bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Now the Leaves are Falling Fast
Authors: Rogers Deb ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: April 2021

In this work of philosophical short story fiction, two suburban families and their daughters (Tamara and Kate), live next door to each other. However, over time, Tamara’s parents, William and Beverly, get mixed up in a drug scheme. Things go wrong and William’s daughter, Tamara, is put in prison while their father, William, makes a deal to stay out of prison. The narrator blames them for their own daughter, Kate’s, current issues. Years later, when William is sent to hospice and the house is empty, the narrator breaks into their house to find and steal the left over money from the drug deals from time past. He plans to use the money to help his own daughter (Kate), whom he believes has a right to that money for the harm of their negative influence on their daughter.
The Angel in the Juniper
Authors: Johnson Sarah ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: April 2021

Are the pious loved by the gods because they are pious, or are they pious because they are loved by the gods?” In this work of philosophical short story fiction, Professor Adamson and the narrator discuss Euthyphro’s dilemma. The narrator is invited by her professor to follow her into the woods and to meet a reclusive revolutionary leader. The professor, and the revolutionary group, want to overthrow the government because voting rights, and other civil rights, have been severely restricted by the government. The legal ability to change the government through voting is a “near impossibility.” On her way to meet the leader, the narrator meets an angel who informs her that the future revolution will fail, and many will be hurt in the process. The angel tells the narrator she must kill her professor to help humanity. The narrator is unsure what to do and, during their walk, discusses the dilemma she is in; a practical application of Euthyphro’s dilemma. The story ends in the final moment, knife in hand, when the narrator is about to decide what she will do.
Forgiving and Forbearing Punishment
Authors: Lenta Patrick ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2021

Most philosophers who have expressed a view about whether forgiveness is compatible with forgivers’ continuing to punish, or support the punishment of, people who have wronged them hold that forgiveness is compatible with punishing or favouring punishment of wrongdoers. I argue that whether forgiveness entails forbearing punishment depends on which of two senses of forgiveness is operative. On the first, sentiment-based sense of forgiveness as consisting essentially in a change of heart on the part of a victim, a victim can, I submit, forgive while continuing to punish or to support the punishment of a person who has wronged her. On the second sense of forgiveness as consisting in debt remission whether or not accompanied by a change of heart, the state’s remission of the entirety of criminal offenders’ punishment qualifies as forgiveness and, moreover, the state could not forgive offenders in this sense while continuing to punish them.
Computer Ethics and Care
Authors: Ferreira Rodrigo , Vardi Moshe Y. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2021

Following increasing public concern over the ethical and social implications of contemporary technology, computer science departments around the world have recently increased their efforts to incorporate ethics into their educational curriculum. For our redesigned undergraduate course on Computer Ethics at Rice University, in addition to teaching variety of fundamental ethical theories and approaches to technology, we also sought to emphasize the role of “social” technologies in mediating moral relations and to encourage students to consider moral decision-making, rather than as an abstract rational process, as matter of affective care. To help us achieve this educational objective and inspired by the work of artist Jenny Odell, we designed an activity for students to practice focusing “deep” attention both on themselves and others. In this article, we describe in detail our rationale for this activity, report on lessons learned, and discuss potential applications for this activity in regard to the ongoing online teaching environment following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Doctoral training in African universities: recent trends, developments and issues
Authors: Jowi James Otieno
Published: April 2021

One of the core functions of universities the world over is the generation of new knowledge through research and innovations. African universities have been facing mammoth challenges, especially on their role in research. This is partly due to their weak internal capacities for research and low numbers of staff with PhDs, which is also crucial for their growth and self-renewal. This article analyses the state of doctoral training in Africa with some insights into its implications for research and knowledge generation. The article is based on the outcomes of a study on Building PhD Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa which was undertaken by the African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE) and the Institute of Education, University College London for the German Academic and Exchange Program (DAAD) and British Council. It covered six Sub-Saharan Africa countries. The study presents the key developments and some key challenges facing research and PhD production in these African countries.
Geopolitical diversity in Occupational and Organisational Psychology: shaking off historical comforts and confronting real-world challenges
Authors: Puplampu Bill Buenar , Lewis Chris
Published: April 2021

