bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogeographic factors contributing to the diversification of Euphoniinae (Aves, Passeriformes, Fringillidae): a phylogenetic and ancestral areas analysis
Authors: Vázquez-López Melisa , Ramírez-Barrera Sandra M. , Terrones-Ramírez Alondra K. , Robles-Bello Sahid M. , Nieto-Montes de Oca Adrián , Ruegg Kristen , Hernández-Baños Blanca E.
Published: January 2024

Factors such as the Andean uplift, Isthmus of Panama, and climate changes have influenced bird diversity in the Neotropical region. Studying bird species that are widespread in Neotropical highlands and lowlands can help us understand the impact of these factors on taxa diversification. Our main objectives were to determine the biogeographic factors that contributed to the diversification of Euphoniinae and re-evaluate their phylogenetic relationships. The nextRAD and mitochondrial data were utilized to construct phylogenies. The ancestral distribution range was then estimated using a time-calibrated phylogeny, current species ranges, and neotropical regionalization. The phylogenies revealed two main Euphoniinae clades, Chlorophonia and Euphonia, similar to previous findings. Furthermore, each genus has distinctive subclades corresponding to morphology and geography. The biogeographic results suggest that the Andean uplift and the establishment of the western Amazon drove the vicariance of Chlorophonia and Euphonia during the Miocene. The Chlorophonia lineage originated in the Andes mountains and spread to Central America and the Mesoamerican highlands after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. Meanwhile, the ancestral area of Euphonia was the Amazonas, from which it spread to trans-Andean areas during the Pliocene and Pleistocene due to the separation of the west lowlands from Amazonas due to the Northern Andean uplift. Chlorophonia and Euphonia species migrated to the Atlantic Forest during the Pleistocene through corridors from the East Andean Humid Forest and Amazonas. These two genera had Caribbean invasions with distinct geographic origins and ages. Finally, we suggested taxonomic changes in the genus Euphonia based on the study’s phylogenetic, morphological, and biogeographic findings.
Retinal and Conjunctival Vessels in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Behcet's Disease: A New Approach
Authors: Xiong Jiangbiao , Peng Yilin , Yu Shujiao , Liu Pengcheng , Huang Bozhi , Kang Min , Shao Yi , Wu Rui
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective:

The study aimed to investigate the alterations of retinal and conjunctival vessels in patients with Behcet's disease (BD).

Patients and Methods:

In this case-control study, 17 patients (34 eyes) diagnosed with BD and 17 healthy volunteers (34 eyes) matched by age, sex, blood pressure, and intraocular pressure were recruited. Optical coherence tomography angiography examinations were performed to calculate the vessel density of the retina and conjunctiva according to different sizes of vessels and different zones divided by three segmentation methods of the retina: hemispheric segmentation, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, and central annulus segmentation.

Results:

The vessel densities of the superficial macrovascular (
P
= 0.050), superficial microvascular (
P
< 0.001), superficial total microvascular (
P
< 0.001), deep total microvascular (
P
< 0.001), and deep total microvascular (
P
< 0.001) were significantly lower in the BD group. The conjunctival vessel density was significantly higher in the BD group (
P
< 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of vessel density of the superior right (0.993, 95% CI 0.980–1) and right zones (0.996, 95% CI 0.987–1) were the largest in the superficial and deep retina, respectively. Otherwise, the area under the curve of conjunctival vessel density was 0.728 (95% CI 0.607–0.848).

Conclusions:

In patients with BD, retinal vessel density decreases, while conjunctival vessel density increases. Optical coherence tomography angiography provides a new noninvasive and quantitative assessment for retinal and conjunctival vessels.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:13–21.]
Free-Floating Pigmented Vitreous Cysts: Clinical-Histopathologic Correlation
Authors: Cao Jessica A. , Dubovy Sander R. , Fan Kenneth C. , Parvus Matthew N. , Fortun Jorge A. , Wykoff Charles C.
Published: January 2024

Free-floating, pigmented vitreous cysts were documented in two patients. In a 15-year-old girl with intermittent symptoms, a 2.4-mm cyst was observed; origin was attributed to prior trauma, and clinical observation was pursued. In a 35-year-old woman with progressive symptoms, a 11.5-mm cyst was observed; origin was attributed to a history of multiple ocular surgical interventions, and surgical excision by pars plana vitrectomy was performed.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
2024;55:55–58.]
Annual Report 2023
Authors: AIMS Materials Science Editorial Office
Published: January 2024

This editorial note is dedicated to the 2023 Journal report of AIMS Materials Science, which was run by AIMS Press. After a brief summary about the annual development in 2023, future developments of the journal in 2024 are proposed. In 2023, AIMS Materials Science received its first Impact Factor (1.8). In addition, based on the Scopus database of Elsevier, the CiteScore of AIMS Materials Science has been increased from 3.3 to 4.2.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, International Orientation, and Performance in Technology-Based Companies
Authors: Brás Gonçalo Rodrigues , Preto Miguel Torres
Published: January 2024

