bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The geochemistry of ice in the southeastern Alps, Slovenia
Authors: Carey Anne , Smith Devin , Welch Susan , Zorn Matija , Tičar Jure , Lipar Matej , Komac Blaž , Lyons Berry
Published: February 2021

The Triglav Glacier in the Julian Alps and the Skuta Glacier in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps are among the south-easternmost glaciers in the Alps. Historical data show that ice masses are undergoing mass loss as the overall climate warms. Glacier ice and cave ice contain a wealth of paleoclimatic information, and rapid sampling is needed if any such information is to be saved before the ice is completely melted. We present the first comprehensive geochemical and water isotope data from glacier ice, meltwater, spring water, and cave ice in the Mount Triglav area and glacier ice from the Skuta Glacier. The samples primarily reflect the initial precipitation signal that has been greatly modified by the input of local CaCO3-rich dust with lesser amounts of marine aerosol and vegetation debris.
Land as Agency
Authors: Throne Robin
Published: February 2021

This chapter presents findings from a critical arts-based autoethnographic study of Iowa digital maps and historical archival data of the Iowa territory (1838-1846) for Indigenous Nations with previous land tenure. Researchers have noted land and voice dispossession for these Indigenous Nations resulting from forced removal followed by decades of intentional cultural erosion, forced assimilation, loss of language, and religious discrimination and persecution into the latter 20th century. Current research highlights the resultant damage of these historical losses on living descendants of Indigenous land-based cultures. Agency of self was explored from a socialized perspective of a descendant of Scandinavian immigrants who acquired dispossessed land within the Iowa territory. This was contrasted with a cultural perspective of land as capital wealth vs. the principles and tenets of land-based culture whereby agency may be strengthened via Indigenous knowledge rooted in land-based connections and environmental sensitivities. Data representation involved poetic excerpts of land as agency.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Herbal Formulations Through Novel Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Chandel Arvind Kumar Singh , Bhingradiya Nutan
Published: February 2021

The herbal-based drugs have been getting wide attention over the last few decades. The herbal drugs have been used from the ancient times, but the dose accuracy, efficacy, and treatment was just based on symptomatic observatory. Modern research is focused on pure bioactive compound instead of crude. The researchers are trying to apply the current advanced nanotechnology-based knowledge on the herbal medicines to improve efficacy and reduces the unwanted pharmacological actions' adverse effects of the therapeutic molecules. The many novel drug delivery systems available used for the herbal bioactive molecules include polymeric micelle, injectable hydrogel, nano gel, nano emulsions, microsphere, polymeric nanoparticles, nano capsules, liposomes, phytosomes, transferosomes, dendrimer, and ethosomes. This chapter highlights the existing research and development of current standing of the of various novel formulations especially for the herbal bioactive molecules and summarizes their active ingredients, commercial formulations, route of drug administration, and pharmacological activity.
Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery System
Authors: Bakliwal Akshada , Talele Swati Gokul , Gedam Shweta Shaileshkumar , Chudiwal Vijay Sharadkumar , Jain Swapnil Sharadkumar
Published: February 2021

The herbal medicines have been extensively used worldwide since ancient times and have been accepted by physicians and patients for their improved therapeutic value as they have less adverse effects in contrast with modern medicines. Phytotherapeutics requires a scientific approach to carry the components in a sustained manner to increase patient compliance and to reduce the frequency of administration. This can be accomplished by designing novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) for herbal constituents. NDDSs not only reduce the frequency of drug administration to improve patient compliance but also help to enhance the therapeutic value by dropping toxicity and enhancing the drug bioavailability. A nanotechnology is a new approach in which nano-sized drug delivery systems of herbal drugs have a prospective future for enhancing the therapeutic activity and conquer problems associated with plant medicines. Hence, the addition of the nanotechnology as an NDDS in traditional medication is essential for the treatment of more chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, asthma, and others.
Phytosomes as a Novel Approach for Herbal Phytoconstituents
Authors: Gedam Shweta , Bakliwal Akshada Atul , Talele Swati Gokul , Chudiwal Vijay Sharadkumar
Published: February 2021

Phytosomes are a new approach for delivery of drugs. Phytosomes mean herbal drugs loaded in vesicles, which are available in the nano form. The phytosome offers an envelope like coating around the active moieties of drug, and due to this, the main constituent of herbal extract remains safe from degradation by bacteria and digestive secretion. It is a patented technology which is advantageous in delivering the herbal drugs. Phytosomes have better pharmacological and pharmacokinetic parameters. It is used for development of delivery system with improved bioavailability of phytoconstituents present in herbal extracts. Phytosomes are prepared by the use of phospholipids by forming the complex between phospholipids and phytoconstituent. Phytosomes have a vast scope in pharma-industries and good research space for industry, scholars, students. Phospholipids are use as carriers for water soluble and lipid soluble nutrients and natural digestive aids.
Novel Approaches in Nutraceuticals
Authors: Rane Bhushan Rajendra , Bharath Mounika Shankaraiah , Patil Rutuja Raju , Keservani Raj K. , Jain Ashish S.
Published: February 2021

