bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictions of Extreme Weather Events in a Climate Change Environment in the Northwest Italy
Authors: Tuju Peter Enos , Ferrari Francesco , Mazzino Andrea
Published: July 2022

The recent decade has witnessed an overwhelming increase in convective storms such as heavy rains, hailstorms, tornadoes, strong winds, and lightning leading to extreme weather events around the globe. Principally, the thunderstorm producing cloud is the main environment in which these convective storms related to extreme weather events develop. Convective storms characterize the deadliest extreme weather events that pose wider socio-economic risks and impacts resulting in disruptions of social functions and services, damage to properties and infrastructures, injuries, and loss of life to people. However, the predictability of such extreme weather events still presents the most challenging task in operational weather forecasting. Thus, accurate and reliable forecasts of such weather phenomena are of critical importance to mitigate the adverse impacts and risks associated with extreme weather events. 

The current work is intended to simulate the convective weather storms pertaining to hailstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and strong winds that hit the Northwest part of Italy during the most recent decade. The emphasis will be placed on the Ligurian region, which is among the regions forming the North-west part of Italy with complex weather systems.  The high-resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model, namely the Advanced Research of the Weather and Research Forecasting (ARW) modeling system will be used to simulate such weather events. The study will amount to two tasks. The very earliest task will investigate the implications of three resolutions (10 km, 3.3 km, and 1.1 km) of the ARW modeling system in simulating such weather phenomena. The latter task will use the obtained resolution to further investigate the implications of different parameterization schemes of the microphysics category in the ARW model. Observed data and/or reports from reliable sources will be used to verify the simulations from the ARW model using various approaches. Different results from diverse approaches will be presented and discussion will be performed based on the results obtained. Finally, the conclusion will be drawn based on the results and discussions.
GNSS observation for reducing the impact of Slow and Rapid Onset Disasters on cultural heritage – the SNIK CORS
Authors: Sonnessa Alberico , Tarantino Eufemia
Published: July 2022

Due to heavy anthropogenic pressure suffered by large areas of our countries, extreme climate events such as heavy rainfalls, potentially followed by flooding, are having a growing impact on the environment. Historic towns are particularly exposed to these threats, which are becoming increasingly frequent and, in some cases, may have a devastating effect on the territories and population. Such critical occurrences, with reference to the catastrophes they can lead to and how fast they can occur, are referred to as Slow-Onset Disasters (SODs), and Rapid Onset Disasters (RODs). In this context, GNSS observations can help to develop new tools aimed at tackling the effects of these events on the built environment and their users. With this aim, a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS), based on GNSS observations, named SNIK, was installed by the research group Applied Geomatics Laboratory (AGlab) at the Polytechnic University of Bari, with the support of Stonex Italy, while an integrated test field, consisting of four GNSS rover receivers was planned to be implemented on the new Rectorate building, currently under construction. The SNIK CORS is based on a high-precision Stonex SC2200 GNSS receiver equipped with a SA1500 choke-ring antenna. The test field is set up to be upgraded with additional sensors, such as SAR corner reflectors, accelerometers, and weather stations. The availability of a continuous stream of GNSS observations wants to help and facilitate the development of integrated approaches aimed at the early detection of the occurrence of potentially catastrophic events over the short and long-term period and the implementation of strategies for the mitigation of their impact on the safety and the healthiness of the built environment and cultural heritage, which is intrinsically more prone to be damaged.
Comparison of instantaneous satellite rainfall data and observations from rain gauges network in the Bouregreg-Chaouia region in Morocco
Authors: EL Martili Imane , Barkouki Khalid , Ahattab Jihane , Serhir Najat
Published: July 2022

Over the last twenty years, remote monitoring of rainfall has become a fact. Thus, techniques to measure rainfall by analyzing satellite data is increasingly integrated in hydrology fields helping to tackle some of scientists’ biggest challenges such as the lack of rain gauges or the difficulty to access their data. 

This work is a study of the reliability and performance of precipitation observation products like PERSIANN-CCS (Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Cloud Classification System) with a temporal resolution of one hour (https://chrsdata.eng.uci.edu/) and like IMERG-GPMv6 (Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM version6) with a temporal resolution of 30 minutes (https://search.earthdata.nasa.gov/search) by using the programming language Python. These satellite-derived data are then compared to precipitation observed from rain gauges in the watershed Bouregreg-Chaouia in Morocco.   

The first procedure was to create a database of hourly rainfall collected from PERSIANN-CCS and IMERG-GPMv6 and based on measured rainfall events received from three rain gauges located in the study area. Afterwards, the comparison between the two data sources was executed through calculation of several statistical parameters such as the Pearson’s R correlation coefficient in addition to an analysis of the dimensionless values of rain (instantaneously observed precipitations from PERSIANN-CCS and IMERG-GPM).

Obtained results show a good correlation between values deduced from satellite imagery and those observed in rain gauges. Quantitively, the “R” correlation coefficients varied from 0.69 to 0.98 in the case of PERSIANN-CCS and from 0.86 to 0.99 in the case of IMERG-GPMv6. Furthermore, analysis of the dimensionless rainfall curves showed that they represent very comparable patterns, especially for the case of IMERG-GPMv6, it was also remarked that the latter dataset overestimated precipitation levels while the first underestimated them in comparison with ground station values. 