This chapter presents an integrative perspective of the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), international orientation (IO), and performance in the sector of technology-based companies (TBCs) in Portugal. Within the framework of the dynamic capabilities view, the main objectives are to shed light on how EO contributes to the IO and performance of TBCs and how IO contributes to their performance. Based on 253 responses, the relationships between variables were established through a covariance-based structural equation modelling. The results indicate that EO has a direct (positive) effect on international orientation (IO) and an indirect (positive) effect on the performance of TBCs. IO is also found to have a direct (positive) effect on the performance of TBCs. These findings alert managers of TBCs to the relevance of EO and might induce the engagement in technology management. Furthermore, the critical role assumed by IO in this study shows a theoretical contribution to the international entrepreneurship topic and aims to be a reference to the literature.
Peer Assessment in Micro Teaching
Authors: Alkan Fatma
Published: January 2024

Micro teaching was developed to reduce the complexity of the learning environment in the classroom. During the current pandemic period, many theoretical and applied courses have been conducted through distance education. The purpose of research is to determine the level of prospective teachers' skills for the teaching profession in distance education and micro teaching by peer assessment. The research has been designed within descriptive approach. Within the scope of the course, students perform micro teaching. Students choose a topic and explain it in 15 minutes. In distance education, while the student was teaching the lesson live once with Zoom, the second lesson was done on the video he/she recorded before. As a result, it was determined that prospective teachers saw deficiencies in themselves while preparing the lesson plan and they had difficulty in realizing the plan they made during the teaching process. It has been reported that distance education and lessons negatively affect learning due to the pandemic, and the situation reduces the motivation of prospective teachers.
Fusing DCN and BBAV for Remote Sensing Image Object Detection
Authors: Chen Honghuan , Wang Keming
Published: January 2024

At the oriented object detection in aerial remote sensing images, the perceptual field boundaries of ordinary convolutional kernels are often not parallel to the boundaries of the objects to be detected, affecting the model precision. Therefore, an object detection model (DCN-BBAV) that fuses deformable convolution networks (DCNs) and box boundary-aware vectors (BBAVs) is proposed. Firstly, a BBAV is used as the baseline, replacing the normal convolution kernels in the backbone network with deformable convolution kernels. Then, the spatial attention module (SAM) and channel attention mechanism (CAM) are used to enhance the feature extraction ability for a DCN. Finally, the dot product of the included angles of four adjacent vectors are added to the loss function of the rotation frame parameter, improving the regression precision of the boundary vector. The DCN-BBAV model demonstrates notable performance with a 77.30% mean average precision (mAP) on the DOTA dataset. Additionally, it outperforms other advanced rotating frame object detection methods, achieving impressive results of 90.52% mAP on VOC07 and 96.67% mAP on VOC12 for HRSC2016.
Social Recommender System Based on CNN Incorporating Tagging and Contextual Features
Authors: Alrashidi Muhammad , Selamat Ali , Ibrahim Roliana , Fujita Hamido
Published: January 2024

The Internet's rapid growth has led to information overload, necessitating recommender systems for personalized suggestions. While content-based and collaborative filtering have been successful, data sparsity remains a challenge. To address this, this article presents a novel social recommender system based on convolutional neural networks (SRSCNN). This approach integrates deep learning and contextual information to overcome data sparsity. The SRSCNN model incorporates user and item factors obtained from a neural network architecture, utilizing features from item titles and tags through a CNN. The authors conducted extensive experiments with the MovieLens 10M dataset, demonstrating that the SRSCNN approach outperforms state-of-the-art baselines. This improvement is evident in both rating prediction and ranking accuracy across recommendation lists of varying lengths.
Effectiveness of an intervention to manage occupational stress among bus drivers of Sri Lanka Transport Board in Colombo District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Illangasinghe Dhananja , Alagiyawanna M. A. A. P. , Samaranayake D. B. D. L. , Fernando Neil
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Occupational stress among bus drivers is on the rise in the world. Mental health promotion programs can be effective in managing job stress in occupational groups.Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention to manage occupational stress among bus drivers of Sri Lanka Transport Board of Colombo District.Methods: A cluster randomized control trial was performed to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Drivers were selected by randomization from all 12 depots in Colombo District. The intervention was carried out in six depots and controlled in the other six depots. Both arms consisted of 72 drivers. The mental health promotion-stress management intervention package was delivered for six months. Outcomes were assessed based on pre- and post-test stress levels. Process indicators were also determined to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.Results: All the participants were males. Response rate in the intervention group was 97.2%. Pre-intervention prevalence of occupational stress in the intervention group was 50% (n=36) and it was 58.33% (n=42) in the control group. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.316). The post-intervention occupational stress level in the intervention group was 40.28% (n=29) and in the control group was 56.94% (n=41). This difference was statistically significant (p=0.045). In the intervention group, twelve drivers with occupational stress shifted to normal stress levels after the intervention, while five drivers who had normal stress levels, developed occupational stress afterwards (6.94%). This difference within the intervention group was not statistically significant (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 0.845, 6.81; p=0.145). Level of satisfaction on the overall programme was stated as excellent by 86% of the drivers in the intervention group.Conclusions & Recommendations: Stress management intervention was effective in reducing occupational stress among drivers. Mental health promotion programs need to be conducted on the recruitment of bus drivers.
Decent work environment for informal workers: an emerging need
Authors: Weerakoon Kumudu
Published: January 2024

