bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the Influence of Social Media Platforms on Youth Buying Intention
Authors: Srivastava Vishal , Arnav Anni , Rai Neel
Published: August 2022

Social media has been creating a strong presence among youth in making buying decisions. The convenience and the usage perception are also leading the youth to look at different social networking sites for more information. The advertising content on various social networking sites are also witnessing radical changes as per the ever-changing necessities. The integrated marketing communication has been instrumental in taking the marketing communication strategies to a different level. The study gives an insight to the marketing teams of the companies who bank upon the various social media platforms looking at exploring the different opportunities to enhance their business opportunities with reference to youth buying intentions. The findings reveal the influence of social media platforms on youth buying intentions.
Smart Farming
Authors: Gera Umesh Kumar , Siddarth Dhirendra , Singh Preeti
Published: August 2022

Global population growth and urbanization are ongoing at the same time. Consumption patterns are changing as discretionary money rises. Farmers are under pressure to meet rising demand, so they're looking for new methods to boost productivity. There will be more people to feed in 30 years. Because there is a finite amount of rich soil, it will be necessary to go beyond traditional farming. We need to figure out ways to assist farmers in reducing or at the very least managing their risks. On a global basis, artificial intelligence in agriculture is one of the most fascinating prospects. Artificial intelligence has the potential to change the way we think about agriculture by assisting farmers in achieving greater results with less effort while also bringing a plethora of other benefits. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, is not a stand-alone technology. As the next step in the transition from traditional to creative farming, AI may improve existing technology.
Water Quality Prediction of Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand, India Using Artificial Neural Network Models
Authors: Koranga Manisha , Pant Pushpa , Kumar Tarun , Pant R. P. , Bhatt Ashutosh Kumar , Pant Durgesh
Published: August 2022

Artificial neural networks have progressed in a rapid way in the field of soft computing, and it is widely used in forecasting. The work presented in this chapter is about the development of artificial neural network (ANN)-based models to forecast the water quality (WQ) in Nainital Lake, Uttarakhand, India. A dataset comprising pH, turbidity, and total dissolved solid (TDS) of time period 2018-2019 has been used and analyzed using MATLAB software. For experimentation purposes, four data partition strategies, 10 learning algorithms of back propagation neural network (BPNN), and different combinations of learning rates and training tolerance were evaluated. The performance of the model was evaluated using statistical methods such as MSE, RMSE, MAD, MAPE. The results of the experiment show the capability of the optimal ANN models to predict the WQ of Nainital Lake.
Learning From the Learning Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ahmad Mokbul Morshed
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. Some have been affected more, some less. In many cases, the poor have become poorer and students have lost learning opportunities, which is more so in the developing world. Also, this pandemic has exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of the healthcare systems in most countries. This chapter sets out to explain how learning has been affected by this pandemic. It also highlights the author's experience as a lecturer and researcher during the pandemic. Pandemic responses are described as inefficient and reactive and characterized by delayed action, poor planning, and corruption. With the increased levels of poverty, unemployment, and inflation, it heavily impacted the low-income households restricted by the strict lockdowns and pandemic protocols. This motivated non-governmental organizations to act and initiate by pooling their resources to mitigate the gaps in the government's responses. The recovery framework also needed to set a clear path for the country's new normal.
Interpreting Cross-Cultural Digital Ethnography
Authors: Harries Jim
Published: August 2022

This chapter finds that the use of digital ethnography (sometimes considered a wonderful new effective way of unearthing truth) interculturally can easily dupe the gullible into confusing presuppositions with research outcomes. The widespread assumption that English communicates accurately between cultures underlies the duplicity. Examples from Africa illustrate how English words can be misleadingly assumed to carry original-native plus foreign meanings both distinctly, yet also simultaneously. Responses to COVID-19 and Protestant theological education practices in Africa illustrate the concern. Widespread veneers of Westernization around the world, in combination with taboos upholding political correctness, build on the hegemony of secularism to conceal consequential goings-on. The chapter concludes that intercultural use of digital ethnography easily results in unhelpful deception.
Voiceless Narratives of Indigenous Living Systems
Authors: Parahakaran Suma
Published: August 2022

This chapter will analyse indigenous knowledge's significance in sustainability for climate change. There is a pattern that demonstrates that there are connections between bigger life systems and other causes or occurrences which require constant engagement with nature and generational knowledge. Indigenous peoples employed totems, symbols, and messages to transmit their understanding of natural phenomena, causes, repercussions, and conservation measures. The study examines the use of digital ethnography to maintain both knowledge and experiences. The research also aims to bring new insights into systemic thinking and philosophical elements that influence ethical actions. In the name of globalisation, place-based contextual issues have been marginalised, reducing the local value that is distinctive to geographical places. The theory of change (TOC) informs here with an in-depth understanding of the philosophical concepts and systemic thinking.
Toward a Digital Technology Perspective of Entrepreneurship
Authors: Shatila Khodor , Jalloul Suha
Published: August 2022