Nutraceuticals have both wholesome and therapeutic properties. In recent years, there are many research works accessible in writing which recommend the utilization of nutraceuticals in treatment of different maladies like diabetes, malignancy, Alzheimer's, etc. It is additionally demonstrated that they are protected to utilize and have potential medical advantages. Yet, the fundamental interest in building up a nutraceutical detailing is its low bio-availability, substance flimsiness, and poor bioavailability. Because of these reasons, nutraceuticals are not misused appropriately and not generally acknowledged in pharma divisions for relief and treatment. In any case, with progression in science and innovation, it is conceivable to create systems or methodologies that can be utilized to define the nutraceuticals to its greatest use. In this chapter, the authors examine different advances in methodologies and procedures accessible for building up nutraceuticals.
HR
Authors: Scott Rachelle K. , Akella Devi
Published: February 2021

This case study follows the career of Robert Peters (pseudonym), a middle level manager who faces numerous challenges as a team manager during his fledgling years. He is constantly questioning his role as the managerial representative who has to take care of his team members, their interests, and professional welfare. Scenarios such as the ethicality of senior management in ordering their lower level managers to spy on the employees during unfolding of trade unions activity, employees' rights during various change processes, disciplinary actions taken on employees which may lack human compassion, and issues pertaining to equity due to bias and nepotism are explored. This is an effort to understand the unequal quotient between labor and management, hidden depths in human resources (HR) role and functions, and ethical dilemmas which HR managers confront during their corporate career. This case study will enable readers to critically reflect on the responsibilities of HR, including its challenging role as the intermediary between the labor and management.
Offense or Defense
Authors: Abdallah AbdelJawad Tahani
Published: February 2021

Using a niche service provider, Zforce Government Solutions (ZGS), this case provides the reader with a first-hand examination of the organizational issues resulting from ineffective recruiting, retention, and succession planning, allowing for the acknowledgment of the coherent, interdependent, and interrelated relationship between the aforementioned topics. This case study performs a revelatory assessment of ZGS's application of Harvard's Soft HRM model and fundamentals of key issues reflecting organizational mismanagement of human talent, where human talent is vital to organizational continuity. Written from the vantage point of a previous ZGS senior management employee, this case study utilizes a qualitative research approach, with empirical data gathered from four in-depth interviews conducted with previous ZGS leadership employees. Ultimately, the case study is intended to induce reader-reflection on the various components of importance in talent management, which play a significant role in accomplishing employee loyalty and employee retention.
A Critical Narrative of Employee Well-Being and Control Paradox in Higher Education
Authors: Akella Nirupama R.
Published: February 2021

The case presents a detailed snapshot of a staff employee well-being initiative developed and implemented by the Human Resources (HR) department in August 2014 at the Online Learning Unit (OLU) of J.M. College located in southwestern Georgia. The case is an auto-ethnographic account of how implementation of an employee quality of life (QOL) initiative combined with surveillance techniques resulted in a negative toxic culture of employee resentment, hostility, and poor performance. Using modern surveillance theories of synoptican, actor-network theory (ANT), and surveillance capitalism, the case shows how the original Foucauldian theory of panopticon has re-invented itself into a panopticon of technology dominated by a culture of capitalism and profit-maximization. The case uses pseudo names to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality of the institution and characters. The case accurately details events in a chronological manner focusing on the main character's thoughts and actions.
Overview of the Vectors and Their Role in Transmission of African Animal Trypanosomiasis
Authors: Wamwiri Florence Njeri , Auma Joanna Eseri
Published: February 2021

African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a major constraint to livestock productivity, particularly in cattle and in camels. This chapter covers some general aspects of the arthropod vectors of animal trypanosomiasis, the tsetse flies Glossina spp., and to a lesser extent the biting flies. This chapter covers the classification, morphology, basic biology, and the eco-distribution of tsetse flies. The role of tsetse flies in disease epidemiology has also been reviewed. The elementary biology of these vectors is quite well known and elucidated. However, with advances in molecular and other biological techniques, new insights related to tsetse biology have been obtained. This chapter will revisit these basics and include some updated information emanating from research done in the recent past. The final part of the chapter is devoted to a brief discussion on biting flies, the vectors of T. evansi, which causes camel trypanosomiasis.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Authors: Behradfar Arian
Published: February 2021