No abstract available
The Impact of Board Characteristics on Firm Performance of Largest Listed Companies in Sri Lanka
Authors: Dilrukshika D.S. , Senarathne S.
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between selected board characteristics and firm performance on listed companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in Sri Lanka. The study is performed on 41 non-financial and financial year’s ended on 31st March listed companies of CSE according to the highest market capitalization as of 20th January 2020. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis are used to analyze the relationship between selected board characteristics and firm performance. As per the findings of this study, board composition is positively associated with Return on Asset (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). However, the gender diversity of the board shows a negative relationship between ROA and ROE. Other selected board characteristics of this study (Board size, CEO duality, frequency of board meetings, directors’ shareholding, presence of nomination committee) demonstrate ambiguous results with ROA and ROE. The findings of the study are supportive for policymakers, especially the top-level management, and decision-makers in respect of obtaining strategic decisions about the firm to establish an effective board and evaluate the effectiveness of the board inside the firm. Moreover, it will be useful for regulators to strengthen prevailing governance mechanisms attributed to the board of directors (BOD). Additionally, the finding will contribute to narrowing the existing indefinite results regarding the relationship between board characteristics and firm performance.
Impact of Abnormal Audit Fees on Earnings Management Practices: Evidence from Non-Financial Listed Companies in Sri Lanka
Authors: Withana W.A.O.S. , Ajward A.R.
Published: January 2024

Abnormal audit fees could be claimed to be an incentive to compromise the independence of an external auditor, which impairs the quality of an audit. Alternatively, some have argued that abnormal audit fees reflect the additional effort of the auditors to reduce earnings management practices. Hence, this study aimed to examine the relationship between abnormal audit fees and the degree of earnings management of non-financial listed companies in Sri Lanka. Using a quantitative approach in the positivistic paradigm, descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, regression analyses, and panel regression analyses were performed in assessing the level and identifying the relationship between abnormal audit fees and earnings management. Results indicated that the abnormal audit fees in the Sri Lankan context are comparatively higher than in selected developing and developed countries and that degree of earnings management vary over time. Moreover, none of the analyses performed showed a statistically significant relationship between abnormal audit fees and the degree of earnings management in Sri Lanka. The findings of this study are expected to provide insights to regulatory bodies, audit firms, investors, and other stakeholders. Regulators and policymakers could take steps to discourage excessive audit fees, as well as address the usage of unwarranted earnings management practices. Furthermore, external auditors' efforts to curtail excessive earnings management practices should be further examined. This study is a pioneering effort to identify whether there is a relationship between abnormal audit fees and earnings management in Sri Lanka, and thus it is expected to add to the extant literature, especially in a developing country context.
The migration process from commercial to open-source learning management system for sustainable capacity building in primary healthcare service
Authors: De Alwis A. K. S. B. , Weerabaddana C. , Fernando S. K. P. A.
Published: January 2024

Data migration could be a complex yet necessary activity during the lifecycle of an information system. All the e-Learning resources and activity material for all the available courses were migrated from a commercial platform to the free and open-source Moodle platform to ensure the availability of necessary features such as ability to monitor progress of learners, assessing the learning and to ensure sustainability. The migration process was methodically planned and executed, preserving the integrity of the data and rectifying omissions, errors, and inconsistencies. Utilising the existing Moodle e-Learning platform of the Ministry of Health as a shared resource is a practical and more long-lasting method of delivering e-Learning materials with the goal of enhancing the competence of healthcare professionals.
A digital health solution for parasitological surveillance at Anti-Malaria Campaign, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ashoranga I. K. R. , Thenuwara N. V. J. , Chulasiri P. U. , Ranaweera K. D. N. P.
Published: January 2024

The Anti Malaria Campaign in Sri Lanka is a public health initiative aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of malaria in the country. The outcome of the malaria control program is improved by effective surveillance. The National Malaria Strategic Plan highlights the lack of a web-based surveillance system for malaria as a weakness in the central-level availability of malaria parasitological surveillance data. DHIS2 (District Health Information Software 2) is a global-good, health management information system recommended by WHO. Creating a malaria information system based on DHIS2 and incorporating an interactive dashboard are employed to enhance the prompt accessibility of data at the national level.
The legendary health system of Sri Lanka
Authors: Koggalage P. D.
Published: January 2024

No abstract available
Update on critical issues faced by the health sector in Sri Lanka
Authors: De Silva D. , De Alwis Sunil , Adikari P.
Published: January 2024

No abstract available
Dermatological manifestations among patients with COVID-19: The Sri Lankan experience
Authors: Akarawita Janaka , Meegoda V. J. , Nawarathna E. M. N. T. , Mayadunne P. B. , Ekanayaka V. , Vithana S. S. , Edirisooriya E. M. S. K.
Published: January 2024