New digital technology has revolutionized the uncertainty inherent in entrepreneurial processes, results, and the methods for coping with such delay. This has sparked discussion on digital entrepreneurship and the relationship between digital technology and entrepreneurship. The survey was distributed online using Google Forms between January 2022 and February 2022. The target population for the study included entrepreneurs and young graduates in Lebanon. The survey was administered in English, considered the second language used in Lebanon. Additionally, the sample used for this study is 270 employees (N=270). Many entrepreneurs' lives and jobs are now affected by technological advancements. People aren't sure how it's going to turn out, but one thing is for sure: it's going to provide something fresh and challenging. It must be a worldwide effort, engaging all stakeholders, including politicians, business leaders, educators, and public members. With these improvements in Lebanon, the whole production, management, and governance systems will be transformed.
Corporate Reporting Modernization in the Digital Economy
Authors: Shmarova Larisa V. , Ignatova Irina O.
Published: August 2022

Currently, digital technologies are being widely introduced in various areas, which results in the transformation of numerous processes around the globe, including the system of accounting and report formation. The compilation of reporting in electronic format is an integral part of digital transformation. It is crucial to note that in the contemporary world, the users of reporting make new requests: it is no longer enough for them to have exclusively financial data presented in traditional statements. As a result, the practice of applying the new model of public reporting—integrated reporting—is becoming increasingly common. The research aims to identify tendencies in the development of corporate reporting in the era of digitalization and analyze the structure of a company's reporting that best corresponds to the information demands of stakeholders. The research characterizes the fundamental concepts and guiding principles of integrated reporting and reveals its main elements and indicators. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the concept of an enterprise's six capitals.
Equity in the Online Space?
Authors: McCune Nina M.
Published: August 2022

As postsecondary institutions develop equity-minded approaches to improve minoritized and marginalized student retention and completion, most literature, case study, and discourse focuses on traditional, on ground, and/or residential schools and courses. More intentional and urgent focus must happen in the online space both in terms of institutional planning, practice, and strategy and in terms of individual/professional development. All individuals navigate systems using sets of ingrained, implicit, or cognitive biases. In postsecondary education, these biases impact student success. For any postsecondary institution with online course or program delivery, individual and organizational development opportunities must target these biases and create space for double-loop learning in order to achieve an equity-minded approach to organizational change.
Brand Preference for Smartphones
Authors: Tandon Dinesh , Sood Deepak , Sood Prerna
Published: August 2022

Turning luxury into a necessity is no longer a surprise. A simple cell phone with buttons in the nineties was an affordable luxury as part of the human premium. Today, a smartphone with a touch screen is a necessity for many people. The framework of preferences is set in the customer's mind to choose a product or service that offers a variety in it. The National Capital Region is an urban region, and according to the Press Trust of India, annual GDP is more than three times the national average. Moreover, 65% of the total retail revenue is generated by North India, and 50% of it comes from NCR. This study examines the outstanding and sought-after features of a smartphone and identifies the smartphones as a necessity for North Indian customers where product selection does not depend on age or income but rather many other factors.
Factors Influencing Imbursements
Authors: Salhan Gagandeep Singh , Chahal Ramandeep Kaur , Sood Deepak , Markan Rohit
Published: August 2022

The latest feathers in the cap of banking solutions were the digital wallet or e-wallet and near field communication (NFC) payment systems. The purpose of the study was to look at the factors influence payment through mobile wallets and NFC payment system for regular basis transactions and to compare a customer's payment preference among cash, e-wallets, and NFC in Punjab. For data analysis, powerful tool Anova was applied, and the results indicate that there is no substantial deviation between the income (I) of the respondent and using operation (OP) of e-wallets and NFC next the income (I) of the respondent and using frequency of e-wallets and NFC (UF) after that using the frequency of e-wallets and NFC (UF) and risk associated (R) with the use of mobile e-wallets and NFC. Users were attracted by the trustworthiness, speed, secure methods, practices privacy factors of mobile e-wallets and NFC, and most of the respondents chose to pay by using cash followed by mobile e-wallets, card payments, and lastly, through an NFC payment system.
Financial Training Needs of Executives
Authors: Kaur Jasleen , Goel Cheenu , Bassi Payal
Published: August 2022

Recruiting a competent employee is not enough for any organisation to handle its competitors strongly. Rather, it is more important to train and equip its human resources with the latest techniques of the business. Apart from technical and product knowledge, executives must have financial knowledge in order to make buying decisions, evaluate projects, extend financing options to customers, prepare and get budgets approved by top management, and even deal with clients. It is thus tremendous accentuation is being given to upgrade and upskill the financial understanding of executives in financial and non-financial companies. The present study was conducted to understand the training preferences of financial executives and to find the most effective methods, tools, and techniques to provide financial training. To carry out the study, finance executives of financial and non-financial companies having 5 years of work experience have been considered. Financial training requirements and preferences of respondents have been analysed by using appropriate statistical techniques.
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
Authors: Awasthi Shraddha , Ahuja Raina , SHARMA SANDHIR
Published: August 2022

Enthusiastic information, the capacity to know and direct personalities and sentiments inside the self, adds to feasible drive in associations. Four critical pieces of enthusiastic understanding, the assessment and enunciation of feeling, the utilization of feeling to help scholarly cycles and picking, data about sentiments, and the chiefs of sentiments, are depicted in this chapter.
PESTEL Analysis of the Automotive Industry
Authors: Bathla Devesh , Awasthi Shraddha , Ahuja Raina
Published: August 2022