Human development activity is introduced with insufficient attention to the consequences for living environment and ecosystem. The conceptual background and practical approaches to deal with the proposed outcomes are addressed within the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure. This assessment framework provides strategic policies and planning, built upon a broad consultation process for securing a sustainable future for the environment. The Mediterranean Sea is home to a large diversity of ecosystem and consists of complex environment subjected to considerable pressure. The proposed EIA procedure in this study aims at addressing cross-cutting issues in order to achieve the best interface and interaction between environmental criteria, objectives, and perspectives in the region. Furthermore, the deniable role of this framework in support of provided ecosystem services, societal subsystems, regularity instruments in the Mediterranean region will be completely discussed.
Effects of Environmental Pollution on Ecosystem and Practical Measures for Prevention
Authors: Batoye Smriti , Singh Kunal
Published: February 2021

Pollution is one of the major concerns for our society, and it has gained serious importance in the past couple of decades, as it is not only degrading the quality of our health but also shaking the roots of our beautiful and well-balanced ecosystem. In this chapter, various types of pollution are discussed, which are disturbing our ecosystem. The remedies and their impact on ecosystem have been discussed in detail. Anthropogenic activities causing pollution have also been discussed. In this chapter, broadly, four types of pollution, which are air, water, soil, and solid waste, have been discussed.
Understanding the Concept and Limitations of Circular and Green Economy in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Karmoh Sowah Jr. James , Kırıkkaleli Derviş , Yılmaz Genç Sema
Published: February 2021

The chapter gives a detailed description of concept and limitation of “circular and green economy” within the framework of Mediterranean region. It begins with an introduction of concept of circular and green economy, which explores transformation from a linear economy (i.e., “traditional take-make-waste model”) to the circular economy. It then describes the concept and theoretical foundation of the circular and green economy before giving a detailed comparative description of its practical economic and business rationale within the Mediterranean Region and the world at large. To make this chapter approachable to readers of various abilities, the chapter gives detailed description with the aid of tables and figures. Besides, previous financing info is included before providing policy recommendations that if implemented could offer a significant boost to a greener inclusive economic growth in the Mediterranean region and the world at large.
A Concrete Challenge for Territorial Governance in Europe
Authors: De Martino Sara
Published: February 2021

Since 2008, the year of the impact of the financial and economic crisis in Europe, many decisional processes have been subjected to a progressive re-nationalization tendency. The last reforms of EU Cohesion Policy have included some measures—the definition of the plans and the allocation process of the funds through national programmes and the thematic concentration—that are considered the expression of the centralization of powers and competencies that challenge the whole complex system of governance relations in Europe. These centralized trends impacted the territorial governance, the place-based approach to regional development, and the role of regions in policy making itself. This chapter aims to shed light on a specific historical period in which it has been experimented a declining support for territorial approaches in European policy making by presenting a complete definition of concept of territorial governance and by deeply discussing the theoretical framework in which regions have started to activate themselves and to participate to decisional processes at European level.
Emotional Finance Plays an Important Role in Investment Decisions
Authors: Keswani Sarika
Published: February 2021

Most of the investors focus on human emotions not expressed openly while making investment decisions. Emotions have a powerful position in making investment decisions. They drive human behavior that is consistent with economic predictions while making investments. Emotions play a significant role while making decisions on investments just like any other business decisions. Behavioral finance tries to combine behavioral and cognitive psychological theory with conventional economics and finance to provide justifications for why people make irrational financial decisions. The aim of this chapter is to understand whether emotional phases affect investors' decisions in different investment situations basing on levels of uncertainty. Positive emotions like self-confidence, challenge, and hope increase the decision-makers tendency to exaggerate the commitment, and negative emotions, namely embarrassment and strain, do not.
Optimization of Optical Instruments Under Fluctuations of System Parameters
Authors: Tiwari Bhupendra Nath , Kibindé Jude Kuipo , Gupta Neeraj , Khosravy Mahdi , Bellucci Stefano
Published: February 2021

Optimization plays a fundamental role in understanding stability characteristics of optical systems, for example, lenses, mirrors, and their constrained counterparts. For a dynamical object, the authors address the issue of stability of an image formed under fluctuations of optimization variables. As per this analysis, for a given single lens, mirror, or optical instrument, the positivity of pure correlation components of the fluctuation matrix characterizes the local stability about a chosen fixed point, whilst the positivity of the determinant of the fluctuation matrix offers global stability of the image under variations of the object distance and lateral magnification. In this paper, they demonstrate that there exists a clear cut distinction between the positive and negative lenses and mirrors about the line of unit lateral magnification. Moreover, they propose the extension of the above model to a class of constraint optical system optimization. They also propose an extended formulation for an optimized designing of nonlinearly constrained optical systems with finitely many components.
Speech-to-Speech Conversion
Authors: Janai Siddhanna , Shreekanth T.  , Chandan M.  , Abraham Ajish K.
Published: February 2021