We concluded that, it’s possible to use instant rainfall data from satellites in contexts like hydrology for purposes like flood risk assessment. But, a correction of these products is necessary to improve the results and the quality of this data.
User-oriented indices for rainfall-related hydrogeological hazards prediction at regional scale: validation in Central Italy
Authors: Lombardi Annalina , Colaiuda Valentina , Gallicchio Davide , Boscaino Giancarlo , Raparelli Edoardo , Tuccella Paolo , Lidori Raffaele , Rossi Francesco Luigi , Liberatore Silvio , Tomassetti Barbara
Published: July 2022

Italy is one of the countries most exposed to hydrogeological risk in Europe. From the hydrological point of view, alluvial phenomena and rainfall-induced landslides have a common origin, since both of them are caused by intense surface runoff causing slope instability or water overflow in the drainage network. In particular, the territory of central Italy has a complex orography, where heterogeneous basins with different areas co-exist. Vast basins such as that of the Tiber, are found in geographical areas contiguous to minor hydrographic basins, which are mainly located along the eastern slope of the Apennines. Due to this complexity of the landscape, the territorial response to precipitation can be different and alluvial phenomena can be the result of different processes, with the precipitation as a common denominator. Floods or flash floods, but also rainfall-triggered landslides represent the main effects at the ground, due to intense or persistent rains. In general, river floods are considered more predictable than flash floods, since the latter are linked to very localized rain events, concentrated over a short period of time. The predictability of landslides is associated with attentive monitoring, based on the definition of rainfall thresholds.In this work, the hydrological model developed by Cetemps (CHyM) is applied for the simulation and detection of areas subjected to hydrological stress of a large geographical domain, which includes all of Central Italy, during diverse severe weather event impacting Central Italy in the recent years. We propose the validation of three different stress indices on a geographical area of ​​about 65 500 km2, including basins of very different sizes and characterized by heterogeneous substrates. The main purpose is to present a unique tool for the forecast on a regional scale of hydrogeological stresses induced by precipitation. The identification of stress conditions is given through the use of indices, able to detect areas affected by floods, flash floods and landslides, also providing a key to discriminate and classify these three different phenomena.
Multi-sensor optical remote sensing for generalized sub-metric detection of pluvial flood damages using U-net CNN and Random Forest.
Authors: Cerbelaud Arnaud
Published: July 2022

Pluvial floods (PFs) caused by extreme overland flow inland account for half of all flood damage claims each year, equally with fluvial floods (FFs). However, most remote sensing-based flood detection techniques only focus on the identification of degradations and/or water pixels in the close vicinity of overflowing streams. Geomatics hydrological models have been developed to easily and widely map susceptibility towards the occurrence of intense surface runoff without physics-based modelling. However, in order to increase confidence in such methods, they need to be comprehensively evaluated using PF observations from past events. For this, a generalized remote sensing fusion method called FuSVIPR (Fusion of Sentinel-2 & Very high resolution Imagery for Pluvial flood detection in Runoff prone areas) is developed. Based on 10 m change detection (from Sentinel-2) and sub-metric optical imagery (from Pléiades satellites and airborne sensors), machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques are used to locate PF footprints on the ground at 0.5 m spatial resolution following heavy weather events. Post processing involving land use, soil type and topography allows accounting for runoff production processes to induce PFs downstream. In this work, six watersheds in the Aude and Alpes-Maritimes departments in the South of France are investigated over more than 3000 km2 of rural and periurban areas during three flash-flood events between 2018 and 2020. With a unique learning sample from the Aude flash-floods of October 2018, overall detection accuracies greater than 86% and false detection rates below 7% are reached independently on all three distinct events. These results emphasize the high generalization capability of this method to locate PFs at any time of the year and over diverse regions worldwide. The resulting damage proxy maps have high potential for helping precipitation downscaling and thorough evaluation and improvement of surface water inundation models at very high spatial resolution.
Compound impact of anomalous vegetation activity and hot/dry conditions during the 2017 extreme fire season in Portugal
Authors: Ermitão Tiago , Gouveia Célia , Bastos Ana , Russo Ana
Published: July 2022

Fires are a natural part of many ecosystems, constituting nonetheless a serious threat to ecosystems and humans. Portugal is recurrently affected by wildfires, being considered a fire-prone region within the Mediterranean basin. However, during the last twenty years, several fire seasons recorded a large extension of burned areas, and the catastrophic fire season of 2017 stands out by recording more than 450,000 hectares of burned area and causing the death of more than 100 people.

Hot and dry fuel conditions were pinpointed as the main drivers of the widespread propagation of wildfires. Therefore, this work aims to assess the impact of the compound or cascading extreme events on vegetation, and also if there was a selectivity of fires for more stressed vegetation. We analyse the climatological and ecological conditions during the pre-fire season, in order to understand its effects on fire season burned areas through fuel accumulation and dryness.

