodward Guy , Schaefer Ralf , Piggott Jeremy , Vinebrooke Rolf , Jackson Michelle
Published: May 2022

Climate warming is a ubiquitous stressor in freshwater ecosystems, yet
its interactive effects with other stressors are poorly understood. We
address this by testing the ability of three contrasting null models to
predict the joint impacts of warming and a second stressor using a new
database of 296 experimental combinations. Despite concerns that
stressors will interact to cause synergisms, we found that net impacts
were best explained by the effect of the stronger stressor (the
dominance null model), especially if it was associated with human land
use. Prediction accuracy depended on stressor identity and the magnitude
of asymmetry between their effects. These findings suggest we can often
effectively forecast impacts of multiple stressors by focusing on the
stronger stressor, as habitat alteration and contamination often
override the biological consequences of higher temperatures in
freshwater ecosystems.
Identification and characterization of select oxysterols as ligands for Gpr17
Authors: Harrington Anthony , Liu Changlu , Phillips Naomi , Nepomuceno Diane , Kuei Chester , Chang Joseph , Chen Weixuan , Sutton Steven , O'malley Daniel , Pham Ly , Yao Xiang , Sun Siquan , Bonaventure Pascal
Published: May 2022

Abstract Background and Purpose: Gpr17 is an orphan receptor involved in
the process of myelination due to its ability to inhibit the maturation
of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into myelinating oligodendrocytes.
Despite multiple claims that the biological ligand has been identified,
it remains an orphan receptor. Experimental Approach: Seventy-seven
oxysterols were screened in a cell-free [35S]- GTPgS binding assay
using membranes from cells expressing Gpr17. The positive hits were
characterised using cAMP, IP1, and calcium mobilisation assays, with
results confirmed in rat primary oligodendrocytes. Rat and pig brain
extracts were separated by HPLC chromatography and endogenous
activator(s) were identified in receptor activation assays. Gene
expression studies of Gpr17 and Cyp46a1, the enzymes responsible for the
conversion of cholesterol into specific oxysterols, were performed using
quantitative real time PCR. Key Results: Eight oxysterols were able to
stimulate Gpr17 activity, including the brain cholesterol,
24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. A specific brain fraction from rat and pig
extracts containing 24S-HC activates Gpr17 in vitro assays. Expression
of Gpr17 during mouse brain development correlates with the expression
of Cyp46a1 and the levels of 24S-HC itself. Other active oxysterols have
low brain concentrations below effective ranges. Conclusions and
Implications: Oxysterols, including but not limited to 24S-HC, could be
physiological activators for Gpr17 and thus potentially regulate OPC
differentiation and myelination through activation of the receptor.
African Swine Fever Virus load in hematophagous dipterans collected in outbreaks from Romania: risk factors and implications
Authors: OM Balmoș , A Supeanu , P Tamba , C Horváth , Panait Luciana Cătălina , Cazan Cristina Daniela , Ungur * , M Motiu , FA Manita , BC Ancuceanu , F Bărbuceanu , Dhollander Sofie , Mihalca Andrei
Published: May 2022

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of suids
that causes significant economic damage. The summer peaks and river
courses have triggered the hypothesis that vectors may be involved in
the transmission of the virus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the
risk factors associated with the presence of ASFV DNA in hematophagous
dipterans and to analyze the relevance of Ct values of the positive
samples in ASF outbreaks in Romania, as an indication for the viral
load. The current study included 99 pools of stable flies (
Stomoxys calcitrans) and 278 pools of biting midges (
Culicoides spp.), collected in June-September 2020, from 30
outbreaks of ASF in domestic swine from backyard farms (BF), type A
farms (TAF) and commercial farms (CF). All extracted DNA was tested for
the presence of ASFV genome using a real-time PCR protocol. Ct values of
39.53 and below were considered as positive. The blood meal source was
identified in the hematophagous insects by using a PCR protocol
targeting the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Data
were analyzed using R software v. 4.0.5. In total, 2978 insects (
S. calcitrans n= 198 and Culicoides n=2780) were collected
in 19 outbreaks out of the 30 sampled farms. Ten species of biting
midges were identified. The total number of insect pools showed
significant differences according to the month of sampling, with a
higher number of pools collected in August and September. Overall, 137
pools out of the 377 examined were positive for the presence of ASFV
DNA. There was a higher viral DNA load in farms where pigs were present
at the moment of sampling compared to farms where pigs were already
culled, in S. calcitrans compared to Culicoides spp. and
in CF and TAF compared to BF.
Storage variability controls seasonal runoff generation in catchments at the threshold between energy and water limitation
Authors: Grande Emilio , Zimmer Margaret , Mallard John
Published: May 2022