The automotive industry has the potential to make subsequent inflection in its journey. To do so, it must embrace these six actions with the complete might of the industry ecosystem rallying behind it to support an upward inflection in its trajectory. The safety standards of automobiles in India have been a matter of concern for a while now with the number of deaths thanks to road accidents in India around three to fourfold that of European countries like France, Germany, and Spain. The Indian automotive safety standards are criticized as being insufficient and ineffective. India has the world's sixth-largest car market but remains the sole country among the worldwide top 10 car markets without a testing program that measures the security of vehicles.
A Care Step Pathway for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19–Associated Invasive Fungal Infections in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Jones Carolynn T. , Kopf R. Scott , Tushla Lisa , Tran Sarah , Hamilton Caroline , Lyman Meghan , McMullen Rachel , Shah Drashti , Stroman Angela , Wilkinson Eryn , Kelmenson Daniel , Vazquez Jose , Pappas Peter G.
Published: August 2022

Background

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a pandemic. Patients with severe cases resulting in hospitalization and mechanical ventilation are at risk for COVID-19–associated pulmonary aspergillosis, an invasive fungal infection, and should be screened for aspergillosis if they have persistent hemodynamic instability and fever. Early detection and treatment of this fungal infection can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in this population.

Objective

To develop an evidence-based care step pathway tool to help intensive care unit clinicians assess, diagnose, and treat COVID-19–associated pulmonary aspergillosis.

Methods

A panel of 18 infectious disease experts, advanced practice registered nurses, pharmacists, and clinical researchers convened in a series of meetings to develop the Care Step Pathway tool, which was modeled on a tool developed by advanced practice nurses to evaluate and manage side effects of therapies for melanoma. The Care Step Pathway tool addresses various aspects of disease management, including assessment, screening, diagnosis, antifungal treatment, pharmacological considerations, and exclusion of other invasive fungal coinfections.

Results

The Care Step Pathway tool was applied in the care of a patient with COVID-19–associated aspergillosis. The patient was successfully treated.

Conclusion

The Care Step Pathway is an effective educational tool to help intensive care unit clinicians consider fungal infection when caring for COVID-19 patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, especially when the clinical course is deteriorating and antibiotics are ineffective.
Imaging and clinical findings in late presenting posterior urethral valves in a resource-constrained economy
Authors: Nwankwo Elochukwu Perpetua
Published: August 2022

Posterior Urethral Valve (PUV) is the commonest cause of lower urinary tract obstruction in male children. Late presentation with delayed diagnosis is common in our setting. This study aims to review the clinical, biochemical, imaging findings and parental factors in late-presenting posterior urethral valves. A retrospective analysis of patients with PUVs seen at UNTH from 2011-2019 was done. Patients who presented at or later than six months of age were considered late presenters and were studied. Patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal diagnosis, clinical features, and imaging findings at presentation were retrieved. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Statistical significance was set at a p-value<0.05. Twenty-four cases of PUV with complete clinical data were studied. Mean age 3.3 (SD±2.1) years had a positive association with maternal educational level (p≤0.001). Nineteen (72.9%) had antenatal care, 4 (16.7%) had prenatal Ultrasonography (USS), and were part of those who had antenatal care. None had a prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal USS was associated with higher paternal education (p=0.03). The most common clinical symptom and finding respectively were straining to pass urine 23 (95.8%) and palpable bladder 23 (95.8%). The common electrolyte derangements included hyperkalemia (50%), raised serum urea (70.8%) while postnatal hydronephrosis 23 (95.8%) was the main ultrasound and MCUG findings. Late presentation is common with urinary dysfunction and azotemia. Improved antenatal care including late trimester ultrasound and parental health education will enhance prenatal diagnosis and early presentation.
Le droit à la vie dans le contexte français. Réflexion éthico-juridique à partir de la Convention d’Oviedo, de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme et de la Doctrine Sociale de l’Église
Authors: Badr Maroun
Published: August 2022

Les questions relatives au droit à la vie, en tant que droit humain fondamental, ne sont plus des questions internes d’un pays. Entre les conventions et les traités internationaux signés et ratifiés, il est désormais possible de saisir les tribunaux et de recourir aux jurisprudences au-delà des frontières afin de chercher des réponses aux problématiques concernant à la valeur de la vie. Il s’agit par exemple de la Convention d’Oviedo et de la Convention Européenne des Droits de l’Homme (CEDh) qui constituent deux principaux instruments internationaux juridiques quant à la bioéthique. De son côté, la Doctrine Sociale de l’Église (DSE), à travers les principes qu’elle propose, n’a jamais cessé d’appeler les États à respecter ce droit humain fondamental, en tant que «premier bien commun de la société». À partir de quelques affaires juridiques et de quelques principes d’éthique social de la DSE, cet article présente une réflexion éthico-juridique dans le contexte français sur le thème du droit à la vie. Son but est d’essayer de répondre à la question suivante: le droit à la vie constitue-t-il une possibilité de rencontre entre le Droit International et la DSE?
Comparison of Palonosetron Versus Palonosetron and Dexamethasone for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Middle Ear Surgeries
Authors: Kumar Kanhaiya , Kumar Rajnish , Hussain Mumtaz , Kumari Bibha , Kumar Arvind
Published: August 2022

Background:

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are one of the common distressing conditions after anesthesia. The PONV are related to several potential risk factors are patient related, anesthesia related, and surgery related. In surgery-related risk, middle ear surgery is associated with a high incidence of PONV.