Background: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 demonstrate a wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations, some of which are at a high prevalence. These manifestations, of which some are unique, have been considered to occur due to COVID-19 infection and the associated inflammatory response. Furthermore, there are reports on exacerbation of previously diagnosed dermatoses and cutaneous side effects of medications and vaccines administered.Methodology: The first phase of the study included a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) among PCR-positive COVID patients to identify their skin conditions. Secondly, to ascertain an overall understanding of the country’s situation, a comprehensive questionnaire was circulated among the members of the Sri Lanka College of Dermatologists, to obtain information on the patients they have encountered.Results: Out of the patients at NHSL only 1.7% (n=8) had developed associated skin manifestations. Two (0.4%) developed novel conditions: thrombophlebitis and a maculopapular exanthem. Six (1.3%) patients had exacerbation of pre-existing conditions including eczema, psoriasis and discoid lupus erythematosus. The dermatologists revealed a wide variety of manifestations with the majority experiencing an exacerbation of pre-existing conditions and a few developing novel lesions including COVID-toes and Kawasaki-like diseases in children which are considered specific for COVID-19.Conclusions: The study demonstrates a range of COVID-19-associated dermatoses. These can present before or with other COVID-19 symptoms. Further, studies are necessary to precisely determine the timing and pathophysiology of different manifestations. Dermatological findings are important and should prompt the early involvement of dermatologists as appropriate.
An extended Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model with vaccination for forecasting the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rajapaksha R. M. N. U. , Wijesinghe M. S. D. , K. A. S. P. Jayasooriya  , Gunawardana B. M. I. , Weerasinghe W. M. P. C. , Tomas T. K. , Bhakta S. , Alemu Y. A.
Published: January 2024

Background: After declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization, Novel Corona Virus had been spreading throughout the world despite various degrees of movement restrictions and availability of multiple safe and effective vaccines. Vaccination rate against COVID-19 is one of the infection rate’s main determinants. The role of modelling in predicting the spread of an epidemic is important for health planning and policy making.Objective: This study aimed to construct a compartmental epidemiological model incorporating vaccination coverage, vaccination rate, vaccine efficacies and applied a computational tool for predicting the evolution of different epidemiological variables for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.Methods: We used a dynamic Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-Vaccinated (SEIRV) model and simulated potential vaccine strategies under a range of epidemic conditions. The predictions were based on different vaccination coverages (5% to 90%), vaccination-rates (1%, 2%, 5%) and vaccine-efficacies (40%, 60%, 80%) under different R0 (2,4,6). We estimated the duration, exposed, and infected populations.Results: When the R0 was increased, the days of reduction of susceptibility and the days to reach the peak of the infection were reduced gradually. At least 45% vaccine coverage is required for reducing the infected COVID-19 population to mitigate a disastrous situation in Sri Lanka.Conclusion and recommendations: The results revealed that when R0 is increased in the SEIRV model along with the increase of vaccination efficacy and vaccination rate, the population to be vaccinated is reducing. Thus, the vaccination offers greater benefits to the local population by reducing the time to reach the peak, exposed and infected population through flattening the curves. The prediction models will lead to policy relevance despite the significant uncertainty associated with real-time forecasting in complex systems with timely predictions and steadfast reports.
Case report of de Winter Syndrome and ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Menaka W. H. , Samarajiwa G. M.
Published: January 2024

Chest pain is the presenting complaint of a myriad of illnesses, ranging from lifethreatening causes such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to comparatively benign causes like gastroesophageal reflux. Less than half of patients presented with chest pain suggestive of cardiac origin have classic diagnostic features in the electrocardiogram (ECG). However, identifying the elusive ECG findings of an AMI is a diagnostic challenge.Subtle ECG changes can easily be missed unless specifically looked for. De Winter syndrome is one such diagnosis, which may evolve into ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or vice versa. This is a case of a successfully managed 46-year-old male, who presented with suggestive chest pain and ECG evidence of de Winter syndrome.
Human resource management in curative care institutions of Sri Lanka during turbulent times
Authors: Wijesuriya W. M. N. K. L. , Siraj M. I. , Wijetunga W. M. T. S. , Herath H. M. I. M.
Published: January 2024

No abstract available
Population patterns of two generalist forager bees on canola: effects of sowing season, plant genotype, meteorological factors, and coabundance
Authors: Engel Eduardo , Ribeiro Ana Lúcia de Paula , Lúcio Alessandro Dal’Col , Pasini Mauricio Paulo Batistella , Bortolotto Rafael Pivotto , Godoy Wesley Augusto Conde
Published: January 2024

Canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus var. oleifera, is one of the main oilseeds grown in the world. Pollination is required to ensure an acceptable yield. Among the main bee pollinators (Hymenoptera: Apidae) occurring in canola in southern Brazil are Apis mellifera (Linnaeus) (Apidae: Apini) and Trigona spinipes (Fabricius) (Apidae: Meliponini). Plant genotype, sowing season, meteorological factors, and abundance of competitors can influence the foraging rate of A. mellifera and T. spinipes in canola, which will impact yield. We evaluated the effect of plant genotype, sowing season, and meteorological factors on the abundance of foraging bees, as well as their coabundance and impacts on canola yield. Under the conditions of the study, we did not observe significant variation between genotypes and sowing season on bee abundance and canola yield. We note that the impact of temperature and relative humidity are important predictors of abundance of A. mellifera and T. spinipes. The temperature and relative humidity effects, however, differed according to bee species. Coabundance patterns indicated no evidence of competitive exclusion. Higher canola yields were obtained when both bee species had high population abundance.
Prima segnalazione per l’Italia di Ocalea robusta Bernhauer, 1902 e note su alcune specie del genere Ocalea
Authors: Terrile Marco
Published: January 2024

L’autore segnala per la prima volta la presenza di Ocalea robusta Bernhauer, 1902 in Italia (Nord-est). Viene ripercorsa sinteticamente la storia tassonomica di questa specie, illustrandone alcuni caratteri morfologici, incluse le immagini dei genitali maschili e femminili. Sono stati inoltre raccolti alcuni dati relativi alla distribuzione, sia pubblicati, sia provenienti dall’esame di materiale presente nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova. Infine, è brevemente discussa la posizione sistematica di O. pollinensis Scheerpeltz, 1956.
The macromoth fauna of a humid biotope in the Novara district (Piedmont, Northern Italy)
Authors: Leigheb Giorgio , Fusar Poli Giovanni , Fusar Poli Davide , Zilli Alberto
Published: January 2024

The authors detail a survey of macromoths carried out from 2015 to 2020 in the area of Torrion Quartara of the municipality of Novara (Piedmont, NW Italy). The site still retains many of the original vegetation characteristics of Po Valley, a factor which enabled the survival of numerous species linked to humid and subhumid environments that are greatly threatened nowadays by extensive farming, urban developments, and global warming, thus highlighting the need to carefully preserve the environmental integrity of such rare lowland remnant of primeval habitats once widespread in the area.
Il manoscritto-collezione del 1715 di Saverio Scilla: la prima raccolta di lepidotteri d’Italia e una delle più antiche collezioni entomologiche al mondo
Authors: Romano Marcello
Published: January 2024

Una lunga indagine bibliografica ha permesso di rintracciare, presso la Biblioteca Casanatense di Roma, un manoscritto sulle farfalle che si credeva perduto, realizzato intorno al 1715 da Saverio Scilla, pittore e naturalista messinese (1673-1735). La sua consultazione ha rivelato la presenza, all’interno dei tre volumi che lo compongono, di 211 farfalle dell’Italia centrale conservate fra due lamine di mica. Sono presenti oltre 100 specie di lepidotteri Ropaloceri ed Eteroceri appartenenti a 21 diverse Famiglie. Si tratta della prima raccolta italiana di lepidotteri conosciuta, realizzata fra il 1701 ed il 1714, e di una delle più antiche collezioni entomologiche pre-linneane al mondo, giunta quasi intatta fino ai nostri giorni. Il suo valore storico, documentale e scientifico è inestimabile. Costituisce un’importante testimonianza della fauna di lepidotteri diurni e notturni italiani degli inizi del XVIII secolo. Fornisce un’ampia visione su un metodo di conservazione dei lepidotteri, assai diffuso in Europa nei primi decenni del Settecento, che ne ha garantito, nel corso di tre secoli, la protezione da attacchi di parassiti e di altri agenti esterni. È infine un’opera unica nel suo genere, perché affianca in maniera originale alla collezione delle farfalle un testo illustrativo e più di 400 disegni acquerellati degli stadi preimaginali, realizzati con una precisione del tratto ed una corrispondenza scientifica al soggetto reale che non ha eguali nelle opere coeve. L’Autore del presente contributo fornisce prima alcuni cenni biografici su Saverio Scilla e sul padre Agostino, che ne influenzò significativamente la formazione artistica e naturalistica. Ripercorre poi le tappe che gli hanno consentito di ricostruire la storia del manoscritto e di accertare l’esistenza di due sue copie, realizzate da altre mani, con caratteristiche proprie e in cui le farfalle sono sostituite da disegni ad acquerello. Fornisce un’approfondita analisi della struttura esterna del manoscritto e del suo stato di conservazione. Passa infine ad esaminare separatamente le tre principali componenti dell’opera: collezione, disegni e testo illustrativo. Due appendici completano il lavoro. La prima contiene l’elenco di tutte le specie con esemplari preparati identificate all’interno della collezione. La seconda presenta l’indice sinottico del manoscritto, che include i titoli dei capitoli e le denominazioni originali assegnate da Scilla alle specie trattate, accompagnate dal binomio scientifico attuale.
Using Motivational Interviewing to Overcome Psychological Insulin Resistance
Authors: Lim Sung-Chul
Published: January 2024