Using annual water balance analyses may mask intra-annual variability in
runoff generation, which could limit our understanding of the
similarities and differences between water- and energy-limited
catchments. This may be especially limiting in comparisons between
catchments close to the threshold between water- and energy-limitation.
For this study, we examined runoff generation as a function of catchment
storage in four watersheds, with focus on two that exist close to these
thresholds to identify how year-to-year variability in storage resulted
in intra-annual variations of runoff generation efficiency.
Specifically, we focused on one energy-limited catchment in the humid
subtropics and one water-limited in a Mediterranean climate. We used
measured and calculated daily water balance components to calculate
variations in the relative magnitude of daily storage. We isolated
precipitation events to draw connections between storage and runoff
generation at intra-annual scales and compared our findings to the same
metrics in two intensely energy-limited landscapes. We observed distinct
stages in daily storage across water years in watersheds at the
threshold, where systems experienced wet-up, plateau, and dry-down
stages. During the wet-up, precipitation was partitioned to storage, and
runoff ratios ( RR) were low. In the plateau, storage was filled,
precipitation was partitioned to runoff, causing high RRs. During
the dry-down, storage decreased as precipitation was partitioned to
evapotranspiration and runoff, causing low RRs. The critical role
of evapotranspiration during the growing season resulted in relatively
higher RRs during the wet-up than during the dry-down for a given
storage value. Thus the same storage amount was partitioned to
evapotranspiration or runoff differently throughout the year, depending
on the storage stage. Despite their different positions on opposite
sides of the threshold, the similarity between the two focus catchments
suggests a potential characteristic behavior of systems at the threshold
common to both humid and semi-arid landscapes.
Flow parameters in an unpressurized circular right-angle elbow under secondary flow propagation
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Li Jie , He Linpo , Wang Huiliang , Faisal Muhammad , Zhang Yisheng
Published: May 2022

The secondary flow is deflected under pressure and superimposed on the
main flows. This research investigated its characteristics, including
velocity gradient, vorticity, shear stress, and Reynolds stress in
unpressurized circular pipes, through physical experiments and
Computational Fluid Dynamics numerical simulations. Combining numerical
simulations with the physical experiments under three flow rates (30 m
/h, 35 m /h, and 40 m
/h) and width–perimeter ratios (
W = 0.43, 0.4, and 0.35), the experimental data
demonstrate the secondary-flow propagation in unpressurized circular
pipes. The secondary flows manifest as deviations of velocities,
substitutions of secondary vortices, and flips of shear stresses, which
present decay tendencies and are negligible at 52 times the pipe
diameter. The secondary flows are driven by the velocity gradient or
Reynolds stress, the dominance of which shifts with the increase of
diffusion distance. The secondary flow turbulence is reduced and
smoothing when the width–perimeter ratio reaches a threshold
(approximately W = 0.40) because of Dean
vortices collisional depletion.
Analysis of Drainage Efficiency under Extreme Precipitation Events Based on Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Wang Huiliang , Li Hao , Faisal Muhammad , Zhang Yisheng
Published: May 2022

The recent increase in extreme climatic phenomena has gradually
attracted the attention of researchers regarding urban flooding. This
paper used a hydrological model combined with the Computational Fluid
Dynamics software to assess the drainage efficiency, predict the
hydrological processes under different precipitation intensities and
establish the relationship between rainfall intensity and inundation
depth under extreme rainstorm events. The study proposed several
thresholds such as specific rainfall intensities (that is, RI
and RI ), drainage efficiency,
and the limited flow rate of pipes. Based on 2021 July 20, 0:00 to 24:00
precipitation monitoring data from the “7.20 Zhengzhou Rainstorm
Extreme Event”, the relationship between rainfall intensity and
road-pipe overflow patterns was determined by analyzing these thresholds
for different drainpipe diameters and spacings of catchment wells. The
results demonstrated the evaluation parameters varied with rainfall
intensities and pipe characteristics and revealed the main limitation of
drainage efficiency and flow rate of drainpipes. The simulation helped
the drainage systems design for different precipitations and proposed
several relative suggestions for drainage-system improvements, wherein
the diameter of the branch pipes plays a dominant role in coping with
extreme rainstorm events.
Hough transform for lines with slope defined by a pair of co-primes
Authors: Chmielewski Leszek , Orłowski Arkadiusz
Published: May 2022