The study highlights the importance of fuel accumulation during the growing season in fire-prone regions like Portugal. Moreover, anomalous hot and dry conditions during summer, in conjunction with strong fuel accumulation during the months preceding fire season, enabled to clarify why the 2017 fire season were so outstanding. Additionally, under the context of climate change, fire seasons as the one occurred in 2017 in Portugal can be more frequent. Therefore, our results highlight that fuel management can be an effective way to mitigate extreme fire seasons and point to the need of implementation of fire prevention policies, especially regarding biomass accumulation control during pre-fire season.

This study was supported by national funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal) under the project FIRECAST (PCIF/GRF/0204/2017) and by the 2021 FirEUrisk project funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Grant Agreement no. 101003890.
Revisiting parameter sensitivities in the variable infiltration capacity model across a hydroclimatic gradient
Authors: Sepúlveda Ulises M. , Mendoza Pablo A. , Mizukami Naoki , Newman Andrew J.
Published: July 2022

Abstract. Despite the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model being used for decades in the hydrology community, there are still model parameters whose sensitivities remain unknown. Additionally, understanding the factors that control spatial variations in parameter sensitivities is crucial given the increasing interest in obtaining spatially coherent parameter fields over large domains. In this study, we investigate the sensitivities of 43 soil, vegetation and snow parameters in the VIC model for 101 catchments spanning the diverse hydroclimates of continental Chile. We implement a hybrid local–global sensitivity analysis approach, using eight model evaluation metrics to quantify sensitivities, with four of them formulated from runoff time series, two characterizing snow processes, and the remaining two based on evaporation processes. Our results confirm an overparameterization for the processes analyzed here, with only 12 (i.e., 28 %) parameters found to be sensitive, distributed among soil (7), vegetation (2) and snow (3) model components. Correlation analyses show that climate variables – in particular, mean annual precipitation and the aridity index – are the main controls on parameter sensitivities. Additionally, our results highlight the influence of the leaf area index on simulated hydrologic processes – regardless of the dominant climate types – and the relevance of hard-coded snow parameters. Based on correlation results and the interpretation of spatial sensitivity patterns, we provide guidance on the most relevant parameters for model calibration according to the target processes and the prevailing climate type. Overall, the results presented here contribute to an improved understanding of model behavior across watersheds with diverse physical characteristics that encompass a wide hydroclimatic gradient from hyperarid to humid systems.
Understanding Agile Practices for Job Satisfaction through Job Characteristics
Authors: Kanwal Frasat , Khurram Dr Fatima
Published: July 2022

Usage of Agile Practices draws the attention to the adoption of these agile methods because of their significant contributions to high software quality and job benefits. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to look at the role of job characteristics in mediating the relations between agile practices; project management (PM), and software development approaches (SDA) and job satisfaction. Sample was 486 professionals working in the companies incorporating agile practices, to whom an online survey was administered during period of September 2021 using the Google Forms platform. Findings affirmed the claims that agile PM and SDA practices made professionals more satisfied with their jobs and this impact has been found further mediated by job characteristics. Results indicated that job characteristics like job autonomy and feedback mediated the agile PM practices and job satisfaction. While agile SDA practices and job satisfaction were explained significantly by all job characteristics i.e., feedback, task significance, skill variety, autonomy, and task identity. This study offers insights into agile approaches in project management and software development. This research reveals beneficial aspects of agile practices that influence job satisfaction in work environment.
Mechanism and Changes Associated with Edible Camphor Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Njan Anoka A.
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: Camphor is an additive in certain remedies for the treatment of coryza, bronchitis, musculoskeletal pains and wounds. This study investigated the possible seizure-induction mechanism of edible camphor (EC) and the biochemical changes in brain and blood after its administration.

Methods: Seizure characteristics were evaluated in twenty-five male Wistar rats randomly distributed into five groups and given intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 mL coconut oil; 100 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol (PTZ); 1000 mg/kg EC; 5 mg/kg diazepam + 1000 mg/kg EC; and 250 mg/kg carbamazepine + 1000 mg/kg EC respectively. Oral acute toxicity was evaluated using 15 male rats assigned to 3 groups (n=5) and orally administered a single sub-convulsive dose (300 mg/kg) of EC and monitored for 3, 24, and 168 hours respectively. Fasting blood sugar, blood lipid parameters and brain weight were evaluated. In a 28-day toxicity evaluation, 300 mg/kg/day EC was administered to test and control groups of male rats (n=10) and brains were excised for evaluation of weight, oxidative, inflammatory and cell component changes.  

Results: At 1000 mg/kg, EC had superior seizure-inducing potential, longer seizure latency but shorter duration than PTZ. Acute administration of EC increased blood sugar, decrease serum phospholipids and triglycerides. Daily treatment for 28 days increased brain weight, and lysosomal enzyme activities neuroinflammatory indicators (TNF?, IL-4, IL-8, IL-9 and IL-10) except IL-2. Treatment also resulted in the elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) level but reduction in catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels decreased, decreased acetylcholinesterase activity. Photomicrographs of the cerebral cortex of treated animals showed degenerated axonal and dendritic projections as well as soma filled with neurofibrillary tangles.