A novel approach to build a speech-to-speech conversion (STSC) system for individuals with speech impairment dysarthria is described. STSC system takes impaired speech having inherent disturbance as input and produces a synthesized output speech with good pronunciation and noise free utterance. The STSC system involves two stages, namely automatic speech recognition (ASR) and automatic speech synthesis. ASR transforms speech into text, while automatic speech synthesis (or text-to-speech [TTS]) performs the reverse task. At present, the recognition system is developed for a small vocabulary of 50 words and the accuracy of 94% is achieved for normal speakers and 88% for speakers with dysarthria. The output speech of TTS system has achieved a MOS value of 4.5 out of 5 as obtained by averaging the response of 20 listeners. This method of STSC would be an augmentative and alternative communication aid for speakers with dysarthria.
A Systematic Research Review of Internet Addiction and Identity
Authors: Luppicini Rocci , Alotaibi Sameera
Published: February 2021

A small but growing body of research documents how internet misuse can lead to negative outcomes for individuals. One particularly important area of public concern is the connection between addictive internet usage and human identity. This study addressed the connection between excessive internet use on real-world and virtual-world identity. This systematic research review synthesized research studies conducted between 2008 to 2018 on the influence of internet addiction on identity. Findings revealed that the majority of published studies focused on young individuals aged 9-30 years old (89%) and that the connection between excessive internet use on real-world identity and virtual-world identity was complex and multi-faceted. Online gaming addiction was identified as a leading theme within the published research (30%). Based on study findings, recommendations are made for greater future research attention to internet addiction among adults, comprehensive studies of the relationship between online and offline identity to internet addiction, and the inclusion of internet addiction as a multifaceted disorder in future editions of DSM, which includes online gaming addiction among other forms of online addiction.
A Systematic Review
Authors: Iqbal Shazia , Ahmad Shahzad , Bano Bushra , Akkour Khalid , Alghamdi Manal Abdullah Ali , Alothri Alreuof Mohammed
Published: February 2021

Certainty, artificial intelligence (AI) has a remarkable role in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. This review article aimed to determine the outcomes/benefits associated with the use of artificial intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic in different specialties in healthcare. Out of 144 articles, 100 publish article abstracts were reviewed using keywords artificial intelligence, intelligent health systems during COVID-19 pandemic, medical education. This review determined that artificial intelligence has a significant role in predicting the spread of disease by chasing the infected population and can prove as a powerful tool for public health professionals. There is a remarkable role of AI-assisted diagnostic features in radiology to specifically diagnose infected cases with COVID-19. AI assists in taking quicker decision making among health professionals through AI operated apps.This review highlights the need for future research which should emphasize determining the effectiveness and challenges of the use of robotics during pandemics.
Finding “H” in HRI
Authors: Arora Anshu Saxena , Fleming Mayumi , Arora Amit , Taras Vas , Xu Jiajun
Published: February 2021

The study examines the relationship between the big five personality traits (extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) and robot likeability and successful HRI implementation in varying human-robot interaction (HRI) situations. Further, this research investigates the influence of human-like attributes in robots (a.k.a. robotic anthropomorphism) on the likeability of robots. The research found that robotic anthropomorphism positively influences the relationship between human personality variables (e.g., extraversion and agreeableness) and robot likeability in human interaction with social robots. Further, anthropomorphism positively influences extraversion and robot likeability during industrial robotic interactions with humans. Extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism were found to play a significant role. This research bridges the gap by providing an in-depth understanding of the big five human personality traits, robotic anthropomorphism, and robot likeability in social-collaborative robotics.
Research and Application of a Multidimensional Association Rules Mining Method Based on OLAP
Authors: Wang Hairong , Huang Pan , Chen Xu
Published: February 2021

As to the problems of low data mining efficiency, less dimensionality, and low accuracy of traditional multidimensional association rules in the university big data environment, an OLAP-based multi-dimensional association rule mining method is proposed, which combines hash function and marked transaction compression technology to solve the problem of excessive or redundant candidate sets in the Apriori algorithm, and uses On Line Analytical Processing to manage the intermediate data in the association mining process , in order to reduce the time overhead caused by repeated calculations. To verify the validity of the proposed method, a learning situation analysis system is constructed in the field of colleges and universities. The multi-dimensional association rules mining method is used to analyze more than 21,000 desensitized real data, in order to mine the key factors affecting students' academic performance. The experimental results show that the proposed multi-dimensional mining model has good mining results and significantly improves the time performance.
Mobile Ad Hoc Network Routing Protocols for Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Zemrane Hamza , Baddi Youssef , Hasbi Abderrahim
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, the use of wireless technology has invaded the market of telecommunications networks. There are two main families of wireless networks: networks with infrastructure and networks without infrastructure or AdHoc. In the networks with infrastructure, communications are made via a fixed base station; however, communications in an AdHoc network occur in the absence of any fixed communication infrastructure. There are three types of AdHoc networks: mobile AdHoc networks, mesh networks, and sensor networks. This research applied the mobile AdHoc network to the intelligent transportation systems that improve the traditional transport system with reducing the risk of human errors and with the effective management of traffic congestion. The authors focus in the work especially on the routing protocols inside the MANETs to come out with four routing protocols (AODV, OLSR, DSR, and TORA), and this paper compared their performances in case of using HTTP application, FTP application, email application, voice application, and the rate of the routing control traffic.
Link Quality and Load Balancing Multipath Geographic Routing for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks
Authors: Chikh Asma , Lehsaini Mohamed
Published: February 2021