Data structure and Hough-type algorithm suitable for finding the lines having the slope exactly specified by the ratio of small co-prime numbers is proposed. It is suitable for analysing images like the Ulam square in which the points representing prime numbers form such structures as contiguous lines and other regular sequences of points. This analysis is different from that in the case of images in which the real-world objects are represented approximately. Until now in the Ulam square the horizontal and vertical sequences, and those inclined by 45 deg were typically analysed. With the proposed method the sequences having slopes represented by such tangents like 1/3, 2/3, 3/4 etc. can be looked for.
Visualization of nonlocality in coupled map lattices
Authors: Janowicz Maciej , Kaleta Joanna , Orłowski Arkadiusz , Wrzeciono Piotr , Zembrzuski Andrzej
Published: May 2022

Numerical simulations of coupled map lattices with various degree of nonlocality have been performed. Quantitative characteristics of recently introduced for local coupling have been applied in the nonlocal case. It has been attempted to draw qualitative conclusions about nonlocality from the emerging pictures.
Improved gender classification using Discrete Wavelet Transform and hybrid Support Vector Machine
Authors: Walczak Jakub , Wojciechowski Adam
Published: May 2022

Gender recognition, across different races and regardless of age, is becoming an increasingly important technology in the domains of marketing, human-computer interaction and security. Most state-of-the-art systems consider either highly constrained conditions or relatively large databases. In either case, often not enough attention is paid to cross-racial age-invariant applications. This paper proposes a~method of hybrid classification, which performs well even with a small training set. The design of the classifier enables the construction of reliable decision boundaries insensitive to an aging model as well as to race variation. For a training set consisting of one hundred images, the proposed method reached an accuracy level of 90%, whereas the best method known from the literature, tested under the restrictions imposed on the database, achieved only 78% accuracy.
Plasma ApoM levels and Progression to Kidney Dysfunction in Type 1 Diabetics
Authors: Baker Nathaniel L , Hammad Samar M , Hunt Kelly J , Semler Andrea , Klein Richard L , Lopes-Virella Maria F
Published: May 2022

  

Apolipoprotein M (apoM), primarily carried by HDL, has been associated with several conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetic nephropathy. This study proposes to examine whether plasma apoM levels are associated with the development of diabetic kidney disease, assessed as progression to macroalbuminuira and chronic kidney disease.

Plasma apoM was measured using an enzyme immunoassay in 386 subjects from the DCCT/EDIC cohort at DCCT entry and closeout and the concentrations used to determine the association with risk of progression to kidney dysfunction from the time of measurement through 18 years of EDIC follow-up. 

ApoM levels, at DCCT baseline, were higher in patients who developed CKD than in those who retained normal renal function. At DCCT closeout, participants who progressed to MA, CKD or both MA and CKD had also significantly higher apoM levels than those who remained normal and increased levels of apoM were associated with increased risk of progression to both MA [RR=1.30 (95% CI=1.01,1.66)] and CKD [RR=1.69 (95% CI=1.18,2.44)].