Conclusions: EC neurotoxicity may be due to inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission resulting in oxidative, inflammatory and eventual neurodegenerative damages.
Akıllı Kentler ve Su Kullanımı,
Authors: UÇAR Ahmet
Published: July 2022

Kentler 20. yüzyılın son çeyreğinde iş, eğitim, ticaret ve eğlence gibi nedenlere bağlı olarak insanların ilgi odağı olmuşlardır. Bu yüzden kentlere nüfus akını olmuş ve kentler kalabalık mekanlar haline gelmişlerdir. Dolayısıyla kalabalıklaşan kentlerin yönetiminde ve hizmetlerinin sunumunda birtakım yeni metotlar oluşturma ve böylece hem hizmetlerin sunumunda kolaylıklar elde edilmesi hem de kent kaynaklarının kullanımında tasarruf sağlayarak daha sürdürülebilir kentler oluşturulması önem arz etmektedir. Bilgi ve iletişim teknolojilerinin (BİT) gelişmesi ve kullanımının yaygınlaştığı 21. yüzyılda kentlerin yönetimi de değişim ve dönüşüm geçirdiği bilinmektedir. Teknolojik gelişmelerin topluma yansıması insanların yaşamlarında birtakım kolaylıklar getirmesiyle hissedildiği gibi, bilhassa kent yönetimlerinin hizmetlerinde verimlilik ve tasarruf oluşturmasıyla daha çok dikkat çekmektedir. Günümüzde kentlerin yönetiminde BİT’lerin önemi gittikçe artarken buna bağlı olarak kentlerde akıllı şehir olarak adlandırılan yeni yönetim modelleri oluşturulmaya çalışılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada yöntem olarak literatür taraması tercih edilmiş olup yerli ve yabancı kaynakların taranması ile elde edilen bilgiler analiz edilmiştir. Bu kapsamda bu çalışmanın ana konusunu akıllı şehir kavramı ve akıllı şehir sistemlerinin ortaya çıkışı oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada önce akıllı şehir kavramı ve gerekliliği üzerinde durulmuş, ardından dünyada ve Avrupa’da akıllı şehir uygulamalarından bahsedilmiştir. Sonrasında ise Türkiye’de akıllı şehir uygulamasının ilk başlangıcı, gelişimi ve uygulama örnekleri irdelenmiştir. Son olarak su kullanımında akıllı uygulamaların önemi üzerinde durulmuş ve sonuç bölümünde bunların bir değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır.
Оценивание эффективности функционирования диалоговой системы на основе применения нечеткого вывода с нейросетевой настройкой
Authors: Махди Тарек Нассер , Игитян Елена Владимировна , Польщиков Константин Александрович , Корсунов Николай Иванович
Published: July 2022

Представлены результаты исследования, направленные на совершенствование процесса оценивания эффективности функционирования диалоговых систем на основе разработки моделей нечеткого вывода и нейросетевого обучения. Обоснована актуальность разработки средств анализа выполнения вопросно-ответных функций программными средствами, именуемыми виртуальными ассистентами. В качестве величин для оценивания эффективности функционирования диалоговых систем предложено использовать частные показатели, характеризующие точность, лаконичность и полноту ответов на заданные вопросы. Результирующая оценка эффективности определяется значением обобщенного показателя, вычисляемого с учетом значений частных показателей. Разработан алгоритм вычисления обобщенного показателя на основе применения нечеткого вывода. Необходимые для его выполнения значения параметров функций принадлежности и индивидуальных выводов нечетких правил предложено вычислять на основе алгоритма нейросетевого обучения. Представлены результаты экспериментальных исследований по оцениванию эффективности функционирования диалоговых систем на основе предложенных алгоритмов.

 

БлагодарностиИсследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке РФФИ в рамках научного проекта № 20-37-90083.
Автоматизация обработки юридических документов на примере правового сопровождения издательской деятельности: задачи и перспективные технологии
Authors: Котов Александр Александрович
Published: July 2022

Деятельность субъектов в правовом русле предполагает знание требований публичных актов и их регулярных изменений. Непрерывное развитие действующей законодательной базы актуализирует внедрение средств автоматизации сопровождения правовой деятельности юридических и физических лиц. Цифровая трансформация документооборота дает возможность реализации методов искусственного интеллекта для автоматической пакетной обработки текстов с целью повышения скорости верификации юридических документов на соответствие действующим нормативно-правовым актам. По результатам исследования проведен анализ истории развития технологий автоматизации правовой деятельности, определены ключевые перспективные информационные технологии: автоматическая обработка текста, машинный перевод, интеллектуальный анализ данных, визуализация данных. Предложены классификации существующих типов нормативно-правовых документов, способов их анализа и подходов к автоматизации юридической деятельности, а также существующих информационно-аналитических компьютерных систем для правового сопровождения документооборота.
Легенда об основании Киева и «История Тарона»: обратная связь?
Authors: Виноградов Алексей Евгеньевич
Published: July 2022