Aims:

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of palonosetron versus palonosetron with dexamethasone in the prevention of PONV in middle ear surgeries.

Settings and Design:

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Statistical Analysis:

The data were presented as descriptive statistics for continuous variables and percentages for categorical variables and were subjected to Z-test/Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test. The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Demographic parts in comparison to age, duration of surgery, and duration of anesthesia were similar in both the groups. Our study showed that the incidence of PONV during 0–6 h was 38% (n = 19) in Group A and 12% (n = 6) in Group B and the incidence during 6–12 h postoperatively was 14% (n = 7) in Group A and 8% (n = 4) in Group B. During 12–24 h, the incidence was 8% (n = 4) and 6% (n = 3) in Group A and B, respectively. Hence, the difference of total early PONV in Group A was 60% (n = 30) and in Group B, it was 26% (n = 13) which was statistically significant (P < 0.03).

Conclusions:

The above result proves that palonosetron and dexamethasone group is superior in the prevention of PONV in middle ear surgery.
Randomized Controlled Study Comparing 2-Chloroprocaine and Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia in Gynecological Surgeries
Authors: Thomas Subin , Pawar Devanand Bhimrao , Ruparel Dipakkumar Hiralal , Sedani Shweta
Published: August 2022

Background:

Ambulatory surgeries are increasing all over. While searching for an ideal anesthetic, the use of lidocaine was linked to a greater rate of transitory neurological symptoms and bupivacaine delays discharge due to a longer duration of motor blockade. 2-chloroprocaine (2CP) with a shorter duration of action is gaining popularity. We aimed to compare intrathecal bupivacaine and 2CP for the subarachnoid block for elective ambulatory gynecological surgeries.

Methods:

A single-blind study was conducted on 90 patients comparing 40 mg 2CP and 10 mg 0.5% bupivacaine heavy measuring pinprick sensation, motor block, time to ambulation, and voiding of urine so as to get ready for discharge.

Results:

In both groups, the beginning of sensory blockage occurred at a similar time, while motor blockade achieved was faster in the 2CP group. The resolution of motor blockade was 1.7 times faster in the 2CP group than in the bupivacaine group. Time taken for ambulation was delayed significantly in the bupivacaine group, i.e., 263.04 ± 29.08 min compared to the 2CP group, i.e., 225.44 ± 29.48 min which was a delay of almost 38 min. Voiding of urine was also delayed in the bupivacaine group by 60 min compared to the 2CP group and was significant finding leading to delay of discharge of patients. Adverse effects were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion:

Intrathecal preservative-free 2CP provides satisfactory surgical block, and has a considerably faster rate of block regression, resulting in earlier ambulation and voiding, allowing the patient to be discharged from the hospital sooner as compared to intrathecal bupivacaine.
A Prospective Observational Study of the Efficacy of Combined Interscalene Block and Superficial Cervical Plexus Block using Peripheral Nerve Stimulator and Landmark-Based Technique, as a Sole Anesthetic for Surgeries on the Clavicle in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Majumdar Uma , Mitra Anuradha
Published: August 2022

Background:

Fractures of the clavicle are usually operated under general anesthesia (GA) as they need dense anesthesia, and the airway is difficult to access intraoperatively. There is no established regional anesthesia (RA) technique for clavicular fractures, also as the innervation is contentious. Some studies have been done using RA techniques, but they are all small case numbers. RA is superior to GA in many ways, and we wished to avoid GA specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims:

This study aimed to use a peripheral nerve stimulator and a landmark-based technique to give interscalene block (ISB) and superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) as a sole anesthetic for clavicular fracture surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Settings and Design:

This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary care teaching hospital in eastern India.

Materials and Methods:

After approval from our ethics committee and informed consent, thirty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II, aged 18–65 years, after exclusion criteria were selected who had to undergo clavicular surgery. Three 10-mL syringes were made, each with 5 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine, 2 mL of 2% lignocaine with 1:200,000 adrenaline, and 3 mL of saline. Using the HNS Stimuplex (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany) nerve stimulator, 20 mL was given for an ISB and 5 mL for the SCPB. RA was considered successful if there was no conversion to GA and surgery could be performed.

Results:

With an onset time of 6.53 ± 2.17 min, good operating conditions were obtained in all our patients. Horner's syndrome was noted in two patients. Surgery was successfully carried out in all thirty patients under RA. Pain relief lasted postoperatively for 5 ± 0.92 h.

Conclusion:

ISB combined with SCPB is safe and effective as a sole anesthetic for clavicular surgery. We successfully avoided the use of a general anesthetic in these patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and gave them a safe and effective alternative.
Anti-Bacterial Effect, Fluoride Release, and Compressive Strength of a Glass Ionomer Containing Silver and Titanium Nanoparticles
Authors: Wassel Mariem O. , Allam Gehan G.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Many attempts have been made to enhance the anti-cariogenic properties of the conventional glass ionomer through incorporation of variable materials. However, most importantly, the incorporation of such materials should not jeopardise the physical or mechanical properties of the final restoration.