Multimedia applications in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) demand a high level of quality of service (QoS) requirements. The multipath routing approach is considered as an effective solution to meet these requirements. However, the high-energy consumption in WMSNs is a critical concern for lifetime of network contains sensor nodes with limited battery. Many proposed works have designed multipath routing protocols to provide load balancing between discovered paths, although there is a trade-off between power efficiency and data delivery. This paper proposes a link quality and load balancing multipath geographic routing (LQLB-MGR) protocol for WMSNs. This protocol consists of two phases. The first phase is responsible to find multiple node-disjoint paths with high link quality and the second phase allows load balancing between the discovered paths based on nodal residual energy. Simulation results show that LQLB-MGR provides better performance compared to other protocols.
Networks of Underwater Sensor Wireless Systems
Authors: Rani Meenu , Singal Poonam
Published: February 2021

Underwater wireless networks have been the subject of considerable attention in research and development by both academia and industry, while applications are expanding to a wide range of uses, including industrial, scientific, military, and environmental applications. The paper presents a analysis of the underwater wireless sensor network, a system that is promising to reveal the secrets of marine life and other underwater applications. The information about the underwater channel was listed with a focus on communication of both the acoustic and optical kind. Then, the node location strategies and related protocols for routing that can be applied to the desired communication type were discussed briefly. The hard environment and peculiar features of UWSNs are responsible for efficient communication between sensors in UWSNs. This paper proposes a robust and energy-efficient UWSN location-free routing system, based on constraint. RE-PBR takes into account three criteria, including performance, depth, and residual power connections, to balance energy consumption and to produce usable results. The findings of the simulation show that the proposed work decreases travel costs and by using less energy increases the network's life.
IDENTIDADE TERRITORIAL E DISCURSOS IDEOLÓGICOS
Authors: Gonçalves Leonardo Ravaglia Ferreira , De Almeida Maria Geralda
Published: February 2021

Objetiva-se com este artigo fomentar a reflexão sobre o conceito de identidade territorial de forma relacional a outros conceitos comuns à Geografia e à Sociologia, como território, territorialidade, ideologia e Estado. Para isso, realiza-se pesquisa teórica por meio de levantamento bibliográfico, notadamente utilizando-se a abordagem da geografia cultural, para uma discussão teórica dos conceitos na legitimação de discursos. O conceito de território abarca uma multiplicidade de ideias que explicitam embates e tensões que permeiam as relações sociais como um todo. Se o território é o espaço de mediação das relações de poder, a identidade territorial se situa como a prática discursiva dos sujeitos e a forma como essa prática se legitima histórica, simbólica e discursivamente perante os membros do território e os sujeitos externos. Conclui-se que a identidade territorial é construída ao longo de relações de domínio e apropriação do espaço nas mediações espaciais do poder, podendo ser produzida ideologicamente, com influências internas e externas, por meio de discursos de sujeitos sociais com maior poder de influência. Assim, possibilita-se à identidade territorial estar mais relacionada ao espaço concebido do que efetivamente ao vivido, não sendo forjada de forma equânime pelos diversos grupos sociais. Entretanto, a identidade se baseia em uma estrutura de poder multiescalar assimétrica utilizada como instrumento de controle territorial por governos de diversas regiões do mundo.
BREVES APONTAMENTOS REFERENTES À NOÇÃO DE NATUREZA INSTITUÍDA PELO CONJUNTO DE CONHECIMENTOS DAS IDADES ANTIGA E MEDIEVAL
Authors: Bergamo Maurício Sérgio , Bauab Fabrício Pedroso
Published: February 2021