This article explores the limited and myopic theoretical and research resource base of Occupational and Organisational Psychology (OOP), a field which is a major contributor to global management thinking and practice. As a field, OOP has tackled many work-related human challenges. Considerable progress in both theory and practice in nearly 120 years of active engagement with society has led to theories of work, motivation, selection, performance, organisational behaviour, and development. Much of OOP work now informs and interfaces various Human Resource and general management initiatives. These advances notwithstanding, we note a major gap: the lack of diversity in the geopolitical and international sources of OOP theory. This article argues that to migrate theory and research into impactful practice�globally�OOP must engage a deliberate process of fostering alternative, autochthonous, and indigenous knowledge from geopolitical areas which are under-represented. The article proposes corrective actions and agendas which would assist OOP become more diverse and support the growth of Africa�s contribution to global knowledge production in the work and organisational sciences.
Internally displaced persons and COVID-19: a wake-up call for and African solutions to African problems � the case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Madziva Roda , Thondhlana Juliet , Garwe Evelyn Chiyevo , Murandu Moses , Chagwiza Godfrey , Chikanza Marck , Maradzika Julita
Published: April 2021

In this paper we engage with the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in two informal settlements in Zimbabwe, within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We draw on an ongoing collaborative, interdisciplinary, and impact-oriented project that seeks to help IDPs to be better prepared to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. We start by providing an analysis of the existing COVID-19 preventative messages and their applicability to the IDPs� situation, and further argue for the need to adopt Transformative Public Health Education (TPHE), to allow co-creation and co-production with IDPs in order to produce messages and interventions that suit their lived realities. We then move on to show the importance of leveraging local low-cost COVID-19 solutions, drawing on the example of the innovations that the project adapted in order to meet the needs of the IDPs residing in the two informal settlements.
Synthesis of neural network structure for the analysis of complex structured ocular fundus images
Authors: Tatarkanov Aslan , Alexandrov Islam , Glashev Rasul
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes an algorithm for synthesizing a neural network (NN) structure to analyze complex structured, low entropy, ocular fundus images, characterized by iterative tuning of the adaptive model's solver modules. This algorithm will assist in synthesizing models of NNs that meet the predetermined characteristics of the classification quality. The relevance of automating the process of ocular diagnostics of fundus pathologies is due to the need to develop domestic medical decision-making systems. Because of using the developed algorithm, the NN structure is synthesized, which will include two solver modules, and is intended to classify the dual-alternative information. Automated hybrid NN structures for intelligent segmentation of complex structured, low entropy, retinal images should provide increased efficiency of ocular diagnostics of fundus pathologies, reduce the burden on specialists, and decrease the negative impact of the human factor in diagnosis.
“Endoshield”: A Physical Protective Box for Pediatric Endoscopy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Charoenwat Busara , Sirirattanakul Suphasarang , Hangnak Kangsadan , Muikham Itsares
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic presents challenges for gastrointestinal endoscopy. Although the virus is transmitted through contact and droplets, aerosol-generating procedures produce aerosols that can spread through airborne routes. Several gastrointestinal societies have released statements to protect patients and health care providers (HCPs). This study describes a barrier box that may be used as an adjunctive device in addition to personal protective equipment during endoscopies.Methods: A transparent acrylic box called “Endoshield” was created to place over patient’s head and shoulders and was tested for its ease of use for the endoscopist and suitability for patient size and position.Results: Twelve children (66.67%, male) with a median age of 9 years (range, 2–11 years) underwent emergency or urgent endoscopy between April and June 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. The most common presenting symptom was life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding (8/12, 66.67%), while the rest had urgent symptoms (4/12, 33.33%). The “Endoshield” was suitable for all patient positions (left lateral position: 9/12, 75% and supine position: 3/12, 25%). The patients and HCPs were followed up for their symptoms on day 14, and none of them had any symptoms of concern.Conclusions: The “Endoshield” is affordable, reusable, and suitable for both positions.
EVALUATING USER EXPERIENCE WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: APRAIZ IRIARTE AINHOA , LASA ERLE GANIX , MAZMELA ETXABE MAITANE
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT:
User Experience (UX) is a key factor and an opportunity for improvement in digital interfaces. Traditionally, it has been evaluated retrospectively through surveys and interviews. However, this is not always the optimal approach, as it does not measure UX at the moment of human-machine interaction and is therefore prone to human error due to inaccurate recall. Thus, physiological monitoring is emerging as a promising technique to assess UX during interactions. This paper aims to identify UX case studies carried out with physiological monitoring by means of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The results of the 33 UX case studies reviewed show that interest in incorporating physiological technologies in UX studies is growing and expanding into different fields. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was found to be the most used physiological tool, and the most used set of tools was the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) with the electrocardiogram (ECG). In addition, the average number of participants was obtained depending on the physiological tool used. The research opportunities identified are: 1) the combination of different methods and tools in the assessment of UX, and 2), the validation of a sample size for UX tests performed with physiological monitoring
Keywords: User Experience (UX), evaluation, Systematic Literature Review (SLR), physiological monitorization
To What Factors do University Students Attribute Their Academic Success?
Authors: García y García Blanca Elba
Published: April 2021