Psychological insulin resistance can delay insulin therapy when initiating insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The role of diabetes educator is important in reducing patients’ psychological insulin resistance through various approach. Motivational interviewing not only promotes diabetes selfmanagement, but also can help to overcome psychological insulin resistance. Diabetes educators can help smooth the transition to insulin in diabetic patients using motivational interviewing. In this article, I introduce basic counseling skills of motivational interviewing addressing psychological insulin resistance.
Caught by Surprise - Microfilaria in Renal Biopsies
Authors: Prasad Pallavi , Gupta Neelima , Verma Ritu , Prasad Narayan , Kaul Anupama , Agrawal Vinita , Jain Manoj
Published: January 2024

Microfilarial parasites can obstruct the lymphatic tree giving rise to varying lymphatic and extra-lymphatic symptoms. Renal manifestations can range from asymptomatic proteinuria, chyluria, and nephrotic syndrome, to acute glomerulonephritis. The diagnosis of filariasis is usually made by the demonstration of the parasite in the peripheral blood smear, with or without eosinophilia. The renal involvement by this parasite has been sparsely reported in the literature. We hereby report five cases of filariasis detected on histopathological examination of renal biopsies, performed for other indications, along with a brief report of the additional histological findings. Three native and two graft biopsies were included. All our patients were male, with a mean age of 47 years (range 37 to 66 years). The serum creatinine ranged from 1.2 to 12.9 mg/dL. The mean 24-hour urinary protein was 3.6 gm/day. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was not recorded in any case, however, ESR was raised in all cases. Urine examination revealed varying proteinuria, with hematuria in two cases. Histological examination revealed microfilaria in all five biopsies, along with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in two cases, combined cellular and humoral rejection, minimal change disease and acute tubular necrosis in one case each respectively. All patients were treated with diethylcarbamazine 6mg/kg/day or 12 days, in addition to the renal medications. Diagnosing the parasite is crucial as the patient is likely to benefit due to the timely treatment of the disease. Reporting this case series highlights an interesting finding in nephropathology.
On regularity and asymptotic stability for semilinear nonlocal pseudo-parabolic equations
Authors: Trong Quyet Dao , Thi Phuong Thanh Dang
Published: January 2024

We deal with a class of nonlocal pseudo-parabolic equations involving strong nonlinearities. The questions on existence, regularity and stability of solutions are addressed by using local estimates, fixed point arguments, and the relation between the Hilbert scales and fractional Sobolev spaces.
Averaging and mixing for stochastic perturbations of linear conservative systems
Authors: Huang Guan , Kuksin Sergei Borisovich
Published: January 2024

We study stochastic perturbations of linear systems of the form
\begin{equation*}
dv(t)+Av(t) dt=\varepsilon P(v(t)) dt+\sqrt{\varepsilon} \mathcal{B}(v(t)) dW (t), \qquad v\in\mathbb{R}^D,
\tag{*}
\end{equation*}
where $A$ is a linear operator with non-zero imaginary spectrum. It is assumed that the vector field $P(v)$ and the matrix function $\mathcal{B}(v)$ are locally Lipschitz with at most polynomial growth at infinity, that the equation is well posed and a few of first moments of the norms of solutions $v(t)$ are bounded uniformly in $\varepsilon$. We use Khasminski's approach to stochastic averaging to show that, as $\varepsilon\to0$, a solution $v(t)$, written in the interaction representation in terms of the operator $A$, for $0\leqslant t\leqslantConst\cdot\varepsilon^{-1}$ converges in distribution to a solution of an effective equation. The latter is obtained from $(*)$ by means of certain averaging. Assuming that equation $(*)$ and/or the effective equation are mixing, we examine this convergence further.
Bibliography: 27 titles.
Female Genital Schistosomiasis Lesion Resolution Post-Treatment with Praziquantel in Zambian Adults
Authors: Kabengele Chishiba , Mwangelwa Sepo , Kilembe William , Vwalika Bellington , Inambao Mubiana , Moonga Vernon , Himukumbwa Constance , Secor W. Evan , Parker Rachel , Tichacek Amanda , Bustinduy Amaya L. , Allen Susan , Wall Kristin M.
Published: January 2024

We evaluated changes in female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) 6 to 12 months after praziquantel treatment among 43 adult Zambian women. Most women (60%) experienced decreased FGS severity and 23% experienced complete lesion resolution. This is the first study to demonstrate a meaningful effect of praziquantel treatment of FGS in adult women.
Methodology for Virtual Analysis of Dynamic Behavior of Flexible Tubes and Hoses Associated with Engine Displacement
Authors: Paiva Yasmin , Tognolli André , Utiyke Fernando , Costa João , Campos Demerson
Published: January 2024

Through virtual dynamic simulations it is possible to gain quality, safety, reduce cost and development time. Eliminating prototypes components to avoid future problems with package and early degradation of automotive components.

This article has the objective validate the simulation methodology linked with flexible tube and hoses that are under engine displacement action to increase the confidence level of the design.

The methodology validation consists in compare scanned physical model and virtual simulation models. Using Simcenter 3D Flexible Pipe software as study base. As input parameters it was used geometrical, physical, and chemical data for the virtual model.