Летописная легенда об основании Киева тремя братьями демонстрирует большое сходство с аналогичным армянским преданием из Тарона. Однако предположение о заимствовании в «Историю Тарона» полянского сюжета сталкивается с рядом исторических, лингвистических и других трудностей. Возникает гипотеза об обратном заимствовании, которая могла быть связана с походом русов 943/944 в Закавказье. Она подтверждается свидетельством «Картлис Цховреба» и археологическими находками в Киеве, позволяющими сопоставить генезис оронима Щекавица из киевской легенды с выходцами из закавказского города/области Шеки. Сведения восточных авторов о походе русов дают основания предположить, что главный персонаж киевского предания князь Кий (Кый) на самом деле являлся родственником, возможно, соправителем князя Игоря Старого и предводителем похода 943/944. Предположение о заимствовании таронской легенды приводит датировку основания Киева в соответствие с археологическими и историко-нарративными свидетельствами.
Factors Influencing Amount of Loan Access by Women Entrepreneurs in Some Micro Finance Banks in Gombe State, Nigeria
Authors: S.A. Sasa , E.F. Adebayo , D.C. Maurice
Published: July 2022

The paper examines the factors influencing the amount of loan access by women entrepreneurs in some Micro Finance Bànks in Gombe state Nigeria. Many studies conducted on microfinance institutions have been on its effects on poverty alleviation in both developed and developing nations, but very few have been on the determinants of their performance and outreach especially in North Eastern Nigeria. The study establishes that the performance of the women agricultural entrepreneurs is unprecedented going by the profitability in their businesses. The study concluded that the women are relatively educated and organized as most of them belong to a cooperative society and are within their most productive ages. The study also concluded that the income of the women agricultural entrepreneurs in the study area is relatively increasing as they access their loan from the banks.
Aesthetics and the Staging of Sexual Violence in Cervantes and Lope
Authors: Nelson Bradley
Published: July 2022

The goal of this paper is to analyze how works by Cervantes and Lope position the aesthetics of romance, or courtly love, and by extension, the poet, in relation to sexual violence in early modern Spain. The main works in question are Lope’s Peribáñez y el Comendador de Ocaña and the Tosilos episode at the palace of the duke and duchess in the second book of Don Quixote. Where Lopeframes the potential sexual violence and theatrical chaos set in motion by the Comendador as the work a deceitful, heretical, and dishonorable aberration/abomination who needs to be eliminated so that an inherently just and natural society can function as God intended, Cervantes locates the source of sexual violence in the hierarchical power structure of the aristocracy per se as well as its use of theatrical spectacles to simultaneously entertain and legitimize their political privilege and economic superiority. In other words, for Cervantes, the image of terror that is brought to the stage in a figure like Lope’s don Fadrique is not external to the monarchical-seigniorial apparatuses of social and political containment, as Lope would have it, but is rather a product of its hierarchical structure. The hope is that this essay will further discussions sparked by the #MeToo movement concerning analogous debates about the relation between culture and sexual violence.
Irrepresentable Corporealities: The Staging of Las paredes oyen in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Authors: Piñar Pablo García
Published: July 2022

Juan Ruiz de Alarcón’s Las paredes oyen is an exceptional comedia in that it captures the embodied experience of living with a physically marked body and it does so from the perspective of a disabled author. Cultural and social attitudes towards deviant corporealities, however, have prevented the staging of the leading part, Don Juan, as physically marked, from the play’s first staging in 1618 to the last third of the twentieth century. This article reconstructs the material circumstances in which Las paredes oyen has been historically staged, from 1829 to 1975, in continental Europe, Mexico, and Canada, and discusses the logic behind not staging Don Juan’s body as deviant in each production during this period. For this reconstruction, this study avails itself of a variety of archival sources, from newspaper ads and articles to programs, and rehearsal copies of the play.
Medieval Ballads in Miniature and Our New Gold: Collaborative Theatre Projects in the Digital Era
Authors: Nieto-Cuebas Glenda Y. , Treadway Hannah , Lew Jasmine , Rodríguez Paula
Published: July 2022

This article discusses two collaborative theatre projects developed virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020–2021 academic year. These projects—Medieval Ballads in Miniature: A Shadow of Myself and Our New Gold—highlight the dynamics of theatrical collaboration outside the traditional performing arts setting or classroom and show how these can be truly synergistic and enriching for academic and non-academic audiences.
Importance of Cynipidae Family (Hymenoptera) ornamental and food plants
Authors: Carlos Henrique Marchiori
Published: July 2022