Este artigo flui para o âmbito geográfico através do conceito de natureza e, tem por objetivo analisar a relação entre os processos epistemológicos e a cosmovisão, instituída pelo homem, nas Idades Antiga e Medieval. Essa tarefa remete a um itinerário científico, filosófico e artístico, estreitamente ligado ao progresso da civilização Ocidental. Destacar-se-ão, assim, as principais características dos saberes Antigos e Medievais e, desse modo, defender-se-á que os semblantes invisíveis, imateriais e sagrados, atributos qualitativos da natureza daquelas épocas, decorrem da elaboração dos conjuntos metafísicos, míticos e alegóricos elaborados pelos pensadores que viveram e muito se dedicaram, intelectualmente, nessas periodizações históricas. Os principais sistemas filosóficos da Antiguidade, de Aristóteles e Platão, da mesma maneira que o conjunto de pensamentos de São Tomás de Aquino e Santo Agostinho, significativos pensadores do período Medieval, serão analisados, brevemente, para defender-se os aspectos qualitativos, metafísicos e imateriais do cosmos. Importantes representações artísticas serão apresentadas, com o intuito de mostrar alguns dos principais semblantes da concepção de natureza, intrínsecas àqueles períodos históricos. Nisso reside a potência da intelectualidade humana. Através da análise interdisciplinar, envolvida por conteúdos da Geografia, da Filosofia e da História da Ciência, busca-se vincular temáticas muito importantes da Ciência Geográfica a parâmetros mais amplos, conformando, dessa maneira, uma análise e um discurso bastante eficientes e necessários aos debates promovidos nos ambientes universitários.
Observation of Surface and Subsurface Crack Propagation in PPS Thrust Bearings under Rolling Contact Fatigue in Water
Authors: Mizozoe Syunsuke , Matsueda Takahiro , Kida Katsuyuki , Kashima Yuji
Published: February 2021

In this study, crack propagation in PPS thrust bearings under rolling contact fatigue (RCF) in water was observed in order to investigate the relation between cracks and flakings. RCF tests in water under loads of 700 N and 900 N were performed. The semi-circular cracks propagated in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction were observed under a load of 700 N. The line cracks propagated in a direction parallel to the rolling direction at periphery of contact area and the semi-circular cracks were observed under a load of 900 N. To study the subsurface cracks, full section of rolling contact area was observed. It is concluded that the flaking mechanism in PPS thrust bearing has three features as follows: Initiation and propagation of surface cracks depend on the load; When load is 700N, the semi-circular cracks growing from the surface and the cracks branching from the main subsurface cracks join to form the flaking; When load is 900N the line cracks and the semi-circular cracks growing from the surface join to form the flaking.
Optical Properties Improvement of Recycled Polypropylene with Material Value Conservation Schemes Using Virgin Plastic Blends
Authors: Gabriel Djoko Sihono , Nasrullah Husen
Published: February 2021

Repetitive implementation of material value conservation (MVC) in plastic packaging may lead to good quality plastic waste and high acceptance for secondary recycling. This makes the obtained recycled plastic pellets has good quality and can be used as an alternative raw material for new products. However, treatments and processing in the recycling processes can lead to the degradation of material properties and disrupt the recycled plastics life cycle to be used for new products with high specifications. Recycled plastics are certainly cheaper than virgin plastics, but they have low properties, contaminated, and are only used for low-value products. Therefore, a solution is needed for this problem. This study proposed mixing recycled and virgin plastic pellets to improve recycled plastics whose optical properties have been subjected to quality degradation. A series of tests were carried out on specimens and tested according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method. The optical properties tested were transparency, gloss, and colour. This study revealed that optical properties had an increasing trend along with the large number of virgin plastic pellets added to the blends. The optimal composition was found in the 50:50 composition of virgin-recycled plastic pellets to the 70:30 composition of virgin-recycled plastic pellets. These findings can be useful in improving the optical properties of recycled plastics. In addition, the widespread implementation of MVC can improve the quality of plastic waste and strengthen its acceptance for secondary recycling.
Safety of Peripheral Administration of 3% Hypertonic Saline in Critically Ill Patients: A Literature Review
Authors: Alenazi Ahmed O. , Alhalimi Zahra M. , Almatar Manar H. , Alhajji Taha A.
Published: February 2021

Background

Hyponatremia and neurocritical injury are life-threatening conditions requiring immediate management with consideration of the safety concerns related to peripheral intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions. Although a central intravenous catheter is the preferred route of administration, central intravenous catheters have many complications and can potentially delay medication administration in urgent situations.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous infusion of 3% hypertonic saline via peripheral intravenous administration in critically ill adult patients.

Methods

Data were collected from PubMed and Web of Science from database inception to April 7, 2019. Included studies involved adult patients with hyponatremia and/or neurocritical situations and compared administration of 3% hypertonic saline via peripheral administration with standard supportive care (administration through a central intravenous catheter).

Results

Of 502 articles identified, 7 were included in the review. Three articles were retrospective studies, 2 were prospective studies, 1 was a case series, and 1 was a case report. Infusion-related adverse events and electrolyte abnormalities due to 3% hypertonic saline administration through a peripheral intravenous catheter were minimal and were limited to phlebitis, erythema, edema, hyperchloremia, and hypokalemia with administration at a high infusion rate (83.3 mL/h) and for a prolonged duration (≥ 6 hours). Infusion rate, duration, catheter gauge, and catheter placement may have a role in infusion-related adverse events.