Finally, the environment can apply the dynamic movement of the powertrain set in the validation of the package and the evaluated component.
A One-Dimensional Modeling Analysis of the Influence of Swirl and Tumble Coefficient in a Single-Cylinder Research Engine
Authors: Mendonça Mateus Silva , de Oliveira Wender Pereira , Rocha Hiago Tenório Teixeira Santana , Guilherme José , Baeta Coelho
Published: January 2024

The stricter legislation and the greater demand of the population regard to gas emissions and their effects on the environment as well as on human health make the automotive industry reinforce research focused on reducing levels of contamination. This reduction can be achieved through the implementation of improvements in internal combustion engines in such a way that they promote the reduction of both specific fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions. These improvements can be obtained through numerical simulation, which is a technique that works together with the experimental tests. The aim of this paper is to build, with support of the GT-SUITE software, a one-dimensional model of a single-cylinder research engine to analyze the impact of the variation of swirl and tumble coefficients on the performance and on the air pollutant emissions of this engine. Initially, the discharge coefficient is calculated through the software Converge CFD 3D, given that it is an input parameter in GT-POWER. Mesh sensitivity tests are made in 3D geometry built for this purpose, using the mass flow rate in the valve as reference. In the one-dimensional simulation is adopted the Spark-Ignition Turbulent Flame Model predictive combustion model and the validation performed by means of the cylinder pressure, crank angle at maximum cylinder pressure and indicated mean effective pressure. Finally, the swirl and tumble coefficients are introduced in their corresponding objects so that their influences on the performance of this engine can be observed when compared to the results to the baseline.
A Computational Fluid Dynamics Methodology to Predict Automotive Painting Process Using Simcenter STAR-CCM+
Authors: Vieira Tiago Augusto Santiago , Araújo Pedro Henrique , Abdu Aline Amaral Quintella , Cury Davi Machado , Monteiro Henrique Carlos
Published: January 2024

Simulation tools play a significant role in the automotive industry due to their cost-reducing capabilities in new model development. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is extensively utilized in various applications, such as vehicle aerodynamics and engine thermal management. However, its application in manufacturing engineering is not yet widespread. One crucial process in automotive manufacturing is the application of the base coat, which provides protection for the final paint layer. This process involves three key steps: bodywork immersion, electrophoretic deposition (E-coat), and bodywork removal from the bath. Each of these steps can be evaluated using appropriate CFD models. During the immersion step, the primary objective is to minimize the presence of trapped air. In the E-coat step, the focus is on controlling the paint layer thickness on the Body-in-white (BIW). Lastly, the drainage analysis aims to minimize the retention of bath fluid, thereby preventing contamination in subsequent baths. In this study, we propose a methodology utilizing Simcenter STAR-CCM+ as the CFD code and a generic car geometry to evaluate these three painting stages. Our methodology demonstrates the effectiveness of Simcenter STAR-CCM+ in predicting the behavior of the BIW throughout the painting process. By simulating the evolution of physical phenomena, our methodology provides valuable information regarding the presence of trapped air during the dipping stage, the thickness of the paint layer during E-coat, and the volume of retained liquid during drainage. This approach offers a promising means to reduce prototype investments by anticipating the behavior of the BIW during the virtual painting process. As a result, potential quality issues can be identified and rectified by making necessary component changes. Moreover, this methodology can be employed to optimize the painting process itself, including the adjustment of parameters related to the generated electric field and the movement of the BIW within the bath. These optimizations aim to enhance energy efficiency and accommodate changes in line speed, maintenance of anodes, and alterations in chemical characteristics of the bath. In conclusion, the use of CFD simulations, specifically employing the presented methodology with Simcenter STAR-CCM+, proves to be highly beneficial in evaluating and optimizing the three critical stages of the automotive painting process. This approach enables the identification and mitigation of quality problems, offers cost savings in prototype development, and facilitates process adjustments for improved efficiency and adaptability.
DP800 formability improvement in structure vehicle component
Authors: de Campos Kauan Moreira , Piovatto Roberto Reato , Colosio Marco A.
Published: January 2024

The application of local advanced steels has challenges to overcome such as stampability requirements to meet manufacturing processes. Several technological alternatives have been studied to improve sheet steel formability and this work focuses on material selection. Dual Phase 800 steel has an important performance for structural parts involved in body-in-white (BIW) to reach durability and material impact resistance. On those alternatives references the coating application to reduce the friction coefficient and makes the formability process easier to mitigate drawing stamping issues.

The study deals with DP800 formability analysis applied in automotive seats, mainly on anchorage components, searching for alternatives to a better material stampability and local availability with a lower cost. These tests approached formability simulations and FLD (Forming Limit Diagrams) to compare the imported DP800-Uncoated and the local DP800EG + Phosphate steels. Additional tests were made for mechanical and metallurgical properties classification for a complete understanding of themselves.