Reproduction of gall wasps is partially by sexual reproduction and partially by parthenogenesis, where the male is completely unnecessary. As in many species, however, there is an alternation of generations with one to two sexual generations and one parthenogenetic generation annually. This process differentiates the various generations in their appearance and in the way they induce the galls. The larvae of many species develop gallant characteristics; and there are also many species that are tenants or parasites of other gall wasps, such as those of the genus Synergus. This mini review aims to verify the importance of Cynipidae Family ornamental and food plants. To this end, a bibliographic survey of Cynipidae was carried out in the years 1937 to 2021. Only complete articles published in scientific journals and expanded abstracts presented at national and international scientific events. Data were also obtained from platforms such as: Academia.edu, Frontiers, Qeios, Biological Abstract, Publons, Dialnet, World, Wide Science, Springer, RefSeek, Microsoft Academic and Science.
Diabetes as a Risk Factor of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Ahmad Syed Whaj , Ahmad Syed Faraz , Banu Ahmed Nawaz , Jamil Maheen , Arshad Nahal
Published: July 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the relation between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration: Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Minchinabad. May 2021-Dec 2021 Methods: There were two hundred and fifty patients of pancreatic cancer were included in this study. Age of the patients was between 20-90 years. Informed written consent was taken from all the patients for detailed demographics age, sex, body, mass index. Patients were underwent for CT scan and ultrasonography. Outcomes were association of diabetes among enrolled cases was measured. Age duration of diabetes among all the cases were measured. Prevalence of cancer among different regions of pancreas was studied. SPSS 24.0 version was used to analyze complete data. Results: There were 160 (64%) males and 90 (36%) cases were females. Mean age of the patients was 65.4±6.45 years with mean BMI 27.3±4.67 kg/m2. Tobacco smoking was found in 151 (60.4%) among. Frequency of diabetes was found among 80 (28%) cases. Among 80 cases of diabetes, 72 (90%) patients had recent onset diabetes. Mean age of diabetes diagnose was 56.34±5.34 years and mean age of pancreatic cancer diagnosed was 58.9±6.77 years. Head in pancreas was the most common affected side of tumor among 58 (72.5%), followed by body 12 (15%) and tail in 10 (12.5%) cases. Conclusion: In this study we concluded that frequency of diabetes among pancreatic cancer patients was 28% and majority of the cases had new-onset diabetes. Except this tobacco smoking was significant causing factor for pancreatic cancer. It may be possible to screen for pancreatic cancer in new-onset diabetes by identifying a particular biomarker for pancreatic cancer. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Pancreatic cancer, Causes
Frequency of Depression and its Severity Among Primary Caregivers of Psychoactive Substance use Patients
Authors: Idrees Muhammad , Iqbal Hafiza Iqra , Gill Iram Asghar
Published: July 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out how depressed primary carers of psychoactive substance use patients. Study Design: Cross sectional/ Descriptive Place and Duration: Study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Jhang with duration of Dec 2020-Dec 2021. Methods: This study included a total of 90 patients of both genders. Patients ranged in age from 20 to 65 years old. Primary carers of patients who used psychoactive substances were included in the study. After receiving informed written consent, patients' detailed demographics such as age, sex, and BMI were collected. Depression, stress, and anxiety were measured in the cases that were enrolled. SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze all of the data. Results: Among 90 cases, number of males was 58 (64.4%) and females were 32 (35.6%). The mean age of the patients was 31.6±8.51 years and mean BMI of the patients was 23.03±13.61 kg/m2. Majority of the cases were from urban areas 61 (67.8%) and had poor socio-economic status 55 (61.1%). Frequency of married patients was 49 (54.4%) and 53 (58.9%) were literate. Frequency of depression was found among 85 (94.4%) cases, anxiety in 78 (86.7%) cases and stress in 74 (82.2%) patients. Among 85 cases of depression 65 (76.5%) patients had severe depression. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the carers of patients who used psychoactive substances exhibited severe depression. On the one hand, the severity of medication-related difficulties is clearly linked to the development of anxiety and depression to others. Keywords: Caregivers, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Psychoactive Substance
Evaluation of Hypovitaminosis D in different age and gender groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Authors: Ali Sajid , Zubair Muhammad , Khan Ahmad Shamim , Zaman Sidra , Ali Alishaba , . Sawera
Published: July 2022

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with many chronic disorders such as cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular, rickets, and musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the level of vitamin D in our region. Methods: A total of one hundred and ninety-five adult participants were enrolled. Patients were referred by medical physicians and consultants after identifying the sign and symptoms of Hypovitaminosis D. Both male and female gender were recruited and patients with severe chronic disorders were excluded from the study. Vitamin D levels were categorized into four groups including deficiency of vitamin D (<10 IU), insufficient vitamin D level (10-30 IU), Normal vitamin D level (30-100 IU), and Hypervitaminosis level of vitamin D (>100 IU). Results: The minimum and maximum age of the patient was 17 and 57 years age with the mean age of all patients being 33.833.8+17.3. Male and female patients were 79.5% (n=155) and 20.5% (n=40). The highest number of patients were identified in the age group 36-45 years. Vitamin D level was found in 7.7% deficient while insufficiency of vitamin D was found in 48.7%. Insufficiency of vitamin D was found more in female (67.5%) patients than in males (43.9%). The highest prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was obtained in the age group 16-25 years. No patient was found with hypervitaminosis D. Conclusion: There is a high deficiency of vitamin D in patients particularly in females and younger age populations. Awareness about vitamin D importance, psychosocial intervention, and vitamin D supplementation should be implemented to prevent any severe consequences of Hypovitaminosis D. Keywords: Vitamin D, Hypovitaminosis D, Age, Gender
Relation Between Sex Hormones and Covid-19
Authors: Ibrahim Ihsan Raisan , Hussain Talib Rahiem
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus is one of the major viruses that mainly attack human respiratory system . there are similarities in symptoms between COVID – 19 and earlier Coronavirus infections such as fever , dry cough , however , COVID – 19 showed unique clinical feature , that involve the targeting of the lower airways as evident by upper respiratory tract symptoms such as rhinorrhea , sneezing and sore throat . The severity of COVID- 19 as indicated by hospitalization , admission to intensive care unit , has been greater in men than women . Many hypotheses have been found to explain this difference in susceptibility and severity of the disease . The difference in immune response between sex is consider the main factor in outcomes of viral infection . Estrogen has immunoenhancing effect on the immune system , while testosterone has immunosuppressive role , also progesterone inhibits inflammatory innate immune response . In this review , its concluded that sex hormones have relation with COVID-19 severity .It was concluded that estrogen and progesterone reduce disease severity in contrast , testosterone increase the severity and susceptibility for COVID-19 . Keywords: sex hormones ; immunity ; Covid – 19
Accuracy of Ultrasound based BI-RADS Scoring System to Predict Malignancy in Patients with Breast Lump
Authors: Rasheed Usman , Ameer Saima , Sadia Bukhari Rimsha
Published: July 2022