Our results strongly suggest that alterations in Apo M and therefore in the composition and function of HDL in type 1 diabetes is present early in the disease process and it is associated with the development of nephropathy.
Diseño, construcción y validación de componentes estructurales de una aeronave liviana categoría VLA para su uso en aspersión aérea
Authors: Rios-Chaparro Carlos , Quintero-Arboleda Brian , Ortega Ivan , Jaramillo-Suárez Héctor , G. Zambrano
Published: May 2022

Este artículo presenta el cálculo, diseño, simulación y validación de los componentes estructurales del prototipo de la aeronave liviana CVAC-001 categoría VLA para uso en aspersión aérea. La reglamentación establecida por la EASA-ADOA (Alternative Design Organization Approval) se definió en el proyecto como modelo de diseño del prototipo de la aeronave para lograr su garantía o aseguramiento. Para el proceso de cálculo, diseño, simulación y validación de los componentes estructurales, se escogieron dos lados de la cuaderna de carga y el conjunto de los tres componentes que la conforman. La simulación por elementos finitos para el estudio estático de esfuerzos, pandeo y los ensayos de validación de la cuaderna de carga permiten concluir que para los componentes analizados se cumple el criterio de factibilidad de diseño.
Reactivation of Dormant Tibial Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis after 17 Years: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Fryer Callum
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of osteomyelitis with significant morbidity and mortality outcomes. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis reactivation years after the primary episode are a well-known phenomenon. However, there are few case reports documenting dormant MRSA osteomyelitis recurrence years later. Our case report of dormant MRSA tibial osteomyelitis reactivation after 17-years, represents one of the longest documented recurrence intervals from initial bout of MRSA, as well as, the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges involved. Case report: A 55-year-old male reports suffering a Gustilo & Anderson grade 1 open left tibial plafond fracture in 2004 that was managed with wound debridement and Taylor Spatial Frame. Initial management was with debridement and primary closure of the wound and application of a Taylor spatial frame (TSF) as definitive management of the fracture. One month following application of the frame, the patient reports he suffered a pin site infection. This was developed into MRSA osteomyelitis. The wound underwent surgical debridement and once the fracture was consolidated enough at three months, removal of external frame and intramedullary reaming and irrigation was performed. No further soft tissue coverage was required. The patient was treated with a prolonged course of intravenous vancomycin, followed by oral clindamycin. Since this episode, the patient has been asymptomatic and denied any further hospitalisations with return to full function without limitations. The patient does not report any recurrent wounds, discharge, sinus or pain. Seventeen years later, after a closed to the knee, the patient present febrile with knee pain. He was found to have MRSA tibial osteomyelitis, predominantly within the proximal tibia. This was treated with targeted surgical debridement, local antibiotics via an antibiotic impregnated cement nail and prolonged antibiotics. The patient has remained asymptomatic with apparent resolution of infection 6-months post treatment. Conclusion: Our case report represents one of the longest document recurrence intervals of MRSA. Patients with MRSA osteomyelitis should have appropriate treatment and follow-up with orthopaedic surgeons and infectious disease physicians to monitor disease progression and to ensure resolution of the infection.
Panton-Valentine Leucocidin-Positive Staphylococcus Aureus Gonarthritis in a Healthy Adult Leads To Fulminant Sepsis with Multiple Metastatic Soft Tissue Infection and Necessity of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Berk Till
Published: May 2022

Background: Infections with Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) are often complicated by necrotizing pneumonia, myositis and osteomyelitis. Case Description: We describe a 50 years old, previously healthy male which presented a severe infection with PVL-positive, methicillin- susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) in his left knee after returning from China. He developed a fulminant sepsis with necrotizing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute renal failure and multiple soft tissue abscesses. Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was needed for five days. The patient recovered after multiple surgical interventions and long-term antibiotic treatment and eventually returned to work five months after initial admission. Conclusion: While most staphylococcal skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) show a favorable outcome, SSTI caused by PVL- positive bacteria can lead to fulminant and fatal disease manifestations. Immunocompetent individuals are equally affected as immunocompromised ones. Early suspicion, surgical intervention with debridement and drainage of abscess formations are of key importance in concert with appropriate antibiotic therapy without delay. Imaging should be done to identify clinically silent foci.
Recycling Potential for Waste Electric Vehicle Lithium - ion Batteries in China
Authors: W He
Published: May 2022

The number of waste EV LIBs (electric vehicle lithium - ion batteries) has been increasing in China. Reasonable disposal of waste EV LIBs has becoming a new research hotspot. In this paper, the current status of the generation of waste EV LIBs of China is analyzed, and the treatment strategy and recycling market potential of waste EV LIBs are introduced. And some recommendat ions were given for the existing problems in the waste EV LIBs recycling market.
Waste Desalination Streams, Pre - Salt and Energy Genesis, Replenishing Oil, Gas Salt Diapirs in “Salt Mirror Petroleum Formations" - 40 Years in Retrospect, and Ancient Qanat Karez Mineral Salt Leaching Technology
Authors: Bloch David
Published: May 2022