Aims:

To investigate the effect of adding silver nanoparticles (

Ag-NPs

) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (

TiO

2

-NPs

) to conventional glass ionomer cement (

GIC

) on its anti-bacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans (

S. mutans

), fluoride ion release, and compressive strength (

CS

).

Settings and Design:

This study was an in vitro investigation where 30-disc specimens were prepared in each of the three studied groups.

Materials and Methods:

The specimens were categorized into the control group (Group C), in which conventional GIC was used, and Group Ag and Group Ti, in which 5 wt% of Ag-NP and TiO2-NP were added, respectively, to GIC powder. In each group, the anti-bacterial effect against S. mutans, fluoride ion release at 24 hours and 14 and 28 days, and CS were assessed. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey honest significant difference post-hoc test.

Results:

Both Ag and Ti groups showed a significantly higher anti-bacterial effect than the control group. Ag-NP increased fluoride ion release, whereas TiO2-NP decreased fluoride release; however, cumulative ion release of both experimental groups did not differ significantly compared to the control group. Adding Ag-NP and TiO2-NP increased CS, yet only the Ti group showed the highest CS mean value that was statistically significant compared to other groups.

Conclusions:

Adding 5 wt% TiO2-NP or Ag-NP to conventional GIC significantly increased its anti-bacterial effect and its CS without affecting fluoride release.
Substance Use and Oral Health Sensations among Substance Users Residing in Rehabilitation Centres in an Indian City
Authors: Kumar Gunjan , Jnaneswar Avinash , Rai Shilpa , Vinay S , Jha Kunal , Singh Arpita
Published: August 2022

Background:

The term substance is usually used to address psychoactive/psychotropic drugs which include both licit and illicit drugs. These substances have varied consequences, including long-term and short-term effects, which include sensations post-consumption.

Aim:

To determine patterns of substance use and short-term oral health effects among substance users.

Materials and Methods:

A self-administered questionnaire-based study was conducted on the inmates of drug deaddiction and rehabilitation centres in Bhubaneswar city.

Results:

All the subjects were males and majority (60.6%) were polydrug users. Alcohol (87.3%) was the most commonly used substance, followed by ganja (57%), bhang (35.3%) and brown sugar (33%). A wide range of oral health sensations like dryness of mouth, taste change, numbness in mouth, feeling like chewing something, loose teeth and stammering/difficulty in speaking were found to be significantly associated with substance use. The age of start of substance use (P < 0.0001), socioeconomic status (P = 0.026) and marital status (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with the pattern of substance use. About 37.6% of inmates felt that they had very good oral health before starting drug use, while only 15.4% described their oral health as very good at present. Having no oral health problem was the most common reason for not visiting a dentist, followed by ignorant attitude towards oral health.

Conclusion:

A wide range of oral health sensations were found to be caused due to substance use. Understanding of oral health sensations can aid practitioners detect and report cases of substance use in its early phase.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine-Containing Oral Gels Against Aspiration Pneumonia-Inducing Bacteria
Authors: Han Sun-Young , Roh Jiyeon , Jung Yun-Sook , Kim Ki-Rim
Published: August 2022

Aim:

Hospitalised patients have a high risk of developing aspiration pneumonia because of poor oral care and oral microbial flora changes. Chlorhexidine (CHX) solution has been used to reduce inflammation and prevent infections in oral cavity, but it is difficult to use in inpatients. Gel-type antimicrobial agents rather than the liquid form may be effective for the oral management of hospitalised patients. Therefore, we evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial effects of CHX-containing oral gels on aspiration pneumonia-inducing bacteria compared to the CHX solution.

Materials and Methods:

The experimental products of two oral gel types containing 1% and 0.1% CHX, respectively, were selected. Hexamedine, a 0.12% CHX solution, was used as a positive control. The antimicrobial activity of CHX agents against six pneumonia-causing bacteria and Streptococcus mutans, one of the most common oral bacteria, was comparatively analysed using the agar disk diffusion method.

Results:

In the disk diffusion assay, the 1% CHX gels showed the highest inhibitory effect on all bacteria. All CHX agents including gels and solution had the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared with other bacteria.

Conclusions:

We confirmed the significant antimicrobial effects of the 1% CHX oral gels on aspiration pneumonia-inducing bacteria. These results suggest that CHX gels may be an effective oral care method for preventing infection in inpatients who have difficulty using the solution.
Evaluation of Serum Interleukin-33 and Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) Receptors in Patients with and without Periodontal Disease
Authors: Singh Himadri , Singh Abhinav , Saluja Rohit
Published: August 2022

Context:

Interleukin-33 and its receptor soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) play an important role in inflammation and its role in periodontal disease is yet unclear. The role of both IL-33 and sST2 together in periodontal disease as biomarkers has never been studied.

Aim:

To assess the levels of IL-33 and sST2 in serum samples of patients with periodontitis and healthy subjects.

Methods:

A total of 71 subjects (30 healthy subjects and 41 patients with periodontal disease) were included in the cross-sectional study. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was used to assess periodontal health by utilizing a mouth mirror and a CPI probe. Venous blood was collected and serum was separated. Serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay.

Statistical Analysis:

Graph Pad Prism 5 was used for statistical analysis. Mann Whitney test was applied to compare the two groups.