Conclusions

Current recommendations to administer continuous infusions of 3% hypertonic saline through a central intravenous catheter should be reassessed. Peripheral intravenous administration can be used safely and effectively in patients in critical situations.
Safety First: An Ambulation Protocol for Patients With Pulmonary Artery Catheters
Authors: Sharma Stephanie , Lupera Ma Andrea , Chan Alice , Nurok Michael , Ansryan Lianna Z. , Coleman Bernice
Published: February 2021

Background

Patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters have historically been excluded from participating in early mobility programs because of the concern for catheter-related complications. However, this practice conflicts with the benefits accrued from early mobilization.

Objective

The purposes of this quality improvement project were to develop and implement a standardized ambulation protocol for patients with a pulmonary artery catheter in a cardiac surgery intensive care unit and to assess and support safe ambulation practices while preventing adverse events in patients with pulmonary artery catheters.

Methods

From October 2016 through October 2017, this single-center quality improvement project developed and analyzed the implementation of a safe patient ambulation protocol in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Frontline nursing staff and the interdisciplinary team were educated on a standardized protocol that facilitated patient ambulation. Data analyzed included distance of ambulation, catheter migration, presence of cardiac dysrhythmias, and adverse events during ambulation.

Results

During this 1-year project, 41 patients participated in 94 walks for a total distance of 13 676.38 m. There were no reported episodes of cardiac dysrhythmia, accidental occlusion of the pulmonary artery, catheter migration, or pulmonary artery rupture related to ambulation with a pulmonary artery catheter.

Conclusions

The use of a standardized ambulation protocol can successfully result in safe mobilization of patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters.
Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: A systematic review
Authors: Malahias Michael-Alexander , Kostretzis Lazaros , Megaloikonomos Panayiotis D. , Cantiller Erwin-Brian , Chytas Dimitrios , Thermann Hajo , Becher Christoph
Published: February 2021

This study was performed to determine whether Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with symptomatic Osteochondral defects of the Talus (OCTs) and to identify factors that influence the clinical outcome. A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three reviewers independently conducted the literature search using the MEDLINE/PubMed database and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The databases were queried using the terms “autologous” AND “matrix” AND “induced” AND “chondrogenesis.” Thirteen studies were eligible for review. All studies that compared the preoperative and postoperative mean values of different clinical/functional scores showed significant clinical improvement. The final postoperative mean Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score ranged from 50.9 to 74.5. The included studies indicated that age and body mass index may have a detrimental impact on the postoperative outcome. A higher re-intervention rate is expected with the open technique, mainly because of hardware removal after malleolar osteotomy. This data analysis demonstrated that both arthroscopic and open AMIC procedures are effective and safe for the treatment of OCTs. Level IV, systematic review of therapeutic studies.
Dietary Omega-6 to Omega-3 Fatty Acids Ratio is Correlated with High Molecular Weight Adiponectin Level in Indonesian Office Workers
Authors: Fabiani Helena , Mudjihartini Ninik , Lestari Wiji
Published: February 2021

Context:

Adiponectin is an adipokine that is secreted by adipocytes and acts to prevent obesity and obesity-related disorders. The high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in modern dietary habits in working-age populations, urban areas in particular, is known to play a role in adiponectin secretion. However, previous studies showed inconclusive results.

Aim:

The study aims to determine the association of the dietary omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio with adiponectin levels in office workers in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Settings and Design:

This cross-sectional study included 55 office workers in East Jakarta, Indonesia.

Methods:

Data were collected via questionnaire, 3-day food record, anthropometric measurement, and serum collection.

Statistical analysis used:

Independent t test was applied to assess the relationship between subjects characteristics and dietary intake with high molecular weight adiponectin levels. Association of dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ratio and adiponectin were evaluated using Pearson correlation test (P < 0.05).

Results:

There is no statistically significant difference in adiponectin levels based on waist circumference category, as well as categories of physical activity, household income levels, total energy, and total fat intake. Conversely, in female subjects (P = 0.000), subjects with normal body mass index (P = 0.000), higher education levels (P = 0.031), and nonsmoking subjects (P = 0.019), significantly higher adiponectin levels are obtained. The ratio of dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is negatively correlated with adiponectin (P = 0.004, r = –0.383).

Conclusions:

The decrease in the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is inversely related to higher level of adiponectin, indicating that dietary changes may potentially play a role in prevention strategies for obesity and obesity-related diseases.
Awareness and knowledge of the practice of therapy radiographers among radiography students - A cross-sectional study
Authors: Habeebu Mohammad , Aminu Abolade , Akpochafor Michael , Adeneye Samuel , Salako Omolola , Agaga Luther Agbonyegbeni , Irurhe Nicholas , Adeoluwa Adeniji
Published: February 2021

Background:

Cancer is a public health problem affecting all categories of people worldwide and radiation therapy is often the mainstay of management. A successful radiotherapy treatment requires well-skilled professionals such as radiation oncologist, therapy radiographers, and medical physicist. Radiography is an indispensable heart of modern medicine, in the diagnosis and management of diseases. This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of the practice of therapy radiographers among radiography students.