The Geology Of “Salt Mirrors” a s t he Responsible Hydraulic Mechanisms Enabling t he Disappearance o f Heavy Saline Waste Fluids, a nd Other Waste Toxic Sediments i nto Deep Land a nd Ocean Aquifers. A hydraulic mechanism which dissolves salt to form so - called “ salt mirrors” results in exceptionally flat geological expanses of wetland, for example, suitable for solar evaporation pans. Whether initially in the form of evaporates, eutectic deposits, domes or other rock salt diapirs, the mechanism is proposed to be responsible for transporting most waste organic and inorganic debris into very deep aquifers in the water table: Specifically the interface of fresh water and heavy saturated brines in the water table initiates powerful horizontal and vertical liquid strea ms which are capable of collecting most sediment waste material and concentrating it into heavy gradient saline pools. Based on observations made in 1953 and presented to the 4th Salt Symposium Ohio USA by M.R.Bloch, it is also proposed that this mechanism is responsible for the slurry concentrating function of huge quantities of decomposed biodiversity waste and transporting it to such subterranean reservoirs where it subsequently is transformed into crude petroleum. Historically this mechanism became natu re's process of recycling waste to very great depths in the Earth's aquifers. It could also become the obvious destination for toxic RO reject brine. During mankind’s short industrial timeline, raw chemical and even nuclear waste has been added to the equa tion and it is estimated that as this very deep interface of water and saturated brine rises together with the water table, and that it may percolate up through these same aquifers. This will be particularly true in the event that the water table raises du e to predicted increased eustatic sea levels. Salt - driven wetlands and other historical saline concentrations and salt deposits are an integral part of the process in this mechanism and therefore careful control of these saline streams at their point of ev olution must become a priority to sustaining such wetland sub oceanic ecosystems.
Thermal Assessment of a New Bio - Based Insulation Material
Authors: M Khoukhi
Published: May 2022

In recent times, the building sector is moving towards new approaches to energy - efficient design "low energy consumption". The development of bio - based thermal insulation materials contributes to such approaches; their implementation in the building gives a good result in a reduction of energy demand. Moreover, another beneficial environmental portion such as the reduction in the depletion of non - renewable resources and in waste generation. Using thermal insulation in the building envelope can substantially reduce the building's thermal load and consequently its energy consumption. Thermal insulation is organic or inorganic material, manufactured to reduce the propagation of the heat by a combined heat transfer (i.e., conduction, convection, and radiation). More advanced insulation materials have been recently developed. However, most of the available insulations are not eco - friendly and may require a huge amount of energy and complex manufacturing processes to be produced. Some commercialized bio - based therm al insulation materials are currently available, such as industrial fibers hemp, flax, kenaf. Also, recently some researches are conducted to develop thermal food - crop by - product insulation from palm date, pin apple leaves and rice husk. However, productio n cost and lower thermal resistance are the main correlated issues. A new cheap bio - insulation material with huge commercialization potential and environmental footprint is proposed. The main idea of running a project is to develop a new material, which is environmentally friendly insulation from grain. The early experiments of the insulation product showed a similar or even better thermal performance that could compete with common insulation materials such as polystyrene.
Waste as a Metaphor: Contextualism of a Human and Social Risks. Toward a Sociology of Wastes
Authors: R Federici
Published: May 2022

The complex frame of interpretation that arises from waste production as a cultural problem is here observed as a social fact and as a metaphor. Waste constitutes a real world, complex and symmetrical to that of consumptions: a world which, behind the mirror in which the consumer civilization loves to reflects and become aware of it, gives us back the truest nature of the risks that populate our daily lives.
Identification of the Problems Induced by the Informal Districts of the Commune of Ziguinchor (Senegal) and Analysis of their Social and Environmental Impacts
Authors: C Idrissa
Published: May 2022