Results:

The level of IL-33 was not found to be elevated among healthy subjects and sST2 was found elevated among patients with periodontal disease. The serum concentration of IL-33 was found at 472 ± 114 pg/ml and 282 ± 77 pg/ml among healthy subjects and patients with periodontal disease respectively. Significantly higher values of sST2 at 28 ± 2 ng/ml were found among periodontal patients as compared to healthy subjects with values of 18 ± 1 ng/ml. No significant differences were noted between mild to moderate and severe periodontitis for IL-33 and sST2 between the two groups.

Conclusion:

This study shows alteration in serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 in periodontitis patients. IL-33 and sST2 may be potential inflammatory markers of periodontitis. Further studies are required on a large sample size for better understanding. This pilot study is the first to assess the serum levels of both IL-33 and sST2 together among patients with and without periodontal disease.
Automated detection of panic disorder based on multimodal physiological signals using machine learning
Authors: Jang Eun Hye , Choi Kwan Woo , Kim Ah Young , Yu Han Young , Jeon Hong Jin , Byun Sangwon
Published: August 2022

We tested the feasibility of automated discrimination of patients with panic disorder (PD) from healthy controls (HCs) based on multimodal physiological responses using machine learning. Electrocardiogram (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), respiration (RESP), and peripheral temperature (PT) of the participants were measured during three experimental phases: rest, stress, and recovery. Eleven physiological features were extracted from each phase and used as input data. Logistic regression (LoR), k‐nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithms were implemented with nested cross‐validation. Linear regression analysis showed that ECG and PT features obtained in the stress and recovery phases were significant predictors of PD. We achieved the highest accuracy (75.61%) with MLP using all 33 features. With the exception of MLP, applying the significant predictors led to a higher accuracy than using 24 ECG features. These results suggest that combining multimodal physiological signals measured during various states of autonomic arousal has the potential to differentiate patients with PD from HCs.
COVID-19 ENFEKSİYONUNUN KRONİK BÖBREK HASTALIĞINDA PROGRESYON VE KRONİK İNFLAMASYON ŞİDDETİNE ETKİLERİ
Authors: YÜCEL Hasan Esat , KONAR Naime Meric
Published: August 2022

Amaç: SARS-COV-2 (Şiddetli akut Solunum Sendromu Virüsü), geniş bir organotropizme
sahiptir. Baskın olarak pulmoner sistemi tutsada, böbreklerde yaygın olarak tutulmaktadır.
Kronik böbrek hastalarında, akut böbrek hasarını ve mortaliteyi artırdığı çalışmalarla
gösterilmiştir. Ancak hayatta kalan ve diyalizsiz takipte olan hastalarda progresyon ve kronik
inflamasyon şiddetine etkileri henüz bilinmemektedir. Çalışmadaki amacımız bu durumu
araştırmaktır.
Araçlar ve Yöntem: Çalışma retrospektif olarak gerçekleştirildi. COVID-KBH (n=54) ve
NON-COVID KBH (n=80) olmak üzere, iki grup oluşturuldu.NON-COVID, kontrol grubu
olarak ele alındı. COVID-KBH hastalarının akut enfeksiyondan önce son 3 ay içerisinde stabil
takiplerindeki, bazal böbrek fonksiyon testleriyle (BUN, Üre, creatinin, GFR), bazı tam kan
sayımı alt belirteçlerinin (WBC, Hbg, Neu, Ly, Plt, RDW, Plt/LY ve NEU/Ly),
akutenfeksiyondan 6 ay sonraki değişimleri incelendi. NON-COVID grubunda da aynı
değişkenlerin bazal değerleriyle, 6 ay sonraki değişimleri incelenerekkarşılaştırılması
sağlandı. Böylece SARS-COV-2’nin olumsuz etkinliği araştırıldı.
Bulgular: COVID-KBH grubunun 6 ay sonraki bazal böbrek fonksiyonları incelendiğinde,
creatinin düzeyinde artış, GFR’de ise azalma saptanmışken, NON-COVID grubunda herhangi
bir değişim gözlenmemiştir. Kronik inflamasyon belirtçeleri açısından da önemli farklılıklar
görülmüştür. COVID grubunda Platelet/Lenfosit oranı (PLR) ve RDW (Eritrosit dağılım
genişliği) düzeylerinde artış, hemoglobin ve lenfosit düzeylerinde ise azalma izlenmiştir.
NON-COVID grubunda hemoglobin düzeyleri artışa geçmiş, diğer belirteçler açısından
herhangi bir değişiklik gözlenmemiştir.
Sonuç: SARS-COV-2 ile enfekte olup hayatta kalan ve diyalizsiz takipte olan kronik böbrek
hastalarında, progresyon ve kronik inflamasyon şiddeti artmıştır.
Allium ursinum L. (Amaryllidaceae) – a new species for the flora of National Nature Park “Pyriatynskyi” (Poltava Oblast, Ukraine)
Authors: Kovalenko Oleksii , Kalista Mariia
Published: August 2022