This study explores the attributions to which undergraduate university students ascribe academic achievement. Attribution theory was used as a means to understand scholastic success-failure. The questions that guided the study were the following: What are the causal attributions that predominate in students' academic achievement? Is there a difference between male and female students? Is there a difference if average grades and the number of failed subjects, factored as benchmarks of academic achievement, are considered? Do the measured attributions have any weight when predicting students’ grades? A Likert scale measuring eight different attributions of academic achievement was applied to 165 students. The results showed that the most important attribution for academic achievement was intelligence. Sex-related differences were found in two attributes: calm and effort. In general, students with four failed subjects were those with the lowest averages measured in attributions. The variables that predicted good grades for male students were effort and good teachers, for female students, a liking for teachers, luck, and attention.
Analyse d’impact du moment de décaissement d’un produit avec garantie de rachat viager
Authors: Turgeon-Rhéaume Maxime , Lai Van Son
Published: April 2021

Les garanties de rachat viager (GLWB) ont fait l’objet de nombreuses analyses dans la littérature en raison de leur risque financier, mais peu d’articles ont jusqu’ici traité de l’option offerte au contractant par rapport au choix du moment de décaissement et ses impacts sur la rentabilité du produit auprès de l’assureur.

Cet article étend l’analyse effectuée par [Huang et al., 2014] dans leur article portant sur le choix optimal de décaissement pour un produit avec garanties de rachat viager. Tout d’abord, nous ajoutons une dimension additionnelle dans l’analyse pour tenir compte de la distribution des pertes d’un assureur selon l’âge au décaissement choisi par le contractant. Ensuite, nous développons un cadre d’analyse novateur afin de déterminer numériquement dans quelle mesure un assureur devrait modifier son échelle de frais lorsque ce dernier s’attend à ce qu’un assuré choisisse un moment de décaissement lui permettant de maximiser sa valeur de contrat. Nous démontrons que le niveau de frais équitables est fonction de l’âge à l’émission de l’assuré. Cette observation va à l’encontre de la pratique et de la structure présente de frais au sein de l’industrie canadienne où les assureurs chargent un niveau de frais uniformes indépendamment de l’âge à l’émission de l’assuré.
Mediating Effect of Work Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Psychosocial Safety Climate and Workplace Safety Behaviors Among Bank Employees After Covid-19 Lockdown
Authors:   Obafemi Awolowo University, Akanni Abimbola A. , Ajila Chris ,   Obafemi Awolowo University, Omisile Idowu ,   Obafemi Awolowo University, Ndubueze Kelechi ,   Obafemi Awolowo University
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Studies find that psychosocial safety climate is positively associated with workplace safety behaviors. However, the mechanism through which psychosocial safety climate exerts its effect needs further investigation. Therefore, this study investigated the indirect effect of work self-efficacy in the relationship between psychosocial safety climate and workplace safety behaviors. Methodology: Participants, who were 155 bank workers (F=66.5%; mean age= 33.9, SD=6.4), responded to an online survey of workplace safety behavior scale (WSBS), psychosocial safety climate scale (PSC-12), and work self-efficacy scale (WSES). Results: Results from correlational analyses revealed that psychosocial safety climate positively related to workplace safety behaviors. Moreover, work self-efficacy positively correlated to workplace safety behaviors. The mediation analysis using Hayes Process Macros indicated an indirect effect of work self-efficacy in the relationship between psychosocial safety climate and workplace safety behaviors. Creating a psychosocially safe climate may enhance bank workers’ safety behaviors in the period after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bikomponent ve Karışım HDPE/LDPE Filamentlerin Üretimi ve 3B Yazıcılarda Kullanımı
Authors: Uslu Oğuzhan , Aykut Yakup
Published: April 2021