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of BIRADS in diagnosing malignant breast lesions in patients with palpable breast lump. Patients and Methods: A total number of 100 patients presenting with Palpable breast lump were included in this study. The study was conducted in radiology unit of Lahore General Hospital Lahore from August-2021 to April-2022. Data regarding baseline study variables such as age, living area and socioeconomic status was collected for each patient. Ultrasound examination of the breast masses was done by an expert radiologist for calculation of BI-RADS score. Diagnosis of malignancy on histopathological findings was also made. Results: Mean age of patients was 41.04±11.00 years. There were 43 (43.0%) from rural areas and 57 (57%) from urban areas. Malignancy on BI-RADS was found in 42 (42%) patients. On evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of BI-RADS, BI-RADS was 92.5.0% sensitive, 88.3% specific having 84.1% PPV and 94.6% NPV (Table 1). Conclusion: When compared to histopathologic diagnosis, the findings of our study demonstrated that BIRADS is an accurate and trustworthy method for diagnosing breast lumps. Key Words: Palpable breast lump, BI-RADs Scoring, Histopathology.
Frequency of Blood Eosinophilia in Patients of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD)
Authors: Samuel Sehar Saba , Batool Bushra , . Samiullah , Khan Mohammad Mohsin
Published: July 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency of eosinophilia in patients presenting with acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Patients and Methods: A total number 217 patients presenting with AECOPD were included from August-2021 to March-2022. Data regarding patients age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and duration of COPD was collected for each patient. After inclusion, venous blood samples were taken and were analyzed for presence of eosinophilia. Results: Mean age of patients was 59.32±8.92 years. Mean duration of COPD was 6.56±2.49 years. There were 127 (74.7%) male and 43 (25.3%) female patients. Out of 170, 121 (71.2%) patients were smokers, 66 (38.8%) diabetic and 79 (46.5%) hypertensive patients. Eosinophilia was diagnosed in 37 (21.8%) patients. Conclusion: Based on the data of our study including 170 patients hospitalized for AECOPD, we found that 21.8% patients had blood eosinophilia (defined as ≥300 cells/μL). So Peripheral blood eosinophilia can be used a significant biomarker in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Keywords: Acute exacerbation, Eosinophilia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Relationship between the new Leadership Styles and Nursing Productivity
Authors: Aly Sahar Mohammed , Alghabbashi Maram Taher , Alhusyeni Naemih Marzuqe , Alkhaybary Maryam Mohammed
Published: July 2022

Background: Current and innovative trend leadership styles entail transformational, laissez-faire, passive-avoidant, and transactional leadership styles. Aim: To examine the relationship between nurse leaders’ new leadership styles and nursing productivity at King Fahad Hospital in Al Medina Al Munawara. Material and Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was used to collect the appropriate data. A convenient sampling (n=47) of all nurse's leaders at King Fahad Hospital in Al Madinah Al-Munawara filled three data collection tools. The tools queried demographic data, Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Rater Form to measure leadership and NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework to measure nurse's productivity. Pearson correlation was used to investigate the correlation further with a significance level of at P= <0.05. Results: Transformational and transactional leadership styles increase staff nurses skills as communication, personnel and Professional development, health safety, security, quality, equality, and diversity. Additionally, the leadership styles improve service improvement, interventions, and treatments. Conclusion and Recommendations: The implementation of transformational and transactional leadership styles is imperative for the nursing practice that seeks to increase the productivity of the nurses, a new leadership style has effect of transactional, transformational, passive-avoidant, and laissez-faire confirms the varied respondents of different demographic groups. Keywords: Relationship, new leadership, styles, nursing, productivity
A Population-Based Evaluation of Depression Symptoms and Hypothyroidism
Authors: Khan Saad Ali , Butt Lala Naeem , Sarwar Nayab , Ali Ambreen , Khan Muhammad Habib , Banori Alia
Published: July 2022