In Ukraine, Allium ursinum is a rare species of the state level of conservation, isolated locations of which occur very rarely on the territory of the left bank of the river Dnipro. A new location discovered on the territory of National Nature Park “Pyriatynskyi” is isolated and confined to the floodplain gallery forest of the association Alnion incanae Pawłowski et al. 1928. On the territory of the Nature Park “Pyriatynskyi”, the species is represented by a small, incomplete population with a left-sided spectrum. Considering the chorology of the species in the region and the demographic characteristics of the population, this new locality was most likely formed as a result of the recent accidental introduction of the species from the northern enclaves of the Chernihiv oblast or purposeful planting of plants by the local citizens. Taking into account the proximity of A. ursinum growing locality to popular recreation areas, it is necessary to introduce monitoring research of the state and structure of the population and develop special protection measures to conserve this species on the territory of National Nature Park “Pyriatynskyi”.
Trujillo en la independencia del Perú
Authors: La Riva Vegazzo Iván
Published: August 2022

Considero que el proceso de la independencia de nuestra patria, luego del desembarco de la Expedición Libertadora en las costas de Pisco, se inicia el 20 de noviembre de 1820 con la decisiva correspondencia entre don José de San Martín y don Bernardo de Tagle y Portocarrero, marqués de Torre Tagle, máxima autoridad de la Intendencia de Trujillo; de las ocho, la tercera más extensa del virreinato del Perú. Sus límites eran, por el norte con el Guayas (hoy Ecuador), por el sur con el río Santa, por el oeste el océano Pacífico y por el este con las posesiones portuguesas del Brasil, pues la región de Maynas fue incorporada al virreinato del Perú por Real Cédula del 15 de julio de 1802.
Heridas de libertad, retos del bicentenario
Authors: Ulloa Cueva José Antonio
Published: August 2022

Llegamos al Bicentenario de la independencia del Perú en un contexto complejo, inmersos en una encrucijada de crisis sanitaria, política, social y económica que nos deben llevar a pensar en qué realmente celebramos.

Al conmemorar doscientos años de esa proclamación de libertad de 1821, es lamentable ser testigos de la esclavitud mental y espiritual que impide una plena emancipación.
Historia, conspiraciones reales y el futuro de la electricidad
Authors: Castañeda Kevin
Published: August 2022

Desde el año 546 a.C. por Wiliam Gilbert, 1752 por Benjamin Franklin, 1799 por Alejandro Volta, 1827 por André- María Ampere y Georg Simon Ohm, cada hallazgo impulsaba al descubrimiento de la corriente eléctrica, siendo el cambio más importante en 1865 con la unificación de los descubrimientos de energía eléctrica y magnetismo en las ecuaciones de Maxwell describiendo los fenómenos electromagnéticos y descubriendo la electricidad, lo que cambiaría la vida de la humanidad a finales del siglo XIX en la competencia de Thomas Alva Edison y Nikola Tesla por el uso de la corriente alterna y continua.  Esta evolución de la energía eléctrica ha probado ser un bien que mejora la calidad de vida de las personas, pero también ha demostrado ser una fuente enorme de contaminantes que a su vez también perjudican la misma calidad de vida, y la energía alternativa representa la búsqueda constante de mantener ese progreso y dejar atrás esa fuente contaminante.
Amar no es dañar: Las relaciones tóxicas
Authors: Fox Bélgica
Published: August 2022

Cuando hablamos de relaciones tóxicas, no solo nos referimos a las relaciones de pareja, sino también a las que tenemos con la familia, amigos, compañeros, etc. Pero los casos más frecuentes son aquellos en los que están involucradas parejas sentimentales. Se trata de un vínculo en el que ambas partes no pueden evitar hacerse daño. Una relación tóxica, incluye mentiras, humillaciones, infidelidades, golpes, etc. Todo lo que daña, lo complicado es, que son este tipo    de relaciones de las que más nos cuesta salir y más marcas nos deja.
Johann Jacob Bodmers Praktiken: Zum Zusammenhang von Ethik und Ästhetik im Zeitalter der Aufklärung
Authors: Rocks Carolin
Published: August 2022

Johann Jacob Bodmer entwirft eine lebensweltlich verankerte Ästhetik. Er begründet sie in ethischen Praktiken, die er im Alltag beobachtet und reflektiert. Eine lebensweltlich verankerte Ästhetik – dies ist das groß angelegte Projekt, das Johann Jacob Bodmer in seinen ästhetischen Schriften verfolgt. Dabei leitet er ästhetische Theorien aus ethischen Praktiken ab, die er in allen Bereichen des Alltags beobachtet und reflektiert: Praktiken des Essens, der Körperpflege und der Gestaltung des Umfelds, Praktiken der Bildung, des Lesens, der Literatur- und Kunstkritik, der Gelehrsamkeit und des Glaubens, Praktiken des Einbildens, des Staunens und des Empfindens. Dadurch stellt er die Theorie der unteren Erkenntnisvermögen, die am Anfang des 18. Jahrhunderts auf die Diskursivitätsbegründung der modernen Ästhetik in der Jahrhundertmitte wartet, vom philosophischen Kopf auf die pragmatischen Füße. Die Beiträge loten das Potenzial dieses Zusammenhangs von Ethik und Ästhetik aus und liefern damit eine neue Bewertung der so genannten Heteronomieästhetik. Das methodische Fundament für dieses Unterfangen bildet die soziologische Praxeologie, die dabei hilft, Bodmers Diskurspraktik zu profilieren, in der ethische und ästhetische Begriffe stets in wechselseitiger Abhängigkeit aufeinander bezogen werden.
El desempeño de la administración pública en la Cuarta Transformación a través de los indicadores de gobernanza
Authors: Pérez Ramírez Rigoberto , Rodríguez Pérez Ivonne
Published: August 2022