Thermoplastic polymer have been used in 3D printing technologies since the objects produced via 3D methods by using thermoplastic materials can be recycled and reformed easly. In order to use a thermoplastic material in the 3D technologies, the thermplastic polymers are spun into fiber structures and then 3D objects are produced from these fibers. In this regard, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) were melt spun into fiber with various construction including neat, blend and bicomponent forms. Chemical, microstructural, thermal and mechanical properties of the produced fibers were investigated. 3D printable properties of the prepared fibers were observed by using them in the 3D printer. It was observed that bicomponent LDPE/HDPE fibers were the most suitable fiber to produced 3D sample in the lab scale 3D printer. 3D honeycomb structure was produced from this fiber and its compression strength property was investigated by comparing the same size of the PLA honeycomb structure. Compression strength test result of the honeycomb sample produced from LDPE/HDPE bicomponent fiber was close to compression strength test result of the PLA honeycomb sample. The results revelaled that LDPE/HDPE bicomponent fibers could be an alternative to PLA fiber in 3D printing technologies.
A new method of implementing simultaneous multiplexing holographic display of wavelength and polarization state with simple structure metasurface
Authors: Xu Ping , Xiao Yu-Fei , Huang Hai-Xuan , Yang Tuo , Zhang Xu-Lin , Yuan Xia , Li Xiong-Chao , Wang Meng-Yu , Xu Hai-Dong ,   Institute of Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China,   College of Big Data and Internet, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we propose a new method to realize both polarization-multiplexing and wavelength-multiplexing using a simple structure, which can realize hologram by the multiplexing of double wavelengths and double polarization in the visible band. Our design can reduce color cross-talk and have a higher diffraction efficiency. We design a transmission metasurface composed of simple rectangular cells. Firstly, we establish the relationship of structural parameters with the transmission phase under various incident conditions of light beams. Then we propose a fitness function that can optimize the structural parameters of the unit cell at each pixel point, which can display different images by 532 nm x-polarization and 633 nm y-polarization incident light beams respectively. Finally, finite difference time domain method is used to analyze the structure, and the holographic result fits the theoretical design very well. This work proposes using single metasurface structure to solve the problems of wavelength cross-talk appearing when using simple structures, and will have great importance in coding and anti-counterfeiting.
Numerical simulations of solidification microstructure evolution process for commercial-purity aluminum alloys inoculated by Al-Ti-B refiner
Authors: Song Yan , Jiang Hong-Xiang , Zhao Jiu-Zhou , He Jie , Zhang Li-Li , Li Shi-Xin ,   Shi-changxu Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China,   School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang 110016, China
Published: April 2021

Solidification microstructure of aluminum alloy has a great influence on the properties of the casting. An aluminum alloy with the structure of fine equiaxed grains has low casting defects and presents excellent mechanical properties. Recently, chemical inoculation by adding grain refiner is the technique most extensively used to achieve a fine, equiaxed grain structure of Al alloy in the industrial production. In order to investigate the detailed solidification microstructure evolution of the alloy, many numerical models have been proposed. Cellular automaton method is one of the powerful tools for simulating the morphology evolution of detailed grains in the solidification process of alloy. However, the present cellular automata model has a shortcoming, that is, its calculation of the nucleation rate is based on the experimental number density of grains. In this work, a population dynamics-cellular automaton model is developed for describing the solidification microstructure evolution of the inoculated aluminum alloy. The model takes account of the heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al nucleus, the initial spherical growth of α-Al grains and the dendritic growth process. The model is used for simulating the solidification microstructure evolution of the commercial-purity aluminum (CP-Al) inoculated by Al-5Ti-1B master alloy. The results indicate that the heterogeneous nucleation process of α-Al can be divided into the two stages. In the early stage of nucleation, there are enough effective particles in the melt. The nucleation rate of α-Al increases with the increase of the undercooling of the melt. After a short time, the nucleation of α-Al is dominated by the number density of the effective particles in the melt. Nucleation process stops when the recalescence takes place. The effects of the additive amount of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy and the cooling rate of the melt on the solidification microstructure of the CP-Al are investigated by using the established model. The final solidification structures of CP-Al are predicted. And a comparison between the predicted results and the experimental ones shows that they are in good agreement with each other.
Unmasking coupling between channel gating and ion permeation in the muscle nicotinic receptor
Authors: Strikwerda John R , Sine Steven M
Published: April 2021

Whether ion channel gating is independent of ion permeation has been an enduring, unresolved question. Here, applying single channel recording to the archetypal muscle nicotinic receptor, we unmask coupling between channel gating and ion permeation by structural perturbation of a conserved intramembrane salt bridge. A charge-neutralizing mutation suppresses channel gating, reduces unitary current amplitude, and increases fluctuations of the open channel current. Power spectra of the current fluctuations exhibit low- and high-frequency Lorentzian components, which increase in charge-neutralized mutant receptors. After aligning channel openings and closings at the time of transition, the average unitary current exhibits asymmetric relaxations just after channel opening and before channel closing. A theory in which structural motions contribute jointly to channel gating and ion conduction describes both the power spectrum and the current relaxations. Coupling manifests as a transient increase in the open channel current upon channel opening and a decrease upon channel closing.
From mice to men
Authors: Althaus J Christian , Sutton Michael A
Published: April 2021

All-trans retinoic acid induces functional and structural plasticity of synapses in human cortical circuits through the engagement of the spine apparatus.
Quantification of Information Transmission in Signal Play-calling for NCAA Division 1 College Football: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: E. King Michael , Miller Samuel , Burch V Reuben F. , Reimann Will , Shalala Jon , Piroli Anthony , Bichey Cory , Rath Ted
Published: April 2021