Background: Findings in sub-clinical situations are inconsistent, despite the fact that overt hypothyroidism is often accepted as a primary cause of depression Material and Methods: In a population-based research of 1298 middle-aged women residing in Peshawar , we looked at the link between hypothyroidism and depressive symptoms Results: 45.7 percent of the participants had depressed symptoms, and 12.3% had hypothyroidism. Women with TSH>10 mUI/ml had a twofold likelihood of presenting depressive symptoms compared to those with normal TSH levels, according to a multiple logistic regression study that controlled for age, BMI and smoking. The adjusted OR was 8.7 among individuals with clinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion: In the general population, TSH levels over a particular threshold have been related to an increased risk of depression. As a result, depression symptoms should be examined in thyroid dysfunction patients, and sad individuals should have their TSH levels checked. Keywords: depression, hypothyroidism, TSH level, thyroid, function
Clinical Features and Surgical Management of Intracranial Meningiomas in the Elderly
Authors: Haq Naeem Ul , Shah Inayat , Ishaq Muhammad , Khan Musawer
Published: July 2022

Objective: Given the threat related with surgical intervention of intracranial meningiomas in the older populace because of maturing physiology and numerous co morbidities, an endeavor was made to distinguish mediators impacting results and to characterize a category of individuals who ought not be surgically treated because of deprived prognosis. Study Setting: Mardan Medical Complex, KPK , PAKISTAN Material and Methods: The investigation of 58 individuals over the age of 70 years was conducted to determine short- and long-term results. Additionally, we derived scores for our patients using the previously reported CRGS, SKALE, and GSS grading systems. Result: The SKALE review technique indicated that only one important site was associated to neurological depression (P=0.02). Six people (10.3% of the total) quit due to their injuries. KPS 60 vs. KPS 70; P=0.0162); the American Society scale status (ASA 1 or 2 vs. ASA 3; P=0.0022); and the examination of meningiomas all had a link with death. Six occurrences of tumor recurrence were observed to be linked with the WHO grade (P = 0.00048) and the Simpson assessment of resection (P = 0.0437). In comparison to their Karnofsky score before surgery, the majority of patients either improved (50%) or did not change at all (24.9%). The 15.5% of patients who died as a result of the surgery or a recurrence are an exception to this rule. Conclusion: Neurological impairment following surgery was only observed in patients with a significant tumour placement (skull base, eloquent area, large vessels indulgence by the tumor). Because of the greatly increased threat of fatality, surgery should be carefully considered in individuals with a low functional state (KPS 60) or a bad bodily state (ASA 3 status). During routine visits, the majority of patients’ neurological health enhanced or remains constant in comparison to their condition before operation.
QTC Prolongation in Patients of Haemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Anum Hira , , Sajjad Mehroze , Turi Aftab Hussain , Ahmad Burhan , Tabassum Saima , Maqsood Shumaila , Anwar Usama
Published: July 2022

Objective:To evaluatethe frequency of QTC Prolongation among the patients of haemorrhagic stroke Methodology: A total of 120 cases of hemorrhagic stroke between 20-70 years of age of either gender presenting first time were enrolled from Rehmat-u-lil Alameen Institute of Cardiology, Lahore during the year May,2021 to April 2022. QT interval is a good non-invasive diagnostic indicator of ventricular repolarization and myocardial homogeneity. Low Glasgow coma scale (GCS), brain stem involvement, and a prolonged QTc interval are all poor prognostic indicators of hemorrhagic stroke. Results:In our study, 20-50 years aged patients were recorded in 31.67%(n=38) and 68.33%(n=82) were between 51-70 years of age. Male gender were 61.67%(n=74) and 38.3%(n=46) were females.QTC prolongation was recorded in 34.17%(n=41) whereas 65.83%(n=79) had no QTC prolongation. Conclusion: It is concluded by the results that frequency of QTc prolongation was higher in hemorrhagic strokecases, however, it is required that every stroke patient should be evaluated for cardiac examination so that early detection may reduce cardiac morbidities Keywords: Hemorrhagic stroke, ECG, QTC Interval
Medicinal Plant Resource Diversity of Agroecosystem in Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, South India
Authors: Nagavalli K , Santhanapandi P , Guruprasad A , Sarvesan R , Chittibabu CV
Published: July 2022

The Agroecosystems provide food, fuel, fodder, medicines, etc. These are all natural resources and livelihood for rural people in India. The aim of the present study was to document the diverse medicinal plant resources available in the agroecosystem of Valayampattu village in Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India. The field study was carried out during October 2018 to march 2019. The diverse of medicinal plant resources include a total of 32 plant families comprising 52 medicinal plant species (36 Trees, 3 Shrubs and 13 Herbs). Of them, the share of dicotyledons was 86.54% and monocotyledon was 13.46%. Among the dicotyledons, the families of polypetalae contributed 48.08 %, gamopetalae 17.31%, and monochlamydeae 21.15% to the Siddha medicinal plants. A total of 27 plant