En la actualidad, el gobierno encabezado por Andrés Manuel López Obrador, en la autodenominada “Cuarta Transformación” de la República, busca transformar la administración pública a través de la instrumentación de una política de austeridad republicana y lucha contra la corrupción que implica el adelgazamiento del aparato burocrático para disminuir al máximo el costo del gobierno, que bajo un nuevo estilo de gobernar caracterizado por un mayor grado de interacción y cooperación entre el Estado y actores no estatales en la toma de decisiones mixtas entre lo público y lo privado, supone una gobernanza compartida entre las buenas prácticas de los hacedores de la política y de los destinatarios de las actuaciones políticas. Así, el objetivo principal de este trabajo es analizar el grado de desempeño de la administración pública mexicana en la “Cuarta Transformación” a través de los indicadores de gobernanza establecidos por el Banco Mundial, con el fin de conocer la impronta de sus resultados en la gestión pública. El adelgazamiento del aparato burocrático, recortes de presupuestos y programas; no se alejan del ciclo de políticas instrumentadas en gobiernos pasados desde 1982. El desempeño gubernamental de la “Cuarta Transformación” de acuerdo con los resultados que proporciona los indicadores en 2020, está reprobado en gobernanza ya que éstos tienen una involución en los últimos años que se analizan, la media global considerando la suma de los datos de los seis indicadores es de 35.39 puntos de 100 posibles. Esto sugiere, que en los últimos 20 años escasamente ha avanzado la gobernanza en el país.
Collateral Effects of Strike Actions by Academic Staff on Undergraduates in Public Universities in South West Nigeria
Authors: Awe Bolupe Abayomi , Tilije Rose Nkem , Balogun Babatunde Nurudeen , Olajide Olusola Ilesanmi
Published: August 2022

The collateral effects of strike actions by academic staff in public universities in South West Nigeria were investigated through descriptive research design. An instrument tagged Perception of Undergraduates on the Influence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strike Actions Questionnaire (PUIASAQ) was used for data collection. A study sample of 490 undergraduates was selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques from seven universities in South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Four research questions were raised with two hypotheses generated. The outcome of the study revealed both negative and positive impacts of ASUU strike on the undergraduates while gender of undergraduates and institutional ownership had no significant influence on undergraduates’ perception. It was recommended that causes of strike actions must be nipped in bud with granting of full autonomy to these universities while tax holidays should be given to private investors to finance universities.
On Distance Irregular Labeling of Disconnected Graphs
Authors:   FMIPA Universitas Jember, Indonesia, SUSANTO FAISAL , WIJAYA KRISTIANA , PURNAMA PRASANTI MIA , S SLAMIN
Published: August 2022

A distance irregular k-labeling of a graph G is a function f : V (G) → {1, 2, . . . , k} such that the weights of all vertices are distinct. The weight of a vertex v, denoted by wt(v), is the sum of labels of all vertices adjacent to v (distance 1 from v), that is, wt(v) = P u∈N(v) f(u). If the graph G admits a distance irregular labeling then G is called a distance irregular graph. The distance irregularity strength of G is the minimum k for which G has a distance irregular k-labeling and is denoted by dis(G). In this paper, we derive a new lower bound of distance irregularity strength for graphs with t pendant vertices. We also determine the distance irregularity strength of some families of disconnected graphs namely disjoint union of paths, suns, helms and friendships.
On Fuzzy Primary and Fuzzy Quasi-Primary Ideals in LASemigroups
Authors:   Faculty of Science and Technology Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Thailand, YIARAYONG PAIROTE
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of a weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideals in LA-semigroups, we study fuzzy primary, fuzzy quasi-primary, fuzzy completely primary, weakly fuzzy primary and weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideals in LA-semigroups. Some characterizations of weakly fuzzy primary and weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideals are obtained. Moreover, we investigate relationships between fuzzy completely primary and weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideals in LAsemigroups. Finally we show that a fuzzy left ideal f is a weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideal of S2 if and only if S1 × f is a weakly fuzzy quasi-primary ideal of S1 × S2.
Two-Dimensional Wavelet with Matrix Dilation M = 2I and its Application in Solving Integral Equations
Authors:   Faculty of Mathematics and computer, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran, TAHAMI MAHDIEH , HEMMAT ATAOLLAH ASKARI ,   Faculty of Mathematics and computer, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
Published: August 2022

In this study, using a one-dimensionl MRA we constructed a two-dimensional wavelet as well as four masks which are not related to the MRA. Finally, we provide some examples to prove the applicability of our construction in case of ﬁnding numerical solution of two-dimensional ﬁrst kind Fredholm integral equations.
Vacunas seguras y eficaces contra el covid-19 en pacientes reumáticos
Authors: Fajardo Estefanía
Published: August 2022

¿Cuál es la seguridad y eficacia de las vacunas en América Latina y puntualmente en pacientes reumáticos de la región? Diferentes grupos de investigación se pusieron en la tarea de hacer estos diferentes estudios y análisis que permiten tener mayor seguridad y ser apoyo en la toma de decisiones.