Background: To gain a competitive advantage in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 American college football, teams often use a coded, hand/body gesture-based play-calling system to communicate calls to student-athletes on the field. Objective: The purpose of this study is to apply cognitive engineering concepts toward the improvement of signal transmission such that a realistic amount of data signaled will be received and understood by the student-athlete. Methods: Partnering with an NCAA coaching staff, information transmitted via signal-based communication pathways were quantified to inform the design of their signal system. Quality control coaches, practitioners of football signalling characterization and design, used an autoethnographic frame to train researchers on the communication protocol standards. A comprehensive literature review of sources from 1900 to 2019 was conducted to examine information transmission, signal-gesture taxonomies, sign-language recognition, and code design. Findings were applied to the signal system to quantify the information contained in the transmission between the signalling coaches and the student-athletes. Results: Results found that the observed signal system transmits an average of 12.62 bits of information on offense and 12.92 bits on defense with 23% and 12% redundancy, respectively. Conclusion: Recommendations were provided to the coaching staff regarding code optimization and gesture design to improve student-athlete performance.
Early Days of the Novel Coronavirus: Public Response in Social Media during the First Month of the Outbreak
Authors:   Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia, Kuperjanov Maris
Published: April 2021

The aim of the article is to give an overview of the first month of the novel coronavirus outbreak and of the public reactions to the news in media comments and social media environments in both local Estonian and global contexts. The pandemic was still ongoing at the time the article was published and, with some modifications and new emphases, vernacular reactions in the media (incl. social media) continued flourishing. During the first month (January 2020), the growing flow of information and rapid escalation of the situation made the topic more noticeable in both the media and social media, and thus provided a fertile basis for jokes and internet memes, legends, fake news, misinformation, conspiracy theories, etc., as was the case with the former bigger epidemics and pandemics. As it has also been observed previously, the consequences of some fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories may often be more harmful for society than the disease itself. Several motifs and storylines are universal and surge as similar situations arise both in Estonia and all over the world. The article also presents a selection of more prominent topics and examples of the outbreak from social media environments during the initial phase of international awareness of the novel coronavirus.
Online Coping with the First Wave: Covid Humor and Rumor on Dutch Social Media (March – July 2020)
Authors:   Meertens Instituut, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Meder Theo ,   University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Published: April 2021

In the course of March 2020, the Netherlands, Flanders, and a large part of Europe were affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 virus. For four months, the population was in lockdown, and many issues had to be handled online. Social media became important to keep in touch with and to air opinions. Two folktale genres, namely the joke and the modern legend, were used to express frustrations, malicious pleasures, fears, and feelings of distrust. During the first wave, Theo Meder and Mathijs Kroon did some intensive collecting of jokes, memes, fake news, and conspiracy theories. It was expected by folktale researchers like Giselinde Kuipers and Theo Meder that, just like in former crises, jokes would contain plenty of morbid disaster humor, but that did not happen. Contemporary legends, on the other hand, were polarizing and toxic, and mistrust was mainly directed against the elite of politicians, scientists, doctors, and journalists. The corona crisis was seen as some kind of hoax in many ways, while most of the “sheeple” refused to wake up. The analysis of folktales during the pandemic provides an insight into the feelings and emotions in society.
A deep learning algorithm to detect coronavirus (COVID-19) disease using CT images
Authors: Mohammadpoor Mojtaba , Sheikhi karizaki Mehran , Sheikhi karizaki Mina
Published: April 2021

Background

COVID-19 pandemic imposed a lockdown situation to the world these past months. Researchers and scientists around the globe faced serious efforts from its detection to its treatment.

Methods

Pathogenic laboratory testing is the gold standard but it is time-consuming. Lung CT-scans and X-rays are other common methods applied by researchers to detect COVID-19 positive cases. In this paper, we propose a deep learning neural network-based model as an alternative fast screening method that can be used for detecting the COVID-19 cases by analyzing CT-scans.