Methods:

This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among radiography students in College of Medicine, University of Lagos over a period of 3 months.

Results:

Majority of the respondents (44.9%) were within the age range of 21–25 years. Majority of the respondents (91.7%) had not had clinical posting on radiotherapy. A few students, 33 (21.2%) had encountered a therapy radiographer during clinical posting. Majority of the respondents (89.7%) had never heard about a therapy radiographer. A minority (19.2%) of the respondents indicated that they would like to be therapy radiographers. Majority of the respondents (44.2%) had no interest because think they do not make good money (9.6%), because they did not know what it entailed (lacked knowledge) (16.0%), and because of the perceived high risk of radiation dose (25.6%).

Conclusion:

This study revealed that radiography majority of radiography students are not aware nor have the knowledge of the practice of therapy radiographers. There is also a lack of interest in these students in becoming therapy radiographers.
Comparison of autorefractor with focometer in patients with refractive errors attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria - A cross sectional survey
Authors: Amusan Olaoluwa Olabode , Musa Kareem Olatunbosun , Aribaba Olufisayo Temitayo , Aina Akinsola Sunday , Onakoya Adeola Olukorede , Akinsola Folasade Bolanle
Published: February 2021

Background:

Uncorrected refractive error is the most common cause of visual impairment globally. Yet, there is paucity of refractionists in rural areas of most developing countries. Thus, there is a need for a cost effective but accurate method of refraction that could be used by rural health workers with minimal training. To compare refractive error measurements of autorefractor with that of focometer with a view to determining the accuracy and reliability of focometer.

Methods:

This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among patients with refractive errors attending the Guinness Eye Centre Clinic, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Consecutively consenting patients who met the eligibility criteria were recruited until the sample size was attained. All participants had a standardized protocol examination including visual acuity assessment and ocular examination. Refractive error was measured using the autorefractor, focometer and subjective refraction in both eyes of each participant. Comparison was done based on the means of variables of autorefractor, subjective refraction and focometer measurements using the paired-sample t-tests, Pearson's correlation and linear regression. Agreement between the measurements was investigated using the Bland-Altman analysis and reliability of the repeated measurements tested with Cronbach's alpha. The analysis was considered statistically significant when the P < 0.05.

Results:

Four hundred eyes of 200 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age of respondents was 45.1 ± 16.3yrs and the male:female ratio was 1: 2.1. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean spherical (P < 0.001) and cylindrical (P < 0.001) readings of the focometer and autorefractor. However, the mean difference between the spherical equivalent of focometer and that of the autorefractor was not statistically significant (P = 0.66). Pearson correlation coefficient was high for the compared methods of refraction as both the bivariate linear regression between the autorefractor and focometer, and that between the subjective refraction and focometer showed good linearity. Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement between the mean focometer measurements with both the autorefractor (mean difference = +0.02 ± 0.85 DS; mean difference ± 1.96 standard deviation [SD] = 1.69 to − 1.65 DS) and subjective refractive (mean difference = +0.06 ± 0.72 DS; mean difference ± 1.96 SD = 1.49 to − 1.36 DS) measurements. Cronbach's alpha showed good reliability of focometer and autorefractor repeated measurements.

Conclusion:

This study showed a good correlation and agreement between focometer and autorefractor. Hence, focometer could be used for refraction in low resource settings where locals could be trained in its use.
Sonographic Evaluation of the Pancreas in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Abdulrahman Safa , Ibrahim Ahmed Abdelrahim , Mohamed Mohamed Adam , Gameraddin Moawia , Alelyani Magbool
Published: February 2021

Background:

Pancreas is a vital insulin-producing gland, and it is subjected to various disorders which produce alteration in the morphology and function. Ultrasound (US) of the pancreas is sensitive for evaluating the gland and provides the accurate diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. The aim of this study is to determine whether there were alterations in pancreatic size and echogenicity in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods:

A total of 100 patients with Type-1 DM (insulin dependent) were examined using the ultrasonography. They were compared to 22 healthy controls. Measurements of the pancreas were performed on type 1 diabetic patients and controls.

Results:

Pancreatic diameters of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas were reduced in Type 1 DM versus controls (1.78 vs. 1.80 cm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.147 −0.099, P = 0.699 for the head of the pancreas; and 1.093 vs. 1.13 cm: 95% CI: −2.97–1.196, P = 0.484 for the body of the pancreas; 1.12 vs. 1.46 cm, 95% CI: −0.491–0.194, P < 0.001 for the tail of the pancreas). The echogenicity of the pancreas in patients with Type 1 DM increased significantly as the duration of the disease increased (P = 0.015).

Conclusion:

Individuals with Type 1 DM have reduced pancreatic size in comparison with controls. Patients with Type 1 DM have increased echogenicity of the pancreas as the duration of the disease increased.