The results indicate a satisfactory formability for coated steels, highlighting the relevance of this concept to contribute to the competitiveness of this technology to achieve a better stamping performance and cost avoidance for automotive industry.
DESIGN OF A SINGLE-CYLINDER ENGINE CAM SHAPE USING COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS AND SIMULATION
Authors: Strapasson Matheus , dos Santos Igor Rodrigues , Metzka Lanzanova Thompson D. , Martins Mario Eduardo Santos
Published: January 2024

Computational tools have become indispensable in the development of cam profiles, aiding designers in achieving optimal performance. This paper explores the application of computational tools in the design of cam profiles for a single-cylinder research engine (SCRE) prototype under development with a direct-acting mechanism. The primary objective is to present a comprehensive design process, encompassing kinematic analysis and Quasi-Dynamic Analysis (QDA), to enable designers to generate preliminary cam profiles based on design requirements. The VT-Design® software, a part of the GT-SUITE package, is employed for simulations in this study. Key design considerations, such as lift, velocity, and acceleration curves, are discussed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity in the acceleration curve. The design process involves optimizing the acceleration curve to minimize negative acceleration and improve dynamic response. The paper also highlights the significance of contact stresses and component separation speed, which can be estimated through QDA. The results of this case study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in achieving optimized cam profiles, providing guidelines for designers to optimize performance while considering trade-offs between contact forces and desired engine performance characteristics, while also being able to serve as an input for a further multi-body dynamics (MBD) analysis or an experimental setup to determine critical parameters with precision.
Event of Trailer Hoist-up observed on Heavy-Duty Vehicle with Suspension Mechanical Springs during measurement executed on real road application
Authors: Onuki Ciro
Published: January 2024

A measurement for a Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer was executed to compare and monitor the behaviors of a Heavy-Duty Vehicle with a real-life standard load on a private proving ground and on real road. During this measurement an event of Trailer Hoist-up was captured and recorded. Suspension springs arch open when the weight of the truck is put on them, while theoretically possible, it is improbable the springs would arch the other way around. It would require the vehicle to be suspended for a small fraction of time, which is rare on real road application because of the mass inertia of Heavy-Duty Vehicles. A Trailer Hoist-up produces an interesting particular situation for the spring. The strain distribution on the spring during the event was measured by the strain gauges mapped as a grid. The implications on the vehicle were measured by wheel force transducers, equipped with triaxial forces and triaxial moments, speed and position. Likewise, vehicle CAN bus data was recorded and its implication on its behavior was discussed. Camera showing the event and the moment it occurred was pointed. All data was synchronized, checked for consistency and peer reviewed.
FEM approach for exterior moldings insertion/retention using LS-Dyna
Authors: Serrano Vinicius Leitão
Published: January 2024

The scope of the study was to understand the mechanical behavior of a retainer design - used to attach an exterior part on the body structure - during insertion and retention events and it was performed with the extensive use of finite elements tools, more specifically, LS-Dyna, a powerful FE tool able to run both explicit and implicit structural analyses commonly used in automotive developments to simulate dynamic events, such as high speed impacts. Several FE models were used to define best methodology in terms of modeling technic and contact representation. Additionally, based on physical tests, it was able to achieve a good virtual representation of the retainer forces and visualize each step of these events. These data were used to identify what dimensional parameters of the retainer were more important to “tune” the part performance. As conclusion, a new design was proposed able to reduce the insertion force about 43% with no decrease in the retention force.
Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency
Authors: Abbasi Kamran , Ali Parveen , Barbour Virginia , Benfield Thomas , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Hancocks Stephen , Horton Richard , Laybourn-Langton Laurie , Mash Robert , Sahni Peush , Sharief Wadeia Mohammad , Yonga Paul , Zielinski Chris
Published: January 2024

No abstract
Tumeur intrapapillaire et mucineuse du pancréas comme diagnostic différentiel de pseudokystes du pancréas : à propos d’un cas au Madagascar
Authors: Mahavivola Ernestho-ghoud Indretsy , Hasina Rajaonarison Ny Ony Narindra Lova , Abdou Soilihi Moustafa , Enintsoa Raveloson Nasolotsiry , Ahmad Ahmad , Danielle Vololontiana Hanta Marie
Published: January 2024

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) is a rare cystic tumor of pancreas. Its incidence increased recently. In the present paper, we report a fortuitous diagnosis of IPMN in a 66-year-old man who underwent an abdominal CT-scan for an unrelated indication. However, confusion should be avoided in the diagnostic between IPMN and more serious pathologies such as pseudocyst and adenocarcinoma of pancreas. Proper recognition of IPMN is important because this rare entity can mislead surgeons into performing unnecessary surgical interventions. Radiologists should not miss this diagnosis even if the disease is asymptomatic.

Les tumeurs intra papillaires et mucineuse du pancréas (TIPMP) sont des lésions kystiques rares du pancréas. Nous rapportons un cas de découverte fortuite chez un homme de 66 ans lors d’un scanner abdominal pour une autre indication. La confusion pourrait être évitée en analysant la présentation syndromique avec des anomalies graves telles que les pseudokystes pancréatiques ou l’adénocarcinome du pancréas. La reconnaissance des TIPMP est importante car elle peut être trompeuse pouvant conduire à des interventions chirurgicales inutiles. Les radiologues ne doivent pas méconnaître ces lésions même si asymptomatiques.