Results

Applying the proposed method on a publicly available dataset collected of positive and negative cases showed its ability on distinguishing them by analyzing each individual CT image. The effect of different parameters on the performance of the proposed model was studied and tabulated. By selecting random train and test images, the overall accuracy and ROC-AUC of the proposed model can easily exceed 95% and 90%, respectively, without any image pre-selecting or preprocessing.
Orofacial Findings and Dental Management of Noonan Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Alhassoun Razeem Khalid
Published: April 2021

Noonan Syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutations in multiple genes in the RAS-MAP (Mitogen-Activated Protein) Kinase pathway. It is typically characterised by short stature, broad webbed neck, abnormal chest shape, congenital heart defects and developmental delay. Oral manifestations include high arched palate, micrognathia, malocclusion, impacted teeth and jaw bones. Presented here is a case of NS in a 26-year-old female, reported to the dental clinic in College of Dentistry, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University. The cranio-dentofacial features of this syndrome can be diagnosed by the dentist and these features can be unrecognised by the physician. The dentofacial features of the patient included a broad forehead, down slanting palpebral fissure, flat base of the nose and low junction of the ears, prominent nasolabial folds, Class III molar malocclusion, edge-to-edge bite, high arched palate, and congenitally missing teeth. The present patient was first diagnosed by a dental professional and hence, this case report aims to present this syndrome from a dental viewpoint. The treatment plan was to improve her oral hygiene, retain the deciduous tooth and space maintainer in the congenitally missing tooth to preserve space for the future prosthodontic treatment.
Serum and Salivary Sialic Acid and Nitric Oxide Levels Estimation and Comparison after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy in Generalised Chronic Periodontitis Patients
Authors: Muthukumar Sujeetha , Rajaram Vijayalakshmi , Mahendra Jaideep , Rao P Abirami Nayaki , Nalinakumari C Burnice
Published: April 2021