Ziguinchor, like the rest of African cities, has experienced rapid urbanization in this last years, determined by a strong demographic increase which is out of step with the urban planning capacities of the public authorities. That creates an expansion of informal districts. The creation and development of these informal districts are left to their own devices by the authorities, who refuse to condone the illegal occupation of the lands. These letters must resort to individual practices to face the problems of basic infrastructure, sanitation ... However, these unsuitable practices are sometimes likely to provide lasting solutions to the problems posed. They neither ensure an improvement of living conditions, but damage the environment of these neighborhoods. This article, based on the literary review, qualitative and quantitative surveys and interviews, aims to highlight the interactions between the problems induced by the informal districts of Ziguinchor city and their social and environmental consequences. The results show that informal districts suffer from a lack of public lighting, drinking water supply and sanitation; second, they reveal that the discharge of wastewater on the ground (90%) and the method of burning (87%) are the main methods for treating solid and liquid waste; and finally, they attest that physical and land insecurity, esthetic and olfactory nuisances as well as pollution of the groundwater are the impacts with which the populations of the informal districts are confronted.
The Effects of Silicon Content in Rice Husk Biochar of Southern Taiwan on the Germination of Corn Seeds ( Zea mays L.)
Authors: OV Milla
Published: May 2022

To our knowledge, not many investigations about this topic were done in Southern Taiwan where the potential of rice residues from agriculture fields is abundant. Our purpose for those rice residues is to transform them into biochar. Our experiment was conducted in Southern Taiwan, where we studied the characteristics of biochar made from rice husks, applying different types of combustion and temperatures as well their effects on corn ( Zea mays L.) seed germination. The experimental trial was composed of seven (7) different treatments including the application of rice husk, rice husk biochar, chemical fertilizer, and soil. The biochar treatments used a mixture of 50% biochar and 50% soil to balance the quantities of rice husk biochar that could be incorporated into clayey soils. The effect of biochar application on corn growth was evaluated. Results showed that silicon content in rice husk biochar can inhibit seed germination linearly. Silicon in this study was found to be harmful significantly to corn seed germination when Si content in rice husk biochar was higher than 25 to 30 wt% indicating that increased levels of silicic acid and quantities of the amendment above 8-10 ton per hectare reduce the germination rate.
An Autopsy of Housing Challenges in Urban Maiduguri
Authors: KF Nkwocha
Published: May 2022

Housing challenge is no doubt among the greatest urbanization problems faced by most cities in the developing world. The nature and type of accommodation an individual lives in, indicates his ranking in the society. The focal point of this study, is to examine the housing challenges in Maiduguri urban, Borno State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey method of research through observation, questionnaire schedule and interviews with heads of households. A sample size of 200 respondents was purposively selected for this study while the simple random sampling method was employed in the selection of the four districts used in data collection. 200 questionnaires were randomly administered at an interval of 10 houses. Results indicated that majority of residents are tenants and are unhappy with the unhealthy environment they live in. The study recommended establishment of satellite towns, total removal of bottle necks in land acquisition, development of infrastructure to attract private developers amongst others.
Concrete Pump Transport of Concrete Mixes
Authors: AY Gorodishenina
Published: May 2022

The article presents a study of innovative materials in the field of highly mobile and cast concrete mixtures using pipeline transport. The studies were carried out on mixtures with a complex additive based on S-3 superplasticizer. The complex included a plasticizing-air-entraining additive LHD with an air-entraining effect. Studies of the effects of S-3 and LHD additives on the construction and technical properties were carried out on mixtures with different cement flow rates and the same initial mobility. Studies of the rheological parameters of the mixtures were carried out using the mathematical theory of experimental design; measurements of resistivities were performed depending on the flow velocity. The result of the work is a linear dependence of the change in resistivities along the length and height.
The Chemical Change of the Ash Components through Phosphorus Recovery of Dehydrated Sludge by Incineration using Alkali Metal Compounds
Authors: M Takahashi
Published: May 2022