Introduction: An exigency for a biomarker arises to expeditiously detect the periodontal disease evolution and to advocate more robust therapy efficacy measurements. Nitric oxide and sialic acid have been proved to be potential inflammatory markers. Hence, the evaluation of the involvement of nitric oxide and sialic acid in periodontal disease will enable us to assimilate the aspect of the complex process of periodontal disease progression. Aim: To estimate and compare the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum and salivary sialic acid and nitric oxide levels in generalised chronic periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: This study was a case-control as well as an interventional study. The subjects for this study were recruited from the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai from April 2017 to October 2018. Hundred patients were selected for this study. Control group consisted of 50 periodontally healthy subjects and test group consisted of 50 generalised chronic periodontitis subjects. After blood and saliva sample collection for determination of salivary and serum sialic acid and nitric oxide levels, evaluation of periodontal parameters like plaque index, probing pocket depth and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) was done. Then the test group subjects underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy and on 90th day post SRP parameters were re-evaluated. The collected data were analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics software, Version 23.0. In the above statistical tool the probability value 0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: The mean difference of plaque index, probing pocket depth, CAL, serum sialic acid, salivary sialic acid, serum Nitric Oxide (NO) and salivary nitric oxide: between the control and test group at baseline was -2.05, -5.01 mm, -5.56 mm, -12.515 mg/dL, -11.97 mg/dL, -129.762 μMol/L and -78.978 μMol/L respectively; for the test group at baseline and 90 days after nonsurgical periodontal therapy was 1.332, 3.15 mm, 3.285 mm, 14.206 mg/dL, 12.76 mg/dL, 130.082 μMol/L, 82.004 μMol/L, respectively. All the values were statistically significant with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy led to a decrease in the serum and salivary sialic acid and nitric oxide levels in subjects with generalised chronic periodontitis. A decrease in biochemical parameters was associated with a reduction in probing pocket depth and gain in attachment level.
It is Time to Revise the Ventilation Strategy in COVID-19 Affected Patients
Authors: Naaz Shagufta , Ozair Erum , Asghar Adil , Sahay Nishant , Kumar Rajnish
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 infection has emerged as a pandemic. This infection is new to the world, and the management strategy is evolving daily. As per the current guidelines, the patients of COVID-19 infection requiring mechanical ventilation should be treated on the lines of management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). However, it seems that the management of ventilation in the case of COVID-19 needs to be modified. With growing experience, many hospitals have turned to Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) to ward-off severe respiratory failure and in keeping with the inadequate resources. The controversy in using NIV is whether the benefits of using such interventions are more than the potential risks of aerosolisation of the virus. There is a hope that helmet-based ventilation may help reduce the risk of nosocomial infection. Autopsy findings demonstrated that besides ARDS, the alveolar capillaries were clearly thickened, with fibrin thrombi within the capillaries and small vessels and surrounding oedema present in COVID-19 affected lungs. This virus attacks the beta chain of haemoglobin, dissociates heme, removing iron converting it to porphyrin. The cause of desaturation is the failure of the blood to carry oxygen leading to multiorgan failure and mortality. The cause of lung damage seen on Computerised Tomography (CT) scans is the release of oxidative iron, which in turn overcomes the natural defenses against pulmonary oxidative stress and causes what is known as the Cytokine Storm. The question is whether mechanical ventilation is harming the patient by traumatising their lungs leading to increased mortality. Prone ventilation is the next preferred step for COVID-19 patients who fail to achieve adequate oxygenation with low tidal volume ventilation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help the leftover functioning haemoglobin to carry more oxygen. Blood transfusion and plasmapheresis provide symptomatic relief. Thrombolytic therapy is also being tried with some benefits. These may be promising in treating patients with COVID-19 infection. Researches are required on the other probability and to test newly emerging treatment modalities.
Turn Around Time for Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory: A Vital and Effective Parameter for Patient Care
Authors: Chhatriwala Mitul Navinchandra , Patel Dharmik Savjibhai , Patel Divyal , Shah Hitesh N
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Clinical laboratories are judged by its validity, reliability, genuineness or authenticity and its timeliness in reports generating. Repetitively, patients and physicians complain about the time taken by the laboratory for the investigation. The total Turn Around Time (TAT) for laboratory tests includes the entire interval from the order of the test to the awareness of the result by the clinicians. The evaluation and improvement of TAT is crucial for the management of laboratory quality and the satisfaction of patients. Aim: To observe the TAT of common biochemical investigations, to identify reasons for increased TAT and to formulate a plan to rectify increased TAT. Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinical Biochemistry Section of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory of Tertiary Care Hospital. TAT data from April 2014 to September 2015 were included in the study. The laboratory technicians and the resident doctors of biochemistry recorded the reasons for the delay of those specimens exceeding the TAT. Data were analysed with the help of statistical software Epi Info 7. Results: The total number of samples received in the biochemistry laboratory were 1,85,658. Out of this, Out Patient Department (OPD) samples were 1,35,022 and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) samples were 50,636. Pre-analytical errors were observed in 670 of ICU samples, which was 1.32% of total samples received and it was higher than the post-analytical errors. In the pre-analytical phase, the most common cause was inaccurate procedures of sample collection. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the main culprit of increased TAT was delay in the sample transportation and Haemolysed samples. TAT minimisation is a constant procedure for any facility. Every laboratory needs to develop a decent approach for reducing the TAT.
Proportion of Psychiatry Outpatients with Borderline Personality and Associated Clinical Syndromes using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ajinkya Shaunak Ajit , Sharma Pranita Shantanu , Ramakrishnan Aparna
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Personality disorders are a group of behavioural patterns associated with significant personal and socio-occupational disturbances. Numerous studies have demonstrated borderline personality to be one of the most common personality disorders. It’s less often diagnosed with just a clinical assessment. Aim: To examine the proportion of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and its associated personality types and clinical syndromes, using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory version-III (MCMI-III). Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out on 450 adult patients who attended the psychiatry outpatient department of an urban tertiary care hospital. They had been administered the MCMI-III, a self-rating questionnaire commonly used to provide information on personality types and associated clinical syndromes. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS, Windows) version 20.0 was used for statistical analyses. Data was expressed in terms of actual number, mean and percentages. Chi-Square or Fisher’s-exact test, as appropriate, was used for categorical data to test for associations. Odds ratio was estimated to measure strength of the association. Results: Borderline was the most common personality type comprising nearly half (46.63%) of the study population. 25.5% had borderline traits while 21.1% had Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD was significantly higher in females (p<0.001), younger age group below the age of 40 years (p<0.001) and unmarried persons (p<0.001). It was comorbid most with Anxiety (90.91%; OR=4.05; p<0.001), Major Depression (85.23%; OR=18.39; p<0.001), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (46.59%; OR=6.30; p<0.001) and Thought disorders (56.82%; OR=18.15; p<0.001). Alcohol (22.73%; OR=3.54; p<0.001) and Drug dependence (13.64%; OR=11.52; p<0.001) were also seen significantly higher in patients with BPD. Personality types significantly comorbid with BPD were Sadistic, Depressive, Masochistic, Negativistic, Schizotypal, Avoidant, Dependent, Antisocial and Paranoid types, with odds being most for Sadistic personality (OR=9.44). Conclusion: It is recommended that mental health professionals and clinicians should start to look for underlying symptoms of BPD in patients of anxiety and mood syndromes. If found these patients should be directed for psychotherapy as early as possible. The MCMI psychological test would be an important contribution to this area, given the need for systematic, quick, and objective testing methods that facilitate the diagnosis.
Morphologic and Morphometric Study of Human Acetabulum and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Arunkumar KR , Delhiraj U , Kumar S Satish
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The acetabulum is a cup shaped hemispherical depression which is present on the hip bone, contributed by ilium, ischium and pubis. It has a central depressed non-articular part called acetabular fossa, surrounded by a curved lunate articular surface which articulates with the head of femur to form hip joint. The knowledge of acetabular dimensions assists the radiologists in diagnosing acetabular dysplasia and aids the surgeon to determine the correct size of the acetabular cup during total hip arthroplasty and to realign the acetabulum back to normal position. Aim: To measure and analyse the relationship between the depth and diameter of acetabulum and also to study the variations in the morphology of anterior acetabular ridge. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 104 unpaired dry human adult hip bones from February 2017 to September 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance. The diameter and depth of acetabulum was measured using vernier calliper and a metallic strip and correlation between them were analysed using Pearson’s test. Student’s t-test was used to test the significance between the variables. The p-value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The different shapes of anterior acetabular ridge were noted. All the recorded data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 16.0). Results: The average measurements of acetabular diameter and depth were 48.98±2.91 mm and 24.12±2.54 mm, respectively. A positive and a significant correlation was found between diameter and depth of the acetabulum (r=0.388, p<0.001). The mean values of diameter and depth of acetabulum in right side were 48.76±2.94 mm and 23.6±2.48 mm, respectively. The average values of diameter and depth in left side were 49.2±2.92 mm and 24.6±2.59 mm, respectively. Though the measurements of acetabular dimensions on left side were slightly greater than right side, they were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Four different shapes of anterior acetabular ridges were noted: angular (23.08%), curved (63.46%), straight (2.88%) and irregular (10.58%). Conclusion: The present study showed weakly positive correlation between diameter and depth of the acetabulum and morphological variations in the shape of anterior acetabular ridge.
Bone Mineral Status in Sub-clinical Hypothyroidism: A Case-control Study
Authors: Vasanthan M , Vinodhini VM
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder which results in various metabolic disturbances. The disturbance in the bone minerals, calcium and phosphorus contribute to the most common imbalance. This is commonly overlooked in sub-clinical hypothyroidism, based on the absence of symptoms in patients related to thyroid hormone imbalance. The diagnosis of sub-clinical hypothyroidism is generally incidental and is based on the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level. The concentration of the circulating thyroid hormones, T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine) are not altered in this condition. Aim: To study the Ca/P ratio, an early indicator of osteoporotic marker among the patients with hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a case-control study and involved 35 controls with normal thyroid function and 35 subjects with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, of age group 20-45 years. The serum samples were analysed for calcium and phosphorus by their respective methods. The samples were analysed on the same day to maintain the stability of the parameters. Calcium/Phosphorus ratio (Ca/P) was calculated. Results: Serum Calcium was found to be less (8.33±0.30) and serum phosphorus was more (6.61±0.88) in sub-clinical hypothyroidism when compared to control group. Therefore, a reversal of Ca/P ratio was (1.26±0.34) was noted. Conclusion: This study underlines the necessity for patients with sub-clinical hypothyroidism to be monitored for bone mineral status to avoid complications in bone health.
Effect of Plyometrics and Pilates Training on Dynamic Balance and Core Strength of Karate Players
Authors: Pal Sajjan , Yadav Joginder , Sindhu Bijender , Kalra Sheetal
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The success of the karate player mainly depends on the balance and core strength. Improvement in these physical variables depends upon the type of exercise training used by the athletes. In the Indian context, there is lack of literature that supports the use of Pilates and Plyometric Training (PT) programme in training of Karate players. Therefore, to achieve success in the sport, best training method should be chosen by athletes or coaches. Aim: To compare and evaluate the effectiveness of two training programs Pilates and Plyometric on balance and core strength of National level male Karate athletes. Materials and Methods: The design of this study was experimental and sampling technique was simple random sampling. This study was conducted on a sample of 120 with 40 subjects in each group i.e., Experimental group A (Plyometric, N=40), Experimental group B (Pilates, N=40) and Control group C (N=40). The data was collected during 20th May 2018 to 10thFebruary 2020. The national level male karate players in the age group of 18 to 24 years with playing experience of five years were included in the study. The plyometric and pilates training were carried out in experimental groups for three days per week for eight weeks and no training method was implemented in the control group. Three reading were recorded, at the baseline, at the end of 4th and 8th week. Dynamic balance and core strength were the outcome measurements which were measured by modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and isometric core strength tests respectively. All the data was analysed by SPSS version 2.0 and the descriptive stats noted as mean±SD. ANOVA post-hoc analysis were calculated with p-value significance set at <0.05. Results: After eight weeks of intervention, both experimental groups showed significant improvement in dynamic balance and core strength comparisons between the groups. When the pre-test and post-test values of the experimental groups have been compared at the 4th week and 8th week of the study showed significant improvement (p-value <0.001) in the mSEBT and Core strength of the plyometric group compared to pilates and control group. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed that plyometrics and pilates both can improve balance and core strength of karate players but the PT method had more positive and statistically better effects on core strength and dynamic balance than pilates group in the view of sports performance.