In order to recover phosphorus from the wastewater sludge, the dehydrated sludge was mixed with the reagent of NaOH, KOH or Na 2 CO 3 , and incinerated at 750 °C or 900 °C. Phosphorus in the incinerated ash of the sludge was dissolved by the addition of the hot water, and recovered by the evaporation of the extract. The recovered phosphorus was confirmed to be an alkali metal phosphate, and the recovery rate reached about 75% regardless in these reagents (NaOH, KOH or Na 2 CO 3 ). The chemical change of the ash components were also found through phosphorus recovery.
Pengaruh Kemarau terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Tujuh Klon Kakao
Authors: Sugiatno Sugiatno , Hansyah Ali Fitrah , Evizal Rusdi , Ramadiana Sri
Published: May 2022

Long droughts and high rainfall as a result of climate change have an effect on reducing cocoa yields. This study aimed to study the effect of the 2019 drought on the growth and production of seven cocoa clones. The research was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 in Cibinong Village, Way Ratai District, using a Randomized Block Design (RAK) with 3 replications and treatment of seven cocoa clones, namely BCL clones, BL 50, MCC 02, Sul 1, Sul 2, ICCRI 01, and ICCRI 03. The cacao plants used were 5 years old after side grafting using rootstocks of local varieties from seeds, with a monoculture planting system. The results showed that in 2019 Lampung Province experienced a long dry season with 7 dry months, namely from May to November, with a total rainfall of 1718 mm, and in August and September it did not rain at all. Clones had an effect on the number of cocoa leaves in November and February, but had no significant effect on the number of leaf flushes, number of flowers, number of pistils, and number of fruit. Long drought reduced leaf flush count, flower count, pistil number, and the number of small, medium, and large fruit. The long drought caused minor crop failures in the current year (in October) and major crop failures the following year (April). Key words : Cacao, clone, drought, growth, production
Schulische Vermittlung fremdsprachlicher Lesekompetenz im DaF-Unterricht der Sekundarstufe I
Authors: Lehrner-Te Lindert Elisabeth
Published: May 2022

On this basis of the data collected and analyzed in my dissertation, this article discusses what added value literary texts could have for reading comprehension in German as a foreign language teaching at secondary level I. It displays the effect of an intensive literature-based foreign language teaching on reading comprehension. We investigated whether students’ reading skills improve when the regular German curriculum is partially replaced by an intensive lit4erature programme. For two years, six schools participated in the study, resulting in a total of 12 classes. Each school had an experimental group and a control group. In the experimental groups, approximately 30 lessons were replaced by an intensive literature programme, while the control groups follow the regular curriculum. At the beginning and at the end of the school year, all pupils took reading comprehension tests. The results show that in both cohorts, pupils in all experimental groups are more proficient in reading than those in the regular curriculum.
From the GOELRO Plan to the Global Electric Power Internet
Authors:   Melentiev Energy Systems Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ESI SB RAS), VOROPAY Nikolay I.
Published: May 2022

The GOELRO Plan adopted 100 years ago is briefly characterized, and the importance and necessity of its adoption under the conditions of post-revolution devastation and foreign intervention are substantiated. It is pointed out that the scales of the modern electric power industry are incommensurable with those the plan developers imagined in their dreams. The article tells about the establishment of large state, interstate, and intercontinental electric power systems and pools that make it possible to usefully utilize the system effects, which are profitable to all participants of the pools. It is pointed out that radical changes have occurred in the technology of energy generation, transmission, distribution, storage, and consumption, and also that transformations have occurred in the structure and properties of the systems. Digitalization of the systems implies improvement in the efficiency of production processes and development of new software products to perform control of substations, regional networks, etc. The future electric power systems will acquire the response of well-developed intelligent cyber-physical systems operating on the principles of electric power internet.
First records of lichenised and lichenicolous fungi for the lichen flora of Russia and Eastern Europe
Authors:   Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems, FRC «Kola Science Centre of RAS», Urbanavichus Gennadii P. , Urbanavichene Irina N. ,   Komarov Botanical Institute of RAS
Published: May 2022

Noteworthy findings of two lichen species and four lichenicolous fungi are presented. Two species, Celothelium ischnobelum collected from the Nizhnii Novgorod Region and Opegrapha reactiva from the Murmansk Region, are reported for the first time for Russia and Eastern Europe. Four species, Arthonia destruens, Lichenochora galligena, and Schizoxylon albescens collected in the Nizhnii Novgorod Region, and Sphaeropezia cucularis in the Murmansk Region, are new for European Russia. The genus Celothelium is reported for the first time for Russia.